First Spirit Ring

First Spirit Ring

In the afternoon, sandalwood smoke curled through the teahouse as sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice onto the zither stand. Feng Yao sat there in plain robes, his slender fingers gently plucking the strings of "Fuxi." A piece of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" poured forth like a clear spring, the zither sound sometimes tinkling like a mountain stream, sometimes deep and secluded like a tranquil pool, leaving the teahouse patrons holding their breath in rapt attention.

Just as the zither music reached its most exquisite passage, the teahouse curtain was gently lifted. Yu Xiaogang slowly entered, holding Tang San's hand, and chose an inconspicuous table in a corner of the main hall. He ordered a pot of clear tea, but his gaze remained fixed on Feng Yao, who was playing the zither.

Feng Yao had long noticed the master and disciple from the corner of his eye, but he paid them no mind and merely immersed himself in his performance. The zither music echoed through the teahouse. Even Yu Xiaogang narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped his fingers against the table in time with the rhythm.

"His zither skills are indeed remarkable, but compared to other zither masters, he merely possesses stronger emotional resonance. Could it be..." Yu Xiaogang glanced around at the other patrons, then furrowed his brow as he silently pondered, The people around him are indeed deeply engrossed, but Xiao San did not experience any particularly strong effects when he meditated to his zither music this morning. Could it really have been mere coincidence?

When the piece ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the teahouse, and guests from the private rooms offered rewards one after another. Carrying his "Fuxi," Feng Yao went to each private room to thank his benefactors.

"Teacher, did you find anything?" Tang San asked Yu Xiaogang in a low voice.

Yu Xiaogang sighed softly. "It was no different from what you told me this morning. But his zither skills are superb. If he intends to conceal something, it would be difficult for others to notice."

"Do you think it might have just been a coincidence?" Tang San asked hesitantly.

Yu Xiaogang looked deeply at Feng Yao, who was thanking the guests in the distance. "Perhaps. The state of deep meditation is itself the result of many factors working together. Many Spirit Masters never experience it in their entire lives, and the conditions that trigger it vary from person to person. With that child's zither skills, if he had chosen the path of a Support System Soul Master, even with only level four Innate Soul Power, his future achievements would not have been small. What a pity..."

"Teacher, is he really worth such high regard from you?" Tang San asked in surprise.

"Xiao San, you must understand that meditation generally cannot be influenced by outside forces. Especially for children like you who have only recently begun cultivating, once external interference occurs, a Spirit Master's concentration weakens, reducing the effects of meditation or even forcing them out of their meditative state. Yet his zither music had no negative effect whatsoever on your meditation. It could even improve your concentration to a certain extent. That is already exceedingly rare. Meditation occupies most of a Spirit Master's life. If he were willing to become a Support System Soul Master, countless forces would be willing to take him in, because zither music can affect far more than one person." As Yu Xiaogang spoke, regret appeared on his stiff face.

Tang San's expression filled with astonishment. It was as if the door to an entirely new world had opened before him. "You want to train him into a Spirit Master who can assist cultivation?"

Yu Xiaogang neither confirmed nor denied it as he slowly said, "I believe he can at least help you indirectly. Unfortunately, he has no desire to become a Support System Soul Master. Without Spirit Abilities to support it, this ability of his will become less and less useful to high-level Spirit Masters."

Listening to Yu Xiaogang's well-reasoned analysis, Tang San's eyes filled with admiration. Then his gaze fell upon Feng Yao in the distance, and he could not help but frown slightly. "Teacher, I thought he was a talented person, but I never expected him to be so shortsighted. He only knows how to amass wealth and refuses to listen to others. You need not humble yourself for my sake. Even without him, I will certainly become a powerful Spirit Master someday."

At those words, rare gentleness appeared on Yu Xiaogang's stiff face. He softly stroked Tang San's head. "Yes. I also believe you can become a powerful Spirit Master."

"Teacher, let's go." Tang San smiled softly.

Yu Xiaogang nodded, took several gold coins from his Soul Tool, placed them on the table, and then slowly left with Tang San.

Feng Yao noticed the master and disciple departing, and surprise appeared on his face.

Time passed like a galloping white colt. In the blink of an eye, it was late autumn of the following year.

Morning light filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows throughout the room. Feng Yao sat cross-legged on his bed, his slender fingers gently stroking the strings of "Fuxi." A year of uninterrupted cultivation had finally allowed his Soul Power to break through to level ten. The autumn wind swept past the windowsill, carrying several golden ginkgo leaves that shimmered warmly in the sunlight.

"Level ten in one year. It seems my cultivation method truly is effective." Feng Yao's lips curled upward as he murmured softly to himself. He clearly remembered that Ji Juechen had possessed level three Innate Soul Power and only reached level ten at the age of eight. Although Feng Yao's Innate Soul Power was one level higher, his cultivation efficiency was clearly superior.

