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#11
Chapter 11 Soul Hunting Mobilization Meeting
Two and a half years later.
As dusk settled in the afternoon, Chu Xinghe stood before the familiar slaughtering platform, the butcher's knife in his hand gleaming with a dark red luster in the setting sun.
The air was thick with the smell of rust and death, mixed with the lingering stench of blood.
His movements were so practiced they were almost instinctive; with a swift motion, the knife fell, and life vanished.
"Pfft!"
The sharp blade sliced precisely across the chicken's throat, and warm blood splattered onto the back of his hand.
This is the thirty-seventh one today.
From his initial helplessness in the face of death to his ability to kill even large livestock with a single blow, every inch of the slaughterhouse has witnessed his transformation.
As the chicken's last breath faded, Chu Xinghe suddenly felt his soul power surging like a tide within him.
That long-lost feeling of fullness gave him a jolt, and the bottleneck loosened.
He wiped the blood off his hands and brought up the Digital Evolution System panel.
Sure enough, his soul power level finally climbed to level ten with great difficulty.
Looking at this number, a bitter smile appeared on Chu Xinghe's lips.
The constraint of having only level three innate soul power meant that, even with the help of the digital system, it took him nearly three years to increase his soul power by an average of just over two levels per year.
With a "ding," a system notification pops up at the appropriate time:
[Congratulations, host, your soul power has reached level ten. After obtaining your first soul ring, Agumon can evolve into Agumon.]
The joy in Chu Xinghe's eyes froze instantly.
Soul rings... this issue he had deliberately avoided was finally laid bare before him.
Without family support and with his parents having died early, it was a pipe dream for a commoner like him to obtain a high-quality soul ring.
The academy would at most give him a ten-year spirit ring to get by, which would mean that the evolution potential of the Rolling Beast would be greatly reduced.
Outside the slaughterhouse, the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by dark clouds.
Chu Xinghe gripped the butcher's knife tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Every swing of the knife and every drop of sweat over the past three years, was it all for a start destined to be mediocre?
...
Inside the Notting College library.
Chu Xinghe sat at the wooden table in the corner, flipping through the "Hunter's Forest Soul Beast Compendium".
His gaze lingered among the records of various soul beasts, his brow furrowed as he pondered feasible soul-hunting strategies.
With his current strength, it would be almost impossible for him to hunt soul beasts alone, let alone obtain high-quality soul rings.
However, if he travels with the academy team, he can only get a ten-year spirit ring at most, which is definitely not what he wants.
"We have to think of another way..." he muttered to himself, his finger finally stopping on a page containing information about fire-attribute soul beasts.
After a long while, he closed the illustrated guide, a resolute glint in his eyes.
Since a direct hunt is hopeless, the only option is to "lure the beast into the trap."
...
The market in Nottingham was bustling and noisy, with vendors' shouts rising and falling.
Chu Xinghe weaved through the crowd and finally stopped in front of a stall selling ingredients for soul beasts.
The stall owner was an elderly man with a wrinkled face. When he saw him stop, he grinned, revealing a few yellow teeth: "Young man, what would you like to order?"
"One pound of fiery chili peppers." Chu Xinghe took out a money pouch from his pocket, which contained his savings from the past few months of hard work at the slaughterhouse.
The old man raised an eyebrow: "Oh, this is something fire-attribute soul beasts love most. Why did you buy it?"
Chu Xinghe said calmly, "Let's do some experiments."
The old man didn't ask any further questions, weighed out the chili peppers and handed them to him, smiling meaningfully, "Use them carefully, this stuff... is very strong."
...
Back in his dormitory, Chu Xinghe closed the door tightly, poured the fiery peppers into a wooden mortar, and ground them finely with a stone pestle.
The pungent aroma instantly filled the air, making his eyes slightly red.
But he didn't stop until the chili peppers turned into a fine, reddish powder, then carefully packed it into an oil paper bag.
"Hopefully it will come in handy..." he murmured, staring at the powder in his hand.
If the plan goes smoothly, he might be able to fight for a chance to obtain a hundred-year soul ring.
...
After everything was ready, Chu Xinghe stood in front of the Notting Academy's Academic Affairs Office, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open to enter.
The director of the academic affairs office took his application for early graduation, glanced at it, and nodded slightly: "Soul power level ten, meets the requirements. However, are you sure you don't want to stay another year? With your talent, a steady and methodical approach might be more prudent."
Chu Xinghe shook his head, his tone firm: "Thank you for your concern, teacher, but I have already made up my mind."
The old teacher sighed, didn't try to persuade him any further, and stamped the application with his seal.
As Chu Xinghe walked out of the Academic Affairs Office, he looked up at the sky, his thoughts churning.
Wang Sheng reached level ten in the second year and went to the intermediate soul master academy for further study.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were exceptionally talented, possessing full innate soul power upon entering school and acquiring soul rings in their first year.
But they chose to stay and accept Yu Xiaogang's guidance.
But he didn't have that kind of talent, nor did he have that kind of powerful backer.
Graduating early was the only opportunity he could fight for.
Now, two paths lie before us.
The first step is to enter an intermediate-level Soul Master Academy, and then use it as a stepping stone to try to get into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The second option is to join a Soul Master Academy under the Spirit Hall, thus gaining the support of the Spirit Hall.
As for Shrek Academy?
With his current abilities, he probably wouldn't even be able to get past the entrance exam threshold.
Chu Xinghe stroked his chin, pondered for a long time, and finally made up his mind to choose the first path!
While the Spirit Hall is rich in resources, internal competition is fierce, making it difficult for a growth-type spirit like his to stand out among numerous geniuses.
