Half a day later, in Lone Grass Village.
"What! Xiao Hai, you've reached rank 10?"
Hearing Yang Yunhai say his soul power had already reached rank 10, the village chief was stunned.
With only 0.5 innate soul power, and a martial soul as weak as Blue Silver Grass, to reach rank 10 in just two and a half years—he had never heard of such a thing.
During the previous New Year holidays when Yang Yunhai returned, the boy had never mentioned it. So it turned out this was the surprise he had been preparing.
As if struck by a thought, the old man quickly asked:
"Was it because of lightning cultivation?"
"Yes." Yang Yunhai nodded. "Drawing down lightning stimulates my body's vitality, which gives me a short period where my cultivation speed rises slightly. It also tempers both my body and martial soul. Furthermore, when lightning passes through me, a trace of thunder attribute energy remains inside, giving my soul power a direct boost."
For the elder who had cared for him since childhood, Yang Yunhai held nothing back. He trusted him completely.
Besides, this method of cultivating with lightning had many flaws and couldn't be copied anyway, so there was no harm in telling him.
"But after each lightning strike, both my body and martial soul become stiff, and recovery takes a long time," he continued. "So each year I don't get many chances to do it, and each time I can only endure two strikes."
"I didn't say anything these past two years because I didn't want you to worry."
Hearing this, the village chief's face softened with pain. He placed a weathered hand on the boy's shoulder, his voice heavy with concern. "Child… it must hurt terribly."
"It's fine. I've gotten used to it." Yang Yunhai smiled lightly, his voice almost cheerful. "Besides, look—wasn't it all worth it?"
The old man finally smiled and nodded. "Even so, you must be careful. Never push too far."
"I understand." Yang Yunhai nodded quickly, then said, "Grandpa Tai, the reason I came back this time is—"
"You want to obtain the optimal-age soul ring, isn't that right?" The chief smiled knowingly, cutting him off.
"Yes." Yang Yunhai scratched his head. "Grandpa Tai, in our academy there's a man called Grandmaster. I heard he also had only 0.5 innate soul power, but his first two soul rings were both at the optimal age. Yet he's been stuck at rank 29 for many years."
"Grandpa, I'm worried I'll face the same problem."
Yu Xiaogang had weak innate power, but his bloodline was still the pure and powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Its quality was extremely high.
This was proven when he performed Martial Soul Fusion with Flender and Liu Erlong, whose levels far exceeded his. The fusion's core was his martial soul, and the end result transformed Luo Sanpao into the Golden Holy Dragon. That fact alone explained much.
If someone with such a bloodline was still stuck at rank 29, what chance did he—a commoner—have?
Bloodline could impose limits.
Lightning training improved his body and martial soul, perhaps even tempered his bloodline. But it could never bring a true qualitative change.
A lump of scrap iron, no matter how often forged, could at best become refined iron—it could never become steel. Unless carbon was added and it was properly quenched and tempered. Or unless the iron itself was replaced with steel.
That was what he intended to do in the future.
But before that, he had to strengthen himself however possible. Cultivation was accumulation, and every step mattered.
Thus Yang Yunhai revealed his true purpose. "So, I want to absorb a soul ring beyond my rank's limit!"
"Absorb a soul ring beyond your rank!?" The chief, who had also heard of Yu Xiaogang the 'theory master,' was stunned.
"Yes—going beyond the so-called optimal age."
"No!" The old man's face changed sharply.
He shook his head. "It's far too dangerous. If your body can't withstand the energy, you'll die. Spirit Hall has records of this. The optimal ages we know are the safest choices."
'The safest choices to avoid death…' Yang Yunhai thought, sighing silently. Then he shook his head.
"Grandpa, that data fits most people. But it doesn't mean it fits everyone."
"Think about it," Yang Yunhai pressed on. "Is the body strength of beast-soul users the same as tool-soul users? Is someone with high innate soul power the same as someone with low? Is a dragon martial soul equal to an earthworm martial soul?"
The old man was taken aback. After a pause, he admitted uncertainly, "That… should be different."
"Then why should they all bear the same soul ring ages?" Yang Yunhai countered.
"That…" The chief was shaken. His worldview wavered. He couldn't argue.
"These past years, I haven't just tempered myself with lightning. I've trained my body daily." Yang Yunhai's eyes grew firm. "So I'm confident—my body is far stronger than most my age. I can withstand more energy."
