"Found it?" Changgong Ao smiled faintly.
"Xiao Hai, I have to say, your luck is really good. The last time I saw this Sky Azure Vine, judging by the thickness of its roots, its cultivation age hadn't quite reached 500 years yet, but it was definitely very close."
"And in terms of toughness, I can guarantee it's no weaker than an ordinary Sky Azure Vine above 500 years of cultivation."
"Because the environment it grew in is excellent." He shook his head slightly, sighing as he explained. "Its position is right near a water source, along a small path. And that path just happens to be one of the few ways nearby that leads to the water. So, ever since it developed active attack instincts, it has been ambushing weaker soul beasts that came for water. It would drag their corpses back to its roots, absorb the nutrients as they decayed, and use them to strengthen itself. That's why its resilience and strength far surpass other vines of the same age."
"I don't know which soul master tossed the seed there when the Empire first transported soul beasts here, but they really picked the perfect spot."
'Truly a case of environment shaping quality.' Yang Yunhai nodded slightly. "Uncle Ao, then I'll choose this one."
"Good. Since it's already late, stay here for the night. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to it." Changgong Ao said with a smile.
"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded quickly, then lowered his head and continued looking through the records.
Ghost Vine, Sacred Wood, Lonely Bamboo, Ironthread Vine, Eye-Devourer… His pupils contracted slightly, and his finger instinctively quickened as it slid down the page.
After a moment, he paused and lifted his head toward Changgong Ao. "Uncle Ao, do you think my second soul ring could possibly reach the thousand-year level?"
"Absolutely not!" Changgong Ao shook his head immediately. "A thousand-year soul beast is on a completely different level from a hundred-year one, and…" His expression grew solemn. "Even if you really could absorb one, I wouldn't recommend it."
"Why?" Yang Yunhai blurted out.
"Because at the end of the day, we are only ordinary commoner soul masters," Changgong Ao sighed, locking eyes with him. "Xiao Hai, have you thought about what it would mean for a soul master with no background to suddenly reveal a purple soul ring as his second ring?"
Yang Yunhai fell silent, then exhaled. "It means I would lose my freedom completely."
"And it could even cost your life," Changgong Ao added firmly. "Didn't you say before that you wanted to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament in Heaven Dou City? With your talent… forgive me for being blunt… there's no way you could make it into Spirit Hall's official team. From what I know, every member of Spirit Hall's battle squad has a cultivation above rank 45. Their screening is extremely strict."
"So you'd have no choice but to join another academy's team. And once they asked you to show your soul rings…"
"Then those clans and sects would do everything possible to capture me," Yang Yunhai said grimly. "And since I've already registered under Spirit Hall, whether I reveal my theory or not, they'd most likely silence me to erase any trace. They could just claim it had nothing to do with them. And Spirit Hall wouldn't pursue it too far either, because my martial soul and talent are too poor. All I would have contributed would be the theory of absorbing soul rings beyond the normal age limit. Once that's taken, I wouldn't have much value left."
The key was, if his second soul ring was purple, then his chance of entering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would be gone.
The Sunset Forest was massive, with plenty of ten-thousand-year beasts roaming inside. It was impossible for him to find that place on his own. If he waited until Tang San arrived, he wouldn't be able to interfere, and the story would proceed as it had before. His only real chance was to get into Heaven Dou Imperial Academy early, get close to Dugu Yan, and through her gain the favor of Dugu Bo. That way, Dugu Bo would personally bring him into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
But to enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he would have to show his soul rings during enrollment. If his second ring was purple, he would be exposed instantly.
And then… the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would probably be the first to make a move.
'For a commoner with no background, who would chase down the kidnappers even if I vanished?' Yang Yunhai thought darkly. 'Spirit Hall would think the same way. If they were the first to discover I had a thousand-year second soul ring, their first choice would be to drag me into Spirit City for protection. But that would mean losing my freedom forever. Better to keep my second ring yellow and maintain my mobility.'
As for reporting the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to Spirit Hall? That was absurd. With so many geniuses among the Spirit Hall elders, who would waste resources on him instead of their own prodigy descendants?
'If it was Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, or maybe if Bibi Dong was my wife, then maybe I'd consider it,' he joked to himself. 'But otherwise? Not a chance. If clinging to a powerful backer makes me a scoundrel, then so be it.'
"You've really grown up, Xiao Hai," Changgong Ao said with emotion after hearing his reasoning.
Then his expression softened, and he reassured him: "Don't worry so much. You're still a long way from breaking through rank 20. And even if your second ring isn't a thousand-year one, if you manage to absorb an 800- or 900-year soul ring, you'll still be far ahead of your peers. From what I know, many noble children can't even get rings that reach the official best age limit."
'Like Tang San,' Yang Yunhai thought with a trace of relief, a smile forming on his face. "Heh, I guess that's true."
Seeing his mood lift, Changgong Ao smiled as well. "Alright, you must be tired from the long journey. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll set out early. Once you get your first soul ring, you can return to the academy and continue your studies right away."
"Okay!" Yang Yunhai nodded quickly.
With Changgong Ao's help, he made a simple bedroll inside the tent. Sitting cross-legged, he began cultivating while waiting for sleep.
"No wonder this child reached rank 10 in just two and a half years," Changgong Ao thought as he watched him meditate. "He has truly put in the effort."
And then his heart stirred with excitement. If Yang Yunhai really succeeded tomorrow, he would be the first witness. More than that—he would be one of the direct participants who helped him obtain his first and second rings.
To be part of a new era… how could he not be moved?
Feeling restless, he walked out of the tent to get some air. After a moment's thought, he gathered his team.
"Listen. This boy came here today. From now on, you are not to mention it to anyone. This matter is tied to Spirit Hall secrets. If word leaks, you all know what the consequences would be." His tone was heavy, his expression stern.
"Understood!" The others nodded firmly.
As veterans who had roamed the outside world for years, they knew perfectly well what could and could not be said.
"Good. Dismissed," Changgong Ao said.
"Yes!" They saluted and dispersed.
Looking up at the night sky, Changgong Ao's eyes shone with anticipation. Then he turned back toward the tent.
The next morning, before dawn, two figures—one tall, one small—slipped quietly away from the camp and headed deep into the forest.
(End of Chapter)
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