While the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy has high entry requirements, it offers... more opportunities.
In particular, there is a "shortcut" there—the Lone Goose.
As a time traveler, Chu Xinghe had no sense of shame about "living off a woman".
"A pretty face will only slow down your progress, while a rich woman... is the shortcut to the top." He muttered to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips.
If he can obtain the immortal herb of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, his strength will surely increase by leaps and bounds.
As for feelings?
Once you reach the top, what kind of beauty can't you find?
"With a clear goal in mind, let's... take action!"
...
On the day of the Soul Hunting Mobilization Conference, flags fluttered and colorful ribbons danced in the central square of Notting Academy.
The morning light pierced through the thin mist and shone on the raised platform.
Students from each grade lined up neatly according to their classes, and amidst the bustling crowd, whispers rose and fell.
This annual grand event is not only a ceremony to send off students who have reached level 10 Soul Power to the Soul Hunting Forest, but also an important occasion for the academy to showcase its teaching achievements.
Chu Xinghe stood in the line, his gaze sweeping over the banner hanging high in front of him: "Notting Academy's 45th Soul Hunting Mobilization Conference".
His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the cloth bag at his waist, which contained carefully prepared pepper powder.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tang San and Xiao Wu standing side by side not far away.
As members of Dormitory 7, this pair of genius "brother and sister" were also present today.
Although they usually kept to themselves, Chu Xinghe always remembered to keep his distance from them. Before his strength grew, Tang San and Xiao Wu were people he absolutely could not mess with.
"Finally, I'm leaving this awful place..."
He breathed a sigh of relief.
The past three years of walking on thin ice are finally coming to an end.
The dean on the stage had begun reading out the list of students who had reached level ten soul power this year, and his loud voice echoed across the square.
When he read out the name "Chu Xinghe," he clearly felt the surprised looks coming from all around him.
Yes, it is indeed surprising that a "waste" with only level three innate soul power could reach level ten earlier than some students with level five innate soul power.
Chu Xinghe's lips curled up almost imperceptibly; no one knew the price he had paid behind the scenes.
The dean's impassioned speech was finally coming to an end, and he deliberately raised his voice: "Special praise must be given to Chu Xinghe, who, with a talent of only level three innate soul power, was able to reach level ten earlier than many more talented students!"
Sparse applause immediately rang out from the audience.
The dean's gaze immediately turned stern: "However, some senior students should take this as a warning! If you haven't reached level ten by the end of your sixth year, Notting Academy will not recognize your graduation qualifications!"
Among the crowd below the stage, Xiao Wu listlessly munched on a carrot, the crisp chewing sound particularly abrupt in the quiet venue.
She tugged at Tang San's sleeve and complained in a low voice, "Brother, how much longer are we going to have to stay in this lousy academy? Even someone with Chu Xinghe's talent has graduated..."
Tang San affectionately ruffled her hair and said softly, "Our teacher said we should wait a little longer."
"What are you waiting for!"
Xiao Wu pouted, twirling the carrot in her hand. "We're almost level 20, and we're still hanging out with these level 10 kids..."
She glanced at Chu Xinghe, who was receiving an award on the stage, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.
Tang San chuckled: "So what if they graduate? Talent determines the ceiling. With teachers around, we at Notting Academy will gain far more than they do."
When he mentioned the word "teacher," his tone was filled with obvious respect.
Xiao Wu tilted her head and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "Why don't we ask the master to take us somewhere else to cultivate? It's so boring here."
"Our teacher said," Tang San whispered mysteriously in her ear, "that he would take us to an academy that 'only accepts monsters'."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the jubilant graduates on the stage, a faint sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Really?" Xiao Wu immediately perked up and unconsciously leaned into Tang San's arms.
Tang San naturally wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Three years of intimate sharing of the same bed had long made them accustomed to such physical contact.
If he had just entered the academy, such contact would have left him feeling awkward and helpless, but now it has become a perfectly natural habit.
Tang San was unaware that his already low moral standards had dropped even further.
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WebAI [Beta]
#12
Chapter 12 Don't underestimate a young person's potential
Operation Soul Hunt is scheduled to take place in two days.
The academy has set aside time for the students to prepare. Soul hunting is no child's play; to obtain a soul ring, the final blow must be delivered by the student himself.
Therefore, choosing a suitable weapon is crucial.
In addition, it often takes several days to venture deep into the Soul Hunter Forest, so food and supplies need to be prepared in advance.
As soon as the mobilization meeting ended, Chu Xinghe hurriedly left the academy and headed straight for the commercial street of Notting City.
He first came to a blacksmith shop.
The sound of blacksmithing clanging came from the shop, and waves of hot air mixed with the smell of coal smoke hit the face.
Chu Xinghe's gaze swept over the displayed weapons: the fine iron longswords gleamed coldly, and the broadswords were imposing, but unfortunately, these were not things he could afford.
"It seems I can only choose a dagger or a short sword," Chu Xinghe thought to himself. Although short weapons are not as imposing as long swords, they are more flexible and practical in the forest.
At that moment, a burly middle-aged man, shirtless and wearing a leather apron, walked over.
Upon seeing Chu Xinghe's Notting Academy uniform, a hint of envy flashed in the man's eyes. He then greeted him warmly, "What kind of weapon are you looking for, young man? All the weapons here are made from top-grade refined iron!"
The man suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Speaking of which, many of the weapons in the shop were forged by a student from your academy named Tang San. That kid is about your age, but when it comes to blacksmithing skills..."
He gave a thumbs up, saying, "Even we old blacksmiths are ashamed of our own abilities!"
