The First Ring in a Thousand Years?

Xia Ming opened his eyes almost the exact moment the knocking sounded.

He had not been in a deep sleep; the newly born soul power within his body circulated naturally, replacing the need for some rest and leaving him feeling refreshed and alert.

Last night, he had spent some time familiarizing himself with his new environment and repeatedly contemplating his concepts regarding soul rings and soul skills.

Opening the door, he found Yan Shaozhe standing in the morning light with a gentle smile, 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 is good," Yan Shaozhe nodded.

"Let's go. We shall head to see Teacher first. Afterward, I will personally take you to hunt for your first soul ring."

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

To have a level 95 Super Douluo personally provide protection for the hunting of a mere first soul ring—

Such treatment and security were likely unparalleled across the entire Douluo Continent.

By comparison.

The image of a certain unkempt, gluttonous old man flashed subconsciously through his mind, causing his heart to stir slightly.

He felt that his own Dean Senior Brother, who appeared gentle and refined on the surface, was far more reassuring.

The two stepped onto the path toward the center of the island once more.

Before long, the Sea God Pavilion came into view again.

Unlike yesterday, the doors of the Sea God Pavilion were wide open at this moment.

A soft, golden halo flowed out from within, as if silently welcoming them.

Stepping into the pavilion, Mu En was still lying on that same recliner.

He looked even more peaceful than yesterday, his entire being subtly merging with the bright aura of the Sea God Pavilion, as if he were the very source of light for this space.

"Teacher."

"Teacher."

Yan Shaozhe and Xia Ming bowed in succession.

Mu En slowly opened his eyes.

"You have arrived," his voice was gentle yet carried strength.

"Xia Ming, how was your contemplation last night? Do you have any specific thoughts regarding this first soul ring?"

Xia Ming stepped forward, laying out the ideas he had carefully considered:

"Teacher, after repeated deliberation, I believe that for my first few soul skills, I perhaps should not choose purely direct attack types."

"Oh?" A glimmer of interest flashed in Mu En's eyes. "Tell me more."

"I believe that the physical strength granted to me by the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff martial soul is already extremely potent.

At the same level, relying solely on the martial soul's basic abilities and combat instincts should be enough to handle the vast majority of situations."

Xia Ming's tone was unhurried and his logic clear.

"Therefore, I hope that my early-stage soul skills can be of the type that amplifies my own basic abilities.

For example, percentage-based increases to strength, speed, or defense, or perhaps skills that provide some form of sustained enhancement.

In this way, I can not only maximize my advantages to the extreme, but such enhancement-type soul skills also tend to have higher potential to grow alongside the soul master.

Even when I cultivate to become a high-level soul master in the future, they will still play a significant role."

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

Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, his eyes showing approval.

Mu En listened quietly without a word, seemingly weighing the proposal.

A moment later, Mu En spoke slowly, his voice filled with commendation:

"If others were to make such a choice, lacking strong offensive means in the early stages might put them at a disadvantage in practical combat against their peers, making their offensive repertoire appear singular.

But your situation is indeed different."

He looked at Xia Ming, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through to the essence.

"The physique and strength your martial soul grants you are, in themselves, the most violent of attacks.

Soul skills that amplify your base attributes by a percentage will not only make you like a tiger that has grown wings right now.

In the long run, their growth potential and versatility are indeed far superior to many attack-type soul skills with fixed power.

By the time you become a Soul Saint or a Titled Douluo, the boost provided by a percentage-based strength increase will be immense.

This line of thinking is excellent."

Having received his teacher's affirmation, Xia Ming felt a sense of stability in his heart.

He paused for a moment, then asked the most critical and daring question:

"Teacher, given my current physical condition, could I attempt to absorb a thousand-year-level first soul ring?"

"Junior brother?!" Yan Shaozhe, standing nearby, felt a flash of shock cross his eyes upon hearing this and couldn't help but exclaim.

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 thousand-year first ring? That was almost the stuff of legends!

He instinctively wanted to open his mouth to warn him of the risks.

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

Yan Shaozhe immediately swallowed the words that had reached his lips, though his brows remained furrowed as he watched Xia Ming with concern.

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

Xia Ming stepped forward as instructed.

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

A gentle yet vast surge of soul power silently probed into Xia Ming's body, meticulously sensing the strength of every part of his physique.

This process lasted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Mu En kept his eyes closed, his expression calm, with only the occasional subtle tremor of his fingertips revealing the depth of his perception.

Yan Shaozhe held his breath at the side, not daring to even let out a loud sigh.

Finally, Mu En slowly released his hand and opened his eyes, a flash of undisguised amazement and gratification passing through them.

"You can," Mu En gave a definitive answer.

"Your physical constitution is sufficient to withstand the energy impact of a thousand-year soul ring."

"Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe could finally no longer hold back, his face filled with even deeper worry.

"Shaozhe," Mu En interrupted him gently, though his tone carried an unquestionable weight.

"I know what you are worried about.

Ten thousand years ago, the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul summarized by the Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, especially the theory on soul ring absorption limits, were indeed the cornerstone.

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

The excavation of physical potential, the optimization of soul power cultivation methods, and even the understanding of the essence of soul ring energy are no longer what they once were."

He looked at Xia Ming and explained in detail:

"Absorbing a soul ring under ten thousand years involves no soul shock; it is almost entirely linked to the soul master's own physical constitution and willpower.

As long as both are strong enough, one can cross the barrier of theoretical limits."

"Xia Ming," Mu En's gaze held admiration.

"Even without actively activating your martial soul, the passive nourishment your body receives from the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff is immense.

Your current physical constitution is not inferior to that of an ordinary high-level Soul Grand Master, and you have even touched the threshold of a Soul Elder.

With such a body, absorbing a compatible thousand-year soul ring, while a challenge, is by no means an impossible fantasy.

The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff martial soul is truly exceptional in its reinforcement of the host's physical body!"

Listening to his teacher's analysis, the shock on Yan Shaozhe's face was gradually replaced by contemplation.

After all, he was the Dean of Shrek Academy and possessed vast experience.

Thinking it over carefully, every word his teacher said made sense.

Over the past ten thousand years, it was not as if geniuses who achieved a thousand-year second ring had never appeared; their core reliance had always been a physical constitution far superior to others or special opportunities.

His junior brother's martial soul quality was unprecedented, and the incredible physical foundation it provided suggested that it might truly be possible to break the limit of the first soul ring.

He slowly exhaled, his eyes becoming firm, and he nodded heavily toward Mu En:

"This disciple understands. It was my previous consideration that was improper.

Given junior brother's current physical constitution, it is indeed worth a try, and he should rightfully pursue the best possible starting point."