Sunset Forest, Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Level 16

The next day, before dawn had broken and only a faint fish-belly white tinged the eastern horizon, Lin Yao quietly rose.

After a night of meditation, he had already adjusted himself to peak condition. His eyes were bright, and his vigor was abundant.

"Yao, let's go. I'll take you to the Sunset Forest near Heaven Dou City to obtain your First Ring."

After breakfast, Sword Douluo Chen Xin raised a hand and summoned the Seven Kill Sword, then carried Lin Yao through the air on his sword toward the Sunset Forest.

Although Lin Yao intended to choose a Thousand-Year Soul Ring for his First Ring, the originally planned Sunset Forest was sufficient for his needs. There was no need to travel all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest.

At the speed of a Title Douluo, the Sunset Forest entered their sight in less than half an hour. They soon descended slowly at the forest's edge.

As a natural habitat for Soul Beasts, Heaven Dou City's prosperity was owed not only to its status as the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, but also in large part to the nourishment provided by this forest.

Even after years of hunting by human Soul Masters, it still contained many mid- and high-level Soul Beasts, making it highly suitable for Soul Masters at Soul Saint level and below to obtain Soul Rings.

Its only flaw was the absence of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.

Still, while the quality of Soul Beasts in the Sunset Forest was far inferior to that of the Star Dou Great Forest, it was already more than enough for ordinary Soul Masters.

Of course, the Sunset Forest in the original story contained quite a few Cave Demon Spiders and Man Faced Demon Spiders, including even a Ten-Thousand-Year Spider King.

For ordinary Soul Masters, one careless mistake could easily prove disastrous.

But for Lin Yao, with a Title Douluo leading the way, he could swagger through the Sunset Forest and clear it with ease.

As they entered the forest, the interwoven branches and leaves cast mottled shadows across the ground, while the damp scent of grass and trees permeated the air.

At that moment, Chen Xin broke the silence. "Yao, you said last night that you wanted to add a Thousand-Year Soul Ring to your Star Sword Martial Soul. Given your understanding of your Martial Soul and your previous preparations, have you chosen a target?"

"Yes, Teacher."

Lin Yao answered as his curious gaze swept across the surrounding vegetation.

"Ever since awakening my Martial Soul, I've been planning what Soul Rings to add. Taking into account the knowledge of Soul Beasts and Soul Rings my parents taught me, as well as the traits of my own Martial Soul, I intend to follow the Five Elements Path. Therefore, my first Soul Ring should ideally be a Wood Attribute Soul Ring of around a thousand years."

Based on what he currently needed, Lin Yao had determined the direction of his early development.

From his current assessment of the Star Sword's traits, it possessed the potential to absorb Star Power and evolve all things.

Following the Seven Kill Sword's path of pursuing ultimate offensive power would not suit him. That would waste the potential of his Martial Soul.

One sword to destroy all things, or one sword to create all things—between these two ultimate paths of the sword, Lin Yao felt the latter was more appropriate for him.

After all, all things in the world followed the supreme principle of Five Elements Mutual Generation: wood generated fire, fire generated earth, earth generated metal, metal generated water, and water generated wood.

If his first five Soul Rings followed this path to form a Five Elements Cycle, then combined with the power of the Extreme of Sword, it would push the Star Sword's explosive power to a minor peak.

"The Five Elements Path? With the potential of your Star Sword, it is indeed possible. It won't muddle your origin and reduce your potential like other Martial Souls."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin stopped walking and turned to look at Lin Yao beside him. He nodded as he spoke.

"However, among the five elements, wood has the weakest combat and offensive abilities in the early stages. Only later can it display all kinds of miraculous properties.

"The most classic example is Blue Silver Grass. Ordinary, weak Blue Silver Grass is everywhere, yet once it reaches the terrifying level of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, it can be called an emperor, possessing endless vitality.

"The Soul Ring produced by its sacrifice allowed that peerless genius of the previous generation to become a top-tier powerhouse in one stroke.

