Chapter 42: Martial Soul Evolution, The Second Soul Ring
"What kind of difficulties has the Emperor encountered?"
The Blue Silver King's aged face shifted slightly. Those dry, ancient eyes fixed intently on Qi Tian, awaiting his answer.
Qi Tian hesitated. He wasn't sure if this world's future had diverged from the one he knew, but he could only tell the truth as he remembered it.
"After the Blue Silver Emperor's sacrifice, her seed was left behind in a dark, sealed cavern — a place untouched by sunlight or moonlight. There's no essence of heaven and earth there, no spring breeze or nourishing rain. Her growth is painfully slow… and no one knows when she might awaken again."
The Blue Silver King let out a deep sigh, the sound like wind rustling through ancient leaves.
"So the Emperor has fallen into such a miserable state…"
Then, after a pause, it spoke again with solemn urgency.
"Child, can you bring her back here? Only in this forest can she recover her vitality the fastest!"
Qi Tian shook his head slightly. "Her soul ring and soul bone were both sacrificed to a Titled Douluo. Her seed — that remnant of her existence — was also left behind by that same Titled Douluo. I don't know his whereabouts, and I dare not disturb that place carelessly."
He looked the Blue Silver King in the eye. "Unless… my soul power grows strong enough to stand against that Titled Douluo."
The Blue Silver King might have been a plant-type soul beast, rarely interacting with humans, but it was far from unintelligent.
It quickly understood what Qi Tian was implying — this human wanted its help to grow stronger.
A faint, amused ripple passed through the forest.
"Human, if you wish for my assistance, just say it outright. Don't dance around your words."
"As long as you can bring the Emperor back, I can grant you a measure of power!"
Qi Tian's tense shoulders relaxed. Success! As expected, the Blue Silver Emperor held an extraordinary place in the hearts of all Blue Silver Grass soul beasts.
"Blue Silver King, I'm currently at Rank 20," Qi Tian said earnestly. "Could you help me awaken my Martial Soul once more — to evolve it and obtain my second soul ring?"
He extended his hand, revealing his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
Over the past two and a half years, the strands had grown thicker and more vibrant, brimming with vitality. His soul power had indeed reached Rank 20, ready for his next breakthrough.
The Blue Silver King studied his martial soul with a calm, knowing gaze.
"Your martial soul is still an ordinary Blue Silver Grass," it said slowly. "At most, I can help it evolve into one like mine — a Blue Silver King."
Qi Tian's eyes lit up instantly. "That's more than enough!"
To have his martial soul evolve into that of a Blue Silver King was already beyond anything he had hoped for. The Blue Silver King's martial soul was unquestionably a high-tier martial soul, far superior to its common counterpart.
Of course, it was still a step below the Blue Silver Emperor, but Qi Tian knew better than to rush.
'A meal is eaten one bite at a time, and a road is walked one step at a time,' he thought.
Becoming the Blue Silver Emperor was his long-term goal — something that would require both Ah Yin's soul bone and her seedling essence in the future.
"Very well," the Blue Silver King rumbled. "Prepare yourself. I shall perform the awakening ritual for you."
"Once your martial soul evolves into a Blue Silver King, you'll naturally condense your second soul ring!"
The Blue Silver King paused for a moment, then asked,
"Your first soul skill is purely supportive. What kind of ability do you want for your second?"
Qi Tian thought for a moment before asking in return, "Blue Silver King, what is the greatest power of the Blue Silver Grass?"
Without hesitation, the King answered,
"Naturally, it is our endless vitality — 'Wildfire cannot destroy it; the spring breeze brings it to life once more.'"
"That is the Emperor's greatest strength. Unless a god descends, no one can truly kill her!"
"Even I possess that ability to some degree. However, reviving after death isn't so simple — I may not even retain all my memories."
"Still, this regenerative trait is our innate instinct. You don't need a special soul ring to manifest it. Once your martial soul evolves and you fully master the Blue Silver Domain, you'll be able to use this ability naturally."
