Millennium First Ring?

Xia Ming opened his eyes almost the instant the knock sounded.

He had not fallen into a deep sleep. The newly born Soul Power within him circulated naturally, replacing some of his need for rest and leaving him fully refreshed.

Last night, he had spent some time familiarizing himself with his new surroundings and repeatedly considering his plans for Soul Rings and soul skills.

When he opened the door, Yan Shaozhe stood in the morning light with a gentle smile on his face, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Little Junior Brother, did you rest well?" he asked with concern, his gaze lingering on Xia Ming's face for a moment.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I rested very well," Xia Ming replied.

"That's good." Yan Shaozhe nodded.

"Come on. We'll visit Teacher first. After that, I'll take you to hunt your first Soul Ring."

"Yes, Senior Brother." Xia Ming naturally had no objections to the arrangement.

A Rank 95 Super Douluo would personally escort him to obtain a mere first Soul Ring.

Such treatment and security were probably rare even across the entirety of Douluo Continent.

In comparison.

The image of a certain disheveled old man with an insatiable appetite flashed through his mind, stirring something faintly within him.

He felt that his own dean and senior brother, who appeared refined and gentle on the surface, was far more reassuring.

The two once again set out along the road toward the center of the island.

Before long, Sea God Pavilion came into view again.

Unlike yesterday, the doors of Sea God Pavilion now stood open.

A soft golden glow flowed out from within, as though silently welcoming them.

Upon entering the pavilion, Mu En was still reclining in that lounge chair.

He appeared even more tranquil than yesterday. The light aura surrounding him faintly blended with that of the entire Sea God Pavilion, as though he himself were the source of light for this space.

"Teacher."

"Teacher."

Yan Shaozhe and Xia Ming bowed in turn.

Mu En slowly opened his eyes.

"You're here." His voice was gentle yet powerful.

"Xia Ming, how did your deliberations go last night? Do you have any specific ideas regarding your first Soul Ring?"

Xia Ming stepped forward and laid out his long-considered thoughts in full.

"Teacher, after giving it repeated thought, I believe that my first few soul skills may not need to be purely direct offensive types."

"Oh?" A trace of interest flashed in Mu En's eyes. "Go on."

"I believe that the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff martial soul has already granted me tremendous physical strength.

Among those of the same rank, its basic abilities and battle instincts alone should be enough to handle most situations."

Xia Ming spoke unhurriedly, his reasoning clear.

"Therefore, I hope that my early Soul Ring skills can be the type that enhance my fundamental abilities.

For example, percentage increases in strength, speed, or defense, or perhaps a state that provides continuous enhancement.

That way, I can maximize my advantages to the fullest.

Moreover, enhancement-type soul skills often have greater potential to grow alongside the soul master.

Even after reaching the higher ranks of soul master cultivation in the future, they can still play an important role."

The pavilion fell silent, with only Xia Ming's clear voice echoing through it.

Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, approval visible in his eyes.

Mu En simply listened in silence, seeming to weigh the matter.

After a moment, Mu En slowly spoke, praise in his voice.

"If others chose this path, their lack of powerful offensive methods in the early stages might put them at a disadvantage in practical competition against peers, leaving their attacks too limited.

But your circumstances are indeed different."

He looked at Xia Ming, his gaze seeming able to see through to the essence of things.

"The physique and strength your martial soul has given you are themselves the most violent form of attack.

A soul skill that enhances your own abilities by a percentage will not only make you even stronger now.

In the long run, its growth potential and versatility truly surpass many offensive soul skills with fixed power.

When you become a Soul Saint or a Title Douluo, the improvement brought by a percentage increase in strength will be incomparably immense.

This is a very good line of thinking."

With his teacher's approval, Xia Ming felt his heart settle.

After a brief pause, he asked the most crucial—and boldest—question.

"Teacher, given my current physical condition, can I try absorbing a millennium-level Soul Ring as my first?"

"Little Junior Brother?!" Yan Shaozhe blurted out in alarm, a flash of shock instantly crossing his eyes.

It was not that he doubted Xia Ming's talent.

Rather, the theoretical limit of four hundred and twenty years for a first Soul Ring had long been deeply ingrained in people's minds, becoming one of the iron laws of the soul master world.

A millennium first ring? That was practically the stuff of legends!

He instinctively wanted to dissuade Xia Ming from taking such a risk.

However, Mu En merely raised a hand slightly, signaling for him to remain calm.

Yan Shaozhe immediately swallowed the words that had reached his lips. He merely furrowed his brows slightly and looked at Xia Ming with concern.

"Come here." Mu En beckoned to Xia Ming.

Xia Ming obediently stepped forward.

Mu En extended his withered yet warm hand and gently grasped his wrist.

A warm, vast current of Soul Power silently entered Xia Ming's body, meticulously sensing the strength of every part of him.

The process lasted about the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

Mu En kept his eyes closed, his expression calm. Only the occasional subtle tremble of his fingertips revealed how deeply his senses were probing.

Yan Shaozhe held his breath at the side, scarcely daring to breathe.

Finally, Mu En slowly released his hand and opened his eyes. A trace of undisguised amazement and satisfaction flashed in their depths.

"It can be done." Mu En gave an affirmative answer.

"Your physical qualities are sufficient to withstand the energy impact of a millennium Soul Ring."

"Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe finally could not hold back any longer, the worry on his face deepening.

"Shao Zhe," Mu En interrupted him gently, though his tone brooked no dispute.

"I know what concerns you.

Ten thousand years ago, Master Yu Xiaogang summarized the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. The theory concerning Soul Ring absorption limits in particular is certainly foundational.

But over these ten thousand years, the soul master system has continued to develop.

The exploration of physical potential, the optimization of Soul Power cultivation methods, and even the understanding of the true nature of Soul Ring energy have long changed beyond recognition."

He looked at Xia Ming and explained in detail.

"When absorbing Soul Rings below ten thousand years, there is no spiritual shock. It is almost entirely determined by the soul master's own physical qualities and willpower.

So long as both are sufficiently strong, one can surpass the theoretical age barrier."

"Xia Ming." Mu En's gaze carried admiration.

"Even without actively summoning your martial soul, merely through the passive nourishment that the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff provides to your body.

Your current physical qualities are no weaker than those of an ordinary high-rank Soul Grandmaster, and you have even touched upon the threshold of a Soul Elder.

With such a body, absorbing a suitable millennium Soul Ring would be a challenge, but it is by no means impossible.

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff martial soul truly is remarkable in how it strengthens its host's body!"

As Yan Shaozhe listened to his teacher's analysis, the shock on his face gradually gave way to contemplation.

After all, he was the dean of Shrek Academy and had seen much of the world.

Upon careful consideration, every word his teacher said made sense.

Over the past ten thousand years, the soul master world had not lacked geniuses who possessed a millennium second ring. Their main reliance had been physical qualities far surpassing those of others, or some special opportunity.

His little junior brother's martial soul was unprecedented in quality. It seemed entirely possible that it could grant such an unimaginably powerful physical foundation, allowing him to break through the limit of the first Soul Ring.

He slowly exhaled, his eyes becoming firm as he nodded heavily toward Mu En.

"I understand. My earlier considerations were flawed.

Given Little Junior Brother's current physical qualities, it is indeed worth trying, and he should strive for the best possible starting point."