Set off for Heaven Dou

"Ding! Since the host's Soul Power has reached level 40, the following tasks are now issued:"

"1. Gold-level Task: Obtain a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring alone, without relying on external aid."

"2. Red-level Task: Absorb a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring with the help of others."

"3. Black-level Task: Absorb a Spirit Ring over 5,000 years old as the fourth Spirit Ring."

"4. Purple-level Task: Absorb a fourth Spirit Ring within the normal absorption age limit."

The moment Xiao Yu broke through to level 40, the system issued new tasks.

A Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring?

As he looked at the tasks issued by the system, Xiao Yu's gaze unconsciously settled on the Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring at the top.

In the original story, Tang San had absorbed a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring as his fourth Spirit Ring, stunning the entire Spirit Master Competition. Having already gained such an advantage over Tang San from the outset, Xiao Yu would not fall behind him. However, just as Xiao Wu had said in the original story, absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring not only tested a Spirit Master's physical strength; the soul shock produced by a soul beast's lingering remnant soul during absorption was also a test of the Spirit Master's soul strength.

After high-level soul beasts died, their souls were difficult to disperse for a long time due to the immense strength they had possessed in life. Thus, they would produce soul shocks while a Spirit Master absorbed their Spirit Rings.

Generally speaking, level 50 Spirit Masters had the foundation of their first four Spirit Rings, and all aspects of their bodies had reached a certain standard. Their spiritual power had also developed to a certain extent, so absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring would be relatively easier. Even so, they had to be exceptionally careful. It was not as though Spirit Masters at the threshold of Soul King could absorb Ten Thousand Year Spirit Rings with guaranteed success. Xiao Yu believed that throughout the history of Spirit Masters, there had still been level 50 Spirit Masters who had exploded and died while absorbing Ten Thousand Year Spirit Rings.

Even level 50 Spirit Masters faced such risks, much less weaker level 40 Spirit Masters. Not only did they have to endure the tremendous energy impact produced when absorbing a Spirit Ring, but when their immature soul power was struck by intense soul shocks, they could lose their minds, become idiots, or even die.

There had been several reasons why Tang San could absorb a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Ring in the original story. First, Tang San had been reincarnated, so his soul power was naturally far stronger than that of ordinary people. Second, the Purple Demon Eyes could greatly weaken a soul beast's resentment before death. Third, the Immortal Herbs—the Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass—had cleansed his tendons and marrow, remade his body, and greatly strengthened his physique, while the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew had vastly enhanced his spiritual power. Finally, he also had his External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances, which could alleviate the pressure of absorption at crucial moments through its devouring power.

Xiao Yu was a cautious man. Though he was confident that his spiritual strength and physical constitution were stronger than those of ordinary Spirit Masters, that was not enough. Without absolute certainty, he would never take the risk. Since he had an example to follow, he only needed to copy it. So, Tang San, the Immortal Herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well no longer belong to you!

Aside from the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Xiao Yu had several other reasons for this trip to Heaven Dou:

First, while raking the grass, he might as well catch a rabbit. Since he was already going to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he naturally could not overlook Dugu Bo, the Titled Douluo gatekeeper. Though Dugu Bo was the weakest among Titled Douluo, his area-of-effect attacks were the most terrifying among them. He could not kill a Titled Douluo, but he could leave the other side with no one but Titled Douluo.

Second, under Lou Gao's unrelenting, persevering, and almost obsessive forging, tempering, and research, his Soul Tool proficiency had risen rapidly. He could now reliably produce level six Soul Tools and was working toward level seven Soul Tools. Among his disciples, Si Long, who had the greatest talent, could already skillfully manufacture level five Soul Tools. The other three had also begun trying to make them, while low-level Soul Tools had entered mass production.

A massive stockpile of Soul Tools had built up, but the Silvia Kingdom ranked at the bottom among Heaven Dou's four major vassal kingdoms. There simply were no wealthy clients within the kingdom. Naturally, Xiao Yu had to find a way to open up sales channels, such as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, second among the Upper Three Sects.

Third was that little girl Ye Lingling. She had graduated from Soul Master Academy several months ago, and after enrolling in Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she had sent him a letter roughly every ten days, constantly inviting him to gather in Heaven Dou City. Her letters also frequently mentioned the Royal Academy's outstanding resources. Xiao Yu suspected that she had yet to give up on recruiting him into Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Though it was absolutely impossible for him to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, there was no harm in visiting Ye Lingling.

On one hand, it was difficult to refuse such sincere invitations, and he did miss that timid little girl Ye Lingling somewhat. On the other hand, he was preparing to begin recruiting the Nine Hearted Begonia Family behind her. As the pinnacle of healing martial souls among support-type Spirit Masters, the Nine Hearted Begonia possessed the same fatal flaw as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda: it had no offensive power. Soul Tools could make up for that shortcoming, and would make a fine gift upon calling at their door.

Before setting off for Heaven Dou this time, Eden and Yi Hui had both reached the peak of level 39 and faintly showed signs of breaking through to level 40, so the two chose to enter seclusion one after the other. In addition, Iao had broken through level 30 some time ago. With matters at the Soul Fighting Arena temporarily settled, the sect arranged for the two Soul Saints, Miao and Lu Ni, to take him hunting for a Spirit Ring. Zilong was currently at the peak of level 38 and still had some way to go before breaking through to level 40, so he could accompany Xiao Yu to Heaven Dou.

Xie Wu's current Soul Power Level was 35, while Miyi Mei was already close to level 37. Although the two had broken through level 30 at nearly the same time, there was a one-level gap in their Innate Soul Power. This was the difference displayed by talent. As time passed, that gap would only grow larger.

Before leaving, Xiao Yu planned to settle his recent task rewards and add several more capable people to the sect.

At present, Xiao Yu had one Red Grade Summoning Card, two Black Grade Summoning Cards, five Purple Grade Summoning Cards, and several Yellow Grade Summoning Cards. The Red Grade Summoning Card was the reward for Lou Gao forging a level six Soul Tool. The Black Grade Summoning Cards were the rewards for the Nine Stars Team earning a Gold Soul Badge and achieving twenty consecutive victories at the Soul Fighting Arena. The remaining Purple Grade and Yellow Grade cards came from win streaks, rewards for the sect's sphere of influence, beginner forging of level four and five Soul Tools, and exchanges of low-level White-level Summoning Cards.

"Leave the Purple Grade Summoning Cards and Yellow Grade Summoning Cards untouched. Use all the Black Grade and Red Grade Summoning Cards."

Xiao Yu focused his mind and sent the command to the system. He decided to save the Purple Grade and Yellow Grade cards and exchange them for higher-tier permission Summoning Cards whenever possible. After all, Black Grade and Red Grade cards had higher guaranteed minimums.

"Ding! Black Grade character selection complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Omega Era Bronze Saint, Kang Mo of Leo Minor. Martial soul: Blazing Lion. Innate Soul Power: level 9. Current Soul Power Level: 37."

"Ding! Black Grade character selection complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Omega Era Bronze Saint, Yuna of Aquila. Martial soul: Whirlwind Azure Eagle. Innate Soul Power: level 9. Current Soul Power Level: 35."

"Ding! Red Grade character selection complete. Congratulations to the host for obtaining the SS Era Gold Saint, Aiolia of Leo. Martial soul: Golden Lion. Innate Soul Power: level 9.5. Current Soul Power Level: 95."