Six-Year-Old Soul Grand Master

"What?!"

Hearing Xiao Linyi say that he had already reached Level 20, the three of them were immediately astonished.

"Wasn't your Innate Soul Power measured at Level 15 before? You reached Level 20 so quickly? Your Soul Power isn't unstable, and your foundation isn't unstable, is it?"

Ouyang Xi was the first to ask.

Lin Qingxuan stepped forward, took his son's hand, and sent out a thread of Soul Power to examine him carefully.

A moment later, he said, "No problem. His Soul Power is very solid."

Lin Qingxuan also breathed a sigh of relief. It had only been so long since Xiao Linyi's Martial Soul Awakening, yet he had suddenly gained five levels of Soul Power. It was truly rather exaggerated.

Mu En pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Though the increase was indeed somewhat fast, it is still understandable."

Seeing everyone's eyes turn toward him, Mu En continued explaining, "Innate Level 15 Soul Power, a body tempered by the Golden Ancient Tree, then the sacrifice of a Ten-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass, as well as an External Soul Bone—given such talent and fortune, gaining only five levels of Soul Power is actually a little low."

Upon hearing Mu En's explanation, the family of three was immediately convinced.

Mu En chuckled. "It seems we'll have to stay in the Star Dou Great Forest for a few more days."

After Xiao Linyi's earlier analysis and arrangements for his First Soul Ring, Mu En was curious what other surprises Xiao Linyi might offer.

"Xiao Yi, do you have any thoughts about your Second Soul Ring?"

Xiao Linyi lowered his head in thought. The other three waited patiently, looking forward to the answer he would give.

"I hope my Second Soul Ring will grant a Light Attribute Amplification Soul Skill."

Mu En neither agreed nor disagreed with that answer. "Tell me your reasons."

Lin Qingxuan and the other two did not interrupt. They merely watched quietly as Mu En taught his disciple.

"My Golden Tree possesses both Light and Life Attributes. My First Soul Ring came from Blue Silver Grass, which can strictly be considered a Life Attribute. So, for balance, and to further develop my Martial Soul itself, I hope my Second Soul Ring will have a Light Attribute."

"At the same time, as a Support System Soul Master, my First Soul Skill, Rooting, greatly improved my endurance. So for my Second Soul Skill, I should also try to increase the strength of my support."

"Excellent!" Mu En clapped his hands in praise, the admiration in his eyes nearly overflowing.

To put it plainly, Xiao Linyi's choice could be summed up in two words: balance. Balance for his own Martial Soul, and balance in his Soul Skill configuration.

The reason Mu En praised him was not because Xiao Linyi's answer was particularly brilliant. On the contrary, it was an ordinary answer—any Soul Master with a little experience could have thought of it.

But ordinary did not mean bad. Rather, it meant the optimal solution in most circumstances.

In a word, it was steady!

Only after countless experiments by those before them had proven something sufficiently reliable and beneficial would it occur to, and be chosen by, most people.

Taking an unconventional path could indeed bring benefits, but the risks involved would also increase greatly.

Xiao Linyi's choice for his First Soul Ring had indeed caught Mu En off guard, and the final result had proven that his choice was correct. But cases like Blue Silver Grass were rare, after all.

Mu En was afraid that Lin Yi would repeatedly take such unconventional paths after tasting their benefits. While he might succeed, the risk of things spiraling out of control would also increase enormously.

There were many geniuses in this world, but geniuses were also proud. The more gifted they were, the more they liked to avoid the beaten path and display what made them different from other geniuses.

Geniuses often overlooked the fact that a choice accepted by the overwhelming majority was not accepted because it was poor, but because it could satisfy the interests of most people under most circumstances.

Xiao Linyi was not someone with Twin Martial Souls. He had only one Martial Soul, and only nine Soul Ring slots. If he wanted to reach the peak, every Soul Ring slot was precious and could not be squandered lightly.

And with Xiao Linyi's talent, as long as he proceeded steadily, he would inevitably reach the peak.

That meant he had no need to take any unconventional route. He only needed to follow the paths paved by those before him. A road to the heavens already lay beneath his feet; there was no need for him to carve out some thorny path of his own.

Thus, upon hearing Xiao Linyi's conventional answer, Mu En was not disappointed. Instead, his heart was filled with delight.

The old man was full of anticipation. With such talent, temperament, and brilliance, perhaps Xiao Linyi would have already grown strong before his own death.

By then, Shrek would enjoy peace and stability for several hundred more years.

Thinking of Shrek's bright future, Mu En nearly lost himself in the thought. Fortunately, he came back to his senses in time and did not embarrass himself in front of his disciple and student.

"If that's the case, there are plenty of Soul Beasts suitable for our precious boy. It looks like things will go smoothly from here on."

Ouyang Xi said lightly.

Lin Qingxuan, however, looked somewhat troubled.

"What's wrong, Brother Xuan?"

"Xiao Yi's First Soul Ring was already Ten Thousand Year. What age should we choose for his Second Soul Ring?"

