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 underwent Martial Soul Possession yesterday, she had already become a two-ringed Soul Grandmaster.
In the manor's dining hall.
"What? Little Yun Ji, you broke through last night?"
"Mm-hmm."
"And while you were taking a walk by the island with Huxiao, you happened to encounter a dying seven-hundred-year Blue Devil, and it just happened to suit you, so you absorbed it as your second Soul Ring?"
"Mm-hmm. Brother Huxiao said that the devil ray had seven blue stripes on its back, so it was seven hundred years old."
After Yun Ji displayed her second Soul Ring, Xiao Kong still found it hard to believe.
"Huxiao, was it really that smooth and easy for you to obtain the second Soul Ring?"
Xu Huxiao swallowed an extra-special seafood bun in one bite, then took a sip of savory preserved 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 miraculous. There's nothing I can do if you don't believe it."
Of course, this was not luck.
It was simply an explanation he had prepared for the Little 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 was high enough, she could condense her own second Soul Ring.
Because of that strange Fate-Binding Ritual, aside from their hearts being linked, 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 along with it.
This was the effect of the incomplete Fate-Binding Ritual. The complete ritual's effect was that whoever obtained a Soul Ring first would bring the other to the level where they could obtain one as well, and Yun Ji's cultivation would not be restricted by Xu Huxiao.
But now, the Fate Ritual was only bound one-sidedly to 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 learned of this binding effect on their Soul Power cultivation.
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 had time to marvel at the Little Mermaid's good fortune, Xu Huxiao had already thought up an explanation for the change in Yun Ji's strength.
Thus came this breakfast scene.
Xiao Kong was speechless, recalling the grueling years of his own cultivation.
"Such good luck? Why was it so easy for you to obtain Soul Rings? Back then, we had to stake out in the wild for at least ten days or half a month before encountering a Soul Beast we wanted. I have to say, children these days are simply... far too fortunate."
Xu Bayan also sighed and added, "Indeed. Each generation surpasses the last. Us old waves will sooner or later vanish on the beach. The future belongs to the young ones."
Hearing this, Xiao Kong's eyes filled with nostalgia as he said:
"Yeah. Back then, wasn't it because Boss was staking out in the wilderness that he happened to find Sister-in-law's clothes while she was bathing by the lake? We even fought the Soul Masters from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at the time. Haha, it was precisely because we got acquainted through that fight that the later story happened. Sigh, the past is like smoke. All we can do is savor it in memory, right, Boss?"
"So Godfather met Godmother because he peeked at her bathing? Uncle Xiao, tell us in detail. Yun Ji loves hearing this stuff." The Little Mermaid's gossiping heart immediately seized on the key point.
Bao Jingjing, who was helping Xu Huxiao peel a salted duck egg, twitched her ears. Clearly, this gossip had caught her interest too.
Xiao Kong laughed. "Yun Ji, that summary is spot-on. Haha, then I'll tell you all about it. Back then, Boss..."
Cough, cough!
Just as he was about to continue, Xu Bayan cleared his throat forcefully and shot Xiao Kong a dangerous look.
You brat, are you deliberately bringing up the one thing I don't want mentioned? Do you have to expose my embarrassing past?
Xiao Kong was carefree and paid no attention, continuing to test the edge of danger.
"Boss, did you choke?"
Xu Bayan said blandly, "No talking while eating, no talking while sleeping. Xiao Kong, you talk too much. Eat your meal properly."
"I just remembered those exciting adventures from back then. Little Yun Ji, let me tell you, Boss was just..." Xiao Kong continued talking without realizing anything.
Cough, cough!
Xu Bayan coughed again to interrupt him. "Xiao Kong, I see you've been slacking in your cultivation lately. Since you're so energetic now, I think when we get back, it'll be necessary to have Lin Mengmeng customize a demonic training plan specifically for you. With his Ruby Martial Soul, you can experience the doubled flavor of 'mental' training."
The moment he heard this, Xiao Kong's face changed. He had clearly recalled some unpleasant memories related to demonic training.
He hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, Boss. I was wrong. I'll shut up right now."
Hiss.
After saying that, Xiao Kong mimed zipping 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 brought four children with you."
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 fingers covered in gemstone rings, and he looked every bit like a kindly wealthy merchant.
