They had been moving through the swamps for a handful of days now. Getting an early start on their days to cover as much ground as possible. Then they would stop after the sun had set so as not to travel at night. It was an interesting couple of days to be sure. Tang Yuan had seen many things on this trip.
They had mostly kept to the outer area of the Swamp as century beasts are more common in this area. Usually, as the beasts age up they move closer to deeper areas. They had run by a couple of century beasts already. With a number of them being Golden Crocodiles of a lower age than desired. They had even encountered some in the millennium stages of their cultivation.
The Spirit beasts at the decade levels are usually about the same as normal beasts. They possess greater constitutions it's true otherwise they are about the same. Century beasts are where the difference really starts to show. All the Golden Crocodiles at the century stage have been over ten feet.
Learning about that from mom and books is one thing. Seeing it up front is a whole other thing entirely. Especially after we had run into a congregation of crocodiles. There were at least 20 or so of them sprawled out basking in the sun. All of them are centuries below four centuries. Giant crocodiles just out in the open like that in sight.
I imagine how many century beasts exist in this swamp. There are probably tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. A vast number of them are likely just like that. Honestly imagining if someone did like Swamp People, and was offered by the foot. You could make a terrifying amount of money. Especially considering that the materials become stronger with age.
Tang Yuan muses absentmindedly in his head as he follows his mother through the swamp. In his past life, he had a very financial mind. Thinking about it caused him to think of making money. Honestly, the older a beast becomes the more their value increases. The meat simply becomes better unlike his past world.
The first day in the swamp was the one he experienced the most discomfort honestly. Now he had adapted to the environment to a degree. Though he certainly could do without the insects. Even after so long of outdoor life he still has not adjusted a bit to them. Maybe that's just simply how things go with bugs in the wild.
Tang Yuan tries to keep his mind at least partially grounded in the present. He knows that if the worst comes to pass his parents will protect him. Even with him there he would not impact their combat ability too much. Unless a hundred-thousand beast showed up, and even then it would likely not be enough. Though it's not as if those are absolutely common to encounter.
This trip's primary purpose is to obtain his spirit ring of course. Yet there are also secondary purposes to this trip as well. It's only natural that they should do so. The first spirit ring is among the safest to obtain in a way. Yet it could also be the hardest if done without help.
By going on this trip with them. They can watch him during it to see both his maturity and ability. Yet it's also designed to be a training method for him. A way to have him experience the world and its dangers. Under a controlled and safe method of doing so.
His mother has lectured him on a number of subjects. She has also asked him questions here and there. Expanding his knowledge, but testing that same knowledge as well. It feels like going to school in his past life. Only this school involves quite a bit of field work as well.
His father is perhaps more subtle in his methods. Every night he continues with his stories of his adventures. These stories also include the dangers he faced at the time. Including many spirit beasts that he had fought. There are also stories of the threats posed by enemy soul masters. Yet not only are soul masters shown as possible threats.
Normal humans can also be considered threats. His father was not as subtle with stories along those lines. Instead, he was mostly upfront about the possibilities. That way Tang Yuan would be forced to absolutely take his words to heart. Hearing them from someone like Tang Chen he had no choice but to.
The conversation was startling to Tang Yuan. Reminding him of the dangers of the world of Soul Land. It had happened on the second day of their time in the swamp. Nothing really happened on that day besides that. At least when compared to the first day's surprises.
Tang Yuan was sitting at the campfire with his parents. They had finished eating already and were simply enjoying the atmosphere. The day had not been as exhilarating as the first one had been. Rather be had been adapted to it already in a way. Though saying that the day was boring would be another thing.
He was still in such a new and unfamiliar environment. He had little knowledge of the area around him. Even with continuous talks with his parents to fill in that blank. It's just simply theirs so much information to know. That's how such a place is when you travel to it. Always new things to learn and discover.
He had noticed something interesting that caught his eye. That was about Spirit beasts at the decade level. They were not too different from a normal beast. He had already seen it in the past days in fact. Yet an experience today had led him to further feel that fact.
He had killed a nearly ninety-year-old rabbit today. Besides being larger and slightly faster than a normal rabbit. There was no true difference from what he could see. It lacked strong combat ability to defend itself. The Golden Crocodiles below the century stage seem to be similar.
The difference between the decades and centuries. It's a mutation or evolution between one step and another. Almost like an evolution in Pokémon if more subtle in nature. Also requiring far more time and effort on the creature's part.
