Yu Xiaogang's Plight!

Qian Daoliu turned around.

"Come in with me."

The two entered the room.

Qian Daoliu raised a hand, and golden Soul Power settled onto Lin Tian's shoulder.

A sacred aura flowed through his meridians and spread throughout his body.

Lin Tian did not resist and allowed Qian Daoliu to inspect his body.

A moment later, the golden Soul Power withdrew.

"Your meridians have fully adapted to the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

"Your level twenty Soul Power has also stabilized. There are no signs of an unstable foundation."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly.

"You can begin searching for your second Soul Ring."

Lin Tian's eyes lit up.

"Have you already chosen a soul beast for me, Master?"

Qian Daoliu shook his head.

"This time, I will not help you."

Lin Tian looked at him.

Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back.

"Your first Soul Ring has already proven that you possess the strength to kill a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast on your own."

"You cannot remain under my protection forever."

"If a soul master wishes to become a true powerhouse, talent alone is not enough. He must also face danger on his own."

"Therefore, you will find your second Soul Ring yourself."

"The type of soul beast, its cultivation age, and the method of battle will all be your decision."

Lin Tian nodded.

"I understand."

Qian Daoliu looked at him.

"The Great Star Dou Forest is filled with danger."

"You possess a god-tier martial soul, but that does not mean you are already without rivals."

"If you encounter a soul beast you cannot fight, leave immediately."

"Do not throw away your life for a Soul Ring."

Lin Tian took his words seriously.

"Rest assured, Master."

"I will return safely."

Qian Daoliu said nothing more.

He turned and left the room, leaving this trial entirely to Lin Tian.

Lin Tian simply packed some clothes and brought along a map, water, and food.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus needed a Soul Ring.

The Nine Nether Beast likewise needed its first Soul Ring.

This trip to the soul beast forest was the perfect chance for him to choose carefully.

Lin Tian slung his pack over his shoulder and left his residence.

Sunlight fell across the roads of Spirit Hall Academy.

Hu Liena and the others were still in class, unaware that he was about to leave.

Lin Tian did not go to say goodbye.

He passed through the academy gates and headed out along the broad streets of Spirit City.

The city gates gradually faded behind him.

After leaving Spirit City,

Lin Tian traveled east along the main road.

This time, he did not have Qian Daoliu accompany him.

Since he was finding his second Soul Ring himself, he could not remain beneath his master's protection.

With Lin Tian's current strength, as long as he did not deliberately enter the core region, there were not many soul beasts in the outskirts of the Great Star Dou Forest that could threaten him.

After traveling for most of the day, the sky gradually darkened.

A city appeared in the distance.

Its walls were not particularly tall, but they had been built with great strength.

Merchant caravans came and went without end, while many soul masters carrying weapons passed through the city gates.

Lin Tian looked up at the name carved on the city wall.

Starfall City.

This city lay less than a hundred li from the Great Star Dou Forest.

Many soul masters preparing to enter the forest to hunt Soul Rings would replenish their supplies here.

Lin Tian did not continue onward.

He found an inn in the city and prepared to rest for the night before entering the Great Star Dou Forest tomorrow.

He had just crossed two streets when a burst of commotion suddenly came from ahead.

A large manor stood at the end of the street.

A great number of soul masters had gathered before its gates.

Several armored guards stood on either side of the steps, preventing ordinary people from approaching.

Many soul masters gathered outside, whispering among themselves.

"Why has the City Lord's Manor suddenly summoned so many healing-type soul masters?"

"I heard an important figure from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has arrived."

"That important figure was poisoned, and the city lord is searching for someone who can cure it."

"Even members of the imperial family can be poisoned?"

"Who knows? I heard that person holds an esteemed status. If someone can cure him, the reward will definitely be considerable."

Lin Tian stopped walking.

An important figure from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?

He had not been interested in getting involved in something like this.

But just as he was about to turn and leave, a familiar face appeared among the crowd.

A middle-aged man in a gray robe stood before the manor gates.

His face was thin, his hair meticulously combed, and he stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a somewhat smug expression.

It was Yu Xiaogang.

A tall man stood beside Yu Xiaogang.

The man's face still carried a trace of youthfulness. He wore the uniform of Shrek Academy and held a sausage in his hand.

Oscar.

Lin Tian had not expected to encounter them here.

Yu Xiaogang did not notice Lin Tian behind him.

He was looking at Oscar before him as he slowly spoke.

"Oscar, remember what I taught you earlier."

"The status of the distinguished guest seeking treatment this time is anything but ordinary."

"As long as you perform well, Shrek Academy will be able to obtain a generous grant."

Oscar nodded seriously.

"Teacher, I understand."

Yu Xiaogang glanced around and lowered his voice.

"The academy has been short on funds recently. The dean has already thought of many ways to keep it running."

"If we can obtain support from the imperial family this time, the academy's urgent troubles can be eased."

"Your martial soul is sausage, and it possesses restorative abilities."

"If the other party has truly been poisoned, your Detox Little Sausage may come in handy as well."

Oscar immediately puffed out his chest.

"Rest assured, Teacher. I will definitely perform well."

"As long as he is willing to let me treat him, I can help him recover."

Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good."

"Once we go in, do not panic."

"First examine his body, then use your soul skill according to his symptoms."

"As long as the steps are correct, a healing-type soul master can be effective."

Standing behind the crowd, Lin Tian heard their conversation clearly.

Shrek Academy was short on funds?

That fit Yu Xiaogang's current circumstances.

After Lin Tian had driven him out of the academy, Shrek had lost a free laborer it could use whenever it wished. Its days were likely even harder now.

However, Yu Xiaogang had actually placed his hopes on Oscar.

Lin Tian glanced at the sausage in Oscar's hand.

A food-type soul master's restorative abilities were indeed quite good.

But for poison, one first had to identify its source before determining the proper method of detoxification.

A single sausage might not be enough to solve the problem.

What was more, Yu Xiaogang clearly had not even figured out the other party's condition.

After speaking with Oscar, Yu Xiaogang headed into the City Lord's Manor.

Lin Tian withdrew his gaze and followed behind them.

The moment he reached the entrance, a guard raised a hand to stop him.

"Stop."

The guard sized Lin Tian up.

"The City Lord's Manor is receiving healing-type soul masters. Others are not permitted inside."

Lin Tian took out a golden token.

The token bore the image of a Seraphim, with the emblem of Spirit Hall along its edge.

"Lin Tian, student of the Advanced Division at Spirit Hall Academy."

"I am also a healing-type soul master."

The guard accepted the token and examined it.

His expression quickly changed.

A Spirit Hall identity token could not possibly be forged.

Yet the guard still hesitated somewhat.

"Your martial soul is healing-type?"

Lin Tian raised his right hand.

Azure Divine Light gathered in his palm.

A crystalline Azure Lotus slowly emerged.

Its lotus leaves unfurled as azure light scattered down.

The grass by the entrance, which had been crushed by carriage wheels, straightened at a visible speed.

Several withered yellow leaves regained their verdant color.

Seeing this, the guard immediately stepped aside.

"Please enter."

Lin Tian put away the Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus and stepped into the City Lord's Manor.

The interior of the manor was exceedingly spacious.

A bluestone path led directly to the great hall ahead.

Quite a few guards stood along both sides of the path, each carrying fluctuations of Soul Power.

Dozens of soul masters had gathered before the hall.

Some wore academy uniforms, some came from soul master families, and several wore the emblems of healing-type sects.