Cang Ming's Past

"To be honest, although I have lived in the human world for quite some time, I have spent most of my years residing in the forest. My understanding of human etiquette and customs is truly limited. Furthermore, the inherent conflict between humans and soul beasts left me with more curiosity than affection for your kind. Add to that my obsession with research into genetics, pharmacology, and the soul, and I have neglected social interaction to the point where I have almost no friends."

"At that time, Kong Dehan was only at level seventy. He couldn't discern my true identity; he saved me simply because he wanted to hunt the Evil Eye Tyrant to obtain its soul bone! He also wanted to befriend me to recruit me for the Sun Moon Empire's royal family. I don't mean to boast, but as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, even after undergoing reconstruction, my talent is among the best on the entire Sun Moon Continent. Back then, I was nominally only in my thirties, yet I already possessed what you humans call level sixty cultivation!"

"Kong Dehan didn't know I was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast back then, but we became friends because we shared many interests and topics. I told him my name was Cangming, named directly after my true form. While Kong Dehan knew of the Cangming Turtle soul beast, it is not uncommon for beast martial souls to exist, so he was merely surprised that I possessed such a top-tier martial soul, given the quality of most soul masters' martial souls in the Sun Moon Empire."

"To allow me to focus on my research, Kong Dehan used his influence to designate this land beneath my feet for me and established a laboratory here so I could work without outside interference. In return, I provided him with much of the data and results of my research, provided that the name of the creator remained strictly confidential."

"As we grew to trust each other, and since I couldn't hide my identity once Kong Dehan reached level 90, I confessed my soul beast status. Kong Dehan was shocked speechless, but due to our deep friendship, he accepted it and even helped cover for me."

"Although I occasionally leave for human cities for various purposes, since the Sun Moon Empire only has eleven or twelve ninth-rank powerhouses in total, most of whom are concentrated in the Ming Capital, my safety has never been an issue."

Hearing this, Xu Mochen suddenly realized the truth. He immediately thought of something and, suppressing the excitement in his heart, asked respectfully: "May I ask, Senior, are the anonymous works I have read regarding martial souls and biological genetics, such as Origin of Martial Souls, Natural Gene Decoding, and those unclaimed patents like the Spirit Medicine Nutrient Solution and the Mind-Clearing and Heart-Calming Agent, all your work?"

Cangming glanced helplessly at the smiling Kong Dehan beside him and said modestly: "Those little trinkets? Not worth mentioning. I told Old Kong back then to just find someone else to put their name on the patent and authorship. My main purpose for researching was out of interest and to contribute to this world, while also repaying Old Kong for his protection and support."

"As it turns out, this usually open-minded Old Kong is stubbornly principled in this regard! He insisted on using my name; if I refused, he would rather leave the researcher's name blank! His reasoning was that in his heart, even if knowledge is discovered by someone else and not published, taking it as one's own to promote everywhere—even if the researcher doesn't care—is an act of shameless theft and deception!"

"Once such behavior is discovered, no matter how noble one's status, one would be cast into an abyss of no return in the academic circles of the Sun Moon Empire and be reviled for ten thousand years!"

After a pause, Cangming continued to explain: "Actually, your martial soul is well-hidden. I must say, the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King is indeed powerful. It not only changed the appearance of your martial soul and hid your cultivation, but it even perfectly disguised your soul power and aura! If I hadn't seen the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King before, judging solely by the soul power fluctuations and aura you emit, I would likely have mistaken your martial soul for merely the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon."

"But unfortunately, there are some things you cannot conceal! That is the aura you project! An existence possessing a god-level martial soul and the bloodline of a divine beast will, even if they perfectly hide all divine power, still unconsciously reveal the prestige and aura unique to a god-level powerhouse in every gesture and expression!"

"This is a noble aura that is one with nature! It is something no one can imitate, and something difficult to mask by any means! I have only felt this kind of noble aura and intangible prestige in one other person besides you! And that senior is your ancestor, the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King!"

"My true form, the Cangming Turtle, is a soul beast sensitive to soul power auras and prestige. So, if I may be so bold, my ability to distinguish and judge such things is currently unrivaled across the entire Sun Moon Continent!"

"I have not only met your predecessor but also other possessors of the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon martial soul. I must say, your prestige and aura are identical to that senior's, which is something those possessors of the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon martial soul could never possess!"

"Combined with the fact that you are a descendant of that senior, it is logical to deduce your true martial soul. As for why I judge that you carry the inheritance of the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King? That is because I have learned many secrets about your family from the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King and Kong Dehan! The ancient ruins left behind by the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King are naturally among them!"