"With the strength of someone who had just broken through to Title Douluo, he killed a Super Douluo while surrounded by enemies."

As a member of a top power on the continent, Chen Xin naturally knew something of what had happened back then. He found the coincidence too suspicious and felt that the higher-ups of the Clear Sky Sect truly were ruthless.

To let that genius obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring upon breaking through to Title Douluo, they had actually resorted to such a method.

Unfortunately, it had only half succeeded. The genius had indeed broken through, but after causing a massive disaster, he vanished without a trace. The Clear Sky Sect's direct forces had not suffered heavy losses, while the abandoned affiliated forces had been severely crippled.

Yet this upheaval had also shown Chen Xin that even the weakest Blue Silver Grass could not be underestimated once sufficient quantity brought about a qualitative change.

Thus, in his view, even if Lin Yao could absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, a wood attribute would be difficult to put to use in the early stages. Waiting until his Fifth Ring to absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year wood-attribute Soul Beast would be the wiser choice.

As Lin Yao listened to Chen Xin recount the secret affair between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall, it was not much different from what he knew from the original story.

Sure enough, some secrets were open secrets to major powers.

However, Lin Yao had no intention of changing his mind, and he spoke firmly.

"Teacher, thank you for telling me these secrets about the great powers of this era. I understand what you mean, but my Star Sword Martial Soul is different. Obtaining a Wood Attribute Soul Ring for my First Ring is the most suitable choice."

"Very well. Since you are firm in your decision, I should not interfere too much. We'll head in that direction now, toward an area with denser vegetation. I know of a Wood Attribute Soul Beast there that may be quite suitable for your current needs."

With that, Chen Xin picked a direction and led Lin Yao toward the lushest part of the Sunset Forest.

Within the Sunset Forest, plant-type Wood Attribute Soul Beasts were relatively easy to find.

After all, although plant-type Soul Beasts struggled to form combat power in their early stages, their reproductive ability was stronger than that of other Soul Beasts.

Though the Sunset Forest could not compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, whose abundant life aura supported far more plant Soul Beasts, satisfying Lin Yao's needs would still be simple.

As they walked, the two encountered dozens of Soul Beasts, including even one Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Yet not a single one dared approach and launch a sneak attack.

After all, in order to prevent Soul Beasts from suddenly rushing out and wasting their time, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had deliberately released a faint trace of his aura. To the nearby Soul Beasts, it felt like a blade pressed against their backs. Naturally, they chose to stay far away. Only a mad beast would dare provoke him.

With a Title Douluo protecting him, Lin Yao moved through a place that was difficult even for Soul Saint-level powerhouses as though he were strolling through his own home.

That was the benefit of finding a powerful backer early on.

Soon, they arrived at an area thick with vegetation. It was clear that many plant-type Soul Beasts had reproduced there.

At this moment, Chen Xin concealed the aura within his body.

"Teacher, what about that vine Soul Beast? The wood-element energy around it feels very powerful."

Lin Yao pointed at a Thousand Star Vine Beast that coiled around a large tree and continued spreading outward.

"A Thousand Star Vine? Judging by its physical characteristics, it is likely around five or six hundred years old. That is a little too much for an ordinary Soul Master's First Ring, but it would be easy for you. Still, weren't you planning to choose one around eight hundred years old, or even a Thousand-Year Soul Ring? Choosing this would be fine too. You wouldn't need to take any risks."

Chen Xin introduced it, though inwardly, he still did not want Lin Yao to take risks.

"Five or six hundred years? Forget it."

Lin Yao was somewhat tempted, but after considering it, he shook his head and refused. If he could not maximize the benefits, he was still unwilling to settle.

Afterward, they continued deeper into the forest. Before long, they arrived at a bamboo grove filled with Spirit Bamboo, mostly ten-year and hundred-year Soul Beasts.

They possessed powerful absorption and storage abilities, capable of transforming nutrients from the soil into life force and storing it, then releasing it when they encountered a powerful enemy.

