First Soul Ring

The master was quite interested in Zhao Xuan's strange strength. Even a level-forty strength-type Soul Ancestor would be slightly inferior to him.

"Could it be that your martial soul is a strength-type Weapon Soul? How do you use it? Smash people with it?"

"No, no. Although some Weapon Souls can indeed enhance a soul master's physical attributes, even a strength-type Beast Soul after possession couldn't reach your level of strength."

It had to be said that nothing interested the master more than matters related to martial souls. After witnessing Zhao Xuan's unusual strength, he could not help but speculate.

Tang San said speechlessly from the side, "Teacher, Xiao Xuan has been very strong since he was little. He was born that way!"

"Hmm?! Is that so? Can someone without a martial soul possess this much strength?" The master's gaze toward Zhao Xuan became even more astonished. However, since it did not involve martial souls, he was not particularly interested, and his surprise gradually faded.

After the Shadow Wolf's disturbance, everyone was somewhat tired. Just as they were about to continue resting, Luo San Pao suddenly began barking urgently. "Luo luo, luo luo, luo luoluo..."

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. A faint rustling sound clearly entered Tang San's ears. Vaguely, the air seemed to carry a little more stench. The smell was not strong; it even carried a faint sweetness and the fragrance of tea.

Zhao Xuan sniffed hard and said in surprise, "It smells a little like jasmine tea."

Tang San's expression turned grave. "There is something poisonous nearby."

Zhao Xuan jumped in fright. Though his physical condition was very strong, he had no way to deal with poison. He quickly covered his nose and mouth and asked in a muffled voice, "Xiao San, is the air poisonous?"

"Not the air, but it definitely has poison on its body." Tang San spoke with certainty. In his previous life, his attainments in poison and medicine were considerable. He could make a judgment merely from the scent in the air.

Under Tang San and Zhao Xuan's astonished gazes, the master handed each of them a white mask and had them put them on. At the same time, the two yellow soul rings on his body flashed.

He stared at the rustling bushes, his brows furrowed. "Tonight has been unusually restless."

"Farts strike like thunder, shattering heaven and splitting earth—Luo San Pao!" The soul rings on the master's body flashed. Luo San Pao took little steps and rushed into the air, then turned to face them as light shone over his body.

His plump backside faced the disturbed bushes. The little fellow seemed to strain himself, and then an enormous sound rang through the tranquil Soul Hunting Forest.

Bang!

Little Luo San Pao let out a resounding fart. The huge sound was much like the popcorn-making explosions Zhao Xuan had seen in his previous life.

Like an air cannon, it made the entire patch of bushes shake wildly, while a thin yellow mist spread through the area.

"San Pao's fart is a little smelly. Bear with it." The master stood with his hands behind his back, speaking calmly. He did not wear a mask, seemingly already accustomed to it.

Even through the mask, Zhao Xuan seemed to feel the little fellow's power. After San Pao let out that earth-shaking fart, he happily shook his body and then joyfully ran toward Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xuan's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hands, instinctively retreating several steps.

Little San Pao halted, then looked at Zhao Xuan pitifully, his large eyes filled with grievance.

At that moment, movement rose again from the bushes. A huge figure suddenly burst out, opening its bloody maw and lunging to bite Luo San Pao.

Poor Luo San Pao was still looking pitifully at Zhao Xuan, completely unaware that danger had descended behind him.

"A Mandala Snake?!" The campfire illuminated the creature's body, and the master could not help sucking in a cold breath.

"Hey! Don't you dare touch my San Pao!" Seeing the Mandala Snake attack San Pao, Zhao Xuan could no longer hold back and charged out.

"Zhao Xuan, come back!" the master roared. This type of Mandala Snake was extremely venomous and severely damaged the nerves. It was one of the most terrifying poison-type Spirit Beasts. Once bitten, there was almost no chance of survival.

Naturally, Zhao Xuan heard the master's voice, but his arrow was already on the string. Suppressing his fear of snake venom, he punched the Mandala Snake's vital spot.

Its scales exploded, and the Mandala Snake's body flew backward. The frightened San Pao immediately ran away on his short little legs.

