"Qing, Grandmaster is just like that. He has made some theoretical contributions, but he has no real ability, and his character is poor too. Don't take it to heart," Director Su said.
"Teacher, there's no need to worry. I don't care what he said," Chu Qing replied politely.
He had always lived by the rule: if someone treated him with an inch of respect, he returned it tenfold.
He remembered those who treated him well. As for those who looked down on him, he would repay them a hundred or a thousand times over.
At any rate, Director Su had stood up for him in front of Grandmaster. Chu Qing was deeply grateful.
"Qing, you must think carefully about your First Soul Ring. Don't make a hasty decision. It will affect how well you cultivate in the future and how far you can go. Have you thought about what you want?"
Chu Qing thought for a moment before replying, "Teacher, I still want to focus on offense. I want to stack pure attack power. After all, the best defense is a good offense. Besides, my Martial Soul isn't an ordinary fire-type Martial Soul. It has some other traits, too."
"Other traits?" Director Su was taken aback. Looking at Chu Qing's Martial Soul, so utterly different from other fire-type Martial Souls, he could see that it was indeed rather unusual.
"That's right. My Martial Soul should count as a kind of Mutated Martial Soul. After some experiments, I found that it seems able to devour other living creatures and gain their power, strengthening my Soul Power."
Chu Qing explained it in terms this world could understand. The people here didn't know what the Nihility Devouring Flame was, and no one understood this Martial Soul better than he did.
"Oh, there are Martial Souls like that?" Director Su exclaimed. Then he silently resolved to do everything he could to help this handsome young fellow. The boy was sure to achieve great things!
If the boy in front of him weren't still so young, he might even have wanted to introduce him to his granddaughter...
At the thought, Director Su chuckled and said, "All right, Qing. Here's the key to Nuoding Academy's library. You can go there anytime to do some research. Look into which Soul Beast you should hunt. It's getting late, so go back and get some rest. The other teachers and I will all help you."
After today's little incident, Chu Qing no longer felt like wandering around. His most pressing task was to consider carefully what kind of Soul Beast he should choose for his Martial Soul.
After all, he needed to increase his strength quickly. There were still plenty of great opportunities waiting for him!
Dugu Bo's Immortal Herbs and the Blue Silver Emperor's Soul Bone had yet to fall into Tang San's hands.
They were both golden opportunities to grow stronger. He couldn't afford to miss them!
With that, Chu Qing bade Director Su farewell and headed back to the dormitory.
At that moment, Grandmaster was storming back to his lodging. Tang San happened to be looking for him, so he asked, "Teacher, what happened? Why are you so angry?"
Yu Xiaogang was already furious. When Tang San asked, he twisted the facts and told him what had happened, claiming that Chu Qing had insulted and looked down on him, when in truth he had been the one who spoke out of turn.
Hearing this, Tang San snapped, "He dares insult my teacher! Once a teacher, a father for life! That boy deserves to die!"
But then he remembered that his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul would certainly be no match for a fire-type Martial Soul. He couldn't let everyone find out about his Clear Sky Hammer, and using Hidden Weapons... No, that was his greatest secret! No one could know!
At that thought, Tang San's expression changed. He turned to Grandmaster and said righteously, "Teacher, take me to hunt my First Soul Ring as soon as possible! Then I'll be absolutely certain I can defeat him and avenge your humiliation!"
Grandmaster looked at Tang San with approval. "Good! Xiao San doesn't rush into a fight when he faces an enemy. Instead, he makes his plans before acting! You truly are my disciple! Get ready. I'll take you to hunt your First Soul Ring in the next day or two!"
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Chu Qing went to Nuoding Academy's library and began searching through the Soul Beast Illustrated Handbook and books on Soul Ring attributes.
After all, he had transmigrated into this world and still didn't know much about the things in Douluo Continent. He needed accurate information.
His Martial Soul was the Nihility Devouring Flame, the second-ranked Heavenly Flame of Dou Qi Continent. It could devour all things and turn them into its own source of power. It could even distort space. But here in Douluo Continent, he had only tested its ability to devour living creatures and strengthen its source power. He still didn't know what else it could do.
He browsed through the library books and read a great deal about Soul Beasts. In the end, he settled on a few possibilities. The best choice should be the Heaven-Burning Crane. If that didn't work, the Nether Flame Sparrow would do as well. Both Soul Beasts were compatible with his Nihility Devouring Flame Martial Soul.
Once he had decided, Chu Qing left the library and headed straight for the Academic Affairs Office. He found Director Su and told him what he had in mind. After listening carefully, Director Su agreed with Chu Qing's choice.
"Qing, get ready. We'll set off tomorrow and go to Soul Hunting Forest to help you hunt your First Soul Ring!" Director Su said.
Soul Hunting Forest was a forest established specifically for Soul Masters. The Soul Beasts there weren't very powerful; at most, they were only a few hundred years old. There were plenty of different kinds of Soul Beasts there, too, making it a good place for Chu Qing to obtain his First Soul Ring.
Early the next day, Chu Qing arrived at the agreed meeting place by the academy gates. A few minutes later, Director Su came over with a group of teachers. Chu Qing looked around. Nearly all the combat Soul Masters were there, with the exception of Grandmaster.
"Good. You're right on time, young man. No wonder Director Su thinks so highly of you," one teacher said.
"Teacher Mo, don't flatter me. Qing really is a genius. We're only helping him get started," Director Su replied with a smile.
"Hello, Teacher Mo," Chu Qing greeted him obediently. Then, following Director Su's introductions, he greeted each of the teachers accompanying them.
Still, he looked puzzled. He couldn't understand why they needed to bring so many combat Soul Masters just to obtain a First Soul Ring.
Director Su seemed to notice his confusion and explained, "Qing, a First Soul Ring is very important to a Soul Master, so we have to make sure this trip goes smoothly. We can't afford any mistakes. Besides, a teacher's most important duty is to keep their students safe. I can't take you there alone. If we ran into some unexpected Soul Beast, it could be dangerous."
"Thank you, Teacher. You've thought of everything," Chu Qing said gratefully. Compared with certain teachers who made their disciples risk their lives to hunt their first Soul Beast, Director Su was simply outstanding.
With that, Director Su directed everyone into the several carriages they had prepared in advance. They headed for Soul Hunting Forest, fifty li outside the city.
"Though Soul Hunting Forest is under state control, over the centuries it has developed many different regions, and there are plenty of powerful Soul Beasts there. We must be extra careful this time," Mo Hen explained to everyone.
Chu Qing listened attentively. Before long, they arrived at the entrance to Soul Hunting Forest.