After flipping through another yellowed beast-hide tome, Lin Ciyan gently closed The Star Dou Great Forest's Illustrated Handbook of Rare Soul Beasts: Light Attribute Edition.
He stretched lazily, and a series of crisp cracks popped from his bones, like beans frying in a pan.
"I've decided. It's this one."
He murmured to himself, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile that said he had everything under control.
In his mind, a golden figure had already appeared: the Golden Hawksbill Turtle.
That's right, the top-tier meat shield who ranked near the top of the "Dream Soul Beast Rankings for Defense System Soul Masters"—the Golden Hawksbill Turtle Xu Sanshi would later possess.
This Soul Beast not only possessed extreme physical and energy defenses, but also contained a trace of holy attribute, making it a match made in heaven for his Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul.
"The Golden Hawksbill Turtle, a veteran among Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. Its whole thing is 'living a long time,'" Lin Ciyan grumbled inwardly.
"This 'turtle-speed' cultivation and rock-solid, defense-tower survival philosophy are the perfect match for my 'relaxed vibe.' It's a match made in both directions."
He had analyzed it carefully. Absorbing a Soul Ring from a Golden Hawksbill Turtle would very likely grant him a top-tier defensive or life-saving Soul Skill.
He even boldly guessed that it might be something like [Holy Shield] or [Damage Reflection], simple and brutal effects.
"If I get something like 'spiked armor,' I can just stand there, and the other guy will lose half his health from hitting me. What a beautiful sight... A perfect example of 'basic operation, don't make a fuss.'"
With his plan clear, Lin Ciyan wasted no more time and got up to find his grandfather.
"Golden Hawksbill Turtle?" Lin Qingmo raised his grizzled eyebrows at his grandson's choice, then gave him an approving look.
"Good lad, you've got a sharp eye! This Soul Beast's defense is top-tier, and its holy attribute complements your Martial Soul perfectly. Looks like those two months of reading paid off."
He paused, his tone turning stern and proud. "Ciyan, since you've chosen your direction, there's something Grandpa has to tell you."
"Given your current physical fitness, we've decided that for your Second Soul Ring, we'll look for a thousand-year Soul Beast."
Lin Ciyan thought of that so-called "Soul Master's Limit Soul Ring Theory."
Hah. That theory, proposed by the so-called Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang, and treated as gospel by certain people ten thousand years ago, had long since been swept into history's garbage heap.
The first ring's limit is four hundred and twenty-three years? What utter nonsense.
The theory itself was riddled with holes. The only reason it was worshipped like a sacred text was thanks to love-addled Bibi Dong.
And the credit for cultivating a certain "great and righteous" deity.
Otherwise, that hodgepodge of a book of his, the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, would have been nailed to a pillar of shame in the Soul Master World, where later generations could laugh at it.
Just two days ago, Lin Ciyan had spotted that very Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul in the deepest corner of the academy library. Dust had settled on its cover, and yet somehow it still hadn't been cleared away.
The Shrek library administrator really ought to do some proper cleaning. Keeping academic trash like that around was practically polluting the environment. Even a cyber Pixiu couldn't swallow that much garbage.
Lin Qingmo explained earnestly, "After ten thousand years of development, we've established the limits to which a Soul Master can absorb Soul Rings."
"It depends on the combined factors of a person's physical fitness, mental strength, and Martial Soul quality. The old, rigid theory about ring age has long been replaced by the more scientific concept of an 'optimal Soul Ring configuration.'"
"Why can Soul Masters today generally absorb Soul Rings of a higher age than Soul Masters from a thousand years ago?" Lin Qingmo asked, then answered himself.
"Because the times are advancing! Over the past ten thousand years, our research into the essence of Soul Power, physical development, and Martial Soul Mutation has continued to deepen."
"We've uncovered all kinds of foundation-building and body-tempering methods, along with rare natural treasures. As a result, modern Soul Masters generally have far better physical foundations than their peers did ten thousand years ago."
"Not to mention those freaks from the Body Sect, who temper their bodies to the utmost. Their example proves that the potential of the human body is limitless."
As Lin Qingmo watched, Lin Ciyan took a Golden Tree lounge chair out of his Soul Tool and leisurely lay down on it right in the middle of the explanation.
Lin Ciyan had even covered his face with a copy of the Soul Beast Illustrated Handbook. Lin Qingmo could only shake his head helplessly and begin today's "lesson."