So he posed the question to his father. He wanted to see the views of a Limit Douluo. Yet the answers he received were not merely about Spirit beasts. It started with this question "Father, the spirit beasts seem really weak at the decade stage? I know that their cultivation is in its infancy. But theirs just such a difference between the two stages. Is the change just that great?"
Tang Chen heard his question with a keen mind. Deciding to inform him of a bit more than that. This serves as an ideal time to teach him about such a thing. Though he likely already has such an idea of the fact. "Xiao Yuan it is not merely spirit beasts, but spirit masters as well."
"In fact, you might notice that it is even worse for Soul masters. You have only been a soul master for seven months so you might not have noticed. During the first ten levels are a soul master is weakest. With Soul Power you can possess abilities greater than without. Yet that power is only a small ladle or bucket of energy."
Tang Chen continues to speak in a clear concise manner. "It is the feeling of being on top of the world. Yet you must remember that you are still at the start of your journey. Until you obtain your soul ring you are a trainee. Until then you aren't considered a proper soul master. Most spirit trainees can only novicely enhance their bodies."
"Even after you obtain your first soil ring. Remember that you can't afford to be arrogant to that point. You will have a spirit ability that will indeed grant you power. Yet between levels 11 and 20 that ability can only be used a handful of times. Even normal people could kill you at that level."
Tang Chen had turned serious as he continued to talk. He simply needed to ensure his son understood these facts. "Spirit abilities take different forms. If a hundred people tried to attack a spirit master. Each use of a spirit skill could kill any number of them. Unless the skill can kill them all before your soul power runs out they will likely die."
"It's a similar case between levels 20 and 30. Spirit Power is greater of course soul masters can wield their abilities more. Compared to before the abilities can be used more than a dozen times. So long as the ability is not especially stronger than normal."
"After level thirty is when soul power begins to have a nourishing effect on the body. A soul master can reinforce their bodies with Soul Power. Yet only after level 30 does the body begin to grow passively. At that point, even without soul power you will possess strength. One's ability to enhance oneself with soul power also increases."
"Remember that below level thirty a soul master with Soul Power is powerless. Even after level thirty even normal people can end your life. Remember that fact and be cautious in life. Most of all have confidence, but remember to be cautious." Tang Chen finished his speech with these provoking words. With a desire that he would take his words seriously.
That night Tang Yuan was deep in thought for a while. He would eventually of course go to sleep, but that would take time. Tang Yuan did take his father's words seriously. It's difficult to say if he was not a reincarnator if he would truly understand. At least understand the depths of those words.
Until he is strong enough to hold absolute confidence is impossible. To believe as a soul master he is above normal people. No that's the wrong way to say it. As a soul master, he is in fact above people who can't cultivate. The world has always been like that both this one, and his past.
People are divided into classes of people based on prestige, money, and power. Other things define them as well fame, muscle, intelligence, blood, wisdom, cunning, experience, etc. The list goes on and on in the world. Sometimes the list intersects each other one thing brings another or multiple others. That is simply the nature of the world that humanity walks in.
To deny it, to say it doesn't exist would be a lie. Yet it's also not an absolute. The status can change below a certain level. In this world power is power, and it defines his path. He is a soul master giving him an advantage over normal people. Yet he is only a novice as well.
At this point, he is easy enough to kill. He's only a six-year-old with little power so of course he is. If alone even normal people could easily kill him. Forget spirit masters or beast even normal people are unable to cultivate could do so. Until he is truly strong that is a fact that is unavoidable.
His father is a Limit Douluo, his mother a Soul Douluo. He is a member of the Clear Sky Clan, brother to its chief. His mother holds ties to Spirit Hall, and even an elder status. The power of connections, wealth, and fame, all from the power of blood. Yet he must be strong as well if he desires true freedom in this world.
It's not even an issue that he might be pressured or commanded. That might happen or it might not. To be able to survive in a world like Douluo Dalu only strength is paramount. This Tang Yuan had already known, yet perhaps he had taken it for granted. He needs to continue striving forward on the path to be strong. That is the only thing that makes sense in this world.
Tang Yuan had kept those revelations in the back of his mind the next day. That third day was not with major events or talks. Perhaps that had been intentional on his parents' side. Sensing that he was deep in thought from the previous night.
A soul ring is important it's true enough. Yet so is one comprehension, and acknowledgment of danger. One will allow him to move to the next step of being a soul master. The other might very well save his life in the future. For his parents, the second is definitely more important to them, and to him as well.
The third day was when they encountered the congregation. An entire group of Golden Crocodiles of the century level. Yet all of them are below four hundred years of age. He could have still chosen one of them as a ring. However, it is never truly a bad idea to be picky about soul rings.
