Random Soul Spirit

Hmph.

Hei Lin's cold snort was like a tempered steel needle, viciously piercing through the dazed sorrow that had frozen Bai Lin's mind at the astronomical price.

Bai Lin suddenly came back to himself, his awareness "looking" toward the figure in the corner of his sea of consciousness that radiated a sinister aura.

His clear brown eyes instantly misted over in reality. The immense sense of loss and helplessness nearly drowned him, and the voice conveyed through his consciousness was choked with sobs:

"Hei Lin..."

"We don't have enough money..."

"We can't afford a Soul Spirit anymore..."

A savage chill surged in Hei Lin's cold black eyes like a storm, only to be forcibly suppressed by extreme rationality.

He looked at Bai Lin, his voice carrying a coldness and clarity far beyond his age:

"So what if we don't have enough money?"

"I really want to tear down this damn tower right now and snatch the Soul Spirit!"

His thoughts were like a vicious blade drawn from its sheath, filled with undisguised killing intent.

"But the reality is that we're too weak!"

"We're as weak as ants by the roadside!"

"In their eyes, our anger probably wouldn't even cause a ripple. It would only bring us the fate of being crushed beneath a foot!"

That icy sense of reality was like a bucket of cold water over Bai Lin's head, instantly cooling his overheated mind.

Hei Lin's voice continued, carrying an almost cruel plan:

"If we don't have enough money, then save up again!"

"It's only a matter of time."

"Don't forget what Teacher Lin said in class."

Hei Lin reminded him, his voice carrying a trace of deliberate guidance.

"Soul power won't stop growing just because you lack a soul ring."

"Even if we can only afford a Soul Spirit next year or the year after, as long as we keep cultivating, our soul power will still accumulate and grow!"

"When we add a soul ring in one go then, our starting point will be even higher!"

That cold chain of logic was like a sturdy skeleton, instantly propping up Bai Lin's nearly collapsed faith.

Yeah, just a little later...

As long as he didn't give up, his strength would keep accumulating!

He sniffed hard, forcibly holding back the moisture in his eyes, then nodded. His condition visibly improved.

Though the immense regret in his heart still weighed heavily on him, he was ready to give up for now and leave.

Just as Bai Lin raised his head and prepared to tell his father, "We'll come back next time"—

The female Spirit Master, who had been about to lower her head and continue fiddling with the light screen, her face wearing a faintly impatient expression, seemed to remember something and casually added:

"Oh, thirty thousand Federation credits is the price for a random Soul Spirit."

Her tone was flat, as though she were mentioning something insignificant.

"There's everything inside: ten-year Soul Spirits, hundred-year Soul Spirits, even..."

"Incomplete junk Soul Spirits that may not even be usable."

"It all depends on luck."

"Wait!" Hei Lin's cold voice exploded in Bai Lin's sea of consciousness like thunder!

"Bai Lin!"

"Agree to it!"

"We're buying a random Soul Spirit!"

Bai Lin was stunned by the sudden command.

"Huh?"

"Random?"

"Isn't that gambling on luck?"

"What if..."

"Bai Lin!" Hei Lin cut him off, his voice carrying an unquestionable sense of control and a trace of barely perceptible excitement.

"What is the essence of a Soul Spirit?"

"A soul beast!"

"An energy form condensed from a beast soul!"

"And what flows through our bodies?"

"The Golden Dragon King!"

"The bloodline and power of a soul beast god!"

"The supreme existence standing at the peak of all soul beasts!"

His cold thoughts were like burning lava as he conveyed his bold plan:

"This past year, I've already become completely adept at guiding that trace of bloodline power!"

"I'm confident I can use the Golden Dragon King's power to stimulate it!"

"To forcibly raise its level!"

"Even if it fails..."

"At worst, we'll fuse with a useless Soul Spirit."

"Or the fusion will fail and damage our soul power. But with our bloodline's recovery ability, we'll quickly make up for that little bit of damage!"

Hei Lin's voice was firm and decisive, carrying a gambler's resolve and absolute confidence:

"Let's gamble!"

"If it succeeds, we might get a Soul Spirit far beyond ten years, maybe even a hundred years, for free!"

"If we lose, we'll only waste these thirty thousand credits. We can treat it as buying a lesson!"

"We can afford that emotional cost!"

"It's better than slinking back empty-handed!"

Bai Lin's heart suddenly began to race!

Hei Lin's bold, nearly insane plan was like lightning tearing through the gloom in his heart!

The Golden Dragon King bloodline enhancing a Soul Spirit...

It was indeed theoretically possible!

And just as Hei Lin had said, they could bear the worst possible outcome!

He believed he could earn that money back again!

Great risk came with great temptation!

Fire instantly ignited in Bai Lin's eyes. He barely hesitated before nodding hard within his consciousness.

"Alright!"

"Hei Lin!"

"I'll listen to you!"

"Let's gamble!"

Outside, Tang Ziran was immersed in immense disappointment and guilt.

He watched his son's eyes dim, then seemingly light up again. Thinking Bai Lin had accepted reality, he forced down the bitterness in his heart and tried to smile. His voice was dry as he said:

"Son..."

"It's okay, we..."

"Let's go home."

"Later this year..."

"Later this year, we'll definitely save enough to buy a ten-year Soul Spirit!"

But Bai Lin suddenly raised his head. His clear eyes were now filled with unprecedented determination and a strange, almost blazing light!

He looked seriously at his father, his voice clear and forceful, carrying an unshakable resolve:

"No, Dad!"

"I still want to try!"

"I choose..."

"A random Soul Spirit!"

"What?" Tang Ziran froze, thinking he had misheard.

"Son! You..."

"What did you say?"

"A random Soul Spirit?"

"That's too risky!"

"What if..."

"Dad!" Bai Lin interrupted him. His little face held a maturity beyond his years and an almost stubborn confidence.

"I believe in my luck!"

"I believe heaven..."

"Favors those who work hard!"

This confidence was not unfounded. With a god's bloodline in his body and Hei Lin—his bold and audacious "dark side" who controlled negative power—as his trump card, he truly had the capital to gamble!

Tang Ziran looked at the undeniable light in his son's eyes and the tremendous resolve bursting from his small body. His heart ached, yet he was helpless.

He crouched down and gripped Bai Lin's shoulders tightly, his voice pleading:

"Son! We only need to save for another half year!"

"Really! We don't need to take this risk!"

"What if..."

"What if it's an incomplete Soul Spirit and damages your foundation?"

"Dad, I've already decided." Bai Lin's voice was exceptionally calm, yet it carried the unshakable firmness of a boulder.