"Young Master, congratulations! Not only have you successfully absorbed the spirit ring, but your soul power has also reached level 12," Ning Haiyan said as he stepped forward to congratulate Xu Yang after sensing his condition. At this moment, Ning Haiyan felt fortunate that the sect had assigned him as Xu Yang's protector. With such a genius under his care, once Xu Yang became a Titled Douluo in the future, even a small favor from him would bring immense benefits.
"Uncle Ning, I did it!" Xu Yang replied with a smile. Although his soul power hadn't increased significantly, he noticed that it seemed to have been refined and purified by his Solar Martial Spirit, becoming more condensed.
More refined soul power meant a stronger foundation, and a stronger foundation promised greater achievements in the future—perhaps even rivaling Tang San someday. Moreover, Xu Yang planned to continue compressing and purifying his soul power in the future, possibly even forming a soul core.
He was very satisfied with the results of absorbing this spirit ring. However, he also encountered a new problem: the 10% of his soul power that had been converted into Solar Soul Power caused him constant discomfort—a feeling of heat and burning within his body. He knew he had to find a way to resolve this issue.
"Then let's quickly return to the sect! Although the Sunset Forest is relatively weak overall, staying here for too long is still dangerous," Ning Haiyan reminded him. The Sunset Forest lacked hundred-thousand-year soul beasts and thus had no true "king" of the forest. However, there were several 80,000-90,000-year-old soul beasts that harbored deep hatred for soul masters. If discovered by them, it would be extremely dangerous.
"Let's gather some sunflowers before we leave!" Xu Yang responded promptly, not daring to be careless despite having a Soul Saint bodyguard. He knew the importance of caution. The reason for collecting sunflowers was that they could create an environment suitable for his cultivation. While this sunflower sea was ideal for training, its location within the dangerous Sunset Forest made it impossible to cultivate peacefully here.
Thus, Xu Yang planned to collect a few sunflowers and plant them in a small field at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Although it wouldn't be as effective as this sunflower sea, it would still yield results.
After gathering several sunflowers from the outskirts of the area, the two began their journey back to the sect.
On their way back, Xu Yang noticed changes in himself. His previously slightly chubby face had become more angular and resolute. His muscles were now more defined, and he had grown about five centimeters taller, bringing his height to 1.4 meters—a head taller than most children his age.
He felt light and agile with every movement. When he extended his index finger, a small flame ignited at its tip. While he could control flames before, it had never been as effortless as it was now.
"It seems my earlier speculation was correct: spirit rings don't just bring spirit skills, soul power, and physical enhancements—they also improve control over one's martial spirit. As one acquires more spirit rings, their martial spirit begins to integrate with their body. The deeper this integration becomes, the greater their control over their martial spirit.
"When one reaches the Soul Saint level, their martial spirit should fully merge with their body, becoming akin to an organ. This is why becoming a Soul Saint is such an important stage in a soul master's cultivation—the seventh spirit skill is always Martial Spirit Avatar."
"If my theory is correct, then choosing spirit rings for the first seven levels must not be taken lightly. Their attributes must align with the martial spirit itself, and their age must be as close as possible to what one can absorb at their limit. Only then can one lay the strongest foundation for future development."
Through this experience of absorbing a spirit ring, Xu Yang clarified many previously unclear points in his mind and gained valuable insights.
Indeed, practice is the best way to resolve doubts.
After spending over an hour traveling back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Xu Yang returned to his residence and began studying his first spirit skill.
"First Spirit Skill: Morning Light!"
As Xu Yang activated his deep-yellow spirit ring beneath him, his Solar Martial Spirit emitted a gentle golden light that enveloped him. Instantly, he felt relaxed and warm all over; it was very comfortable. The burning sensation within him subsided slightly but quickly returned after some time.
His first spirit skill remained unchanged despite absorbing a 700-year-old sunflower—it was still "Morning Light," a healing skill capable of mending physical injuries and even hidden wounds.
The fact that "Morning Light" made him feel comfortable indicated that the 10% Solar Soul Power conversion had already caused subtle damage to his body—damage he couldn't perceive otherwise.
"It seems I must temporarily halt further conversion of Solar Soul Power until I solve this issue," Xu Yang thought. He didn't want reckless cultivation to jeopardize his future.
"However," he mused while sitting cross-legged on his balcony and fiddling with a sunflower in its pot, "this 'Morning Light' skill seems limited to healing alone—it doesn't appear versatile enough for other uses." He resolved to study its essence further and develop unique techniques from it rather than relying solely on its basic functionality.
"'Morning Light,' 'Morning Light,' sunlight in the morning... Eastern Purple Qi!"
"If Tang San could cultivate Purple Demon Eyes in this world, it proves that Eastern Purple Qi exists here too."
"And since 'Morning Light' represents morning sunlight—the light of the rising sun—it might be possible for me to use this skill to collect Eastern Purple Qi."
Once this idea took root in Xu Yang's mind, he couldn't suppress it anymore. He believed there was a high probability of success—and if successful—it would bring immense benefits.
He vaguely remembered that in Taoist lore, Eastern Purple Qi was said to be generated during sunrise when yin and yang converged for the first time each day. It was believed capable of creating life itself and symbolized auspiciousness and wisdom. Many martial arts and fantasy novels from his previous life extolled its virtues; absorbing it was said to bring significant advantages.
Although Xu Yang wasn't entirely sure what those benefits would be specifically, he was certain they would be positive!
However, collecting Eastern Purple Qi could only be done at sunrise when the sun first rose into view—and since it wasn't even night yet—he couldn't attempt it immediately. There were at least 14 hours until sunrise.
Not wanting to waste those hours idly, Xu Yang decided to spend six hours planning his cultivation schedule after accounting for eight hours of rest.
Back when he lived in an orphanage where food was sufficient but lacked proper nutrition for intense training sessions—Xu Yang mainly focused on foundational exercises while dedicating remaining time to meditation and studying knowledge related to soul masters.
(End of Chapter)