Innate Soul Power Level 20!

Because she knew Columbina's identity, Mavuika nodded at the conclusion without arguing and moved on to another topic:

"I just tried to manifest a physical body in this world. The good news is that the idea is feasible. The bad news is that, for some reason, I didn't succeed just now. I think it's probably because I'm not strong enough in my current state, or perhaps because the Traveler doesn't have enough Soul Power to serve as our vessel."

Hearing Mavuika say this, Xu Tianming froze for a moment and fell into thought.

Through his conversations with Mavuika and Columbina, Xu Tianming had learned that both women regarded him as the Traveler, and he had adopted that perspective himself.

After all, he really had played Genshin Impact before transmigrating, and he had chosen the male protagonist as his character in the game. After immersing himself in the experience, the events in the game had felt as though he had personally lived through them.

Because of this, Mavuika and Columbina both trusted Xu Tianming deeply, and he felt the same way about them.

Aside from the symbiotic bond between the two women and himself, their character alone was more than enough to earn his trust.

So if there was anything he could do to help them, he would never refuse. After all, doing so could benefit him to some extent, too:

"My lack of Soul Power is easy to solve... If you're the one who lacks strength, what do you need to do to recover quickly?"

"That's simple. As the God of Fire, I only need to absorb enough sunlight for my power to gradually grow stronger. If I want to recover faster... I don't know whether I can absorb Battle Intent in this world. If I can, I imagine my strength will grow much faster."

Mavuika's reply made Xu Tianming's eyes light up.

He couldn't help marveling that, as Natlan's Pyro Archon, even her method of growing stronger was so outrageous.

"I just tried communicating with this world's moon. It told me that as long as the Traveler grows stronger, we'll grow stronger, too. And after we obtain a certain number of... Soul Rings, the power and Authority we possessed in Teyvat will also be restored."

Hearing Columbina's words, a glimmer of delight appeared in Xu Tianming's eyes.

"Getting a Soul Ring is easy. Wait here—I'll go find a way to get one so we can run a test!"

With that, Xu Tianming's consciousness left his Mental Sea of Consciousness and returned to reality.

Although he had been away for only a few minutes, he was taken aback by the change in the emotions around him when he returned.

Strange. Why do these people suddenly look so... astonished?

Xu Tianming clearly remembered that before his consciousness sank into his Mental Sea of Consciousness, the people nearby had praised his Twin Martial Souls, but they hadn't been anywhere near this astonished.

What could have happened in such a short time?

Just as Xu Tianming was pondering this, a minister suddenly spoke up, answering the question in his mind:

"I-Innate Soul Power Level 20! Heavens, am I dreaming?"

His words seemed to flip a switch. In an instant, wave after wave of astonished exclamations and praise filled the air once more.

So that was it. They were shocked by his Innate Soul Power Level 20.

"Silence!"

Just as the crowd's excitement was reaching its peak, Xu Tianran suddenly cut them off with a cold voice.

Hearing the Second Prince, the ministers did their utmost to keep their mouths shut, afraid of angering him.

Xu Tianran swept his gaze over them. Seeing no one disobey, he nodded in satisfaction, then issued a cold command:

"From today onward, the matter of my fourth younger brother's talent is to be classified as the highest state secret of the Sun Moon Empire! No one may disclose it without the royal family's permission! Anyone who disobeys will be charged with treason! I'll report this to Father personally later. If any of you have objections, you may raise them now."

Xu Tianran seemed mild-mannered on the surface, but when he got serious, the ministers who held power over the court hardly dared to provoke him. They all nodded respectfully and agreed, saying that it was only right.

Once all the "irrelevant parties" had signed the confidentiality agreements and left, Xu Tianran immediately put on a smile again:

"Fourth Brother, it looks like you might become the first Limit Douluo in our Sun Moon Empire's history! If that really happens, I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of those people from Shrek Academy. Hahaha!"

Xu Tianming took in Xu Tianran's reaction but said nothing about it. Instead, he spoke with the innocence expected of a six-year-old child:

"Second Brother, let's not talk about that yet. Since I already have Innate Full Soul Power, when can I go to the Evil Demon Forest to get a Soul Ring?"

Xu Tianran didn't find Xu Tianming's reaction suspicious. After a moment's thought, he looked toward Kong Deming, who was smiling beside them.

Before he could speak, Kong Deming, an old hand who'd seen it all, had already understood what Xu Tianran meant. He clapped Xu Tianming on the shoulder and spoke first:

"There's no need to trouble His Highness the Second Prince with getting you a Soul Ring. This old man will go with you."

His words left Xu Tianming astonished once again.

He had originally thought that having a Soul Saint accompany him for protection would be enough. He hadn't expected his uncle to value him so highly!

With the Sun Moon Empire's chief offering accompanying him, even if they ran into the Evil Emperor, the ruler of the Evil Demon Forest's Soul Beasts, he would be able to retreat unharmed!

"Really? Uncle, you're coming with me to hunt for a Soul Ring? Great! When are we leaving?"

Kong Deming smiled kindly at that.

"Hehe, we can leave whenever you like. But before you get a Soul Ring, you need to think about one thing: between the Sun Martial Soul and the Silver Moon Martial Soul, which one do you plan to focus on first?"

Hearing the question, Xu Tianming fell into thought. Meanwhile, Mavuika and Columbina, who were listening to the conversation in his Mental Sea of Consciousness, couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

There was no other reason: whichever Martial Soul Xu Tianming chose to focus on would be the one whose wielder could first recover her Authority and strength in this world.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if one of them recovered later, but when they were in another world, having strength to rely on would still make them feel more at ease.

Although both hoped Xu Tianming would choose the Martial Soul they represented, neither said a word. They had both received help from Xu Tianming—the Traveler—and trusted unconditionally that his choice would be made for a reason.

Xu Tianming was in a bit of a bind.

Choosing the Sun Martial Soul would restore Mavuika's power and Authority, greatly increasing his own combat strength in the early stages.

But if he chose the Silver Moon Martial Soul and restored Columbina's power and Authority...

Based on what Xu Tianming knew about Columbina, her abilities seemed to lean toward support. But if she could fully regain the Authority of the Three Moons, perhaps her combat ability would be on par with Mavuika's.

Xu Tianming couldn't decide.