Secrets in the Woods, First Glimpse of Brilliance

The days at Nuoding Academy flowed like a woodland stream, peaceful yet stirring quietly beneath the surface. Lin Ye and Tang San were almost inseparable. They attended theory and basic Soul Master classes together during the day, then slipped away to cultivate in the woods behind the academy in the evenings, often leaving even the lively Xiao Wu "abandoned" in the dormitory.

In theory class, Yu Xiaogang's gaze always seemed glued to Tang San. When he talked about Martial Soul Mutation, he would stare at Tang San; when he discussed Innate Soul Power, he would steer the subject toward Blue Silver Grass. Once, he even asked outright in class, "Tang San, what direction do you think Blue Silver Grass should evolve in? Should it absorb a Power Attack System Soul Ring to make up for its shortcomings, or..."

"I don't think it needs to make up for them." Tang San put down his pen, his voice carrying clearly throughout the classroom. "Blue Silver Grass can take root in cracks between rocks and sprout in the desert. Its resilience is its greatest advantage. If you insist on changing it with a Power Attack System Soul Ring, it'll only lose what makes it what it is."

An uproar swept through the classroom. Most of the students thought Blue Silver Grass was a Trash Martial Soul, and Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power was even more of a joke. Hearing Tang San speak with such certainty now, they couldn't help staring in surprise.

Yu Xiaogang pushed up his glasses, a complicated look flashing through his eyes behind the lenses. "But without offensive power, how can you gain a foothold in the Soul Master World?"

"Restraint, defense, perception..." Tang San counted on his fingers. "There's a lot Blue Silver Grass can do. Like this-" His fingertip twitched, and a wisp of pale green Soul Power quietly reached out. The nearly withered spider plant in the corner of the classroom suddenly unfurled its leaves, turning lush and green in the blink of an eye.

Every gaze in the classroom was drawn to it. Even Yu Xiaogang was stunned. He had spent years studying Martial Soul Theory, but he had never seen anyone use Soul Power to stimulate plant growth with such precision. This was already beyond the scope of an ordinary Soul Master's use of Soul Power.

"Is this... fine control of Soul Power?" Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled slightly.

Tang San didn't answer. He simply sat down and continued listening to the lesson. Beside him, Lin Ye quietly gave him a thumbs-up, a smile hidden in his eyes. He knew that Tang San's demonstration had not only shown the potential of Blue Silver Grass, but had also tactfully told Yu Xiaogang: My path is mine to walk.

After class, Yu Xiaogang didn't press the matter. He merely gave Tang San a long look. As he turned to leave, Lin Ye noticed his clenched fist-the excitement and unwillingness to accept defeat of a man whose theory had been challenged.

"He seems obsessed with your Blue Silver Grass." Xiao Wu leaned close to Tang San, still holding a half-eaten carrot. "But what you said just now was amazing! I was thinking of throwing that spider plant away yesterday."

"I was just trying something." Tang San smiled and looked out the window. "Time to go to the woods."

The setting sun stretched the two boys' shadows long. Just as they entered the woods, Lin Ye suddenly stopped and cocked his ear. "Someone's here."

Tang San immediately tensed, the Tang Sect's concealment techniques instinctively coming to him. The two of them slipped silently behind a thick, ancient tree.

In a clearing, several students in upper-year uniforms were surrounding a small, thin boy. Their leader was a burly-faced youth whose Martial Soul was a heavy battle-axe. His Soul Power fluctuations had faintly reached around level fifteen.

"Hand over this month's allowance!" The battle-axe youth kicked the boy in the leg. The boy stumbled and fell, dropping the cloth bundle in his arms. Several Copper Soul Coins rolled out.

"This is the money for my little sister's treatment..." the boy pleaded, his voice thick with tears.

"Your sister? Around here, Soul Power is what makes the rules!" Another student, with a sharp nose and a monkey-like face, grinned viciously and reached for the bundle.

Tang San's gaze darkened. He was just about to get up when Lin Ye held him back. "Wait," Lin Ye said quietly. "Let's see what happens."

