Dare Not Make a Decision

Li Yi stood up, originally intending to proceed according to the original plan.

He had planned to head to the habitat of the Black Flame Demon Fox ahead to find one with a suitable age to serve as Duan Fan's second Soul Ring.

However, the moment this thought crossed his mind, the scenes he had just witnessed involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Duan Fan's formidable physique, his terrifying strength, and that second Martial Soul which was clearly extraordinary at first glance.

It was evident that they could no longer follow conventional logic when searching for Duan Fan's second Soul Ring.

"Duan Fan, what are your thoughts on your second Soul Ring?" Li Yi asked.

Seeing Li Yi asking for his opinion, Duan Fan was not surprised.

He had revealed his physique and strength, and even his second Martial Soul, precisely so that he could voice his own ideas and have them acknowledged.

If Duan Fan had not cultivated the Diamond Skill, then once his soul power reached level twenty, he would most likely have obtained his second Soul Ring by the book, finding a Soul Beast around seven hundred years old, which would have been perfectly appropriate.

But now that Duan Fan had cultivated the Diamond Skill and reached the second level, [Iron Bone], his body was already far beyond that of an ordinary level twenty Soul Master, so he naturally had to pursue a second Soul Ring of a higher age.

It was difficult to convince a Spirit Hall Academy teacher with mere words, especially since Li Yi was a teacher who specialized in the study of Martial Souls.

He could only let the facts speak for themselves.

Duan Fan said, "I feel that my body should be a bit stronger than that of an average Soul Master. Although I don't know what my physical limits are, absorbing a Soul Ring of around a thousand years shouldn't be a problem."

Li Yi laughed, "Your body is more than just 'a bit' stronger than an average Soul Master; it is far superior to them, alright!"

"Even some two-ring Soul Masters with beast Martial Souls who rely on their physical advantages don't necessarily possess a body as powerful as yours after their Martial Soul possession."

As he spoke, the smile on Li Yi's face faded. "But then again, there is a massive gap between a thousand-year Soul Beast and a hundred-year Soul Beast."

"Even though I also believe your body should be able to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring."

"But there has never been a precedent for absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring as a second Soul Ring, and the variables involved are hard to predict."

"Furthermore, perhaps a Soul Ring just over a thousand years isn't your limit either."

"If you could absorb a fifteen-hundred-year or even higher-age Soul Ring, but ended up only absorbing one that had just reached a thousand years, that would be equivalent to making the wrong choice."

Duan Fan asked, "Then, Teacher, what age Soul Ring do you think I should absorb?"

Li Yi glanced at Duan Fan, a look of hesitation in his eyes. He wanted to state his own estimation, but it ultimately turned into a single sentence: "It's hard for me to say."

"Mainly because this is the first time I've encountered a situation like yours. I cannot risk your safety just to verify my own conjectures."

"Especially since you are a rare Twin Martial Souls Soul Master with Full Innate Soul Power. Your status is already extraordinary. Obtaining a Soul Ring is a crucial matter for any Soul Master, and even more so for you."

"You cannot afford any mistakes. I can no longer make this decision for you."

Hearing this, a strange feeling rose in Duan Fan's heart: Is there really a need to be this cautious?

I'm not even afraid, what are you afraid of?

Li Yi looked toward Li Ruolan, noticing her somewhat complex expression, and couldn't help but speak helplessly, which happened to answer Duan Fan.

"Don't look at me with such strange eyes. I have no choice; I'm afraid of being held accountable."

"You saw Duan Fan's physical strength just now—it's strong, very strong. Based on my experience, absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring is a piece of cake, and he might even have the chance to attempt absorbing a Soul Ring between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred years."

"But can I dare to make such a reckless decision?"

"Even if Duan Fan successfully absorbed a thousand-year Soul Ring, the higher-ups would certainly blame me for not considering his safety."

Li Ruolan sighed softly, "I understand your thoughts. So, what are your plans now?"

Li Yi looked at the path they had come from, as if he had made a decision. "I plan to return to Spirit City first to report this matter and let the higher-ups make the final call."

"We will leave the Star Dou Forest first. You take Duan Fan to rest at a nearby Spirit Hall branch, and I will return to Spirit City alone to report."

"It's a long and tiring journey; rather than dragging Duan Fan along, it's better to let him get some good rest."

"The matter of Twin Martial Souls is no small thing. Once I return, there should be a result very soon."

Li Ruolan glanced at Duan Fan and nodded thoughtfully, "Then let's do as you say."

"In all these years, this is the first time I've encountered such a situation while taking students to obtain Soul Rings."

Li Yi said, "Me too."

Duan Fan listened silently to the conversation between the siblings, Li Yi and Li Ruolan, his heart feeling very complicated.

Why are there so many twists and turns just for me to get a 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 find a nearby small town to rest.

It would take some time to travel from the Star Dou Forest back to Spirit City, so Li Ruolan and Duan Fan could only wait quietly.

Duan Fan's daily routine remained cultivation, only the location had shifted from the Mimicry Cultivation Area of the Spirit Hall Academy to a room in a small-town inn.

Three days later.

Outside the window, the setting sun hung like gauze.

Duan Fan slowly opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light flickering through his pupils before vanishing.

He finished his cultivation and stood up, his joints popping with a soft crackle.

After a full day of cultivation, his soul power had become a bit more solid, but because he had not yet obtained a second Soul Ring, he could not break through the barrier of level twenty.

He pushed open the window, and the evening breeze, carrying the scent of cooking smoke, rushed in, dispersing the silence that filled the room.

Duan Fan let out a long sigh and murmured, "Three days have already passed; Teacher Li Yi should have arrived at Spirit City by now, I reckon."

"I don't know if revealing the matter of my Twin Martial Souls will be good or bad, but it will certainly bring me a great deal of attention."

"I wonder what the situation will be like after this..."

The reason Duan Fan had kept his Twin Martial Souls a secret, not even telling Fang Qingshan, was primarily to leave himself more room for error.

He knew very well that once this matter was made public, he would undoubtedly have to live under the scrutiny of many.

The reason he chose to reveal it this time was to obtain Soul Rings of higher age.

This applied not only to his second Soul Ring but to every subsequent one as well.

The changes in his body would eventually require an explanation, and compared to the Diamond Skill, Twin Martial Souls were clearly the better choice.

His martial souls were, after all, part of him, whereas a body-refining technique was enough to drive people to madness.

"Regardless of whether it's right or wrong, since I've already made this choice, there's no point in dwelling on it. I'll just let nature take its course."

Duan Fan put away his thoughts and then checked on Tang San's current status.

Tang San was currently eating dinner at Notting Academy.

After several months, Tang San's soul power level had finally increased to level thirteen not long ago.

During these days, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had grown closer, yet Tang San still had no intention of taking him as a master.

This 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 on, and there might even be an opportunity to lay a hand on Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer.

It was a pity that Tang San and Ding Xiulun had completely drawn a line between them, leaving Duan Fan unable to see the situation on Ding Xiulun's end.

Duan Fan had once tried to make modifications through Ding Xiulun to put Tang San in danger, but none of those attempts had succeeded.

In Duan Fan's view, Ding Xiulun would certainly take action against Tang San, but those actions had yet to yield any results.