Self-Condensed Soul Ring

The next morning, Xiao Wu woke up to find an extra note beside her pillow.

"Come find me in the woods behind the academy after school—Lan Hong!"

"What does that guy mean? Whatever, I'll just go take a look!"

Xiao Wu did not think much of it. After school, she went to the woods behind the academy as promised.

Lan Hong was already waiting for her. Before that, he had circled the academy once and confirmed with Lan Mao and Hong Mao that Tang Hao was not around.

That was normal. Although Tang Hao secretly protected Tang San, he could not possibly watch over him every moment.

"You're here!"

"Hey! What do you want with Sister Xiao Wu?"

"What I'm about to say is very important. Listen carefully. Don't interrupt me, and don't ask how I know."

"W-What are you trying to say? Why are you being so mysterious?"

"Xiao Wu! A Hundred Thousand Year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form!"

At Lan Hong's words, Xiao Wu truly reacted like a startled rabbit, jumping straight up.

"Y-You, you, you... How do you know?"

"You don't even feel any killing intent toward me. Should I say you're innocent, or just stupid?

I told you, don't ask how I know. You won't be in danger for now, because someone has already marked you down!"

"Marked me down? What does that mean?"

"Tang San's father is Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao. He has been secretly protecting Tang San all along. He saw through your identity long ago. You're the Spirit Ring he prepared for Tang San."

Xiao Wu collapsed to the ground at once, looking utterly hopeless.

"How could this happen? The human world is too terrifying! I want to go back to the Star Dou Great Forest! Sob, sob, sob!"

"Of course you can go back, but you need to choose the right time. Don't let Tang Hao discover that you intend to escape, otherwise..."

Xiao Wu wiped away her tears and stared straight at Lan Hong.

"Why are you telling me all this? Don't you want my Spirit Ring and Soul Bone?"

"No."

"Huh? You really don't? You're lying! What Soul Master wouldn't want a Spirit Ring and Soul Bone?"

"That is the saddest thing about Soul Masters. From the moment they set foot on this path, they become someone else's pawns!"

"???"

"You wouldn't understand even if I explained it. You're not qualified to come into contact with such things yet. I'm telling you this because I need your help with something!"

"What kind of help?"

"Give me some blood!"

Lan Hong tossed Xiao Wu a small jade bottle.

"Blood? What are you planning?"

"Don't ask so much. It's just a little blood. This is the payment you owe me!"

"Fine, I'll give it! What an annoying guy!"

Bar­ing her teeth, Xiao Wu filled a small bottle with blood for Lan Hong. Lan Hong took the jade bottle and nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright! You can go now!"

"Hmph! Scumbag, throwing me away after using me!"

"Don't use words you don't understand. And let me remind you one more time: Tang San has the mind of an adult. Be careful not to fall for his tricks!"

Xiao Wu glanced at Lan Hong but did not answer. She left the woods and returned to the Seventh Dormitory.

"Xiao Wu! Where did you go?"

"Little San, is it any of your business where Sister Xiao Wu goes? Hmph!"

"Xiao Wu, how did you get hurt? Did someone bully you? Don't be afraid. Whoever bullied you, I'll teach him a lesson!"

"Little San, you're so annoying! Who in Nuoding Academy could possibly bully Sister Xiao Wu? I only scraped myself by accident! Alright, alright, go away. Stop bothering me. Sister Xiao Wu needs to rest!"

Xiao Wu acted no differently from before, but deep down, she had already begun to hate Tang San.

Meanwhile, Lan Hong began his experiment with the blood Xiao Wu had given him.

"Brother Cat, what do you think? Is this blood enough?"

"It should be enough. Hong Mao, which of us should Condense a Spirit Ring first?"

"I'll go first. As a Martial Soul, I'm the one who has been exposed. According to Lan Hong, exposing Twin Martial Souls is dangerous. You should try not to reveal yourself."

"Mm! Alright! Little Hong, provide the Soul Power while I guide Hong Mao in Condensing a Spirit Ring.

Although Hong Mao is the one Condensing the Spirit Ring, it is still based on your body. You may feel a great deal of pain, so endure it!"

"I understand! It's only a little pain. I can definitely bear it!"

At once, the Self-Condensed Soul Ring experiment officially began. Using Xiao Wu's blood as the catalyst, Lan Hong's body as the foundation, and Soul Power as fuel, Lan Mao guided Hong Mao to Condense a Spirit Ring on his own.

At first, the Soul Power merely circled around, unable to form a ring at all. But as time passed, the Soul Power finally connected, becoming a closed loop.

At that very instant, Lan Hong felt excruciating pain strike directly at his soul. He let out a muffled groan, not daring to cry out.

"Little Hong, are you alright?"

"Brother Cat, I'm fine. I can hold on! Keep going!"

The white lines around Hong Mao gradually widened, and simple patterns appeared on them. The rudiment of a Spirit Ring had already formed.

"Good! The outer shell is complete! Lan Hong, now picture the skill you want in your mind!"

"Alright!"

All of Xiao Wu's remaining blood was drawn into the Spirit Ring. In the end, the patterns solidified, and the Self-Condensed Soul Ring was completely formed.

Hong Mao, who had been sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes as well, his gaze filled with delight.

"It's done! Just as expected, the shackles are gone! Lan Hong, how do you feel?"

"Whew! I can feel the bottleneck has disappeared too. My Soul Power should be at level 11 now."

Lan Hong's clothes were soaked through with sweat. He swore he never wanted to experience that pain, which pierced deep into his bones and soul, a second time.

After recovering for a while, Lan Hong tried releasing his Spirit Ring. Sure enough, a white Spirit Ring appeared beneath his feet.

Though it was only a White Spirit Ring, because it was a Self-Condensed Soul Ring, it would grow along with Lan Hong. However, the color of the Spirit Ring probably would not change.

He then tried out the skill. As the Spirit Skill activated, a Changhong Sword appeared in his hand.

That was right. Lan Hong's First Spirit Skill was to summon the Changhong Sword. However, the hilt of the Changhong Sword in his hand bore a rabbit pattern, likely because it had been condensed with Xiao Wu's blood.

"First Form of Changhong Swordplay, One Move Three Forms!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three streaks of red sword qi shot out in succession, and the scorching sword qi ignited the fallen leaves.

"Whew! I finally mastered the first move! Sure enough, after breaking through level ten, I can gradually use Changhong Swordplay as well!"

"Lan Hong, you did well, but this move still has quite a few openings. You need to put in more effort!"

"Yes! I'll work hard!"

It was already late. Lan Hong returned to the Seventh Dormitory, took a proper bath, and instead of cultivating, went straight to sleep.

Lan Hong did not notice that Xiao Wu was still awake at this hour.

Xiao Wu lay with her eyes open, watching Lan Hong sleep with steady breathing.

"Lan Hong, who exactly are you? Why do you know my identity? And why are you helping me? Ah! Human society is truly so complicated! Da Ming, Er Ming, what should I do from now on?"

Xiao Wu scratched her head. Unable to figure it out, she simply stopped thinking about it, pulled the blanket over her head, and went to sleep.

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