An Unexpected Soul Skill

It wasn't that Ye Lulu didn't trust Qian Mo's choice.

It was just that Ice Silkworms were such weak Soul Beasts that Ye Lulu truly couldn't understand what good Soul Skill one could provide Xiao Qi with. That was why she asked.

Qian Mo merely chuckled.

Since they had nothing better to do anyway, he explained in detail.

"Indeed, Soul Beasts like Ice Silkworms are very weak.

"But when Soul Masters choose Soul Rings, they can't always judge solely by the strength of the Soul Skill."

As he spoke, Qian Mo pointed at Xiao Qi.

"Especially for someone like Xiao Qi, who has the potential to become a Title Douluo in the future. Her first few Soul Rings need to be chosen with even greater care.

"After all, once a Soul Master reaches the Title Douluo stage, their first few Soul Skills have pitifully little effect.

"If she ends up with trash Soul Skills, it would be a waste of Soul Ring slots."

Hearing Qian Mo's reasoning, Ye Lulu nodded unconsciously.

Only then did Ye Lulu remember that when she had first begun cultivating, her family seemed to have taught her something similar.

Qian Mo continued at that moment.

"Therefore, it would be best for Xiao Qi's first few Soul Skills to enhance herself. That way, they can still help her in battle even in the later stages."

However, having said that, Qian Mo sighed.

"Ah, but unfortunately, Xiao Qi is the initial owner of her Martial Soul and has no experience passed down from predecessors.

"Since acquiring Soul Skills from Soul Rings involves a certain degree of randomness, even though I know of many powerful Soul Beasts that can grant enhancement-type Soul Skills through a first Soul Ring, I don't want to gamble on that chance. It's too unreliable."

After saying this, Qian Mo looked at the corpse of the nearly four-hundred-year Ice Silkworm on the ground. A smile appeared on his lips again, carrying even a rare hint of pride.

"But hunting a Soul Beast like an Ice Silkworm is different.

"First, this Soul Beast possesses the rare dual attributes of spiritual power and ice, making it extremely compatible with Xiao Qi's Martial Soul.

"Second, precisely because this Soul Beast is weak, it has very few Soul Skills it can grasp at this stage.

"But because it knows so few Soul Skills, the chance of obtaining the one I want will increase."

After hearing Qian Mo's detailed explanation, Ye Lulu nodded thoughtfully.

Then Ye Lulu asked curiously.

"Then what Soul Skill do you want Xiao Qi to obtain from the Ice Silkworm?"

Qian Mo gave a mysterious smile.

"Because Ice Silkworms are extremely frail, they can master only two Soul Skills in their early stages. One is Spiritual Detection, while the other is Imitation.

"The one I want Xiao Qi to obtain is the Imitation Soul Skill.

"Although it is merely a non-damaging Soul Skill that Ice Silkworms use to intimidate predators,

"its illusion is incredibly realistic. As long as Xiao Qi can master this Imitation ability independently in the future, then—"

"Then Xiao Qi can use this Soul Skill to deceive her enemies' senses and launch unexpected attacks, right?" Ye Lulu interrupted with delight.

Having his line stolen, Qian Mo immediately felt choked up.

Though he admired Ye Lulu's instincts in battle, he still cast her a helpless sidelong glance. His eyes seemed to say—

Are you talking, or am I talking? Do you still want to hear this?

Ye Lulu immediately gave an embarrassed smile and made a zipping motion over her mouth, indicating that she would not interrupt again.

"Just as you said, once Xiao Qi masters this ability, she will gain an auxiliary ability that will be useful at any level in the future."

Qian Mo continued, but being the cautious sort, he did not mention only that possibility and went on.

"Of course, that is merely the ideal outcome.

"But if Xiao Qi obtains the Spiritual Detection ability instead, it will likewise have considerable potential for development.

"Because just like Imitation, as long as Xiao Qi masters this Soul Skill, her perception range will continue to expand as her spiritual power increases in the future.

"And whether in localized battles or on large battlefields, I don't need to tell you how important this ability would be, do I?"

After hearing Qian Mo's explanation, Ye Lulu's eyes shone brightly. How could she not understand how astonishing this ability's supportive effects would be in battle?

After thinking for a moment, Ye Lulu said,

"With you as her teacher, Xiao Qi's future prospects are boundless. I never expected you to see such vast potential in a Soul Beast like this."

Then Ye Lulu said ingratiatingly,

"But we're on the same side, after all. Once Xiao Qi finishes her training, how about having her work with me?

"With her ability, whether we're hunting Fallen or searching for enemies in the future, everything would be so much easier~"

Ye Lulu's top-tier looks, combined with the deliberately sweetened voice at the end, made even Qian Mo's heart tremble.

Yet after glancing at Xiao Qi, who was diligently refining her Soul Ring, Qian Mo ultimately shook his head firmly.

"We'll discuss the future when it comes.

"If Xiao Qi herself doesn't object and wants to go with you, I have no problem with it."

Although Qian Mo did not agree directly, Ye Lulu saw those words as no different from agreement.

Thus, Ye Lulu had already begun using her not-so-abundant wits to figure out how she could entice Xiao Qi into following her voluntarily.

Neither of them noticed—

That Liu Erlong, who had remained silent at the side all this time, was watching the eloquent Qian Mo with eyes that had begun to shine.

Time passed slowly. About two hours later, Xiao Qi finally completed the refinement of her Soul Ring. Her body had grown a little taller as a result, and she now looked no different from a child around eight or nine years old.

The moment she opened her eyes and saw Qian Mo looking at her expectantly, Xiao Qi immediately leaped up with delight.

"Teacher, you're amazing! My first Soul Skill is incredible!"

Qian Mo smiled with quiet pride. After all, this first Soul Ring had not only incorporated the results of his own studies, but had also drawn on the example of Huo Yuhao, the protagonist ten thousand years later.

Then Qian Mo asked with a smile,

"So, Xiao Qi, did you obtain Detection or Imitation as your first Soul Skill?"

"Huh? What Detection or Imitation?"

Xiao Qi responded in confusion.

For a moment, teacher and student stared wide-eyed at each other, and the atmosphere became strangely delicate.

Qian Mo quickly thought of a possibility.

Could Xiao Qi have encountered a rare Soul Skill mutation? But her ice Martial Soul doesn't seem to have any aptitude in that regard.

Still, judging by how happy Xiao Qi is, it shouldn't be some useless Soul Skill. Better ask first.

After analyzing it all, Qian Mo could not be bothered to waste any more brainpower and asked directly,

"Then Xiao Qi, what is your first Soul Skill?"

Hearing Qian Mo change his question, Xiao Qi did not dwell on it. Her first Soul Ring immediately appeared.

"First Soul Skill—Spirit Ice Twin Swords!"

As Xiao Qi shouted, her Soul Ring lit up, and two slender ice-crystal swords, pink and blue throughout, instantly appeared in her hands.