On the morning of his emergence from seclusion, Marco pushed open his door and took a deep breath of the cool air carrying the scent of dew and vegetation. The fatigue from days of cultivation instantly vanished, leaving him refreshed and clear-headed. In the courtyard, where the thin mist had not yet fully dissipated, he saw Qiu Yao diligently following Ye Lingling's instructions, practicing the most basic stretching and Soul Power guidance movements.
"Just like that," Ye Lingling demonstrated while explaining, "Feel the Soul Power flowing through your body, like a small stream..." Qiu Yao learned with intense concentration, her small face flushed with effort, fine sweat beading on her nose tip, her gaze completely focused. Just then, the Soul Power around her fluctuated slightly, and her aura noticeably solidified and strengthened.
"Did she break through?" Marco asked with pleasant surprise as he quickly approached.
Ye Lingling excitedly grabbed her brother's arm: "Brother! You came out at the perfect time! Qiu Yao's Soul Power has reached level ten! She just broke through!"
When Qiu Yao saw Marco, her eyes immediately lit up as if filled with stars. She ran up to him, lifting her small face with barely contained excitement and a hint of childish anxiety, her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes: "Brother, does... does this mean I can go obtain a Soul Ring? Like Sister Lingling, to become a real Soul Master?"
Marco crouched down to meet her at eye level, nodding affirmatively with a warm and encouraging smile: "Of course you can. Qiu Yao is truly amazing! Reaching level ten in such a short time - your brother is proud of you. After your condition stabilizes, I'll take you to the Soul Beast Forest to find the most suitable first Soul Ring for you."
"Mm!" Qiu Yao nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with anticipation for the future and complete trust in Marco, the light in them dispelling the last traces of shadow from her gaze.
Obtaining a Soul Ring was a major event in a Soul Master's career, especially for a child like Qiu Yao who had just embarked on this path. The selection and acquisition process for the first Soul Ring was crucially important. Instead of setting out immediately, Marco first conducted a detailed investigation and discussion with his father Li Zhaoyan in the study.
Li Zhaoyan asked Qiu Yao to relax her mind and release her Martial Soul. When Qiu Yao concentrated, no distinct beast or tool-shaped phantom appeared around her, but an extremely pure and restrained mental fluctuation spread through the air. Both Li Zhaoyan and Marco clearly sensed that the core source of this fluctuation wasn't from conventional locations like the heart or dantian, but came directly from Qiu Yao's head - more precisely, from her brain region!
"This... could it be the ultimate among Body Soul Spirits - the Brain?" A flash of astonishment appeared in Li Zhaoyan's eyes as he carefully guided his own Soul Power like the most precise probe, gently investigating the Soul Power response in Qiu Yao's brain. After a moment, he withdrew his Soul Power, his expression serious yet filled with incredible delight. "That's right, it's indeed a Brain Soul Spirit! And a top-tier Brain Soul Spirit with Innate Soul Power as high as level nine! No wonder her thinking speed and comprehension are so extraordinary!"
Marco was also greatly astonished. A Brain Soul Spirit—this was a legendary existence even among Body Soul Spirits, representing the ultimate in Mental Power, computational ability, and comprehension! No wonder Qiu Yao's mental recovery and adaptability far surpassed that of ordinary people after undergoing such a tremendous upheaval.
"The selection of Soul Rings for a Brain Soul Spirit must be approached with extreme caution!" Li Zhaoyan said with a serious expression. "Any Soul Ring with direct offensive properties or overly violent attributes could cause irreversible damage to her brain." We must seek Soul Beasts with purely mental amplification, accelerated thinking, enhanced perception, or those possessing tranquil and protective characteristics. The year must be strictly controlled below four hundred to ensure absolute safety!"
