"Ding!"
"Congratulations to host Xiao Tianyang for obtaining the magical artifact, the Nether Sea Ring!"
"Congratulations to host Xiao Tianyang for obtaining the Exquisite Cookware Set, Improved Version [Never Wears Out]!"
Xiao Tianyang was stunned at first, then made a helpless expression. "Is this making me go further and further down the path of a chef?"
First came the Complete Culinary Knowledge, then the full Exquisite Cookware Set. Did he really have to narrow this broad road into a single path?
Putting those thoughts aside, a ring appeared in Xiao Tianyang's hand. It had an ancient appearance, with wave-like patterns engraved upon it.
Xiao Tianyang released a small amount of Mental Power into it.
Sure enough, in the next second, an image appeared before Xiao Tianyang's eyes.
It was a five-hundred-by-five-hundred-meter pavilion, with shelves on one side and open space on the other.
"It really is good stuff. Even in that place, it would definitely count as a high-grade magical artifact."
Retracting his thoughts, Xiao Tianyang turned his gaze toward the cookware set before him.
A full set truly meant a full set. It had everything one could need; the system had not deceived Xiao Tianyang in that regard.
Not to mention all kinds of knives, pots, bowls, ladles, and basins—even a barbecue grill was included. What else could possibly be missing?
Xiao Tianyang shook his head, put on the ring, then waved his hand and stored everything inside.
After doing all that, Xiao Tianyang leaned against Bubu, who was already sprawled on the ground, and muttered, "Murder and arson really do make people rich. In less than a day, I've gained more than I did in three months at Sacred Soul Village."
As Xiao Tianyang pondered these things, his mind gradually relaxed, and he drifted into sleep.
With Bubu around, Xiao Tianyang was not worried about anyone launching a sneak attack.
After sleeping through the night, Xiao Tianyang had already washed up by the lakeside before the sun rose. After covering up his tracks along the way, he brought Bubu back into Nuoding City.
Xiao Tianyang was not afraid of the truth coming to light.
He had not rented that place last night under his current identity.
Besides, there were barely any households nearby, and the escape route led through desolate wilderness. Only a Ghost would know it had been him.
However, Xiao Tianyang did not immediately return to the academy. Instead, he rented a room outside and moved in.
Before returning to the academy, he had to complete something—something he had always overlooked.
Sitting on the bed, Xiao Tianyang raised his right hand and looked at the three clusters of Heavenly Flames flickering continuously in his palm, a trace of contemplation appearing between his brows.
"The first Soul Ring can only be attached to one Martial Soul. Though they are all in my right hand and can connect seamlessly and switch back and forth, that inconvenience can't be avoided."
"So there's only one way..."
Xiao Tianyang drew the Heavenly Flames back into his body, closed his eyes, and muttered, "Only fusion can bring out the traits of all three Martial Souls. That way, I can also ask Master what kind of Soul Ring would suit someone with such a Martial Soul!"
That was right. This was the issue Xiao Tianyang had realized last night!
Xiao Tianyang had hesitated before about his first Soul Ring being over two thousand years old.
But if even Xiao Tianyang's physical quality could not withstand it, then the system would never send him to his death.
The process would certainly be difficult. Generally speaking, a Soul Master's first Soul Ring was a century-old Soul Ring. Some weaker ones even had ten-year Soul Rings.
Xiao Tianyang was aiming for one over two thousand years old right from the start. How could it not be difficult?
But as long as he put in the effort, Xiao Tianyang could overcome that aspect, so he had cast it aside and stopped thinking about it.
Yet in his hazy consciousness last night, he had realized another problem.
These Exotic Fire Martial Souls all had their own traits, but which one should receive the first Soul Ring?
Xiao Tianyang was greedy, because he wanted everything!
So Xiao Tianyang made a decision: fuse the Heavenly Flames, which in another sense meant fusing the Martial Souls!
Let the three Martial Souls possess all three traits, yet have only one main body!
Sitting by the window, Xiao Tianyang adjusted himself, doing as much as possible to keep himself in a state of full Mental Power and abundant stamina.
As the morning sun rose, the Nine Yang Divine Skill within his body began circulating automatically. That was one of the benefits of having a system.
Soon, under Xiao Tianyang's control, the Spirit of the Flame and the Crimson Lotus Karmic Fire within his body slowly approached each other.
At first, they naturally repelled one another. That was normal, since they were two completely different entities.
But then something miraculous happened.
At that moment, the Nine Yang Divine Skill suddenly separated out a wisp of energy and linked the two together!
Immediately afterward, the repulsion vanished. Like lovers separated for far too long, they tightly embraced and merged into one!
Xiao Tianyang stared in a daze. "The Nine Yang Divine Skill has an effect like this? If I'd known earlier, why wait until now?"
Before Xiao Tianyang could even control it, the Three Thousand Blazing Flame took the initiative to plunge into the fusion, as though afraid of being left behind.
Inside the room, Xiao Tianyang, who had his eyes closed, instinctively took a deep breath. At that moment, he felt his senses sharpen, the energy throughout his body flow with incomparable smoothness, and his whole being become exceptionally clear.
Only after everything was over did Xiao Tianyang realize that his body felt somewhat uncomfortable. When he opened his eyes, he discovered that Bubu had already hidden in the corner, clutching its nose and rolling its eyes, looking as though it were about to suffocate!
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
Although Xiao Tianyang thought the black impurities stuck to his skin were smelly and filthy, it should not have caused Bubu such a reaction.
So in his eyes, this was simply Bubu being overly dramatic, and it had to be dealt with seriously!
"Bubu, come here!"
Bubu, covering its nose and mouth, shook its head frantically.
"Hmph, you think I can't handle you?"
Xiao Tianyang stepped forward on his own.
Bubu's face filled with terror. It kicked its legs, braced itself against the corner, and looked as though it wanted to retreat but had nowhere left to go. It opened its mouth, yet could not say a word.
Of course, Xiao Tianyang could understand what it meant. It was probably saying, "Don't come any closer!"
After their playful antics ended, Xiao Tianyang had also finished washing up. Sitting on the bed, he spread open his right hand and looked at the Three-Colored Fire in his palm, a smile appearing on his lips. "A Martial Soul that can burn karma, possesses vitality, and has the trait of immortality should be enough to move Master, right?"
In a sense, Xiao Tianyang still possessed four Martial Souls.
Aside from the Scythe of Judgment, the other three Martial Souls—the Crimson Lotus Karmic Fire, the Spirit of the Flame, and the Three Thousand Blazing Flame—had fused together, yet still existed independently. He simply no longer needed to switch between them, and they could be given the same Soul Ring.
Having resolved everything he could think of, Xiao Tianyang had no reason to stay here any longer.
He first checked out of the room, then helped Bubu settle its lodging.
That was not difficult. As long as he had money, it could be arranged at any time.
Afterward, Xiao Tianyang took a long detour and arrived at Nuoding City's vegetable market.
"Since I've already set foot on this path, why should I keep treating myself poorly when it comes to food?"
Thinking of the Complete Culinary Knowledge and Exquisite Cookware Set he had won in the lottery, Xiao Tianyang felt somewhat helpless.
Of course, what was done was done. There was no possibility of returning them, so Xiao Tianyang could only accept it.
Since he had the means, it was not too much to make himself more delicious food, was it?
Before you continue