First Soul Ring

As night deepened, damp mist filled the Soul Hunting Forest. The campfire crackled, illuminating the different expressions on the three faces.

Yu Xiao Gang was flipping through his "Spirit Beast Illustration Book," his brow tightly furrowed. Little Scumbag sat quietly to one side, his fingers unconsciously brushing the Hidden Weapons at his waist. Michael gazed at the dancing flames, flickering light seeming to flow through his golden eyes.

"Teacher, what type of spirit beast do you think I should choose for my first soul ring?" Little Scumbag suddenly asked. His voice was soft, yet it broke the silence of the night.

Yu Xiao Gang closed his book and adjusted his glasses. "Theoretically, since Blue Silver Grass is a plant-type martial soul, it is best suited to absorbing soul rings from plant-type spirit beasts."

Yu Xiao Gang adjusted his glasses again, his voice hoarse as he recited common knowledge everyone on Douluo Continent knew.

He cleared his throat and launched into a lengthy explanation in his signature academic tone. "According to my years of research into the 'Top Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls Theory,' choosing soul rings for plant-type martial souls must follow three fundamental principles."

"First is the principle of compatible attributes." He opened the Spirit Beast Illustration Book to a certain page and pointed at the chart. "As the most basic plant-type martial soul, Blue Silver Grass should theoretically choose plant-type spirit beasts with equally tenacious vitality. Common examples include Ghost Vines and Golden Bamboo. They can grant Blue Silver Grass greater resilience and vitality."

Tang San nodded seriously, his finger unconsciously drawing circles on the ground.

Seeing this, Yu Xiao Gang's tone became even more solemn. "But!"

He heavily emphasized the turn in his argument. "This is only the most basic theory. My research data shows that, among the 137 recorded cases of Blue Silver Grass soul masters in Nuoding City's Soul Hunting Forest over the past decade, 23% chose animal-type soul rings and instead achieved unexpected results."

Michael raised a brow with interest. "Oh? That goes against conventional theory."

"That's right!" Yu Xiao Gang slapped his thigh excitedly. "This is precisely the second principle I proposed—the principle of mutation induction."

He quickly flipped to a page in his notebook, which was densely packed with data. "When a plant-type martial soul absorbs an animal-type soul ring, there is a 6.7% chance of a beneficial mutation occurring. For example, a student at Nuoding Academy ten years ago absorbed the soul ring of a hundred-year Flame Rat with his Blue Silver Grass and actually gained resistance to fire!"

At this point, a feverish light gleamed in Yu Xiao Gang's eyes.

He was completely immersed in his own world of theory, speaking faster and faster. "However, the most crucial principle is the third one: the principle of age compatibility. According to my 'Comparison Table of Soul Ring Age and Martial Soul Endurance,' a soul master with Innate Full Soul Power like Xiao San should have a first soul ring limit of around 423 years. This figure was reached by comparing 37 cases of Innate Full Soul Power..."

Tang San listened with his mouth agape. He had never imagined that such a simple choice of soul ring could conceal such a complex theoretical system. For a moment, he could not help feeling fortunate that he had chosen such a person as his teacher. It seemed his future was bound to be bright.

Michael nodded thoughtfully. He neither spoke to refute him nor interrupted.

The more Yu Xiao Gang spoke, the more animated he became. He pulled a stack of yellowed papers from his pack. "These are case materials I have collected over the years. Look at this one. Three years ago, in the Balak Kingdom, a Blue Silver Grass soul master..."

The night wind swept past, and the campfire crackled.

Yu Xiao Gang's voice echoed through the forest. He failed to notice the pair of scarlet eyes watching them from the treetops in the distance.

Michael seemed to sense something and glanced back. He could tell it was probably a Mandala Snake that was over four hundred years old.

What a convenient arrival.

Michael's thoughts were simple. Since The Lord had told him to keep an eye on this boy, he might as well lend him a hand.

In the darkness, the Mandala Snake's scarlet eyes flickered in and out among the shadows of the trees. Its tongue darted out as it slithered soundlessly along the branches, its scales scraping faintly against the bark.

Michael withdrew his gaze, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He lightly raised a hand, and a wisp of golden light gathered at his fingertips. It was inconspicuous in the night, yet shot precisely toward the distant treetop.

"Hiss!" A piercing shriek tore through the night sky. The Mandala Snake writhed in agony and fell from the tree, landing in an open patch not far from the campfire.

"A spirit beast!" Tang San became alert in an instant, a Hidden Weapon from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night already slipping into his palm. Yu Xiao Gang snapped his book shut, his eyes widening behind his glasses. "A Mandala Snake?"

Michael rose calmly, his golden eyes appearing especially deep in the firelight. "It has a cultivation of 423 years. Perhaps it is exactly suitable as a first soul ring."

Yu Xiao Gang rapidly flipped through the Spirit Beast Illustration Book, his voice trembling with excitement. "Although the Mandala Snake is an animal-type spirit beast, its venom can produce a marvelous chemical reaction with plant-type martial souls! Xiao San, this is simply a heaven-sent opportunity!"

Tang San cautiously observed the Mandala Snake struggling in pain and noticed a golden wound near its vital point. He glanced thoughtfully at Michael, who merely returned a mysterious smile.

"Teacher, didn't you just say that plant-type martial souls are best off absorbing plant-type soul rings?" Tang San deliberately asked.

Yu Xiao Gang adjusted his glasses and excitedly explained, "But the Mandala Snake is an exception! Its venom has an extremely strong affinity with plant cells. According to my research data, three Blue Silver Grass soul masters in history have absorbed Mandala Snake soul rings, and all gained remarkably powerful poison-attribute enhancements!"

Michael slowly walked toward the Mandala Snake, and each step made the Ferocious Beast retreat in terror.

He turned to Tang San. "Go. Bind it with your Blue Silver Grass. Remember, strike a fatal blow at the instant it releases its venom. The soul skill you gain that way will be more offensive."

Tang San nodded, and Blue Silver Grass spread out from his palm.

To Yu Xiao Gang's astonishment, the seemingly fragile Blue Silver Grass was extraordinarily tough, swiftly wrapping around the Mandala Snake's body.

"Hiss!" The Mandala Snake opened its bloody jaws in fury, purple venom seeping from between its fangs. At that very instant, Tang San flicked his wrist, and a flying knife precisely pierced the snake's vital point.

Golden light spilled from the Mandala Snake's body, gradually condensing into a yellow soul ring.

Yu Xiao Gang recorded it excitedly. "Perfect! Its age is right around the theoretical limit!"

After all the setbacks of recent days, they had actually stumbled into such incredible luck!

Wasn't this a good thing?

This was simply wonderful!

Even Tang San beamed with joy, feeling that he was truly lucky!

Ye Su naturally noticed the commotion over there as well.

Already celebrating, Little Scumbag?

Once the spirit beast Pokemon appear, would you still be able to smile?