Solitary Bamboo is Perfect for You

"I still have some savings, Uncle, so taking you to Spirit City won't be a problem. You'll definitely have more opportunities there."

"I remember your father once mentioned that there is a Spirit Hall Academy in Spirit City, built by Spirit Hall itself."

"With your talent of Full Innate Soul Power, it's not impossible for you to enter Spirit Hall Academy."

"Backed by Spirit Hall, the academy certainly possesses far more resources than an ordinary one."

Fang Qingshan said with great patience.

Duan Fan felt a bit conflicted after hearing this.

Uncle Fang really was still the same Uncle Fang as before.

No matter what, he always considered things for me.

Seeing Duan Fan remain silent, Fang Qingshan continued, "If you don't want to join Spirit Hall or go to Spirit City, then staying at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy is also fine."

"Although the teaching resources at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy are a bit lacking, it is still a junior spirit master academy after all. You can study here for a few years first, then advance to a better academy."

"No matter what decision you make, Uncle will support you!"

Duan Fan didn't know what to decide for a moment, so he said, "Uncle, I need to think about it some more."

"Alright, tell me once you've made up your mind."

Fang Qingshan smiled warmly, "You earned a Gold Soul Coin on your own today; how do you plan to spend it?"

Duan Fan fished the Gold Soul Coin he had received from the Spirit Hall branch out of his pocket. Without much thought, he said, "I'll go buy some food and toys for Qianqian, and give the rest to Aunt. I don't have much use for soul coins anyway."

Fang Qingshan said with feigned annoyance, "You child, you're just too sensible; you never think about buying anything for yourself."

An hour later.

Duan Fan returned home carrying a pile of food and toys, which made Fang Qian incredibly happy.

His aunt, Ding Yutang, scolded him jokingly for wasting money. She didn't take the remaining soul coins from Duan Fan, telling him to keep them safe himself instead.

"Old Fang, you're back. I'm heading to the academy now," Ding Yutang said.

Fang Qingshan nodded, "Mm, it's not great to keep asking for leave."

Duan Fan said, "Uncle, why don't you go to the academy too? I can take care of Qianqian."

Fang Qingshan laughed, "No need. I don't teach theoretical knowledge at the academy anymore. I just hold a nominal position now, so I only need to show my face every once in a while."

"Are you interested in attending classes at the academy?"

Duan Fan shook his head, "No."

"The most brilliant teacher at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy is right in front of me; why would I need to go to the academy?"

Fang Qingshan was very pleased to hear this and laughed heartily, "You brat, you really know how to flatter people."

"It's fine if you don't go to the academy; you can just study at home."

"However, compared to theoretical knowledge, I suggest you prioritize your cultivation."

"Theoretical knowledge is better suited for spirit masters like me who lack cultivation talent to spend time researching. For a spirit master with Full Innate Soul Power like you, there's no need to waste time on this. Cultivating diligently to raise your spirit power is far more important."

Duan Fan nodded, "I understand, Uncle."

Over the next two days, Duan Fan spent almost all his time cultivating.

In his spare time, Duan Fan also seriously considered his future path.

Should he follow the conventional route and attend a spirit master academy, or go to Spirit City to seek opportunities?

If he stayed at a spirit master academy, he would likely spend these few years in peace.

He could wait until he was twelve to attend an advanced spirit master academy.

But if he went to Spirit City, there would certainly be more opportunities.

If all went well, he should be able to enter Spirit Hall Academy without issue.

However, once he went there, he would likely not be able to return for many years.

What truly made Duan Fan hesitate were his uncle, aunt, and Fang Qian.

He had long considered them his true family and couldn't bear to part with them.

At noon, Duan Fan finished his cultivation.

He felt his spirit power getting closer and closer to level fourteen. As long as he continued to cultivate, he should be able to break through in a few days.

As usual, after finishing his cultivation, Duan Fan immediately checked on Tang San's current situation.

After about three days of traveling, Tang San finally arrived at the Soul Hunting Forest with the branch deacon, Ding Xiulun.