They could change the fate of a soul master depending on his absorption. He had consumed several pieces of whale glue. The first had been the most effective of course. Yet he had consumed a few other hundred pieces. Altogether he was able to strengthen his physique to a little below 800.
Yet if the target is a beast like the Golden Crocodile. Then he will likely only be able to absorb below 700 if that. Of course, six centuries would be far safer to absorb. At seven hundred it's probably pushing his limit.
The other days had been relatively normal. He had seen a number of spirit beasts however. As well as herbs that he had observed in the days. He had of course taken a large selection of the herbs with him. There's no telling what they could be used for.
Thus their luck had not been bad per se. They hadn't yet had a homerun either with a beast. Though they had been in the forest for less than a week so far. Which means they are actually far from being slow.
They continue to move through the wild swamp area. They were upon a bank following the water. Hoping to come across a target on the sides of the bank. If not they can find traces of potential targets as well. They had in fact seen traces of a number of the soul beasts. Yet those tracks showed them to be too young for his needs.
If things continue they might move farther into the swamp. There would be far more hundred-year beasts in deeper areas. The stronger ones would be more prevalent there. Here they are still common at the lower century levels at least.
As they came to another section of the bank moving past trees. That's when their luck changes from good to amazing. They see the signs of it as they move a bit past the trees. On the other bank, it pulls itself from the waters of the river. A Golden Crocodile emerges from the water unaware of their presence.
It was easily recognisable as a century beast right off the bat. Over 10 feet long proving that fact right away. By his judgment it it's about 14 to 15 feet longer. Making it about five centuries old, or so in age. Yet there is quite a difference in this Golden Crocodile, and others.
The golden scaly skin that covers its body is of a pursuer color than normal. Seemingly as if it were made with greater Gold content. Once more its head was larger in size than a normal one. There were two slight ridges on the sides of its head as well. The aura of the crocodile is simply greater as well.
It was certainly no normal Golden Crocodile beast. Perhaps its bloodline is special causing this appearance. It might simply be a mutation in said bloodline. The beast might simply have had a special encounter. Such things are more common than one might think.
If it's the first then it might be the child of a powerful spirit beast. The higher a spirit beast is when producing offspring. The greater that offspring's starting point becomes in a way. The child of a king is a prince as it were. Such as the relationship between Tang San and Ah Yin.
Though a prince might not always become king as well. Thus the inherited blood only increases the chances. It can also become weaker between the generations. This Golden Crocodile might be a child of a high-ranking beast.
The other two options are more random in nature. Perhaps the beast simply had a mutation in its body. It has been known to occur to spirit beasts before. This is known to result in all new species in fact.
As for a fortunate encounter that is always something to keep in mind. Perhaps it ate a specific beast that caused it. Maybe it has found a rare herb that strengthened its bloodline. There are a number of possible opportunities.
Seeing the beast unaware of them for the moment. Tang Nuan quickly springs into action against it. It is five hundred years lower than their target. Yet it is the closest to the age range they sought out. Once more its peculiarity might make it far more valuable. First, she will determine that before making any moves.
She simply appears before the creature out of seemingly nowhere. Suppressing her power to about level 30 to not spook it. Such a creature is proud it's true, but they are also not stupid. If someone was so much stronger than they appeared. It would totally try to run, of course futilely.
This way she can determine the ability of the creature personally. As she expects the creature notices her. Despite perceiving her to be level 30 it does not run. Instead, it immediately prepares for battle against her tensing up.
The Golden Crocodile squares off against her. Its muscles twitch and bulge in a noticeable way to the eye. The beast is certainly quick on the uptake. Making use of its buff before the fight even begins. Though is it actually planning on fighting for its pride? It might simply be planning to try to escape.
Then another change occurs to the crocodile. A hazy aura began to emit from its body covering it from tail to snout. The aura was of a gold color not dissimilar from its hide. It was not especially thick or concentrated, but it certainly altered the beast's feel. It seemed more formidable now even without making a move.
"Golden Aura is the name of that ability. The third soul skill acquired by the Golden Crocodule at the century level. At its level, it raises its attack and defense by 10%. At the century level, Might increases its strength by 20% as well. When paired with its bite even millennium beasts can be in trouble." His mother is the one who says this. Speaking rather loudly while doing so.
She is not taking the beast seriously. Like someone taking a moment in a battle to do something. It seems to be intentional, a taunt at the soul beast. A gaunt that is taken very seriously it would seem. The beast can't accurately understand their words. It can however tell that it is being mocked.