"Ciyan, stop lying down. Today, Grandpa will tell you about the different branches of Soul Masters." He cleared his throat, speaking with the solemnity of a Soul Master of the older generation.
"On the mainland, Soul Masters are usually divided into several branches according to their fighting styles. For example, the Power Attack System aims to overwhelm enemies head-on with absolute strength, as with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
"The Control System controls the pace of battle and restrains opponents. Many plant-type Martial Souls fall into this category."
"The Agility Attack System pursues extreme speed, going for a one-hit kill or scouting out the enemy."
"The Defense System is the team's shield, a mountain fortress."
"And there's the Support System, which provides healing, boosts, and all kinds of other support. It's crucial..."
He was explaining earnestly when the book slipped down, revealing Lin Ciyan's clear eyes, filled with "enlightenment."
"Grandpa," Lin Ciyan interrupted lazily, his tone as unhurried as someone who had discovered the truth of the universe. "I get it."
"Oh? What do you get?" Lin Qingmo asked, slightly taken aback. He thought his grandson had astonishing insight and had grasped the essence of the Soul Master system in an instant.
"So, by your reasoning," Lin Ciyan said, shifting into an even more comfortable side-lying position and propping his head up.
"Isn't the strongest fighting style just making sure the opponent can't hit me, can't hurt me, and that I can heal myself after they're done?"
"Look at it this way: be fast enough to avoid getting tangled up, tough enough to avoid getting hurt, and ideally able to recover your own health so you don't have to ask a Support System Soul Master for help..."
"To sum it up, it's about using the least effort to ensure my own safety and comfort for as long as possible. Grandpa, this is the shortcut to eternal life!"
He yawned, then delivered his final verdict: "So my goal isn't to become a Soul Master of any particular branch. It's to become a 'Low-Energy, Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Growth System' Soul Master."
[ Ding! In front of your Titled Douluo grandfather, you successfully twisted serious knowledge about the Soul Master system into a "slack-off-and-grow philosophy." Slacking Value +99! ]
Lin Qingmo was left staring, dumbfounded. He opened his mouth to argue, only to realize that this crooked reasoning seemed to make a little sense...
Looking at his grandson's utterly self-assured, lazy air, he finally let out a helpless, half-amused sigh, and all his lecturing went with it.
"You little rascal... Fine. As long as you're happy."
By the Golden Tree in the Sea God Pavilion.
Mu En quietly listened to Lin Qingmo's report on the plans for Lin Ciyan's Second Soul Ring.
A glint flashed through his cloudy eyes, and he spoke slowly. "The Golden Hawksbill Turtle is a good choice. As for its age... Qingmo, you're still too conservative."
Lin Qingmo froze. "Pavilion Master, what do you mean?"
Mu En's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable certainty. "When Ciyan obtained his First Soul Ring, his body and Martial Soul had only just awakened, and he was still adapting."
"After some initial training, his physical fitness had already reached the limit for someone without a Martial Soul. That was why he absorbed a seven-hundred-year Dawn Spirit."
"Now, he's not only gained the enhancement of his First Soul Ring, but also fused with the External Soul Bone [Source of Dawn]."
"This growth-type Soul Bone shares his origins. During the year since his Martial Soul awakened, it has been nourished by his Soul Power and the aura of his Holy Radiance Qilin. It's long since become one with his bloodline, nourishing his body in return."
"His physical strength far exceeds your estimation."
Mu En straightened up slightly and said something startling. "In my view, given his current foundation, he could absorb a Golden Hawksbill Turtle Soul Ring of around three thousand years without any trouble."
"If we also take into account the ongoing enhancement to his body from the Soul Bone of the same origin, along with the Golden Hawksbill Turtle Soul Ring's mild nature and ease of absorption..."
He paused, then tossed out a number that made Lin Qingmo's heart leap. "He can try anything under seven thousand years."
"Seven... seven thousand years?!" Lin Qingmo drew in a sharp breath. A seven-thousand-year Second Soul Ring? He had never heard of such a thing!
A look of anticipation crossed Mu En's face. "This isn't mere speculation. His Martial Soul, Soul Bone, and temperament are all exceptional."
"His very existence is already breaking convention. If his Second Soul Ring really reaches six or seven thousand years..."
The old man's gaze seemed to pierce the walls of the chamber and look into the distant future. "Then his Third Soul Ring will very likely be a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring!"