Early the next morning.
Upon finding out that the homeroom teacher was going to lecture on the history of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xiao Lin lost all interest and immediately slipped out the back door.
Following closely behind him were Tang San and Xiao Wu. The trio arrived at the Blue Silver Grass simulated cultivation environment Tang San had set up the previous day.
A fresh, invigorating breeze brushed against their faces, instantly clearing their minds.
"Not bad, Little San. You managed to achieve this level in just one day."
Xiao Lin felt a mix of emotions.
These cultivation methods were things he had personally come up with—originally designed out of fear that he might awaken a "trash" Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass. Now, Tang San seemed to have everything he needed for his cultivation, while things weren't quite so simple for Xiao Lin.
Besides making his Horned Dragon Staff longer, heavier, and harder to control to train his physical strength, Xiao Lin found it difficult to discover new ways to accelerate his cultivation speed.
However, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and turned to look at a certain uninvited guest.
"Xiao Wu, why are you following us?"
As soon as the words left Xiao Lin's mouth, Tang San interjected, "Brother Lin, Xiao Wu is all alone and quite pitiful. Why don't we just let her join us?"
"Hmph, lust at first sight," Xiao Lin snorted, directing his comment at Xiao Wu, who was currently glaring at him.
"If Xiao Wu wants to join us, fine, but she has to become my subordinate."
Xiao Wu, who had been looking ready for a fight, was momentarily stunned.
Huh?
"That's all it takes?" she asked weakly.
"That's right. Call me 'Brother Lin,' and I'll look out for you."
Hearing Xiao Lin's "rebellious" words, Xiao Wu was dazed for a moment.
The plan has changed. What do I do now?
"Alright, Brother Lin."
"A student worth teaching," Xiao Lin nodded in satisfaction.
If Xiao Wu wasn't Tang San's future wife, and if she didn't have a clean background with no messy affiliations, Xiao Lin wouldn't have just taken in a stranger.
"Alright, Brother Lin. If there's anything else, just say it directly," Tang San said proactively, having long since become familiar with Xiao Lin's personality over the years.
"Ahem, it's like this."
"Regarding our plan to absorb thousand-year Soul Rings for our second rings, I've drafted a few points. First, training physical and mental strength. I don't need to say much more to Little San about that, but as for you, Xiao Wu..."
"From now on, do a lot of weighted running, practice your horse stance, and train your jumping and kicking techniques"
"That stupid 'Waist Bow' soul skill of yours... you can't just go around grabbing people's heads with your legs. It's too weak. Focus more on your leg thrusts. A 'Rabbit Kicking the Eagle' move is far stronger than a Waist Bow, and it leaves fewer openings."
"Little San, you teach this 'silly rabbit' more. Also, teach her that Heart Separation Control technique as well. I won't allow my subordinates to be weak."
Xiao Lin spoke firmly. He didn't have much to arrange for Tang San.
Although Xiao Lin scoffed at Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's theory that Tool Soul Masters are stronger than Beast Soul Masters after Rank 70, the logic actually held some truth for Xiao Lin and Tang San.
Their Martial Souls were terrifyingly heavy.
To develop a fluid set of attack methods, they needed powerful physiques. This physical strength ensured their bodies were no weaker than top-tier Beast Soul Masters.
Combined with the logic of "the strong stay strong," and a weapon that would become even harder than a beast's body, they would naturally surpass top-tier Beast Soul Masters.
It was only because Tang San wasn't using the Clear Sky Hammer right now; otherwise, his destructive power would be no less than Xiao Lin's when not using a Soul Ring or Martial Soul Avatar.
Xiao Lin and Tang San were easy to plan for, but Xiao Wu was a different story.
The Soft Bone Rabbit wasn't a powerful Soul Beast to begin with. Xiao Wu, who had only reached the One Hundred Thousand Year level through the protection of the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python, was somewhat naive and silly.
"Alright."
Tang San immediately agreed to Xiao Lin's words.