He gritted his teeth, speaking solemnly: "Grandpa, this might be the only way I'll ever break through the bottleneck at rank 30!"
"But—!" The old man felt the boy's determination. He remembered what Yang Yunhai had endured these past years—daily training, risking his life with heavenly lightning, suffering pain few could imagine—all for what? For the chance to break his limits.
Such resolve… If he didn't try, he would regret it forever.
"Grandpa, it doesn't have to be much. 500 years—just 500 is enough." Seeing hesitation, Yang Yunhai hurried to add.
Even he wasn't sure how strong his body really was. It was safer to be cautious.
The chief fell silent for a long time. Finally, he said, "Xiao Hai, give me your hand."
Yang Yunhai stretched it out without hesitation.
'Stronger than my son and grandson at the same stage,' the chief thought as he squeezed the boy's bones. He remembered clearly the strength of his own family when they reached rank 10. Having many children and grandchildren gave him plenty of comparisons.
Releasing the hand, he spoke gravely: "Xiao Hai, think carefully. This could kill you."
"Grandpa, I've thought it through long ago." Yang Yunhai nodded firmly.
"And one more thing." He added, "Whether I succeed or not, please keep this secret. This is only my first attempt. Different people, different martial souls—what ages can they bear? Who can say? Even if I succeed this time, more tests would be needed."
"I don't want an unproven theory spread recklessly, leading others to die. If possible, let me be the first to try. My idea is to wait until I reach Soul Elder before making conclusions. If I succeed, after three tries, I'll have some understanding. If I fail… then I'll be dead. At that point, Grandpa, you can let Uncle Di report it, and others may continue testing."
"Xiao Hai…" The chief's eyes reddened. He patted the boy's shoulder with trembling hands.
"Perhaps you'll never be a mighty soul master, but you may become a great pioneer."
"Heh, I also have selfish reasons." Yang Yunhai grinned. "I want to join the Continental Soul Master Tournament. If not the next one, then the one after. If this theory spreads and everyone gets stronger, how would I win?"
"You brat!" The chief's lips twitched. But he knew the boy was only easing his worry.
Finally, he smiled. "Alright, I understand."
"I'll write you a letter. Take it to the Soul Hunting Forest. Once inside, find your Uncle Ao at the Law Enforcement Team post by the right wall. He'll help you hunt a suitable beast."
Then he paused, asking seriously, "Xiao Hai, have you decided what type of soul beast you want for your first ring?"
"Sky Azure Vine," Yang Yunhai answered without hesitation.
The Sky Azure Vine was the martial soul of Zhi Lin, a Soul Douluo from Heaven Dou Academy, renowned for its toughness and elasticity. If it could support someone to reach Soul Douluo, that proved its quality as a soul beast.
Most importantly, elasticity meant rapid growth and long vines, which implied vigorous vitality. And indeed, the records confirmed it.
That meant its life attribute was high—perfect for him.
Toughness and elasticity were exactly what his Blue Silver Grass lacked.
Black Bamboo? Poisonous snakes? Forget them!
"Sky Azure Vine is a fine choice," the chief nodded. "The forest has them. But whether there's one of 500 years exactly, we'll see."
He looked Yang Yunhai straight in the eye. "If you can't find one, take a lower age. Don't be reckless. I'll make this clear in the letter for your Uncle Ao."
'Like I could refuse even if I wanted to,' Yang Yunhai thought. Out loud, he said, "I understand, Grandpa Tai."
"Good." The old man finally smiled.
"Wait while I write the letter."
At his desk, he began writing. "Afterward, go to Spirit Hall and ask Supervisor Ma Xiunuo for a permit. The day's not late yet. Once you've done that, stay here tonight. Your grandma will cook something good to celebrate your reaching rank 10. Tomorrow, you'll head for the forest."
"Alright, Grandpa Tai." Yang Yunhai nodded.
Soon the letter was written. With it in hand, Yang Yunhai borrowed a yellow pony from the village and rode straight for Nuoding City.
At Spirit Hall, he met Ma Xiunuo. After another soul power test confirmed he had indeed broken through rank 10, even Ma Xiunuo was surprised. Changgong Di, who was there too, was shocked and praised him, insisting they celebrate with dinner.
At last, Yang Yunhai received the permit.
Returning to the village, he ate his fill, slept peacefully, and at dawn the next day, set off on horseback toward the Soul Hunting Forest.
(End of Chapter)
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