Time flashed by, and the end of the third school year arrived. Over those two years, Ling Yu had gradually learned to identify ores, smelt, and forge.
His once somewhat pale, thin body had gradually grown sturdy, his figure straight and tall, every contour just right.
His arms had smooth lines, their muscles rising slightly when he exerted himself, brimming with explosive strength. His Soul Power had also broken through to rank nineteen.
"Tang San, are you going back to the village this year?" Ling Yu asked after finishing the smithy's orders.
"No, I've already broken through to rank twenty. Teacher said he'd take me somewhere to hunt for a Soul Ring over the break." Tang San glanced warily at Ling Yu. Ever since learning that Ling Yu's Soul Skill could probe the insides of ores, he had realized he had underestimated this world.
With a Soul Skill like that, even the Tang Sect Hidden Weapons would likely struggle to block its probing. Coupled with Ling Yu's cultivation speed, it made him increasingly wary. He did not want to be outdone by someone using an ordinary meditation method.
Over those two years, Tang San had kept observing Ling Yu. When Ling Yu easily forged a piece of iron essence with the aid of his Soul Skill, Tang San made up his mind-he absolutely could not let Hidden Weapons fall into Ling Yu's hands.
"I see. All right, I'll let Grandpa know. I'll head off first." Ling Yu nodded, packed his things, then changed into his school uniform and returned to the dormitory.
As soon as he entered the school gates, a commotion reached his ears. Seeing Xiao Wu at the head of the crowd, Ling Yu smiled.
For the first few days of school last year, Xiao Wu had been silent and utterly listless. Gradually, she had regained her vitality, and now she was back to her old self.
The next morning, just as Ling Yu was preparing to return to the village, Xiao Wu stopped him.
"What's wrong?" Ling Yu looked at her in some surprise.
Xiao Wu bit her lip and lowered her head, saying nothing. Ling Yu was in no hurry either, and the two simply stood facing each other.
After a long while, Xiao Wu slowly raised her head, a trace of determination in her eyes. "Can you come with me to the Soul Hunting Forest?"
Looking at Xiao Wu, who seemed ready to stake everything, Ling Yu finally realized that her usual carefree antics were only a facade. Deep within her heart lay a great deal of pain, pain he himself had forced upon her.
"All right, but do you have money? The two of us can only go to a Soul Hunting group. Either we pay, or we work for them in exchange for a chance."
"I... only have five gold coins." Xiao Wu shrank back a little as she spoke softly, but that made Ling Yu laugh instead.
"Why are you laughing like that?"
"Nothing. I'm just surprised you actually managed to save any money."
"You... hmph!" Xiao Wu brandished her fist.
"I have some. I'll see how things stand with the Soul Hunting groups and lend you some then. But you'll need to change into ordinary clothes, and don't dress yourself up. In the Soul Hunting Forest, strength is what counts in the end. We need to be careful."
"Mm..." Xiao Wu nodded.
"Then I'll go back and let Grandpa know first. I'll go with you once I return."
"I'm coming too. I want to see Grandpa Jack too."
"All right, let's go." The two walked out through the school gates.
Outside the town by the Soul Hunting Forest-
"We have a permit! Forming a group to hunt strength-type Soul Beasts under a hundred years old! Two more spots!"
"Forming a group to hunt agility-type Soul Beasts under a hundred years old! We have a permit! Fifteen gold coins per person!"
"War Tiger Mercenary Corps! Our leader is a Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster! We can hunt three-hundred-year Soul Beasts! Only three hundred gold coins!"
"Black Wolf Mercenary Corps! Every member is a Soul Master! We can hunt Soul Beasts under a hundred years old! One hundred gold coins!"
Ling Yu wandered through the town's marketplace with Xiao Wu, observing the condition of each Soul Hunting group:
It's roughly one gold coin per year. Working it out, Xiao Wu probably needs a six- or seven-hundred-year one, so at least six hundred gold coins. Being a Soul Master really burns through money.
That four-hundred-year Soul Ring of mine counted as a benefit from the academy. I need to repay them sooner rather than later. Ling Yu pondered silently.
After a long while, Ling Yu walked toward a Soul Hunting group that was recruiting.
