"Gu Ziyi, have you reached level 10 yet?"
...
"Not yet? Don't worry, take your time and train well. I'm sure you'll break through level 10 before graduation..."
...
"It's strange. At Gu Ziyi's speed, he should have already reached level 10. I can't believe it's been this long without a breakthrough..."
"Yeah, moving from level 9 to level 10 shouldn't be that hard..."
...
Time flew by—another half year passed.
During this period, Gu Ziyi did not reveal that he had already broken through to level 10, which drew a lot of attention. However, Gu Ziyi had always been under the spotlight and didn't pay much mind to it.
He chose to keep his breakthrough a secret because he didn't want to explain why he hadn't attached a soul ring to his martial spirit after reaching level 10.
The reason was simple: he was attempting to create his own soul ring!
Regardless of whether the experiment would succeed, Gu Ziyi didn't want anyone to know about it just yet.
This time, Gu Ziyi attempted once again to condense his personal soul ring.
Buzz—
He skillfully channeled his soul power into his martial spirit, suppressing it to prevent leakage while simultaneously meditating to refine more energy.
Since his own soul power was insufficient to form a soul ring, he had to absorb more energy from the outside world.
This process was far from easy. It required immense endurance, as this method was no less demanding than saturated cultivation.
Having long grown accustomed to the pain of saturated cultivation, Gu Ziyi could handle it with relative ease.
Even so, Gu Ziyi had yet to succeed in fully replenishing his soul power after channeling all of it into his martial spirit.
Each failure caused his martial spirit to automatically release the excess soul power back into his body, which would quickly dissipate without leaving any trace.
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't retain the excess energy within himself.
Frustrated but undeterred, Gu Ziyi decided to continue flooding his body with excess soul power, determined to push his limits.
Time slipped away as Gu Ziyi persisted in his attempts. Sweat soaked his entire body from the sheer effort and focus.
Buzz—
At last, after gritting his teeth and enduring for so long, the excess soul power completely filled his body.
At that moment, a peculiar resonance formed between the soul power in his martial spirit and the energy within his body.
Boom—
Gu Ziyi felt a shackle within him break free, leaving his entire body light and unburdened.
Sensing his martial spirit, he saw a white soul ring encircling the talisman-like spirit he had summoned.
"I did it!"
A wave of joy surged through Gu Ziyi's heart.
After all his effort, he had finally succeeded. Most importantly, his hypothesis had proven correct: a Soul Master could indeed create their own soul ring!
Although the process was grueling, the outcome was worth it.
"Summon!"
Opening his eyes, Gu Ziyi eagerly extended his right hand, summoning his martial spirit.
Buzz—
A faintly glowing talisman materialized in his palm, accompanied by a white soul ring hovering around it.
"So this is my first soul ring. It's beautiful!"
As Gu Ziyi admired the white, radiant, and perfectly round ring, he found its simplicity captivating.
He didn't mind that his first soul ring was of ten-year quality. After all, even with the academy's assistance, obtaining a hundred-year yellow soul ring would have been unlikely.
After marveling at his first soul ring, Gu Ziyi noticed that his martial spirit had subtly changed. The once ordinary talisman now shimmered with a faint white glow, exuding an air of Daoist charm.
This change was likely a result of the soul ring's attachment—not an evolution, but a natural enhancement.
Martial spirits often changed after absorbing a soul ring, so this was nothing unusual.
"Let's see what my first soul skill is!"
Smiling slightly, Gu Ziyi was eager to discover his new ability.
"First Soul Skill: Purity Chant!"
He formed a series of hand signs like a Daoist priest, and a talisman appeared at his fingertips. Holding it delicately between his index and middle fingers, the talisman pulsed with flowing runes, making it seem extraordinary.
"It's actually the Purity Chant!"
Gu Ziyi was surprised yet found it unsurprising at the same time.
After all, talismans were meant to carry various inscriptions. It made sense that his first skill combined a Daoist purification chant with his martial spirit.
The Purity Chant removed distractions, clarified the mind, and calmed the spirit.
That was its effect: a mental enhancement for the user or others.
Gu Ziyi could apply the Purity Chant talisman to himself or to others.
"Does this mean my martial spirit is auxiliary-type?"
Gu Ziyi was stunned. Judging from his first soul skill's effect, it was undoubtedly an auxiliary skill.
This was not something he had expected—he had never considered becoming an auxiliary Soul Master.
His emotions were complicated.
Auxiliary Soul Masters relied on others, unlike Battle Soul Masters who depended on their own strength.
Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of the top three sects, was known for auxiliary Soul Masters, their strength ultimately relied on their allies, such as Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
No matter how impressive the auxiliary effect, it always required powerful combatants to make a difference.
Learning that his martial spirit was auxiliary-type left Gu Ziyi somewhat disheartened. He had always believed in relying on his own strength.
"Never mind. If Oscar could become strong as an auxiliary Soul Master, then so can I!"
Quickly calming himself, Gu Ziyi tried to stay optimistic.
Still, the realization was hard to accept.
Smack
Without hesitation, Gu Ziyi slapped the Purity Chant talisman onto himself.
Buzz—
The talisman glowed and gradually dissolved into his body, spreading a calming effect throughout him.
Immediately, Gu Ziyi felt a wave of clarity and serenity wash over him, dispelling all his frustration and unease.
"As expected of the Purity Chant—it's incredibly effective!"
Praising his skill, Gu Ziyi felt completely calm and composed.
While testing the skill's effects, he realized its true value.
Though it didn't provide physical boosts like strength or speed, the Purity Chant offered unmatched mental clarity, a vital advantage in battle.