Chapter Nine: Choosing a Soul Ring—The First Low-Quality Ring in a Thousand Years!

"Mm!"

Ning Wuque nodded firmly. He would not disappoint the hard work he had put in these past days; his will had grown as unyielding as steel.

Soon, the grandfather and grandson returned to Elder Zhang Can’s private residence.

First, he instructed the steward to prepare dinner. In the sitting room, Zhang Can and Ning Wuque sat side by side on the sofa by the tea table. With a tone of inquiry, Zhang Can said, "Wuque, can you tell your grandfather what kind of soul rings you plan to absorb? I’ve thought it over—I'll request a few days off from the sect and personally take you to hunt soul rings. I don’t trust anyone else but this old man!"

"Is that really possible?" Ning Wuque asked.

"Of course, Wuque. I have no sons, and you’re the only grandson left from an old friend," Zhang Can said lightly, but Ning Wuque felt the deep affection and indulgence of an elder in his words and demeanor.

Without hesitation, Ning Wuque confidently shared with Zhang Can the path he had devised after reaching level nine:

"Grandfather, you know Blue Silver Grass, right?"

"Of course."

"According to the records, Blue Silver Grass, like my martial soul, the Black Gold Ant, is an ordinary soul beast with a clear hierarchical relationship. My father once evolved his martial soul based on this."

Ning Wuque explained the theory he had often encountered in fan novels in his previous life:

"My idea is to absorb soul rings from higher-ranked soul beasts of the same species and type, for example, the higher-level Dark Gold Soldier Ant or even the Dark Gold Terror Ant above the Black Gold Ant. Or the Superior Thousand-Jin Ant above the Tough Ant, or the Superior Honey Pot Ant above the Budding Ant. This way, my martial soul might mutate or even evolve!"

"That's a good idea," Zhang Can nodded approvingly. "Soul rings corresponding to the martial soul indeed help refine the martial soul itself. It's especially evident among Dragon-type martial soul masters like those with Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus."

Though nearly a century old, Zhang Can had the self-awareness to admit that while his experience surpassed many, his wisdom did not match this extraordinary grandson of his old friend.

"Of course, if you encounter some special soul beasts—like the Jade Swan, Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, or Golden Soul Beasts—that’s a different matter," Ning Wuque added. These soul beasts, with their overwhelmingly powerful bloodlines, stimulate the martial soul far more intensely than most higher-level soul beasts of the same kind.

If Ning Wuque were to come across a Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear around five hundred years old, it might directly trigger his martial soul to evolve into a Dark Gold Terror Ant, or even a mutated Dark Gold Terror Ant!

Why was he so confident he could absorb such high-quality soul rings?

Because he could now fight barehanded, without using his martial soul, against a second-ring fierce assault-type beast soul martial soul master!

The millennia-old premium whale glue was not wasted, nor were the countless herbs and soul beast meat!

"That’s doable. If you encounter one, grandfather will definitely get it for you! What next?"

"Grandfather, do you… trust me?"

Ning Wuque looked Zhang Can in the eye. The only answer was Zhang Can’s large hand resting on his shoulder—a silent but profound trust.

Taking a deep breath, Ning Wuque spoke words that even Zhang Can found unbelievable, so much so that he immediately wanted to stop him:

"I want... a millennium first-ring soul ring!"

"What!"

"Please hear me out, grandfather. I’m not overambitious. I truly possess the physical constitution to withstand the energy of soul rings under one thousand five hundred years old!"

Before Zhang Can could speak, Ning Wuque continued:

"And as far as I know, the difficulty of absorbing a soul ring doesn’t depend solely on its age but also on the species of the soul beast when it was alive, and, crucially, on the quality of the soul master’s martial soul and physical constitution!

If it’s a Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, I wouldn’t even consider challenging it after seven hundred years, but if it’s a Dark Gold Soldier Ant, I am fully confident with a soul ring just entering its thousand-year mark!"

In truth, Ning Wuque’s confidence was only about seventy percent; it was a gamble on his life! But compared to the over ninety percent failure rate against a seven-hundred-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, it was worth the risk!

If successful, how formidable would he be with a millennium soul ring?

He could easily beat a three-ring high-level beast soul-possessed Soul Master! That was the confidence that came from shattering soul rings!

Hence, the millennium soul ring was worth this reckless attempt.

Moreover, under normal absorption, Ning Wuque’s martial soul would only evolve around the second ring. But if he could leap over the levels and ages, he would have a 99% chance of evolving his martial soul directly into a Dark Gold Soldier Ant!

This way, at twelve years old, he could push towards level twenty, and by thirteen or fourteen, he might even become a Soul Saint or Soul Douluo!

"This won’t do, it’s too dangerous! Unless… you can prove to me that you truly have the ability. Then, I’ll do everything to get you the soul beast you desire!"

Frowning, Zhang Can, as an elder, valued Ning Wuque’s safety more, but he didn’t completely close off the path.

After all, with him, a Soul Douluo, around, Ning Tian could afford to spend a few more days recovering from injuries.

"Very well," Ning Wuque said.

He understood this was only natural, but he was unafraid of any test.

Watching Ning Wuque accept so resolutely, Zhang Can felt both relief and concern. After a sigh, he devised a trial:

"I will catch a Black Gold Ant just entering its thousand-year mark. Your task is to fight it and prove you have the ability!"

He didn’t say Ning Wuque had to defeat it, because killing a soul beast and absorbing its soul ring are vastly different challenges. Also, Zhang Can chose a Black Gold Ant, the same species as Ning Wuque’s martial soul.

Basically, as long as Ning Wuque could hold out against this millennium soul beast for some time, he would have passed the test.

"Agreed, it’s a deal!"

"Deal! Now, let’s eat. Tomorrow morning, grandfather will take you to the large-scale Soul Hunting Forest."

Unconsciously, much time had passed in the grandfather-grandson conversation. Nearby, the steward had not interrupted.

Standing up, Ning Wuque rubbed his stomach—after all, eating well was essential. Without enough strength, how could he train his body?

...

The next morning.

With Zhang Can’s guidance, Ning Wuque obtained a leave note from the academy. Then Zhang Can took him by carriage toward the Soul Hunting Forest.

It was a private Soul Hunting Forest made of Nine Treasures Glaze, vast in scale but somewhat limited in species diversity.

Fortunately, this forest contained several ant-type soul beast habitats, including a Dark Gold Ant nest with a specimen aged thirty thousand years!