Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo's grave, battle-ready demeanor and stern warning left Lin Ze'an stunned.
He nodded instinctively, then only belatedly realized what the ability he had just displayed truly meant.
This was a world of fantasy, where possessing a treasure could bring disaster.
It was not merely a blessing; it was a root of calamity, one that could bring utter destruction.
His gaze involuntarily shifted to the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's corpse on the ground, long since drained of all life. He stared at it, momentarily lost in thought.
Life was precious... Soul Beasts were living beings, too.
Humans hunted Soul Beasts and claimed their Soul Rings so they could keep cultivating, survive, and protect what mattered to them. It was also the rule of this continent.
But what about needless, additional killing, done solely to plunder the energy in their Soul Rings and strengthen oneself... Was that really right?
That had been close. One step more, and he would have gone down the wrong path.
Mo Ruier had never been fond of fighting. When it came to life, she was more sensitive than anyone else.
She would feel sorrow when war destroyed the green mountains, so in battle, she was more inclined to heal her injured companions.
Such a pure soul must not be let down.
Lin Ze'an lowered his head and fell silent for a moment. When he raised it again, much of the confusion and uncertainty in his eyes had faded.
He said quietly, "Master, I understand. This ability came to me, and I won't let it bring disaster."
Seeing how sensible his disciple was, Yue Guan felt both comforted and heartbroken.
He nodded, then his face clouded with hesitation and anxiety. His gaze shifted involuntarily to Ghost Douluo beside him, even carrying a trace of pleading.
After spending so many years together, day and night, fighting side by side, how could Ghost Douluo not understand what he meant?
Before Yue Guan could speak, Ghost Douluo's hoarse, low voice rang out. "You happened to consume a rare heavenly treasure, and that's what allowed your Soul Ring to evolve."
He paused, then added, "You've already eaten it, so there's no proof either way. If the Pope has doubts, I'll back you up."
At that, Yue Guan's eyes lit up, and he let out a long breath. "Old Ghost... thank you."
The weight on his heart had finally lifted. With this explanation and Old Ghost's testimony, even if the Pope had doubts, there was a good chance he'd believe it was a fortuitous opportunity.
A flicker of gratitude also crossed Lin Ze'an's eyes. He stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Ghost Douluo. "Thank you, Uncle Ghost. Lin Ze'an will remember this."
Ghost Douluo was his master's close friend. Calling him "Your Excellency" would be too distant, and by seniority, "Uncle" was just right.
Ghost Douluo was taken aback.
His gaze settled on Lin Ze'an. A moment later, he replied slowly, "Mm. Let's go."
Yue Guan watched from the side, smiling as he patted Lin Ze'an on the shoulder. "Old Ghost may look cold, but he's warmhearted. If you can't find me when you need something, you can go to your Uncle Ghost!"
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Following Lin Ze'an's senses, they finally found a plant Soul Beast that looked promising.
It was a plant about half a person tall, a rich jade green from top to bottom. Its shape was somewhat like an orchid, but not quite. Its leaves were thick and crystalline, and a bowl-sized flower bloomed at its tip, radiating a brilliant green light.
As the light flowed, it gave off a pure, soothing aura and a gentle healing force.
Even the plants and grass surrounding it looked especially lush and verdant.
"We found it!" Lin Ze'an's eyes brightened as he pointed to the plant.
He had sensed a plant nearby whose attributes resonated with his own.
Yue Guan hesitated. "It looks like a roughly thousand-year-old Jade Spirit Healing Flower. It has healing and mild purifying effects, making it one of the finest healing-type plant Soul Beasts."
"Its energy is gentle, so it suits the life attribute of your Martial Soul. With your talent, absorbing it shouldn't be risky, but..."
He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Are you sure you want to choose this one? It has no offensive power."
In his eyes, his precious disciple had such exceptional talent. Using his First Soul Ring to gain a purely healing skill seemed like a bit of a waste.
Lin Ze'an simply nodded. "Master, even if we keep looking, we might not find anything more suitable. Let's choose this one."
If he wasn't mistaken, Soul Rings from Douluo Continent wouldn't affect Mo Ruier. Whatever Soul Skill she was supposed to have would remain the same.
Thinking of this, Lin Ze'an lifted his little face and explained to Yue Guan, "I know you're worried that choosing a healing Soul Skill will limit my future development."
"But Master, Mo Ruier herself is the embodiment of life. Healing and protection are her instincts."
"This Jade Spirit Healing Flower's attributes are a perfect match, and its energy is gentle and pure. It's the best choice for me."
He paused, then added, "Besides, powerful healing is also a form of protection. I can protect myself, and I can protect others, too."
Though these words came from a mere six-year-old child, they sounded remarkably mature.
The two beside him were both taken aback. They hadn't expected Lin Ze'an to understand his Martial Soul so deeply at such a young age.
Yue Guan crouched down and gently ruffled Lin Ze'an's hair. "All right. Since you've decided, then this is the one."
At that, Lin Ze'an took a deep breath and slowly raised his little hand, gently placing it on the Jade Spirit Healing Flower.
The moment his palm touched the petals, the plant, which had been brimming with life, seemed to sense something. It trembled slightly.
Then the entire plant slowly turned into countless sparkling green motes of light, gathering and swirling gracefully in the air.
Before long, they condensed into a Soul Ring glowing jade green.
But soon, that shade of green gradually turned the pale purple familiar to them all.
A thousand-year Soul Ring now hovered quietly before Lin Ze'an, rotating slowly.
Yue Guan's eyes lit up. He hurriedly said, "Now! Sit cross-legged, relax your mind, and sense it through meditation."
"Guide this energy into a fusion with your Martial Soul. Your Uncle Ghost and I will guard you. Don't be afraid."
At that, Lin Ze'an didn't hesitate. He sat cross-legged where the Jade Spirit Healing Flower had grown.
He slowly closed his eyes and began trying to connect with his very first Soul Ring.
At the same time, Mo Ruier released an invisible aura of life, gentle to the extreme.
It was like a spring breeze sweeping across the earth. Wherever it passed, even the dust in the air seemed to come alive.
Even more astonishing, this aura quickly gathered around Lin Ze'an, forming a domain.
Seeing this, Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance. In both their eyes, disbelief appeared.
"That's... a domain?!"
And not just any domain, but one of the rarest kinds—a domain accompanying a Martial Soul.
But in the next second, excitement eclipsed shock. Yue Guan exclaimed, his voice trembling, "That's my disciple! Hahaha! My disciple has the makings of a god!"
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