The Path of Evolution

Dai Mubai limped back into the student ranks.

"Does anyone else want to give Xiao Yi a try?" Flender's voice slowly reached everyone's ears.

The others looked at one another, but no one stepped forward.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the two Support System Soul Masters, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, naturally had no objections. Seeing Dai Mubai's miserable state, Ma Hongjun did not dare say much either. As for Zhu Zhuqing, as long as it could make her stronger, she did not care who taught the class.

"Very good. Since there are no objections, then this decision is passed. If any of you believe you have grown stronger and still disagree in the future, you may challenge him again. As long as Shi Yi loses, you will no longer need to attend his classes." Flender smiled at the students.

Shi Yi shot Flender, who was speaking with great enthusiasm, an annoyed glare.

Flender continued, "From today onward, Master will be fully responsible for your instruction, and we will all cooperate with him. You only returned yesterday, so I imagine everyone is rather tired. You'll have the day off today, and classes will resume tomorrow. During this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, two more of you reached the Soul Elder realm. Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Tang San—you who have yet to break through Rank 30 must work hard as well. Try to catch up with the others as soon as possible. Master, do you have anything to say?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. Looking at the Shrek students, he said calmly, "The academy has only seven students. In my view, you are one whole. I have reviewed your records. Xiao Yi and I will formulate targeted teaching methods for you afterward. Other than cooperation, I do not wish to hear any dissenting voices."

After speaking, Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on Shi Yi. "Xiao Yi, do you have anything to say?"

Yu Xiaogang's words drew everyone's attention to Shi Yi. Shi Yi took a booklet from his Soul Tool and said slowly, "You may be curious how I cultivated from innate Rank One to where I am now. I can give you the answer. Increasing cultivation speed and breaking free from the shackles of aptitude cannot be achieved through one simple thing. Constantly changing yourself is also a form of cultivation. So the first thing you must do now is change your Meditation Method."

With that, Shi Yi tossed the booklet in his hand toward Tang San. Everyone's curious gazes followed its arc through the air.

"This is a new cultivation method I created when I was six. I call it the Soul Power Circulation Method. Compared to a Meditation Method, it noticeably increases cultivation speed, restores Soul Power faster, and reduces Soul Power consumption during use. Xiao San, you will be responsible for teaching it," Shi Yi said calmly.

Curiosity appeared on the teachers' faces as well. Even they had become interested in Shi Yi's cultivation method. What shocked them even more was that Shi Yi had developed such a Cultivation Method at the age of six.

A storm surged within Tang San's heart. No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand why Shi Yi would casually take out such a precious Cultivation Method.

Is he trying to win people over? Tang San thought to himself.

"Yes, Senior Disciple Brother." Tang San respectfully replied to Shi Yi.

Shi Yi noticed the teachers' curiosity and continued, "If any of you teachers are interested, you may have a look as well."

Master swept his gaze across the group. "Mm, Xiao Yi is right. A good cultivation method is a good beginning. You may disperse now. Gather here at dawn tomorrow. Also, I do not want to see anyone absent at breakfast. Otherwise, you will receive special training."

Shi Yi then left with Yu Xiaogang and the others. At some point, Zhao Wuji had sidled up beside Shi Yi.

"You little brat, that's not very decent of you. You had something this good and only brought it out now?" Zhao Wuji said to Shi Yi.

"This... it's only so-so. What I want to give you is much more useful than this," Shi Yi replied.

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up. Throwing an arm around Shi Yi's shoulders as though they were blood brothers, he said without ceremony, "Make another copy of that Soul Power Circulation Method for us teachers."

Shi Yi nodded. Although the basic version of the Twelve Meridians was merely a foundational Cultivation Method and would not benefit the teachers greatly, it would certainly be faster than ordinary Meditation Methods. As for Shi Yi's personal version, it had removed many unnecessary routes and focused on speed and efficiency according to individual physical traits. Shi Yi estimated that even the Mysterious Heaven Skill could not match its cultivation speed.

As for the so-called endless cycle of life, Shi Yi believed that was not an effect of a Cultivation Method. Rather, it was a state that a true expert should display after cultivating deeply enough. Once one's Soul Power reserves grew larger, circulation efficiency reached its peak, Soul Power control strengthened, and one properly managed the release of Soul Skills in battle, would that not be an endless cycle of life?

Shi Yi simply did not believe the Mysterious Heaven Skill could be so absurdly powerful that it granted someone unlimited firepower.