A glint flashed in Chu Xinghe's eyes.
Although I can't praise Tang San's character, I have to admit that his Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, inherited from the Clear Sky Sect, is indeed remarkable.
A sly glint flashed in Chu Xinghe's eyes as he feigned familiarity and smiled, "Boss, Tang San and I are roommates in Dormitory Seven. Considering that relationship, you should at least give me a friend's price, right?"
Upon hearing this, the burly middle-aged man's wrinkles immediately smoothed out, and he rubbed his hands together enthusiastically: "Of course, of course! Since you're Brother Tang San's roommate, I have to give you a discount."
Taking the opportunity, Chu Xinghe explained his purpose: "Boss, I'm buying weapons to obtain my first soul ring in the Soul Hunting Forest. I need a dagger or short sword that's primarily sharp. Do you have any recommendations?"
"The first spirit ring?!" The burly man's pupils contracted slightly as he re-examined the seemingly ordinary young man before him.
To reach level 10 soul power at around ten years old is absolutely outstanding, even in Notting Academy.
His expression immediately became more respectful, and he turned around to take out a jet-black short sword from deep inside the counter: "Young brother, you have a good eye! This short sword is made of top-quality refined iron and was tempered by our best craftsman for forty-nine days."
He lowered his voice, "Normally it would cost at least fifteen silver soul coins, but today I'll only charge you ten, just to make friends."
The moment Chu Xinghe took the short sword, he felt a cool sensation on his fingertips.
The sword appears plain and unadorned, yet it subtly shimmers with a bluish halo under the light.
With a casual wave of his hand, the blade sliced through the air with a faint hissing sound.
"What a fine sword!" Chu Xinghe thought to himself with delight.
The quality of this short sword far exceeded expectations; it seems Tang San's reputation is indeed very useful.
He readily pulled out his money pouch: "Deal!"
Although this expense nearly emptied his savings accumulated over half a year of frugal living, Chu Xinghe knew very well that in the Soul Hunting Forest, a good weapon was often the dividing line between life and death.
After leaving the blacksmith shop, he went straight to the general store.
He chose to give up on armor altogether. Armor that could truly withstand attacks from soul beasts cost tens of gold soul coins, while those cheap leather armors were no different from paper under the claws of soul beasts.
In the end, he only purchased the most basic survival supplies.
A leather water bag, five pounds of dried meat, three packets of hard bread, and a small packet of salt.
...
Two days later, before the morning mist had dissipated and the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten, a group of people had already gathered in front of Notting College.
Four carriages bearing the college emblem were lined up neatly, the dewdrops on their shafts shimmering in the morning light.
Notting Academy sent a total of eighteen people to the Soul Hunting Forest, including twelve students who were about to obtain their first soul ring and six experienced teachers, among whom was Dean Yang Yaozong, who had the cultivation of a Soul Master.
"Everyone, please report your martial soul and soul ring requirements first," a teacher announced loudly. "The academy will try its best to meet your needs, but please do so within your means."
The implication of this statement is that when the academy helps its students hunt spirit beasts, the most aggressive spirit beasts can only be hunted for a maximum of ten years, while only the more docile ones can be hunted for a hundred-year spirit ring.
The trainees took turns coming forward to report.
When it was Chu Xinghe's turn, Yang Yaozong gave him a special look: "You have a level three innate soul power, and you've cultivated it to level ten in just three years... Your martial soul talent is probably more than it appears on the surface."
Yang Yaozong stroked his beard and said meaningfully, "If there is an opportunity, I will try to get you a hundred-year soul ring."
Chu Xinghe felt a surge of warmth in his heart. In this dog-eat-dog world of Soul Masters, the Dean was actually showing such care for a commoner like him.
Unbeknownst to him, Yang Yaozong was secretly planning this investment.
Over the years, many of the students he has trained have achieved considerable success, and the benefits they bring during occasional follow-up visits are far more valuable than a hundred-year-old soul ring.
Thinking of this, the dean suddenly remembered Yu Xiaogang, who had been eating and living at the academy for free for many years, and his face immediately darkened.
If it weren't for his fear of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family's power, he would have expelled that theorist from the academy long ago.
"Get on the bus! Let's go!"
Yang Yaozong gathered his thoughts and waved his hand.
Before setting off, Yang Yaozong specially called Chu Xinghe to his carriage.
The dean of Notting College has always been very patient when it comes to investing in students with potential.
Normally, Yang Yaozong does not personally teach; he only interacts with these students during the Soul Hunting Operation.
At this moment, the streets of Nottingham were bustling with noise. When the crowd saw the carriage bearing the Nottingham Academy emblem passing by, they all made way for it, their eyes filled with awe.
They knew that the boys in these carriages were about to head to the Soul Hunter Forest.
After today, those still-young faces will become true Soul Masters, completely separating themselves from ordinary civilians and stepping into another social class.
Inside the carriage, Yang Yaozong was reviewing the students' soul ring requirements.
When his gaze swept over Chu Xinghe's name, he frowned slightly, revealing a hint of doubt.
"Xinghe, why did you choose to hunt a fire-attribute soul beast as your first soul ring?" he asked, looking up at him.
Chu Xinghe scratched his head and explained hesitantly, "Dean, I have a vague feeling... if my first spirit ring comes from a hundred-year-old fire-attribute spirit beast, it might allow my martial spirit to mutate again."
"Oh?" Yang Yaozong looked strange, but did not ask any further questions.
This "uncanny connection" is hard to say for sure; perhaps it's guidance given by the martial spirit itself.
However, he wouldn't specifically search for fire-attribute soul beasts for Chu Xinghe because of this.
