With Oscar guiding Ma Hongjun in his cultivation, the latter no longer thought of visiting brothels or looking for his "sisters." After all, Ma Hongjun was only six years old his body couldn't act even if his mind wanted to.
Five more months flew by in a flash. Ma Hongjun's soul power increased by two levels averaging one level every two and a half months. He had now reached Soul Master, level 13.
This accomplishment isn't exaggerated. Since enrolling, over the past seven months, Ma Hongjun had been training daily with Oscar without the slightest slacking. Even when he wanted to give up, Flender and the others would encourage and supervise him.
Now, seven months later, Ma Hongjun had not only become a level 13 power attack type Soul Master, but had also slimmed down significantly. From the greasy, beady eyed chubby kid he once was, he had transformed into a handsome little guy with a hint of masculinity.
Although Ma Hongjun's appearance still couldn't compare to Oscar's, he was enough to attract a few fangirls.
Oscar's progress was a bit more modes the had advanced two levels, just breaking through level 20.
For Oscar, gaining two levels in seven months was already fast. After all, he was only eight years and nine months old, still shy of nine. At this rate, Oscar might actually reach level 30 by the time he turns twelve.
Outside of cultivation, Oscar focused on pharmacology and theoretical knowledge. He had even started buying herbs and formulating medicines on his own. After all, theory only becomes meaningful through practice, and Oscar had now accumulated enough theoretical knowledge to begin experimentation.
Oscar's breakthrough thrilled Headmaster Flender, as it not only set a new academy record but meant one more type of sausage soul skill for auction undoubtedly another lucrative income stream.
Though soul techniques are best kept secret as trump cards, Oscar's current skills were relatively simple recovery oriented so it didn't matter if they were public.
Once Oscar hit level 20, he and Zhao Wuji set off again for Star Dou Great Forest. This time, they were experienced, and Oscar had lost the naivety of his first trip. Along the way, he simply threw money at everything.
As a "financial backer" now, Oscar wasn't going to mistreat himself. He rented a luxury carriage, hired a driver, and enjoyed the trip with Zhao Wuji. The latter was overjoyed.
Upon arriving at a small town outside the forest, they rested for the night. The next day, they set off at a leisurely pace.
Oscar had thought it through: with a Soul Saint like Zhao Wuji accompanying him, he should go for the best possible soul ring. Otherwise, why waste such a powerhouse bodyguard?
Oscar had been strengthening his body for years. His physical condition had vastly improved. This time, he aimed to absorb a soul ring close to 1,000 years old to push the limits for his second ring.
He'd considered exceeding the 1,000 year mark but didn't have absolute confidence. For safety's sake, he opted for just under that threshold.
Zhao Wuji had tested Oscar's physical endurance using soul pressure. Oscar found he could withstand pressure equivalent to a level 28 Soul Master, more than enough for absorbing a near1,000year soul ring. Still, he lacked direct experience, and such a soul ring might draw unwanted attention. Oscar planned to stay lowkey until Tang San's arrival, so he settled for something just shy of 1,000 years.
Even this would bring substantial improvement. Besides, future god trials would let him enhance ring age anyway.
Thus, Oscar abandoned the idea of exceeding the 1,000year mark, especially since Flender and the others might not have agreed.
Each soul ring level brings qualitative change. For Oscar, life took priority, so he chose a centurylevel soul ring.
Inside the forest, he and Zhao Wuji went straight to an area known for poison resistant soul beasts, as Oscar's second soul ring needed that kind of ability.
This was an ideal complement: first ring for healing, second for detox and immunity, forming an allaround support system. He'd later add offensive soul techniques for a balanced skill set.
Oscar had little offensive power early on just a staff, useful mostly for self defense. Fighting assault type Soul Masters, whose martial souls and soul skills were incredibly potent, with just a stick would be foolish.
So Oscar wasn't training staff techniques to carry fights, but to survive and support teammates more effectivelyas a support type Soul Master, that was his role.
After a week of searching, Oscar and Zhao Wuji finally stopped in a bamboo forest. Oscar locked onto a 980 year old bamboo stalk.
