Triggering a treasure chest in Douluo Continent

Chapter 22 First Soul Ring

Shi Quan.

Shi Quan's first sensation was intense heat. A surge of boundless energy, like a burning flame, rushed into his body. Some of it dispersed into his limbs and bones, while some rushed into his meridians, like wild horses running rampant and raging wildly.

This feeling is somewhat similar to the feeling during the practice of the Yi Jin Xi Sui method, but the current feeling is much more intense. It feels like the inside of one's body is like a furnace, being roasted and melted.

In addition to helping Soul Masters break through bottlenecks, the energy of Soul Rings can also improve a Soul Master's physical qualities and strengthen their meridians to a certain extent. These are somewhat similar to the Yi Jin Xi Sui system.

"Does that mean the Yi Jin Xi Sui technique can assist in the absorption of spirit rings?"

With this thought in mind, enduring the burning sensation within his body, Shi Quan immediately used the Nine Yin Nine Yang Divine Skill to accelerate the circulation of the Tendon-Changing and Marrow-Washing Technique, attempting to guide the violent energy within his body.

"It can do it!"

Once the Yi Jin Xi Sui method was activated, Shi Quan clearly felt that the energy in his body became easier to absorb, and the impact brought by the soul ring energy also became nutrients for internal cultivation, which significantly enhanced the effects of Yi Jin Xi Sui.

"Sigh, it would be better if the age limit were higher."

Shi Quan sighed inwardly. The 550-year-old man-eating vine soul ring didn't put much pressure on him. Not only was there no pressure, but he also had to pretend to grit his teeth and tremble, looking extremely pained, making it seem like he was having a hard time absorbing it. It really tested his acting skills.

In order not to absorb it too quickly, Shi Quan deliberately stimulated the energy of the spirit ring, increasing the difficulty of absorption for himself and prolonging the absorption time.

From the outside, all one could sense was the violent energy within the spirit ring repeatedly impacting Shi Quan's body. Shi Quan's trembling figure resembled a small boat on a vast ocean, teetering on the brink of collapse, fraught with extreme danger.

Time passed slowly, and seeing that it was almost time, Shi Quan finally decided to wrap things up.

With the last bit of energy absorbed.

With a snap, Shi Quan seemed to hear a shattering sound, and then the scene before his eyes suddenly shifted, as if he had entered a different world.

It seemed as if one could see a raging sea of ​​fire, and in the center of the fire, a thick blue silver grass was dancing, appearing both agile and domineering.

Inner vision of the martial spirit.

After absorbing their first spirit ring, spirit masters will gain the ability to see the inner workings of their spirit. This is a major reason why beast spirit masters can only possess a spirit after obtaining their first spirit ring. Only by mastering inner workings can one be considered to have truly embarked on the path of a spirit master.

In the sea of ​​fire, Shi Quan's Blue Silver Grass did not seem to be being scorched by the flames. Instead, it was absorbing the flames. As it absorbed the flames, the Blue Silver Grass began to change. Its branches and leaves, which were originally thicker than normal Blue Silver Grass, seemed to have been tempered after absorbing the flames. They began to become slender, and the branches and leaves gradually grew longer, while also taking on a light red color.

Through the smooth surface of the branches and leaves, one could see the pale red light beginning to penetrate deep into the ground. Suddenly, a silent black aura appeared, and the pale red light vanished completely in an instant.

The once robust Blue Silver Grass has now become slightly thinner and longer, but there are no other changes.

Time passed second by second, and the surging heat gradually subsided, transforming into gentle streams of warmth.

"Success!" Mald, who was not far away, looked excited. He wanted to laugh but was afraid of affecting Shi Quan's final absorption, so he could only hold it in. He waved his fists wildly, which looked very comical.

Dawson, standing to the side, also gave Shi Quan a meaningful look.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on breaking through to Soul Master and successfully embarking on the path of Soul Master. The Soul Master Treasure Chest has been activated and you have obtained one Beginner Soul Ring Enhancement Stone."

"I triggered a treasure chest again?" Shi Quan was somewhat surprised, but even more so, he was delighted.

It seems like you can trigger a treasure chest every time you break through a new realm.

Cool!

Shi Quan suppressed his joy and slowly opened his eyes.

Mald strode forward, gesturing wildly, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Xiao Quan! I knew you could succeed! Hahaha!"

"Haha, I knew my theory was right!" Shi Quan stood up, looking trembling with excitement. After a moment, he bowed deeply.

