Luck and Helplessness

"Found it?" Chang Gong Ao smiled slightly.

"Xiao Hai, I have to say, your luck is truly excellent! When Uncle Ao last saw this Azure Vine, judging by the thickness of its roots, although its cultivation had not yet reached five hundred years, it definitely was not far off."

"Moreover, in terms of toughness, Uncle Ao dares to guarantee that it was absolutely no weaker than an ordinary one with over five hundred years of cultivation."

"Because this Azure Vine's growing environment was simply too good!" He shook his head and sighed.

"It happened to grow beside a small path near a water source, and that path also happened to be one of the necessary routes to reach the water source from that area."

"Because of that, ever since the Azure Vine developed the instinct to attack proactively, it had bound and killed quite a few low-year Soul Beasts, dragging them to its roots and absorbing the nutrients from their decaying corpses to sustain its own growth. Its resilience and strength had therefore far surpassed those of others of the same cultivation level."

"I wonder which Spirit Master scattered its seed there when the Empire transported the Soul Beasts in."

"They certainly picked a good spot."

The same plant could grow differently depending on where it was planted. Yang Yunhai nodded slightly. "Uncle Ao, then I'll choose it."

"Alright. It's already late, so stay here tonight. Uncle Ao will take you there tomorrow morning." Chang Gong Ao smiled.

"Mm-hmm." Yang Yunhai nodded repeatedly, then lowered his head and continued reading the records.

Ghost Vine, Sacred Wood, Solitary Bamboo, Wire Vine... Yang Yunhai's pupils suddenly contracted, and his fingers unconsciously began sliding faster.

A moment later, his fingers stopped. He raised his head and looked at Chang Gong Ao. "Uncle Ao, do you think my Second Soul Ring can absorb one that's a thousand years old?"

"Absolutely not!" Chang Gong Ao hurriedly shook his head. "Millennium Soul Beasts and hundred-year Soul Beasts are entirely different concepts, and..."

His voice suddenly paused. His expression turned grave as he said, "Even if you truly could absorb one, Uncle Ao still wouldn't recommend it."

"Why?" Yang Yunhai asked instinctively.

"Ah, because we are ultimately commoner Spirit Masters with neither power nor influence." Chang Gong Ao sighed and looked directly at Yang Yunhai. "Xiao Hai, have you considered this?"

"What would it mean for a commoner Spirit Master with no background whatsoever to have a purple Second Soul Ring?"

Yang Yunhai immediately fell silent, then sighed. "It would mean I'd completely lose my freedom."

"There could even be danger to your life!" Chang Gong Ao added. "Xiao Hai, don't you want to go to Heaven Dou City and participate in the All-Continent Soul Master Competition someday? With your talent, it isn't that Uncle Ao wants to discourage you, but joining Spirit Hall's exclusive team is basically impossible. As far as I know, every member of the Spirit Hall Team has Soul Power above level forty-five, and their selection assessments are extremely strict."

"So, you can only choose to enroll temporarily in another academy. Once you're required to display your Soul Rings..."

"Those sects and clans would probably do everything they could to capture me and take me back." Yang Yunhai replied, "And since I've already joined Spirit Hall, whether I reveal the Spirit Master theory or not, I probably won't escape being silenced in the end."

If he spoke, they would execute him and destroy the evidence. If he did not speak, they would still do the same, then tell Spirit Hall it had nothing to do with them and invite them to search if they did not believe it.

In short, they would simply say they had not abducted him and wash their hands of all responsibility.

"And afterward, Spirit Hall probably wouldn't pursue the matter too closely. After all, my Martial Soul and talent are simply too poor. I'm not worth investing too much effort into cultivating. My only contribution was developing the Cross-Level Soul Ring Absorption Theory." Yang Yunhai continued, "Since they already had the theory, I naturally wouldn't have much remaining value."

Most importantly, if his Second Soul Ring were a Millennium Soul Ring, then the Immortal Herbs would have nothing to do with him.