They were commonly chosen by Soul Masters who needed explosive Soul Skills but could not hunt higher-grade Soul Beasts.

Among the Spirit Bamboo, however, an ink-black figure stood out noticeably. Its aura was also extremely powerful, and it seemed to share a mutually beneficial relationship with the Spirit Bamboo.

"Teacher, the aura of that black bamboo Soul Beast ahead is very strong. It seems to have reached the thousand-year level."

"That's right. It is Dark Jade Bamboo, which shares a mutually beneficial relationship with Spirit Bamboo. Based on its age, it has only recently broken through to the thousand-year level. It is extremely suitable for your current needs."

Chen Xin waved his hand and sent out a strand of Soul Power. It formed a giant hand in midair, directly enveloping the Dark Jade Bamboo and pinning it to the ground to prevent it from escaping.

As for the other ten-year and hundred-year Spirit Bamboo, they trembled beneath the pressure of a Title Douluo's Soul Power, utterly incapable of resistance.

"Yao, this is the target I chose for you: Dark Jade Bamboo. It grows slowly, its material is hard, and it possesses formidable vitality. It is usually around a hundred years old, and rarely reaches a thousand years.

"Now that we have encountered a thousand-year Dark Jade Bamboo, nothing could be more fitting. I have already restrained it. Go and obtain the Soul Ring."

"Alright."

Lin Yao answered and strode forward.

He understood Chen Xin's considerations for him.

Bamboo-type plant Soul Beasts generally possessed extremely vigorous life force. After being absorbed by a Sword Martial Soul, they could improve its quality and toughness. They could also allow a Soul Master to condense purer Soul Power while cultivating, accelerating their cultivation speed.

Arriving before the Dark Jade Bamboo, Lin Yao gripped the Star Sword and thrust it directly into the weak point Chen Xin had indicated.

The Dark Jade Bamboo's body shuddered violently before falling still. A pale purple Soul Ring slowly rose from within it.

Seeing this, Lin Yao sat cross-legged. With a thought, he guided the pale purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring toward himself, allowing it to coil around his body.

"Trying to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his First Ring... I don't know whether to call this boy arrogant or simply talented. But it is still far too risky. Fortunately, it's his First Ring. If he succeeds, all the better. But if something goes wrong, it will be easy enough to interrupt and correct him. Learning a lesson would not be a bad thing either."

Standing guard at the side, Chen Xin silently watched Lin Yao absorb the Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

He hoped Lin Yao would succeed, but he had also prepared himself to intervene at any moment.

"As expected of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."

The immense Soul Power surged into his body. Even Lin Yao's physical constitution, far stronger than that of his peers, felt as though it could barely endure it, waves of intense pain washing over him.

If it had been an ordinary Level 10 Soul Master, their meridians would likely have ruptured long ago, and they would have exploded to death.

But for the current Lin Yao, this was just right. As for the pain in his body, it was merely fuel for his growth.

"Was absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as his First Ring still too risky?!"

Unknowingly, half an hour passed. Lin Yao's body was nearing its limit, and he could not stop himself from trembling. Chen Xin, watching from the side, frowned deeply.

"This Dark Jade Bamboo has an extremely difficult growth process. To reach the thousand-year level, it must possess a profound foundation.

"Even with a body capable of barely absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, I'm still just a little short of being able to absorb Dark Jade Bamboo's Soul Ring."

With that thought, Lin Yao stopped holding back and chose to use his trump card.

Brilliant starlight flashed from his chest, and then the Star Body emerged. The Heavenly Cycle Star Array spread outward with him at its center.

The instant the Star Body appeared, Lin Yao's condition stabilized. His body no longer trembled as he absorbed the Soul Ring, and his expression became calm.

"So this is the Heavenly Cycle Star Array of the Star Body? It truly is powerful and miraculous. This must be where the boy's confidence comes from."

