The next day.
Sunlight spilled across the training ground, bringing a little warmth as it fell over everyone.
"Dean! I'm level 30! I'm level 30!"
Just as Flender was about to ask Oscar why he hadn't joined the group, an excited voice drew near and reached everyone's ears.
Flender looked toward the voice. "What? Level 30? A level 30 food-type Soul Master at fourteen—your future prospects are limitless!"
His old face broke into a broad smile. It was obvious Flender was genuinely delighted.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong muttered under her breath, "Wasn't Lin Yan level 30 at twelve?"
Afraid her words might cause friction, Lin Yan hurriedly stopped her. "Rongrong, Oscar reaching level 30 is a good thing. Don't put him down! Food-type Martial Souls are harder to cultivate than support-type ones."
That was enough to make the others pay little attention to Ning Rongrong's comment.
Flender waved his hand grandly and addressed everyone.
"Get ready. Tomorrow, I'll have Old Zhao take you to the Star Dou Forest to hunt a Soul Beast for Oscar."
"This isn't just Oscar's affair; it's training for all of you. Teacher Zhao won't act unless you encounter a thousand-year Soul Beast. You'll have to rely on yourselves for everything."
"All right, dismissed!"
With that, Flender planned to go back and discuss the matter with Zhao Wuji. But Lin Yan suddenly seized the opportunity and called after him.
"Dean! I want to add a Soul Ring to my Second Martial Soul."
The moment he said that, Lin Yan became the center of attention. Everyone turned to look at him.
Flender turned around, his brow furrowed.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Aren't you afraid the Soul Ring's energy will overwhelm you and make you explode?"
"I'm not afraid! I want to become a Battle Soul Master too. I want to fight."
Lin Yan answered without hesitation, his voice full of resolve.
Dai Mubai stepped forward to dissuade him. "Lin Yan, don't be impulsive! You know what happened to the Twin Martial Soul users in history. Besides, your Second Martial Soul is so unusual. Why not wait until your level is higher before deciding?"
At the mention of how unusual Lin Yan's Second Martial Soul was, Ma Hongjun chimed in too. "That's right, Lin Yan. If I had a choice, I'd never cultivate a Martial Soul that came with Evil Fire. You have no idea how awful it feels whenever my Evil Fire flares up. You should think this through carefully."
Oscar looked at Lin Yan with a long face. "Bro, if you cultivate your Second Martial Soul, I'll be the only support-type Soul Master left!"
"Isn't Rongrong still here?"
"Oh! I forgot." Oscar smacked his forehead. "But that's not the point. Have you really made up your mind? Aren't things fine as they are? We know better than anyone how much your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul can contribute on the battlefield. Why take the risk..."
Faced with everyone's earnest attempts to dissuade him, Lin Yan's expression didn't change at all.
"There's no need to talk me out of it. I've made up my mind."
"Only by holding the power in my own hands can I feel safe."
"Thank you all for protecting me over the years. Once I'm strong enough, I'll be the one protecting you."
At that, the others fell silent, their expressions complicated.
It was true. If they had a choice, who would willingly spend their whole life as a support?
If Lin Yan didn't have a Second Martial Soul, that would be one thing. But he did have the chance to become a Battle Soul Master. Perhaps his experience at the Soul Fighting Field had awakened his pride; perhaps he'd planned this for a long time. Whatever the reason, even though it sounded dangerous and absurd, everyone understood how he felt.
Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Yan curiously. "Lin Yan! What's your Second Martial Soul? From what everyone's saying, it sounds like it's really unusual."
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Lin Yan didn't give her a straight answer. If he told Ning Rongrong now, she'd definitely ask him to show her his Martial Soul, and then the secret of its evolution would be exposed.
He planned to use this trip to the Star Dou Forest as cover. While Xiao Wu was being abducted, he'd disappear for a while. When he returned, he'd say he'd stumbled upon a few Soul Beasts, and that after he absorbed their Soul Rings, his Martial Soul had mutated on its own...
It was a perfect explanation.
Across from them, Flender regarded Lin Yan solemnly. "Are you sure?"
"Mm, I'm sure."
"I want to add a Soul Ring to my Second Martial Soul. I want to become a Battle Soul Master."
Lin Yan's answer was firm and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Flender knew he couldn't talk Lin Yan out of it, so he simply nodded.
"Fine. It's your choice."
"Just like with your Second Soul Ring, don't regret it later."
Then he looked at the others.
"Dismissed. Go back and get ready."
And so, everyone started back to their dorms to prepare for the Soul Hunting Operation the next day.
"Lin Yan!"
Tang San's voice came from behind. Lin Yan, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others all stopped in their tracks.
Noticing their less-than-friendly looks, Tang San silently took half a step back.
"I just wanted to ask why your first three Soul Skills all have the same name and effect, and what kind of Soul Beasts your Soul Rings came from."
Lin Yan frowned slightly. "All three Soul Rings came from Blue Silver Grass Soul Beasts, so the Soul Skills are the same. Anything else?"
"Does your Soul Skill work on you too?"
"Mm."
"All right. I understand."
The two exchanged questions and answers. Once Tang San had gotten the answer he wanted, he turned and left.
Seeing this, Ma Hongjun shot Tang San an annoyed look. "Tch! What kind of person does that? He asks for advice and doesn't even say thanks."
Lin Yan chuckled. "Why get worked up over him?"
Then he summoned his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and activated all three Soul Skills at once, creating three leaves brimming with life energy. He handed them to the boys.
"Take these back and split them among yourselves. They might come in handy during the hunt tomorrow."
Ma Hongjun was closest. He grinned when he saw the leaves Lin Yan had handed out. "Thanks!"
Before long, everyone went their separate ways.
The boys began dividing up the Blue Silver Grass Lin Yan had given them. Zhu Zhuqing happened to see them.
"Is that Blue Silver Grass from Lin Yan?"
Ning Rongrong frowned. "Looks like it! Why do they have some too?"
Xiao Wu stepped forward. "Lin Yan probably knew there'd be a Soul Hunting Operation tomorrow and gave them some basic protection. After all, his Blue Silver Grass can replenish people's vitality at any time."
That was right. The leaf Lin Yan had given Ning Rongrong had already been used up by the three girls the previous night.
After Zhu Zhuqing noticed something unusual about Ning Rongrong, Ning Rongrong had explained the wonders of the Blue Silver Grass to the other two...
Then they'd used up all the energy in the leaf!
In the open space, Ning Rongrong pouted in protest.
"Hmph! Stupid Lin Yan. We're going Soul Hunting tomorrow, so why didn't he say he'd prepare some for us too?"
Ever since experiencing the energy of the [Life Great Tide], Zhu Zhuqing had wanted a whole leaf of her own. She looked at the other two and tentatively said,
"Um... Lin Yan helped me yesterday, so why don't I go thank him and ask?"
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