If you happen to encounter it, that would be ideal.
If you don't meet the right person, then give up.
After all, the depths of the Soul Hunter Forest are home to thousand-year-old soul beasts.
With his Soul Master strength, if he were to encounter a ferocious thousand-year-old Soul Beast, he might not be able to escape unscathed.
While he was happy to invest in promising students, he wouldn't risk his life for a complete stranger.
Chu Xinghe gazed at the scenery rushing past the window, his heart filled with countless emotions.
Three years of diligent study and hard work finally put him on the same starting line as Tang San.
Three years ago, Tang San shocked everyone with his innate talent of full soul power. It would be a lie to say that no one was envious.
But Chu Xinghe did not become discouraged because of this.
Things change, and fortunes shift; never underestimate a young person's potential!
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#13
Chapter 13 I hate that I'm not a nobleman
After a short night's rest, the four carriages finally arrived at their destination, the Soul Hunter Forest, at noon the next day.
The carriage slowly came to a stop on the outskirts of a bustling market.
Before we even got off the bus, a cacophony of shouts and calls came rushing in like a tidal wave.
The market was bustling with people, and most of the passersby were dressed in tight-fitting clothes with various weapons at their waists, clearly indicating that most of them were Soul Masters.
"Wow, this place is much more lively than Nottingham City!" A small student excitedly poked his head out, only to be pulled back by someone next to him.
"Don't look around," the older student warned in a low voice. "These people are not to be trifled with."
Indeed, the atmosphere here is completely different from that of Nottingham.
Every passerby had a fierce look in their eyes, and a faint smell of blood lingered around them. Even the air was filled with a rusty, menacing aura.
After parking the carriage in the area guarded by designated personnel, Yang Yaozong led the students toward the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest.
He looked around and saw several trainees looking around, so he frowned and reminded them, "Stay close to each other, don't get separated."
"Dean, what do these shops sell?" A female student with a ponytail asked curiously, pointing to a shop with a sign that read "animal bones."
Yang Yaozong glanced at it and said in a deep voice, "Soul beast materials, weapons, supplies, and even... some shady things."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Remember, the people here are all desperate criminals who live on the edge. Prices often double, which is why I'm asking you to bring all the necessities."
"What if we don't bring enough stuff? Won't we get ripped off?" another student muttered under his breath.
"Being ripped off?" Yang Yaozong sneered. "If you're lucky, you'll only lose money; if you're unlucky..."
His gaze swept over several burly men in the distance who were organizing their equipment. "See those Soul Hunter squads?"
The trainees followed his gaze and saw that the group of people had bulging muscles, their bodies covered with hideous scars, and bloodstained short knives at their waists. They immediately fell silent.
"Here, the starting price for a hundred-year soul ring is ten gold soul coins," Yang Yaozong said in a low voice. "But the actual transaction price is often over a hundred, and that's just for the most common type."
"So expensive?!" one student exclaimed in surprise.
"Expensive?" Yang Yaozong shook his head. "If it's a soul beast with special attributes, the price will double. Add to that the cost of supplies along the way, and compensation for any casualties among the team members..."
His eyes sharpened. "If you encounter a ruthless person, they might not only raise the price to thousands of gold soul coins, but they might even..."
He didn't finish speaking, but the trainees already understood his meaning and couldn't help but shudder.
"Dean, what should we do if we need to hunt for spirit rings in the future?" a bold student asked.
Yang Yaozong glanced at everyone and said, word by word, "We must find a reputable team, preferably with family members accompanying them, or led by a teacher from the academy."
He paused, then asked, "Did you remember?"
"Understood!" the trainees replied in unison, their voices now carrying a hint of seriousness.
After walking for a short while, a towering iron fence appeared before them, standing at least ten meters high, its black metal gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
Yang Yaozong led his team to the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest and showed the Soul Hunting Token to the captain of the taxi guards stationed there.
The captain had a stern face and sharp eyes like a hawk. After carefully checking the warrant, he nodded slightly and waved his hand.
"Let them through!"
The soldiers stepped back in an orderly fashion, making way for a narrow passage.
The moment you step into the forest, the noise of the outside world seems to be completely shut out, replaced by a deep tranquility.
A breath of fresh air, carrying the fragrance of grass and earth, rushed towards me. My soul power flowed within me, even more actively than it had been outside, making me feel completely refreshed.
"Listen up, everyone." Yang Yaozong said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over each student. "The Soul Hunter Forest is fraught with danger. No one is allowed to leave the group without permission, or they will bear the consequences!"
The six accompanying teachers looked solemn. Besides Yang Yaozong, who was a Soul Master, there were two Soul Venerables and three Great Soul Masters.
However, with twelve students participating in the Soul Hunt this time, it was inevitable that some oversights would occur.
Therefore, they only operated on the outskirts of the area, avoiding those terrifyingly powerful soul beasts.
The outer area is mostly inhabited by ten-year-old soul beasts, and occasionally one may encounter a gentle hundred-year-old soul beast, so the danger is relatively low.
The procession moved slowly forward, with Chu Xinghe blending into the crowd, his eyes gleaming.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quietly shook the powder of the fiery red pepper from his sleeve, and the fine, bright red particles silently scattered among the grass along the way.
This spicy substance is extremely attractive to fire-attribute soul beasts, and he is anticipating the arrival of some "unexpected" event...
The group traveled through the deep forest, surrounded by swaying tree shadows, and occasionally heard the low growls of soul beasts.
Suddenly, Yang Yaozong stopped, his eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand to signal everyone to stop.
His gaze settled on an ancient tree with gnarled roots in front of him, and he whispered, "An eighty-year-old vine snake, anyone want it?"
