Chapter 66: Foundation of a New Soul System
"Souls?"
"Yes. It's called a soul spirit because it's dominated by the soul of the soul beast instead of just the soul ring," Tianmeng explained eagerly.
"I don't mind what it's called, as long as it's something created by me. If you have any suggestions, tell me—I can't wait!" Tianmeng's enthusiasm bubbled over. After being branded as a failure for so many years, he finally had a chance to prove himself. He didn't want to wait another second.
"Brother Tianmeng, I do have some suggestions. The first one relates to what I just mentioned—a soul beast shouldn't only produce a single soul ring. After all, whether it's a ten-year, hundred-year, thousand-year, ten-thousand-year, or even hundred-thousand-year soul beast, their bodies remain after death, and that implies their total energy should be enough to create more than just one ring."
In the Douluo III era, a ten-year soul beast could produce one ring, a hundred-year beast two rings, a thousand-year beast three, a ten-thousand-year beast four, and although not explicitly stated, a hundred-thousand-year beast should be able to produce five.
Logically, Xiao Qiang could follow that method—replicating Tianmeng's situation and building a soul system similar to the one ten thousand years later in Douluo III. But something about that system felt wrong to him, even from the moment soul spirits were introduced in Douluo II.
Even though Tianmeng's drained form could only grant a million-year soul ring, the remaining energy was enough to elevate any attached soul rings to the 100,000-year level. Even a 100-year soul ring could be drawn up to 100,000 years with Tianmeng's help.
But the soul system Electrolux created clearly didn't include such a mechanism.
Beibei and Jiang Nannan had two yellow and two black rings, which might suggest a lack of energy from their soul beasts—but then there was Xu Sanshi, who didn't follow that pattern. A 100,000-year soul beast surely had more power than just three high-level soul rings. In theory, Xu Sanshi's first four rings should also have reached the ten-thousand-year level.
Clearly, not all soul spirits had the power to pull soul rings up the way Tianmeng could.
Perhaps it was due to the soul beasts being weaker than Tianmeng, but Xiao Qiang leaned toward another explanation: Electrolux's original soul system was flawed from the start.
Not because Electrolux was inferior to Tianmeng, but because he lacked deep knowledge about soul beasts. At the time, Haotian Castle was under tremendous pressure and urgency. Electrolux, being only a remnant soul, could be forgiven for making mistakes under such conditions.
This might explain why soul spirits like the Rouge Soft Golden Python and Dai Huabin's Black Tiger didn't produce soul bones—even if they were willing.
Soul spirits could generate soul bones when they held strong emotions: either intense hatred or a deep willingness to bond with a soul master. Yet, among all the soul spirits Huo Yuhao had found, only the 100,000-year-old Golden Tortoise had given a soul bone.
If other cases could be dismissed due to lack of emotional resonance, the Eight-Angled Black Ice Grass shattered that defense.
After producing a 100,000-year soul bone and two 100,000-year soul rings, its energy was completely drained. Yet, Huo Yuhao only gained less than five levels of soul power. A soul beast that powerful should've given far more.
That orange ring, though seemingly formidable, had only one soul skill.
Clearly, the hastily constructed soul system had serious problems.
Later developments, such as the Soul Ascension Platform in Douluo III, were probably designed to patch these issues based on Tianmeng's capabilities.
But Xiao Qiang thought it better to address the flaws at their root rather than rely on future fixes.
"I know that a soul beast can produce more than just one soul ring. Some powerful beasts can even give both a soul ring and a bone at just the tenth level," Tianmeng nodded, intrigued.
"Exactly. That's my second suggestion," Xiao Qiang continued. "When crafting a soul, make sure it produces a soul bone as well."
Tianmeng frowned. "Soul bones? They only form when a soul beast deeply hates or is extremely willing to help the soul master. If you slaughter them all, they'll just turn into ordinary rings. Most won't agree to become soul spirits, especially for average soul masters."
"They must agree," Xiao Qiang said firmly. "Because this is how they can survive. That's the difference between creating a soul and a wisdom soul ring. Wisdom rings depend on the soul ring as a carrier—when the soul master dies, the ring vanishes, and the soul fades away."
"But with a soul bone as the foundation and the soul ring as the form, it becomes different. Like I told you before, Brother Tianmeng—if I can't become a god, I'll reverse-sacrifice my soul power and spiritual power to preserve your existence, and Bingdi's as well. It benefits you, and through that, it will benefit other soul beasts too."
"But I didn't produce any soul bones for you."
"That's why I asked Bingdi to produce four soul bones. With your ability, Brother Tianmeng, it won't be easy to get one from another ferocious beast, but over thousands of years, it's certainly possible."
Tianmeng nodded. "You're right. I'm the first million-year-level soul beast in history. Still alive, even without a body. If I use Bingbing's soul bone, doesn't that mean Bingbing and I… hehehe."
"Tianmeng! If you want a beating, just say so! Stop smiling at me like that!" Bingdi snapped.
"Hey now, Bingbing, I'm thinking about our future here. You don't want us to be without options, do you?"
Bingdi rolled her eyes and turned away. "Hmph!"
"Anyway," Xiao Qiang continued, "my idea is simple—start with a soul bone, then for each tier of soul beast—ten, hundred, thousand, ten-thousand, and hundred-thousand years—try to extract one to five soul rings, respectively. Of course, the final number of rings should be controlled by you, Tianmeng. You're the most qualified."
"Leave it to me!" Tianmeng grinned. "Watch how I show off my talent!"
Meanwhile, in Xiao Hongchen's room…
"You're here because of Grandpa?"
"Yes, young master. This is what the head of the family prepared for you. He hopes it can help with your cultivation."
A retainer from the Hongchen family respectfully handed Xiao Hongchen a storage-type soul tool.
Xiao Hongchen peeked inside—and his eyes lit up. The amount of resources inside far exceeded what he usually received.
"Thank you. Tell Grandpa I won't let him down."
"Yes, young master."
After the servant left, Xiao Hongchen sat quietly and looked again at the precious resources packed inside the soul tool.
"Even if the Hongchen family faces danger, they're giving me more than ever. Grandpa… don't worry. I will not disappoint you."
He clenched his fists, eyes shining with resolve.
He would become the pillar of the Hongchen family, no matter what it took.