Li Yi stood up, originally intending to proceed according to the plan.
They would head to the Black Flame Demon Fox's habitat up ahead and find a Black Flame Demon Fox of a suitable age for Duan Fan's Second Soul Ring.
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, the scenes he had just witnessed involuntarily came flooding back.
Duan Fan's powerful body, his terrifying strength, and that clearly extraordinary Second Martial Soul.
It was obvious that he couldn't keep looking for Duan Fan's Second Soul Ring by ordinary standards.
"Duan Fan, what are your thoughts about your Second Soul Ring?" Li Yi asked.
Duan Fan wasn't surprised that Li Yi had asked what he thought.
He had shown off his body and strength, even revealing his Second Martial Soul, all so he could explain what he had in mind and get the teacher's approval.
If Duan Fan hadn't cultivated the Diamond Skill, then after reaching Soul Power Level 20, he would most likely have followed the usual steps to obtain his Second Soul Ring. A Soul Beast around seven hundred years old would have been more than suitable.
But now Duan Fan had already cultivated the Diamond Skill and reached the second stage, Iron Bone. His body was far stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Master at Level 20, so naturally he should aim for a Second Soul Ring with a higher age.
Ordinary words would hardly persuade a teacher at Spirit Hall Academy, especially someone like Li Yi, who specialized in studying Martial Souls.
He could only make his case with facts.
Duan Fan said, "I think my body is probably a little stronger than an ordinary Soul Master's. I don't know what my body's limits are, but absorbing a Soul Ring around a thousand years old shouldn't be a problem."
Li Yi smiled. "Your body is far more than just a little stronger than an ordinary Soul Master's. It's completely beyond the ordinary!"
"Even some two-ring Soul Masters with Beast Martial Souls that excel physically aren't necessarily as strong as you are after Martial Soul Possession."
As he spoke, the smile faded from Li Yi's face. "But that said, the difference between a Thousand-Year Soul Beast and a Hundred-Year Soul Beast is enormous.
"Even I think your body should be capable of absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
"But no one has ever absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as their Second Soul Ring. It's hard to predict what complications might arise.
"And besides, a Soul Ring just over a thousand years old might not be your limit.
"If you could absorb one that was fifteen hundred years old or even older, but ended up absorbing one that had only just reached a thousand years, that would amount to making the wrong choice."
Duan Fan asked, "Then how old do you think the Soul Ring I should absorb ought to be, teacher?"
Li Yi glanced at Duan Fan, hesitation in his eyes. He seemed about to share his own estimate, but in the end all he said was, "I can't really say."
"Your situation is a first for me, too. I can't risk your life just to test my own suspicions.
"Especially since you're an extremely rare Soul Master with Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power. You're already no ordinary person. Obtaining a Soul Ring is an extremely important matter for any Soul Master, and even more so for you.
"You can't afford a single mistake. I can't make this decision for you anymore."
Hearing this, Duan Fan felt a strange sense of disbelief. Is it really necessary to be this cautious?
I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?
Li Yi looked at Li Ruolan beside them and noticed the complicated expression on her face. He sighed helplessly, and his answer happened to address Duan Fan's question.
"Don't look at me like that. I can't help it. I'm afraid of being held responsible."
"You just saw how strong Duan Fan's body is. Based on my experience, absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring should be no problem at all. He might even be able to try for one between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred years old.
"But would I dare make that decision rashly?
"Even if Duan Fan successfully absorbs a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, the people above will surely blame me for disregarding his safety."
Li Ruolan let out a soft sigh. "I understand your concerns. What do you plan to do next?"
Li Yi glanced back the way they had come, as though he had made up his mind. "I'll return to Spirit City first and report this. The people above can make the decision.
"We'll leave the Star Dou Forest. You can take Duan Fan to rest at a nearby town's Spirit Hall Branch while I go back to Spirit City alone to report.
"After all that traveling, it's better to let Duan Fan rest properly than drag him along on another tiring trip.
"The matter of Twin Martial Souls is no small thing. There should be an answer from them soon after I return."
Li Ruolan looked at Duan Fan, then nodded thoughtfully. "Let's do what you say.
"In all these years of taking students to obtain Soul Rings, I've never run into a situation like this."
"Neither have I," Li Yi said.
Duan Fan stood to the side, silently listening to the exchange between the siblings Li Yi and Li Ruolan, his feelings complicated.
Why are there so many twists and turns just because I'm trying to obtain my Second Soul Ring?
In the end, the three of them followed Li Yi's arrangements.
They left the Star Dou Forest.
Li Yi headed straight for Spirit City, while Li Ruolan took Duan Fan to rest at a nearby small town.
It would take some time to get back to Spirit City from the Star Dou Forest, so Li Ruolan and Duan Fan could only wait patiently.
Duan Fan continued with his daily cultivation, though his training location had changed from the Mimicry Cultivation Area at Spirit Hall Academy to a room at a small-town inn.
Three days later.
The setting sun slanted through the window like a veil of gauze.
Duan Fan slowly opened his eyes, a glint flashing briefly in them.
He finished cultivating and rose to his feet, his joints cracking softly.
After a day of cultivation, his Soul Power had grown denser, but without obtaining his Second Soul Ring, he couldn't break through the barrier at Level 20.
He opened the window. The evening breeze, carrying the scent of cooking fires, swept in and scattered the stillness in the room.
Duan Fan let out a long breath and murmured, "It's been three days already. Teacher Li Yi should be reaching Spirit City by now.
"I don't know whether revealing the matter of my Twin Martial Souls was a good or bad thing, but it'll definitely draw a lot of attention.
"I wonder what'll happen next..."
The reason Duan Fan had never revealed that he possessed Twin Martial Souls, not even to Fang Qingshan, was that he wanted to give himself more room for error.
He knew all too well that once he revealed this, he would have to live under the watchful eyes of many people.
And this time, he had revealed it in order to obtain a Soul Ring with a higher age.
That applied not only to his Second Soul Ring, but to every Soul Ring he would obtain in the future.
The changes in his body needed an explanation, and Twin Martial Souls were clearly a better excuse than the Diamond Skill.
After all, his Martial Souls were a part of him, whereas a body-tempering technique was enough to drive people mad with greed.
"Right or wrong, I've already made this choice. There's no point dwelling on it. I'll just let things take their course."
Duan Fan put his thoughts aside and checked on Tang San's current situation.
Tang San was having dinner at Notting Academy.
After several months, Tang San's Soul Power Level had finally risen to Level 13 a few days earlier.
During this time, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had grown closer and closer, but Tang San still had no intention of becoming his disciple.
That was exactly the development Duan Fan wanted to see.
The more Tang San trusted Yu Xiaogang, the easier it would be to manipulate Tang San's Second Soul Ring later. He might even get the chance to tamper with Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer.
Unfortunately, Tang San and Ding Xiulun had completely cut ties, so Duan Fan couldn't see what was happening on Ding Xiulun's end.
Duan Fan had tried modifying things through Ding Xiulun to put Tang San in danger, but none of his attempts had succeeded.
In Duan Fan's view, Ding Xiulun would definitely make a move against Tang San. It just hadn't come to anything yet.
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