Mystic Tortoise, Setting Sail to Hunt Souls

After saying this, a trace of guilt flashed in Father Xia Shi's eyes.

If not for that, his son's martial soul would not have been a bodily martial soul—bones. His Innate Soul Power would not have been only half a rank, either.

Huo Yang sensed her husband's emotions and gently took his hand, offering silent comfort.

"Exactly."

Xia Yang nodded. "It was precisely because the martial soul attributes conflicted that this malignant mutation occurred."

"Therefore, when choosing my First Soul Ring, the most important thing to consider is how to balance the Ice Fire Energy within my body, rather than blindly pursuing power."

"Among Spirit Beasts that possess both Ice and Fire Attributes, the Ice Flame Crystal Shell is the most suitable target for us to hunt."

Xia Shi stroked the stubble on his chin, seriously considering his son's analysis.

Huo Yang's eyes lit up. Drawing on her extensive knowledge as a Bishop of Spirit Hall, she immediately recalled the relevant records. "The Ice Flame Crystal Shell truly is a peculiar Spirit Beast."

"When young, this type of Spirit Beast lives in the sea. At that stage, it possesses a pure Ice Attribute and is known as an Ice Crystal Clam. Then, when it reaches five hundred to nine hundred years, it leaves the ocean and seeks places rich in geothermal heat, such as volcanoes, gradually transforming into a Flame Crystal Clam with a Fire Attribute."

"The Ice Flame Crystal Shell you mentioned is their special form during this transitional period."

"And its Year Limit happens to meet the requirements for your First Soul Ring. No wonder you chose it."

"That's right."

Excitement gleamed in Xia Yang's eyes. "Then, Mom, Dad, do you know where we can find this kind of Spirit Beast?"

Xia Shi burst into hearty laughter and patted his son on the shoulder. "You've come to the right person! Your old man has roamed the seas for so many years, and I happen to know of an island where Ice Crystal Clams and Flame Crystal Clams can be found."

"However, I don't know whether there are any Ice Flame Crystal Shells there that meet your requirements."

"Wonderful."

Xia Yang was so excited he nearly jumped up.

"Since there are Ice Crystal Clams and Flame Crystal Clams there, there must be Ice Flame Crystal Shells in the midst of transforming."

"Alright."

Xia Shi readily agreed. "Give me a few days to prepare, then we'll put to sea and hunt your Soul Ring."

Xia Yang nodded heavily, his face brimming with an expectant smile.

Candlelight illuminated the family of three, casting warm shadows onto the walls.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Father Xia Shi had already prepared everything needed for the voyage.

On the morning of the Fourth Day, the sky had only just begun to brighten, and a thin layer of mist still shrouded the sea surface.

Xia Yang followed his father to the docks of Xiling Harbor. The damp sea breeze rushed toward them, carrying its distinctive salty, fishy scent.

The harbor had already awakened into its bustle. Fishermen's shouts, Sea Waves striking the shore, and seagulls' cries intertwined into the distinctive Morning Song of a port city.

"Dad, isn't Mom coming with us?"

Xia Yang looked around and found that only father and son were present, so he could not help asking.

He had originally thought his mother would be coming with them.

Xia Shi laughed heartily and patted his son's shoulder. "Your mom is a Fire Attribute Soul Master. Out on the sea, her strength would be greatly diminished."

"Besides, I've gathered several of the Mystic Tortoise's most capable hands for this trip. The few of us are more than enough to help you hunt your First Soul Ring."

As they spoke, father and son stepped onto the gangplank connecting the dock to the ship, then landed steadily on the deck of the Mystic Tortoise.

The moment he boarded, Xia Yang began looking around.

This seagoing vessel named the Mystic Tortoise truly lived up to its reputation.

It was twenty-eight meters long and eight meters wide, divided into two decks.

The entire ship was built from rare Adam Wood—a plant-type Spirit Beast that grew in the deep sea. Its wood was as hard as iron and naturally resistant to corrosion, making it a top-tier material for building seagoing vessels.

The Mystic Tortoise had sleek, flowing lines.

Although the ship looked rather old, it had been maintained exceptionally well.

It was clear how dearly its owner cherished it.

Three Soul Master crew members had long been waiting on the deck.

The moment the three saw Xia Shi bring his son onto the deck, they hurried over and greeted them warmly.

"Captain, is this your boy? He's grown so tall in the blink of an eye!"

"Xia Yang, right? Just look at that build. He's obviously the captain's son."

"Young Yang, if you get hungry aboard the ship, come to the kitchen anytime. I'll make sure you're fed!"

Xia Shi smiled and patted his son's shoulder, gesturing toward the three veteran crewmen. "Yang'er, these men are brothers who have weathered wind and waves with me."

"The one on the left is the Mystic Tortoise's First Mate, Sun Chuanjun. The one in the middle is the Boatswain, Zhang Feng. The one on the right is our Head Chef, Li Zhishu."

Xia Yang obediently gave the three men a careful look.

Sun Chuanjun, standing on the far left, was a middle-aged man with shoulder-length hair and a slightly stooped frame, yet he carried the toughness forged by years at sea.

Zhang Feng in the middle was the youngest. He wore a neat ponytail and a green tight outfit that emphasized his lean, capable build.

Li Zhishu on the far right indeed looked like a cook. With a large head, thick neck, burly build, and a face full of beard, he appeared especially forthright and hearty.

Xia Shi smiled at his son. "They're all old companions who've followed me for over a decade. Just call them uncles."

Xia Yang bowed respectfully. "Greetings, uncles. I'll be relying on you during this voyage to hunt a soul ring."

"What are you being so polite for?"

"Exactly. We're all on the same ship—no need for formalities."

"It's a shame this voyage was so rushed. Otherwise, we would've prepared a greeting gift for you!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Xia Shi's expression turned serious as he got down to business. "All right, we can chat later."

"Everyone knows the purpose of this voyage—to hunt my son's First Soul Ring."

"How have the preparations I assigned you been handled?"

Sun Chuanjun stepped forward first and replied, "Captain, all supplies have been prepared."

"A round trip from Xiling Harbor to Beike Island will take roughly half a month. I prepared enough for over twenty days—more than enough. Rest assured."

Xia Shi nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze to Zhang Feng.

A faint light flickered between Zhang Feng's hands, and a sea chart covered in markings unfolded at once.

"Boss, this is the detailed route from Xiling Harbor to Beike Island."

"I had several veteran sailors check it repeatedly. This route is both fast and safe."

"Also, the chart marks several small islands near Beike Island. If we can't find a suitable Spirit Beast on Beike Island, we'll still have other options."

Xia Shi took the sea chart and examined it closely. Its winding route, water-depth markings, reef distribution, and ocean-current directions were all meticulously recorded. It was clear that considerable effort had gone into it.

"Thoroughly prepared."

Xia Shi rolled up the sea chart, raised his hand, and shouted in a voice like a Great Bell, "Set sail!"

Everyone answered in unison and hurried to their posts.

Amid the sounds of mooring ropes being cast off and sail lines being hauled, the Mystic Tortoise slowly turned its bow, broke through the harbor's calm waters, and sailed steadily toward distant Beike Island.