In a rage, the beast charges forward with incredible speed. Crocodiles can obtain great speed, but only in short bursts. Yet it has already lost the advantage in falling to taunt. Its charge is for naught as Tang Nuan merely side steps it. The beast unable to readjust well runs into the tree behind her.
Its jaws gaping bite into the tree with great force. The fangs pierce into the bark of the tree. Its jaws wrapped around a part of the trunk. His mother moved only at the last second to get this result. The crocodile pulls away from the tree with a bite of bark in its mouth.
The bark of the tree had been heavily scarred by the bite. Even now more of the bark falls from around the bite. Shockingly a portion of the tree has been ripped out. Only a dent in the tree compared to its size, but still. Suddenly the beast hisses and cries in pain and overwhelming wrath.
You see now that the tree was not the only thing that had been hurt. Blood dripped onto the ground from the beast's mouth. More than one fang is missing from its mouth now. The damage done to the beast was already great. His mother didn't even have to touch it to bring it such trouble.
Even still despite the crocodile's mistake. The damage that a bite could have done to a living creature. It would be a chunk of flesh missing a big one at that. Perhaps enough to decide a fight below the millennial level. No wonder this creature only had three spirit abilities. With that, it could kill most things in a single bite.
"Mhmh interesting definitely stronger than normal." his mother muses to herself aloud. Tang Yuan realizes she did that to determine its ability. Using the tree as the test dummy for that test. It seems to be a very successful test in a way.
The Golden Crocodile in a blind rage charges his mother again. It's blinded by its pain more than likely as well. The beast gets closer to her quickly ready to bite her to pieces. Yet his mother does not try to dodge this time standing her ground. Faster than he can accurately judge her blow lands on the beast.
The only reason he could accurately see it was that she was holding back. Otherwise, she would end up killing it in a single blow. As it is the blow sends the beast flying backwards. Looking at it from here he thinks it lost a lot of teeth. The beast in an instant was rendered powerless on the ground.
They quickly move to join her on the other side of the channel. The beast now lies a few feet away. Yet Tang Tuan does not approach carelessly. Despite its appearance of helplessness he can't be sure of that. He approaches from the side where the jaw isn't pointing.
Just in case it is only faking its current state. It had likely given up on living through this. Yet that makes it dangerous as well in a most serious way. Now the beast is as cornered as possible. With nothing left to lose as it's going to die already. Now it's possible to be a final suicide attack.
Tang Yuan makes his way closer and closer to it slowly. Taking his dagger from his storage device he held it ready. A few feet at a time until he is close enough to it. Then he moves faster toward the beast so it can't attack properly. He drives the dagger into the area around the weak point. It quickly enters the body of the beast if a bit shallow.
He corrects this quickly by placing his weight on the blade. The beast has thick skin and scales even without being strengthened. Yet the dagger is driven far enough into the creature's body. It makes little struggle to try and attack him. It seems that the beast had already been heavily drained.
With that, the beast dies at Tang Tuan's hands. That's when it makes its appearance the objective of their trip. It emerges from the Golden Crocodile's body quickly growing in size. It stops when it surrounds most of the beast's body. A rather bright yellow colored energy in the shape of a ring. Even now that ring begins to spin slowly in the air.
This is the soul ring that they had sought out to obtain. Finally, the time has come to absorb it and break through the bottleneck. He looks to his parents with a serious expression on his face. They nod their heads at him as an assurance to begin the process.
The Golden Crocodile was only five centuries old, but it was powerful. It was not weaker than a beast two centuries older. An impressive power to be certain for the creature. Yet absorbing it is far from impossible for Tang Yuan. They have confidence that he will succeed in doing so.
Tang Yuan takes his meditative pose on the ground. He does not begin right away instead he focuses his mind. Readies his Mental Palace as best he can. Ensures that he is at the top of his performance. Then when he has finished that he begins the process.
He begins to cultivate almost as he normally would. Yet instead of drawing energy from the natural world all around him. He uses his cultivation to draw the ring to him. It quickly moves that he is in the center of it now as it spins around him. He continues to cultivate in earnest now drawing the ring forth.
The energy that forms the ring begins to be drawn to him in rivers. The energy begins to enter his body just as natural energy does. It enters his dantian quickly enough where he begins to cycle it. Then just like normal he begins to push it through his veins.
Even as he begins to do so he can sense it. His Mental Palace was facing pressure though only slightly. The remnant will and grudge of the Golden Crocodile in the soul ring. It's a fleeting thing yet there is no denying its presence. Like it's throwing itself against the walls of his Mental Palace.