In the group, a student whose martial soul was a vine lit up and eagerly raised his hand: "Dean, I want it!"
His voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.
For students from ordinary backgrounds like these, the nearly century-old Green Vine Snake was already a rare and excellent choice.
"Okay." Yang Yaozong nodded slightly, but his gaze never left the ancient tree.
Not far away, the green vine snake that had been coiled around the tree trunk seemed to sense the danger. Its emerald green body suddenly tensed up, and as it flickered its tongue, a hint of panic flashed in its cold, vertical pupils.
The next second, it suddenly released its grip on the snake's body and darted into the depths of the dense forest!
"Trying to escape?" Yang Yaozong sneered, then turned to the other teachers and said in a deep voice, "Prepare the surroundings!"
Before he finished speaking, his soul power surged, and a heavy battle axe appeared out of thin air in his hand.
Four spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and purple—rose from beneath his feet, their shimmering light showcasing the power of the optimal spirit ring combination.
Although the Green Vine Serpent was fast, it seemed powerless in front of a Soul Master.
Yang Yaozong didn't even use his soul skill; he simply flashed and his battle axe cleaved through the air.
"laugh!"
The sharp axe blade struck the green vine snake precisely at its vital point, and blood splattered everywhere.
The snake convulsed violently a few times before collapsing limply to the ground, its struggle barely audible.
"It's solved."
Yang Yaozong flicked his wrist, and the blood droplets on the battle axe fell to the ground.
He turned to look at the student, his voice steady: "Go, hurry up and kill him to absorb the soul ring."
"Yes!" Ye Weihai's voice trembled as he hurriedly drew a dagger from his waist.
Thinking about obtaining his first soul ring, his fingers trembled slightly uncontrollably, and his palms were covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Amidst the envious or encouraging gazes of the crowd, he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
The next second, his eyes flashed, and the dagger in his hand pierced the vital spot of the green vine snake!
"Hiss—" The Green Vine Snake struggled one last time, and the light in its eyes gradually faded.
Immediately afterwards, wisps of milky white light drifted out from the snake corpse, intertwining and swirling in the air, eventually condensing into a hazy white halo that quietly floated above the corpse.
Ye Weihua's hand holding the dagger froze on the spot, his face filled with helplessness.
Seeing this, Yang Yaozong instructed in a deep voice: "Sit cross-legged and use your soul power to guide the soul ring. Remember, stay awake while meditating; if your consciousness becomes blurred, the absorption will fail."
Although soul ring absorption is a compulsory course, most students only focus on cultivating their soul power and are perfunctory in their theoretical classes.
Therefore, Yang Yaozong had to repeat these basic knowledge every time he hunted souls.
"Furthermore," he said, his gaze sweeping over the other students, "if the spirit rings are not absorbed in time, they will dissipate in two hours. You must remember this."
Ye Weihao began to close his eyes and absorb the spirit ring, drawing undisguised envy from the surrounding students.
Chu Xinghe stood alone at the edge of the crowd, his lips pressed into a straight line.
432 years—this is the theoretical limit of absorption for the first spirit ring.
However, for these ordinary students, obtaining a hundred-year soul ring is already an immense stroke of luck.
Chu Xinghe recalled Yu Xiaogang, who called himself a master. If he hadn't been born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, with his half-level innate soul power and the almost non-combat-powerful martial soul Luo Sanpao, how could his first soul ring have been a hundred-year soul ring?
He did not hate the nobles, but he resented not being one of them.
But it's okay.
Since he wasn't born with any special privileges, he used his own hands to carve a bloody path through the dog-eat-dog world of Douluo Continent.
He wants to climb step by step in this world of Soul Masters, until he reaches the top of the world!
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#14
Chapter 14 Martial Soul Evolution, Agumon
The fog in the forest had not yet dissipated, and the white soul rings surrounding Ye Weihai gradually dimmed.
In just over ten minutes, the absorption of the ten-year soul ring was successfully completed.
"It's a success!"
Ye Weihai suddenly opened his eyes, leaped up in one stride, and clenched his fists until they turned white.
The novel sensation of his soul power surging through his meridians made him jump twice more.
"Stand firm!" Yang Yaozong shouted coldly, his chiseled face becoming even more stern. "You're getting cocky over a mere spirit ring? Remember, in the Soul Hunter Forest, a one-ring spirit master is still the weakest existence."
"Brother Hao, tell us about your soul skills!" Several familiar students eagerly surrounded him, their eyes shining with curiosity.
Ye Weihai straightened his back, his fingertips flashing with green light, and a vine emerged in response: "First Soul Skill, Binding Vine! It can not only entangle the enemy, but also has a paralyzing effect."
Yang Yaozong examined the resilience of the vines and was about to nod to signal them to return to the group when his ears suddenly twitched.
A slight tremor came from the ground, and a crimson figure could be vaguely seen among the trees in the distance.
"All personnel on high alert!"
As Yang Yaozong roared, the leader of the Crimson Fire Wolves had already torn through the bushes.
Its massive body, nearly four meters tall, stood proudly, and the saliva dripping from between its fangs scorched the grass, sending wisps of white smoke rising from it.
Even more chillingly, more than a dozen pairs of scarlet wolf eyes began to light up in the shadows.
Chu Xinghe quietly took half a step back, lowering his head to hide the smile on his lips.
The scent of pepper powder was spreading in the wind, and sure enough, the hungry predators followed the bait.
"roar--!"
The pack of Crimson Fire Wolves let out a deafening roar, their scarlet beastly eyes flashing in the dark forest. Their ferocious aura swept over the area like a tidal wave, causing many students to turn pale and their legs to tremble slightly.
