"New student? Hello, I'm Ma Hongjun."
Ma Hongjun yawned, which served as his greeting.
Xiao Qing nodded at Ma Hongjun and said calmly, "Xiao Qing. I look forward to getting along with you."
The next morning, before the dawn mist had fully cleared, Zhao Wuji led Xiao Qing and Oscar out of Shrek Academy.
Unlike Flender's "stinginess," Zhao Wuji cared more about efficiency. He rented a carriage from a coach house, hired a driver, and paid in advance for the round trip to Sunset Forest.
"It's a bit cramped, but we'll reach the outskirts of Sunset Forest in half a day. The time and energy we save will be better spent looking for Soul Beasts."
Zhao Wuji explained to the somewhat surprised Oscar, then glanced at Xiao Qing. Xiao Qing nodded and silently climbed into the carriage.
The carriage raced out of Suotuo City.
Xiao Qing sat alone on one side of the carriage, calmly gazing out the window as he reviewed what he knew about Sunset Forest.
In terms of area, variety of Soul Beasts, and number of high-year Soul Beasts, Sunset Forest was far inferior to Star Dou Forest.
However, those very limitations made Sunset Forest's dangers manageable, making it popular with many low- and mid-ranked Soul Masters. As long as they didn't venture deep into the core area, the chances of encountering an enemy they couldn't handle were almost zero.
Halfway through the journey, Zhao Wuji opened his eyes and looked at Oscar.
"Kid, have you decided what kind of Soul Ring you want? What did Flender tell you?"
Oscar immediately straightened up and replied, "The dean suggested that I could try to get a Second Soul Ring that grants me the ability to detoxify or remove abnormal conditions. That way, I can support the team if we run into a poison-type Soul Master or someone is affected by a negative status."
Zhao Wuji nodded. That fit Flender's way of thinking and was also one of the common support paths for Food-type Martial Soul users.
"Detoxification... Not bad. There are plenty of Soul Beasts in Sunset Forest that fit the bill. For example, the 'Jade Phosphorous Serpent' is highly venomous, but its Soul Ring might grant detoxification or poison resistance. There's also the 'Clear-Miasma Toad,' which secretes detoxifying mucus. Find one of the right age, and it won't be difficult to hunt."
It was a conventional and reliable approach. Soul Skills varied wildly, and a detoxification ability might save someone's life at a critical moment.
However, just then, Xiao Qing spoke up calmly. "Why only consider support in battle?"
Zhao Wuji and Oscar turned to look at him, puzzled. If a Food-type Martial Soul user wasn't considering support in battle, what else was there to consider?
"One of the greatest advantages of Oscar's Sausage Martial Soul is that it can provide benefits consistently, even outside of battle. Detoxification and purification are only useful when someone's been poisoned or afflicted by a negative status."
He paused when he saw the confusion in Oscar's eyes. "But in a Soul Master's growth, battles make up only a small part. Most of our time is spent meditating and cultivating."
"If your Soul Skill could directly help with your everyday cultivation, even if it only gave you a tiny boost, the gains would far outweigh those of a Soul Skill that might only be useful in a specific crisis."
The carriage fell silent for a moment.
Zhao Wuji's bushy brows drew together slightly, a spark of newly kindled thought shining in his eyes.
He had taught many students and helped many obtain Soul Rings. Most of his thoughts had focused on questions like how to become stronger in battle and how to counter different enemies.
This was the first time he had encountered someone like Xiao Qing, who considered a support Soul Master's choice of Soul Ring from the perspective of maximizing everyday cultivation efficiency.
Oscar was even more stunned.
He had always been taught that Soul Masters had to grow stronger, that Soul Skills had to be practical, and that they had to serve an irreplaceable role on the team.
From that perspective, Dean Flender's suggestion of a detoxification ability was undoubtedly "practical." But Xiao Qing's words were like a key, opening a door Oscar had never even thought to push.
That was right. His sausages could be made and eaten whenever he wanted. If he could make one that helped people quiet their minds, focus more deeply, or even slightly speed up the condensation of Soul Power, couldn't it be used every day, for every meditation session?
Over time... Oscar couldn't imagine what the end result might be.
Zhao Wuji spoke slowly, his voice low. "Go on. What do you have in mind?"
Xiao Qing looked at Oscar. "Your first Soul Skill, the Recovery Sausage, mainly restores Soul Power and stamina quickly. It's geared toward sustaining you in battle and helping you recover afterward. Your second Soul Skill could focus on your 'cultivation state' itself. For instance, it could help a Soul Master enter Deep Meditation more easily, clear away distractions, and stabilize the mind."
"Just eating it before or during cultivation could provide benefits for a while. And in battle, a steady mind matters just as much. It could help resist Soul Skills involving Mental Interference to some degree, such as Charm or fear."
Zhao Wuji tapped his fingers unconsciously against his knee, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
"That's a good idea! In battle, a sausage that helps you or your teammates stay calm and resist mental attacks might be just as valuable as one that detoxifies! Especially against opponents who specialize in mental control!"
Oscar finally understood completely, excitement and dawning realization spreading across his face.
"I get it! Teacher Zhao, Xiao Qing! If a Soul Skill like that really exists, then everyone could use my sausages while cultivating!"
"Even a tiny increase in cultivation speed would add up over time! And in battle, if we ran into a Soul Master with Charm like the one the dean mentioned last time, my sausages might be a huge help!"
Once the idea took shape, the target became much clearer.
As an experienced Soul Saint, Zhao Wuji quickly thought of the Soul Beasts in Sunset Forest that might produce such a Soul Ring.
"Clear minds, calm spirits... These traits are usually found in Soul Beasts with relatively gentle temperaments or the ability to soothe the mind. In Sunset Forest, the Clear-Heart Fox is a typical example."
"These Soul Beasts aren't strong in battle, but they naturally give off an aura that calms people and disperses distracting thoughts, protecting themselves from attacks. Hunting a Clear-Heart Fox of the right age wouldn't be too risky. Its Soul Ring has a good chance of giving food the ability to soothe the mind and resist Mental Interference."
"Then we'll make finding a suitable Clear-Heart Fox our first goal. Between five hundred and eight hundred years old would be best for Oscar to absorb. A Clear-Heart Fox of that age would have strong enough abilities, but absorbing its Soul Ring would still be relatively manageable."
Having settled on Oscar's target, Zhao Wuji turned to Xiao Qing with a trace of curiosity and scrutiny. "Kid, you asked for practical combat experience. Once we're in the forest, I'll find a suitable target for you to practice on."
"But do you have anything specific in mind? Or what are you hoping to achieve through practical combat? Just hone your fighting skills?"
Xiao Qing had already prepared his answer. He needed to gather the materials for Xiao Feng's evolution as soon as possible. Xiao Feng's bloodline evolution could not be delayed any longer; the delay was already seriously affecting his progress toward becoming a thousand-year Soul Beast!
"Teacher Zhao, my Martial Soul has some special combat requirements. I can't say more about them right now. As for an opponent, I'd like to fight a pack of wolf-type Soul Beasts, preferably one with a leader."
"A pack of wolves? With a Wolf King, too?"
Zhao Wuji stroked the short whiskers on his chin and furrowed his brow.
Fighting a pack of wolves was no ordinary combat training. It was closer to pushing someone to their limits, and the danger would be much greater.
But he didn't ask any more questions. Everyone had secrets, especially when it came to their Martial Souls. All he needed to do was assess whether Xiao Qing's request was reasonable and gauge the risks.
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