Though it is not able to do much in its current state. This intent is merely its death throes, an instinct, a mere shade. It has some power to it in fact, yet not the staying power. Like a gas that is being diluted merely by the air alone.
Tang Tuan deals with that pressure even as he absorbs the energy of the ring. This process is very different from normal cultivation. The sheer power and quality of the ring are superior. Even if he considered all the energy he has absorbed feels that would be true. Like an unstoppable river in the middle of flooding through his veins.
This river has no desire to stop once it starts moving in his body. The impurities in his body that have acted as dams stand in the way. Yet this flood of energy crashes into them without stopping. He can literally tell that parts of those impurities are dissolved. The results are better than all his work over the past months.
Even the small sizes of the veins don't stop the energy. The energy just keeps on rushing forward. If he even tries to stop the energy there might be a backup. His soul veins could rupture like balloons filled with too much water. He understands the risks of soul rings now from this ring.
Tang Tuan continues to cycle the energy through his body. Moving it through every one of his major soul veins. As well as moving it through the smaller ones. Finally, he completes the very first cycle of his soul power. Yet he can't afford to relax now, he's still absorbing energy from the ring.
He just continually draws energy from the ring. As he cycles it the next cycle must immediately begin. This time with even more absorbed energy. All the while the pressure from the remnant will exert pressure on his mind. Merely an annoyance, yet that is the threat of it a distraction.
Tang Yuan has to focus everything on moving the ring's energy. As he does so the wearing away of impurities continues. Something even greater happens at the very same time. As his cycles continue to move his soul veins began to noticeably expand. As they do he can move more of the energy through them safely. Yet that also means he has to control more energy at a time.
As hours pass he continues to absorb the energy. The ring continues to flow into him in the form of rivers of energy. The shade had already dispatched early on. The ring has gotten progressively less and less powerful. Then finally it begins to disappear completely fading into the final rivers. Despite that Tang Tuan can't afford to rest just yet, nor relax even a bit.
He has to finish refining this power into his own power. Thus he continues to cycle it through the larger veins. He is past the most dangerous faze of the absorption. Now he is moving far faster in absorption than at the start. More and more of the energy is being refined into his own faster and faster.
Finally, it happens that the energy completes a final cycle. He unconsciously lets out a sigh as he feels a sense of euphoria. Like restraints holding him back have now been shattered. The feeling of growing stronger of breaking through limits.
As he feels that sensation a ring emerges from his body. It is a yellowish color spinning around his body. It is large enough to surround his body, but not beyond that. This is his first soul ring, and with it, he is now a proper soul master.
Tang Tuan stands up from his cultivation his spirit in hand. It's heavier now than before the addition of the ring. It's not so heavy that he can't handle the hammer. The added weight will take time to get used to, but it's not unreasonable. He swings the hammer experimentally to get used to it.
Tang Yuan feels that his hammer control is slightly off. He looks down at the spirit ring floating at his legs. He instinctively knows the ability of the ring, and its effects. Golden Aura is the name of the skill same as the beast's own. Yet it's also different from the original skill in subtle ways.
First Soul Skill: Golden Aura
He activates his first soul skill and his hammer has an aura surrounding it. It was a similar Golden aura to the Golden Crocodile's. Though it was brighter and more focused than the crocodile's own. It was also denser in appearance likely because theirs less area.
Tang Yuan is surprised when he is suddenly grabbed by two strong soft hands. He is drawn into a bone-crushing hug. "The soul skill of the Golden Crocodile is now yours. My baby now has his first soul ring." his mother's voice resounds in his ear as she hugs him close.
Tang Yuan does not try to fight it overmuch. He can't help, but enjoy the warm affection of the hug greatly. Letting her just hug him closely for a few minutes. He was pretty happy as well in any case. Finally, she steps back with a smile on her face. "So how is the skill?"
Tang Yuan smiles back at her as he explains. "Well as a buff skill, it drains energy as long as it's active. It has no time limit however, except for how long my energy lasts. Also, it doesn't increase my defense like the crocodiles did. As a tradeoff for that it boosts my attack by 20% instead of 10%." Tang Yuan reveals to his mother, and father. Tang Chen nods his head it's a good skill to have. At least as a first spirit skill at the least. Even 10% is not something to truly mock, and 20% is impressive.
With that, their objective in the swamp has been fulfilled. They contain the Golden Crocodiles' corpse in their storage. Then they begin to depart the swamp. They had spent not quite a week in the swamp. The time had come to return to their home. It will be good to be in their own beds once again.