Soul Ring Color Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Sea Dragon's Little Secret, Time Furoshiki

Hearing Qian Ni refuse, Bo Saixi was puzzled.

Before she could ask, Qian Ni took the initiative to explain.

"I can continue cultivating Soul Power without absorbing Soul Rings. The Soul Power Levels I gain will show once I obtain a Soul Ring.

"Rather than absorb a Hundred-Year Soul Ring now, I'd rather keep cultivating and wait until my body matures before absorbing Soul Rings with higher age limits.

"I didn't spend six years in Spirit Hall for nothing.

"It's true that absorbing Soul Rings tempers the body, but that's not the only way to train it.

"Daily exercise, external blows combined with medicinal tempering—even the most basic circulation of Soul Power can strengthen the body.

"Why rush for quick results and absorb Soul Rings so early?

"Wouldn't it be better to start with Thousand-Year or Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings from the very first ring once I've developed properly?"

Bo Saixi shook her head. What Qian Ni said wasn't impossible.

But there was also a simple question of cost-effectiveness.

She explained, "Once you possess Soul Rings, your martial soul gradually evolves, and your cultivation speed increases as well.

"What you said makes some sense, but if ordinary Soul Masters did that, they'd actually be worse off than following the normal process of absorbing Soul Rings.

"After all, compared to the body-tempering effects of Soul Rings, training on your own is still far too slow."

Qian Ni didn't deny that. If a system could function, it meant it suited the masses.

But he still insisted, "I'm not an ordinary Soul Master. I have my own rhythm."

He truly had no interest in Hundred-Year or Thousand-Year Soul Rings.

He already had cheats. Even without transforming into the White Devil, Ultimate Power would subtly strengthen his body.

Could that still count as an ordinary Soul Master?

He was a cheater. He was destined not to walk an ordinary path.

Besides, Qian Ni had obsessive-compulsive disorder and couldn't stand mixed-color Soul Rings.

He decided to lie low on Sea God Island and develop for a few years. Since Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings were troublesome to find, he'd start his first ring with a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

A uniform black would look so much more pleasing.

In any case, his true trump card wasn't the martial soul system. He might as well make it easier on his eyes.

His martial soul was the support-type Twin-Winged Bird. Judging by its abilities, it could practically be called selflessly altruistic.

The Twin-Winged Bird martial soul could only serve as his disguise. Ever since awakening it, he had never once been happy about it.

What he wanted was a powerful assault where every punch struck flesh!

Thinking of that, passion blazed in Qian Ni's heart.

"My first Soul Ring will start at ten thousand years!"

The three people present all drew sharp breaths.

Sea Witch widened her eyes and couldn't help laughing.

"A Ten-Thousand-Year first Soul Ring? Kid, you really dare to dream."

Bo Saixi explained helplessly.

"A-Ni, don't aim too high. When absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, there will be..."

Qian Ni cut her off directly.

"I know. Soul Shock. What's the big deal?

"Just shatter the soul before absorbing it. If the soul is smashed to pieces, what the hell is left to shock?

"My father is Qian Daoliu. I'm Qian Ni, master of lying low. If I don't manage a Ten-Thousand-Year first ring, I won't feel right."

Bo Saixi was speechless. Putting aside the issue with Qian and lying low, she had only just remembered that Qian Ni possessed mental attacks after transforming.

Judging from the intensity of his killing intent, shattering the soul of a Ten-Thousand-Year soul beast wasn't impossible.

It was just... she had only just made an agreement with him.

"You promised me that before mastering it, you wouldn't casually use that dark power."

Qian Ni didn't argue. He said, "I don't need to transform. I can just use killing intent in my normal state.

"I'll keep my promises, Grandma Bo Saixi. You don't need to worry."

His argument was sound, and Bo Saixi had no reason to oppose him.

Sea Witch and Sea Dragon had personally seen him kick the divine guardians into serious injuries one after another. For the moment, neither dared to interrupt.

Just then, waves of melodious bells rang out from beyond Sea God's Temple.

The chimes resembled rainfall, pattering endlessly without pause.

"What is that?" Qian Ni asked curiously.

Sea Witch said with a smile, "In a few days, it'll be the annual day of prayer to Lord Sea God.

"The island's stewards are making preparations.

"Every year at this time, Sea Soul Masters pray to Sea God, offer tributes, and thank him for his protection.

"You arrived at just the right time. You can join us then."

Hearing that, Qian Ni became interested and planned to broaden his horizons when the time came.

Bo Saixi interrupted their conversation and said,

"A-Ni, it's good that you have your own plans.

"But don't waste your talent. You can set aside the matter of Soul Rings for now. I will inspect your cultivation progress at any time.

"I don't want to force you, but when it comes to cultivation, you should consider the opinions of those who came before you.

"When your strength surpasses mine, you can guide me in turn."