Feng Yao's gaze settled on "Fuxi," and his eyes gradually burned with excitement. After a full year, he was finally about to obtain his own First Spirit Ring.

Thinking of this, Feng Yao impatiently recalled Fuxi and slowly left his dormitory.

The teahouse was still shrouded in thin morning mist, with few patrons inside. Upon seeing Feng Yao, a maid curtsied in surprise. "Young Master Feng, you have come especially early today."

"I have something to discuss with Shopkeeper Ning." Feng Yao smiled warmly.

The maid understood and respectfully led him to Shopkeeper Ning's private room. Shopkeeper Ning was drinking tea. When he saw Feng Yao enter, he asked with a smile, "Xiao Feng, you came to see me so early. Is something important?"

Feng Yao nodded solemnly. "Shopkeeper, you have looked after me for a year. Today, there is something I would like to ask your help with."

"Oh?" Shopkeeper Ning set down his teacup, surprise appearing on his face. Over the past year, he had learned that Feng Yao was independent by nature and never easily asked others for help.

"You are asking me for help? Now that is truly rare." Shopkeeper Ning teased, though a thoughtful glint flashed through his eyes.

Feng Yao gave a wry smile as he explained, "This junior has reached level ten and wishes to find a suitable Spirit Ring. No matter how good my zither skills are, when it comes to obtaining a Spirit Ring..."

"Level ten?" Shopkeeper Ning abruptly sat upright, and the teacup gave a crisp clink against the table. Reaching level ten in a year meant that Feng Yao's Innate Soul Power was at least level five or six. For a Support System Soul Master, such talent was already above average.

"I never expected Xiao Feng to be such a little genius." Shopkeeper Ning's eyes gleamed, but then he changed the subject. "However, shouldn't you ask the teachers at Nuoding Academy to help you obtain a Spirit Ring? Why come to me?"

"What I want is not an ordinary ten-year Spirit Ring." Feng Yao gently shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "I want a suitable four-hundred-year Spirit Ring. I am afraid the academy teachers cannot handle such a Spirit Beast."

Shopkeeper Ning rubbed the celadon teacup with his fingertips, his thoughtful face reflected in the tea. "Then why does Xiao Feng think I can do it?"

Feng Yao's gaze was clear as he slowly analyzed, "Your teahouse stands in the most prosperous area of Nuoding City, and most of the guests who come and go are influential nobles of the city. And..." He paused. "When those nobles see you, their attitudes are especially respectful. I believe that a four-hundred-year Spirit Beast is no difficult matter for you."

"Heh." Shopkeeper Ning's lips lifted slightly. Amid the curling tea fragrance, amusement flashed through his eyes. "But why should I help you with this?"

"Instinct." Feng Yao suddenly broke into a smile, one so clean that he did not look like someone adept at scheming. "Ever since you took me in and allowed me to perform at this teahouse, I have felt that you would help me."

"Hahaha!" Shopkeeper Ning suddenly burst into hearty laughter, making the teacup tremble lightly on the table. "Xiao Feng, sometimes I truly wonder what sort of soul is hidden beneath that skin of yours."

"So you agree?" Feng Yao's eyes lit up, making him look exactly like a child who had received candy.

Shopkeeper Ning stood, the dark patterns on his robes shifting beneath the morning light. "Wait here for a while. I will arrange some men. In the Spirit Hunting Forest, you may choose any Spirit Beast you want until you are satisfied."

"Thank you for troubling yourself." Feng Yao bowed respectfully, though a faint, successful smile secretly curled across his lips.

After Shopkeeper Ning's figure disappeared beyond the door, Feng Yao's fingers unconsciously tapped against the table, the rhythm growing faster and faster. He rose and paced back and forth through the private room, occasionally looking out the window as though that could make time pass more quickly.

"A four-hundred-year Spirit Ring..." he murmured, his fingertips unconsciously stroking "Fuxi." Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting mottled shadows over his face, but it could not conceal the excitement dancing in his eyes. He had long since formed an incomparably clear goal in his heart.

"Are you ready?"

Shopkeeper Ning's voice sounded from behind him, and Feng Yao immediately put away "Fuxi" and stood. Behind Shopkeeper Ning stood two middle-aged men with powerful auras. One carried a dark iron longbow on his back, the cold gleam of arrows flashing from the quiver at his waist. The other wore refined steel gauntlets on both hands, his temples bulging high, clearly marking him as a formidable Spirit Master.

"This is Zhao Han, an outer sect deacon of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a level thirty-eight Agility Attack System Soul Elder." Shopkeeper Ning pointed at the man with the bow before turning to the other. "This is Li Tie, a level thirty-five Assault System Battle Soul Titled Douluo."

Feng Yao gave a solemn bow. "I must trouble you two seniors."

Zhao Han laughed heartily and patted the quiver at his waist. "Since you are Shopkeeper Ning's honored guest, we will naturally do our utmost."