Before long, Shi Yi returned to his room, copied out another basic version of the Twelve Meridians, and handed it to Zhao Wuji. Zhao Wuji nodded in satisfaction. After all, as a teacher, he could not exactly go learn from Tang San. That would be far too embarrassing.

After Zhao Wuji left with Shi Yi's handwritten copy of the Twelve Meridians, Shi Yi headed toward Suotuo City. Although he did not know the harvesting methods for every Immortal Herb, the original work had mentioned quite a few of them. He still needed to prepare the necessary items.

Gold, silver, copper, iron, jade, wooden tools—he needed to buy whatever was needed.

With that in mind, Shi Yi set off toward Suotuo City.

As time passed, Shi Yi soon found himself browsing the materials market and herbal shops of Suotuo City.

The medical environment on Douluo Continent was rather strange. Many Support System Soul Masters also worked as doctors, and Soul Masters generally did not need medicine to treat ordinary illnesses. Medicine was only used in two areas: nourishment and poison-making. The Breaking Clan was a typical example.

This resulted in medicine being extremely expensive. Ordinary people could not afford it at all. Only Soul Masters bought it, either to aid cultivation or to make poisons to harm others. Only in rare cases, when someone suffered serious injuries that even healing Soul Masters could not suppress, would medicine be needed as a supplement.

Shi Yi looked through the herbs in the shop according to the prescription Yu Xiaogang had given him. The units of measure were all in Gold Coins, and none of the herbs were cheap.

No wonder even a Soul Saint like Flender can't keep up with the expenses of raising seven geniuses. Oh, eight now, Shi Yi thought to himself.

Shi Yi guessed that aside from obscenely wealthy factions like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even Blue Lightning would not dare claim they could have every direct descendant soak in this stuff every day. As for the Clear Sky Sect, there was no need to mention it. It was the poorest of the Upper Three Sects.

Shi Yi shook his head, casually looked around the herbal shop, and slowly left. He could not afford it. He truly could not afford it.

The moment Shi Yi stepped out of the shop, a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Shi Yi..."

Shi Yi instinctively looked toward the source of the voice and saw Ning Rongrong slowly walking toward him.

"It really is you, Shi Yi." Ning Rongrong smiled softly.

"Is there something you need, Miss Ning?" Shi Yi asked with a faint smile.

"Just call me Rongrong. I do have something I want to discuss with you," Ning Rongrong said quietly.

"You aren't going to ask me to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, are you?" Shi Yi said with a smile.

Ning Rongrong shook her head slightly. "It isn't convenient to talk here. Let's find somewhere else. My treat."

Shi Yi bowed slightly, raised a hand with the utmost gentlemanly grace, and smiled. "Please..."

Ning Rongrong seemed quite familiar with Suotuo City. She led Shi Yi through the streets with ease to a rather elegant restaurant.

The two sat by the window. Shi Yi lifted the fragrant tea before him and took a light sip. "Rongrong, can you tell me what you wanted now? If it's a cultivation question, then as your teacher, I can answer it. But if it's a personal matter, then..."

A sly glint flashed through Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes. "Of course it's about cultivation."

"Oh? The young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is taking an interest in cultivation? Let's hear it." Shi Yi looked somewhat curious.

Ning Rongrong's eyes shifted slightly as she smiled. "Then can Teacher Xiao Yi tell me how to cultivate so that my Martial Soul can evolve?"

Shi Yi smiled. "You are clever. I can answer that question, but its value is beyond what our shallow teacher-student relationship can earn you."

"Oh? Then what sort of relationship does Teacher Xiao Yi want us to have?" Ning Rongrong's tone became frivolous and ethereal, while those large, innocent eyes stared at Shi Yi.

Helplessness appeared on Shi Yi's face. "Forget it. I don't want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect watching me. You might as well just give me some money. That would be more practical."

Seeing that Shi Yi would not take the bait, Ning Rongrong's expression returned to normal. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Shi Yi as though telling him how terribly boring he was.

"Then I'll give you one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Can you answer my question? Of course, your answer must satisfy me," Ning Rongrong said seriously.

"One hundred thousand?" Shi Yi froze slightly. So this is what it feels like to be showered with money? I have never felt anything so wonderful.

"What? Is that too little? Then two hundred thousand, as long as your answer satisfies me," Ning Rongrong continued.

Two hundred thousand! How many medicinal herbs could that buy? Shi Yi was overjoyed.

"Still not enough?" Ning Rongrong glared at Shi Yi.

"Three hundred thousand?" Shi Yi cautiously asked in a low voice.

