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**
As the group began to move deeper into the interior of the Soul Hunting Forest, Xiao Lin noticed that Wang Neng and the others had become visibly more serious.
Wang Neng and Xu Yi stayed almost shoulder-to-shoulder, both scanning their respective flanks with extreme vigilance.
Su Yuntao remained by Xiao Gui's side, never straying a step, fulfilling his role as a bodyguard. They weren't the only ones; even Tang San and Xiao Wu were using all their senses, their muscles coiled like tight springs.
This was a stress response triggered by the cry of an unknown Soul Beast they had heard upon entering the inner zone.
Despite having Shi Dan scouting ahead and Tang San's Blue Silver Grass sensing the perimeter, Xiao Lin remained the only one as relaxed as before.
Up ahead, Wang Neng used a woodcutting cleaver to relentlessly clear away shrubs that might obstruct their line of sight. This mission wasn't necessarily difficult—healing-type Soul Beasts were rarely adept at combat.
However, it wasn't exactly easy either.
Healing-type Soul Beasts were rare to begin with, meaning they might have to venture into the deepest parts of the Soul Hunting Forest to find one.
Furthermore, healing Soul Beasts often existed in a symbiotic relationship with other beasts, meaning the group might face an attack from two or more creatures at once.
This isn't the way, Xiao Lin thought.
Searching aimlessly like this increased both the randomness and the danger of the encounter.
He walked over to Xiao Gui to ask about her specific needs.
"Sister Xiao Gui, do you have a specific type of Soul Skill you desire most? Pure healing, enhancement/buffing, or perhaps detoxification?"
Fearing she might not understand the technicalities, Xiao Lin provided a few examples.
"Me?" Xiao Gui fell into a momentary silence, recalling the knowledge she had learned in class.
After a moment, she knit her brows and spoke softly: "If possible, I'd still like my first Soul Skill to be healing. Becoming a physician... a Healing System Soul Master is my dream. But if that's truly not possible, then detoxification would be the next best thing."
"Then it's simple. I actually recommend that Sister Xiao Gui's first Soul Skill be detoxification," Xiao Lin suggested after less than a second of thought, offering what seemed to be the inferior choice.
Xiao Gui frowned slightly, looking at him with confusion.
"First, since Sister Xiao Gui isn't choosing an enhancement-type support skill, it means you don't enjoy combat. Both of the types you mentioned are suited for logistical work," Xiao Lin explained.
"Second, since you want to be a physician, you should aim to be well-rounded rather than a specialist in just one area. Therefore, whether you get detoxification or healing first makes no difference in the long run."
"Third, since healing is your priority over detox, it shows you value it more. In that case, using your more powerful second Soul Skill for healing will result in a much better effect than if it were your first Soul Skill. Sister Xiao Gui, what do you think?"
Xiao Lin finished with a smile.
"But if my first Soul Skill is detoxification, it might take me a very long time to earn back the money I'm paying Captain Wang Neng for this commission," Xiao Gui admitted, feeling conflicted.
Xiao Lin's logic was sound, but she had to consider the practical reality of her debt.
"I see." Xiao Lin acknowledged the reasoning.
To make money quickly, a healing skill was indeed the better starter.
Xiao Lin fell into silence.
With the books he had read, he could certainly find a Soul Beast for her that provided both detox and healing. He could even find one that scaled its effectiveness with her Soul Power rank.
However, such Soul Skills were incredibly rare.
Finding a Soul Beast in the Soul Hunting Forest that possessed dual capabilities or a scaling healing factor was like finding a needle in a haystack.
They could search for a month and find nothing.
Unless they went to the Sunset Forest or the Star Dou Forest—places with richer ecosystems—Xiao Lin didn't think they could find such a beast within a month. They weren't here to live as savages; they were here for experience.
They couldn't stay out for a month and skip school at Nuoding Academy. If the academy thought they were missing and Tang Hao misunderstood the situation, the entire Nuoding City might be leveled to the ground.
A minute later, the corners of Xiao Lin's mouth curled up.
He had a great idea.
"Sister Xiao Gui, I wonder if you're interested in taking the path of a Food System Soul Master? Your Osmanthus Martial Soul is inherently edible."
"Furthermore, the creations of a Food System Soul Master can earn a fortune. If you go that route, you could even consider an enhancement-type for your first Soul Skill."
Seeing that familiar smile, Tang San and Xiao Wu froze for a moment.
They shared a look but decided not to mention the fact that Xiao Lin was likely using Xiao Gui as a test subject.
"Food System? Can I really do that?" Xiao Gui was lost.
Her teachers had told her that her future skills would involve using floral scents for healing.
After all, her Martial Soul wasn't a whole tree; it was just a small cluster of Osmanthus flowers. Her scent range wouldn't be wide, making her unsuitable for active combat healing and better suited for behind-the-scenes logistics.
Xiao Lin's words had suddenly blown her world wide open.
Was such a thing possible?
But her Martial Soul only produced a handful of flowers when summoned; could it really work?
Seeing her dazed expression, Xiao Lin chuckled.
"Sister Xiao Gui, you don't need to worry at all."
"Even if my method doesn't turn you into a Food System Soul Master, it will ensure your Soul Skill isn't half bad. I want to know, if your Martial Soul is 'broken,' does it affect you?" Xiao Lin narrowed his eyes, smiling like a clever fox.
"Broken? You mean if a part of my Martial Soul disappears, am I okay?" Xiao Gui asked, confused.
"Exactly. That's the one."
"That doesn't seem to be an issue."
"When I summon the Osmanthus, it's just a handful. If some fall away, it doesn't affect me. Sometimes when I retract my Martial Soul, a few blossoms are left behind," Xiao Gui said, recalling the details with uncertainty.
"Excellent! That's it! It seems, Sister Xiao Gui, you have the basic conditions to become a Food System Soul Master." Xiao Lin became instantly excited.
If she succeeded, it would serve as a great reference for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. The only difference was that her Martial Soul consisted of individual, detached flowers.
At this point, Su Yuntao, sensing something was amiss, locked his gaze onto Xiao Lin.
Frowning, Su Yuntao suddenly asked, "Can a Osmanthus Martial Soul really be transformed into the Food System?"
"Of course. It's actually quite simple," Xiao Lin stated with absolute certainty.
"First, Osmanthus is edible. Second, Sister Xiao Gui's Martial Soul can be detached or lost without affecting her main body. Finally, there's the issue of the Soul Incantation for Food System Martial Souls."
"So, it's very straightforward. Sister Xiao Gui, would you like to try a Soul Ring that increases vitality?"
"It might give you a powerful healing Soul Skill. Given that your Martial Soul is Osmanthus and doesn't have extreme adaptability, the Soul Beast should preferably be a plant-type."
"And I happen to know of a plant-type Soul Beast that is perfect for you, and it's right here in the Soul Hunting Forest. Even if it fails, it won't harm you, and you'll at least walk away with a guaranteed healing Soul Skill."
As Xiao Lin spoke, Xiao Gui's breathing became rapid.
If things truly went as he said, she might be on the path to a prosperous future.
"Okay! I want to try!"
**
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 10 free chapters available, plus 60+ early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!