First Soul Skill (Part 2)

"Dong'er, before hunting a soul beast, you need to decide what kind of Soul Master you want to become."

After confirming that Yang Dong's Mutated Martial Soul could accelerate cultivation, the invisible gloom that had been hanging over Lin Qiuyu dissipated considerably. She seemed much more at ease, though Lin Nuo was the only one who noticed.

"There are two major categories of Martial Souls: Beast Martial Souls and Tool Martial Souls. Depending on one's Martial Soul and skills, there are also several classifications, such as Attack Type, Agility Type, Support Type, and Control Type. This choice concerns your future. Dong'er, you must choose carefully."

Looking at her son, Lin Qiuyu continued, "Your Ghost Hand Martial Soul is a Mutated Martial Soul, so even Mother doesn't know what path it should take."

Yang Dong's thoughts stirred, and the Ghost Hand Martial Soul spread from his left arm, revealing itself directly before them.

It was also Lin Nuo and Butler Ma's first time seeing it. Looking at Yang Dong's left arm, which had turned into something no longer human, they felt an indescribable aura from it. True to its name, it resembled a ghostly hand from hell.

"So this is the Ghost Hand Martial Soul? It really is rather unusual."

Lin Nuo clicked his tongue in wonder.

Yang Dong raised his left arm, wreathed in black mist, and looked at Lin Qiuyu. "Mother, I've decided. I want to become an Attack Type Soul Master!"

"Have you really decided?"

Lin Qiuyu's brow relaxed. She was not surprised that her son had made his choice so quickly.

"Yes."

Yang Dong nodded firmly.

"Good! Father, there should be a place near Nuomi City where soul beasts are kept, right?"

Lin Qiuyu stroked Yang Dong's head as she turned to look at her father.

Decisive and efficient—this had always been Lin Qiuyu's way. No matter what she did, she acted swiftly. If something could be done today, she would never delay it until tomorrow.

It was precisely because of this personality that Lin Qiuyu had so quickly brought Yang Dong from the Chuyun Kingdom to the heartland of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"There is one. Four hundred li northeast of Nuomi City lies a Spirit Hunting Forest. It has many soul beasts raised by the Empire. If it's only for a first Soul Ring, I believe you can find something suitable there. But now, that place..."

At this point, Lin Nuo's expression turned somewhat grim, and he could not continue.

"Spirit Hall again?"

Seeing her father's expression, Lin Qiuyu immediately guessed what had happened.

"Miss is correct. Three years ago, the Empire issued a decree placing all Spirit Hunting Forests within its borders under Spirit Hall's authority. The master submitted a memorial over this matter at the time, but it vanished without a trace. There was never any response."

Butler Ma took over, saying what Lin Nuo had been unable to finish.

"Spirit Hall really is overbearing."

Yang Dong muttered to himself. This was precisely the era when Spirit Hall was establishing its hegemony. Taking control of the Soul Awakening Ceremony and assuming authority over the Spirit Hunting Forests—behind every step stood a shrewd chess player manipulating it all.

Qian Daoliu had truly been underestimated far too much!

"Father, this is the Empire's business. I told you long ago, if even the Empire itself isn't concerned, then you shouldn't concern yourself with it either. Butler Ma, prepare the carriage. I'm taking Dong'er to the Spirit Hunting Forest today."

Butler Ma glanced at Lin Nuo several times. When he saw that Lin Nuo did not speak to stop her, he hurried away. Before long, the carriage was ready.

"Miss, would you like to have breakfast before leaving?"

"No need. I'll buy something along the way. It's four hundred li there, and the round trip will probably take more than three days. I'll set off with Dong'er first."

After speaking, Lin Qiuyu sighed and looked at the elderly man before her, who had already begun to stoop. "Butler Ma, help me persuade my father. Whether it is the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, this is ultimately a world of Soul Masters. Take the Chuyun Kingdom, where the Wind Sword Sect is located—even the royal family there has to treat me with the utmost respect when they see me."

"Why is that? I think you understand it clearly too, Uncle Ma. How could little Nuomi City possibly stand against Spirit Hall? Even the Wind Sword Sect would not dare to easily make an enemy of Spirit Hall!"

Yang Dong listened quietly without voicing any opinion. In truth, even if he did offer one, no one would care about the opinion of a six-year-old child. He was too young—so young that hardly anyone would care about what he thought.

"Understood, Miss."

Butler Ma lowered his head. No emotion could be seen on his aged face. He neither agreed nor refused. Perhaps understanding simply meant understanding.

The day passed quickly. They had set out in the morning, and by dusk, Yang Yu had arrived at a place covered in primeval forest. However, the forest was far from as quiet as he had imagined. Many tents lit by lanterns stood around its outskirts.

Figures moved about all around those tents, and even from a distance, the place sounded incredibly noisy.

"Why are there so many people here?" Yang Dong asked curiously.

"Some unofficial Soul Masters need to hunt soul beasts after reaching a bottleneck as well. Going into such a dangerous place alone is too risky, so they form teams here. Others stay here to make a profit. Dong'er, you must not trust these people easily. Once you enter the forest, they might turn around and attack you at any moment."

Lin Qiuyu patiently explained, passing on some valuable experience.

"Are we staying here tonight too?"

Yang Dong nodded, then asked again.

"No. We'll stay over there."

Yang Dong followed the direction of Lin Qiuyu's finger. Under the hazy night sky, he could still see where she was pointing—it was the encampment of Spirit Hall's stationed forces.

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Qiuyu had the coachman drive the carriage onward toward Spirit Hall's camp.

Creak!

Creak!

Under the watchful eyes of many people, the carriage slowly headed toward Spirit Hall's camp.

"A Golden Phoenix has actually come to a little place like Nuomi City. That's really rare!"

"Isn't it?"

"But do you think she can get in? I've been here for over four years, and I've barely seen any nobles enter Spirit Hall's camp."

The quiet discussions could not halt the carriage. Before long, it arrived outside the camp of Spirit Hall's stationed forces.

"Spirit Hall grounds. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden from entering!"

Spirit Hall had long noticed the commotion. A burly middle-aged man now stood before Yang Dong and his mother. His entire body was clad in thick armor, and his eyes carried a frightening glare.

Lin Qiuyu lifted the curtain and tossed a token toward him.

Wind Sword Sect!

The middle-aged man caught the token and examined it. After confirming that it was not a forgery, a subtle change appeared on his face. He respectfully held the token in both hands and returned it to Lin Qiuyu.

"Please come in!"