The others froze at the same time. Right—his First Soul Ring could not be Ten Thousand Year only for his Second Soul Ring to drop back down to Thousand-Year.

With the Ten Thousand Year First Soul Ring setting the standard, they had somehow begun to look down on Thousand-Year Soul Rings.

But...

Mu En placed a hand on Xiao Linyi's shoulder and sensed him slightly. A flash of shock passed through his eyes.

"With Xiao Yi's current Body Strength, he can absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as well."

"Can the sacrifice of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast really improve a Soul Master's Body Strength to such an exaggerated extent...?"

Ouyang Xi was the first to speak. "Even if he can absorb a Ten Thousand Year one, he still has to choose a Thousand-Year one!"

Xiao Linyi was somewhat confused. It was obvious that a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring would benefit him more than a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, so why was his mother so firmly opposed?

Xiao Linyi believed his mother would never harm him; he was only curious why she was so firmly against it.

Seeing his wife's intense reaction and his son's confusion, Lin Qingxuan explained, "Once soul beasts reach ten thousand years, their intelligence awakens and may even grow significantly. After they are killed, their lingering souls and resentment cling to the soul ring. Therefore, when absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, there is a risk absent from hundred-year and Thousand-Year Soul Rings: Spirit Shock."

"As the name suggests, Spirit Shock targets only the mind and soul; it has nothing to do with physical strength. You're still young, and your Spiritual Power is too weak. If you absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring on your own, it could be very dangerous."

Only then did Xiao Linyi understand. In other words, absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring required one's Spiritual Power to reach a certain level as well.

That was somewhat troublesome, but after Xiao Linyi considered the methods he currently possessed, he realized that it seemed... not impossible.

"How powerful can the Spirit Shock from a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring be?"

Xiao Linyi suddenly asked.

Seeing Ouyang Xi's displeased expression, Xiao Linyi reassured her, "Don't worry, Mom. I know my limits. I won't take any risks."

Then, Xiao Linyi summoned the Golden Tree and activated his First Soul Skill, Rooting.

The Golden Tree's roots surged forth and burrowed deep into the ground.

Xiao Linyi explained, "My First Soul Skill is quite versatile. Besides reducing my Soul Power consumption and increasing my Soul Power recovery speed, it also boosts my Spiritual Power and defense to a certain extent."

"And my Golden Domain can also enhance my mental strength while weakening my opponent once activated."

"And this..." Xiao Linyi's First Soul Ring lit up once more, and the Blue Silver King Spirit Body appeared. "Lin Tong can also help me withstand part of the mental impact."

The other three had not thought much of the first three methods. After all, no matter how outstanding his soul skills and domain were, Xiao Linyi was only a Quasi Soul Grand Master and could not bring out their full power. It was only when the Blue Silver King Spirit Body appeared that their thoughts began to change.

After all, it was the Spirit Body of a ten-thousand-year Blue Silver King, containing its entire soul. Dealing with the remnant soul of a soul beast that was ten or twenty thousand years old would surely be more than manageable. Coupled with the little fellow's various methods, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring actually seemed feasible.

Mu En personally made a move, using his Spiritual Power to simulate the Spirit Shock of a ten-thousand-year soul beast and strike Xiao Linyi's mind. To their surprise, they discovered that Xiao Linyi's own Spiritual Power alone was enough to withstand the Spirit Shock of a soul beast around 15,000 years old.

With all his methods brought into play, he could endure anything below 35,000 years.

Ouyang Xi repeatedly called him a freak, but when she remembered that he was her own son, she hugged him affectionately, too proud for words.

Only Xiao Linyi himself knew that the reason he possessed Spiritual Power on par with an ordinary Soul King at such a young age was definitely not because of any exceptional talent.

It was likely because his Past Life Wisdom had awakened during childhood, stimulating his soul and causing his mind to develop ahead of time, allowing him to possess such mental strength at this age.

Once they confirmed that Xiao Linyi could endure it, they no longer hesitated. After all, the benefits a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring brought a soul master were on an entirely different level from those of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

However, to be safe, Mu En set a limit: the chosen soul beast could be no older than 25,000 years.

A simulation was, after all, different from reality. Moreover, the remnant soul and resentment left behind after a soul beast died would inevitably affect Xiao Linyi's mind. With a 25,000-year soul ring, even if Xiao Linyi was affected, he could still handle it calmly with his various methods.

After all, this was only his Second Soul Ring. There was no need to pursue the absolute limit in age. Compared with the ten-year and hundred-year soul rings of ordinary people, having Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings for both his first and second rings already put him far beyond them.

With the decision made, the group immediately began heading deeper in. There were no ten-thousand-year soul beasts in the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest; at the very least, such beasts only appeared in the Mixed Zone.

Remaining alert as they advanced, the group soon arrived deep within the Mixed Zone.

But ten-thousand-year soul beasts with the Light Attribute were rare even in the Star Dou Great Forest.