Days at Nuoding Academy settled into a comfortable rhythm for Xuan Yan. Mornings were dedicated to Grandmaster Yu's lectures, which, while basic for him, served as excellent opportunities to observe his classmates and subtly gauge their progress. He continued his internal cultivation, using his 'Energy Manipulation' and 'Void Devouring Flame' to rapidly refine his soul power. He maintained a facade of steady, but not overly miraculous, improvement, keeping his soul power at a level that was impressive but not alarmingly so.
He noticed Tang San's diligent nature. Every morning, before anyone else, Tang San would be up, practicing his Mysterious Heaven Skill and Purple Demon Eye. His control over his Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit was already impressive, even without a soul ring. Grandmaster Yu often spent extra time with Tang San, guiding him personally, a testament to their new master-disciple bond. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was more outwardly energetic. She loved sparring, often challenging Tang San to friendly bouts, which Tang San usually won with his superior combat instincts and hidden weapons. Xuan Yan occasionally joined in, using his 'Enhanced Physical Strength' and 'Sword Intent' to effortlessly deflect their attacks, always holding back to avoid revealing his true capabilities.
Wang Sheng, the dormitory bully, remained a nuisance, though his attempts to intimidate Tang San had become less frequent after Xuan Yan's subtle display of power. He still grumbled and sneered, but a healthy dose of caution now tempered his arrogance.
One afternoon, during a break, Wang Sheng, still smarting from his humiliation, decided to pick on Tang San again. "Hey, Tang San! Still hiding behind your little friend? Why don't you fight me properly, without him around?"
Tang San, ever calm, simply ignored him, continuing to polish a small, wooden ornament.
Wang Sheng, emboldened by Tang San's silence, stepped closer, a sneer on his face. "What, too scared? Maybe your Blue Silver Grass is only good for tickling!"
Xuan Yan, who had been watching from a distance, decided it was time for a more direct intervention. He walked over, his expression unreadable. "Wang Sheng, are you perhaps forgetting something?" His voice was low, but carried an undeniable weight.
Wang Sheng flinched, remembering the inexplicable dread he'd felt. He looked at Xuan Yan, a flicker of fear in his eyes. "N-no, I'm not forgetting anything!"
Xuan Yan merely raised an eyebrow, a subtle, almost imperceptible surge of his 'Haki' washing over Wang Sheng. The bully visibly paled, his bravado completely dissolving. He stammered, "I… I just… I was just joking!"
"Joking or not, leave him alone," Xuan Yan stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Or you might find yourself with more than just a bruised ego."
Wang Sheng, thoroughly intimidated, mumbled an apology and quickly retreated, leaving Tang San and Xuan Yan alone.
Tang San looked at Xuan Yan, a grateful smile on his face. "Thank you, Xuan Yan. You didn't have to do that."
"It's fine," Xuan Yan replied. "I don't like bullies. Besides, you're my roommate." He knew Tang San could handle Wang Sheng on his own, but he wanted to establish himself as a reliable ally.
A few days later, a significant announcement was made in class. Grandmaster Yu, his face beaming with pride, addressed the students. "Students, I have an important announcement. My personal disciple, Tang San, has reached level 10 soul power and is ready to obtain his first soul ring!"
The class buzzed with excitement. All eyes turned to Tang San.
"Tang San, congratulations," Grandmaster Yu continued. "Tomorrow, I will personally accompany you to the Spirit Beast Forest to help you find a suitable spirit beast for your first soul ring. This is a crucial step in your cultivation journey, and I expect you to be prepared."
Tang San stood up, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Grandmaster. I will do my best."
Xuan Yan watched, a plan already forming in his mind. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He knew that Tang San's first soul ring would be from a Man-Faced Demon Spider, a dangerous but incredibly beneficial spirit beast for his Blue Silver Grass. He also knew that Grandmaster Yu, while knowledgeable, might not be enough if unexpected dangers arose. More importantly, this was his chance to obtain his own first soul ring.
After class, Xuan Yan approached Tang San. "So, you're heading to the Spirit Beast Forest tomorrow with Grandmaster Yu?"
"Yes," Tang San confirmed, a serious expression on his face. "It's a big step."
"Indeed," Xuan Yan agreed. "Be careful out there. The forest can be unpredictable." He subtly hinted, "Perhaps it's best to have more eyes on the lookout."
Tang San looked at him, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Are you… offering to come along?"
