# Chapter 7: First Soul Rings
The tension in the cafeteria was palpable as the wealthy student's arrogant words hung in the air. Chen Sheng could feel the emotions of everyone present beginning to spike, which meant potential treasure chest opportunities if he played this situation correctly.
"Who are you? What's so special about the second floor anyway?" Xiao Wu's voice cut through the uncomfortable silence, her tone carrying the indignation of someone unaccustomed to being looked down upon.
As the newly appointed leader of Dormitory 7, she felt obligated to defend her fellow work-study students against such blatant discrimination.
The boy's expression shifted when he got a clear look at Xiao Wu, his eyes lighting up with obvious appreciation for her appearance. "What a pretty little girl," he said with a condescending smile. "It's such a shame you're just another poor work-study student." He turned his attention back to Wang Sheng dismissively. "I'm going to eat my dinner now, so I'll let you beggars go this time."
Xiao Wu's hands clenched into fists as fury blazed in her eyes. She took a step forward, clearly preparing to teach the arrogant student a physical lesson he wouldn't forget anytime soon.
However, Chen Sheng quickly placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. "If you want to fight, there will be plenty of opportunities later," he said calmly. "Right now is dinner time, and if we wait too long, the cafeteria will close for the evening."
"I'm definitely going to teach him a lesson next time," Xiao Wu muttered angrily, though she allowed Chen Sheng to guide her away from the confrontation.
Just as the group was preparing to find seats on the first floor, another figure entered the cafeteria. Master walked through the entrance with his characteristic measured pace, his scholarly bearing immediately drawing attention from several students.
Tang San's face brightened as he approached his new teacher. "Master, you've come to the cafeteria for dinner as well."
Yu Xiaogang nodded in acknowledgment. "Have you finished settling into your dormitory arrangements?"
"Thank you for the bedding, Master," Tang San replied respectfully, bowing slightly. "Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated."
"Come with me to the second floor for dinner," Yu Xiaogang suggested. "Afterward, I'll take you to my residence to show you around and discuss your training schedule."
Tang San shook his head politely. "Master, I'd prefer to eat with my dormitory companions tonight. We're still getting to know each other."
Yu Xiaogang studied his new disciple's face for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Very well. Loyalty to one's friends is an admirable quality."
After the Master departed for the second floor, Wang Sheng leaned over and whispered curiously, "You called him 'Master' rather than 'Teacher'? What's the significance?"
"I've already become master formal disciple," Tang San explained, his gaze shifting to Chen Sheng as he realized he hadn't shared this important news yet. "Master has agreed to personally guide my cultivation."
Wang Sheng's expression grew skeptical. "You worship the Master as your teacher? But his personal strength isn't very impressive. He's already fifty years old and hasn't even broken through to become a Soul Elder. It will be very difficult for him to advance further in his lifetime."
Tang San's demeanor changed immediately, his face becoming serious and his voice carrying a warning edge. "Please don't make casual comments about my Master in the future. This is the first time I'm asking, and I hope it will be the last."
Wang Sheng was taken aback by the sudden shift in Tang San's attitude, but remembering the younger boy's demonstrated strength, he wisely chose not to pursue the matter further.
In Tang San's mind, shaped by his past life's cultural values, a teacher was equivalent to a father for life. Since he had formally acknowledged Yu Xiaogang as his Master, his respect came from the heart, and he would not tolerate anyone disparaging the man who had chosen to guide his development.
After they finished their simple meal on the first floor, Master Yu Xiaogang was waiting at the cafeteria entrance as promised.
"Brother Sheng, you should all return to the dormitory," Tang San said, preparing to leave with his teacher. "I'll see you later tonight or tomorrow morning."
As Tang San began walking away with the Master, Chen Sheng suddenly had a strategic realization. He also needed soul rings to advance his cultivation, and revealing his true power level in front of both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San would generate significant emotional responses—which meant valuable treasure chest rewards.
"Wait!" Chen Sheng called out, jogging after them. By the time he caught up, they had already reached the academy's main gate.
