The First Soul Ring's Choice

After the lecture concluded, Hu Liena skipped away first.

Only Bibi Dong and Ling Xiao remained in the quiet room.

Bibi Dong looked at the youth before her and asked gently:

"Ling Xiao, I noticed that while you were at the Orphanage, you only read books on basic soul master theory, is that correct?"

Ling Xiao nodded.

"Yes, the books I had access to previously were limited, so I only read the basics."

Ling Xiao also knew that theoretical knowledge was his current weakness.

"Mm, it is good that you can recognize your own shortcomings."

Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction.

"On the path of a soul master, talent is certainly important, but laying a solid theoretical foundation is the fundamental key to going far."

"Countless geniuses have ruined their future prospects simply because they lacked theoretical knowledge and chose the wrong soul rings."

"I have already made arrangements for you."

"Elder Mo Chen of the Martial Soul Hall Library is the leading authority in our Martial Soul Hall's field of soul master theory. He has spent his entire life studying soul master theory, martial soul characteristics, and soul beast knowledge; he is a man of great virtue and prestige."

"From now on, go to the library every morning to study theory with Elder Mo Chen. He has already agreed to take you on as a registered disciple."

Ling Xiao felt a surge of joy and quickly bowed in salute:

"Thank you for your trouble, Master! This disciple will certainly study hard and not let you down."

"Go now, get some rest, and head to the library to pay your respects to Elder Mo Chen first thing tomorrow morning."

Bibi Dong waved her hand, clearly satisfied with Ling Xiao's performance.

Ling Xiao bowed once more, turned, and exited the quiet room.

For the following week, Ling Xiao immersed himself in an ocean of soul master theory.

Before dawn every day, he would rise to cultivate his soul power.

He would head to the library promptly each morning to meet Elder Mo Chen and attend his lectures.

Elder Mo Chen was an old man with white hair and a white beard, possessing a rigid, stern personality and rarely cracking a smile.

When he first met Ling Xiao, he simply assumed he was just another genius disciple personally taught by the Pope, and he performed his duties without paying much mind to the boy.

It didn't take long, however, for him to be shocked by Ling Xiao's learning talent.

Ling Xiao's powerful spiritual energy granted him the ability to never forget what he had seen.

Other children would take an entire month to learn basic soul master theory.

Yet, it took Ling Xiao only half a day to memorize it all, and he could even draw inferences and offer his own unique insights.

During this week, Hu Liena ran to Qinghui Hall almost every day.

She had originally intended to tease this aloof little junior brother to get revenge for him snitching on her last time.

Every time she came, she saw Ling Xiao either buried in books at his desk or sitting on a meditation cushion, quietly cultivating.

He had no time to pay her any mind.

Even when she made faces right beside his ear, he would act as if he didn't see her at all.

This morning, Ling Xiao had just finished his morning practice and was sitting at his desk, flipping through the Detailed Analysis of Continental Sects and Forces that Elder Mo Chen had given him.

"Bang!"

The hall doors were suddenly pushed open.

Hu Liena rushed in like a whirlwind, lifting her chin at him:

"Little Junior Brother, stop reading! Master is waiting for you at the Main Hall; she wants you there immediately!"

Ling Xiao set down the book in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Did Master say what it was about?"

"What else could it be?"

Hu Liena leaned in close to him and said with a grin.

"It's obviously about your first soul ring! Your soul power has been stuck at level ten; Master must be ready to choose a soul ring for you!"

A flash of realization crossed Ling Xiao's eyes.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

He stood up, straightened his robes, and gave a slight nod to Hu Liena:

"Let's go, Senior Sister, let's not keep Master waiting."

The two walked side by side out of Qinghui Hall, heading in the direction of the Pope's Main Hall.

On the white jade steps of the Pope's Main Hall.

Ling Xiao and Hu Liena climbed the stairs side by side.

Hu Liena walked beside him, whispering incessantly the entire way.

"Junior Brother, when you speak to Master about the spirit ring later, make sure to listen to her advice."

"Master is certainly well-versed in everything concerning spirit beasts and spirit rings."

