Chapter 11: Choosing the First Soul Ring

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It was a rare opportunity for a Title Douluo to personally lead the hunt for soul rings. That very night, Tang Xi settled all matters at home, including arranging Tang San’s enrollment at the academy. The family of three sat together, enjoying a lively dinner. The following evening, Tang Hao and Tang Xi used the excuse of going out to gather resources and set off toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Three days later, at the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.

A man cloaked in a tattered black robe swiftly landed on a tree branch, glanced around, then turned back and urged,

“Hurry up, are you here for a leisurely stroll in the Star Dou Great Forest?”

After a dozen seconds, the rustling sound of movement came from the forest behind him. Tang Xi emerged, clutching a bird’s nest, pushing through the bushes while complaining, “Dad, wait for me! I don’t have flying skills yet!”

Tang Hao scratched his ear casually and said, “Fine, then I’ll find you a bird.”

“My silver elemental martial soul can’t fly even if I get a bird-type soul ring,” Tang Xi replied as she struggled to climb over a large rock.

Nearby, some ten-year-old soul beasts gathered, curiously watching the interaction between the big and little figures.

Tang Hao asked, “Have you decided what kind of soul ring you want to attach to your martial soul?”

Tang Xi looked up and inquired, “Dad, do you have any suggestions?”

Tang Hao finally leapt down from the branch, grabbed her by the collar, easily crossed the rock in front of them, and analyzed, “Your martial soul has never appeared on the Douluo Continent before, and no one knows what category it will belong to in the future. This means your first soul ring will determine the direction your martial soul takes—whether it will be control type, offensive type, or something else. You have to make a choice.”

As he finished speaking, Tang Xi, as if she had already made up her mind, said directly,

“I want to go with control type!”

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Tang Hao’s mouth, but he quickly suppressed it and asked, “Are you sure? I’ve heard that the Soul Bird was the continent’s top sensitive offensive martial soul back in the day. If you recover it in the future, its path is already set. Why not choose offensive type for your silver elemental martial soul?”

“I took what you said that day to heart,” Tang Xi shook her head. They had just climbed over a large rock, and Tang Hao set her down on the ground. She continued, “I understand what you mean very clearly. No matter how strong a soul master is alone, they cannot change the course of a battle. I don’t know how many people will stand by my side in the future, but I will strive to gain more power. So my path is group control.”

Finally, a look of satisfaction appeared in Tang Hao’s eyes. He nodded in approval, saying, “Group control... not a bad idea. But skills for group control only become available after reaching Soul King level.”

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Tang Xi smiled knowingly and clenched her fist, saying, “I know, but my elemental martial soul is naturally suited for group attacks.”

“I’ve never heard anyone praise themselves like that,” Tang Hao chuckled, patting her small head before holding her close again. “I’ll take you there. I roughly know where to find soul rings that might have group control skills. But the chances are slim, so don’t get your hopes too high.”

“Thank you, Dad!”

Tang Xi smiled sweetly, obediently wrapping her arms around Tang Hao’s neck.

Under Tang Hao’s guidance, they quickly traversed the Star Dou Great Forest at a Title Douluo’s pace. After more than an hour, Tang Hao and Tang Xi slowly landed at the edge of a large swamp.

At the swamp’s edge, dozens of crocodiles covered in toxic pustules lay together, feasting on a deer-type soul beast.

Tang Xi squatted beside a bush, resting her chin in her hands, murmuring, “Such ugly crocodiles.”

Tang Hao spoke calmly and leisurely, “These are swamp fierce crocodiles, a species living in the marshlands. Adult fierce crocodiles are the undisputed rulers of this forest. These are only century-old specimens, but they’re enough for you. Their abilities vary, but they all possess a natural skill: Turning land into swamp. This is a group control skill. If you can obtain it, that’s great. If not, the other skills of these crocodiles are still formidable.”

“When I was young and training, I passed through here and happened to encounter the swamp fierce crocodile king. It took us quite a bit of effort to take it down.”

After he finished, he added,

“Pick one to become your soul ring.”

Tang Xi turned her head, looking at the crocodiles’ toxic, scabby faces and their brutal eating postures, slowly showing a look of disgust, “Huh?”

Tang Hao gently patted the back of her head and urged, “They’re risking their lives to become your soul ring, and you’re still picky? Hurry, choose one. I’ll catch it for you.”

“Hehe, thanks Dad! Then I’ll take the one that’s around seven hundred years old!”

Upon receiving Tang Hao’s promise, the disdain on Tang Xi’s face vanished instantly, no trace of her earlier reluctance remained.

She’s got some spirit now, wait a moment?

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Tang Hao looked at her disapprovingly. “The first soul ring’s age should be four hundred years. You’re choosing seven hundred, almost the age of a second soul ring. Don’t waste the soul ring’s seven hundred years of lifespan just to show off.”

But Tang Xi wasn’t reckless or unprepared. She thought seriously, “A year ago, I had already reached level seventeen in cultivation. Even though I lost my soul power later, my body should still be able to handle that level or higher. Maybe I’ll improve even more in a year. Absorbing a four hundred-year-old soul ring feels somewhat wasteful.”

She clenched her fist and said, “Though it’s risky, it’s worth a try!”

Her former palace tutor had once told her that if the first soul ring is absorbed beyond its age limit successfully, every subsequent soul ring could potentially be absorbed beyond the limit, but the risks and pain of such cross-level absorption are unbearable. Nobody ever thought it worth ruining their future for just the first soul ring.

Her decision was made. Tang Hao pondered deeply, his hesitant gaze meeting Tang Xi’s resolute expression, and he finally agreed.

His figure flickered, and when he reappeared, he held the fainted seven-hundred-year-old swamp fierce crocodile in one hand and Tang Xi in the other. They found a flat spot, sealed the surrounding space, and said,

“Begin. If anything goes wrong, I’ll interrupt the absorption. You must give up this idea.”

“Yes.”

Tang Xi said as silver light transformed into a blade in her hand. She took a deep breath and pierced the fierce crocodile’s head.

A dense yellow soul ring slowly drifted out. Tang Xi nodded to Tang Hao, sat cross-legged, and began drawing the soul ring into her body, starting the absorption process.

Watching Tang Xi adjust her breathing, Tang Hao casually found a branch to sit on, patiently waiting.

The soul ring gradually entered her body, but Tang Xi’s face slowly contorted in pain. Cold sweat formed on her forehead.

Tang Hao’s frown deepened as her complexion grew worse.

Cross-level absorption is not so simple.