"Teacher, Lord, thank you so much. Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to obtain this spirit ring, nor would I have been able to verify my theory."

"No need for thanks, it's all I should do as a teacher," Mald said with his smile unchanged.

Dawson, standing to the side, chuckled and said, "We're just getting what we need. As we agreed before, you need to summarize your theory and submit it to me."

Shi Quan nodded and looked solemnly at Dawson. "Lord, I will summarize the theory after I return. However, I still hope that the Spirit Hall will keep this theory a secret. Although I successfully absorbed a spirit ring beyond my level, it was only my first attempt. Different people and different spirits have different requirements for physical fitness and the specific impact of spirit power quality. How do I judge these? How do I determine the specific limit? I still need further attempts and practice. Right now, I can only summarize my theory in a preliminary way and cannot guarantee its accuracy."

"I don't want my theory to be disseminated before it has been thoroughly verified and its feasibility has been ensured, because that would lead to many people trying it rashly and dying."

Shi Quan's words were sincere and earnest.

Dawson's gaze towards Shi Quan changed after hearing this; a child not even eight years old could consider things so thoroughly.

"No problem." Dawson nodded in agreement, then asked, "How many attempts do you think you need to be sure?"

After some thought, Shi Quan said, "It will take at least three attempts. I might be able to confirm it after I've successfully broken through to the Soul Master realm."

"A Soul Master?" Dawson nodded.

Mard, who was standing nearby, hurriedly asked, "Xiao Quan, how does it feel to absorb a spirit ring that's higher level than you? Is the increase in spirit power significant?"

"My soul power is only a little over level eleven. I feel like I'm not far from breaking through to level twelve. After absorbing it, my body feels more flexible and relaxed." Shi Quan smiled and moved his arms.

He is different from Tang San. Tang San had already accumulated a lot of internal energy before obtaining the spirit ring, so he was able to break through from level eleven to level thirteen directly after absorbing the spirit ring.

He didn't accumulate any soul power, and the age of his soul rings wasn't much higher, so this improvement is already pretty good.

"Not even level twelve yet?"

Upon hearing Shi Quan's reply, both Dawson and Mald frowned.

"How could it be so low?" Mald frowned and stepped forward, placing his hand on Shi Quan's shoulder. "Let me see."

"Is it really only level eleven?"

Dawson, who was standing nearby, also came forward and looked surprised after examining the situation.

Judging from their reactions, it was clear that both of them knew that Tang San, who also possessed the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, had his Soul Power directly increase to Level 13 after absorbing the 400-year-old Mandragora Serpent Soul Ring, while Shi Quan, who had absorbed the 550-year-old Man-Eating Vine Soul Ring, still had Soul Power below Level 12.

"Although his soul power level hasn't improved significantly, his physical attributes have improved quite a bit." After carefully examining Shi Quan's body and confirming that there were no problems, Mald fell into deep thought.

"Could it be because of the compatibility?" Mald asked hurriedly, "Xiao Quan, let me see your martial soul."

Shi Quan raised his right hand and summoned his martial spirit. The thick Blue Silver Grass became slender, with slightly curled branches and leaves, and looked a whole size smaller than the thick Blue Silver Grass before.

"Such a big change?" Mald looked at the Blue Silver Grass in Shi Quan's hand in surprise.

Mard exclaimed, "Although my soul power hasn't increased much, my martial soul has undergone further changes, and my physical attributes have also improved considerably."

Shi Quan laughed and said, "No matter what, it's still absorbing a soul ring from a higher level."

"Haha, that's right." Mald looked at the sky, then at Dawson, and continued, "It's about time. If we hurry back now, we can leave the Soul Hunter Forest around nightfall and spend the night at the market outside. Let's go."

"No problem." Dawson nodded.

The three set off, and like the Buddha, returned by the same route.

As the sun set and the moon slowly rose, the three of them finally left the Soul Hunter Forest late at night.

After returning to the Spirit Hall's base, they had a simple meal and rested for the night in their tents.

As usual, Shi Quan practiced all night, and Dawson and Mald both praised Shi Quan for his diligence.

The next morning, the three of them boarded the same carriage they had come in and set off back to Nottingham.

Two days later, upon returning to Nottingham City, Shi Quan went directly to the Spirit Hall to test his spirit power, register, and receive his monthly spirit master subsidy before bidding farewell to Dawson with Mald and returning to the academy.

The office on the third floor of the Spirit Hall.

Standing before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, Dawson watched Shi Quan and Mald gradually disappear into the distance, and suddenly asked, "How's the investigation going? Anything unusual in Shijia Village?"

