Chapter 10: Level 10
"What are you looking for?" Yu Xiaogang asked, puzzled, as he gazed at Shi Yi's back.
Recovering from his shock, Shi Yi paused and asked, "Do you have any books on spirit guides?"
"Why are you suddenly interested in spirit guides?"
"Shouldn't I be interested in instruments that can be controlled with spirit power?" Shi Yi retorted.
Yu Xiaogang's slightly stiff expression twitched. "I don't have any here, but if you're interested, I can talk to you about spirit guides."
Shi Yi's face lit up, and he approached Yu Xiaogang with a flattering expression, saying, "What do you want to talk about?"
Yu Xiaogang's lips curled slightly. Unbeknownst to him, a belt had appeared in his hand.
The belt was entirely black with dark stripes, indistinguishable without close inspection. Evenly spaced throughout, it was inlaid with twenty-four milky white jade stones, each the size of an adult's thumbnail and round in shape. The hue was warm and mellow, a rare and beautiful jade at first glance.
"This..." Shi Yi's eyes lit up when he saw Yu Xiaogang take out the storage belt. Even if he didn't have the book, the actual item would be fine.
"This belt was obtained by a few friends and I during an expedition. It was given to me as a reward. It's not very useful to me, but you should be able to use it in the future. Take it and study it," Yu Xiaogang said with a smile.
When Shi Yi was about to take it, Yu Xiaogang retracted his hand slightly, and smiled: "So why are you suddenly interested in soul guides?"
Shi Yi said helplessly: "Why else, although I have solved my talent problem, the skills of absorbing soul rings are all released by small ants. When the body is weak, I have to find something to protect myself, such as creating my own soul skills or researching combat-type soul guides."
Yu Xiaogang looked enlightened, handed the storage belt in his hand to Shi Yi, nodded slightly and said: "This is indeed a good idea, but it will be difficult for you to research soul guides. There are very few soul guides handed down from generation to generation, and most of them have no offensive function."
"In other words, there are other types of soul guides handed down from generation to generation? Have you read any books about soul guides?" Shi Yi asked Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly and said, "From what I've heard, there are not only offensive but also defensive and even functional types. However, I haven't read any books on soul guides. These artifacts seem to have appeared suddenly, as if there's no legacy."
Shi Yi pondered this, believing these soul guides must have been left behind by ships from the Sun and Moon Continent that arrived at Douluo Continent.
"Even Yu Xiaogang hasn't seen them, so it seems the Spirit Hall doesn't have them. But then again, if the Spirit Hall knew how to craft soul guides, they'd crush the Tang Sect's hidden weapons," Shi Yi thought to himself.
He carefully examined the storage belt in his hand. Each thumbnail-sized jade stone bore intricate patterns, which he understood to be the core formations of the soul guides.
"Even a simple storage soul guide's core formation is so intricate. I can't imagine the extent to which soul guides have advanced ten thousand years from now."
Shi Yi gazed at the patterns on the jade, his eyes gleaming with fascination.
"It seems I should learn about materials and blacksmithing if I have the chance. If I want to craft a soul guide, I'll have to cross the river by feeling the stones myself."
"I suggest you look into the research on self-created soul skills. You're not the only one who has recognized the potential of soul guides, but no one from any of the major factions has successfully crafted one yet. This is why their prices are so high," Yu Xiaogang said seriously to Shi Yi.
Shi Yi nodded. The crafting of soul guides is also linked to strength. For now, using Tang San's hidden weapon would be enough for self-protection.
Then, Shi Yi carefully examined the core magic circle engraved on the jade on the belt in his hand. Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang smiled and shook his head, then ignored Shi Yi, because he understood that a researcher largely relies on his own judgment.
"This core formation is similar to the meridians in the human body, facilitating the flow of soul energy. If a soul guide were to be disassembled, the most important components would naturally be the materials and the core formation. While knowledge of materials and the craft of forging can be learned from sources, I don't have a carving knife or the knowledge to engrave this core formation. Engraving such a delicate formation would surely consume a tremendous amount of mental energy. Where should I even begin?"
Shi Yi pondered, the words "core formation" turning endlessly in his mind.
"Array, array, array... array... array."
"Yes, since the core formation engraved on the soul guide is so tiny, why not enlarge it to a size I can practice freely?"
