Exposure

Su Yuntao was not particularly surprised by this and said to the guard.

"Let them in."

After saying that, he thought for a moment and added.

"Once you're inside, go up the stairs and turn right. It's the first room."

"Thank you, Master Su Yuntao."

"It's nothing." With that, he did not ask any further questions. He simply put an arm around the female Soul Master beside him and walked inside. It was only a Blue Silver Grass martial soul—hardly worth wasting the time he could be spending with his girlfriend.

Even after the two had gone inside, they could still barely make out the conversation within.

"Yuntao, are you really so sure he's become a Soul Master? Aren't you going to check his soul ring?"

"It's fine, Sisi. I don't need to look to know that this kid must have listened to Old Jack and casually hunted some ten-year plant-type soul beast."

"A plant-type soul beast? That makes sense. It seems only plant-type soul beasts have varieties that won't fight back."

"Alright, since Deacon Su has already verified it, you may come in."

The guard said nothing more and stepped aside. As for the other two, they were probably classmates who had come along to take a look. There was nothing strange about that.

"Kid, you're really lucky. You became a Soul Master so easily—how enviable." He was not flattering him. They had Soul Power as well, but they would probably never break through rank ten and become Soul Masters in their entire lives. Yet this boy before them had become a Soul Master at only six years old. It was hard not to envy him.

Tang San said nothing, merely clenching his fists tightly.

Those words were plainly humiliating him!

Ten years? No, his two soul rings were not even ten years old. They were clearly only three to five years old. Besides, he would not even spare a glance at anything below four hundred years. If it had not been for those two people from Spirit Hall, how could he have suffered such humiliation?

You already have a death wish!

At that moment, Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, whose expression was visibly unnatural, and could not help asking.

"Xiao San, are you still going to get your Soul Master rank certified looking like this?"

Tang San took a deep breath and calmed himself.

"We're already here. Let's go."

Seeing Tang San's state, Ye Xinyu was startled as well. After hesitating, she finally said.

"How about you two go get certified first? I'm not short on money, so I don't need to."

Xiao Wu could not help saying irritably.

"We're already here, so why not do it together? Besides, Xiao San has a Blue Silver Grass martial soul and only a ten-year soul ring, yet he isn't scared. What are you afraid of? Could it be that your martial soul is even worse than Xiao San's?"

Ye Xinyu was left somewhat speechless by that. Tang San was exactly what she was afraid of. What if he saw her soul rings and immediately declared, "This woman already has a death wish"? Wouldn't that be the end of it?

"Alright, let's go." Saying that, Xiao Wu directly took her hand and pulled her inside.

Before long, they arrived at the office Su Yuntao had mentioned. There was only an old man inside, but his clothing was more ornate than Su Yuntao's. Clearly, his status was above Su Yuntao's. He was most likely the legendary Bishop Ma Xiunuo.

When Ma Xiunuo noticed the movement at the door, he frowned slightly, though he did not seem particularly angry.

"Children, the place for awakening martial souls is on the first floor."

Xiao Wu glanced at the other two with some disdain. One was more cowardly than the other. She then stepped forward directly.

"Hello, Senior. We're here to test our Soul Power and undergo Soul Master appraisal."

Seeing the old man's disbelieving expression, Xiao Wu said nothing more and directly released her martial soul. In an instant, the entire room was filled with yellow light.

"A hundred-year soul ring!" Ma Xiunuo cried out involuntarily.

A hundred-year soul ring might not have been much elsewhere, but in a place like Nuoding City, it was practically unbelievable.

Seeing Ma Xiunuo's shocked expression, Xiao Wu's face filled with pride. Just then, Ma Xiunuo suddenly asked.

"Little girl, would it be convenient to tell me which family you come from?"

Xiao Wu froze, then shook her head.

"I don't have a family. Why? Is there a problem?"

Ma Xiunuo let out a long breath.

"No problem. I merely wanted to ask whether you would be willing to join Spirit Hall."

Xiao Wu blinked and asked curiously.

"What are the benefits of joining Spirit Hall?"

Ma Xiunuo said solemnly.

"There are naturally benefits. With your talent, as long as you join Spirit Hall, you will certainly be able to study at Spirit Academy and receive training far superior to anything in Nuoding City. You might even be personally trained by a Soul Douluo or a Titled Douluo. Furthermore, someone will accompany you to obtain your soul rings in the future. It may even be possible for you to receive bestowed soul rings."

As he spoke, Ma Xiunuo looked at Xiao Wu with a solemn expression.

At those words, Xiao Wu's adorable little face instantly stiffened. She then said apologetically.