"Tang San, Master," Chen Sheng said, slightly out of breath from his sprint. "I hope you don't mind, but I was wondering if I could accompany you tonight."
Yu Xiaogang looked puzzled. "Is there something specific you need, young Chen Sheng?"
"The truth is, Master, I've also reached level ten in soul power," Chen Sheng said, his voice carrying just the right mixture of excitement and nervousness. "I was hoping I might be able to obtain my first soul ring as well."
The reaction was immediate and dramatic. Tang San's eyes widened in shock—he had only just reached level ten himself despite his full innate soul power and disciplined cultivation. Yu Xiaogang's scholarly composure cracked as his mouth fell open in disbelief.
"That's impossible," Yu Xiaogang stammered. "You awakened your martial soul just days ago with level six soul power. Even with exceptional cultivation speed, reaching level ten so quickly defies every theory I've studied."
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Shock emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Yu Xiaogang's Disbelief emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
What Chen Sheng didn't know was that Tang Hao was concealed nearby, watching over his son's activities. The legendary Titled Douluo was equally stunned by this revelation.
『DING! DETECTED Tang Hao's Astonishment emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Three treasure chests instead of the two I expected, Chen Sheng noted with satisfaction. Tang Hao's presence is an unexpected bonus.
"Did your martial soul undergo some kind of evolution?" Yu Xiaogang asked desperately, grasping for any rational explanation. "Has something else happened that could account for this unprecedented advancement?"
Chen Sheng nodded mysteriously, allowing his expression to suggest there were deeper secrets he wasn't yet ready to reveal.
『DING! DETECTED Yu Xiaogang's Curiosity emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Growing Interest emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
After several more minutes of shocked questioning and Chen Sheng's carefully evasive answers, Yu Xiaogang finally agreed to bring both boys on the soul ring acquisition expedition.
They traveled to the outskirts of Notting City in a hired carriage, the journey taking about an hour through increasingly wild terrain. The Spirit Beast Forest was a relatively low-level hunting ground suitable for first soul ring acquisition, with most creatures ranging from ten to a thousand years in age.
As they entered the forest and began searching for appropriate soul beasts, Chen Sheng decided to open his accumulated treasure chests. He had five new ones from the recent confrontations, plus he needed to see what additional resources might be available.
System, open all treasure chests.
The rewards appeared in his system storage:
『Soul Ring Age Improvement Card (increases soul ring age by 100 years)』
『Portable Water Filter』
『Modern Camping Sleeping Bag』
『Solar-Powered Radio』
『Emergency First Aid Kit』
Most of the rewards were modern conveniences, but the Soul Ring Age Improvement Card was incredibly valuable.
After an hour of careful searching through the forest, they finally encountered what they were looking for. In a small clearing, two soul beasts were engaged in violent combat—a Mandala Snake approximately three hundred fifty years old battling against a Shadow Leopard that appeared to be around three hundred ninty years old.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up with professional interest. "Perfect," he whispered. "Both of these soul beasts would provide excellent first soul rings. We should wait for one to defeat the other, or for both to be sufficiently weakened by their battle."
The three observers crept closer to get a better view of the combat, staying hidden behind large trees and thick undergrowth. The Mandala Snake's venomous attacks were countered by the Shadow Leopard's superior speed and agility, creating a deadly dance that could only end with one creature's death.
However, Master made a critical error. In his excitement, he spoke too loudly while giving instructions. "When one falls, we need to move quickly to—"
Both soul beasts immediately stopped fighting and turned toward the source of the human voices. Their natural instincts recognized the greater threat posed by the three intruders, and they began advancing with obvious hostile intent.
"Run!" Yu Xiaogang shouted, his scholarly composure completely shattered by the immediate danger.
All three humans began sprinting through the forest, crashing through undergrowth and leaping over fallen logs in their desperate attempt to escape. However, soul beasts of nearly four hundred years possessed supernatural speed and endurance that mere humans couldn't match for long.