"Dean, what should we do?" a teacher asked, frowning.
Yang Yaozong snorted coldly, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "A bunch of wolf cubs, how dare they be so insolent in front of me? You protect the students, leave these beasts to me!"
Before he finished speaking, he raised his right hand, and a battle axe appeared out of thin air. The axe blade gleamed coldly, and there was a faint flow of soul power.
Although he was over fifty, he was still as agile as a tiger. With one step, the ground trembled slightly, and he charged towards the wolf pack like an arrow released from a bow.
The aura of a level 42 Soul Master erupted without reservation!
"Whoosh—!"
With a flash of axe, a Crimson Fire Wolf with sixty years of cultivation was cleaved into a bloody mess before it could even howl, collapsing to the ground, barely alive.
In the center of the wolf pack, the largest, a hundred-year-old Crimson Fire Wolf, saw this and its fierce light vanished. Without hesitation, it turned and fled.
This old human is far beyond its ability to contend with!
"Dean!" Chu Xinghe couldn't help but shout from the crowd, his eyes filled with longing.
Yang Yaozong glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and immediately understood.
He hadn't originally planned to specifically hunt for a hundred-year soul ring for Chu Xinghe, but since this Crimson Fire Wolf had delivered itself to his doorstep, it must be fate!
"Earth-Splitting Slash!"
He let out a low shout, and his first spirit ring suddenly lit up. The battle axe, imbued with violent spirit power, slammed heavily into the ground.
"boom!"
The ground cracked, and a fan-shaped shockwave swept out, sending the century-old Crimson Fire Wolf flying into the air, spitting out blood. When it crashed heavily to the ground, it was barely breathing.
Upon seeing this, the remaining Crimson Fire Wolves scattered and fled in all directions, howling in pain.
Yang Yaozong did not give chase, but merely glanced coldly at the direction the wolf pack had fled.
In the Soul Hunting Forest, recklessly chasing after soul beasts will only invite bigger trouble.
Knowing when to stop is the way to survive.
Yang Yaozong stood with his hands behind his back, a faint arrogance on his lips, and said, "These mere Crimson Fire Wolves are routed with just a few tricks from me."
He glanced at everyone and then began to distribute the spoils: "Pan Peng, the ten-year-old Crimson Fire Wolf Soul Ring is yours."
He paused, then looked at Chu Xinghe, his tone carrying a hint of approval, "As for this hundred-year soul ring, let Xinghe absorb it."
Pan Peng's martial soul is the Lone Wolf, the same as Su Yuntao's. His innate soul power is only level two, and it took him six years of arduous training to barely break through to level ten.
Chu Xinghe, on the other hand, reached level ten in his third year, making the difference in talent obvious.
Yang Yaozong naturally preferred to allocate the precious century-old soul ring to students with greater potential.
"Thank you, Dean!" the two said in unison, and quickly stepped forward.
Pan Peng drew a dagger from his waist, his fingers trembling slightly.
Although he was a Soul Master, he was ultimately just a young man who buried himself in cultivation at the academy. He had never personally ended the life of a Soul Beast.
Chu Xinghe, however, was different.
His expression was calm, his movements swift and decisive. With a flash of cold light, his short sword precisely pierced the throat of the century-old Crimson Fire Wolf.
Blood gushed out, the wolf's body twitched twice, and then it fell silent completely.
Two and a half years working in the slaughterhouse had long since made him accustomed to life and death.
Yang Yaozong narrowed his eyes slightly, nodding to himself: "This kid is quite composed. If his martial soul can really evolve, my investment will be a huge success."
Yellow energy surged wildly over the corpse of the Crimson Fire Wolf, eventually condensing into a dazzling soul ring.
Chu Xinghe stared at the three-hundred-year-old soul ring, his heart beating slightly faster.
It's a bit younger than Tang San's first spirit ring, but for a commoner spirit master with no background, getting such an opportunity is already a stroke of luck.
Chu Xinghe took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and placed his hands flat on his knees.
With a thought, his martial spirit, the Rolling Ball Beast, slowly appeared in his palm.
Its round body trembled slightly, as if it were filled with longing for the power that was about to come.
His gaze was firm as he summoned the yellow spirit ring that was suspended in mid-air.
As if drawn by some force, the spirit ring trembled slightly before transforming into a streak of light and flying over, firmly attaching itself to the Rolling Beast.
In an instant, surging soul power rushed into his body like a tide.
Chu Xinghe shuddered, his muscles tensed involuntarily, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
The force was more ferocious than he had imagined, but he gritted his teeth and didn't utter a single groan.
All around was silent.
The trainees stared wide-eyed at Chu Xinghe without blinking.
Even the usually serious teachers couldn't hide the complex emotions in their eyes at this moment.
There was amazement, envy, and even a hint of unspeakable jealousy.
The first spirit ring is of a hundred-year quality!
Everyone present knew perfectly well what this meant.
Chu Xinghe's future is destined to be different from theirs.
...
"Pfft—"
The silence was broken by the dull thud of a sharp blade piercing flesh.
Pan Peng, panting heavily, finally plunged the dagger into the vital spot of the ten-year-old Crimson Fire Wolf.
He wiped his sweat and subconsciously looked up and around, only to find that no one was paying attention to him at all.
All eyes were fixed on the seated figure.
Pan Peng clenched his fists, looking at Chu Xinghe bathed in the light of the spirit rings, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.
The difference at this moment felt like an insurmountable chasm, standing between them.
...
Chu Xinghe was completely immersed in the world of flowing soul power at this moment.
