Setting Off for the Star Dou Great Forest!

Worship Hall.

"Alright, Zong'er, which Martial Soul do you plan to cultivate?"

Hearing this, Qian Xunzong thought for a moment before replying,

"Grandfather, I plan to cultivate the Judgment Heavenly God Martial Soul first. Its attributes are very similar to the Six-Winged Angel, and you have experience with it too, so it'll be more efficient when matching Soul Rings."

Qian Xichen nodded. "Mm, good. That was Grandfather's thought as well. After all, there has never been any record on the continent related to that Throne Martial Soul of yours."

"Daoliu, tomorrow, take Zong'er to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Soul Beasts and obtain his first three Soul Rings."

"Alright, Father," Qian Daoliu agreed.

"Zong'er, although your father's cultivation isn't much to speak of, he's quite knowledgeable about Martial Souls. Go with him to the Star Dou Great Forest and obtain your Soul Rings."

Hearing the old man's words, Qian Daoliu's mouth twitched. He was already a level ninety-seven Peak Douluo, and breaking through to level ninety-eight was only a matter of a year or two. His cultivation wasn't much to speak of? Really...

Qian Xunzong nodded. "Alright, Grandfather."

Then Qian Xichen said with a smile, "Oh, right, Zong'er. How about Grandfather gives Cloud-Treading Villa to you as a gift?"

Cloud-Treading Villa? What kind of place was that?

Qian Xunzong could not help feeling puzzled. Seeing this, Qian Daoliu explained, "Zong'er, Cloud-Treading Villa is a top-tier simulated cultivation site built atop a section of the Cloud-Treading Mountains. The ambient energy of heaven and earth there is extremely dense. Your brother's Falling Dust Pavilion is the same."

Qian Xunji nodded from the side. His Falling Dust Pavilion was a cultivation site built beside a lake, where cultivation yielded twice the results with half the effort. Like Cloud-Treading Villa, it was a large-scale, top-tier simulated cultivation environment constructed by the finest craftsmen of the Spirit Hall Engineering Division.

"Thank you, Grandfather." Upon hearing that Cloud-Treading Villa was such a top-tier simulated cultivation site, Qian Xunzong did not refuse and clasped his hands in thanks to Qian Xichen.

"Mm. Go on, then."

Since the system could only be checked in once per day, Qian Xunzong could not check in at Worship Hall. But that was fine. There would be plenty of time in the future.

The next day, early morning.

Qian Xunzong was sleeping soundly beneath his blanket when, before he had even opened his eyes, Qian Daoliu yanked him straight out of bed.

"Zong'er, we're setting off! We're going to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain Soul Rings!"

Still bleary-eyed, Qian Xunzong used only one word to express his "gratitude" for this treatment.

"Fuck!"

Qian Xunzong was then packed into a luxurious carriage, which swayed and rattled out of Spirit City.

So, Qian Xunzong took a set of bedding from his storage Soul Tool and went right back to sleep in the carriage.

Bang, bang! Crack, crack...

Yet less than two kilometers after the carriage set out, Qian Xunzong could no longer sleep. There was no other reason—the carriage was too bumpy. He simply could not sleep...

"Fuck, sooner or later I'm installing shock absorbers on this thing. It's going to shake the shit out of me!"

Seeing that Qian Xunzong was awake, Qian Daoliu smiled and said, "Awake?"

Qian Xunzong rolled his eyes. Who could sleep through that much shaking?

Ignoring Qian Xunzong's resentful gaze, Qian Daoliu continued, "Since you're awake, Dad will tell you about our target this time."

Qian Xunzong nodded, and Qian Daoliu began, "Zong'er, your Martial Soul possesses the attributes of holiness, light, and fire. There aren't many Soul Beasts that possess all three. There are the Sacred Flame Golden Crow, the Radiant Sun Tiger, the Heaven-Burning Sacred Dragon, the Golden Light Sunfall Beast, and so on.

"For your first three Soul Rings, Dad has decided to look among these Soul Beasts. Two hundred-year Soul Rings and one thousand-year Soul Ring—we should be able to find them all."

Qian Xunzong had no issue with the first part, but when Qian Daoliu mentioned the Soul Ring ages, he had to raise his hand and speak up.

"Dad, wait a second. I don't have any problem with the earlier part, but aren't those Soul Ring ages a bit low?"

"Low? What's low?"