This bamboo was entirely emerald green, with blade like leaves gleaming like sharp jade. Each node was dotted with purple gold spots, visually stunning and intimidating.
This was the Purple Gold Sword Bamboo, naturally immune to all poisons, possessing broad spectrum resistance to negative effects. The older it was, the stronger its powers.
It could even condense soul power into swordlike attacks. Among planttype soul beasts, the PurpleGold Sword Bamboo was toptierits talents and power made it elite within its class.
This bamboo grove wasn't large, but strong enough to dominate the surrounding territory.
Although a centuryold bamboo couldn't resist poison from a tenthousandyear beast, it could grow. It was a perfect fit for Oscar's needs.
The weeklong search had paid off Oscar now deeply understood the phrase: "Hard work always brings rewards."
With the target locked in, Zhao Wuji charged into the grove and uprooted the bamboo Oscar had chosen without killing it. After all, only the killer can absorb the soul ring.
As Zhao Wuji stormed in, the surrounding bamboos felt threatened. They began to gather soul power, and the emerald leaves turned into countless flying swords, launching at Zhao Wuji.
But Zhao Wuji was a Soul Saint. His soul power surged around him as the first yellow soul ring lit up, and his aura transformed into a defensive shield.
This was his first soul skill: "Immovable Vajra Body."
Completely unfazed, Zhao Wuji carried the targeted bamboo out.
Oscar then stepped forward and used a dagger to pierce the bamboo's life core killing it to claim the ring. Having a top tier powerhouse on your team meant you didn't need to exert effort just give orders.
Watching the deep yellow soul ring begin to condense, Oscar smiled with satisfaction. It had a hint of purple very close to 1,000 years.
Zhao Wuji looked serious and asked,
"Little Ao, absorbing a soul ring isn't a game. Are you sure about this one?"
Oscar nodded firmly:
"Teacher Zhao, don't worry. I won't do anything I'm not confident in. I promise I'll surprise you."
Over the past two years, everyone had become familiar with Oscar's mature and steady personality. Though absorbing a soul ring beyond one's level was unheard of, Zhao Wuji saw Oscar's resolute eyes and didn't object.
More importantly, he had already tested Oscar's limit Oscar, freshly at level 20, could handle pressure from a level 28 Soul Master. Even beast type Soul Masters typically only managed up to two thirds of that.
Oscar, a supporttype, could withstand pressure 8 levels above his own. That alone spoke volumes about his incredible physical constitution.
This was why Zhao Wuji refrained from further dissuasion.
He warned:
"I'll guard you. But don't force it if things go wrong your talent shouldn't be wasted here."
He knew once Oscar decided something, not even ten oxen could drag him back.
Oscar nodded, sat crosslegged, summoned his Martial Soul, and drew the soul ring. Under his guidance, the PurpleGold Sword Bamboo's soul ring slowly descended onto him. A terrifying wave of soul power erupted.
Crosslevel absorption brought far more pressure than normal. Even with confidence in his physique, Oscar remained cautious, guiding every thread of soul power meticulously to aim for perfection.
The absorption took five full hours. When that deep yellow soul ring finally settled around Oscar, Zhao Wuji sighed in relief.
Oscar stood up, soul power surging, with level 22 fluctuations. He had jumped two full levels again.
"Teacher Zhao, I did it," Oscar said with a smile.
Zhao Wuji, thrilled, exclaimed:
"You little brat have created a miracle in the Soul Master world! A 980 year second soul ring worthy of being born with full innate soul power."
He was just as excited as Oscar to witness such a feat.
"What's the soul skill?" Zhao Wuji asked.
Oscar replied,
"My second soul skill is very powerful. It's called: 'Special Detox Sausage.' After eating it, any poison from soul beasts or Soul Masters with soul power less than mine will be cured. And the effect scales with my strength."
"More importantly, it grants five minutes of full immunity to all negative statuses and controltype soul skills absolutely nothing will work but only for five minutes."
Zhao Wuji's jaw nearly dropped:
"Xiao Ao, your soul skill is insane!"
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