The First Soul Ring

Master was quite interested in Zhao Xuan's monstrous strength; such power was even inferior to a level forty Strength-type Soul Ancestor.

"Could it be that your Martial Soul is a Strength-type Weapon Soul? How do you use it? Do you just smash people?"

"No, no. Although some Weapon Souls can indeed enhance a Soul Master's physical fitness, even a Strength-type Beast Soul's possession wouldn't reach this level of power."

It had to be said that what interested Master the most were things related to Martial Souls. After witnessing Zhao Xuan's monstrous strength, he couldn't help but speculate.

Tang San, standing by, said speechlessly, "Teacher, Xiao Xuan's strength has been great since he was young. It's innate!"

"Huh?! Is that so? Can a person without a Martial Soul possess such strength?" Master looked at Zhao Xuan with even greater astonishment. However, he wasn't very interested in anything that didn't involve Martial Souls, so his exclamation soon subsided.

After the Shadow Wolf incident, everyone was somewhat fatigued and was about to rest when Luo San Pao suddenly cried out urgently: "Luo Luo, Luo Luo, Luo Luo Luo..."

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. A faint rustling sound clearly reached Tang San's ears. Vaguely, the air seemed to carry a hint of a fishy smell, not strong, even with a faint sweet scent and the aroma of tea.

Zhao Xuan sniffed hard, surprised, "It smells a bit like jasmine tea."

Tang San's expression turned solemn, "There's a poisonous substance nearby."

Zhao Xuan jumped in fright. Although his physical fitness was strong, he couldn't resist poison. He quickly covered his mouth and nose and asked muffledly, "Xiao San, is it poisonous?"

"Not in the air, but it's definitely on it," Tang San stated confidently. In his previous life, his mastery of poisons and medicine was considerable, and he could make judgments based solely on the scent in the air.

To Tang San and Zhao Xuan's surprise, Master handed each of them a white mask and told them to put it on. At the same time, two yellow Soul Rings flashed on his body.

He stared at the rustling bushes with a frown. "Tonight is proving to be quite restless."

"Fart like thunder, shake the heavens and earth, Luo San Pao!" Master's Soul Rings flashed. Luo San Pao took small steps and rushed into the sky, then turned to face them, its body glowing.

With its plump backside facing the rustling bushes, the little fellow seemed to be exerting itself, and then a loud noise resounded through the quiet Soul Hunting Forest.

"Bang!"

Little Luo San Pao let out a loud fart, the sound as immense as the popcorn he'd seen made in his previous life.

Like an air cannon, the entire bush shook violently, and a faint yellow mist spread out.

"San Pao's fart is a bit smelly, bear with it," Master said calmly, hands behind his back. He wasn't wearing a mask, seemingly accustomed to it.

Even through the mask, Zhao Xuan seemed to feel the little guy's power. After releasing a world-shattering fart, San Pao shook its body comfortably and then happily ran towards Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xuan's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hand, instinctively taking a few steps back.

Little San Pao's steps faltered, and then it looked at Zhao Xuan pitifully, its big eyes full of grievance.

Just then, the bushes stirred again. A huge figure suddenly rushed out, opening its bloody maw to bite Luo San Pao.

Poor Luo San Pao was still looking at Zhao Xuan pitifully, completely unaware of the danger that had befallen it from behind.

"Mandala Snake?!" The campfire's light illuminated the figure's body, and Master couldn't help but gasp.

"Hey! You dare touch my San Pao!" Zhao Xuan couldn't stand it when he saw the Mandala Snake attacking San Pao and charged out.

"Zhao Xuan, come back!" Master roared. This kind of Mandala Snake was extremely venomous and had severe destructive effects on the nervous system, making it one of the most terrifying poisonous Soul Beasts. Once bitten, there was almost no hope of survival.

Zhao Xuan naturally heard Master's voice, but he was already committed. Enduring his fear of the snake venom, Zhao Xuan punched the Mandala Snake's seven-inch mark.