All sounds and sights from the outside world seemed to be blurred and distant, as if viewed through a thick layer of frosted glass.
All he could feel was the surging torrent of soul power within his body.
The soul power contained in the century-old soul ring far exceeded his imagination, but strangely, this violent energy did not bring him much pressure.
Because the vast majority of the soul power was being greedily absorbed by the rolling ball beast in the palm.
"Gurgle..."
The round body of the Rolling Beast began to swell abnormally, and the soul power beneath its skin moved around like a living thing.
Suddenly, a golden light burst forth from its body!
Evolution has begun.
Yang Yaozong leaned forward abruptly, his eyes gleaming.
Under his watchful gaze, the body of the agaric beast was undergoing astonishing changes.
The originally soft down gradually hardens, forming fine scales.
The rounded body began to lengthen, and the limbs became thicker at a visible rate.
Most strikingly, those large, always moist eyes were now gleaming with a predatory sharpness.
"This is not an ordinary mutation…" Yang Yaozong's voice trembled slightly, "This is… evolution!"
The entire evolutionary process lasted a full hour.
As the last ray of golden light receded, Chu Xinghe suddenly opened his eyes.
At this point, the Koromon was completely unrecognizable. Its body, about half the height of a human, had taken on a dinosaur-like streamlined shape, and its entire body was covered with tough, orange-yellow panels.
It restlessly swung its long tail, carving deep furrows in the mud.
When it turned its head and revealed its bright, piercing blue eyes, the onlookers involuntarily took a half step back.
"roar--"
Agumon raised its head and let out a tender yet wild roar, announcing its rebirth.
Chu Xinghe stared at his martial spirit in disbelief.
He could clearly sense that the power contained within Agumon was at least three times that of its Agumon form!
Even more remarkably, his spiritual connection with his martial spirit became even closer, as if he could directly read the other's every thought.
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#15
Chapter 15, First Soul Skill: Crimson Dragon Claw
As Chu Xinghe slowly stood up and stretched his muscles, a series of crisp popping sounds came from his body, as if every inch of his bones was cheering and jumping for joy.
He was surprised to find that his height had increased several centimeters in a short period of time, and he was now close to 1.5 meters tall.
His shoulders have broadened, his back is straight as a pine tree, and he exudes a vibrant energy. There is no trace of the childishness of a nine-year-old child.
He took a deep breath and felt his soul power surging like a river, filling his limbs and bones with an unprecedented sense of power.
The most obvious change was in his eyes, which shone like stars, bright and piercing, as if flames were dancing within them.
As the saying goes, "the eyes are the windows to the soul," and anyone could see from these eyes that this young man was at the peak of his vitality and spirit.
Suppressing his excitement, Chu Xinghe immediately summoned his attribute panel:
[Host: Chu Xinghe]
[Martial Soul: Agumon (Evolvable form, requires Soul Power to reach level 30 and obtain the third Soul Ring)]
[Soul Power Level: Level 12 (13%)]
[Spirit Ring Configuration: First Spirit Ring (Crimson Fire Wolf from 318 AD)]
[Soul Bone: None available]
His gaze swept quickly across the panel, and when he saw the Soul Power level, Chu Xinghe's pupils contracted slightly.
Although it couldn't compare to Tang San's exaggerated performance of breaking through level thirteen directly after absorbing his first spirit ring, the fact that he could jump two levels after absorbing the spirit ring, going directly from level ten to level twelve, was already far beyond his expectations.
"As expected of a three-hundred-year-old soul ring..." Chu Xinghe clenched his fist, feeling the surging soul power within his body.
As a commoner Soul Master with no background, he was already quite satisfied with the improvement he achieved with his first Soul Ring.
Chu Xinghe's mind stirred slightly as he lightly touched the information about his first soul ring, which was floating in his consciousness.
As he operated the interface, a new interface shimmering with a blue halo unfolded before his eyes:
First Soul Skill: Crimson Dragon Claw
[Effect: Agumon's arms are covered in crimson flames, creating a giant phantom dragon claw. Attacks deal fire tear damage and inflict a 3-second burning effect (during which the target's defense is reduced by 15%).]
Just as he was carefully studying the details of the soul skill, a golden prompt box suddenly popped up from the system:
[System notification: Host's martial soul has evolved into Agumon, unlocking the "Martial Soul Possession" function]
"A martial spirit possession?!" Chu Xinghe's heart trembled, and his eyes flashed with surprise.
Since awakening his martial soul, he had been secretly worried that the Rolling Ball Beast, as an external martial soul, would not only make him an easy target for the enemy in battle, but would also put him at a disadvantage.
If the martial spirit is damaged, or the physical body is attacked, the consequences would be unimaginable.
And now, the problem that had troubled him for so long has finally been solved!
Agumon's evolution granted him the same fighting style as traditional beast spirit masters in the Douluo Continent.
The martial spirit possession was exactly the fighting form he wanted. He firmly believed that only by possessing great power could he truly control his own destiny.
The unlocking of the Martial Soul Possession meant that he had finally taken a crucial step on the path to becoming a powerful being.
...
Yang Yaozong walked up to Chu Xinghe with his hands behind his back, his face full of smiles: "It took you a whole hour to complete the absorption. It seems you gained quite a lot this time."
Chu Xinghe composed himself and showed a perfectly timed expression of gratitude: "Thanks to the Dean's help, I was able to obtain this soul ring."
The dean narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Agumon: "It seems the Martial Soul mutation was quite successful?"
"Yes." Chu Xinghe gently stroked Agumon's head. "Now it's called Agumon."
