Plant-type Martial Souls are exceedingly rare. Apart from Blue Silver Grass, any that can be cultivated possess some unique abilities.
Yu Xiaogang had been researching this type of Martial Soul for nearly two years due to Tang San. Upon hearing that there was a plant-type Soul Master among this group, his interest was immediately piqued.
"Yes, Uncle, Li Xun's Martial Soul is called the Thousand-Hand Buddha. It's a wooden sculpture with the ability to control trees. He wants to hunt a Solitary Bamboo for his second Spirit Ring," Yu Tianheng quickly added, seeing that Yu Xiaogang seemed inclined to stay.
"Oh? A wooden sculpture that controls trees!" Yu Xiaogang was momentarily taken aback. This was somewhat unexpected.
He had initially assumed it would be a Martial Soul derived from some rare plant. He hadn't anticipated it being a wooden sculpture.
"Logically, a wooden sculpture should be an Item Soul Spirit. How could it exhibit the characteristics of a plant-type Martial Soul?" Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment before his expression cleared. "It must have undergone a mutation, and a positive one at that."
He himself possessed a Mutated Spirit, but it was a negative, malignant mutation. Seeing a positive mutation now stirred complex emotions within him.
Yu Tianheng, noticing that Yu Xiaogang had stopped thinking, quickly approached him. "Yes, and Li Xun's first Soul Skill allows him to control quite a number of plants."
"A Mutated Spirit that controls trees," Yu Xiaogang repeated these two phrases, his mind racing.
The conversation between uncle and nephew wasn't deliberately hushed. Li Xun and the others nearby heard everything clearly.
Seeing that Yu Tianheng had shared Li Xun's information with an outsider just to spend more time with his uncle, they all frowned slightly.
A Soul Master's information is crucial and can sometimes determine life or death. However, since the details shared weren't extensive, they couldn't say much.
Li Xun, on the other hand, didn't think much of it. He had always known that Yu Tianheng had some ulterior motives, and this time, the other had finally made his move.
He wasn't one to hold grudges.
Once he obtained his second Spirit Ring, he would have Yu Tianheng test the mettle of a Low Ninja for him.
"Could you show me your Martial Soul?" Yu Xiaogang turned around and, following Yu Tianheng's guidance, approached Li Xun, looking down as he asked.
If it were an ordinary Martial Soul, Yu Xiaogang might not have bothered.
But Mutated Spirits are exceedingly rare, and the fact that Li Xun could control plants immediately reminded him of himself and Tang San.
Due to his Martial Soul, his Soul Power had been stuck at level 29 for years, and Tang San now needed a plant-type Soul Master as a reference.
Yu Xiaogang's stiff tone and the serious expression he wore while looking down at Li Xun made the latter frown slightly.
It was a condescending inquiry. Only someone who placed themselves on a high pedestal would adopt such an attitude in everyday interactions.
"Apologies, Senior. Before I left home, my elders instructed me not to reveal my Martial Soul lightly," Li Xun said, looking up at Yu Xiaogang with a smile.
Yu Xiaogang frowned upon hearing this. "Your Martial Soul may have already undergone a mutation. This mutation isn't necessarily positive; it might develop negatively over time."
At this point, Yu Xiaogang placed one hand behind his back and the other on his abdomen, gazing into the distance. "And among the Ten Core Competencies of Soul Spirits, there is one specifically about Martial Soul mutations."
"Through your Martial Soul, I can determine whether what has happened to you is good or bad."
"Do you think I'm Tang San? That I'd be fooled into kneeling with just a few words?"
Li Xun couldn't help but roll his eyes at Yu Xiaogang's posture. "No need, senior. I have a clear understanding of my Martial Soul. Besides, I've been out for a long time now and still need to obtain a Spirit Ring. I won't disturb you any further."
With that, Li Xun called Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan to follow him deeper into the forest.
As for the Grandmaster and Tang San, Li Xun only wanted to see what they looked like and had no intention of getting involved with them. If he were to chat amiably with them while also seizing their opportunities, it would make him feel disgusted with himself.
Yu Xiaogang was taken aback by Li Xun's reaction.
"Li Xun, do you know who my uncle is?" Yu Tianheng couldn't help but shout angrily when he saw Li Xun ignoring his uncle, Yu Xiaogang.
"The Ten Core Competencies of Soul Spirits? Could you be the Grandmaster?" Qin Ming's heart stirred. In the Soul Master world, few knew Yu Xiaogang, but the Grandmaster was a renowned figure. Of course, some also called him a notorious clown. Although controversial, his theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Soul Spirits was widely known and had indeed helped compile some teaching materials for children.
Yu Xiaogang didn't answer Qin Ming's question but stood with his hands behind his back, watching Li Xun's retreating figure.
"My teacher is indeed the Grandmaster," Tang San quickly introduced Yu Xiaogang's identity.
"Greetings, Grandmaster."
Qin Ming bowed slightly. "Li Xun and the others are young and unaware of your esteemed name. Please forgive them."
"Why don't you come with me to see the second Spirit Ring Li Xun chooses? It would be good to give the boy some advice."
After saying this, Qin Ming informed Yu Xiaogang about Li Xun's Martial Soul and first Soul Skill.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flashed with a strange light. "Hmph, according to my theory, Item Soul Spirits are mostly supportive, but this child has chosen a control-based path. Moreover, his first Soul Skill has obvious flaws, and he wants to use the second Spirit Ring to enhance the toughness of plants. It's a waste of talent."
Qin Ming deeply agreed.
The plants Li Xun's first Soul Skill produced were no taller than half a meter. Any Soul Master with some combat experience wouldn't be restrained by them. Not to mention, plants are afraid of fire and ice. If he encountered a Soul Master with elemental attributes in battle, Li Xun would essentially be missing two Spirit Rings. This would be detrimental in the upcoming Soul Master Competition.
Qin Ming persuaded a few more times, and Yu Xiaogang took the opportunity to step down. He indeed needed to see Li Xun's woodcarving Martial Soul in person to understand why it had two characteristics, as it contradicted his theory.
"Brother, how old a Solitary Bamboo are you going to choose? Wasn't the seven-hundred-year-old one just now suitable?" Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled.
They had been in the forest for a while, but Li Xun showed no signs of stopping, leading them further in.
"Li Xun, if we go further in this area, we'll reach the thousand-year-old Master Bamboo," Dugu Yan turned her head to look at Li Xun.
Li Xun smiled faintly. "That's exactly the thousand-year-old Master Bamboo I'm looking for."
The Master Bamboo is the oldest bamboo in a bamboo grove. Essentially, all the bamboo in the grove has propagated from it. Although the Solitary Bamboo stands alone, its roots are still connected to the Master Bamboo. By following the periphery inward, one can find it.
"What? You're choosing a thousand-year Soul Beast as your second Spirit Ring!" Dugu Yan widened her beautiful eyes in astonishment.
Ning Rongrong was also surprised: "Brother, isn't this leap a bit too big?"
Both of them had taken Whale Glue, and she had heard about its effects. She just didn't expect that Li Xun would choose a thousand-year Soul Beast for his second Spirit Ring.
"It's fine. Not just me, but your second Spirit Ring should also be able to reach around six to seven hundred years."
Li Xun rubbed Ning Rongrong's head and smiled: "Don't worry, I'm confident."
As the three of them were talking
.
They saw a Solitary Bamboo over twenty meters tall standing ahead. The originally green surface of the bamboo now had a hint of purple.
(End of Chapter)