Having already heard the master's explanation of the Mandala Snake's traits, Tang San shouted, "Xiao Xuan, hitting its vital spot is useless! Its weaknesses are its eyes and mouth!"

"Got it!" Zhao Xuan's heart tightened, and he raised his guard.

Tang San was anxious inside, yet his expression was frighteningly calm. He already held the Hidden Sleeve Dart in his hand, ready to support Zhao Xuan at any moment.

The bushes where the Mandala Snake had landed remained silent for a long time. Just when Zhao Xuan thought the Mandala Snake had died, a figure suddenly shot out from bushes some distance away. Its tough tail touched the ground, launching its entire body like a spring.

When did it get over there? Zhao Xuan was startled.

Tang San reacted instantly. His gaze sharpened, and the Hidden Sleeve Dart in his hand became a streak of silver light aimed at the Mandala Snake's eye.

Pfft!

Tang San was an expert with Hidden Weapons, so his aim was naturally excellent. The Hidden Sleeve Dart, as long as a baby's forearm, sank into the Mandala Snake's eye socket, leaving only a small section outside.

The Mandala Snake froze mid-lunge toward Zhao Xuan. Intense pain caused its body to twist constantly, while its tail swept about and turned the bushes into a mess like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves.

Zhao Xuan flew into a rage. This little bastard had actually tried to ambush him! Furious beyond measure, he leaped forward several steps and viciously stomped on the Mandala Snake's head. Its head sank halfway into the ground, while its body whipped about nonstop, trying to knock Zhao Xuan off.

Zhao Xuan threw one punch with his left hand, then one with his right, using the Mandala Snake's body as a punching bag. Scales flew everywhere, making Tang San and the master shudder all over.

Before long, the Mandala Snake was on its last breath.

At that moment, the master suddenly stopped Zhao Xuan and said excitedly, "Wait, Zhao Xuan! Let Xiao San do it!"

Zhao Xuan stopped punching and looked blankly toward them. "What? Xiao San wants to beat it up too? This thing's body is pretty tough. You might not be able to hurt it."

Tang San's mouth twitched. Have you gone mad from fighting?

But the master's eyes burned as he stared at the Mandala Snake. He pulled Tang San over, handed him an ornate dagger, and said, "Xiao San, kill it! This will be your First Soul Ring!"

Zhao Xuan and Tang San were both stunned.

"Teacher, what did you say? You don't mean this snake, do you?" Tang San looked at the master in shock.

The master nodded seriously. "That's right, this one. Before a Mandala Snake reaches a thousand years of cultivation, its body grows one centimeter for every year it survives. This Mandala Snake is nearly four meters long, meaning it has nearly four hundred years of cultivation. It is just close to the limit for a soul scholar advancing to a soul master to absorb a first soul ring. With your Innate Full Soul Power, absorbing its soul ring will not be a problem."

"But, Teacher, my martial soul is a plant, while this Mandala Snake is a beast-type Spirit Beast. Can I make it into a soul ring? Won't there be a conflict?" Tang San asked doubtfully.

The master had relaxed by now, his eyes filled with confident light. "One of the Ten Core Competitive Strengths of the Martial Soul World that I researched and proposed is the Martial Soul Mimicry Theory. A plant martial soul does not necessarily have to absorb a plant Spirit Beast's soul ring, nor is a Beast Soul necessarily unable to absorb a plant soul ring. Under various prerequisite conditions, the two can absorb each other. I told you before that one major advantage of Blue Silver Grass is its lack of exclusivity. Because it is inherently too weak, it does not reject any attributes added by a soul ring and can only passively integrate them. Therefore, absorbing this Mandala Snake's soul ring will not be a problem. Also, do you remember what kind of soul ring we were looking for?"

Tang San's eyes lit up. "One that grants a toughness effect, preferably with poison. That's right, the Mandala Snake possesses both of those traits."

By then, Tang San completely understood the master's intentions. In that case, this Mandala Snake truly was very suitable for him.

However...

