That day, in the dormitory of Anyang Elementary Soul Master Academy...
Jiang Nannan looked at Zhu Ziyang with deep worry and asked,
"Brother, are you really not going to wait for Uncle Dahe and the others to come back?"
"Mhm," Zhu Ziyang nodded and gently patted her hair to reassure her.
"Don't worry. I never do anything I'm not confident about. Be good and wait for me at the academy. If any teacher asks about me, just say I went out with my parents to hunt a soul ring."
"Alright..." Jiang Nannan knew she couldn't stop him, so she looked at him with concern and pleaded,
"Then promise me—you have to come back safe."
"I promise!" Zhu Ziyang smiled, then left the dorm without looking back. He left the academy—
—to hunt a soul ring on his own!
At the age of eight years and four months, Zhu Ziyang had reached level 20 in soul power. In just two years and four months, he had advanced ten full levels. That speed could easily rank him among the top geniuses throughout history.
More importantly, as an eight-year-old Grandmaster (a soul master with two rings), he was likely the youngest one on the continent in nearly ten thousand years.
Zhu Ziyang was extremely proud.
But why was he hunting his second soul ring alone?
Two reasons.
First, Zhu Changhe and the others were not in Anyang City. One week ago, Zhu Changhe had reached level 30, becoming a quasi-Soul Elder. He, along with Liang Ying, Hong Zhen, and another Soul Elder from Anyang, had gone to help him obtain a millennium-level light-element soul beast for his third ring—following Zhu Ziyang's recommendation. They wouldn't return for at least another month.
Zhu Ziyang didn't want to wait that long.
Second, Zhu Ziyang's ambition.
He planned to absorb a millennium soul ring as his second ring.
Thanks to the Great Luminous Art, his physical constitution far exceeded that of soul masters at his level. By his own tests, his body could withstand a soul ring up to 1,500 years old.
If he had gone with his parents and the others, they would have never allowed such a risk. Not knowing about the Great Luminous Art, they wouldn't believe he was capable of safely absorbing a millennium ring.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't explain that to them either.
So instead of dealing with all that, he chose to go solo. He had complete faith in his own power. Any soul beast under 2,000 years? No problem.
Thus began Zhu Ziyang's solo hunt for a millennium soul ring.
Traveling day and night, it only took him two days to reach his destination:
Tianhui Grand Canyon.
According to his plan, his second soul ring must be of the light attribute. Perhaps due to cultivating the Great Luminous Art, Zhu Ziyang could clearly sense his light-element affinity—something no other attribute-based soul master could do.
When his Glimmer Scythe first awakened, his light-element affinity was 35. Now, it was around 45. After absorbing a second light-attribute ring, he estimated it would rise to 50–60—the upper limit of high-grade martial souls.
Such improvement already defied conventional elemental theory. If the scholars of the elemental school saw it, they'd probably start questioning everything.
Just further proof of how powerful the Great Luminous Art was.
For comparison, his ice-element affinity was around 40—proof that the Ice Tyrant Dragon martial soul surpassed his original Glimmer Scythe.
About Elemental Affinity:
In soul master theory, elemental affinity is a core concept in the "Elemental Doctrine." Soul masters believe that affinity is one of the key factors determining a martial soul's quality. A soul master with an elemental martial soul can increase their affinity by absorbing soul rings of the same attribute.
Definition:
Elemental affinity refers to the proportion of total elemental energy a soul master can control within their perception. For example, in a 1m³ space around them, if there are 100 units of fire element and the soul master can use 30, their affinity is 30%.
Ordinary people have zero affinity to all elements.
<10%: Low-element attribute martial souls (e.g., Glimmer Scythe is a weak light-element martial soul).
10%–90%: Traditional element martial souls (makes up about 80% of all martial souls).
>90%: Legendary "Ultimate Element" martial souls—extremely rare. In the 8,000 years since elemental theory was founded, only three soul masters have had one.
Tianhui Grand Canyon
"Ugh, this is so hard! No wonder Dad and the others haven't come back after a week," Zhu Ziyang muttered in frustration while searching through the forest.
He had been in the canyon for two days and still hadn't found the soul beast he wanted.
His target was a soul beast called the Blazing Light Mantis—a high-grade beast with light and metal attributes. He had originally wanted it as his first soul ring but couldn't find one then. He believed its ring would grant a powerful amplification-type soul skill.
He had already searched most of their known habitats but had only found sub-millennium specimens. The strongest one was 800 years old—not good enough.
"Wait... What's that smell? So fragrant!" Zhu Ziyang suddenly caught a faint floral scent, like osmanthus blossoms, which immediately refreshed his tired mind.
A treasure!
Zhu Ziyang's instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he followed the scent for 400–500 meters. The smell grew stronger—often a sign that a rare spiritual herb was ripening!
He soon reached a dense thicket taller than himself. The fragrance was coming from inside.
"This must be it!" His eyes narrowed with anticipation. His Glimmer Scythe appeared in his hand, its yellow soul ring floating silently above its shaft. Faint golden patterns began forming.
Cautiously, he pushed through the brush. Even after walking 3–4 meters, he still hadn't reached a clearing—but the fragrance kept intensifying.
SWOOSH!
As he pushed aside another branch, a massive bronze-colored mantis with golden markings leapt out, its saw-blade scythe-like arms slashing at him. Zhu Ziyang was ready—his Glimmer Scythe struck back instantly, blocking the ambush.
Seeing the mantis, Zhu Ziyang wasn't angry at the sneak attack. On the contrary, his eyes lit up—
This was it! The Blazing Light Mantis he'd been searching for!
So after all that searching, it had practically delivered itself to him!
What's more, behind the mantis was a one-meter-tall tree bearing a pale yellow fruit the size of an apple. That sweet scent came from this fruit. Scattered below it were the corpses of several other Blazing Light Mantises.
The fruit was a Radiant Yellow Fruit—a spiritual herb that boosts soul power and strengthens the body. It's especially effective for those with light attributes.
Zhu Ziyang finally understood: the other mantises must have died fighting over the fruit. No wonder there weren't any other thousand-year Blazing Light Mantises nearby.
So this one... was the final winner?
As Zhu Ziyang eyed the mantis—now standing protectively before the Radiant Yellow Tree, glaring at him with hostility—he had a strange look on his face.
"Am I the snipe, the clam, or the fisherman here?"