"System, can I absorb the Soul Ring now?" Jun Yi asked.
"Anytime."
Jun Yi took the Soul Ring he intended to absorb out of the System Space and examined it. He noticed a few differences between it and ordinary Soul Rings. It was slightly larger than those produced by Soul Beasts, milky white, with patterns faintly visible flowing across it.
Jun Yi extended his hand and released his Soul Power into the Soul Ring. At once, a warm current of energy traveled along his arm into his body, circulating through his limbs and bones.
White fluctuations of energy swirled around Jun Yi. Gradually, under their influence, his blood began to flow faster. Wisps of pale golden energy followed his meridians into his bones, nourishing his entire body.
Gradually, ripples began to appear across Jun Yi's body. A pure white Soul Ring slowly condensed and took shape, finally becoming a complete ring that shone with a lustrous white light and floated slowly above his head.
Powerful Soul Power erupted from within Jun Yi, filling the entire room. In that instant, he felt as though he had broken through some barrier, and his whole body felt light.
Then the Soul Ring began to change. A trace of pale yellow gradually emerged within the pure white, before the white began to fade and the ring turned completely yellow. Its color then darkened, and a streak of purple quietly appeared, encroaching upon the ring as though to dye it purple.
At that moment, Jun Yi clearly felt an enormous surge of Soul Power gathering toward his mind. Ripples of energy spread outward from his body, circle after circle.
"I'm almost at my limit."
By now, Jun Yi's head was drenched in sweat, and he could no longer hold on. If he forced himself to endure any further, he feared it would leave him with consequences beyond measure.
Finally, a minute later, the deep yellow Soul Ring settled at Jun Yi's head. Light blossomed from his head, illuminating the entire room.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, host," the system's congratulatory voice rang out in Jun Yi's mind.
Hearing that, Jun Yi let out a long breath and slowly stood up, feeling the strength coursing through his entire body.
"After absorbing the Soul Ring, not only did my Soul Power break through, but even my spiritual power and physique improved to varying degrees. That feels amazing," Jun Yi said with a grin.
"System, open my personal panel."
Name: Jun Yi Age: 6 Soul Power Level: Level 14 Soul Master Martial Soul: Op-Op Fruit (unawakened). Soul Ring: Yellow (973 years) Abilities mastered: Observation Haki (low-level), Armament Haki (low-level), crafting some rank-two Soul Tools and all rank-one Soul Tools, various complex devices.
"Oh-ho! I never thought my first Soul Ring would come so close to a thousand years. My Soul Power even went up a full four levels. This is just too good."
Jun Yi was delighted from the bottom of his heart and hurriedly thanked the system. "Thank you for the reward, big brother System. It's all thanks to you that Little Yizi could improve this much."
"Please do not assume the system's gender, host. Thank you," the system replied flatly.
"Huh? Isn't that a little..."
At the system's words, the corner of Jun Yi's mouth twitched. What the hell was going on? Why had the system suddenly started throwing feminist punches?
Hearing this, Jun Yi hurriedly said, "All right, all right. Thank you, System."
"Please remember, host: the Growth Soul Ring provided by the system will not produce any Soul Skills. You must create your own," the system reminded him again.
"Understood, understood. Starting tomorrow, I'll begin developing my fruit abilities."
With that, Jun Yi sat cross-legged and entered meditation again...
Early the next morning, just as the sky was growing light, Bone Douluo arrived in Jun Yi's room. Seeing him seated in cultivation, he could not help offering a word of praise. "Even I wasn't this diligent at your age."
Hearing the voice, Jun Yi opened his eyes. Seeing Bone Douluo standing a short distance away, he wondered, What had Bone Douluo come to see me for?
Jun Yi stood and bowed to Bone Douluo before asking, "Grandpa Bone, why did you come so early today? It isn't time for training yet."
"Yesterday, I heard from Rongrong that you made a bet with her? Whoever loses becomes the boss, right?" Bone Douluo asked with a smile.
"Uh, that did happen. Don't tell me Rongrong asked you to come teach me a lesson?" Jun Yi had a very bad feeling. That did seem like something Ning Rongrong would do.
Bone Douluo walked up beside Jun Yi and lightly patted his head. "You little brat. Since when has Rongrong been such a sore loser?"
"Since when hasn't she been? Just a few days ago, she played dirty and swindled me out of two skewers of candied hawthorn," Jun Yi grumbled.
"That doesn't count."
"Fine, whatever you say."
Seeing Jun Yi's comical expression, Bone Douluo chuckled and sat down in a chair. "It was indeed Rongrong who asked me to come see you."
"But this time, she specifically begged me to take you to obtain a Soul Ring," Bone Douluo explained.
Bone Douluo poured himself a cup of tea and continued, "Rongrong said she doesn't want to take advantage of you. This time, she wants to beat you fair and square through her own efforts. She also said you should treat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as your own home, focus on cultivating, and not think about anything else."
Jun Yi scratched the back of his head and said, somewhat embarrassed, "I really did judge a gentleman's heart with a petty man's mind."
Bone Douluo smiled and shook his head. "Though that girl Rongrong is usually rather mischievous, she's an innocent, kind child at heart. So, Kid Jun, you'd better seize your chance."
"Mm-hmm. Huh?" Jun Yi had not expected Bone Douluo to say such a thing. He was actually taking the initiative to matchmake me and Ning Rongrong? What was going on here?
For some reason, Jun Yi suddenly found it very strange.
"Ahem, Grandpa Bone, what's gotten into you today?"
Jun Yi spoke awkwardly, feeling that things should not be unfolding the way he imagined. Normally, shouldn't anyone who got close to Ning Rongrong receive a beating from the two Titled Douluo?
Had the sun risen in the west today?
"Kid Jun, although we two old fellows both dote on Rongrong and don't want her casually associating with outsiders, we aren't hidebound. As long as Rongrong chooses willingly, neither of us will object."
"Besides, you're an outstanding child, and Rongrong has some affection for you. You'd better make the most of it. Though I don't know what that coward thinks, I'm quite satisfied with you."
Bone Douluo drained the tea in his hand, then spoke slowly.
Jun Yi thought it over. Indeed, there was no second child as outstanding as him to be found anywhere on the Douluo Continent. Not only was he handsome and highly talented, but he was also currently the only Soul Master on the Douluo Continent who knew how to make Soul Tools. What was more, he was now an orphan, so there would be no trouble with parents-in-law.
"Wait, an orphan."
At that thought, Jun Yi suddenly stopped, understanding everything in an instant. Since he was an orphan, once he and Ning Rongrong got together, it would not be Ning Rongrong marrying him, but Jun Yi marrying into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...
(End of chapter)