Tang San turned to Zhao Xuan. Although he had contributed just now, Zhao Xuan had practically taken down the Mandala Snake alone. The master also realized this and looked toward Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xuan had vented his frustration and was feeling great. Seeing their gazes, he could not help jumping in surprise.

"What?"

His eyes suddenly caught the Mandala Snake beneath his feet. Recalling what the master had just said, Zhao Xuan immediately understood. He jumped off the snake's head, waved an arm, and said without concern, "If it suits Xiao San, then take it."

Tang San was touched, but he hesitated. "But, Xiao Xuan, you..."

Zhao Xuan looked at Tang San with amusement, seemingly understanding his thoughts. "The Soul Hunting Forest is so big. You don't think I won't be able to find a soul ring, do you?"

Tang San froze, then solemnly said to Zhao Xuan, "Thank you, Xiao Xuan!"

"Hahaha, why are you being so formal with me?" Zhao Xuan laughed loudly and reached out to pat Tang San's shoulder.

Caught off guard, Tang San staggered again and nearly fell.

Time seemed to pause. Faced with Tang San's resentful gaze, Zhao Xuan quickly turned his head away.

The master could not help smiling at the sight. His gaze toward Zhao Xuan carried an indescribable meaning. This was a Mandala Snake, yet a child without even a soul ring had beaten it down with his fists.

Suddenly, the master caught sight of the Mandala Snake gradually losing all movement and hurriedly said, "Xiao San, act quickly. If it dies, the soul ring will dissipate."

Late at night, though Zhao Xuan was already very sleepy, he still forced himself to stay awake and guard Tang San. The greatest taboo during the absorption of a soul ring was being disturbed.

"Master, Xiao San will be all right, won't he?" Zhao Xuan asked as he watched Tang San occasionally reveal a pained expression.

The master was still full of energy, holding a notebook and recording Tang San's current state.

Hearing this, he merely said excitedly, "There is absolutely no problem! His current condition is not due to incompatible Spirit Beast attributes. It is simply because this soul ring's age has reached the limit for a First Soul Ring. From the look of Xiao San, he can completely endure it."

Since even the master said there was no problem, Zhao Xuan relaxed. Suddenly feeling the urge to urinate, he glanced at the excited master and quietly left.

Not far from the camp was a small stream. Zhao Xuan stood on a large rock and relieved himself comfortably into the stream.

"Ah, that feels good." Zhao Xuan shook himself with a satisfied expression.

"Huh? Ah..." Just as Zhao Xuan was about to return, the rock beneath his feet suddenly moved. Caught off guard, Zhao Xuan was thrown down.

Splash.

Fortunately, the stream was not deep, reaching only Zhao Xuan's waist. He angrily looked toward the rock from before, only to see it grow limbs. It was actually a living creature?!

Zhao Xuan felt a chill run down his spine. What was this thing? As he examined it closely, a huge turtle head extended out.

"What a huge turtle!" Zhao Xuan exclaimed.

Perhaps because Zhao Xuan had disturbed its sleep, or perhaps because it was dissatisfied with the name he had called it, the giant turtle let out angry "woo woo" sounds. Zhao Xuan instinctively took two steps back.

The giant turtle began walking toward Zhao Xuan to attack him, but Zhao Xuan's expression was rather strange.

"Big turtle, even if you're slow, you can't possibly be this slow, right?" Zhao Xuan cautiously circled it several times, wary that it might be tricking him. But after provoking it several times, he discovered that it really was slow—far slower than the old men doing tai chi in his previous life.

Zhao Xuan was delighted. This big turtle looked impressive but was useless. Looking at the head it had extended, he could not help throwing a punch. The giant turtle's furious expression instantly changed to terror as it tried to dodge.

But Zhao Xuan was incredibly fast. His punch struck the giant turtle's head solidly. Its head tilted to one side, and it stopped moving.

"It can't be dead, can it?" Zhao Xuan was stunned. Was it really that fragile?

Just as Zhao Xuan was wondering, a yellow soul ring emerged above the giant turtle's head...

Zhao Xuan's gaze turned strange as he stared at the yellow soul ring, eager to make a move...