"Uh, I mean, aren't the ages a little too low?"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu thought about it and said, "What's wrong with them? The first two Soul Rings are hundred-year rings, and the third is a thousand-year ring. What's the problem?"

Qian Xunzong rolled his eyes. "There's a problem, and it's a huge one!!"

"Dad, I have innate level thirty Soul Power. My physique is even stronger than a Soul Elder's. Isn't it beneath me to absorb hundred-year Soul Rings for my first two rings?"

A Soul Master with innate level ten Soul Power got a hundred-year first Soul Ring. I have innate level thirty Soul Power, yet my first Soul Ring is still only a hundred-year ring. Then wouldn't those thirty levels of Soul Power have been for nothing?!

Qian Xunzong truly could not help complaining about this. After the Qian family's disciples awakened the Six-Winged Angel, they generally possessed innate level twenty Soul Power. Yet their Soul Ring configurations were still the same as ordinary Soul Masters'. What was the point of having innate level twenty Soul Power, then?

Qian Xunji, and later Qian Renxue as well, had both started with two hundred-year Soul Rings. Their early advantages had been completely squandered.

"Hey, Zong'er, the Soul Ring absorption ages for each stage of a Soul Master's cultivation were all determined by countless predecessors through experience. Absorbing a ring beyond your limit could very well cause your body to explode and kill you. So, Zong'er, don't covet higher-age Soul Rings. You should advance steadily," Qian Daoliu earnestly advised.

"Dad, did any of those predecessors who summarized that experience have innate level thirty Soul Power? Did they have a Divine-level Martial Soul?"

Qian Daoliu froze at that. They did not. After all, who would be bored enough to use a genius of that caliber to test the limits of Soul Ring absorption?

"Exactly. Their experience doesn't apply to me. Dad, tell me, why can't Soul Masters absorb Soul Rings beyond their age limit?"

Qian Daoliu immediately answered, "Naturally, it's because their physical condition cannot meet the requirements. They cannot withstand the massive energy impact brought by the Soul Ring, which causes their bodies to explode and..."

At this point, Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xunzong. The latter raised his eyebrows. "See? You figured it out. I have a Soul Elder-level physique, so I can naturally withstand the impact of a thousand-year Soul Ring. Then why shouldn't I absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring?"

Listening to Qian Xunzong's words, Qian Daoliu thought deeply. The kid has a point. A Soul Elder's physique absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring really shouldn't be a problem...

But was there really any precedent for absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring as one's first ring?

Seeing that Qian Daoliu still looked hesitant, Qian Xunzong knew that he still could not accept it. There was no helping it—the Qian family had too many old fossils who clung stubbornly to conventional thinking. Thus, Qian Xunzong could only continue,

"Dad, how about this? I'll give it a try. If I can't continue absorbing it midway, you can directly interrupt me. It might damage my body, but with the Spirit Hall's resources, you can definitely heal me, right?"

Qian Daoliu was somewhat tempted. Seeing this, Qian Xunji continued, "Dad, think about it again. If this works, a thousand-year first Soul Ring—when you meet those old friends of yours, you'll have plenty to brag about.

"Your son, the Pope, starts with a thousand-year first Soul Ring. Once word gets out, how much face will that give you? Outsiders will say you taught him well. Your reputation will soar. Then Soul Masters across the continent will be flocking to join Spirit Hall.

"When Grandfather sees that, won't he give you a thumbs-up and praise you as a good son? Bringing glory to the family and all that!"

As Qian Xunzong listened, the corners of Qian Daoliu's mouth could not help rising slightly. The scene began to form in his mind. Seeing this, Qian Xunzong unleashed another big move.

"Dad, when the time comes, you'll stand at the top of Spirit Hall and declare, 'All Martial Souls under heaven belong to Spirit Hall!' How domineering would that be? Those two great empires would be jealous to death. Maybe Grandfather would even kick the bucket early... pfft, retire early and let you become the Grand Worshipper!!!"

"Hehehe..." Qian Daoliu imagined himself sitting in the Grand Worshipper's seat, revered by countless people. He reached out, patted Qian Xichen on the shoulder, and said, "Little Xichen, your son is outstanding, isn't he... Work hard!"

Qian Daoliu's grin simply would not go down, and he kept letting out smug chuckles.

Seeing this, Qian Xunzong froze. He could not help worrying inwardly, Fuck, I didn't fool this old man into becoming an idiot, did I?!