First Soul Ring, Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear

She Long took Yun Chen to the nearby Sunset Forest. Along the way, the Serpent Spear Douluo taught Yun Chen many basic theories about soul masters.

"Little Chen, I heard that you studied a great deal of soul master theory at the orphanage, especially knowledge about soul beasts."

"Let me test you, then. How do you think you should choose your first soul ring?"

During their conversations along the way, She Long was surprised to discover that Yun Chen's knowledge was quite solid. For much of the basic theoretical knowledge, he only needed a few minor corrections.

This also gave She Long the urge to test him.

"Uh... the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff is a super soul beast among soul beasts."

"If I had to classify it, it should belong to either the canine or feline family. Its innate attribute is also unclear, but if I had to guess, it would be a metal attribute or a strength attribute."

"Also, the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff is inherently of high quality, so there's no need to consider using the bloodline of a high-level soul beast to reshape a weak martial soul."

"But at the same time, precisely because the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff is of such high quality, the soul ring chosen must also be close to its level."

As She Long listened to Yun Chen's analysis, he nodded repeatedly. It was no different from his own initial assessment.

The look in his eyes as he regarded Yun Chen became increasingly appreciative.

"The best choice would naturally be a Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff, but that kind of soul beast is nearly extinct. Even if we wanted to find one, we probably couldn't."

"The next best option would be a powerful strength-type or metal-type feline or canine soul beast."

"For example, a Scarlet Gold Lion, or the more famous canine-type Hell Three-Headed Dog."

"Of course, other high-quality soul beasts with matching attributes would work as well."

Just as Yun Chen had said, how could a soul beast like the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff be found so easily?

In that case, settling for a high-quality feline or canine soul beast would also be acceptable.

Of course, Yun Chen himself leaned more toward a soul beast possessing both strength and metal attributes. The soul skill it granted him might be better that way.

"Mm, your analysis is correct. You truly are no ordinary genius. After all, ordinary geniuses only know how to bury their heads in cultivation."

"But you clearly possess exceptional intelligence as well."

"Strength without brains won't get you far. Your diligence and thirst for knowledge, combined with a super martial soul like the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff, will make the road ahead much smoother for you."

From She Long's words, it was clear that he thought very highly of Yun Chen. He sincerely admired this talented, hardworking, and eager-to-learn youth.

Moreover, judging from this, the boy's character was genuinely quite good.

"The soul beasts in Sunset Forest are generally not of particularly high quality, but there should still be a few suitable for you. We'll search carefully; it may take several days."

"At the same time, remember what I told you. No matter when it is in the future, when obtaining a soul ring, always remember that it is better to go without than settle for something inferior."

"Every soul ring is the foundation of a soul master's strength. You absolutely cannot be careless with them."

Yun Chen nodded. How could he not understand such a principle? If the protagonist Tang San had not possessed protagonist's luck, Yu Xiaogang's haphazard soul ring choices would have crippled him long ago.

Blue Silver Grass taking the control route was understandable, but what the hell was with taking the poison route? No wonder the Douluo fandom from his previous life had been constantly trashing Yu Xiaogang.

After all, the Blue Silver Emperor Tang San awakened later was clearly a life-attribute martial soul. Didn't giving it poison attributes early on conflict with that?

And the facts proved that Tang San's poison was useless. It was unusable in major battles, and unnecessary in minor ones.

"Mm. If Sunset Forest truly doesn't have anything suitable, we'll have to go to Star Dou Great Forest to search."

Within Sunset Forest.

Two figures, one large and one small, raced through vast stretches of woodland at incredible speed.

They had already searched for two days without finding a suitable soul beast. They had actually found a Scarlet Gold Lion that was fairly suitable, but its cultivation was far too high. That Scarlet Gold Lion had already lived for more than a thousand years.

Yun Chen actually regretted things a little. If he had known earlier, he would have gotten whale glue first. Then his first soul ring could have been over a thousand years old.

Their journey had still been accompanied by plenty of bloodshed, but She Long had fended it all off. After all, soul beast forests were truly chaotic places.

Along the way, Yun Chen had thrown up several times. Those scenes had simply been too bloody.

She Long understood Yun Chen's current state well. Each time, he gently comforted him and shared embarrassing stories from his own past about the first time he had killed someone, hoping to ease Yun Chen's mind.

Fortunately, Yun Chen had strong nerves. He gradually adapted and returned to being his usual cheerful self.

"Mm, you brat are adapting pretty well."

"Hehe, there's no helping it. People have to accept it eventually. But it really is disgusting."

"Hahahaha! You really suit my tastes, kid. If you hadn't been claimed by that person... I really would have wanted to..."

She Long spoke, then suddenly seemed to remember something and hastily shut his mouth. However, Yun Chen had already caught the implication behind his words.

"All right, kid. Your luck is truly good. It seems your first soul ring has arrived."

Yun Chen followed She Long's gaze. He could not see clearly, but in She Long's eyes, a massive creature had already appeared.

Dark-gold fur, three sharp claws, and the shape of a bear—its identity was obvious: a Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear.

"Judging by its age, it's a four-hundred-year-old Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear cub. I just wonder where its mother is. Normally, one this young should have its mother nearby."

The Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear was currently sitting beneath a tree, leisurely eating honey. Of course, it seemed that the honey had been stolen, because beside it lay the corpse of a Dreadclaw Bear.

"Little Chen, wait here. I'll be right back."

As soon as the words fell, She Long leaped forward. A serpent spear appeared in his right hand. He did not even summon his martial soul; with a single throw of the spear, he pierced straight through the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's body.

"Roar! Roar!"

The Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's agonized cries echoed through the forest. The next second, She Long's fist came down. With a bang, the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's massive body was sent flying, smashing through dozens of tree trunks before gradually coming to a stop from inertia.

Dust and mist billowed before his eyes, making it hard for Yun Chen to keep them open. When the haze finally dispersed, She Long was already carrying the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's enormous body over to him.

With a bang, She Long threw the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear's huge body down in front of Yun Chen.

"Aim for its eye socket and stab down. Finish it. This will be your first soul ring."

She Long spoke calmly, but in Yun Chen's eyes, his figure seemed to grow infinitely taller.

Good heavens. If anyone ever dares say She Long is weak again, taking down a four-hundred-year Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear is as easy for him as killing a chicken.

Didn't the original novel say that a thousand-year Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear could fight a ten-thousand-year soul beast? Those stats don't seem to show here at all.

Is this really the weakest Title Douluo I know?