He knew this was commonplace in the Soul Master World, where the strong preyed on the weak everywhere, but he wanted to see how Tang San would respond. Tang San's experiences in the Tang Sect in his previous life made him especially sensitive to bullying, while this world's rules differed from those of his previous life. Perhaps this was a chance for him to gain a deeper understanding of the Soul Master World.

Just as the sharp-nosed student was about to grab the bundle, a blue-green figure darted out and kicked him in the wrist.

"You're bullying him!" Xiao Wu stood in front of the boy with her hands on her hips, her ponytail shaking with anger. Her rabbit Martial Soul had quietly possessed her, lengthening her ears to sharp points, and her eyes blazed with fury.

"Where did this little brat come from?" The battle-axe youth froze for a moment, then grinned viciously. "Want to play hero and rescue the beauty? First, see if you've got what it takes! Martial Soul Possession!"

A heavy battle-axe appeared in his hand, bearing down on Xiao Wu with the oppressive force of level-fifteen Soul Power.

Although Xiao Wu's Soul Power was only level twelve, her movements were exceptionally nimble. She dodged left and right like a real rabbit, occasionally sneaking in a punch charged with Soul Power. But the gap in their levels remained, and after a few exchanges, she gradually fell at a disadvantage, forced back again and again by the battle-axe.

"Xiao Wu!" Tang San could no longer hold back. Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, winding around the battle-axe youth's ankles in an instant like countless green ropes.

"Huh?" Caught off guard, the battle-axe youth tripped and stumbled. With an angry roar, he swept his axe across and chopped through the Blue Silver Grass. "You again, you Blue Silver Grass trash!"

"What kind of skill is bullying a girl?" Tang San stood in front of Xiao Wu, not a trace of warmth in his dark eyes.

"Get him together!" the battle-axe youth called to his companions. Three Soul Masters of around level fifteen released their Martial Souls at once-a short blade, an iron staff, and a shield-and closed in from three sides.

Lin Ye knew it was time to act. Without releasing his Golden Crow Martial Soul, he gathered Soul Power in both fists and darted to Tang San's side. "Little San, protect Xiao Wu. Leave these guys to me."

"Your Martial Soul..." Tang San was about to say something when he saw that Lin Ye had already charged at the battle-axe youth.

"You think you can take me?" The battle-axe youth swung his axe down with a howl of wind. Lin Ye neither dodged nor retreated. A faint golden glow surrounded his right fist as he smashed it straight at the axe blade!

"Looking for death!" Cruelty flashed in the battle-axe youth's eyes. He didn't believe that fist could be harder than his battle-axe Martial Soul.

Clang!

The crisp ring of clashing metal startled birds into flight throughout the woods. Everyone stared in shock. Not only had Lin Ye's fist escaped unscathed, but a scorching force also traveled up the axe handle, numbing the web between the battle-axe youth's thumb and forefinger and nearly knocking the weapon from his hand!

"How is that possible?" The battle-axe youth's face was filled with horror.

Lin Ye gave him no chance to recover. His left fist followed, a seemingly weightless punch carrying irresistible force, and struck him squarely in the chest. The battle-axe youth flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashed into a tree, and fainted.

It had all happened in the space of a lightning flash. The other two students were dumbstruck. Lin Ye turned to look at them, the golden glow in his eyes not yet faded. It was the inherent pressure of the Three-Legged Golden Crow, faint but enough to make low-level Soul Masters' hearts tremble.

"Scram."

The two students fled as if granted a pardon, hauling up the unconscious battle-axe youth and scrambling away.

"Lin Ye, you're amazing!" Xiao Wu jumped up and clapped, all her earlier alarm swept away.

The boy they had rescued hurriedly got to his feet and bowed repeatedly to the three of them. "Thank you, all three of you! My name is Shi Cun. I'm a second-year."

Tang San looked at Lin Ye's fist, where a faint trace of gold still lingered. "Your Martial Soul... isn't an ordinary bird, is it?"

