Soul Elder

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, violet...

Colors alternated across the Soul Ring's surface like a flowing rainbow.

Normally, Soul Rings only came in white, yellow, purple, black, and red, with gold for a million-year ring at most.

Yet this Adaptive Soul Ring kept shifting through seven colors.

It was probably different from ordinary Soul Rings as well.

"Adaptive Evolvable Soul Ring."

As its name suggested, this Soul Ring would generate the most suitable Soul Skill on its own, based on its host's physical condition and Martial Soul characteristics.

It would also keep evolving along with its host's physical condition, much like the fifth origin Soul Ring Tang San would obtain in the future, with no upper limit to its quality.

He hesitated no longer. With a thought, the Soul Ring in his palm, still constantly changing colors, instantly slipped around him.

As light swirled, a gentle yet immense surge of energy poured into his body, flowing slowly through his meridians.

Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and began absorbing the Soul Ring through meditation.

Time drifted by, and soon it was the next day.

Morning light shone through the window, casting a warm golden band across the edge of the bed.

Yu Xiaogang slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing deep within his dark pupils.

"Hum..."

A powerful aura emanated from him.

Three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet in succession: yellow, yellow, purple!

The third was unmistakably a purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring, its color rich and deep, far from an ordinary Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Yu Xiaogang sensed the age of his third Soul Ring and raised his eyebrows slightly, a satisfied curve lifting his lips. "About three thousand years and a bit... very good. It can keep evolving later anyway. Three thousand years to start, with no upper limit."

He stood and stretched his limbs. Feeling the Soul Power within him, several times more abundant than before, he could not help growing a little reflective.

He had once been stuck at rank twenty-nine for years, regarded as "trash," but now he had set foot on an entirely new path.

One day, I, Yu Xiaogang, will stand at the pinnacle of the continent too. When that time comes, the once-fallen Blue Lightning... ahem, ahem, ahem.

Wrong channel.

Yu Xiaogang gave two dry coughs, reining in his thoughts just in time.

He rolled his shoulders, feeling the abundant Soul Power within him, and looked out the window at the gradually brightening sky.

"It's light out. I still need to go out today."

The next day, Nuoding City.

People bustled along the lively streets, vendors' cries rising one after another.

Yu Xiaogang walked in front, with Tang San and Xiao Wu following behind.

The three turned into an alley and arrived at a familiar medicinal herb shop.

"Oh, Grandmaster, you're here!"

The plump shopkeeper greeted Yu Xiaogang with a face full of smiles the moment he saw him.

"We've prepared all the herbs you ordered last time. Everything was selected according to the quantities and ages you requested. Guaranteed unadulterated."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Xiao San, take them."

"Yes, Teacher."

Tang San stepped forward and took the several large bundles of herbs wrapped in oiled paper.

Xiao Wu leaned over and stood on tiptoe to sniff them. "Oh, these herbs smell pretty nice. Teacher, what are you buying these for?"

Yu Xiaogang answered as he paid, "To prepare medicinal baths for you later."

"Medicinal baths?"

Xiao Wu blinked.

"What's a medicinal bath?"

Tang San explained with a smile, "It means bathing in water brewed with medicinal herbs. It can strengthen your body and improve your constitution."

"Exactly."

Yu Xiaogang finished paying and turned around.

"Xiao San is right. The younger you are, the better medicinal baths work. You two are at just the right age."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "Then I want one too!"

After leaving the herb shop, the three turned past two more streets and arrived at a butcher's shop.

Fresh Soul Beast meat was arranged on the chopping block by the entrance, its grain clearly defined.

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward to inspect it, then pointed to several cuts of tenderloin and a few leg bones. "Wrap these up, please."

"Coming right up!"

Standing to one side, Xiao Wu looked at the blood-streaked Soul Beast meat, then at the hides and skeletons hanging nearby. Her smile faded, and she pressed her lips together. "Teacher, can't we... just not eat Soul Beasts?"

Yu Xiaogang turned to glance at her. "Heh, how would that be possible? All humans need to eat. Soul Beasts kill humans, so naturally, humans can kill Soul Beasts too. It's part of the law of nature. For all you know, the number of Soul Beasts humans hunt might not even match the number that kill one another."

Xiao Wu thought about it. That did seem to be the case.

She had eaten grass before, and her mother had protected her well since she was little. Seeing these things really did make her a little uncomfortable, but her teacher had a point, so she said nothing more and quietly looked away.

Tang San hefted the bundles of meat in his hands. "Teacher, this much? We won't be able to finish it all, will we?"

"This is for Sanpao."

Yu Xiaogang turned his palm over. White light flashed, and Luo Sanpao appeared at their feet.

"Roar, roar!"

The moment Luo Sanpao appeared, he gave two excited cries and rubbed against Yu Xiaogang's leg.

Yu Xiaogang bent down and rubbed his head. "All right, stop acting spoiled. I'll summon you out often from now on."

Xiao Wu crouched, her eyes sparkling. "Wow, so cute!"

Luo Sanpao gave her two wary growls, but paired with his adorable figure, they carried little threat.

Xiao Wu reached out and rubbed his head. Luo Sanpao stiffened briefly but did not dodge. Instead, he nuzzled her palm.

Yu Xiaogang raised his eyebrows. "Looks like he likes you."

"Heehee."

Xiao Wu smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"It must be because I'm so cute!"

Luo Sanpao snorted and nudged her palm again.

"All right."

Yu Xiaogang drew his gaze away.

"Since we're here, let's buy some daily necessities before heading back."

In the general store, Xiao Wu spent ages choosing from a row of cups, then held up a ceramic cup with a pink rabbit design and waved it. "Heehee, Teacher, I want the little rabbit one!"

"All right, choose for yourself."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Delighted, Xiao Wu went to get a matching towel and a rabbit rinsing cup. Tang San watched quietly from beside her, the corners of his mouth lifting.

By the time they had finished buying everything, all three had their hands full.

Luo Sanpao followed at their feet, grunting and occasionally stopping to sniff the wildflowers by the roadside. Xiao Wu turned back and called, "Sanpao, keep up!"

The setting sun stretched their three shadows long as the group headed toward the academy, talking and laughing.

Time passed quickly, and a year went by in the blink of an eye.

On this day, two figures were locked in fierce combat in Yu Xiaogang's courtyard.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three explosive reports rang out from the ground in succession. Tang San darted left and right, small bursts of air continually erupting beneath his feet-the sound of his feet striking as he activated Shave.

After a year of grueling practice, Tang San could now use Shave freely in battle.

Xiao Wu was no less accomplished.

Her Shave followed a different path. Unlike Tang San's style, which pursued explosive speed in a straight line, Xiao Wu's Shave focused more on changing direction. Often, just after charging in one direction, she would twist her ankle and veer to the other side, her movements more nimble and ghostlike.