But upon hearing the word "toad," Jin Huan could no longer remain kindly. 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 dog who can't stay sober for three days or passionate for three seconds, are you asking to be cursed at? My Martial Soul is the noble Three-Legged Golden Toad, so stop calling me that!"
Xiao Kong laughed, lifted his 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 dog!"
Jin Huan hated being called a toad most of all, especially by that bastard Xiao Kong.
"Hey, you dead toad, don't push your luck. Come on, let's fight. Your Uncle Xiao's hands are itching!"
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of you? Come on, summon your Martial Soul!"
"I'll summon it if you do. Come on!"
"You go first!"
"You first!"
"Whoever goes second is a dog. I'll count to three. Three!"
"Golden Toad Possession!" "Death-Defying Wind Mane Hound!"
Circle after circle of dazzling Soul Rings bloomed instantly. Island residents had already started gathering around to watch, and an exciting Soul Sage battle was about to erupt.
"Enough! Shut up, both of you! If either of you says another word, I'll make him half-paralyzed right now!"
A deep, heavy voice sounded, accompanied by a transparent ripple that washed over them. Jin Huan and Xiao Kong's Martial Soul Possession states were immediately dispelled.
Xu Bayan was irritated by the noise. Seeing the two about to open their mouths again, his eyes turned dangerous.
Jin Huan and Xiao Kong immediately shut their mouths and could only fight with their eyes.
Ignoring the two of them, Xu Bayan looked at the Ao Siblings and said with a gentle smile, "Little Liang, Little Ao, I've already received the letter from your father, Ao Miao. 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!"
When Orleans faced elders, she became sweet-tongued and obedient, with none of her usual spoiled temperament in sight.
Then Xu Bayan noticed the obviously restrained and awkward Hu Liena siblings. He walked over and said, "Haha, you two are Huxiao's classmates, right? Welcome. What I just told Little Liang and Little Ao applies to you too. Treat this place like your own home and have fun."
Xie Yue stood perfectly straight, so nervous before the forthright Xu Bayan that he did not know what to do.
This was Demon Bear Douluo, a top-tier Title Douluo with unparalleled combat power!
Xie Yue immediately pulled his younger sister into a ninety-degree bow and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency Demon Bear!"
Hu Liena tightly gripped the hem of her school uniform, her voice taut with nervousness.
"Thank you, Your Excellency Demon Bear."
Xu Bayan saw the children's unease and tried to appear 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 were just about to help Jingjing obtain her second Soul Ring. Little Liang, are you all coming with us, or do you want to play around at the island manor first?"
Orleans wore a light-yellow short-sleeved outfit, cool and neat, with her signature fiery-red high ponytail.
Hearing Xu Bayan's words, 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, so she needs to obtain her second Soul Ring."
"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, and you can step in only if danger arises that we cannot resolve."
Xu Bayan looked at the confident Orleans, admiration in his eyes.
"It seems you have great confidence in your team. Fine, I agree. Hunting Soul Beasts is also excellent training for Soul Masters."
"Yay! Thank you, Uncle Xu!"
Orleans was thrilled. She had long wanted to experience an adventure in the forest with Soul Beasts, but she had never had the chance before.
This time, she had come to find Xu Huxiao partly to travel and have fun, but also because she wanted to follow the Soul Master adventure stories and hunt Soul Beasts in the forest through teamwork.
After all, every powerful Soul Master was capable of hunting Soul Beasts through cooperation with their companions.
Once they had settled the matter, the group set out 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, while the seven-member team sat in a circle on the deck and discussed their tactics for hunting Soul Beasts later.
"What?! Yun Ji has become a two-ringed Soul Grandmaster too!"
Ao Li'ao looked at Yun Ji, who was eating a jelly dessert, with envy in his eyes.
"I really don't know how you all cultivate. Every one of you is progressing so quickly. In the blink of an eye, my sister, Xie Yue, and I have somehow become the bottom of the team."
"But Sis, our cultivation should be considered pretty fast, right? Seventeen levels 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 definitely slow.
"Fine, we're a little slower. We'll catch up sooner or later."
"Now, let's see how we can obtain second Soul Rings for Nana and Jingjing in the Barren Island Group."
Before you continue