At this point, Ning Rongrong realized that Shi Yi was not dissatisfied with the sum. He had simply been dumbfounded by the money. Rolling her eyes at him, she said, "Get lost. Two hundred thousand. Take it or leave it."

Shi Yi coughed awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"If you keep dragging this out, it'll be one hundred thousand," Ning Rongrong said, glaring at him. She had figured it out. Shi Yi was short on money—desperately short on money.

"I'll explain it now, don't rush. I know that Martial Soul Evolution has always been a sore point for your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. To solve this problem, we must begin with the relationship between Martial Souls and Soul Masters."

"Relationship?" Ning Rongrong asked in confusion.

"That's right, a relationship." Shi Yi nodded slightly.

"A Martial Soul is inherited through a Soul Master's bloodline. If you want your Martial Soul to evolve, then clearly you must begin from that direction."

"Bloodline?"

"That's right." Shi Yi nodded. "Do you know the difference between Tool Souls and Beast Souls?"

Ning Rongrong became even more confused. "What does that have to do with Beast Souls?"

"My Martial Soul was originally an ant, but after obtaining three Thousand Jun Ant Soul Rings and consuming them myself, it changed."

"But my Martial Soul is different from yours. Mine is a Tool Soul. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda isn't a living thing," Ning Rongrong said matter-of-factly.

"Which brings us back to what I just said. Martial Souls are inherited through the bloodline. If you want your Martial Soul to evolve, you must strengthen the power buried deep within your bloodline. Just like my Little Ant, which evolved by absorbing Soul Rings from its own kind, devouring its own kind, and even consuming superior bloodlines," Shi Yi explained.

Doubt still flickered across Ning Rongrong's pretty face. She did not know what she was supposed to do.

"So what should I do?" Ning Rongrong asked Shi Yi directly.

"If a Soul Master wants to excavate the power within their bloodline, the first step is persistent cultivation. Practice the Twelve Meridians I gave you properly. Soul Power is a very wondrous force. A quantitative change can lead to a qualitative change. With your talent, it is very possible for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve," Shi Yi said to Ning Rongrong.

"But my father has persisted for so many years without any result." Ning Rongrong did not quite believe him.

"What talent does your father have, and what talent do you have? How can they be compared? Besides, I'm not finished yet. Don't be so quick to interrupt me," Shi Yi said helplessly.

"Second, strengthen your body. Don't say physical training is useless for Support System Soul Masters. Soul Masters and Martial Souls always promote each other's growth. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is of extremely high quality, but if its Soul Master is frail and weak, how can the Martial Soul evolve? A strong body increases a Soul Master's tolerance for energy and allows them to absorb Soul Rings of greater age."

"Third, you absolutely cannot be careless when choosing Soul Rings for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Although the characteristics of your Martial Soul mean you can gain corresponding amplification abilities from any type of Soul Ring, the changes and enhancements brought by weak Soul Beasts and powerful Soul Beasts are completely different. When Soul Masters with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda choose Soul Rings, they should rather go without than settle for something inferior. If you can choose a powerful one, never compromise. Even dispatching a Title Douluo would be worthwhile for a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master with your talent."

"Fourth, something your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can certainly accomplish: equip yourself with a full set of high-age Soul Bones, as high as possible. The earlier you absorb them, the better. Do not care too much about the choice of skills. Focus instead on their age and the extent to which they strengthen your body. That way, you can absorb stronger Soul Rings, increasing the probability of triggering Martial Soul Evolution."

"The final point depends on fate. If you can find something like Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to stimulate your Martial Soul's evolution, that is also a viable method."

Shi Yi's mouth had gone dry. No longer bothering to act like a gentleman, he picked up the fragrant tea before him and drank it in great gulps.

Ning Rongrong fell silent, only looking deeply at Shi Yi. She admitted that Shi Yi's theoretical knowledge had astonished her. It truly seemed possible that following his advice could allow her Martial Soul to evolve.

Then Ning Rongrong took out a card from her Soul Tool and gently slid it across the table to Shi Yi. Shi Yi did not stand on ceremony, tossing the card into his own Soul Tool.

"Work hard, Rongrong. Although Oscar's support abilities are extremely powerful, when it comes to supporting Battle Soul Masters in individual combat, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the number one Martial Soul under heaven. I hope to see the eighth and ninth rays of colored light on you. Thank you for the meal," Shi Yi said with a smile.

With that, Shi Yi slowly left the restaurant. It was time for him to go spend some money.