Chen Xin had originally planned to interrupt the absorption at a critical moment, but upon witnessing this scene, he could not help but marvel at the strength of a Body Martial Soul.

What he did not notice, however, was that Lin Yao's Star Sword Martial Soul and Star Body Martial Soul had appeared at the same time. That was an even more terrifying phenomenon.

It was only natural, really. On Douluo Continent, the overwhelming majority possessed only a single Martial Soul. Those with Twin Martial Souls often died before they could mature.

The only person who had successfully reached the Title Douluo level, Bibi Dong, also concealed information about herself and would not allow those with ulterior motives to learn of it.

Therefore, Chen Xin did not yet understand the significance of Twin Martial Souls appearing simultaneously.

Perhaps only when Lin Yao grew up and stood with eighteen Soul Rings suspended behind him, suppressing every enemy in the world, would Chen Xin understand how terrifying it was for two Martial Souls to appear at once.

Meanwhile, under the protection of the Star Body and the coverage of the Heavenly Cycle Star Array, every aspect of Lin Yao was strengthened. He began steadily controlling the surging Soul Power within his body.

He guided that power to nourish and strengthen himself.

"Ha ha, not bad. Everything is proceeding smoothly. Judging by Yao's current performance, with the Star Body, even absorbing a Soul Ring of around a thousand years is actually conservative. This boy truly never fights a battle he cannot win."

Seeing that everything was going smoothly and that Lin Yao was nearly done absorbing the Soul Ring, Chen Xin finally let out a quiet breath of relief and inwardly sighed.

After a while, Lin Yao slowly opened his eyes. He clenched his fists and felt that his strength had increased severalfold. He was extremely satisfied.

Beyond the increase in strength, Lin Yao could also feel that his Soul Power had risen substantially. He had easily broken through the Level 10 bottleneck and reached the astonishing Level 16.

"Level 16 Soul Power? That shouldn't be right. A Thousand-Year Soul Ring is not in the same category as a Hundred-Year Soul Ring. While strengthening a Soul Elder's body, it can raise their Soul Power by one or two levels. Why has it only raised a Soul Master's realm by six levels now?"

Chen Xin sensed the increase in Lin Yao's Soul Power. If it had been an ordinary four-hundred-year Soul Ring, this would have been normal. Yet a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, which had undergone a qualitative change, had only raised it slightly more. He could not help asking in confusion.

Hearing this, Lin Yao sensed the changes in his body. Soul Power had nourished his meridians throughout his body, leaving him in excellent condition. He smiled and said,

"Teacher, when ordinary people absorb a Soul Ring, its power does not belong to them, and it is an immensely vast force.

"Part of it is wasted during absorption, while the impact on the body and meridians also carries certain risks, easily leaving hidden injuries.

"They need time afterward to adjust, which instead costs even more time.

"But during this process, my Star Body Martial Soul automatically used that power to repair my body, making my meridians and bones stronger.

"The origin of my Star Sword Martial Soul has also improved, and I can wield Soul Power as easily as my own limbs. With such advantages, raising my Soul Power by six levels is only natural."

"If that is the case, then it is indeed better than gaining one or two additional levels of Soul Power. Yao, your talent is truly outstanding. It makes others envious."

After hearing Lin Yao's explanation, Chen Xin placed a hand on his shoulder. Sensing that his internal condition was excellent, he nodded and was reassured.

"Your Soul Power is indeed pure. Advancement will be much easier for you in the future, especially at the Soul Saint and Title Douluo realms. Do not damage your foundation merely to break through to a higher realm."

Chen Xin cautioned.

"I understand, Teacher."

With knowledge from his past life, Lin Yao naturally understood that between quality and quantity, the former was far more important.

For example, in ancient warfare, one thousand heavily armored cavalrymen could easily slaughter a mob of one hundred thousand like butchering chickens and dogs.

Cultivation was the same. Only with pure internal energy and a deep foundation could one have a better future and advance more smoothly to higher realms.