Snake scales exploded, and the Mandala Snake's body was sent flying backward. The startled San Pao quickly scurried away on its short legs.

On the other side, Tang San, having just heard Master explain the Mandala Snake's characteristics, called out, "Xiao Xuan, hitting its seven-inch mark is useless. Its weak points are its eyes and mouth."

"Got it!" Zhao Xuan's heart tightened, and his mind became alert.

Tang San was anxious, but his expression was terrifyingly 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 fallen remained silent for a long time. Just as Zhao Xuan thought the Mandala Snake was dead, a figure suddenly attacked rapidly from the bushes not far away. Its strong tail touched the ground, and its entire body shot out like a spring.

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

Tang San, beside him, reacted instantly. His gaze sharpened, and the Hidden Sleeve Dart in his hand shot out like a silver light towards the Mandala Snake's eye.

"Pfft!"

Tang San was an expert with hidden weapons, and his aim was naturally good. The Hidden Sleeve Dart, about the length of an infant's forearm, embedded itself in the Mandala Snake's eye socket, leaving only a small section exposed.

The Mandala Snake's attack on Zhao Xuan faltered. The intense pain caused its body to twist continuously. Its sweeping tail thrashed like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, leaving the bushes in disarray.

Zhao Xuan was furious. This little guy had tried to sneak attack him earlier! Enraged, he strode forward a few steps and stomped fiercely on the Mandala Snake's head. Half of its head was forced into the ground, and its body thrashed, trying to shake Zhao Xuan off.

Zhao Xuan punched with his left hand and then his right, treating the Mandala Snake's body like a sandbag and beating it fiercely. Snake scales flew everywhere, chilling Tang San and Master to the bone.

In less than a moment, the Mandala Snake was on the verge of death.

Just then, Master suddenly stopped Zhao Xuan, saying excitedly, "Wait, Zhao Xuan! Let Xiao San do it!"

Zhao Xuan stopped his movements and looked at the two of them blankly. "Huh? Does Xiao San want a beatdown too? This thing's body is quite tough; you might not be able to hurt it."

Tang San's mouth twitched. Had he gone mad?

Master, however, stared at the Mandala Snake with burning eyes, pulled Tang San over, and handed him a magnificent dagger. "Xiao San, kill it! This will be your first Soul Ring!"

Zhao Xuan and Tang San were both stunned.

"Teacher, what are you saying? You don't mean this snake, do you?" Tang San asked Master in surprise.

Master nodded seriously. "That's right, it's this one. Before a Mandala Snake reaches a thousand years of cultivation, for every year it lives, its body grows by one centimeter. This Mandala Snake is nearly four meters long, meaning it has nearly four hundred years of cultivation. It's just at the limit for a Soul Master to absorb their first Soul Ring when transitioning from Soul Master. With your Innate Full Soul Power, absorbing its Soul Ring will be no problem."

"But, Teacher. My Martial Soul is a plant, and this Mandala Snake is a beast-type Soul Beast. Can I make it into a Soul Ring? Won't there be a conflict?" Tang San asked, confused.

Master had relaxed now, his eyes filled with a confident glow. "One of the top ten core competencies in the Martial Soul world that I've researched and proposed is the Martial Soul Mimicry Theory. Plant Martial Souls don't necessarily have to absorb Soul Rings from plant Soul Beasts, and Beast Martial Souls aren't necessarily incapable of absorbing plant Soul Rings. Under various preconditions, these two can be absorbed by each other. I mentioned before that a major advantage of Blue Silver Grass is its non-exclusivity. Because it's too weak on its own, it won't reject any attributes added by a Soul Ring, but will passively integrate them. Therefore, absorbing this Mandala Snake's Soul Ring won't be a problem. Also, do you remember what kind of Soul Ring we were looking for?"

Tang San's eyes lit up. "One that adds toughness, and preferably poison. That's right, the Mandala Snake has both those traits."