Chen Sheng could hear the creatures gaining ground behind them. Making a split-second decision, he pulled the sharp knife from his system storage and activated his Phantom Step technique. The movement ability allowed him to create afterimages while dodging the Shadow Leopard's pouncing attack, then strike with his blade in a precise cut across the beast's throat.
Simultaneously, Tang San had noticed the Mandala Snake preparing to bite Master Yu Xiaogang. Without hesitation, he activated his hidden sleeve arrow mechanism, sending a perfectly aimed projectile into the serpent's eyes just as its fangs sank into Yu Xiaogang's wrist.
The Master cried out in pain and immediately began showing symptoms of the Mandala Snake's potent venom. His skin grew pale, and his breathing became labored as the poison start spreading through his body.
Chen Sheng finished cleaning his knife with professional efficiency, noting with satisfaction as the Shadow Leopard's soul ring began forming above its corpse. Tang San's arrow had been equally effective, leaving the Mandala Snake's soul ring floating above its motionless form.
"Master!" Chen Sheng rushed to Yu Xiaogang's side, his face showing genuine concern as he saw the venom's effects spreading through the older man's system. The scholar's breathing was becoming increasingly labored, and his skin had taken on a dangerous pale color.
Tang San quickly joined them, his adult mind immediately assessing the critical situation. "Chen Sheng, I have some medical knowledge from my studies," he said urgently. "Let me try to treat the poison while you prepare for your soul ring absorption."
Chen Sheng nodded, relieved that Tang San could handle the medical emergency. "Okay then do everything you can for Master. I'll absorb my soul ring quickly so I can help if needed."
Tang San worked frantically to neutralize the venom using his knowledge of poisons and antidotes from his past life. He applied pressure to slow the poison's spread, used various herbs he had gathered during their forest trek, and carefully monitored Yu Xiaogang's vital signs. After ten minutes of intensive treatment and proper bandaging after applying herb paste, he was confident the Master would recover.
With Yu Xiaogang stabilized, Tang San finally sat down to begin absorbing his first soul ring from the Mandala Snake.
Chen Sheng settled into a meditative position beside the Shadow Leopard's corpse and began the absorption process. The yellow soul ring slowly descended and merged with his body, filling him with unprecedented power. As the soul ring integrated with his White Tiger martial soul, he gained his first soul skill—Shadow Rush, which would increase his agility by 30% when activated.
His soul power level climbed steadily from level eleven, level twelve, level thirteen, and finally stabilizing at level fourtheen.
After half an hour, Chen Sheng opened his eyes, feeling the dramatic increase in his capabilities. However, he noticed that Tang San was still struggling with his absorption process, his face showing signs of significant strain. Yu Xiaogang remained unconscious from the venom's effects.
System, use the Soul Ring Age Improvement Card on my recently absorbed soul ring.
『Soul Ring Age Improvement Card activated. Soul ring age increased from three hundred ninty years to four hundred ninty years.』
The enhancement was immediately apparent. Chen Sheng felt another surge of power flow through his body as his soul power jumped from level fourtheen to level fifteen. His first soul ring now is now four hundred ninty years old.
A short while later, Yu Xiaogang began to stir as Tang San's antidotes took full effect. Tang San also completed his soul ring absorption, though his experience had clearly been more difficult than Chen Sheng's enhanced process.
"How do you both feel?" Yu Xiaogang asked weakly, his scholarly instincts overriding his physical discomfort.
"Incredible," Tang San replied honestly. "I can feel so much more power flowing through my body. My soul power has reached level 13th. My first soul skill—Blue Silver entanglement. It can entangle the target, stoping his movement"
"Oh... good! It's will give you enough time defeat your opponent in the future." Master praised Tang San.
"The same here," Chen Sheng agreed, "My soul power has increased significantly. I gained my first soul skill—Shadow Rush, which increases my agility by 30%."
"What level is your soul power now."
Master asked.
"Just level fifteen" Chen Sheng said innocently.
Master "Just what?"
"It's level fifteen."
Chen Sheng again said.
Tang San "..."
---