The Past Was Too Painful to Recall, Teammates Arrive

Yesterday, Xu Huxiao and Luo Ming had both obtained their Soul Rings. Today, it was time to find Bao Jingjing's second Soul Ring.

As for Yun Ji,

when she used Martial Soul Possession yesterday, she had already become a two-ring Soul Grandmaster.

In the manor's dining hall.

"What? Little Yun Ji, you broke through last night?"

"Mhm."

"And you just happened to encounter a dying seven-hundred-year Blue Devil while walking by the shore with Huxiao, and it just happened to suit you, so you absorbed that Blue Devil as your second Soul Ring?"

"Mhm. Brother Huxiao said that the devil ray had seven blue markings on its back, so it was seven hundred years old."

Even after Yun Ji displayed her second Soul Ring, Xiao Kong still found it hard to believe.

"Huxiao, did you really obtain the second Soul Ring so smoothly and easily?"

Xu Huxiao swallowed a specially prepared seafood bun in one bite, then took a sip of savory salted egg and lean pork congee. He felt utterly satisfied.

Hearing Xiao Kong's question, he raised his head and replied, "Uncle Xiao, sometimes luck is just that wonderful. There's nothing I can do if you don't believe it."

Of course, this was not luck.

It was merely an explanation he had prepared for Xiaomei the mermaid's second Soul Ring.

Yun Ji was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. She did not need to hunt Soul Beasts at all. Once her level reached the requirement, she could condense her own second Soul Ring.

And because of that strange Fate-Binding Ritual, aside from their hearts being connected, Yun Ji's Soul Power cultivation was also bound to his. As long as he obtained his second Soul Ring, Yun Ji would be able to condense her own second Soul Ring as well.

Likewise, if Xu Huxiao's cultivation stagnated, Yun Ji's cultivation would stagnate because of it too.

That was the effect of the incomplete Fate-Binding Ritual. The complete ritual would allow whichever of them obtained a Soul Ring first to bring the other to the level required to obtain one as well, and Yun Ji's cultivation would not be restricted by Xu Huxiao.

But now, the Fate-Binding Ritual was only a one-sided binding for Yun Ji.

When Xu Huxiao saw Yun Ji's second Soul Ring appear last night, because he understood everything Yun Ji knew in her heart, he immediately learned of the effects of this Soul Power cultivation binding.

In other words, even if Yun Ji played around every day from now on, as long as Xu Huxiao's cultivation improved, hers would continue improving as well.

Before he even had time to marvel at Xiaomei the mermaid's luck, Xu Huxiao had already come up with an explanation for Yun Ji's change in strength.

That was how this breakfast scene came about.

Xiao Kong was speechless, reminded of the difficult years he had spent cultivating.

"Such good luck? Why is it so easy for you to obtain Soul Rings? Back in our day, we had to wait in the wilderness for at least ten days to half a month before encountering a Soul Beast we wanted. I have to say, children these days really are... far too fortunate."

Xu Bayan also sighed. "Indeed. Each generation outdoes the last. Us old waves will sooner or later vanish upon the beach. The future belongs to the young."

Hearing that, Xiao Kong's eyes filled with reminiscence as he said,

"Yes. Back then, Boss seemed to have been waiting in the wilderness too. Then he happened to find Sister-in-law's clothes by the lake while she was bathing. We even had a fight with Soul Masters from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Haha, it was that fight that led to us becoming acquainted, and then came everything afterward. Ah, the past is like smoke. All we can do is savor the memories. Isn't that right, Boss?"

"So Godfather met Godmother because he peeped on her bathing? Uncle Xiao, tell us in detail. Yun Ji loves hearing this." Xiaomei the mermaid's gossip-loving heart immediately seized on the key point.

Bao Jingjing, who was helping Xu Huxiao peel a salted duck egg, twitched her ears. Clearly, she was interested in this gossip too.

Xiao Kong laughed. "Yun Ji, that summary is spot-on. Haha, then let me tell you in detail. Back then, Boss..."