The three set off for the Spirit Hunting Forest in a specially made carriage. Inside, Li Tie curiously studied the ancient zither resting on Feng Yao's knees. "Little brother, your Martial Soul is rather rare. What kind of Spirit Beast do you wish to hunt?"

Feng Yao gently stroked the zither's body, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "This junior wishes to find a four-hundred-year Soul Bamboo."

"Soul Bamboo?" Zhao Han raised his brow, clearly not expecting such an ordinary request. But after seeing Feng Yao's "Fuxi," he became thoughtful. "Is that suitable?"

"Rest assured, Senior. This junior has his reasons." Feng Yao smiled confidently.

Zhao Han nodded. "Since you have a clear target, that makes things much simpler. Plant-type Spirit Beasts like Soul Bamboo often grow in clusters. We only need to inquire around the town outside the Spirit Hunting Forest, and we should find them quickly."

At sunset, the three arrived at the town on the outskirts of the Spirit Hunting Forest. After settling in, Zhao Han immediately went out to gather information.

Early the next morning, the group ventured deep into the Spirit Hunting Forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and the air was filled with the fresh fragrance of grass and wood. Following the information they had gathered, they soon arrived before a dense bamboo grove.

"Careful!" Zhao Han suddenly shouted, instantly nocking an arrow.

The entire bamboo grove suddenly shook violently, and countless bamboo leaves shot toward the three like sharp arrows.

"Old Zhao! Protect him!" Li Tie roared, metallic light flashing over his fists. His third Spirit Ring lit up abruptly. "Third Spirit Ability, Explosive Fist!"

A crimson fist wind howled forth, shattering all the bamboo leaves filling the sky.

Feng Yao felt the world spin, and Zhao Han had already pulled him behind himself. "Hold on tight, kid!" As he spoke, several arrows of light shot through the air, accurately severing several of the thickest Soul Bamboos at their middles. Pale yellow Soul Power light could faintly be seen circulating through the broken bamboo joints.

Under Zhao Han's precise archery, several of the thickest Soul Bamboos snapped apart. One Soul Bamboo covered in faint golden patterns caught Feng Yao's attention—this was precisely the four-hundred-year Soul Bamboo he had been searching for.

The weakness of plant-type Spirit Beasts lay in their roots. Even though Zhao Han had shot it apart at the waist, he had merely removed its means of attack.

"That one!" Feng Yao hurried forward, took out the firewood knife he had prepared, and viciously stabbed it into the roots. A pale yellow Spirit Ring slowly condensed at the broken section of the Soul Bamboo, giving off a gentle sheen beneath the sunlight.

Li Tie vigilantly scanned the surroundings. "Little brother, make it quick. We will stand guard for you."

Without saying anything further, Feng Yao sat cross-legged. "Fuxi" rested across his thighs, and under the guidance of his pale blue Soul Power, the hundred-year Soul Bamboo Spirit Ring slowly flew toward him.

As the hundred-year Soul Bamboo Spirit Ring drew close, he felt an unprecedented pressure. Even the bones throughout his body gave faint cracking sounds beneath that pressure.

Soon, the yellow ring arrived above Feng Yao's head. Without giving him any time to react, it suddenly contracted, and an incomparably solid golden ring directly descended around Feng Yao's body.

A powerful wave of Soul Power erupted. Scorching energy surged madly into Feng Yao's body, and in an instant, it felt as though his organs were on fire. His body began to tremble violently.

"It has begun." Zhao Han spoke in a low voice as he and Li Tie took up positions on either side of him, their sharp gazes sweeping over the surrounding forest.

The instant the Soul Power entered his body, the strings of Feng Yao's Martial Soul, "Fuxi," moved without wind and let out a clear, resonant cry.

"This kid..." Li Tie stared at Feng Yao in astonishment. "He is making such a huge commotion just by absorbing a Spirit Ring."

Three hours later, Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes. A pale yellow Spirit Ring rose beneath his feet and slowly pulsed. He lightly plucked a zither string, producing a deep note. Bamboo dozens of paces away instantly exploded.

Not bad. It already has this much power even without releasing my First Spirit Ability, Feng Yao thought joyfully.

Zhao Han put away his longbow and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. An invisible attack like this would be a superior choice even among Assault System Spirit Abilities."

Zhao Han had clearly mistaken the low note Feng Yao played with his Soul Power for Feng Yao's First Spirit Ability.

On the way back, the increase in Soul Power led Feng Yao to constantly experiment with various notes. He discovered that as his Soul Power grew stronger, his control over different sounds declined.

It seems I will need to continuously improve my proficiency every time I absorb a Spirit Ring. Spirit Abilities are more convenient and require no practice, but to a certain extent, they can cause Spirit Masters to grow lax.

"Thank you for your help, Seniors." Feng Yao bowed solemnly. "Feng Yao will remember this favor in his heart."

By the time they returned to Nuoding City, dusk had fallen. Feng Yao bid farewell to the two Soul Elders and walked alone through the familiar streets. Lights across the city came on one after another, stretching his shadow long behind him.