After their morning run, the four of them headed toward the dining hall.
"Hehe, now that I'm a Soul Grandmaster, once I reach the Soul Elder level, I definitely want to get a Human-Faced Demon Spider as my next soul ring!" Along the way, Tang Ya enthusiastically spoke about her future plans, continuing all the way into the dining hall.
"Tang Ya!" Zhu Ziyang suddenly called out to her, his expression serious. This puzzled both Tang Ya and Yu Beibei, as they'd known Zhu Ziyang long enough to understand that when he looked this solemn, it meant he had something important to say.
"What is it, class monitor?" Tang Ya quieted down and asked with a confused look.
"I didn't plan to say anything at first, but since we're classmates and you're also Nan Nan's close friend, I can't watch you go further down the wrong path. What I'm about to say might upset you, but I still need to say it." Zhu Ziyang spoke slowly, word by word, his expression grave. His words stunned Tang Ya and startled Yu Beibei. Only Jiang Nannan, who realized what Zhu Ziyang was about to say, showed a thoughtful look.
"Ziyang, what are you talking about? Xiao Ya, what's wrong?" Yu Beibei asked, worried, grabbing Tang Ya's hand in concern.
"Aiya, I'm fine! Zhu Ziyang, what are you going on about all of a sudden? You're ruining the mood," Tang Ya said, brushing off Yu Beibei's hand and looking at Zhu Ziyang in confusion and irritation.
"Don't be upset. Let Ziyang-ge finish what he has to say first," Jiang Nannan interjected gently.
"Don't get angry just yet. Hear me out," Zhu Ziyang said calmly, a confident smile appearing on his face. "If my information is correct, your Tang Sect cultivation method for Blue Silver Grass is based on imitating your Tang Sect ancestor, Tang San, right?"
"That's right!" Tang Ya nodded, her frown turning into pride. "Ancestor Tang San is the lifelong goal of all Blue Silver Grass Soul Masters. His soul ring configuration is still the first choice for Tang Sect masters when obtaining rings!"
Zhu Ziyang's face showed a trace of disdain, which Yu Beibei happened to notice. Yu Beibei's initial doubts slowly faded, and he asked, "Ziyang, are you saying Xiao Ya's soul ring configuration is wrong?"
Zhu Ziyang nodded without hesitation.
"Impossible!" Tang Ya instantly denied it. "That's Tang San's ring setup! How could it be wrong? Don't think just because you've read some books you can challenge nearly ten thousand years of Tang Sect wisdom."
"Oh? Then let me ask you — how many Tang Sect masters over the generations have broken through to the Soul Saint level?" Zhu Ziyang asked. The disdain on his face stung Tang Ya, but she couldn't refute his words.
"That..." Tang Ya was speechless.
"Well? None, right?" Zhu Ziyang continued, his tone flat, as if he had already expected the answer. "Following that path, Blue Silver Grass can never reach the seven-ring level."
"How... how do you know?!" Tang Ya was stunned. Zhu Ziyang was right — no Blue Silver Grass Soul Master in the Tang Sect had ever reached the Soul Saint realm after Tang San, not even in the sect's prime despite immense resources.
"Simple. Because Tang San's soul ring setup doesn't suit Blue Silver Grass Soul Masters at all!" Zhu Ziyang replied firmly.
"That can't be!" Tang Ya still didn't want to believe it. "It's the same Blue Silver Grass — why wouldn't Tang San's soul ring setup work for us?"
Yu Beibei was now also deep in thought.
"Do you really believe Tang San's martial soul was Blue Silver Grass?" Zhu Ziyang asked with a sneer.
"Wasn't it?" Tang Ya was stunned. It had never occurred to her that Tang San's martial soul might be anything else. None of the Tang Sect records ever said otherwise.
"It was Blue Silver Emperor," Yu Beibei suddenly said.
"Blue Silver Emperor?!" Tang Ya trembled and muttered in shock.
"Exactly!" Zhu Ziyang glanced at Yu Beibei, then back at Tang Ya. His opinion of the Tang Sect only dropped further. A sect that didn't even understand its own foundation deserved to decline.