Sunset Forest was too vast, and it contained no shortage of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts. It was simply unrealistic to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well by himself. If he went too late, Tang San would arrive, and Yang Yunhai would be unable to interfere, much less prevent the plot from unfolding. Therefore, the best option was to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy early, get close to Dugu Yan, then use Dugu Yan to establish a connection with Dugu Bo and have Dugu Bo personally bring him into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

And to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, displaying his Soul Rings during enrollment was unavoidable.

In that case, a Millennium Second Soul Ring would inevitably be exposed.

Then, as the local power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would probably be the first to make a move, he thought to himself.

He was just a commoner Spirit Master with no background. If someone secretly captured him, who would pursue the matter?

Spirit Hall could naturally think of that possibility. Therefore, if Spirit Hall were the first to learn that his Second Soul Ring was a Millennium Soul Ring, their first choice would definitely be to take him back to Spirit City for protection.

Then he would completely lose his freedom.

But if his Second Soul Ring were yellow, he could still roam freely outside.

As for telling Spirit Hall about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, only an idiot would do that.

Would they use Immortal Herbs to cultivate a commoner Spirit Master with no background instead of the talented sons and grandsons of their Titled Douluo elders?

That option had never been within his consideration.

If Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, or someone like that were my wife, then I could consider it, he thought.

If there was a powerful thigh to cling to, there was no reason he could not humble himself and become a Cao thief.

"Xiao Hai, you've truly grown up." After hearing Yang Yunhai's subsequent words, Chang Gong Ao could not help but sigh.

After saying that, his expression eased slightly, and he smiled reassuringly. "Xiao Hai, don't think too much about it. You're still some distance away from breaking through level twenty. Besides, even if you can't absorb a Millennium Soul Ring as your Second Soul Ring, if you can absorb one that's eight hundred or nine hundred years old, you'll already be far ahead of others at the same level. And as far as I know, the Soul Rings of many children from noble families do not even reach the publicly recognized optimal age limit."

For example, Tang San. He even had Innate Full Soul Power, Yang Yunhai thought, feeling somewhat comforted as a smile appeared on his face.

"Hehe, that's true."

Seeing Yang Yunhai's expression improve, Chang Gong Ao smiled as well. "Alright, you must be tired after traveling all this way. Get some rest early tonight. We'll get up early tomorrow. The sooner you obtain your Soul Ring, the sooner you can return to the academy and continue your studies."

"Mm-hmm." Yang Yunhai hurriedly nodded.

Afterward, with Chang Gong Ao's help, he made a bedroll on the ground inside the tent.

He sat down cross-legged, intending to cultivate for a while before sleeping.

"It wasn't without reason that he reached level ten in just two and a half years." Looking at Yang Yunhai sitting cross-legged, Chang Gong Ao could not help but feel gratified.

Then excitement welled up within him. If Yang Yunhai truly succeeded in attempting it tomorrow, Chang Gong Ao would be the first witness.

Moreover, as the person helping Yang Yunhai obtain his first and Second Soul Rings, he would also be a direct participant.

Who would not be stirred by the chance to participate in creating a new era?

With that thought, he strode out of the tent, intending to get some air and calm his fluctuating emotions.

As though recalling something, he changed direction and walked toward his companions, gathering them together.

"This child came here today. None of you are to mention it to anyone in the future. This concerns a top secret of Spirit Hall. If any information about this child is leaked, I believe everyone can guess the consequences."

His expression was exceedingly grave.

"Understood." Seeing Chang Gong Ao's expression, everyone nodded solemnly.

This concerned a top secret of Spirit Hall. If it leaked, they would likely all die together.

Having struggled in the outside world for many years, they knew very well what could be said and what could not.

"Mm. Everyone, disperse." Chang Gong Ao nodded slightly.

"Yes!" They all cupped their fists and departed separately.

I truly look forward to it. After glancing toward the horizon, Chang Gong Ao turned around and walked straight back toward the tent.

The next morning, before dawn had fully broken.

One large and one small figure quietly left the camp and headed deeper into the forest.