Qian Ni didn't refuse. He had confidence in himself and the system.

"No problem. I'll accept inspections anytime."

And so, Qian Ni's first day after returning to Sea God Island began.

Back in Spirit City, he had meditated and trained every day without slacking off in order to increase his Innate Soul Power.

Now, he had merely changed locations.

He lived with Sea Dragon in Sea Dragon City.

Though Sacred Pillar Guardians held lofty status, they lived simply, with none of the extravagance of Heaven Dou and Star Luo nobles.

Life on Sea God Island made Qian Ni feel very comfortable.

Qian Ni's daily routine became training his body and familiarizing himself with Sea God Island's surroundings during the day, then replacing sleep with meditation and cultivating Soul Power at night.

For Soul Masters, Sea God Island was a holy land. Not only were there countless kinds of sea soul beasts, but the island also had all kinds of places suited for Sea Soul Masters to cultivate.

There were methods for tempering the spirit and training the body alike, fully making use of the island's geographical advantages.

Using the impact of ocean currents and the crushing pressure of seawater to train the body was a classic cultivation method.

As Qian Ni formulated his cultivation plan, Sea God's Prayer Day arrived as scheduled.

Sea God Island had eight inner islands, corresponding respectively to Sea God Mountain and the seven Sacred Pillars.

The annual Sea God's Prayer Day was extremely important to Sea Soul Masters.

Even the Sacred Pillar Guardians were exceptionally busy. With one day left before the ceremony, Sea Dragon was so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

Qian Ni pushed open his door, intending to ask a few cultivation questions, only to find no one there.

After interacting for the past few days, he and Sea Dragon had become much more familiar.

Though this Title Douluo looked tall and imposing, he was actually a very gentle uncle.

"Uncle Sea Dragon isn't here?

"Everyone's busy. Being busy is good..."

Shaking his head, he left the room and began his day's cultivation on his own.

At the same time, he considered how exactly he was supposed to achieve the "Certain Causality" needed to obtain a Fate Stone.

When he returned that evening, Sea Dragon was still nowhere to be found.

That left Qian Ni somewhat confused.

"Is he really that busy?"

He lit the whale-oil lamp, and the dark room was immediately illuminated.

Qian Ni instantly noticed that the room's arrangement had changed slightly since morning.

One drawer in the cabinet was half-open, and on the table sat a plate of black, cookie-like things.

"What is this?"

Out of curiosity, Qian Ni casually picked one up and sniffed it. It had a faint fragrance.

After chewing it, he found it slightly bitter. The flavor was unusual, but not unpleasant.

Qian Ni stuffed two more into his mouth, chewing as he moved closer to the cabinet and its half-open drawer.

A booklet lay haphazardly inside.

Sorry, Uncle. I'll admit my mistake when you get back. I just want to see what treasures you've got in your cabinet.

He picked up the booklet and flipped through it casually. In an instant, Qian Ni's eyes widened.

After examining it carefully for a moment, he frowned again.

That's it? Where did you find this kind of material? The drawings are terrible.

The poses are pretty varied, but the artwork is way too mediocre.

Sea Dragon's treasure in the cabinet was actually an illustrated Adult Cultivation Manual!

Unfortunately, to the battle-hardened Qian Ni, it was merely so-so.

As he flipped through it, he suddenly felt heat rise in his lower abdomen.

Qian Ni immediately sensed something was wrong and abruptly turned to look at the plate of black cookies on the table.

This is... Whale Rubber!

Uncle Sea Dragon, you eat this as a snack?

You put it right on the table? And eat plate after plate of it?

Qian Ni chewed twice more and remembered additional details.

I remember this stuff can improve physical fitness and allow Soul Masters to absorb Soul Rings with higher age limits.

But it seems no one has discovered that function yet. It's only used to enhance pleasure.

Uncle Sea Dragon, not bad. Tomorrow's the prayer ceremony, and you're going out to have fun tonight?

Qian Ni didn't care about Whale Rubber's side effects.

His body was only six years old and hadn't even fully developed. Whale Rubber's minor side effects meant nothing to him.

As for possibly exploding from eating too much, he possessed Ultimate Power. Why would he fear such a small medicinal effect?

It tastes all right. Two more!

With that thought, Qian Ni stuffed two more into his mouth.

Feeling his body grow hotter and hotter, Qian Ni felt pleasantly warm, while the heat left his consciousness somewhat hazy.

Ultimate Power instinctively shattered the excess potency, stimulating his body to absorb it.

His still-immature Supreme Bone quietly stirred.

Qian Ni lowered his head and stared for several seconds. Then he suddenly remembered something, picked up the plate of cookies, tucked Sea Dragon's secret Adult Cultivation Manual under his arm, and returned to his own room.

He remembered that he had drawn something good before.

The Time Furoshiki.