"Shi Quan was clever and quick-witted from a young age. He started reading and studying when he was about one year old. He did this for five years. The people of Shijia Village used to secretly call him a bookworm because all he knew how to do was read books every day."

A year and a half ago, Su Yuntao helped him awaken his martial soul. At first glance, the martial soul was no different from ordinary Blue Silver Grass. In addition, his innate soul power was only level one, so it was not taken seriously. When he awakened, Shi Quan took the initiative to ask Su Yuntao for basic cultivation methods.

Three months later, he enrolled at Notting College. He continued his self-study habit and practiced diligently, spending his days studying and practicing.

Shi Quan had a conflict with a student named Xiao Wu in the academy. Xiao Wu was also a genius, the same age as Shi Quan, with the Martial Soul Soft Bone Rabbit, and innate full Soul Power. She also obtained a hundred-year Soul Ring. Despite such a disparity, Shi Quan used a special self-created Soul Skill to keep Xiao Wu from getting close. A Soul Warrior remained undefeated in front of a Soul Master.

Shi Quan usually prefers to cultivate alone in the back mountain. The place where he cultivates is lush with vegetation, which is consistent with the theories he reported. During the period when Notting Academy was on holiday and Shi Quan returned home, he would go to the Lianyun Mountains to cultivate every day. Following the tracks, he found the same lush vegetation. At present, everything about Shi Quan seems to be explainable by his extraordinary intelligence.

"Really?" Dawson rubbed his head, turned around and went back to his desk. "He even succeeded in absorbing a spirit ring that was above his level."

The figure in front of the desk fell silent for a moment.

"Blue Silver Grass, with only level one innate soul power, has achieved such a feat, and it's all done by a child who's not even eight years old." Dawson shrugged with relief and laughed, "Let the higher-ups handle these matters and make the decisions. You'll have to make that trip again."

The figure in front of the desk laughed and scolded, "No matter what, I am a deputy hall master. You treat me like a errand boy all day long."

Dawson chuckled, "There's nothing we can do about it. This matter has far-reaching implications, so it's best not to let too many people know just in case. I'll have someone keep an eye on Notting College. You should rest well these next few days. Once Shi Quan submits his first draft of the theory, you'll have to go on a long trip..."

The figure muttered curses, "It's true what they say, 'A higher rank can crush a lower one.' I know."

……

Nottingham College.

Upon returning to Notting Academy, Shi Quanke did not remain idle. Instead, he began to further refine the theory of the limit of soul ring age based on his own situation.

All those years of study weren't for nothing. With the support of the original text, Shi Quan writes his theories with great clarity and precision, far more accurate than any so-called master.

He wrote until late at night, and Shi Quan didn't even go to cultivate in the afternoon.

Back in the dormitory, Shi Quan had been missing for several days. Some of his roommates didn't even know that Shi Quan hadn't been staying in the dormitory for those few days. After all, Shi Quan left early and returned late every day, and he didn't attend classes with them. It was common for him to disappear for several days at a time.

Rest for the night.

The back mountain.

"It's time to try out my soul skills." Shi Quan muttered to himself, raising his right hand and summoning his martial soul. A yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet.

He channeled his internal energy into the soul ring.

The next second, the slightly curled leaves of the Blue Silver Grass instantly unfurled, extending in all directions at an extremely fast speed. In just a moment, the leaves of the Blue Silver Grass soared straight up to more than fifty meters away.

"The growth rate is faster and the range is wider than using internal energy, and the consumption is also very low."

Shi Quan nodded in satisfaction, raised his hand and flicked it, and the slender blue-silver vines immediately coiled up the tree trunk like a thin snake. In just a few breaths, a large amount of blue-silver grass vines had completely covered the tree trunk.

"Let's see how resilient it is."

As soon as he finished speaking, he clenched his fist and gripped the blue silver vine with force, causing the slender vine to snap straight instantly.

As Shi Quan continued to exert force, the Blue Silver Grass, which would normally break long ago, remained straight.

Crackling sound—that was the sound of tree bark cracking.

A hissing sound—that's the sound of the blue silver vines tearing apart.

"The toughness of a single Blue Silver Vine is still limited. Even if it absorbs from a higher level, Blue Silver Grass is still Blue Silver Grass, and there is still a certain gap between it and Blue Silver Grass with the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline."

I was somewhat disappointed with the toughness of the stone, but thinking about it, it's understandable, since the man-eating vine itself isn't very tough.

(End of this chapter)