"Without exception, after you awakened the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King martial soul, even if none of you knew what it was, the situation it displayed was clearly superior to the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon. This would inevitably arouse the suspicion of those in the know, like Kong Dehan, who would take you to the ancient ruins of your family's inheritance to try your luck!"

"And since the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King had finally encountered a descendant with sufficient qualifications after tens of thousands of years, it would never let such an opportunity pass! So, given your aptitude, you most likely received the inheritance!"

"And now, the highly advanced method of concealing your martial soul that you have displayed confirms my judgment! I have only heard the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King mention this secret technique! The necessary condition for learning this technique is that one's true form or martial soul must be a pure-blooded Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon, and it must be taught personally!"

"Previous generations of Sun Moon Empire emperors at most possessed the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon martial soul! Naturally, they could not have inherited this method of martial soul concealment! Therefore, it is almost certain that your concealment method comes from the core ancient ruins of your family's inheritance! It is clear whether you have received the recognition and inheritance of the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King!"

"Senior has eyes like torches; this junior is impressed." Hearing this, Xu Mochen could only bow. It was clear that in terms of ability, insight, and knowledge, the capabilities Cangming displayed were extraordinary! If the Sun Moon Empire's royal family could truly recruit such a talent, the help to the empire would be unimaginable!

At this, Cangming slapped his forehead and said apologetically: "Look at this old fool, keeping you two waiting outside for so long. Please, come inside and let's talk." Following Cangming's lead, the three entered the mysterious treehouse. "This is the living room. Sit on the sofa for a moment while I go brew some tea."

He went off to busy himself. Meanwhile, Kong Dehan sat quietly on the large sofa, closing his eyes to rest. Xu Mochen curiously examined everything in the room: the living room was decorated very simply, with almost nothing other than essential daily items and furniture. It was evident that he had little pursuit of material things; trying to recruit him through material means would likely be unrealistic.

In fact, ever since Xu Mochen learned that those famous works and inventions of the Sun Moon Empire came from this person, he had completely abandoned the idea of testing the other's knowledge! To create artificial soul rings, he had searched for a lot of information over the past year, and Origin of Martial Souls and Natural Gene Decoding were naturally the two most helpful references.

They described in detail much of the knowledge he urgently needed, giving him a certain understanding of the entire Douluo Continent's cultivation system. It was a pity that he had never found the author, and despite many inquiries, he had no results; when he asked Kong Dehan, he only gave vague answers.

Unexpectedly, the iron shoes were worn out in the search, yet he found it without effort; the great master he had been looking for was the one Kong Dehan had recommended! As for testing him? It would be better not to make a fool of himself.

Before long, Cangming brought over three cups of freshly brewed, steaming tea. The rich, medicinal fragrance emitted by the tea made Xu Mochen's body and brain feel a long-lost relaxation, as if all fatigue had been swept away.

"Medicinal tea! This is definitely top-grade medicinal tea!" Xu Mochen knew exactly what this refreshing tea fragrance represented! Even the tribute tea given to the royal family likely didn't have such magic! It was certain that this tea was also developed and grown by Cangming himself.

Xu Mochen gently picked up the pine-wood teacup and took a small sip. Instantly, he felt a warm current spread through his limbs and bones, as if he had taken a hot bath and a sauna, feeling indescribably comfortable. Even the soul power within his body seemed to have undergone a degree of sublimation!

"Good tea! Truly good tea! This is my first time tasting such wonderful medicinal tea!" Even Xu Mochen couldn't help but praise it repeatedly.

"This tea is called Green Jade Spirit-Nurturing Tea. It is a new variety I cultivated myself. It has the effects of regulating qi and nourishing blood, calming the mind and soul, quenching thirst, and preserving youth and longevity. If you like it, I can give you some."

"But there isn't much; after all, this tea can only be grown here. The heaven and earth spiritual energy in other places is too thin to support its growth, and combined with its low yield, I don't have much on hand."

Cangming shrugged, indicating it didn't matter, and then said: "Back to the main point, you came to me this time to find a way to create artificial soul rings, right? Although I still don't have much confidence in this, considering you have received the inheritance of the Purple Imperial Chaos Dragon King, I assume you have accumulated some knowledge?"

"Then please tell me first, how much do you know about the martial soul cultivation system? Don't talk about the best soul ring age ratios, martial soul classifications, or basic soul beast catalogs; even the little children in primary academies should know those."