Moreover, Xiao Yan also noticed some differences in the two people's palm power.
The power he used was pure strength, while Xiao Wu seemed to be employing some kind of technique that used softness to overcome hardness, partially deflecting the force. Only in this way could she contend with him.
In a flash, Xiao Wu's arm strangely twisted like a spiritual snake, coiling around Xiao Yan's arm.
Xiao Wu smiled proudly and instantly reached with her left hand toward Xiao Yan's neck, while the scorpion braid on her head whipped out again.
Xiao Yan frowned, stomped his foot on the ground, and swung his right arm, causing Xiao Wu's body to draw a circle in midair.
After just one turn, Xiao Wu's arm couldn't hold on anymore. With a slight loosen, she released Xiao Yan, flying backward more than ten meters, stumbling back several steps before steadying herself.
After the exchange, Xiao Wu knew she was absolutely no match for Xiao Yan now. She let out a frustrated hum and turned back to the dormitory.
Watching Xiao Wu's retreating figure, Xiao Yan raised his hand to his nose and said, "Not simple at all!"
The next morning, when most teachers and students at Notting Academy were still asleep, two people—one tall and one short—had already stepped out of the academy gates.
After leaving the academy, Xiao Yan asked, "Master, where are we going to find soul beasts?"
"We're going to the Soul Hunting Forest, located four hundred li northeast of Notting City. That's where the empire keeps soul beasts in captivity. You're sure to find one suitable for you there," replied Master Yu Xiaogang.
Xiao Yan found it strange, "Soul beasts can be captive?"
He recalled the black Underworld Bear soul beast they had met not long ago—its strength was no joke. Tapping Master Yu, he thought it would be much easier than slapping a watermelon.
Captive soul beasts? Could the soul masters around Notting City really guard them?
"High-level soul beasts obviously cannot be captive, but lower-level ones can. Soul beasts are beasts possessing soul power. The longer they exist, the stronger they become.
Generally, we classify soul beasts into five levels based on age: Ten-year soul beasts, Hundred-year soul beasts, Thousand-year soul beasts, Ten-thousand-year soul beasts, and Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. The meaning is straightforward: a soul beast cultivated for more than ten years is a Ten-year soul beast, and so forth. The classification of soul rings corresponds exactly with the soul beast's age.
The soul rings are easy to recognize by color: Ten-year soul beasts have white soul rings, Hundred-year yellow, Thousand-year purple, Ten-thousand-year black, and Hundred-thousand-year red.
Those captured by the state for soul masters to hunt are mostly Ten-year and Hundred-year beasts, with Thousand-year beasts being rare."
Listening to Master Yu's explanation about ordinary soul beasts, Xiao Yan nodded slightly and asked, "Are soul beasts really that long-lived? They can live up to a hundred thousand years?"
Yu Xiaogang said, "Although soul beasts have long lifespans, their cultivation speed is very slow. Even the strongest Hundred-thousand-year soul beast is only at the level of a Seal Title Douluo. There are pros and cons."
This was easy for Xiao Yan to understand. He had heard many stories of old cultivators who had trained for decades and could handle spirits that were centuries old. It was nothing new.
"The longer the cultivation time of a soul beast, the stronger it becomes, and the better the soul ring effect it produces. The difference between soul rings of various levels mainly lies in the attributes and skill bonuses granted to the soul master.
For example, quantitatively speaking, your Blue Silver Grass martial soul follows the control-type spirit master route. If you get a ten-year soul ring with matching attributes, your control over Blue Silver Grass will increase by ten. But if it's a hundred-year soul ring, your control increases by one hundred.
Therefore, whenever possible, all soul masters will strive to obtain stronger soul rings."
Xiao Yan just nodded from time to time, showing he was listening.
Even a three-year-old could figure this out: If all soul rings gave the same benefit, wouldn't soul masters just kill lower-level soul beasts?
So soul beasts… all those years of cultivation might have been for nothing?
When Yu Xiaogang finished, Xiao Yan smiled and asked, "Master, soul beasts are so powerful, isn't it too dangerous for just the two of us to hunt them? Did you bring help?"
At this, Yu Xiaogang's stiff old face twisted into a smile uglier than crying. He patted his chest and said, "Xiao Yan, you don't need to worry about this. It's only about hunting Hundred-year soul beasts. It's not difficult for me."
"Oh, I see. Then I'll trouble you, Master."
Xiao Yan suddenly realized that this Master's soul-stealing operation involved only himself.
That meant he only had to focus on watching out for one person.
Yu Xiaogang continued, "Obtaining soul rings isn't simply about killing soul beasts. First, you must be the one to kill the soul beast to get its soul ring. Also, soul rings only last for a short time. If you don't attach them to yourself within one hour, the effect disappears."
Xiao Yan frowned, "There's such a restriction? Looks like even with more people, it's still tricky to control the opportunity to hunt soul beasts."
Yu Xiaogang nodded approvingly, "Yes. Soul beasts are very proud creatures. None will allow themselves to be captured. If severely injured, they will choose to explode their soul power to commit suicide.
In this way, even if you hire someone to hunt soul beasts, if the one who needs the soul ring doesn't land the killing blow, the soul ring cannot be absorbed."
Xiao Yan thought: When I said 'you' earlier, I meant a powerful person like you, Master. Having many people isn't useful. I wasn't talking about a big family.
If a powerful family sent one or several absolute strong fighters and knocked the soul beast unconscious, wouldn't the soul beast be just like fish on the chopping board—completely helpless?
Yu Xiaogang added, "Human wisdom is far beyond that of soul beasts. The best way to hunt soul beasts is to form a group and go to the soul beast's location. At the crucial moment, deliver the final blow yourself to gain the soul ring.
So some influential people have an advantage when hunting soul beasts. However, just because someone easily gets soul rings doesn't mean they become stronger than ordinary soul masters. No one can be sure that the soul beast's attributes they meet are the most suitable.
The soul beast's level is important, but attribute compatibility is equally critical. Even the best soul ring will be counterproductive if it clashes with your own martial soul. The most important thing is that each soul master has limits on how many soul rings they can absorb at different stages."
After hearing this, Xiao Yan understood what kind of person Master Yu was and didn't want to pick apart the mistake in his words about 'no one can be sure the soul beast's attribute is the best fit'.
If powerful forces are hunting soul beasts, they obviously have a purpose. If they find the soul beast's attribute unsuitable, they don't have to absorb the soul ring even if they kill it.
(End of chapter)