Bone Douluo pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Normally, we would take Jun Yi to obtain a Soul Ring, since he has Innate Full Soul Power. But I want him to spend some time laying a foundation and strengthening his physique, so he can aim for a Soul Ring of a greater age."
Sword Douluo nodded and continued his analysis. "Exactly. Although that boy has Innate Full Soul Power and a much stronger physique than ordinary children, if we let him obtain a Soul Ring now, he could only manage one of around five hundred years at most. Didn't your research already establish that the stronger a Soul Master's physique, the higher the age limit of the Soul Ring they can absorb? If he trains for a while and obtains a Soul Ring of around seven hundred years, his second ring could very well reach a thousand years."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. He had spent a great deal of time and effort seeking a way to break through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's limitations. He had only learned by chance that the stronger a Soul Master's physique, the higher the age limit of the Soul Ring they could absorb, and he had verified it through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples.
"But we still need to respect Jun Yi's opinion and see what he thinks. That child may be a little mischievous at times, but he's extremely intelligent."
As Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, Jun Yi and Ning Rongrong arrived outside the door. Hearing the conversation inside, Jun Yi nodded slightly, while Ning Rongrong settled beside Ning Fengzhi with familiar ease.
Ning Fengzhi spoke first. "Xiao Yi, we were just talking about you. Come, take a seat."
Ning Fengzhi pointed to the seat beside Ning Rongrong, motioning for Jun Yi to sit.
"Thank you, Uncle Ning."
Jun Yi sat beside Ning Rongrong and looked at the three of them with a calm smile. "I heard you and the two Your Eminences discussing me outside just now, Uncle Ning. You wanted my opinion?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced over with a smile. "It's about obtaining your Soul Ring. We wanted to hear your thoughts."
Bone Douluo looked at Jun Yi with a beaming smile. "Boy, you have Innate Full Soul Power. Normally, you could obtain a Soul Ring right now and become a Soul Master. Well? Do you want to obtain one?"
Jun Yi was rather puzzled. He did not quite understand what Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo were thinking. Normally, he should go obtain a Hundred-Year Soul Ring right now. Was there something wrong with that?
"Why doesn't the host ask the Omniscient System?"
Just as Jun Yi sank into thought, an icy electronic notification sounded in his ears.
Right, I have a system. Why should I settle for a Hundred-Year Soul Ring? Too small. I'm thinking too small.
Realization dawned on Jun Yi. He hurried into his inner world and asked the system, "System, what do you think I should do?"
The system replied with just two words: "Build foundations."
"I'm not a sports student. What the hell do I need to build foundations for?" Jun Yi grumbled.
"Hey, System, do you have a shop or something? Get me one of those Soul Rings whose age increases as my strength grows."
The system answered, "There is no shop. The Soul Ring the host describes does exist, but the system cannot let the host reap rewards without work and hand over whatever he asks for."
Jun Yi asked, "Then what do I need to do to get a Soul Ring like that?"
"Independently create a Level 2 Soul Tool without the system's assistance. When that happens, the system will automatically grant the host his First Soul Ring."
"Okay, okay, a Level 2 Soul Tool, right? Easy."
Jun Yi made up his mind. He would create a Level 2 Soul Tool within six months.
In the real world, Ning Fengzhi watched Jun Yi, who had sunk into "deep thought," with an appreciative expression.
Jun Yi came back to his senses and told Ning Fengzhi, "I don't want to obtain a Soul Ring just yet. I want to spend some time laying a foundation."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brows slightly and asked in puzzlement, "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Jun Yi nodded firmly as he answered.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and patted Jun Yi's shoulder. "Since that's what you have in mind, I'll respect your wishes."
"I'll have someone draw up a training plan based on your physical strength. When the time comes for you to obtain a Soul Ring, you'll certainly reap some unexpected rewards."
"Thank you, Uncle Ning."
"Mm." Ning Fengzhi nodded.
After dinner, Jun Yi returned to his room and began meditating to cultivate. The original novel had mentioned that one could continue cultivating even without obtaining a Soul Ring, and their Soul Power would still increase. Thus, Jun Yi did not want to waste any time he could spend cultivating. Since he had come to the Douluo Continent, he would become a genius who drew everyone's attention.
"Friendly reminder: the host still has an unopened beginner's gift pack."
The system's notification sounded again.
"Oh, a beginner's gift pack? I almost forgot."
Jun Yi's eyes lit up. He hurriedly pulled the system icon in his mind closer to the panel and checked the details of the beginner's gift pack.
[Ding]: Congratulations to the host on obtaining the weapon: Cursed Sword · Kikoku. (Already subdued) [Ding]: Congratulations to the host on obtaining: Conqueror's Haki training method. [Ding]: Congratulations to the host on obtaining: Armament Haki training method. [Ding]: Congratulations to the host on obtaining: Observation Haki training method.
"Holy crap, this beginner's gift pack has some pretty generous rewards!"
Joy appeared on Jun Yi's face, and he immediately summoned the cursed sword Kikoku from the beginner's gift pack.
Jun Yi examined it up close. Small cross-shaped patterns were engraved along the scabbard from top to bottom, and its main body was black. The guard had a furry covering, and several lengths of decorative cord tassels were tied near the top of the scabbard. The sword was very long, at least a meter and a half from tip to hilt, considerably longer than Jun Yi was tall at present.
"Wait, how am I supposed to use a sword this long?"
Jun Yi found it absurd. In Pirate King, Luo stood over a meter ninety and could wield this cursed sword with ease, but he was only a little over a meter forty right now. Holding it in his hands, he could not even draw it.
"That is something the host must overcome himself. Please work hard," the system's emotionless voice sounded again.
"Overcome my ass! I can't even use it, okay?"
Jun Yi muttered and put it into his storage ring, then spoke to himself. "What a joke. I finally get a treasure, and I can't even use it because of my height."
Jun Yi then began looking through the training methods for the Three Types of Haki, but he suddenly realized something and asked, "System, if I remember correctly, Conqueror's Haki can only be awakened innately. You can't cultivate it, right?"
"In the pirate world, Conqueror's Haki cannot be cultivated, but this is the Douluo Continent. Besides, isn't the host underestimating this system a little too much? Since I gave you a training method, you will definitely master it if you follow it."
The system's icy electronic voice was filled with dominance and authority.
Jun Yi detected what seemed to be a trace of displeasure in the system's voice and hurriedly soothed it. "Understood, Almighty System. I'll go cultivate now. Please don't be angry."
Returning to the real world, Jun Yi sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. Calming his mind and focusing his thoughts, he slowly entered a meditative state.
(End of chapter)