Explaining the Reason, Xiao Wu's Decision

Xiao Wu, who had little guile, laid out her plans. She could form her own Soul Rings and choose her own spirit skills. This was an ability she had gained after transforming from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast into a human, and it was also an ability Yu Yan greatly envied.

What Xiao Wu had said was, in fact, exposing her own special nature. It also showed that she trusted Yu Yan more and more.

Otherwise, revealing her uniqueness before humans was no different from courting death.

If Xiao Wu had possessed an ordinary Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul, Yu Yan would have had no objection to such an arrangement of spirit skills. The problem was that Xiao Wu was not ordinary.

After pretending to think for a while, Yu Yan asked Xiao Wu in return:

"Since you chose to increase your waist strength by one hundred percent and your flexibility by fifty percent, why not directly choose an increase to all attributes? Wouldn't that be more beneficial in battle?"

Yu Yan remembered that in the original story, Xiao Wu's First Spirit Skill, Waist Bow, also possessed a special feature. Beyond its original enhancement effects, every additional level increased Waist Bow's effectiveness by another one percent.

Such a spirit skill would not become obsolete even when used by a Title Douluo. This alone showed just how terrifying Xiao Wu's Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul was.

Based on this trait, Yu Yan's idea was to abandon specialized bonuses in favor of an all-round enhancement. That way, no matter how her spirit skills were arranged later, this all-stat enhancement skill would fit perfectly.

"An all-attribute increase is nowhere near as strong as a boost in a specific area. If I choose all attributes, I can only raise them by forty percent, which is far inferior to the benefits a specialized direction gives me."

After thinking over and deducing Yu Yan's idea, Xiao Wu gave him an affirmative answer.

If she chose her spirit skills according to her own ideas, Xiao Wu could immediately gain formidable combat power and better protect herself in human society. This was something she had planned ever since leaving the Star Dou Forest.

"How much can it improve afterward?"

Rather than continuing along Xiao Wu's line of thought, Yu Yan asked about the future growth of this spirit skill.

"Hm?"

Finally sensing that something was off, Xiao Wu stared at Yu Yan with her big eyes, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"What do you mean, 'hm'? Hurry up and tell me. I'm helping you plan your future, so pay attention."

Facing the foolish Rabbit that had begun to grow suspicious, Yu Yan patted her on the head and urged her on.

He had to settle this before Xiao Wu caught on. Once she did, this would not be so easy to discuss.

"For every level afterward, it can increase by one percent."

After having her head lightly patted, Xiao Wu revealed the subsequent growth of her First Spirit Skill.

"Not bad. That's an extremely powerful spirit skill."

After sincerely praising it, Yu Yan began to persuade Xiao Wu:

"Xiao Wu, an all-attribute boost from your First Spirit Skill can be applied to all future spirit skills, including Soft Technique. But the spirit skill you originally planned could only be applied to Soft Technique. The difference between the two is enormous. Think about it carefully, and you'll understand that I'm telling the truth."

"Besides, can you guarantee that your Soft Technique will still be useful at high levels? By then, wouldn't the First Spirit Skill you chose for Soft Technique become nothing more than decoration? Rather than that, it's better to choose an all-attribute bonus with greater versatility."

Yu Yan's words made Xiao Wu fall into deep thought. No one had ever told her such things, nor had anyone ever planned how she should choose her spirit skills.

After listening to Yu Yan, Xiao Wu began thinking hard. His reasoning was not difficult to understand. After giving it some simple thought, she understood the key point. She was not stupid—at least, not yet.

"O-okay, it does seem like an all-attribute bonus would be better."

Looking at Xiao Wu, who was still half-convinced, Yu Yan confidently said, "Take out the 'seems like.' Without a doubt, an all-attribute bonus is better."

"You're right. I'll choose an all-attribute bonus for my First Spirit Skill. You have to help me consider my spirit skills in the future too."

Having understood what was truly better, Xiao Wu immediately made the wisest choice.

Yu Yan was very smart and incredibly, incredibly kind. She felt completely at ease leaving this brain-racking matter to him.

"No problem. Just feel free to discuss it with me and ask for my opinion."

That was what Yu Yan had intended to do anyway, so there was no reason for him to refuse Xiao Wu's request.

"Hehehe..." As Xiao Wu giggled, she suddenly thought of another question. "Yu Yan, have you decided what spirit skill you want?"

"Not yet."

At that moment, Yu Yan truly envied Xiao Wu. He envied her ability to form her own Soul Rings and choose her own spirit skills.

If he had that ability too, he would not need to sit here flipping through an introduction to continental Soul Beasts. He could simply form his own Martial Soul and choose for himself.

"Huh?"

Meeting Xiao Wu's astonished gaze, Yu Yan showed her the book in his hands. "I'm looking for a Soul Beast that suits me."

Xiao Wu, who had been patted on the head, finally realized that ordinary Soul Masters could not form Soul Rings like she could. They had to hunt Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings.

Doesn't that mean I just gave myself away?

Xiao Wu suddenly panicked and began thinking about how she should explain her suspicious behavior just now to Yu Yan.

"Um, Yu Yan, just now I was..."

Xiao Wu stammered, trying to figure out how to cover it up.

"I know. You were just fantasizing. I often fantasize about obtaining powerful spirit skills too. That's perfectly normal."

Glancing at Xiao Wu, who had not even come up with an excuse, Yu Yan took the initiative to provide one for her.

"Yes, yes, yes, that's exactly it."

Hearing Yu Yan's excuse, Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly. That was exactly what she had been thinking.

After Xiao Wu accepted the excuse, Yu Yan reminded her, "Remember not to tell other people about these fantasies in the future. Be careful, or they might laugh at you."

"Mhm, mhm, mhm. I will."

Xiao Wu felt that she probably would not discuss this topic with anyone else for a long time. It had been far too dangerous.

If she accidentally exposed her identity as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had taken human form before Yu Yan, Xiao Wu was truly afraid that he would kill her and take her Soul Bone.

"You just need to be more careful."

After resolving Xiao Wu's problem, Yu Yan turned his attention back to the introduction to continental Soul Beasts before him.

This book recorded a great deal of knowledge about Soul Beasts. Quite a few of them were rather interesting and sparked the desire to explore further.

Once she had calmed down, Xiao Wu looked at Yu Yan, whose attention was entirely on the book, and cautiously tested the waters. "Yu Yan, Yu Yan, what do you think would happen if I really obtained a spirit skill that boosted all attributes?"

"Nothing. It would just mean you were lucky enough to obtain such a rare and powerful Soul Ring and spirit skill."

Having roughly understood Xiao Wu's thoughts, Yu Yan answered her question in the most casual tone possible while continuing to read.

Yu Yan could see through Xiao Wu's thoughts at a glance not because he was clever, but because Xiao Wu had not hidden her thoughts, intentions, or emotions well at all.

Yu Yan's indifferent tone made Xiao Wu let out a sigh of relief.