At this moment, Marco remembered the Whale Jelly he had brought back from the Spirit Hall. He took out a small piece of high-quality Whale Jelly, golden in color and emitting a faint, unique fragrance, and explained to his father, "Father, this is called Whale Jelly. It is extracted from the brain of a ten-thousand-year whale-type Soul Beast. It has the effects of strengthening meridians, stabilizing the spirit, and nourishing the Sea of Consciousness. Since Qiu Yao's Martial Soul is the brain, absorbing a Soul Ring places an immense burden on her Mental Power and brain. Consuming this can protect her foundation, increase her chances of success, and lay a more solid groundwork."
Li Zhaoyan carefully examined the quality of the Whale Jelly, sensing the gentle spiritual energy contained within. After pondering for a moment, he nodded in agreement. "This is indeed a treasure. Its property of nourishing the Sea of Consciousness is especially timely for a Brain Soul Spirit. Qiu Yao can take it in moderation, but it must be done gradually, with close observation."
The next day, Marco dissolved a small piece of Whale Jelly in warm water and had Qiu Yao drink it. The medicinal liquid was slightly warm upon entering her mouth, carrying a peculiar sweetness. Qiu Yao felt a warm current slide down her throat. Unlike ordinary Soul Power, which would flow to her limbs, it ascended directly, gently nourishing her head. She felt exceptionally clear-headed and comfortable, as if her thinking had become more fluid. After taking it for three consecutive days, she noticed her Mental Power had significantly condensed, and her perception and control over her own Martial Soul had become much sharper and clearer.
Meanwhile, Marco consulted numerous texts on mental-type Soul Beasts and those suitable for Brain Soul Spirits. Drawing on his profound knowledge and experience, Li Zhaoyan ultimately identified a Soul Beast called the "Thought Beast" as the most ideal target.
According to ancient records, the Thought Beast resembled a small deer, with a snow-white body and crystalline eyes. It was extremely gentle in nature, feeding on the pure spiritual energy between heaven and earth. Its innate ability, "Mind Clarity," could purify distracting thoughts, enhance thinking speed, and sharpen perception. Its energy was gentle, making it a perfect match for the Brain Soul Spirit.
"Thought Beasts are hard to find, but their gentle nature is an ideal match for Qiu Yao's Martial Soul. If we can find one, it would be her good fortune," Li Zhaoyan said gravely. "If we are not fated to encounter one, then we can settle for the next best options: the 'Tranquil Heart Flower' or the 'Clear Mind Monkey.' However, they must be individuals with gentle temperaments and pure energy."
Mother Ye meticulously prepared everything Qiu Yao would need for the journey, from well-fitted travel clothes to ample dry rations and medicine. She repeatedly reminded Marco of various precautions to take in the forest, her motherly affection evident in every detail.
While the whole family was preparing for Qiu Yao's Soul Ring, Ye Lingling quietly inquired about the Thought Beast at the academy. Upon hearing this, Osler sought her out and revealed, "Lingling, my family seems to have clues about the whereabouts of the Thought Beast."
After saying this, Osler hurriedly left. Ye Lingling felt a stir in her heart and immediately rushed home to share the news with her family. Upon hearing it, Li Zhaoyan's eyes flashed with a hint of delight: "The Osler family has long been involved in intelligence related to soul beasts; this information should be reliable." Marco also perked up: "If we can truly find a Thought Beast, it would be most suitable for Qiu Yao's Martial Soul." Even Qiu Yao widened her eyes, her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
The departure was scheduled for three days later. Nourished by Whale Jelly, Qiu Yao adjusted her condition to its peak. She felt both anticipation and a bit of nervousness about the upcoming Soul Ring acquisition, but more than anything, she held unconditional trust in Marco. Marco, too, was acutely aware of the heavy responsibility of this journey. Not only did he have to ensure Qiu Yao's safety, but he also needed to lay a flawless foundation for her rare and precious Brain Soul Spirit. The warmth of home transformed into a weighty sense of duty on his shoulders, yet it also gave him boundless strength to move forward.