He explained, "Though Blue Silver Emperor is called the emperor of Blue Silver Grass, it's actually a top-tier soul beast. As a martial soul, it is one of the strongest. Compared to ordinary Blue Silver Grass — which is barely better than a trash martial soul — they're worlds apart!"
"Whether Tang San's soul ring configuration was right for Blue Silver Emperor, I don't know. But I'm certain it's completely unsuitable for Blue Silver Grass. Following his setup will only weaken the martial soul over time."
Tang Ya stood frozen, struck silent by his words.
"As a top-tier martial soul, Blue Silver Emperor doesn't need to worry about soul ring compatibility. It can absorb both beast-type and plant-type soul rings and still produce powerful soul skills because its source is strong. But Blue Silver Grass, a basic plant-type martial soul, must focus on absorbing plant-type rings to strengthen its own origin. Taking on beast-type rings instead is self-destructive."
Tang Ya was utterly confused now, her thoughts in chaos. Yu Beibei, however, remained clear-headed. With his knowledge, he could tell Zhu Ziyang's logic was sound.
"So you're saying Xiao Ya should be absorbing plant-type soul rings instead of copying Tang San's soul ring path?" Yu Beibei asked, cutting to the point.
"That's correct. And the higher the quality of the plant-type soul beast, the more it will help her Blue Silver Grass martial soul," Zhu Ziyang said. "If someday Tang Ya's martial soul evolves into the Blue Silver Emperor, then absorbing beast-type rings would be fine. But until then, sticking to plant-type rings is the safest path."
"Then… my second soul ring being Ghost Vine is okay, right? The real issue is my first soul ring," Tang Ya said, finally understanding the root of the problem. She wasn't dumb — she quickly pieced together the logic.
"Considering your first ring came from a Mandala Snake, it would be better to choose a stronger plant-type soul beast for your second ring. While Ghost Vine is better than Blue Silver Grass, it's still not a high-level soul beast. Ideally, you'd find something like Obsidian Bamboo or Star Vine." Zhu Ziyang suggested, then added, "What I've said is just advice from a friend. Whether you listen or not is up to you. You can stick to your original path or choose to believe me."
"My mind's a mess... I'm skipping class this morning," Tang Ya said, her expression complex as she turned and left.
"Ziyang, thank you!" Yu Beibei called out before hurrying after her.
Zhu Ziyang watched them go, a faint smile on his lips. As a friend, he'd said everything he could. Whether or not Tang Ya listened was her own choice.
"Brother, do you think Xiao Ya will listen to you?" Jiang Nannan asked, worried. She didn't want Tang Ya to make a mistake.
"I don't know," Zhu Ziyang shook his head. "I've done what I can. The rest is up to her."
"Then… if she doesn't listen and keeps following the original path, does that mean she really won't reach the seven-ring level?" Jiang Nannan asked with concern. As her only female friend, she truly hoped Tang Ya would succeed.
"It'll be very difficult," Zhu Ziyang replied, silently adding in his heart, 'Unless she falls into darkness.'
"Oh..." Jiang Nannan murmured softly. She made up her mind that next time she saw Tang Ya, she would do her best to convince her.
After finishing breakfast, the two of them went off to class.
—
At the freshman dorm building.
It was class time, and the building was quiet and empty.
An old man lay lazily on a wooden recliner at the entrance, while a blue-haired, handsome youth stood before him.
It was Mu En and Yu Beibei.
"...That's everything, Grand Elder," Yu Beibei said respectfully. After calming Tang Ya down, he had been deeply shaken by Zhu Ziyang's words and had come to share everything with Mu En.
"That child is right. It's rare to see such insight in someone so young," Mu En said calmly, though he was surprised inside. "There should be a Star Vine in the Yunhe Grand Canyon. Have your second uncle take you there to find it for the little girl's second ring."
"Yes!" Yu Beibei replied respectfully, inwardly stunned. It was the first time he had ever heard his Grand Elder praise someone.
Zhu Ziyang... truly a formidable rival!
With that thought, Yu Beibei turned and left the dormitory.
"Interesting..." Mu En murmured softly as he slowly opened his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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