To save a few soul coins, Ding Xiulun had insisted on taking the slowest carriage with Tang San.

Finally here. I'm exhausted just looking at three days of carriage life. With this kind of torture, do you two really still have the energy to find suitable Soul Beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest? Duan Fan thought to himself.

New information was still being updated.

Upon arriving at the market outside the Soul Hunting Forest, Ding Xiulun uncharacteristically didn't dawdle. Without even resting or adjusting, he led Tang San straight toward the Soul Hunting Forest.

Part of the reason was actually that Ding Xiulun couldn't bear to spend money on Tang San at the market, fearing that if Tang San wanted something, he wouldn't be able to resist the urge to put on a brave face and spend the money anyway.

In front of the fence outside the Soul Hunting Forest, Ding Xiulun and Tang San were stopped by the guarding soldiers.

As a high-ranking deacon of the Notting City branch of the Spirit Hall, Ding Xiulun naturally possessed a Spirit Hall warrant that granted entry into the Soul Hunting Forest.

Ding Xiulun did not miss a single opportunity to boast, waving the warrant around while going on and on about how much influence he supposedly had.

Tang San frowned as he listened.

Duan Fan frowned as he watched.

I can't let this guy Ding Xiulun keep improvising like this. If I let him keep blowing hot air, Tang San probably won't believe a single word he says anymore.

I need to intervene early.

Duan Fan's thoughts stirred, and he began to make modifications.

[The outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest.

Ding Xiulun walked in front, holding a rake, with one white and one yellow Soul Ring rising from beneath his feet.

Tang San followed behind, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding thickets, his hand gripping a kitchen knife tightly.

That kitchen knife was a defensive weapon Ding Xiulun had prepared for Tang San.

The two had not gone far when the bushes ahead shook, and a low, rumbling snore could be faintly heard.

Ding Xiulun's hand trembled visibly, and he pulled Tang San to the side to bypass it.

"That sounds like a beast-type Soul Beast in there; it's no use to you with your plant-type Martial Soul."

Ding Xiulun lowered his voice and said, "The Soul Beast forest is extremely dangerous. As long as they aren't our target, we should try our best not to provoke those Soul Beasts."

Tang San asked, "Then what kind of Soul Beast is our target?"

"At the very least, a plant-type Soul Beast. A plant-type Soul Beast matches a plant-type Martial Soul."

Ding Xiulun's gaze searched the area ahead until it suddenly locked onto a bamboo grove a few dozen meters away.

"We're going over there."

Ding Xiulun pointed at the bamboo grove and said, "Solitary Bamboo belongs to the plant-type Soul Beasts. They have a mild temperament, low aggression, and the Soul Ring is easy to absorb.

For a Soul Master like you who is just coming into contact with Soul Beasts, it is the safest choice.

Moreover, the Soul Skills added by plant-type Soul Rings usually lean toward control and support, which happens to suit your Blue Silver Grass perfectly."

Tang San nodded slightly, feeling that it made some sense.

Ding Xiulun continued, "As for the age of the Solitary Bamboo, it must be at least a hundred years old.

The gap between a ten-year Soul Ring and a hundred-year Soul Ring is still very significant.

A hundred-year Soul Ring can bring a much greater improvement to a Soul Master.

Back in my day, I didn't have a good guide, so my First Soul Ring was only a ten-year Soul Ring.

I've regretted it for most of my life.

If I had absorbed a hundred-year Soul Ring for my first one back then, I might have already reached the level of a Soul Exalt."

Ding Xiulun sighed, patted Tang San heavily on the shoulder, and said with a determined look, "Don't worry, Tang San, I will definitely help you obtain a hundred-year Soul Ring."

After saying this, Ding Xiulun rushed into the bamboo grove to search.

After searching for about ten minutes, Ding Xiulun suddenly caught sight of a massive Solitary Bamboo growing between the tall trees.

Ding Xiulun exclaimed in surprise, "A two-hundred-year-old Solitary Bamboo! Tang San, your First Soul Ring is secured!"]