The First Spirit Ring

As night deepened, a damp mist permeated the Soul Hunting Forest. The campfire crackled, illuminating the varied expressions of the three individuals.

Yu Xiao Gang was flipping through his Spirit Beast Illustration Book, his brow furrowed. Xiao Bi San sat quietly beside him, his fingers idly fiddling with the hidden weapons at his waist. Michael gazed into the flickering flames, a stream of light seeming to flash within his golden pupils.

"Teacher, what type of spirit beast do you think I should choose for my first spirit ring?" Xiao Bi San suddenly asked. His voice was soft, yet it shattered the night's silence.

Yu Xiao Gang closed the book and pushed up his glasses. "Theoretically, as a plant-type Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass is most suited to absorbing spirit rings from plant-type spirit beasts."

Yu Xiao Gang pushed his glasses up again, his voice hoarse, stating a common knowledge fact known to everyone on the Douluo Continent.

He cleared his throat and, in his characteristic academic tone, launched into a lengthy explanation. "According to my years of research on the Top Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls Theory, the selection of spirit rings for plant-type Martial Souls needs to follow three basic principles."

"First, the principle of attribute compatibility." He opened a page in the Spirit Beast Illustration Book and pointed to a chart. "Blue Silver Grass, as the most basic plant-type Martial Soul, should theoretically choose plant-type spirit beasts with equally tenacious vitality. For example, common ones like Ghost Vine or Golden Bamboo, they can all grant Blue Silver Grass stronger resilience and vitality."

Tang San nodded earnestly, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the ground.

Seeing this, Yu Xiao Gang's tone became even more serious. "However!"

He heavily emphasized this turning point. "This is just the most basic theory. According to my research data, in the past ten years, out of 137 cases of Blue Silver Grass Spirit Masters recorded in the Nuoding City Soul Hunting Forest, 23% chose animal-type spirit rings and achieved unexpectedly good results."

Michael raised an eyebrow with interest. "Oh? That does go against conventional theory."

"Exactly!" Yu Xiao Gang excitedly slapped his thigh. "This is precisely the second principle I proposed—the principle of induced mutation."

He quickly flipped to a page in his notebook, densely filled with data. "When plant-type Martial Souls absorb animal-type spirit rings, there is a 6.7% chance of a beneficial mutation occurring. For instance, ten years ago, a student at Nuoding Academy, whose Blue Silver Grass absorbed the spirit ring of a hundred-year-old Fire Rat, actually gained fire attribute resistance!"

As he spoke, Yu Xiao Gang's eyes gleamed with fanaticism.

Completely immersed in his theoretical world, his speech quickened. "But the most crucial aspect is the third principle, the principle of year limit compatibility. According to the Spirit Ring Year Limit and Martial Soul Bearing Capacity Comparison Chart I compiled, a Spirit Master like Xiao San, with Innate Full Spirit Power, should have a maximum year limit of around 423 years for their first spirit ring. This data was derived from comparing 37 cases of Innate Full Spirit Power..."

Tang San listened, dumbfounded. He had never imagined that such a complex theoretical system lay behind the simple choice of a spirit ring. He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had chosen such a person as his teacher, realizing that a bright future awaited him.

Michael nodded thoughtfully, neither refuting nor interrupting.

Yu Xiao Gang became more animated, pulling out another stack of yellowed papers from his satchel. "These are all case materials I've collected over the years. Look at this one, three years ago in the Bar拉克 Kingdom, a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master..."

The night wind blew, and the campfire crackled.

Yu Xiao Gang's voice echoed through the forest. He didn't notice at all that a pair of scarlet eyes on a distant treetop were watching them.

Michael, as if sensing something, glanced back, detecting that it was likely a Mandala Snake of around 400 years.

It was quite a coincidence.

Michael's thought was simple: since the Lord had asked him to pay attention to this young man, he might as well help him out.

In the darkness, the Mandala Snake's scarlet eyes flickered in and out of the tree shadows. It flicked its tongue, slithering silently between branches, its scales making faint rustling sounds against the bark.

Michael withdrew his gaze, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He gently raised his hand, and a wisp of golden light condensed at his fingertips. It was not conspicuous in the night but accurately shot towards the distant treetop.

"Hiss!" A sharp screech tore through the night sky. The Mandala Snake writhed in pain, falling from the tree and landing in an open space not far from the campfire.

"A spirit beast!" Tang San instantly became alert, hidden weapons from the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges already slipping into his palm. Yu Xiao Gang slammed his book shut, his eyes widening behind his glasses. "Is that a Mandala Snake?"

Michael calmly stood up, his golden pupils appearing exceptionally deep in the firelight. "423 years of cultivation, perhaps it's just right for a first spirit ring."

Yu Xiao Gang quickly 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 have a wonderful chemical reaction with plant-type Martial Souls! Xiao San, this is simply a heaven-sent opportunity!"

Tang San cautiously observed the struggling Mandala Snake, noticing a golden scar on its seven-inch mark. He glanced thoughtfully at Michael, who merely returned a mysterious smile.

"Teacher, didn't you just say that plant-type Martial Souls are best suited to absorbing plant-type spirit rings?" Tang San asked deliberately.

Yu Xiao Gang pushed his glasses up and explained excitedly, "But the Mandala Snake is an exception! Its venom has a strong affinity with plant cells. According to my research data, three Blue Silver Grass Spirit Masters in history have absorbed Mandala Snake spirit rings, and all of them gained considerable potent poison attribute bonuses!"

Michael slowly walked towards the Mandala Snake. Each step made the fierce beast retreat in fear.

He turned to Tang San and said, "Go ahead, use your Blue Silver Grass to bind it. Remember, strike the fatal blow the moment it releases its venom; this way, the spirit skill obtained will be more aggressive."

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

To Yu Xiao Gang's astonishment, these seemingly fragile Blue Silver Grass were surprisingly tough, quickly coiling around the Mandala Snake's body.

"Hiss!" The Mandala Snake roared, opening its bloody maw, purple venom seeping from its fangs. At that very instant, Tang San flicked his wrist, and a throwing knife accurately pierced the snake's seven-inch mark.

Golden light overflowed from within the Mandala Snake, gradually condensing into a yellow spirit ring.

Yu Xiao Gang excitedly recorded, "Perfect! This year limit is just around the theoretical maximum!"

After days of bad luck, to suddenly stumble upon such fortune!

Isn't this a great thing?

This is simply fantastic!

Even Tang San was beaming, feeling incredibly lucky!

Ye Su also naturally noticed the commotion.

This little brat is already happy?

When the spirit beast Pokemon appear, I wonder if you'll still be happy?