Seeing how determined Xiao Wu was to accompany him, Su Ming couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. After thinking it over, he agreed. As long as they acted quickly, Tang Hao, who was far away in Notting City, shouldn't be able to reach them in time. Plus, Su Ming had a few other plans in mind.
Su Ming mysteriously said to Xiao Wu, "Then stick close. This time, I'm going to the back mountain to look for something. If I'm lucky, I might even get my fourth spirit ring."
Xiao Wu frowned slightly but didn't say anything. After all, as a spirit master, leveling up required hunting spirit beasts. She only hoped that once Su Ming became strong enough, with the help of his system, he could alleviate the conflict between spirit masters and spirit beasts.
Su Ming, understanding Xiao Wu's thoughts, began to explain the concept of spirit souls to her.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu was overjoyed. The so-called spirit soul involved extracting the soul of a spirit beast in a special way and forming a mutual contract with a spirit master. This allowed the beast to transform into a spirit ring when the spirit master reached a level bottleneck, enabling them to break through. In this way, the spirit beast could retain its consciousness and fight for its host, while its strength would continue to grow alongside the spirit master!
Xiao Wu could already see how this method, once popularized, would greatly ease the tension between spirit masters and spirit beasts.
At this moment, the female leads' diary books suddenly lit up—there was a new update!
[Ding! Attention, all female leads. A time-limited mission has been issued: Have the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, become Su Ming's spirit soul and condense his fourth spirit ring.]
The female leads: ...
What's the big deal? This mission doesn't even concern us! The system finally issues a time-limited mission, and this is it?
It felt like such a waste of anticipation.
Ah Yin, on the other hand, was filled with confusion. What's a spirit soul?
The system kindly explained the concept of spirit souls to all the female leads.
After learning what a spirit soul was, the female leads were astonished, especially Bibi Dong. This method is amazing! It could greatly reduce the conflict between spirit masters and spirit beasts.
However, there was still a drawback: how to convince spirit beasts to become spirit souls and provide spirit rings. After all, the contract was equal, and the spirit beasts had no idea what a spirit soul was. Why would they agree to help?
Even with this flaw, the method was still incredibly enticing. Unfortunately, Bibi Dong couldn't act on it, as doing so would violate the system's rules, which would result in severe punishment!
Some time ago, the system had issued a new rule:
[Female leads are not allowed to appear in the wrong place at the wrong time, or they will face severe punishment. Do not attempt to defy the system—some have already faced the consequences! Of course, if the host breaks the timeline, he is exempt.]
The female leads: You're just spoiling him!
Liu Erlong: System, you might as well just say my name!
Immediately, the system transmitted information directly into their minds, telling each female lead when and where they were supposed to be in the timeline.
Ah Yin, however, was conflicted. Can't I refuse? I'd rather stay here and continue growing. Once I reach a hundred thousand years and regain my human form, I still want to confront Tang Hao and get answers!
If I become Su Ming's spirit soul, wouldn't my freedom be restricted?
Wasn't there a rule about being in the right place at the right time?
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, glanced secretly at Su Ming. His system really is clever, always ensuring everything works out for him, all planned perfectly.
The system seemed to sense Ah Yin's hesitation and spoke again.
[Note: Since the host desires the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, to become his spirit soul, her location will be altered ahead of schedule, so she will not be punished.]
Ah Yin: ...
[Furthermore, Blue Silver Emperor Ah Yin must complete the time-limited mission. If she refuses, her consciousness will be erased, and she will be forcibly turned into Su Ming's fourth spirit ring. If Ah Yin becomes Su Ming's spirit soul, she will receive a mysterious reward package.]
At this, Ah Yin protested to the system through the diary.
Ah Yin: System, you realize my cultivation doesn't match the original timeline, right? At this point in the story, I'm only supposed to have about two thousand years of cultivation, but now I have over twenty thousand! Won't Su Ming notice something's off?
System: You don't need to worry about that. I'll help you conceal your cultivation and temporarily seal your true power down to two thousand years. When the time is right, I'll release the seal.
Ah Yin, still struggling: But… if I become a spirit soul, won't I lose my freedom? I want to wait until I reach a hundred thousand years and confront Tang Hao face-to-face!
System: You need to trust Su Ming's character. When the time comes, you'll have your chance. Besides, becoming Su Ming's spirit soul will be a great benefit for you, allowing you to cultivate faster. You should be grateful!
Plus, once Su Ming ascends to the divine realm, you'll be able to ascend with him as his spirit soul. That's all I have to say. Don't push your luck, or I'll erase you now!
Ah Yin: ...
Although Ah Yin knew there were many benefits to staying by Su Ming's side, she couldn't help but feel a little wronged. Couldn't the system be a little nicer about this? If you'd just asked politely, I would've agreed! Why do you have to be so harsh?
Ah Yin was well aware of Su Ming's good character. Apart from being a bit flirtatious, he was kind and fair. She believed that if she expressed her request, Su Ming would certainly agree. Her only concern was whether Su Ming would develop romantic feelings for her—he had once called her his "wife" six years ago when he first received the system!
Although she was grateful to Su Ming and his system, she couldn't fully let go of Tang Hao. She needed closure with him before she could consider anything else.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu found Su Ming's system increasingly suspicious. This system is far too helpful, acting like a parent!
The key issue was that Su Ming himself hadn't realized any of this. What will he do when he finds out? Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel a bit curious.
By this time, Su Ming and Xiao Wu had reached the back mountain.
Su Ming summoned his wood element and began using the surrounding plants to gather information.
This was a new ability Su Ming had recently discovered—he could use nearby plants to help him gather information, much like the Blue Silver Emperor, but with a wider range of plants, not just Blue Silver Grass.
However, due to the limitations of his current power, the range of this search was still somewhat restricted.