Xuan Yan smiled. "Let's just say I have a personal interest in observing the process. And perhaps, I might even be able to provide some… assistance, if needed." He didn't explicitly state his intention to get his own soul ring, but the implication was clear. He also didn't want to complicate Grandmaster Yu's plans or reveal his own 'Spirit Ring Replica' to him.
Tang San considered this for a moment. He knew Xuan Yan was strong, far stronger than he let on. He had seen glimpses of it in their interactions. Having him along, even if just as an observer, would undoubtedly increase their safety. "I'll ask Grandmaster Yu," he said.
"No need," Xuan Yan said quickly. "It might be better if I… observe from a distance. Less hassle for Grandmaster Yu, and more flexibility for me." He didn't want to explain his 'Spirit Ring Replica' to Grandmaster Yu, nor did he want to complicate the academy's official procedure. He preferred to operate in the shadows, at least for now.
Tang San nodded, understanding Xuan Yan's subtle meaning. "Alright. Then be careful, Xuan Yan."
That evening, back in the dormitory, Xuan Yan mentally accessed his inventory. He located the 'Spirit Ring Replica x6'. These were truly invaluable. In his fanfiction, they allowed him to generate a soul ring of a desired year, without the need to hunt a spirit beast. This meant he could instantly gain a soul ring, and choose the optimal one for his Martial Spirits.
He decided to obtain his first soul ring for his Ancient Divine Dragon Martial Spirit. The Ancient Divine Dragon was a power-type spirit, and he needed a strong, offensive soul ring. He also considered the year. For his first ring, a 400-year-old spirit ring was considered optimal for a genius, pushing the limits without being too dangerous. However, with his Transcendent race and innate skills, he could easily handle a much higher year.
"System," he mentally commanded, "activate one 'Spirit Ring Replica' for my Ancient Divine Dragon Martial Spirit. Set the year to… 1,000 years."
[Confirming: Activate 1 x Spirit Ring Replica for Ancient Divine Dragon Martial Spirit, 1,000-year duration. Cost: 1 Spirit Ring Replica. Confirm?]
"Confirm," Xuan Yan thought.
A golden light enveloped him, far more intense than any soul power test. It wasn't an external light, but an internal one, radiating from within his body. He felt a surge of immense power, a profound connection forming between him and his Ancient Divine Dragon Martial Spirit. The power flowed through his meridians, strengthening his body and soul.
The process was instantaneous and painless, unlike the harrowing experience of absorbing a real soul ring from a spirit beast. After a few seconds, the golden light receded.
[Soul Ring successfully obtained!]
[Ancient Divine Dragon Martial Spirit: 1st Soul Ring (1,000 years) - Soul Ring Skill: Dragon's Roar (Active Skill: Unleashes a powerful sonic roar that can stun and disorient enemies, and deal damage to weaker targets.)]
[Soul Power increased to Level 21!]
Xuan Yan felt a rush of exhilaration. He had his first soul ring! And a 1,000-year one at that, with a powerful skill. He could already feel the immense boost to his strength. He was now a true Spirit Master, and far more powerful than any other Soul Scholar.
He then mentally opened his status.
[STATUS]
Name: Xuan Yan Age: 6 years old Level: 21 (Soul Master) Race: Transcendent (Ancient Divine Beast)
First Martial Spirit: Ea - The Sword of Rupture (0 rings)
Second Martial Spirit: Ancient Divine Dragon (1 ring) [1,000 years]
Soul Power: 21
Innate Skills: (All previously listed skills)
Luck: 10/10 Charm: Error Points: 10200
He was already a Soul Master, surpassing the initial stage of Soul Scholar. This was the true power of his system. He also noted that his 'Dragon's Roar' skill was now available.
He spent some time familiarizing himself with his new soul ring and its ability, practicing mentally. He knew he had to keep this a secret. No one, not even Tang San, could know the true extent of his powers or the existence of his 'Spirit Ring Replicas'. This was his ultimate cheat, and revealing it would invite untold trouble.
The next morning, before dawn, Xuan Yan quietly slipped out of the dormitory. He used his 'Universal Concealment' to ensure he wouldn't be detected by the academy guards. He then activated his 'Enhanced Sense' and 'Eyes of Heaven', tracking Grandmaster Yu and Tang San as they left the academy and headed towards the Spirit Beast Forest.
He maintained a significant distance, moving through the shadows and dense foliage with silent grace. He was a phantom, observing, protecting, and preparing for his own silent ascent to power. The Spirit Beast Forest, a place of danger and opportunity, awaited them.