That Sea of Consciousness

"Young Master, the so-called Sea of Consciousness is a person's spiritual world," Cang Xue said calmly. "Whatever lies within a person's heart is reflected in their Sea of Consciousness. Generally speaking, aside from training one's own abilities, external factors are also extremely important when opening up a Sea of Consciousness. For example, if Young Master could obtain a Wisdom Spirit Bone for the head, then with your talent, you would be able to open up your Sea of Consciousness very quickly."

Xue Xiao Ran nodded, then asked, "What are the benefits of opening up a Sea of Consciousness?"

"It strengthens one's memory. And in battles between soul masters, the side that has opened up their Sea of Consciousness will far surpass the other in speed, agility, and perception."

Cang Xue answered everything he knew without reservation.

"Ice Empress seems to be in my Sea of Consciousness right now." Xue Xiao Ran explained Ice Empress's current situation. "She can see my Sea of Consciousness clearly, but I can't enter my own Sea of Consciousness."

"Young Master, that will require cultivation. Ideally, the Carefree Sword Sect should purchase a Wisdom Spirit Bone for the head to help Young Master open up your Sea of Consciousness."

"No need." Xue Xiao Ran declined Cang Xue's kindness. "I'll find my own way to get a Soul Bone. As for cultivation, that isn't a problem."

"If Young Master is eager to open up your Sea of Consciousness, I have a suggestion. I do not know whether I should say it."

"Uncle Cang Xue, there's no need to be so cautious. Go on." Xue Xiao Ran rubbed his nose and gave a wry smile.

"I suggest that you study at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. The Soul Tool technology there is several times more advanced than that of the other nations, and they also possess deeper insights into theories concerning the Sea of Consciousness. Furthermore, it is very close to the Carefree Sword Sect. If Young Master needs anything, we can prepare it at any time."

"The Sun Moon Royal Academy..." Xue Xiao Ran pondered it, then nodded. "Then let's do that."

"But for now, let's absorb this Soul Bone in front of us." Xue Xiao Ran calmly said as he looked at the crystal-clear Torso Spine Bone before him.

"Yes."

"Uncle Cang Xue, I still need to hunt another Soul Ring. I don't want to expose the secret of my Twin Martial Souls within the Sun Moon Royal Academy. Besides, the First Soul Ring of my Extreme Ice is blood-red."

"Young Master, do you mean that you will only use your Extreme Poison martial soul within the Sun Moon Royal Academy?" Cang Xue asked, resting his chin on his hand.

The two of them were walking through the forest. There seemed to be no wind or snow today, and Xue Xiao Ran was happy for the ease of it.

After absorbing Ice Empress's Soul Bone and Soul Ring, he seemed to have grown a little taller. Though his face still held some childishness, he had already changed from who he used to be.

Those Jade Eyes of his had become even more crystalline.

He had not gained a soul skill. What he had gained was merely a more proficient control over Extreme Ice than before, and its temperature had also become much colder.

In this respect, he was exactly like his father.

An elemental martial soul that could be used at will should not be constrained by soul skills. Xue Xiao Ran recalled the theory Master had once spoken of in the God Realm.

What he could currently do was cover his entire right arm with a thin layer of frigid energy, then use martial arts techniques to attack his enemies with his fists. On top of that, he could control small chunks of ice and launch a volley at his opponent.

That was all he had thought of for now. As for killing methods that left no evidence, such as using Extreme Ice to create Tang Sect hidden weapons, firing them into an opponent's body, and then melting them away, he could only study those himself after returning to the Carefree Sword Sect.

"I think Young Master's caution is entirely correct. Although our Carefree Sword Sect is located within the Sun Moon Empire and is not far from the Sun Moon Imperial City, we have never pledged allegiance to any force."

"We are the greatest sect on Douluo Continent. Though we do not have many disciples, every one of them is a fine talent. The Sun Moon Empire has visited us many times for that very reason, hoping to draw closer to us." A faint disdain showed in Cang Xue's voice. "We have no interest in becoming dogs for the Sun Moon Empire."

Xue Xiao Ran revealed a faint smile. This Uncle Cang Xue of his appeared to be quite a man of temperament.

"Young Master's decision is our decision. I wonder what age of Soul Ring Young Master wants for the First Soul Ring of your Extreme Poison?" Cang Xue asked from the side.

"Mm... According to the rules of Douluo Continent, it seems the First Soul Ring can only be ten-year or hundred-year. But ever since I absorbed Ice Empress's Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, I feel that my First Soul Ring can..."

"A thousand-year, right? Perfectly normal."

"Uncle Cang Xue, I've read plenty of books. Don't lie to me." Xue Xiao Ran said evenly. "A hundred-year one close to a thousand years will do."

Cang Xue chuckled. "Leave this First Soul Ring to me."

With that, Cang Xue motioned for Xue Xiao Ran to wait where he was. Then, with a flash, he disappeared into the snow-covered forest beside them.

"Wolf King actually smiled." Ice Empress's somewhat astonished voice rang out in Xue Xiao Ran's mind.

"Does Uncle Cang Xue rarely smile?"

Xue Xiao Ran had already grown accustomed to speaking in his mind, and he was gradually getting used to Ice Empress suddenly striking up conversations with him.

"The king of the Snow Cang Wolf Clan is the Uncle Cang Xue you speak of. He led the Snow Cang Wolf Clan through countless great battles, then followed Lord Ice God without hesitation. It is truly enviable..."

Xue Xiao Ran sat down where he was and sighed. Yet he could not hear even the slightest hint of envy in Ice Empress's cold tone...

"As long as I have a Sea of Consciousness, I'll be able to enter it and see you, right?"

"That's right."

"Oh."

He had more or less figured out Lord Ice Empress's personality by now: proud, aloof, like a wintersweet blossom stubbornly blooming amid the cold of winter, with a touch of tsundere.

Aside from that tsundere side, Xue Xiao Ran felt that Ice Empress's personality was very similar to his own.

Before long, Cang Xue returned.

He was dragging a hundred-year giant python in his hand. Its scales were snow-white, making it perfect camouflage amid the snow. The scales on its body, which were gradually changing color, proved that it was on the verge of breaking through to a thousand years.

The great snake was already taking in more air than it expelled, and terror shone in its eyes.

"Just in time to deal with a traitor of the Snow Python Clan. We might as well put this waste to use."

Cang Xue gave a sinister chuckle and tossed the giant python onto the ground.

"Young Master." He clasped his fists and awaited his command.

The giant python was pinned down by Cang Xue's terrifying aura and had no chance to resist. It could only flick its tongue, inwardly on the verge of tears. Damn it, what rotten luck right out of the gate.

Xue Xiao Ran took a dagger from his storage Soul Tool and decisively stabbed it into the giant python's vital point. Though he had never personally hunted a soul beast before, he had heard plenty of experience from Master, so he knew the general steps of obtaining a Soul Ring.

The giant python convulsed all over. Its swaying tail gradually went still, and a yellow Soul Ring floated before Xue Xiao Ran's eyes.

"Young Master, I will stand guard for you." After saying that, Cang Xue sat down behind Xue Xiao Ran. A faint aura enveloped this small stretch of forest, and he would immediately notice the slightest disturbance.

Xue Xiao Ran looked at the yellow Soul Ring floating before him and placed his hand against it.

Then a thin mist emerged from his hand and his body.

It was colorless and odorless, but poisonous.

I wonder whether I can learn a new poison technique.