Metamorphosis of the Mind

The Starfall Unicorns' behavior utterly stunned everyone.

But they clearly bore no ill intent. The three adults simply let Xiao Linyi handle the exchange himself while remaining secretly on guard, fearing that the Starfall Unicorns might suddenly attack.

"Child of Light? What is that?"

Faced with Xiao Linyi's question, the Starfall Unicorn did not answer. Instead, it said, "May I see your light?"

Xiao Linyi did not understand at first, but after thinking it over, he realized it was probably asking to see his Martial Soul.

He raised his right hand, and a small golden tree appeared, a black Soul Ring pulsing around it.

When the three Starfall Unicorns saw the Golden Tree, their eyes lit up. The other two looked toward the leader, seemingly communicating something.

The leading Starfall Unicorn's enormous pale golden eyes were filled with excitement, and its attitude became even more respectful.

"Honored Child of Light, the purity of your light is unlike anything I have ever seen. I would dearly like to become your Soul Ring, but I fear I must offer you an apology."

The Starfall Unicorn's words left Xiao Linyi stunned. "Why?"

"Because your light is too pure. With the talents of myself and my kin, we are not worthy of serving you or becoming a part of your power. Therefore, I am sorry. I can only refuse you."

Upon hearing this, everyone's first thought was that the Starfall Unicorn was merely making excuses out of fear of death. Yet as they looked into its clear, pure pale golden eyes, they could not bring themselves to voice their doubts.

Xiao Linyi likewise sensed the sincerity in the Starfall Unicorn's words. Perhaps because they both possessed the Light Attribute, or perhaps because of the golden glow from its horn earlier, Xiao Linyi could feel the Starfall Unicorn's honesty and its devout reverence for light.

The forest fell silent for a time. Only the sun hanging high in the sky tirelessly bestowed endless light, which filtered through the dense branches and leaves, scattering mottled patches below.

A cool breeze suddenly swept past, and Xiao Linyi softly asked, "I came here to kill you and hunt your Soul Ring. Why aren't you afraid of death?"

The Starfall Unicorn smiled. Though no expression could be seen on its long, narrow face, somehow, they knew it was smiling.

"Honored Child of Light, we are favored by light, and we also believe in light. To become one with light is the honor of our race."

First, there had been the Blue Silver Grass, willing to risk its life for a breakthrough. Now, there were the Starfall Unicorns, also willing to die for the faith in their hearts. Something seemed to stir within Xiao Linyi. He recalled how the Golden Ancient Tree had once begged him for help on Sea God Island, yet he had not even been able to learn the enemy's name or identity.

Was this the sorrow of the weak?

No one could have expected that after experiencing all this, Xiao Linyi would not think something like, "To hear the truth in the morning, one could die that evening without regret," but this instead.

Because the Blue Silver Grass was too weak, it could only risk its life if it wanted to break through. Because the Starfall Unicorns were too weak, when faced with a stronger light like his, they were even willing to die; they merely did not act because they felt unworthy. Because the Golden Ancient Tree was too weak, it could only lower itself and beg a child like him for help when faced with a powerful enemy. Because he was too weak, he could only watch and accept all of it.

Everything, everything, was because of insufficient strength!

Linyi understood!

He wanted to become stronger—stronger than anyone else!

His bloodline would not bind him. His talent would not hinder him. His enemies would not be able to kill him.

Linyi would become the strongest!

The memories of two lifetimes had given Linyi intelligence and insight, granting him an abundance of experience that ordinary people did not possess. Yet Linyi had always been lost.

His heart had never been settled.

The reason he had wanted to become a soul master, an outstanding soul master, a powerful soul master, was simply because he knew he had been extraordinary since birth.

One who was extraordinary naturally had to live in an extraordinary manner.

But now, things were different. His heart had settled!

He would grow stronger, until he became the strongest.

As Linyi's conviction hardened, the Golden Tree seemed to undergo a change as well.