At this moment, Tang San completely understood Master's idea. It seemed this Mandala Snake was indeed very suitable for him.

However...

Tang San turned to look at Zhao Xuan. Although he had helped just now, this Mandala Snake was almost taken down by Zhao Xuan alone. Master also realized this and looked towards Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xuan, whose mood had just improved after letting off steam, was startled by their gazes.

"What is it?"

His eyes suddenly caught sight of the Mandala Snake at his feet. Recalling Master's words, Zhao Xuan understood immediately. He jumped off the snake's head, waved his arm carelessly, and said, "Since it's suitable for Xiao San, take it."

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

Zhao Xuan looked at Tang San with amusement, as if understanding his thoughts. "The Soul Hunting Forest is so big, you don't think I can't get a Soul Ring, do you?"

Tang San was taken aback, then solemnly said to Xiao Xuan, "Thank you, Xiao Xuan!"

"Hahaha, what's there to thank between us!" Zhao Xuan laughed heartily and patted Tang San on the shoulder.

Caught off guard, Tang San stumbled again, almost falling.

Time seemed to stand still. Facing Tang San's resentful gaze, Zhao Xuan quickly looked away.

Master watched this scene and couldn't help but smile, his gaze towards Zhao Xuan carrying an inexplicable meaning. This was a Mandala Snake, and it was taken down by a child who didn't even have a Soul Ring, using only his fists.

Suddenly, a flicker in his peripheral vision caught his eye as the Mandala Snake gradually lost its movement. Master quickly said, "Xiao San, hurry up! If it dies, its Soul Ring will dissipate."

Late at night, even though Zhao Xuan was very sleepy, he forced himself to stay alert to guard Tang San. The most crucial thing during Soul Ring absorption was not to be disturbed.

"Master, will Xiao San be alright?" Zhao Xuan asked, looking at Tang San who occasionally showed signs of pain.

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

Hearing Zhao Xuan's question, he said with some excitement, "He'll be completely fine! His current state isn't because the Soul Beast's attributes are incompatible. It's just that the age of this Soul Ring has reached the upper limit for the first Soul Ring. Judging by Xiao San's appearance, he can completely endure it."

Seeing that Master said it was fine, Zhao Xuan felt relieved. Suddenly, he felt the urge to urinate. Glancing at the excited Master, he quietly left.

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

"Ah, that feels good." Zhao Xuan shook himself, a look of contentment on his face.

"Huh? Ah..." Just as Zhao Xuan was about to head back, the rock beneath his feet suddenly moved, and he was unexpectedly thrown off.

"Plop."

Fortunately, the stream wasn't deep, only reaching Zhao Xuan's waist. He angrily looked at the rock he had been standing on, only to see it sprout limbs. It was alive?!

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

"What a big turtle!" Zhao Xuan exclaimed.

As if disturbed from its slumber, or perhaps displeased with Zhao Xuan's address, the giant turtle let out an angry "groan." Zhao Xuan instinctively took two steps back.

The giant turtle lumbered towards Zhao Xuan to attack, but Zhao Xuan's gaze was peculiar.

"Big turtle, even if you're slow, you can't be this slow." Zhao Xuan cautiously circled it a few times, wary of any tricks. However, after several provocations, Zhao Xuan realized it was genuinely slow, much slower than the old men practicing Tai Chi in his previous life.

Zhao Xuan was amused. This big turtle looked fierce but was actually useless. Seeing its exposed head, Zhao Xuan couldn't resist throwing a punch. The giant turtle's angry expression instantly changed to one of terror, and it tried to dodge.

But Zhao Xuan was incredibly fast. His punch landed squarely on the turtle's head. The giant turtle's head tilted, and it stopped moving.

"It's not dead, is it?" Zhao Xuan was stunned. Was it that fragile?

As Zhao Xuan was wondering, a yellow Soul Ring emerged from the giant turtle's shell...

Zhao Xuan's gaze became somewhat strange as he looked at the yellow Soul Ring, feeling a stir of temptation