Chapter 15: The Hunt
In the shadowed depths of the forest, Lin Tian, his father Lin Yun, and his mother Lin Yue advanced cautiously through dense foliage, their senses heightened in the presence of soul beasts. They had chosen a forest southwest of Lanshan City, close to the Star Luo Empire border, where lower-level soul beasts roamed—a safer environment for young spirit masters. The dense canopy and towering trees provided both cover and a sense of isolation, perfect for their mission. Lin Tian's mind remained alert, cataloging every shift in the surroundings, drawing upon all his research and training.
While resting in a cave, Lin Tian pondered his goal: his first soul ring. His approach contrasted with conventional attack spirit masters; as an attack soul master with the Storm Tyrant Spear martial soul, he didn't want a simple attack skill. Once he reached higher levels of soul power these straightforward, one-dimensional attacks were of little use. He sought something more potent—a technique that could empower his spear and amplify his lightning attribute in battle. A straightforward attack wouldn't suffice at higher levels. Instead, he aimed for a complementary auxiliary ability that would boost both his spear's sharpness and his lightning's ferocity, an insight he'd drawn from analyzing legendary martial souls and their strengths. From his memory, he could not recall an instance where soul masters at soul sage and above used the first three soul skills in serious battles, unless it had an accompanying supplementary effect. The only exception to this were the Shrek Seven Monsters who had their soul rings' ages increased through the God Trials which improved and empowered their abilities, allowing them to adapt to higher level combat.
Lin Tian's research into soul rings revealed that these rings gain substantial power at specific age milestones. A 10-year-old (white) soul ring, for example, grows stronger with each decade, while a 100-year-old (yellow) ring increases with each century, and so forth. According to Yu Xiaogang, the recommended limit for most soul trainees remains around 423 years. However, Lin Tian's rigorous physical training, alongside his Body martial soul, positioned him to absorb a 700-year ring, a feat validated through training. His parents had insisted on testing his strength, enlisting a level 26 Fire Bear soul master to spar with him. The challenge was set without the use of soul skills, making it an even field. Lin Tian narrowly claimed victory, relying solely on physical prowess, which won him his parents' cautious approval.
For his first soul skill, Lin Tian sought an auxiliary ability that would enhance both his lightning element and spear technique. Top-tier martial souls are often accompanied by unique attributes that elevate them above high quality martial spirits. For example, the Clear Sky Hammer is naturally heavy, even without soul rings, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's lightning element inflicts a paralytic effect. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda offers a treasure-sensing passive. Lin Tian's Storm Tyrant Spear, embodying lightning and piercing force, possesses a natural sharpness. During a spar with his father, Lin Tian's spear unexpectedly sliced through Lin Yun's third soul skill, impressing them both. However, once his father increased the skill's soul power, Lin Tian could no longer pierce it, underscoring the importance of base soul power.
With that in mind, their target was a rare Steel Serpent, a beast known for its metallic scales and fierce defensive capabilities. With its metal affinity, it could produce a magnetic field that was particularly troublesome for weapon users, often discouraging most low-level soul masters from approaching it. Most low level soul masters would not be able to break past its defenses and would need a sharp knife to finish the job, but this trait was exactly what made it ideal for Lin Tian's Storm Tyrant Spear, a lightning-based weapon that could easily harness and pierce through the serpent's defenses.
Lin Yun's signal for silence pulled Lin Tian out of his thoughts, and he watched as his father crouched, sending tendrils of soul power into the earth to scan their surroundings with the sensitivity of his Sky Azure Vine martial soul and simultaneously spreading his spiritual power to capture the finer details. Due to the lack of high level soul beasts, with Lin Yun's soul power being mild in nature thanks to his martial soul, soul beasts would assume it was a plant soul beast with basic sentience. Moments later, without a word, Lin Yun shot from the cave, Lin Yue following close behind and clutching Lin Tian by the wrist.
The clinking sound of scales and the whip-like crack of vines filled the clearing ahead, where Lin Yun was already locked in battle with the Steel Serpent. His Sky Azure Vine whipped through the air, trapping it from the ground and snapping at the beast's metallic scales, forcing it into defensive maneuvers. Lin Tian's eyes took in the details: the Steel Serpent, nearly seven meters long, glinted menacingly under the filtered forest sunlight, its scales gleaming like armor. The fight was intense, with Lin Yun's whips cutting through the air, forcing the serpent's attention away.
"Lin Yue, its scales are weak near the head!" Lin Yun shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. Without missing a beat, Lin Yue dropped Lin Tian onto a tree branch, well within sight but out of the serpent's range. She leapt down through the air, guided by Lin Yun's vines and maneuvering around the serpent's strikes before delivering a powerful blow with the handle of her spear to its exposed head. The impact left the serpent momentarily stunned, its massive form crashing to the ground with a metallic clang.
"Now, Lin Tian!" Lin Yue's command was sharp but steady, and Lin Tian didn't hesitate. Summoning the Storm Tyrant Spear, he mobilized his soul power, feeling the crackling energy in his veins align with the weapon in his hands. Looking at the unconscious serpent on the ground, he hardened his resolve. He struck clean and true, piercing through the serpent's vulnerable head in one swift movement. The serpent went limp, its powerful form finally subdued.
As the serpent's form stilled, a dark yellow soul ring began to emerge from its body, rising like a mist and hovering over the beast. Lin Yun's hand rested on Lin Tian's shoulder. "Absorb it now, son. Your mother and I will be here."
Lin Tian settled himself, taking a deep breath to center his thoughts and emotions. With a silent nod to his parents, he reached out with his soul power, allowing it to connect with the ring. The moment contact was established, a powerful surge coursed through him, flooding his meridians with energy that both exhilarated and tested him. The force was wild and unruly, pressing against the limits of his internal pathways, causing a minor but sharp strain as it made its way through his body.
Lin Tian closed his eyes, carefully sensing the process. He allowed the energy to run rampant in his body, keeping a close eye on any abnormalities. Once he sensed that his meridians were close to reaching their limits, he immediately mobilized his soul power and began directing the energy through the meditation method he'd developed, one that refined the energy while subduing its chaotic impulses. Gradually, he could feel the foreign energy aligning with his own soul power. Lin Tian continued to guide the energy, polishing his meridians with the purpose of repairing and strengthening them. Soon, a feeling of relief came over his body, a warmth that was only matched by the awakening of his martial soul washed over him and he understood. He had finished absorbing the soul ring and been promoted to soul master!
Finishing up the last run of his meditation method, he opened his eyes and saw his parents staring at him in disbelief. Lin Tian was puzzled. Had he somehow mutated? Was his calculation wrong and he inadvertently caused a negative mutation? What was going on? His father stammered, "Xiao Tian, you…how come you're at level 17 already?!"
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