Before Shi Yi could even begin to rejoice, another problem arose. A brief explanation of the soul guide's operating logic revealed a new problem: Shi Yi couldn't afford large amounts of precious metal.
Soul guides rely on the material's properties, engraving the core formation onto a special material and then operating it through the soul master's soul energy.
In other words, to verify the effectiveness of the core magic circle he had carved, Shi Yi needed a fist-sized piece of special material, which he would use to repeatedly verify the effectiveness of the magic circle through carving.
"It's a waste of money, let's talk about it later," Shi Yi said helplessly. Poverty was his biggest problem right now.
The next morning, Shi Yi felt a breakthrough in his soul power and opened his eyes with joy.
"Awake? Pack up and get ready to go," Yu Xiaogang's voice reached Shi Yi's ears.
"Teacher, I've made a breakthrough," Shi Yi said excitedly to Yu Xiaogang. He was about to receive his first soul ring.
"Breakthrough?" Yu Xiaogang's expression was startled for a moment, then turned to astonishment. At the age of eight, tenth level, a child practicing meditation would need at least level four or five of innate soul power to reach this level at this point.
This level was considered impressive even for the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan. With persistent practice and accumulated time, he could at least reach the Soul Emperor level. And according to Yu Xiaogang's assessment of Shi Yi over the past two years, Shi Yi's cultivation speed was clearly increasing.
The effect of the twelve meridians was even more powerful than Yu Xiaogang had imagined.
A gloomy look crossed Yu Xiaogang's face at this thought. If only this technique had been released sooner, he too could have become a powerful figure like his idol.
Seeing this, Shi Yi could only quietly pack his things. He could only express his sympathy for Yu Xiaogang's personal plight. Shi Yi couldn't promise anything right now, but if the opportunity arose, he would still be willing to help Yu Xiaogang. Although many considered Yu Xiaogang an unqualified teacher, without him, Shi Yi would likely still be worrying about his livelihood.
How could he have such a relaxed environment and read books every day? Even Tang San, who still had a blacksmithing skill to earn a living, what could Shi Yi do? Yu
Xiaogang soon regained his composure. While most of the Notting Academy's teachers and students were still asleep, Yu Xiaogang, the Notting Academy's dean, Shi Yi, and Tang San had already left the academy gates.
"Teacher, where should we go to find a spirit beast?" Tang San asked Yu Xiaogang.
"We're going to the Soul Hunting Forest, four hundred miles northeast of Notting City. That's where the Empire keeps its spirit beasts. We're sure we'll find one suitable for you," Yu Xiaogang said to Tang San.
After that, Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on Shi Yi and asked, "Xiaoyi, have you planned your spirit ring selection?"
Shi Yi nodded casually and said, "What good can there be in the Soul Hunting Forest? Thousand-pound ants, maybe."
The dean of Notting Academy looked at Shi Yi with some surprise. He knew Shi Yi's level when he enrolled, but since it was a matter of cultivation, he didn't want to ask too much.
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. While there were many insect-like spirit beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest, most didn't have any particularly impressive abilities at the hundred-year mark. The Thousand-pound ants were an exception.
Thousand-pound ants were incredibly tenacious spirit beasts, with exceptional defensive capabilities, immense resistance to blows, and immense strength. They possessed strength far beyond their proportions, but for spirit beasts, they lacked any spirit abilities.
They can be found in any soul beast forest. Their defenses, while impressive, are ultimately limited, and they lack offensive means. While powerful, they struggle to fully utilize their strength. Their immense reproductive capacity is the reason they persist, making them an excellent choice for many civilian attack-type soul masters.
With the dean by his side, Yu Xiaogang didn't need to prepare white radishes for Luo Sanpao's bullets. The four of them hired a carriage and headed towards the Soul Hunting Forest. Along the way, Yu Xiaogang educated Tang San on soul masters and soul beasts, a knowledge that even the dean was fascinated by.
Although he was the dean of Notting Academy, his strength was only that of a novice soul master. Shi Yi saw the difference. Comparing people is detrimental, comparing goods is detrimental. Yu Xiaogang, at least, could play high-level games with Liu Erlong and Flanders. Furthermore, Yu Xiaogang's background and experience meant he possessed knowledge and insight unmatched by ordinary soul masters.