Ling Xiao did not stop his pace, glancing at her sideways and responding indifferently.

"I know, thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister."

As they spoke, the two stepped into the Pope's Main Hall.

The hall was vast and solemn, with twelve giant white jade pillars carved with angel patterns supporting the dome.

Bibi Dong was sitting on the Pope's throne at the head of the hall.

Her purple-gold Pope's robe draped down, and she carried the aura of a superior.

Hearing their footsteps, she raised her head and spoke calmly.

"You're here? Sit."

Ling Xiao and Hu Liena bowed in unison, then took their seats on either side.

Hu Liena could not help but speak up.

"Master, you summoned Junior Brother—are you planning to find his first spirit ring?"

"You certainly are well-informed."

Bibi Dong shot her an annoyed glance.

Her gaze then shifted to Ling Xiao, and she asked in a calm tone.

"Ling Xiao, you have been studying spirit master theory with Elder Mo Chen for a week. I imagine you have your own understanding of the synergy between spirit rings and martial souls."

"How have you planned your first spirit ring?"

She did not give an arrangement directly, choosing instead to ask for Ling Xiao's thoughts first.

She wanted to see if this disciple's considerations were thorough, and she also wished to respect his own choices.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao stood up.

"Reporting to Master, this disciple has already decided."

"For my path as a spirit master, I intend to take the control route in the early stages."

"Once my spirit power realm improves in the later stages, I will consider supplementing my output capabilities."

"For my first spirit skill, I want a purely control-type skill."

In truth, he also had a heart for output and intended to make up for it through physical techniques, but he did not mention that here.

"Oh?"

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.

"Tell me your reasons."

"Why do you want to choose control?"

Hu Liena was also stunned.

She had originally thought that Ling Xiao would choose a power-attack spirit skill.

His martial soul was a top-tier plant-type martial soul, capable of both power-attack and control routes; in traditional concepts, the power-attack system had stronger combat capabilities.

Facing their gazes, Ling Xiao's expression remained unchanged as he slowly laid out his plan.

"Master, this disciple believes that plant-type martial souls have an innate advantage in control."

"Whether it is root entanglement, thorn imprisonment, or mental control, all are highly compatible with the characteristics of my martial soul."

"Control-type spirit skills can bring out the advantages of my mental power, and there won't be many spirit masters of the same level who can resist it."

After he finished speaking, the hall was silent for a moment.

Bibi Dong looked at the youth before her, her eyes filled with appreciation.

She had thought that even if Ling Xiao was exceptionally gifted, he was still a child and should be ignorant of his own future.

She had not expected him to have such a clear plan for his future.

"Good, well said."

Bibi Dong nodded slowly, her tone filled with approval.

"Elder Mo Chen came to me specifically yesterday to praise you as a once-in-a-century prodigy; I thought he was exaggerating at the time."

"It seems I underestimated you."

"You are correct; plant-type martial souls are inherently excellent in both power-attack and control."

"Your Fruit Tree Martial Soul has immense vitality and high spirit power compatibility. Choosing the control route is a fine decision."

"Since you have already decided to go the control-type route, we must plan the spirit beast for your first spirit ring carefully."

Bibi Dong tapped her fingertips lightly against the armrest of her throne, considering which spirit beast should be hunted.

"There is a limit to the absorption of a first spirit ring."

"We will prioritize selecting a spirit beast around four hundred years old."

"In terms of attributes, we will prioritize two types."

"One is a plant-type spirit beast that possesses innate binding, paralysis, and toxin-sealing abilities; it has the highest compatibility with your martial soul, will be absorbed without any rejection, and can maximize the power of your spirit skill."

"The other is a mental-type beast spirit beast, skilled in mental interference, Charm, and mental control."

Having said this, she glanced at Ling Xiao and added.

"Your mental power far exceeds that of children your age, and is even stronger than that of an average Soul Grand Master."

"Absorbing a spirit ring from a mental-type spirit beast would actually be more suitable."

Ling Xiao's heart stirred, and he bowed.

"This disciple will follow Master's arrangements."