Lin Ye smiled and rubbed his fist. "Secret." He turned to Shi Cun. "What's wrong with your sister?"

Shi Cun's eyes reddened. "She came down with a strange illness back in the village. Her whole body is cold, and she needs Warm Sun Grass as a medicinal catalyst. But that grass only grows on the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest, and I..."

"Warm Sun Grass?" Lin Ye's interest stirred. He had seen it in a basic herb guide at Spirit Hall. The grass had warm properties and could indeed dispel cold, and it happened to grow in areas suited to Ten-Year Soul Beasts. "Do you know exactly where it is?"

Shi Cun nodded. "An old hunter in the village told me it grows on a sunny slope on the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest."

Lin Ye looked at Tang San. "We're almost at level twenty, and we need to go to the Soul Hunting Forest for Soul Rings anyway. Why don't we help him look while we're there?"

Tang San nodded at once. "All right." He looked at Shi Cun. "We'll probably leave in about a week. If you trust us, tell us how much you need."

Shi Cun was so moved that tears streamed down his face. "I trust you! Thank you so much! I still have some Copper Soul Coins here, though it's not much..."

"No need." Lin Ye waved a hand. "It's no trouble."

Xiao Wu suddenly said, "I'm going too! The Soul Hunting Forest sounds like fun!"

Tang San frowned. "There are Soul Beasts there. It's dangerous."

"I'm not afraid!" Xiao Wu puffed out her chest. "My Soft Bone Charming Rabbit is no pushover either!"

Seeing the sly look in Xiao Wu's eyes, Lin Ye knew she was worried about him and Tang San. He smiled and said, "Let's take her along. One more person means one more to watch our backs."

Over the next few days, the three of them cultivated even harder. Tang San's Soul Power had reached the peak of level nineteen, and his control of Blue Silver Grass grew ever more refined. He could silently weave a green net within ten paces. Lin Ye's Soul Power had also stabilized at level twenty-one, and he had compressed the Three-Legged Golden Crow's flame power until it was even more concentrated, though the light it gave off was becoming harder and harder to hide when he released it. Xiao Wu's level was a little lower, but her level-twelve Soul Power, combined with her ghostlike movements, was more than enough to protect herself.

The day before their departure, Yu Xiaogang suddenly came to see them. He held three maps, and his face was paler than usual, as though he had stayed up several nights in a row.

"These are detailed maps of the Soul Hunting Forest's outskirts. The areas where Ten-Year to Hundred-Year Soul Beasts roam are marked on them." Yu Xiaogang handed the maps to Tang San, his voice hoarse. "And these-" He took out two small cloth pouches. "They contain sulfur powder. It can drive away low-level snake Soul Beasts."

Tang San looked at the dense markings on the maps and the danger zones circled in red, and his heart stirred slightly. He could tell a great deal of effort had gone into them.

"Thank you, Teacher." Tang San accepted the maps and pouches, his tone softening somewhat.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes brightened. He seemed about to say something, but in the end he only said, "Be careful in everything. If you encounter danger you can't handle, give up on the Soul Rings immediately. Saving your lives comes first." He paused and looked at Lin Ye. "Your Martial Soul... although its offensive power seems ordinary, your Soul Power is pure. Protect yourself if you run into danger."

Lin Ye hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to give him a special warning. After a moment's surprise, he nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Teacher."

Once Yu Xiaogang had left, Xiao Wu leaned over to look at the maps. "That odd old man isn't so bad after all."

Tang San ran his fingers over the handwriting on the maps without speaking. Lin Ye knew that his opinion of Yu Xiaogang had begun to soften, but his determination to control his own fate made him unwilling to bow his head easily.

Early the next morning, the three of them shouldered their simple packs and quietly left the academy. The Soul Hunting Forest was half a day's journey from Nuoding City. They didn't hire a carriage, but traveled swiftly on foot, finally catching sight of the lush primeval forest toward evening.

A huge stone stele stood at the forest's edge, bearing the words "Soul Hunting Forest" in large characters, with Spirit Hall's emblem beside them. Several Spirit Hall deacons in black uniforms were checking the Soul Master credentials of those entering the forest.