From a bird's-eye view, Yu Xiaogang was undoubtedly a worthless figure compared to those masters. However, it was undeniable that in an era where most spirit masters struggled to reach the Soul Sage stage, Yu Xiaogang's knowledge and insight surpassed most.
At the very least, he had mastered the Martial Soul Fusion Technique with a Soul Sage, witnessed the combat of a Soul Sage, and, along with Liu Erlong and Flanders, had traveled to many places inaccessible to lesser spirit masters.
Of course, Ning Fengzhi's statement, "He who possesses the Master will conquer the world," should be taken as a joke. Perhaps Ning Fengzhi was implying that winning over Yu Xiaogang would secure Tang San's support.
After all, Yu Xiaogang represented Blue Lightning to a certain extent, and Tang San, as a disciple, possessed twin spirits. The Clear Sky Sect had no reason to let such a prodigy go. Add to that the connections between the Shrek Seven Devils, and perhaps, if all these factors were connected, he might truly deserve the title of "conqueror of the world."
As Yu Xiaogang's narration grew more convincing, Tang San's tone grew increasingly affectionate.
The journey of four hundred miles wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. It wasn't until noon the next day that they arrived at their destination, the Soul Hunting Forest.
After passing the market outside the forest, Yu Xiaogang and the dean quickly entered the forest with Shi Yi and Tang San.
"We've entered the forest now. From now on, you must not leave the dean's and my side for even a moment."
"Yes, teacher," Tang San replied, and Shi Yi nodded slightly.
Yu Xiaogang summoned Luo Sanpao. To Tang San's astonishment, Luo Sanpao appeared and nudged Yu Xiaogang's feet. He then came to Shi Yi and nudged his calf as a gesture of affection. Having spent the past two years with Yu Xiaogang, Shi Yi had naturally spent considerable time with Luo Sanpao, and he could clearly sense Shi Yi's kindness towards him.
"Xiao San, don't you want to know what my martial spirit is? This is my martial spirit. You can call it Luo Sanpao, or just Sanpao," Yu Xiaogang introduced to Tang San.
Tang San asked in surprise, "But isn't a beast spirit's manifestation a form of possession? Why is it..."
Shi Yi slowly said, "Master and I both have mutated spirits. We call this kind of mutation living." As he spoke, Shi Yi slowly raised his hand, and with a thought, Little Yi appeared in his palm.
Little Yi had undergone a drastic transformation, the most noticeable being its size, which had grown significantly from its normal ant-sized form. Its intelligence had also increased under Shi Yi's careful guidance.
"So, Senior Brother..."
Tang San's face grew even more surprised as he looked at Shi Yi and Yu Xiaogang's spirits.
"Aren't they powerful?" Shi Yi chuckled.
"Alright, we'll discuss spirits when we get back. First, let's find you a suitable spirit beast. Sanpao, lead the way." Yu Xiaogang interrupted their conversation and addressed Luo Sanpao.
"Hello," the portly Luo Sanpao swayed forward. Despite his weight gain, he was still quite agile. He sniffed something as he walked.
"Sanpao's sense of smell is very keen, able to detect the presence and strength of spirit beasts," Yu Xiaogang explained briefly to the others.
Using a dragon as a dog, Yu Xiaogang was truly exceptional, Shi Yi chuckled inwardly.
The four of them continued their exploration. Every time they encountered a spirit beast, Yu Xiaogang would impart relevant knowledge on them to Tang San, but most of the encounters along the way were ordinary ten-year-old spirit beasts.
The forest was larger than Shi Yi had imagined, leading him to suspect that perhaps there were more humans in the Soul Hunting Forest than there were hundred-year-old spirit beasts.
After searching for a long time, while a number of spirit beasts meeting the requirements appeared, most were not very old. They arrived in the afternoon, and soon, a faint yellow hue appeared among the trees.
Looking up at the sky, Yu Xiaogang said to the others, "Looks like we'll be staying in the Soul Hunting Forest tonight. Let's find a campsite first."
Yu Xiaogang's chosen campsite was a low-lying area with complex terrain surrounded by towering trees. Tang San, about to sprinkle some insect repellent powder, made a discovery.
(End of Chapter)