Mutated Green Wood Vine

If this had been when he had first obtained the Bulbasaur Martial Soul, Qing Mu would have chosen the Ghost Vine before him as his First Soul Ring without hesitation.

Based on the characteristics of a Soul Beast like the Ghost Vine, there was a high chance that he would gain a special move: Leech Seed!

But now that Bulbasaur had already mastered Leech Seed, absorbing another Ghost Vine as his First Soul Ring would seem somewhat redundant.

"Mu'er, why do you think so?"

After hearing Qing Mu's words, Qing Tianfeng furrowed his brow slightly and asked in confusion.

Xu Yao also looked at Qing Mu in puzzlement, waiting for his answer.

"You actually both know the reason."

Seeing his parents' confusion, Qing Mu immediately explained, "My Bulbasaur has actually already mastered a parasitic special move. Although this Ghost Vine is indeed suitable for me, if my luck is bad and I gain another parasitic skill after absorbing it, then the special moves would overlap."

After hearing Qing Mu's explanation, Qing Tianfeng and Xu Yao both nodded in understanding.

Indeed, they had focused only on the Ghost Vine's attributes and age, overlooking Bulbasaur's unique nature.

If things really went as Qing Mu said and his First Soul Ring gave him another soul skill involving seed parasitism, then in a sense, wouldn't that be wasting a slot?

After all, the Ghost Vine could only produce a few possible soul skills, so the chances of that happening were not low.

After understanding Qing Mu's thoughts, Xu Yao could not help asking, "Then, son, since you don't want the Ghost Vine, do you have any particular Soul Beast in mind?"

At that moment, Xu Yao suddenly realized that Qing Mu was no ordinary child. He had been far more mature than children his age since he was young. Perhaps he had long since formed his own ideas about his First Soul Ring.

After pondering for a moment, Qing Mu replied, "I want to choose either a Green Wood Vine or a Fire Lamp Grass as my First Soul Ring!"

But upon hearing Qing Mu's words, Qing Tianfeng frowned. "Why do you want to choose those two Soul Beasts? Neither of them has the Wood Poison Attribute!"

If Qing Mu wanted to absorb a Green Wood Vine, Qing Tianfeng could still understand it. But Qing Mu's desire to absorb a Fire Lamp Grass as a Soul Ring was completely beyond his comprehension.

The pure Wood Attribute of the Green Wood Vine might not compare to the Wood Poison Attribute of the Ghost Vine, but it was still acceptable.

But the Fire Lamp Grass was absurd. It was a blend of the Wood Attribute and Fire Attribute, with the Fire Attribute taking the lead. Under normal circumstances, only Spirit Masters with a Fire Attribute would reluctantly choose to absorb one when they had no better options.

That was because the soul skill produced by a Fire Lamp Grass was not particularly strong. It would most likely be a Fireball with unremarkable attack power. Other than being relatively bright, it had nothing special about it.

When Qing Tianfeng questioned him, Qing Mu answered without hesitation, "I read the books in your study and found that choosing a Green Wood Vine as a Soul Ring gives a high chance of obtaining a soul skill that strengthens vines. Most of Bulbasaur's attack methods come from Vine Whip, so I want to gamble on that skill."

"As for the Fire Lamp Grass..."

Qing Mu paused before continuing, "Dad, have you forgotten that trait of my Bulbasaur?"

"Which trait?"

Qing Tianfeng was initially stunned, but then he immediately understood. So that was it. If that was the case, it made sense!

Under sunlight, Bulbasaur's speed would increase drastically. It seemed his son wanted the Fireball soul skill produced by the Fire Lamp Grass to serve as a sun and trigger Bulbasaur's ability.

But Qing Tianfeng soon shook his head. "Your mother and I will help you look for a Green Wood Vine. As for the Fire Lamp Grass, it's still too risky!"

"Yes, listen to your father. Forget about the Fire Lamp Grass!" Xu Yao echoed from the side.

Although they now understood Qing Mu's thoughts, it was still far too dangerous for a Martial Soul with the Grass Poison Attribute to absorb a Soul Beast dominated by the Fire Attribute. If things went wrong, it could cause a Martial Soul conflict.

Qing Mu nodded. "All right. I'll absorb a Green Wood Vine for my First Soul Ring."

Seeing that Qing Mu did not insist on the Fire Lamp Grass, Qing Tianfeng and Xu Yao immediately breathed a sigh of relief. They had truly feared that something might happen if Qing Mu insisted on absorbing it.

Once they had clarified their target, their search became much faster. Before long, they found several Green Wood Vines, but they were either too young, at only a few decades old, or too old, reaching eight or nine hundred years.

The one that best fit their requirements was a one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Green Wood Vine. However, neither Qing Tianfeng and Xu Yao nor Qing Mu was particularly satisfied with it, so they merely noted its location as a backup before continuing their search through the forest.

Several hours later, they arrived at a valley.

Looking at the patch of weeds taller than a person before them, Xu Yao could not help complaining, "As expected of a primeval forest that hardly anyone visits. The grass is several times taller than we are."

"Such lush grassland really is quite rare."

Hearing his wife's complaint, Qing Tianfeng could not help laughing.

But Qing Mu frowned as he looked at the grassland before him. His instincts told him that something was wrong. The Wood Attribute energy here was far too abundant!

"Come out, Bulbasaur!"

Without hesitation, Qing Mu directly summoned Bulbasaur.

"Bulba, Bulba~"

Bulbasaur was initially delighted after Qing Mu summoned him, but almost the very next second, he immediately shielded Qing Mu behind him and entered a battle stance.

At the sight, Qing Tianfeng and Xu Yao's battle instincts were instantly triggered. Soul Rings circled around them as they protected Qing Mu behind them.

Qing Mu could not help feeling warmth in his heart. Their first reaction upon encountering danger was to protect him. Even Xu Yao, a Support System Soul Master, instinctively shielded him behind her. Having parents like them was truly his good fortune.

"Son, what happened?"

Xu Yao vigilantly watched their surroundings as she asked Qing Mu.

After synchronizing with Bulbasaur's senses, Qing Mu pointed in one direction. "Mom, Bulbasaur discovered that there seems to be a Soul Beast lurking underground over there."

"Hmph! Come out!"

After hearing Qing Mu's words, Qing Tianfeng's Second Spirit Ring immediately lit up, and he fired a pale purple Energy Ball toward the direction Qing Mu had indicated.

Boom—

As an explosion rang out, a huge vine emitting an emerald glow burst from the ground. However, its tip was already somewhat wilted, as though it had been corroded, making for a rather miserable sight.

But upon seeing this emerald-green vine, all three of them were instantly overjoyed.

Because the vine before them was precisely the Soul Beast they had been searching so hard for: the Green Wood Vine!