"After the opening ceremony the day after tomorrow, I'll personally take you to hunt a Soul Beast."
With that, Dean Ding reminded him, "Oh, right. In the meantime, give some thought to what kind of Soul Beast you should get your Torchic's First Soul Ring from. After all, without Grandmaster's theoretical guidance, you'll have to figure out the direction of your future Soul Ring acquisitions on your own."
Ye Chen was overjoyed. He hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed to Dean Ding. "Dean, thank you for being willing to help me. I'll work hard at cultivating and won't let you down."
Dean Ding waved his hand. "All right, it's late. You should head back to the dormitory and rest. Ye Chen, whatever you do, don't tell Wang Sheng and the others about your spar with Grandmaster today, understand? Otherwise, Grandmaster will be in a very awkward position."
"Don't worry, Dean. I won't say a word." Ye Chen hesitated, then asked, "But what if someone outside saw the whole spar and goes around spreading the news that I beat Grandmaster? What then?"
"Hmm... I'll decide what to do if that happens. I'm off." With that, Dean Ding turned and headed for the dean's office.
"Dean, wait a moment." Ye Chen asked tentatively, "Could I borrow a book about Soul Beasts? I want to learn more about them and prepare for obtaining my First Soul Ring."
Hearing his request, Dean Ding thought for a moment, then took a book from the inferior Soul Tool at his waist and explained, "This Soul Beast Manual records information on the Soul Beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City."
"When I take you to obtain your Soul Ring in a while, we'll definitely go to the Soul Hunting Forest. You can borrow this manual for now, but remember, you have to return it when you're done."
"Okay, thank you, Dean." Ye Chen answered and hurried over to take the Soul Beast Manual.
He opened it and saw that it indeed contained plenty of information about Soul Beasts, including their names, illustrations, habits, and other basic details.
With this Soul Beast Manual, it would be even easier to find a suitable First Soul Ring for Torchic.
The next day, at noon.
Nuoding Academy, inside Dorm Seven.
Today was still the day for new students to report to the academy. The opening ceremony wouldn't be held until tomorrow.
After a morning of Calm Mind cultivation, Ye Chen and his roommates, Wang Sheng and the others, were still sitting cross-legged on their beds. None of them had finished meditating.
Just then, Ye Chen felt a wave of warmth as Soul Power surged wildly through his body. His meridians tingled with a faint, swollen sensation, and the aura of Soul Power around him quietly grew stronger. These were signs that his Soul Power had increased.
After a morning of focused Calm Mind cultivation, the Soul Power that had been stuck at the peak of level seventeen finally broke through the bottleneck and rose steadily to level eighteen!
"Combusken—" Torchic, sitting cross-legged on the bed beside him, suddenly let out a soft cry. A white light gradually began to glow around its body.
Ye Chen ended his Calm Mind and turned to look. The white light enveloping Torchic was growing brighter and brighter.
Torchic's body was swelling and growing larger, its little wings spreading like a pair of long arms. This was clearly a sign that it was about to evolve!
Ye Chen was delighted. He instinctively held his breath and watched Torchic's transformation intently.
But, unfortunately, the white light lasted only a few seconds before slowly fading away. Torchic's transformation stopped, and in the end, it failed to evolve.
"Combusken, Combusken." Torchic shook its little head, looking dejected. Its eyes were full of disappointment, and even its comb drooped slightly. Its childish cry had turned into a plaintive whimper.
After witnessing the entire failed evolution with his own eyes, Ye Chen understood. It seemed that no matter how insanely powerful a cheat was, the rules of the Douluo World would assimilate it and bind it with Soul Rings.
Without advancing through Soul Rings, Torchic would never break through its limits, even if it had the potential to evolve endlessly.
Once he had confirmed this, Ye Chen gently stroked Torchic's head and comforted it in a warm voice. "Torchic, just hold on a little longer. After tomorrow's opening ceremony, Dean Ding will take us to obtain a Soul Ring. I believe that once you have your First Soul Ring, you'll be able to evolve."
"Combusken!" Torchic nodded, and its disappointment quickly gave way to renewed determination.
As a Martial Soul, it naturally hoped to gain a more powerful evolved form. Only then would it have enough strength to protect its host.
And as a special life-form with its own independent consciousness, Torchic also yearned to become stronger. Influenced by the ideals of kung fu, its ultimate goal was to become a Fighting master.
Seeing Torchic close its eyes and resume Calm Mind, Ye Chen began thinking about its First Soul Ring.
Whether it was the First Soul Ring or the second and third ones in the future, they would certainly have to come from Fire-type Soul Beasts.
After all, Torchic's natural type was Fire. It wouldn't gain the Fighting type until it evolved into Combusken.
The Fighting type didn't need to be strengthened by Soul Rings of any particular attribute. As long as Torchic's physique was strong enough, its Fighting type would naturally grow stronger.
So Torchic's Soul Rings should all come from Fire-type Soul Beasts, and he should choose birds of prey with superior bloodlines whenever possible—even ones with top-tier bloodlines.
As for the type of Soul Skill each Soul Ring granted, he should prioritize enhancement skills.
That was the best way to maximize Torchic's advantage in independently comprehending skills, along with its exquisite fighting techniques.
While thinking it over, Ye Chen also flipped through the Soul Beast Manual he'd borrowed from Dean Ding the previous night. The information inside described Soul Beasts from the Soul Hunting Forest.
It was said that the Soul Hunting Forest was a forest where Soul Beasts were kept in captivity. There was a Dead Volcano inside, and the surrounding area had been altered by people to become a haven for Fire-type Soul Beasts. Quite a few birds with superior bloodlines lived there.
Blazing Birds and Red-headed Sparrows, for instance, were both excellent choices for Torchic's First Soul Ring.
The Blazing Bird was an especially good choice. It resembled a giant ostrich. Although it wasn't good at flying, it had exceptional running speed, powerful legs, and the ability to amplify its flames.
As Ye Chen pored over the Soul Beast Manual, his mind raced.
Just then, someone knocked on the door of Dorm Seven, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
Wang Sheng and the other roommates ended their Calm Mind and turned toward the dormitory entrance.
Ye Chen also looked up from the Soul Beast Manual and fixed his gaze on the doorway. A six-year-old boy came into view.
The boy looked ordinary, but his eyes held a maturity and calmness that didn't belong in a six-year-old.
The moment Ye Chen saw him, he recognized him. The boy was Tang San, whom he hadn't seen in a month.
Tang San swept his gaze around the dormitory. His eyes passed over Wang Sheng and the others before finally locking onto Ye Chen.
Seeing the opponent who had defeated him three times before, Tang San's calm gaze suddenly tightened. He curled his fingers and grew alert all over, while his Mysterious Heaven Skill began circulating on its own. He was afraid that one careless moment would leave him knocked unconscious by Ye Chen or Torchic.
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