Cough, cough!

Just as he was about to continue, Xu Bayan cleared his throat forcefully and gave Xiao Kong a dangerous look.

You brat, why are you bringing up the one thing I don't want mentioned? Do you have to expose my embarrassing past?

Xiao Kong was thick-skinned and completely unconcerned as he tested the edge of danger.

"Boss, did you choke?"

Xu Bayan said flatly, "No talking while eating, no talking while sleeping. Xiao Kong, you talk too much. Eat properly."

"I just remembered those wonderful adventures from back then. Little Yun Ji, let me tell you, Boss back then was..." Xiao Kong continued chatting, utterly oblivious.

Cough, cough!

Xu Bayan coughed again to interrupt him. "Xiao Kong, I see you've been slacking off in your cultivation recently. Since you're so energetic now, I think it's necessary to have Lin Mengmeng tailor a devilish training plan for you when we return. With his Ruby Martial Soul, you can experience what it feels like when 'spiritual' training is doubled."

The moment he heard that, Xiao Kong's expression changed. He had clearly recalled some unpleasant memories involving devilish training.

He hurriedly shook his head and said, "No, no, Boss, I was wrong. I'll shut up right now."

Hiss.

After saying that, Xiao Kong zipped his mouth shut, indicating that he would not say another word for the rest of the day.

Then, after breakfast, Xiao Kong broke his vow of silence.

"Oh? Toad, why are you here? And you even brought four kids."

Just as Xu Huxiao's group was about to head out to obtain Bao Jingjing's second Soul Ring, Jin Huan, the Three-Legged Golden Toad Soul Sage, the Ao Siblings, and the Hu Liena siblings appeared at the manor gates.

Jin Huan wore a set of golden brocade robes embroidered with Soul Coin symbols. He was short and plump, his hands covered in gemstone rings, and he looked every bit like a kindly wealthy man.

But upon hearing the word "toad," Jin Huan could no longer maintain his kindly appearance. Having just greeted Xu Bayan, he immediately turned around, rolled up his sleeves, and pointed at Xiao Kong as he cursed without regard for his image.

"You single mutt who can't stay off alcohol for more than three days and can't keep passion going for more than three seconds, are you looking for a beating? My Martial Soul is the noble Three-Legged Golden Toad, so stop calling me that!"

Xiao Kong laughed, lifted the Azure Gourd, and took a swig of wine. "Fine, fine, noble toad. This dog—ptui, ptui, ptui—I, Xiao Kong, won't lower myself to your level."

"See? You showed your dog tail yourself, you single mutt!"

Jin Huan hated being called a toad most of all, especially by a scoundrel like Xiao Kong.

"Damn it, you dead toad, I gave you an inch and you took a mile. Come on, let's fight! Master Xiao's hands are itching anyway!"

"Bring it on! Who's afraid of you? Come on, activate your Martial Soul!"

"I will! Come on!"

"You go first!"

"You first!"

"The one who goes second is a dog. I'll count to three. One, two, three!"

Golden Toad Possession!! Death-Defying Wind Mane Hound!!

Brilliant Soul Rings bloomed in circles instantly. Residents from the nearby island had already begun gathering to watch, and it looked as though an exciting Soul Sage duel was about to erupt.

"Enough! Shut up, both of you! If either of you says one more word, I'll make him half-paralyzed right now!"

A deep, powerful voice rang out as a transparent ripple swept over the two men. Jin Huan and Xiao Kong's Martial Soul Possession states were immediately dispelled.

Xu Bayan had grown irritated by the noise. Seeing the two about to open their mouths again, his eyes flashed dangerously.

Jin Huan and Xiao Kong immediately shut their mouths and could only fight with their eyes.

Ignoring them, Xu Bayan looked at the Ao Siblings and said with a gentle smile, "Little Liang, Little Ao, I've already received your father Ao Miao's letter. Since you want to play with Huxiao, stay with us at Thousand Islands Lake for this holiday. Whatever you want to eat or play with, just say the word. Uncle Xu will cover the expenses."