But no one noticed.

Only the Starfall Unicorn, as a beloved child of light, sensed the change in the light of Linyi's Martial Soul through its devotion and sensitivity to light.

"Honored Child of Light, your light seems somewhat different from before."

Linyi came back to himself. "How is it different?"

"Your light has become more resolute."

Linyi fell silent. He did not want to speak of what had just happened. Not only would that mean revealing his secret, but more importantly, once he said it aloud, everything would become uncontrollable. He did not know how his parents would react, nor did he know how his master would react. So, he could only remain silent.

Suppressing these stray thoughts, Linyi turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

He wanted to become stronger. That meant the Starfall Unicorn before him was one of the steps he had to take.

As a top-tier Soul Beast acknowledged even by Mu En, a Limit Douluo, the benefits it could bring if he obtained it would surely be immense.

Top-tier Soul Beasts were things one could only encounter by chance. If he let this opportunity pass, he had no idea when another would come.

Linyi's thoughts raced as he tried to devise a perfect solution.

Ouyang Xi, who had been waiting beside them for quite some time, could no longer hold herself back. "What is there to talk about with a Soul Beast? Whether it wants to or not, just kill it and take its ring!"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere immediately turned tense.

The blazing sun hung high overhead, but after being blocked by the forest's branches and leaves, little heat reached the ground. An occasional breeze passed by, bringing waves of coolness.

Seeing that these humans intended to attack by force, the Starfall Unicorn remained vigilant as it said calmly, "Human, if you intend to kill us to hunt our Soul Rings, I advise you not to do so."

"Still afraid of death?" Ouyang Xi sneered.

"Not at all. I already said it before: the reason we are unwilling to become the Child of Light's Soul Rings is because we are unworthy. Human, you underestimate our race's faith in light."

"The reason I advised you not to attack is that even if you kill us, you will not obtain our Soul Rings. We are not creatures of this world. If we wish it, even in death, we will leave behind no Soul Rings."

Ouyang Xi's expression changed at once. She did not know whether the Starfall Unicorn was telling the truth, but she could not gamble on it, nor did she dare to.

Top-grade Soul Beasts were treasures that could only be encountered by chance. She would not ruin her son's opportunity over a momentary verbal dispute.

"That's enough, Starfall Unicorn. I apologize to you on my mother's behalf. I'm truly sorry."

As the standoff continued, Lin Yi's voice suddenly rang out.

The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.

"Honored Child of Light, you are too kind."

"Starfall Uni... do you have a name?"

The question seemed to stump the Starfall Unicorn. After a pause, it slowly shook its massive head. Its mane swayed, stirring a ripple of fine golden waves, elegant and captivating beyond words.

Lin Yi and Ouyang Xi watched the scene with slightly dazed eyes. As people drawn to beauty and wielders of the Light Attribute themselves, they truly could not refuse a Soul Beast that possessed both stunning looks and immense strength, even though Ouyang Xi had spoken harshly to it just moments ago.

But for those who valued appearances, beauty was everything.

"Then I'll give you one."

The Starfall Unicorn meekly expressed its agreement.

"My surname is Lin, so you can take my surname. Your name can be based on your race—take the character Yao. How about Lin Yao?"

"As you wish, honored Child of Light."

"Lin Yao, what must we do for you to become my Soul Ring?"

Lin Yi was determined to obtain the Starfall Unicorn, but as for how exactly to succeed, he thought of a method: a straightforward approach!

For Starfall Unicorns that served the light, deceiving them would be far too difficult. Speaking plainly might instead yield unexpected results.

Lin Yao clearly had not expected Lin Yi to be so direct and visibly paused.

After seeming to gather its thoughts for a moment, Lin Yao spoke. "Honored Child of Light, light is the faith of our race. It would be our honor to merge with your light. If you truly need our strength, then I am willing to become your Soul Ring."

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