"Interesting." Yang Yaozong's eyes gleamed. "I've lived most of my life, and this is the first time I've ever seen a martial soul that can mutate continuously."
Chu Xinghe scratched his head, feigning shyness, and said, "Well... I don't know what happened either. Maybe I was just lucky."
He pretended to be clueless, but his eyes were always watching the dean's reaction.
Unexpectedly, Yang Yaozong not only did not ask any further questions, but also showed an approving expression.
In the dog-eat-dog world of Soul Masters, it would be truly disappointing if a child didn't even have this much shrewdness.
"It's getting late." The dean looked up at the darkening sky. "Let's pack up and prepare to set up camp."
"Yes," Chu Xinghe replied respectfully.
When he returned to the team, he immediately felt several burning gazes.
There was envy, there was jealousy, and even more so, there was resentment.
Why is it that this guy was able to obtain a hundred-year-old soul ring when we are both from commoner backgrounds?
Chu Xinghe walked through the crowd with an unchanging expression, ignoring the stares he received.
He knew better than anyone that when the gap widened to a certain extent, these people's jealousy wouldn't even qualify as a stumbling block.
The procession continued on until dusk.
Yang Yaozong suddenly stopped and raised his hand to signal the team to stop.
He surveyed the gradually darkening forest around him, his voice suddenly rising: "Attention everyone, pack your gear immediately! We must find a safe campsite before sunset."
He paused deliberately, his eyes gleaming. "Remember, in the Soul Hunter Forest, the real danger begins at night."
"Understood!" the teachers and students responded in unison, and began packing their belongings with practiced ease.
The group proceeded cautiously into the deepening twilight, the sound of snapping branches underfoot particularly clear in the silent forest.
After nearly an hour of searching, team leader Yang Yaozong suddenly raised his right fist, and an ideal high ground appeared in front of him.
The terrain here is elevated, offering a wide view. There are no tall trees within a 30-meter radius, only low shrubs.
The experienced instructors immediately sprang into action, first leading the students to quickly set up waterproof tents.
Then, armed with steel machetes, the group cleared a firebreak around the camp by clearing away the bushes.
Then, he took out a special animal-repelling powder and sprinkled a pungent yellow powder circle around the perimeter of the camp.
Finally, they gathered some dry firewood and lit a roaring campfire in the center of the camp.
As night fell completely, the flickering firelight cast shifting shadows on everyone's faces.
Chu Xinghe leaned against a fallen log and took out the dry rations he had prepared beforehand from his bag: a few coarse flatbreads and some smoked jerky.
He carefully poured a small amount of salt from the leather pouch at his waist and sprinkled it evenly over the food.
He ate his simple dinner with the water from the leather water bag, and found it very satisfying.
The students around them gathered in twos and threes to share food, and their hushed laughter could be heard from time to time.
Chu Xinghe sat alone on the edge of the fire, silently chewing his food, his eyes constantly scanning the dark forest with vigilance.
He knew better than anyone that in this perilous Soul Hunting Forest, even a moment's relaxation could come at a heavy price.
After tidying up his belongings after the meal, Chu Xinghe took a deep breath and walked towards Yang Yaozong, who was studying a map.
"Dean, I have a favor to ask." Chu Xinghe bowed respectfully.
Yang Yaozong looked up from the map, his eyebrows slightly raised: "Oh? Xinghe, what's the matter?"
"I would like to request the Dean that if I encounter a suitable soul beast tomorrow, may I participate in actual combat?" Chu Xinghe's gaze was firm, and his voice, though soft, was clear and distinct.
"What?" Yang Yaozong slammed the map shut, his face full of surprise. "You just got your first spirit ring, and you already want to put it into practice?"
"Yes, Dean." Chu Xinghe straightened his back. "The student wants to adapt to the use of soul skills as soon as possible."
Yang Yaozong narrowed his eyes, looking this extraordinary student up and down: "Do you know that ordinary students need at least half a month to adapt after obtaining their first spirit ring before they dare to try real combat?"
"I know," Chu Xinghe said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "but I believe that real combat is the best training method."
"Interesting…" Yang Yaozong stroked his beard and suddenly laughed. "Tell me, why did you suddenly have this idea?"
Chu Xinghe's eyes shone brightly: "When I worked at the slaughterhouse, I learned a lesson: watching pigs being slaughtered is no substitute for doing it yourself."
"Hahaha!" Yang Yaozong laughed heartily, "What a practical truth!"
The laughter subsided, and he said seriously, "But you must understand, soul beasts are not livestock to be slaughtered."
"Students understand the risks," Chu Xinghe said solemnly, "but flowers in a greenhouse can never withstand wind and rain."
Under the glow of the campfire, an old man and a young boy gazed at each other for a long time.
Finally, Yang Yaozong slowly nodded: "Alright, if we encounter a ten-year soul beast tomorrow, I'll let you try. However..."
He then changed the subject, saying, "It must be done under my supervision."
"Thank you so much, Dean!" Chu Xinghe bowed deeply, his eyes shining with gratitude.
Yang Yaozong waved his hand: "Don't rush to thank me. Remember, coming back alive is the most important thing."
He paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "When you achieve great success in the future, don't forget to come back to the academy and visit us old folks."
"Definitely!" Chu Xinghe replied resolutely.
He didn't consider himself a saint, but he understood the principle of repaying a small kindness with a great one better than anyone else.
"Go on, get some rest." Yang Yaozong unfolded the map again. "There's still a tough battle to fight tomorrow."
Chu Xinghe bowed again, then turned and left.
Behind him came the dean's meaningful whisper: "This kid... he might actually amount to something..."
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