The two spoke in unison. "Thank you, Uncle Xu!"

Whenever Orleans faced an elder, she became sweet-tongued and well-behaved, with none of her usual spoiled temperament in sight.

Then Xu Bayan noticed the clearly restrained and awkward Hu Liena siblings. He walked over and said, "Haha, you two are Huxiao's classmates, right? Welcome. What I just said to Little Liang and Little Ao applies to you as well. Treat this place like your own home and have fun."

Xie Yue stood ramrod straight. Faced with the forthright Xu Bayan, he was so nervous that he did not know what to do.

This was the top-ranked, peerlessly powerful Demon Bear Douluo!

Xie Yue immediately pulled his sister into a ninety-degree bow and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency Demon Bear!"

Hu Liena gripped the hem of her school uniform tightly, and her voice was tense as well.

"Thank you, Your Excellency Demon Bear."

Xu Bayan saw the children's helplessness and tried to look as kind as possible. "You're both good children. No need for all this 'Your Excellency' business. Just call me Uncle Xu like they do."

The siblings nodded nervously.

"Alright, we're just about to obtain Jingjing's second Soul Ring. Little Liang, are you going with us, or do you want to play in the island manor for a while first?"

Orleans wore a light-yellow short-sleeved outfit, cool and neat, with her signature fiery-red high ponytail.

Hearing Xu Bayan's question, she immediately said, "Uncle Xu, me, my brother, Xie Yue, Hu Liena, Bao Jingjing, Yun Ji, and Huxiao—we seven are a team now. Of course we have to act together."

Xu Bayan looked at the seven children in surprise. "You formed a Soul Master team?"

Orleans looked proud. "That's right. I'm the captain."

Then she pulled Hu Liena to her side and said to Xu Bayan, "Also, Nana in our team has reached level twenty too. She needs to obtain her second Soul Ring as well."

"Uncle Xu, I have a request."

"Oh? Go ahead."

Orleans said, "For Jingjing and Nana's Soul Rings, I want our team to obtain them through our own abilities. You, Jin Huan, and Xiao Kong only need to protect us. We'll handle everything ourselves. Only if danger arises that we can't deal with should you intervene."

Xu Bayan looked at the confident Orleans, his eyes filled with approval.

"It seems you have a lot of confidence in your team. Fine, I agree. Hunting Soul Beasts is also excellent training for Soul Masters."

"Yay! Thank you, Uncle Xu!"

Orleans was very excited. She had long wanted to go on an adventure through forests and among Soul Beasts, but she had never had the chance before.

This time, she had come looking for Xu Huxiao partly because she wanted to travel and have fun, and partly because she wanted to hunt Soul Beasts in the forest through teamwork, just as the Soul Master adventure biographies described.

After all, every powerful Soul Master was capable of hunting Soul Beasts through cooperation with their companions.

Once the matter was settled, the group set off in grand fashion. Since there were more people this time, they rented a larger boat.

The seven members of Spirit Hall's Martial Soul Team reunited during the holiday.

On the boat.

Xiao Kong and Jin Huan were responsible for steering the boat, while the seven-member team sat in a circle on the deck and discussed the tactics for hunting Soul Beasts later.

"What?! Yun Ji became a two-ring Soul Grandmaster too!"

Ao Li'ao looked at Yun Ji, who was eating a jelly dessert, with envy.

"I really don't know how you all cultivate. Every one of you advances so quickly. In the blink of an eye, my sister, Xie Yue, and I have ended up at the bottom of the team."

"But Sister, shouldn't we be cultivating pretty quickly too? We reached level seventeen in two years, and Xie Yue is already level nineteen."

Orleans did not know whether she cultivated quickly or not, but compared to the freaks in this team, she was certainly slow.

"Fine, we're a little fast. We'll catch up sooner or later."

"Now, let's see how we can obtain Nana and Jingjing's second Soul Rings in the Barren Island Group."