After returning to the dormitory from the Back Mountain, Wang Xian kept studying his System Panel.
Only after inspecting it did he realize that even after his Martial Soul had evolved to D-grade quality, he had still only gained one chance to fuse traits.
"Only one additional fusion opportunity after each upgrade—isn't that a little too few?"
He did not know what the highest Martial Soul quality was, but according to Douluo Continent's native classification standards for Martial Souls,
the strongest should be God-Tier Martial Souls, followed by Top-Tier Martial Souls, High-Tier Martial Souls, Mid-Tier Martial Souls, Low-Tier Martial Souls, and Trash Martial Souls.
Then, a God-Tier Martial Soul might correspond to A-grade.
If a God-Tier Martial Soul was the highest rank, then he could fuse at most four more traits.
Thinking of that possibility, Wang Xian temporarily put aside the idea of fusing traits.
Because if he truly only had four fusion opportunities left, using them on traits produced by these low-tier Martial Souls would be a waste.
His Blue Silver Grass had now reached D-grade quality, equivalent to a Mid-Tier Martial Soul. Combined with the three traits he had fused, his strength was no longer to be underestimated.
In terms of Martial Soul power, it was no weaker than a High-Tier Martial Soul, and in some respects, it had even surpassed one.
At this point, there was no rush to fuse traits.
"But could it be that my Martial Soul hasn't completely transformed yet, which is why each upgrade only gives me one additional fusion opportunity?"
Wang Xian looked at the name of his evolved Life Blue Silver Grass.
"There's only a plus sign added at the end—it hasn't completely changed. When it changes completely, there should be some kind of change, right?"
Naturally, this was the outcome he hoped for most. Otherwise, having so many powerful traits but being unable to fuse them would be extremely frustrating.
"Forget it. I won't think about that for now. Time to cultivate."
Wang Xian sat cross-legged on his dormitory bed and began cultivating Soul Power, determined to break through to level ten as soon as possible.
Four months later, in the early hours of the morning, Wang Xian opened his eyes. Soul Power surged within him as he finally broke through to level ten.
"Level ten. I finally made it." Wang Xian's face was filled with joy.
He sat on the bed for a while, waiting for his excitement to fade before turning over and getting out of bed. After washing up, he put on his school uniform, opened the door, and left the dormitory.
The sky had not fully brightened yet. The corridor was quiet, with only the lamp at the far end still lit, casting a dim yellow glow. Wang Xian walked to the end of the corridor, went up to the second floor, and stopped outside the Academic Affairs Office.
The door was open, and the lights inside were already on.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in." Director Su's voice came from inside.
Wang Xian pushed open the door and entered. Director Su was sitting at his desk organizing files, wearing his reading glasses, with several registration books spread across the table.
Seeing Wang Xian, he set down what he was holding, removed his glasses, and looked at him.
"Wang Xian? You came so early. What is it?"
Wang Xian walked up to the desk and said, "Director Su, I'd like to take some time off to return to my village and take care of something."
Director Su leaned back in his chair and sized him up.
He remembered this child clearly.
On the day he enrolled, Wang Xian had come to register with certification for a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power at level three. It had surprised him at the time.
His later performance had not disappointed either. He was diligent in class, absorbed everything he was taught, and had not neglected his Soul Power cultivation. In just a few months, he had made considerable progress.
What teacher would not like a student like that?
"Fine." Director Su did not ask further questions. He took out a leave slip from the drawer and picked up his pen. "How long?"
"About a month." Wang Xian estimated.
Director Su nodded, scribbled a few lines on the leave slip, signed his name, stamped it, and handed it over.
"Be careful on the road. Come back early for class."
"Thank you, Director Su." Wang Xian accepted the leave slip, folded it neatly, tucked it into his clothes, and turned to leave the Academic Affairs Office.
When he returned to the dormitory, Wang Sheng and the others were still asleep.
Wang Xian quietly packed his things, folded his school uniform and placed it on the bed, slung his old bundle over his back, and pushed open the door to leave.
The morning air carried a faint chill, and there was not a single person on the training grounds.
Wang Xian crossed the grounds and left Notting Academy. He looked back once, then turned and headed south.
For his First Soul Ring, he planned to go directly to Star Dou Forest.
His Soul Power had reached level ten, and his Martial Soul possessed considerable offensive strength. Dealing with soul beasts two or three hundred years old would not be a problem.
Besides that, he also had a Weapon Form, and that form possessed a skill.
With both at his disposal, even defeating soul beasts over three hundred years old, or perhaps even four hundred years old, would not be a problem.
That already met the age requirement for his First Soul Ring.
Of course, if he could go to the Soul Hunting Forest, he would still choose the Soul Hunting Forest.
But entering the Soul Hunting Forest required a permit.
The permits were issued by Spirit Hall, and obtaining one required meeting two conditions.
The first was receiving Spirit Hall's approval and proving that one's strength had truly reached the peak of a stage and required a Soul Ring to advance.
Second, one needed the guarantee of at least three nobles.
The first condition would be easy enough, but the second was extremely difficult. Nobles were not people he could come into contact with at the moment.
Even if he did meet those nobles, why would they guarantee him?
His Martial Soul Certificate listed his Innate Soul Power as only level three, yet he had cultivated to level ten so quickly.
If those nobles found out, they would certainly want to uncover the secret behind it.
Therefore, revealing his current level was not an option.
Under these circumstances, he could only take the longer route to Star Dou Forest to hunt a Soul Ring.
As long as he remained in the outer region and did not venture deeper inside, he basically would not encounter any major danger.
He bought some dry rations in Notting City, then left the city and headed toward Star Dou Forest.
Star Dou Forest was one of the three most famous soul beast gathering grounds on Douluo Continent.
Its vast territory stretched across the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Two-fifths of it lay within the Heaven Dou Empire, while the other three-fifths lay within the Star Luo Empire.
Notting City was located in the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, while Star Dou Forest was located in its central-southern region.
The distance between them was still considerable.
Wang Xian bought some dry rations in Notting City, then left the city and headed toward Star Dou Forest.
After traveling for ten days, he finally arrived at a town near Star Dou Forest.
The town was not small. Though it had no city walls, its streets were broad, its buildings densely packed, and plenty of people came and went.
All kinds of shops lined both sides of the streets—weapon shops, armor shops, and potion shops.
There were even shops selling the multi-pocketed coats specially made for Soul Masters. One look was enough to tell that this was a place that lived off Star Dou Forest.
Wang Xian did not wander around much. He found a cheap inn, rented a room, ordered a bowl of noodles to fill his stomach, and returned to rest.
Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, he got out of bed.
Before you continue