"Senior, we're already enrolled at Nuoding City Academy. I'm sorry. After I graduate, I'll consider it."

A trace of disappointment appeared on Ma Xiunuo's face, but he did not say anything further.

"Alright. In that case, I'll first take you to certify your Soul Master ranks." With that, he walked toward the door.

Given his experience, he could naturally see that this was a blatant refusal. Still, even if this one said no, there were two other geniuses who were likely born with Innate Full Soul Power. Recruiting even one of them would make it worthwhile.

The testing area was at the very back. After pushing open the door, they found a spacious room before them. An unusual pattern was etched into the floor, resembling the markings on the stone from when their martial souls had awakened.

Once everyone had entered, Ma Xiunuo spoke.

"Step inside. Although you've already released your martial soul, the rules still require us to test your level."

A moment later, Ma Xiunuo nodded slightly.

"Not bad. Soul power rank twelve. It seems the quality of your first soul ring was quite good."

After recording the data, Ma Xiunuo turned his gaze toward the others.

"Alright, you two are next. Who wants to go first?"

After thinking for a moment, Ye Xinyu took a step back.

"You go first."

Tang San did not think much of it. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the formation.

As soon as he stepped into the formation, several slender strands of Blue Silver Grass slowly emerged. In particular, when Ma Xiunuo saw that dim white soul ring, his formerly gentle expression changed instantly. It was so faintly white that he had never seen anything like it in his life. Damn it, it probably wasn't even ten years old. Whoever had helped him hunt that soul ring was way too unscrupulous.

"Tell me, who took you to hunt your soul ring?"

At those words, a flash of resentment appeared in Tang San's eyes, though it vanished in an instant.

"No one. I went alone. I couldn't defeat any powerful soul beasts, so I could only choose a Blue Silver Grass that was less than ten years old."

"Xiao San, you clearly—" Before Xiao Wu could finish, Ye Xinyu immediately covered her mouth.

Seeing Ma Xiunuo and Tang San looking at her, Ye Xinyu's mind raced frantically. Then her eyes suddenly lit up, and she hurriedly said, "Xiao Wu, since Grandmaster is his teacher, we shouldn't talk about it."

She had thought Ma Xiunuo would not believe her, but to her surprise, he nodded thoughtfully.

"Grandmaster must have had his reasons for doing this. You're still young, so don't overthink it. When you return, remember to convey my regards to Grandmaster."

Ye Xinyu was stunned. Why was he suddenly praising him?

Just then, Ma Xiunuo spoke again.

"Alright, little girl, it's your turn now."

Ye Xinyu said awkwardly, "Um, I don't want to get a certificate. Is that okay?"

Ma Xiunuo frowned at that.

"You're just releasing your martial soul. What is there to hide? Besides, what kind of soul ring haven't I seen before? Hurry up, don't waste time."

Seeing this, Ye Xinyu knew she probably could not avoid it. Fine, then. If it was exposed, it was exposed. Her mother could be considered someone from Spirit Hall anyway. Spirit Hall would not do anything to her, right?

After taking a deep breath, soul power began to circulate. The next moment, a soft milky-white radiance slowly appeared. Yet in just an instant, that milky-white glow filled the entire room.

However, even more shocking was the streak of purple that abruptly appeared along with the milky-white radiance.

"This is... a thousand-year soul ring!"

For those who have read this far, let me explain in advance: as Emperor Who Severed Ages Like Smoke, the protagonist has a clear head. He is not someone burdened by excessive compassion, and everything he does is considered carefully.

Also, the Nuoding City arc is almost over. I'm considering the protagonist's second soul skill, and I currently have a few ideas.

1. Light of Protection: a group shield.

2. Divine Blessing: boosts the group's physical attributes, such as strength and speed.

3. Wings of Purity: allows the group to fly.

4. Angel's Glory: enhances attribute-based attacks.

Also, the Soul Seed's true function is actually to add attributes; lower-grade ones simply do not have that ability.

In terms of settings, a Mortal Grade purple one can raise the effect of a hundred-year soul ring to that of a thousand-year soul ring.

A Spirit Grade black one already possesses spirituality. After being absorbed alongside a compatible soul skill, it can add an additional attribute.

For example, purification, or enhanced healing. In any case, the types must match, otherwise it cannot be absorbed.

For instance, if an originally healing-type skill absorbs a purification-type Soul Seed, that soul skill will be improved and will also gain an additional group purification effect.

I have not written the higher grades yet, but their effect would be to enhance one attribute while also granting another soul skill.

If you have any good ideas, feel free to share them, QAQ