"New students?" A bushy-bearded deacon frowned as he examined the credentials the three handed him. "Where's your teacher? The outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest may be relatively safe, but they're still too dangerous for little brats like you."

"We have a map, and we'll only stay on the very outer edge." Lin Ye took out the map Yu Xiaogang had given them and waved it. "We're just looking for a few herbs, and we'll see if there are any suitable Ten-Year Soul Beasts while we're at it."

The bushy-bearded deacon saw that the map was indeed marked in detail, then checked the three of their Soul Power Levels. Only after confirming that all of them were above level ten did he wave them through. "You must come out before sunset. Remember, don't go deep inside! Hundred-Year Soul Beasts roam in there!"

As they entered the Soul Hunting Forest, the air instantly grew damp. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky and sun, leaving only scattered rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves. All kinds of strange plants gave off a faint glow, and the roars of unknown beasts came from deep within, carrying a primeval wildness.

"The Soul Power is so dense!" Xiao Wu took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling. "It's much stronger than on the mountain behind the academy!"

Tang San had already released his Blue Silver Grass. Its fine leaves extended like feelers, sensing the movement around them. "There are a few ten-year Wind Wolves to the east, and some Plant-type Soul Beasts to the west. Let's head south. The sunny slope Shi Cun mentioned should be over there."

Lin Ye spread out his senses as well. The Three-Legged Golden Crow was especially sensitive to signs of life, and he could clearly distinguish gentle plants from hidden Soul Beasts. "There's movement three hundred meters ahead. It feels like... a snake?"

Tang San stopped at once and took sulfur powder from a pouch, sharing it with the other two. "Be careful. It might be a Datura Snake."

The three held their breath and approached slowly. In a clearing full of little purple flowers, a snake of vivid green was coiled on a rock, basking in the sun. Its scales shone like metal, and a small fleshy growth sat atop its head. It was a ten-year Datura Snake.

"This snake's venom is very potent, but its vitality isn't particularly outstanding," Tang San said quietly. "It's not very suitable for my First Soul Ring."

Lin Ye nodded. "Let's go farther."

They went around the Datura Snake and continued deeper to the south. Along the way, they encountered quite a few Soul Beasts, including a ten-year Hell Spirit Cat and a fifteen-year Earth Bear, and avoided them all. The range of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass perception kept growing, until it could detect everything moving within fifty paces—a natural radar.

"There's a slope ahead with plenty of sunlight," Tang San suddenly said. "That should be the sunny slope."

The three quickened their pace and, sure enough, found an open slope. Sunlight was especially plentiful here, and all kinds of exotic flowers and plants grew in abundance. The Warm Sun Grass Shi Cun needed grew at the edge of the slope, its golden-yellow leaves giving off a faint warmth.

"Found it!" Xiao Wu ran over, carefully dug up a few plants, and wrapped them in cloth. "That should be enough for Shi Cun, right?"

"About enough." Lin Ye checked them. "Now it's time to look for our Soul Rings. Little San, what kind do you need?"

Tang San closed his eyes as his Blue Silver Grass frantically absorbed the surrounding signs of life. "I can feel a very old plant deeper in this slope. Its vitality is... very gentle, very pure."

Lin Ye's heart stirred. "Could it be the Blue Silver Grass King?" He remembered that Tang San's First Soul Ring in the original story had come from a Datura Snake, but now, because of his intervention, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had taken a different path. Perhaps even his choice of Soul Ring would change.

"Let's go take a look."

The three headed deeper into the slope. The farther they went, the more luxuriant the vegetation became, and the denser the signs of life in the air grew. In the center of a clearing surrounded by vines grew an unusual Blue Silver Grass. It was much taller than ordinary Blue Silver Grass, with dark green leaves flecked with golden patterns. Even the soil around its roots glimmered faintly green.

