Soul Ring Acquisition Schedule, Cultivation Guidance

Liu Yueming then brought up another matter, her gaze turning to Jing Hongchen. "Dad, the three of us may need to go obtain soul rings later on. Yi and I are both close to reaching the bottleneck for the next stage, so we'll need your help when the time comes."

She paused briefly before continuing, "Yi and I discussed it. The Extreme North Icefield has a unique environment and produces many varieties of ice, snow, water, spiritual, and strength-type soul beasts. It's the most suitable destination. In some time, we'll probably have to make another long journey, so we might as well get everything done in one trip."

Jing Hongchen did not object. Liu Yueming's martial soul was unusual, and only soul rings from the Extreme North Icefield were truly suitable for her. Most of the soul rings Yi Hongchen and Yan Hongchen needed could also be found there.

However, the Extreme North Icefield was a harsh place. Not only were the soul beasts powerful, but most were skilled at using the terrain to their advantage. Deeper within lurked dangers that even he did not dare underestimate.

After pondering for a moment, he said in an unquestionable tone, "The Extreme North is no trivial place. If it's only the three of you going, I can't rest easy. But since you've brought it up, I'll personally accompany you on the trip in a few days. One more person means one more layer of security. Besides, I promised Little Yan that, as his grandfather, I should be the one to help him obtain his soul ring."

Seeing Jing Hongchen agree, Liu Yueming relaxed and said gently, "Then Xiao and Meng will stay home. The Extreme North Icefield isn't suitable for the two of them, and they've only just obtained their soul rings. Once they stabilize their cultivation, we'll guide them for a few days, and then you two can get started and continue cultivating."

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen did not argue. They knew that they were currently only two-ring Grand Soul Masters. Their family might be able to protect Yan Hongchen alone, but if they followed them to the Extreme North, they would only make everyone worry. By staying behind, they could let the adults focus on their work and take proper care of themselves.

"Alright, we understand," the two said in unison.

With the major matters settled and the night already deep, Yi Hongchen said, "Everyone's tired today. Get some rest early. Over the next few days, relax and adjust yourselves properly."

Everyone rose at his words. The warm lights in the hall went out one by one, leaving only a few ever-burning soul lamps beneath the corridors to cast their faint, gentle glow over the figures returning to their rooms.

Ever since Yan Hongchen's martial soul awakened, time had flowed by like deep, still water, passing away without a sound.

Jing Hongchen returned to Mingde Hall and sorted through the hall affairs that had piled up while he had accompanied Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen on their soul-beast hunt.

Documents were piled high as mountains, yet he remained unhurried. He reviewed each one and handled every matter in turn, while also making arrangements in advance for his upcoming departure.

Deep within Mingde Hall, the lights in several high-level soul tool laboratories turned on at once. Several seventh- and eighth-rank soul engineers were crafting a batch of specialized soul tools suited for the Extreme North Icefield:

The "Deep Ice Spirit Detector," capable of precisely detecting life fluctuations and traces of soul beasts beneath the ice; the "Constant-Temperature Protection Badge," which could release a stable field of warmth to ward off the bitter cold; the life-saving "Invincible Shield" and close-fitting inner armor for critical moments; and the "Sealed Milk Bottle," which could replenish soul power at any time...

Every item required repeated testing and adjustment to ensure that it would remain stable and reliable in extreme conditions. Fortunately, every soul engineer in Mingde Hall was highly skilled. Soul tools no higher than the seventh or eighth rank were well within their capabilities.

These were the preparations Jing Hongchen made for the journey to the Extreme North. Beyond that, he instructed his subordinates to prepare cold-dispelling pills, special ointments for frostbite caused by extreme cold, specialized clothing suited to the icefield environment... then personally inspected and tested every item.

As for Yi Hongchen and Liu Yueming, they planned to guide the three children first before cultivating together to break through their final bottlenecks. They were not short on a few days, and the mimicry cultivation chambers and pills required for cultivation were all being prepared.

During this time, Liu Yueming prepared some century-old whale glue for Yan Hongchen to consume. These days were the perfect opportunity to strengthen his physique and make more preparations before he absorbed a soul ring.

The reason she did not use the thousand-year or ten-thousand-year varieties was that their medicinal effects were too fierce and their side effects too obvious. They were unsuitable for a child whose martial soul had only just awakened. Century-old whale glue, once properly balanced, was just right for consumption—it could nourish his foundation without going overboard.

What Yi Hongchen gave Yan Hongchen, meanwhile, was a meditation technique, along with some matters that required attention when absorbing soul rings. He explained as best he could, meticulously guiding Yan Hongchen's cultivation.

After all, although his soul power could not increase for the moment, delaying for a month or two was not a big deal. Still, Yi Hongchen did not want Yan Hongchen to waste time. It was always good to cultivate a little, so that he could adapt more quickly in the future.

"Come, sit cross-legged and steady yourself, with your five centers facing the sky." Yi Hongchen brought Yan Hongchen to an ordinary cultivation room and demonstrated personally.

"The essence of meditation is not forcing your soul power to circulate faster. It lies in making your mind resonate with your martial soul. Since your soul power cannot grow yet, this is the best time to refine your senses and temper your control."

Yan Hongchen followed his instructions, while Yi Hongchen carefully observed from the side and offered guidance from time to time. "Breathe more deeply. Let your intent follow your meridians. Don't force it with brute strength. Imagine your soul power as a stream, constantly flowing through your body. The calmer your heart is, the more obedient it becomes."

Once Yan Hongchen gradually entered a meditative state, Yi Hongchen softened his voice and continued, "When you absorb a soul ring in the future, the energy it brings will be a hundred times more violent than what you feel now. At that time, as long as your body can endure the soul ring, what will be tested is the calmness you cultivate now, as well as your precise control over soul power. Remember: a soul master's greatest enemy is often not just soul beasts, but themselves."

For several days in a row, Yi Hongchen broke these principles down and explained them thoroughly to Yan Hongchen—from the path soul power took during meditation, to the possible reactions when soul rings of different attributes merged with a martial soul, to how to keep his mind clear when facing backlash.

Yi Hongchen spoke at an unhurried pace, and Yan Hongchen listened attentively. After all, he had truly never experienced any of this before. He could only do his utmost to learn, so that he would not be caught off guard when absorbing a soul ring.

"In cultivation, one's foundation is paramount." Yi Hongchen reminded Yan Hongchen, "Every bit of foundation you lay now will become a step for you to climb the heights in the future."

As for Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, they were no longer ignorant youngsters who had just entered the world of soul masters, so there was no need to say much. What the two of them needed was practical combat.

Yi Hongchen and Liu Yueming did indeed have plans in that regard, but they intended to offer some guidance only after Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had stabilized their soul power cultivation.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen accompanied Yan Hongchen in meditation for several days, and their cultivation gradually stabilized. When they reached level twenty, they each consumed their second Mystic Water Pill. In terms of innate soul power, Meng Hongchen possessed the advantage of full innate soul power, putting her overall level one rank above Xiao Hongchen's.

Xiao Hongchen was truly itching for a fight, eager to test his soul skills. Early in the morning, he dragged Yan Hongchen to the training ground.