However, a thought occurred to him, and he asked: "Brother Lin, if Xiao Wu is also going to absorb a second Soul Ring, do you have any good recommendations?"
Tang San's question gave Xiao Lin pause, but within a second, the answer came to him.
"Xiao Wu's Martial Soul and skills aren't suited for the Power Attack System; she's meant for the Agility Attack System. With her first soul skill being Waist Bow, her speed won't be slow given the boost to her waist and leg strength. For her second Soul Ring, choose a Lightning Rabbit."
"Lightning Rabbit?"
"Lightning Rabbit!"
Tang San looked confused, while Xiao Wu looked shocked.
The Lightning Rabbit was a rare Soul Beast, even in the Great Star Dou Forest. Tang San was curious because he had never heard of it, but Xiao Wu was shocked by Xiao Lin's vast knowledge.
In truth, Xiao Lin wasn't that familiar with it either. He had only stumbled upon the information while researching speed-type Soul Beasts for himself, specifically looking into things that might relate to Xiao Wu's "Teleportation" skill.
"Yes. The Lightning Rabbit is incredibly fast. Even some hawk-type flying Soul Beasts can't match its speed. Furthermore, the Lightning Rabbit has the ability to use its own lightning to stimulate and activate its physical cells, making it even faster. That's why I recommend it for Xiao Wu."
"If it's a Lightning Rabbit, it will likely give Xiao Wu a speed-boosting soul skill."
"Combined with the lightning activation ability, Xiao Wu will become the ultimate Agility Attack System Soul Master. Plus, lightning naturally possesses high destructive power, which perfectly complements her Waist Bow and the kicking techniques she's going to learn."
Tang San's eyes lit up at these words.
He excitedly turned to Xiao Wu and said:
"Xiao Wu, this Soul Beast really suits you! The faster you are, the stronger the force of your impact."
Tang San was brilliant; he immediately grasped the implications and could already see Xiao Wu's future utility.
Even if she couldn't defeat an enemy, couldn't she at least escape?
She could kick a fragile Support System Soul Master unconscious, kick an enemy Agility Attack Soul Master into the open for Xiao Lin to finish, or even coordinate with Xiao Lin by kicking him directly into the heart of the enemy formation.
These possibilities would elevate Xiao Wu's combat power by more than a whole tier.
As for whether Xiao Wu being too fast would negatively affect her—Xiao Lin figured that if her third Soul Ring also came from a Lightning Rabbit, it would likely grant her "Teleportation."
A "Flying Thunder God" technique without the need for markers, combined with "Chidori" speed... Xiao Wu would be invincible among those at her rank. If she was about to crash into something dangerous, she could just teleport away.
If all went as planned, Xiao Wu's future combat style would revolve mainly around her second soul skill. Speed boosts and lightning destruction—if Tang San forged her a short sword or a dagger, her assassination capabilities would be top-tier.
Tang San's thoughts mirrored Xiao Lin's.
He began explaining the synergy with weapons, and as he spoke, Xiao Wu began to realize how terrifying this soul skill could be. Tang San's Godly Zhuge Crossbow could deal lethal damage to non-defense Soul Masters below Rank 40.
There was no reason Xiao Wu's lightning acceleration and lightning-enchanted daggers couldn't do the same. Even against a Defense System Soul Master who wasn't prepared, Xiao Wu could likely inflict heavy injuries.
As for what happens after Rank 40, there would naturally be other soul skills to further enhance her speed and destructive power. Having seen her future path laid out, Xiao Wu understood clearly how she should choose.
She stood up and bowed seriously toward Xiao Lin.
"Thank you, Xiao Lin."
This time, her gratitude was genuine. Her large eyes were filled with a mix of "cluelessness" and pure sincerity.
"Call me 'Brother Lin,'" Xiao Lin said jokingly.
"Yes, Brother Lin!"
Xiao Wu shouted excitedly.
This moment marked Xiao Wu's true entry into the small circle shared by Xiao Lin and Tang San.