"That's it!" Tang San's eyes lit up. He could feel a strong resonance between the Blue Silver Grass and his Martial Soul. "It's lived for at least fifty years, and its Soul Power fluctuations are very stable. It's perfect for me!"

Lin Ye examined it closely. The Blue Silver Grass did indeed contain extremely pure life energy. It had no aggression whatsoever, yet possessed a resilience that nourished things silently and imperceptibly. "It really is good." He nodded. "Then I'll go find mine."

The Soul Ring the Three-Legged Golden Crow needed had to contain sufficient life or flame power. Lin Ye spread out his senses and soon found a target at the edge of the slope—a Flame Bird perched in an ancient tree. Its whole body was fiery red, its tail feathers like burning flames. Its Soul Power fluctuations showed that it was exactly twenty years old, and the flame energy it contained faintly matched the Golden Crow Power.

"I'm going over there. You two wait here, and don't wander off," Lin Ye told them.

"Be careful." Tang San nodded. He had already begun drawing out the fifty-year Blue Silver Grass's Soul Ring, and a pale green glow was gathering around its leaves.

Lin Ye came to the foot of the ancient tree. The Flame Bird seemed to sense the threat. It let out a piercing cry and beat its wings, diving toward him with a current of scorching air.

"Good!" Lin Ye gave a low shout and stopped holding back. The Three-Legged Golden Crow's illusory image slowly spread out behind him!

A palm-sized golden bird floated above his head, its three claws flashing gold. What radiated from its body was no longer a gentle warmth, but a searing light like that of a little sun! Though it had originally been only an illusory image, Lin Ye was now driving his Soul Power with all his might, giving it a measure of substance. Even the air warped in the heat!

Overawed by the Golden Crow's presence, the Flame Bird's movements faltered noticeably. It was a reverence that came from deep within its bloodline.

"Now!" Gold flashed in Lin Ye's eyes, and the Golden Crow's illusory image swooped down and slammed into the Flame Bird!

There was no earth-shaking crash, only golden and red light intertwining and merging. The Flame Bird let out a mournful cry, its body gradually turning into red motes of light that the Golden Crow's illusory image devoured. A moment later, the image returned above Lin Ye's head. The red motes separated from its body and condensed into a yellow Soul Ring, which slowly slipped onto Lin Ye's wrist.

"First Soul Skill, Golden Crow Fire!"

Lin Ye felt the new power within him. A stream of flame power he could control at will flowed through his meridians, warm yet overbearing. He opened his eyes, and flames seemed to dance in them.

When he returned to the clearing, Tang San had already successfully absorbed the Blue Silver Grass's Soul Ring. His Blue Silver Grass had grown sturdier, and the golden patterns on its leaves were identical to those on the fifty-year Blue Silver Grass. A faint green glow surrounded him.

"My first Soul Skill, Blue Silver Cage." Tang San smiled faintly. With a thought, countless strands of Blue Silver Grass emerged from the ground and instantly wove themselves into a sturdy cage. The leaves on the cage continued to grow, full of resilience.

Watching from the side, Xiao Wu clapped and cheered. "Amazing! It's much sturdier than before!"

Lin Ye looked at Tang San's Blue Silver Cage, then felt the Golden Crow Fire within himself. Suddenly, he smiled. "Want to try something?"

Tang San raised an eyebrow. "What kind of try?"

"Trap me in your cage, and I'll see if I can burn through it with my flames," Lin Ye suggested.

"All right."

With a thought from Tang San, the Blue Silver Cage instantly enclosed Lin Ye. Lin Ye gave a low shout, and Golden Crow Fire ignited in his palm, golden flames licking at the Blue Silver Grass's leaves. Strangely, the flames didn't burn the leaves. Instead, they made them an even more vivid green, and the Blue Silver Grass even gave a faint, pleased tremble.

"This is..." Tang San froze.

Lin Ye was also somewhat surprised. He could feel the life energy in the Golden Crow Fire being absorbed by the Blue Silver Grass. "It seems our powers not only don't conflict, but can also nourish each other."

The setting sun shone through the leaves, bathing the three of them in gold.