Alternative Paths for Martial Soul Development and Light Plume's Stirring

Alternative Paths for Martial Soul Development and Light Plume's Stirring

As the atmosphere grew heavy, Han Li was about to say something when a knock suddenly came at the door, breaking the silence in the room.

"Young Master, may I come in? Master Ma Xiunuo and Su Dage are here. They said they need to see you." Xiu'er's voice sounded from outside.

Han Li glanced at Broad Hill. Seeing no reaction from him, he answered directly, "Sister Xiu'er, come in."

The door opened. The first thing Xiu'er saw was Broad Hill sitting off to the side. The smile vanished from her face, and she rushed to Han Li in a few quick steps, shielding him behind her as she shouted sternly, "Who are you? What are you trying to do? People from Spirit Hall are right outside. I advise you to leave at once."

Broad Hill looked Xiu'er over from head to toe. Only when he noticed the ears atop her head did he recall that she was likely the little girl from back then.

His impression of Xiu'er was deeper than the matter he had handled years ago. He gave the girl, who stood firmly in front of Han Li like a mother hen protecting her chick, a meaningful look, then turned a teasing gaze toward his disciple.

Han Li had not expected Xiu'er to react so strongly. He caught her hand and, amid her puzzled expression, pointed at Broad Hill before saying, "Sister Xiu'er, this is my teacher, Light Plume Crown of Spirit Hall."

"Huh?"

Xiu'er's face instantly flushed crimson. Without even thinking to pull her hand free, she hurriedly bowed in apology. "I'm sorry, Your Excellency. I misunderstood. Please do not blame Young Master for my recklessness."

Han Li froze for a moment, his grip on Xiu'er's hand tightening slightly as he looked at Broad Hill. "Teacher, stop teasing Sister Xiu'er. You've frightened her."

Broad Hill looked at the two little brats before him and smiled. "Enough, get up. I had no intention of blaming you. You care so much about this unfilial disciple... Hmm, that deserves a reward."

At those words, Han Li's eyes brightened. He hurriedly pulled the still-flustered Xiu'er into a bow. "Thank you, Teacher, for the reward."

Then he raised his head without saying a word, simply staring straight at Broad Hill. His meaning could not have been clearer.

Broad Hill irritably tapped Han Li with a finger. What a wonderful disciple he had—latching onto a single sentence and immediately trying to fleece his teacher. Still, he rather liked that sort of personality.

"Most of my belongings are in Spirit City. Once we return, take her to pick one item."

"No problem. Sister Xiu'er, quickly, thank Teacher."

Han Li tugged at Xiu'er, who still had not fully recovered, and winked at her. Only then did Xiu'er hurriedly bow and offer her thanks.

Broad Hill glanced at Xiu'er and instructed her directly, "Go out first. Tell them to wait. This brat and I still have things to discuss; we'll come over shortly."

Xiu'er did not dare delay and turned to leave, but Han Li stopped her again. He told her to have the kitchen prepare some food and to notify the City Lord Manor as well before finally letting her go.

"Release your martial soul. Let me have a look."

Only after Xiu'er had left and shut the door behind her did Broad Hill speak again.

"Yes, Teacher."

As Han Li spoke, two scimitars carrying different energies appeared in his hands, and he handed them to Broad Hill.

Broad Hill took them curiously. Unconcerned by the energy lingering on them, he examined them carefully for a while before handing the martial soul back and giving Han Li a look. Han Li understood instantly and directly controlled the twin blades to transform. As before, he handed the magnificent-looking Ice Fire Bow to Broad Hill.

Before he even touched the Ice Fire Bow, a flash of delight passed through Broad Hill's eyes. This martial soul was not bad. He admired it for a while before tossing the Ice Fire Bow back.

"Mm, not bad. Better than the intelligence report described. When your martial soul takes the form of twin blades, its quality is roughly average among high-grade martial souls. But considering that opposing elements are attached to it and can be used simultaneously, it can barely be considered high-grade. When it becomes a bow, though it is hard to believe, those two conflicting elements have fused together perfectly. Even among top-tier martial souls, it belongs to the strongest group. Compared with my martial soul, its power is no less impressive." Broad Hill organized his words, then spoke to his disciple with satisfaction.

Han Li had known that his martial soul would not be weak, but he had lacked any direct comparison. Now that Broad Hill had said this, he clearly understood its true strength.

"However..."

As he watched Han Li withdraw his martial soul, Broad Hill drew out the word deliberately. Han Li turned his gaze toward him, wanting to know what his teacher was about to say.

Broad Hill's expression turned solemn as he looked seriously at his disciple. "However, obtaining your soul rings in the future will be a problem. Your martial soul possesses both ice and fire attributes, but a soul ring can only add one. Moreover, you must ensure that after attaching a soul ring, your martial soul will not mutate again due to an imbalance in its attributes. Have you considered this issue?"

Oh, so that was it. Hearing his teacher's words, Han Li immediately relaxed. He had thought it was something serious.

After considering his words, Han Li said, "Teacher, I've actually been thinking about this issue over the past few days. I don't intend to obtain soul rings with ice or fire attributes."

"Oh?"

Broad Hill seemed to have thought of something, but his furrowed brow did not relax.

"Teacher, I plan to add enhancement skills to all my early soul rings," Han Li said decisively. "Only then can the soul ring skills I obtain early on continue to aid me after I reach higher levels."

"Even so, the enhancement skills you can obtain are quite limited. And if you choose this path, not only will your elemental abilities be unable to improve further, but your offensive methods in the early stages will also be severely lacking. Have you thought this through?" Broad Hill gave him a look.

"Isn't that what you're here for? I'm your disciple. Before I have sufficient strength, I certainly won't take the initiative to fight anyone." Han Li grinned at Broad Hill.

Only then did Broad Hill remember that this disciple of his was slipperier than a loach. He was no obedient child.

Han Li put away his smile and looked earnestly at Broad Hill. "Teacher, aside from conventional enhancement skills, I actually have another idea I'd like to ask your advice on."

Seeing the serious expression on his small face, Broad Hill grew serious as well.

"As I just said, I don't plan to obtain single-attribute soul rings like ice or fire. I hope to acquire a special soul skill, one that will also determine the direction of my future cultivation." Han Li first laid out the premise. Once Broad Hill had begun to take it seriously, he slowly continued, "That is, Elemental Affinity or elemental control. Since my martial soul comes with ice and fire attributes, whether it is the Ice Fire Blade or the Ice Fire Bow, they are merely vessels. If I can gradually master these two elements through my martial soul, then once I succeed, not only will I solve the problem of insufficient elemental strength, but wouldn't the Ice Fire Hammer and Ice Fire Spear also become possible?"

"Of course, this is only one of my ideas. It also places considerable demands on the martial soul. Perhaps only certain elemental weapon martial souls of at least high-grade quality can do this. Do you think this direction for developing my martial soul is feasible?"

After speaking, Han Li looked up at Broad Hill, wanting to hear his opinion. Yet Broad Hill was staring at him with blazing eyes, his expression exceedingly excited.

"You're fucking brilliant!"

The usually elegant Broad Hill could not suppress his excitement and rarely cursed aloud. He had not expected that, just as Golden Crocodile had said, on the very first day of taking a disciple, he would see a path to greater heights.

Thank you, boss Gechen Langshi, for the reward! Here, have an ice-cold cola!

Thank you, boss Daohen, for supporting with two monthly passes! Lighting you a cigarette! Please keep reading the new book~~~~~