"Little brother, little sister, here to hunt for a Soul Ring? A four-hundred-year Soul Ring costs just three hundred and eighty gold coins! Our Azure Wolf Soul Hunting Group has been here for five years. Our reputation is absolutely solid!" A burly, powerfully built man immediately came forward to greet them.
"Hello, uncle. Are you still recruiting?"
"Uh, you're...?" Upon hearing why Ling Yu had come, the burly man looked a little awkward. He glanced over the two, feeling that they were still wet behind the ears and had little strength.
"My name is Ling Yu. I'm a student at Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy. Eleven years old, rank nineteen. My Martial Soul is the soul."
"My Soul Skill can detect activity within fifty meters." Ling Yu did not know any disguise techniques, so he could only add a year or two to his age to avoid provoking excessive jealousy over his talent.
As soon as he heard about Ling Yu's Soul Skill, the burly man could no longer sit still and immediately moved closer.
"Kid, is that true?" What was the biggest problem in the forest? Being ambushed by Soul Beasts. Ling Yu's Soul Skill could improve the Soul Hunting group's efficiency and survival rate.
With a thought from Ling Yu, his Martial Soul immediately possessed his body. He then activated his Soul Skill and described everything inside the tents, one detail after another.
"Excellent!" The burly man was somewhat excited.
"My name is Lin Lei. My Martial Soul is the Azure Wolf, and I'm a rank twenty-eight Soul Grandmaster. Just call me Brother Lei!"
"Right, and who's this?" Lin Lei looked at Xiao Wu beside him.
"She's my classmate, Xiao Wu. Eleven years old, rank twenty. Her Martial Soul is a rabbit. We're here for her Soul Ring."
Hearing Xiao Wu's age and rank, the burly man's eyes widened even further, all sorts of feelings rising in his heart.
"Then what kind of Soul Beast do you want, and how old?"
"Well... Xiao Wu will follow us for now. She doesn't like killing. If we come across a dying six-hundred-year Soul Beast suited to power attacks, that will do."
Even Ling Yu felt somewhat helpless after saying that. It not only had to be suitable, but also on the verge of death. How could there be such a coincidence?
"Well...?" Lin Lei was somewhat speechless too. He had heard of this sort of ivory-tower kindness, but had never expected to actually encounter it.
"Then how about this? She can come along with our group too. Since she doesn't want to kill Soul Beasts, protecting us should be fine, right?"
"As for wages, you'll get fifteen gold coins per trip, and she'll get three. The rest will count as payment for us taking action, but you have to work a full month. If we don't encounter one, we'll still give her the wages she's due. How does that sound?"
Ling Yu nodded. Both of them looked at Xiao Wu, and after a moment, she agreed as well.
"Come on, I'll take you to meet the others." He waved for the two to follow.
After entering the camp, Lin Lei clapped his hands. "Everyone, come out!"
Soon, several people emerged from the tents.
"Let me introduce them. These are our new members, Ling Yu and Xiao Wu. Their Martial Souls are the soul and a rabbit. One is rank nineteen, the other rank twenty."
"Ling Yu's ability can detect activity within fifty meters. We'll be responsible for Xiao Wu's second ring."
"Come on, introduce yourselves too." The two gave a bow after Lin Lei finished introducing them. Everyone was surprised by their youth, but said little about it.
"My name is Lü Feng. My Martial Soul is the Hunting Saber. Rank twenty-two."
"My name is He Gang. My Martial Soul is the Black Tortoise. Rank twenty-three."
"My name is Fang Ling. My Martial Soul is a cat. Rank twenty-one."
"My name is Gao Fei. My Martial Soul is a leopard. Rank twenty-two."
"Now that everyone knows each other, we're partners from here on. Supporting each other is the foundation of our survival in the forest." Once everyone had finished speaking, Lin Lei immediately added this.
"That tent is yours. You can buy supplies at the town's trading company. There's a clinic next door to it. If you're injured, go there and find a healing-type Soul Master, but the prices are very steep."
"All right, Brother Lei." Ling Yu nodded, and Xiao Wu murmured her agreement too.
"We'll start taking customers out to hunt for Soul Rings tomorrow morning. Remember to be ready." With that, Lin Lei left.