Chapter 3: The First Ring
Li Mansion.
When the Emerald Serpent Emperor clone drifted into sleep deep within the Soul Beast Forest, Li Chang'an's real body stirred. He slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath, raising a hand to rub his forehead. Controlling two bodies at once—one human, one Soul Beast—was proving to be a serious mental strain.
Will this get easier once my cultivation realm improves? he wondered. Multitasking across two consciousnesses felt like trying to write two essays with both hands—possible, but exhausting.
Shaking the thought away, he raised his hand and summoned his Martial Soul: the sword he'd now officially named the Emerald Serpent Sword. The weapon materialized in a shimmer of jade-green light. He gently caressed the blade as one might stroke the skin of a rare and delicate artifact, or perhaps even a lover's cheek. His future power, status, and survival in this world—all of it depended on this blade.
The sword itself had a dual nature. At first glance, it seemed a pure Weapon-type Soul, but as Li Chang'an studied its structure more closely, he realized it wasn't so simple. The blade could temporarily morph into a snake-like form—not enough to be considered a full transformation or Beast Possession, but it could be controlled independently, like a remote extension of himself. More like a spiritual clone than a true Beast Soul.
He quickly saw the advantage: this meant his body wouldn't suffer from the backlash of Soul Possession. Where someone like Dugu Bo had been tormented by the corrosive nature of his own poisonous Soul, Li Chang'an could freely manipulate toxic forces without risking his health. Sure, he might lose some physical enhancements by avoiding direct possession—but it was a small price to pay to remain immune to his own venom.
The next day, a carriage arrived at the Li residence—its arrival swift and quiet, yet bearing the mark of imperial authority.
A middle-aged man stepped down. Tall and composed, with an aura of grace and danger, he was clearly a high-ranking Soul Master. Judging by the pressure he exuded, he was at least a Soul Sage. He introduced himself with minimal pleasantries: his task was to escort Li Chang'an to obtain his first Soul Ring.
Though the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire had shown interest in the boy after learning he possessed innate full Soul Power, he was still cautious. The nature of Li Chang'an's Martial Soul—the Emerald Serpent Sword—was entirely unprecedented. A so-called "mutated" Martial Soul, it hadn't been recorded in any known Soul Master lineage.
Before officially extending patronage, the Emperor wanted to see proof of the soul's potential. The first Soul Skill gained from a Ring would be telling—would it show the sword's poisonous strength, its serpentine power, or both? Or would it be underwhelming fluff wrapped in a rare shell?
Everything hinged on this first step.
Their destination was the Spirit Hunting Forest, a semi-domesticated preserve maintained by the Empire. Unlike the wild Star Dou Great Forest, the Spirit Hunting Forest was far less dangerous—more zoo than jungle. The Soul Beasts here were bred and managed, making it a relatively safe place for nobles and academy disciples to hunt for their early rings.
Upon arrival, the guards at the entrance greeted the Soul Sage with deference, opening the gates without requiring identification. Privilege had its advantages.
As they entered the forest, the Soul Sage turned to Li Chang'an.
"Your Martial Soul appears to possess dual traits: the cutting power of a Weapon Soul and the venom of a poisonous Beast Soul," he said. "That means you have options. You can pursue either aspect with your first ring—sharpness, or poison. Which direction will you choose?"
Li Chang'an was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is it possible to choose both?"
The Soul Sage raised a brow. "Normally, splitting attributes like that weakens the final Soul Skill. The power becomes diluted. But your Martial Soul is unique. A hybrid. You may be able to draw strength from both paths without compromise. It's worth a try."
Of course, the man's casual approval was rooted in experience. He knew most first Soul Skills, especially those from hundred-year Rings, rarely remained relevant in the long run. As long as the Soul Ring didn't exceed five hundred years, the risk was manageable—especially for someone with innate full Soul Power.
They traveled deeper into the preserve until they reached a patch of dense bamboo forest. The stalks were pale white, like carved jade, with long blade-like leaves veined with black and faint cyan patterns. A subtle fragrance drifted through the air.
At a glance, it seemed like a grove of spirit wood—but it wasn't. This was a cluster of Poisonblade Bamboo, a rare type of plant-type Soul Beast. Though rooted in place, these Soul Beasts wielded leaves like throwing daggers and could lash out with whip-like branches. Their leaves were both razor-sharp and laced with venom.
"There's a four-hundred-year-old one in there," the Soul Sage said. "Perfect match for your needs."
Without warning, the man let out a roar and activated his Martial Soul. His form expanded, thick brown fur sprouting across his body as he transformed into a humanoid bear—clearly a Bear-type Beast Soul. Seven glowing Soul Rings floated around him: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
The second and third Soul Rings lit up.
A golden glow encased his body in an aura of defense, while his claws extended, shimmering with reinforced spirit power. He charged forward with astonishing force, tearing into the bamboo grove like a living battering ram.
The Poisonblade Bamboo fought back with lashing strikes and volleys of flying leaves, but none could pierce his golden defenses. A moment later, he uprooted a specific bamboo stalk and leapt back out of range.
Torn from the soil, the plant writhed as if in pain. But deprived of its root network, it quickly lost vitality, its leaves wilting.
"Quickly," the Soul Sage said, returning to human form. "Strike at the central root core and sever it."
Li Chang'an didn't hesitate. He summoned the Emerald Serpent Sword, its jade edge glinting in the sunlight, and plunged it straight into the heart of the plant.
Chsshh!
The blade pierced the stalk cleanly—and then the toxins went to work. A brilliant green hue bloomed from the wound and spread like wildfire. In seconds, the bamboo's entire root system was withered and dead.
The Soul Sage's pupils contracted. Such potent venom... it corroded a plant-type Soul Beast in an instant. This boy's Martial Soul is no ordinary mutation.
A yellow Soul Ring emerged from the fallen plant, floating serenely above the body. Li Chang'an turned toward the Soul Sage.
"Four hundred years," the man said after examining it. "Maybe closer to five, but still within the safe range for you. With your innate talent, it might be a bit tough, but it won't kill you."
Of course, this estimate was just that—an estimate. There was no precise method to measure a Soul Ring's age. The oft-quoted limit of "423 years" was laughably exact, and people like Yu Xiaogang who cited such numbers were clearly guessing or bluffing. There was no magical prompt that announced a Soul Ring's age down to the year.
Satisfied, Li Chang'an nodded. Recklessness had no place in his path. Unlike protagonists blessed with cheats, he had only one life, and he didn't plan to risk it on an uncertain gamble.
He sat down cross-legged, focused his breath, and guided his Soul Power outward. The yellow ring drifted toward him, hovering above his head—then slowly began to sink into his body.
The absorption had begun.