"What our Blue Silver Grass lineage lacks most," the King continued, "is the power to protect ourselves. So, I suggest your second ability be one of attack or control."
Qi Tian thought it over for a while — then nodded.
He decided to trust the Blue Silver King's judgment.
The Blue Silver King began its ritual — a sacred process to grant Qi Tian a second awakening, awakening within him the bloodline of the Blue Silver King itself.
Though still one level below the Blue Silver Emperor, this was already the pinnacle of the Blue Silver Grass lineage — one grass beneath the Emperor, yet towering above millions of others.
All around the forest, countless motes of light drifted through the air like glowing pollen. These were the life forces of other plant-type soul beasts, willingly offering their energy for the ritual.
Under the Blue Silver King's guidance, that pure vitality surged into Qi Tian's body. His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul began to transform once more.
Its previously altered hue gradually faded, returning to the original azure-blue color — yet it was different now. The once-thin stalks and leaves grew thicker and stronger, and faint golden patterns shimmered along their edges like divine veins of light.
In this era without the Blue Silver Emperor, the Blue Silver King stood as the sovereign of all Blue Silver Grass — the apex of the species, a ruler of all flora.
After completing the awakening, the Blue Silver King turned its immense spiritual power toward condensing a soul ring for Qi Tian.
"Hold on as long as you can," the Blue Silver King instructed. "The longer you endure, the stronger the soul ring will be!"
This would be no ordinary ring — it was a soul ring formed from the very essence of Qi Tian's martial soul, one that would grow stronger alongside him. The higher its initial grade, the greater his future potential.
Qi Tian's expression turned resolute. "Bring it on! I can handle it!"
The Blue Silver King said nothing more. It simply began channeling its ancient might, drawing the surrounding vitality to stimulate Qi Tian's martial soul origin.
A glowing halo began to form behind him — first white, then yellow, deepening to golden-yellow, and finally transforming into a rich purple hue.
Even the Blue Silver King was taken aback.
"Such a strong body... to endure this degree of pressure?" it murmured in surprise.
At last, the color of the ring settled into a deep, royal purple — a thousand-year soul ring — and fused perfectly with Qi Tian's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
A powerful wave of energy erupted from within him. His soul power surged upward, breaking through to Rank 22 — Soul Grandmaster level.
Qi Tian's breathing steadied. A thousand-year ring…
'If only my spiritual power were stronger,' he thought, 'perhaps I could have even handled a ten-thousand-year soul ring!'
He examined his state — his martial soul brimmed with vitality, his soul power vibrant and full.
Just as he expected, his newly awakened soul skill was none other than the legendary Blue Silver Tyrant Spear (Blue Silver Overlord Spear) — the Blue Silver King's signature attack skill.
"Thank you, Blue Silver King, for your blessing," Qi Tian said sincerely.
The Blue Silver King regarded him with newfound appreciation. It could sense the young man's immense potential — perhaps, in time, this human would grow into a true powerhouse among soul masters.
"Bringing the Emperor back will be the greatest gratitude you can show me," the Blue Silver King replied.
"If you ever need help, return to this forest. I'll guide you to me again."
Qi Tian bowed deeply. "Rest assured, Blue Silver King. The Blue Silver Emperor will return here one day."
He wasn't lying. Even if he couldn't personally bring Ah Yin's seedling back, Tang San would.
And in that sense… he too was part of the Blue Silver Emperor's legacy.
"Very well," the Blue Silver King said, its tone softening. "I'll be waiting for the day you fulfill that promise."
Then, as if remembering something, it added,
"One more thing — when you hunt for soul rings in the future, avoid killing members of the Blue Silver Grass lineage. Otherwise, you might end up wasting a soul skill."
It was sound advice. After all, his current soul ring was already derived from the Blue Silver Grass itself. Absorbing another from the same species might grant duplicate skills — a loss no soul master wanted.
Of course, there were exceptions — like the Thousand Ton Ant Emperor brothers, whose souls had been reforged into hundred-thousand-year rings.
Qi Tian chuckled inwardly. The Blue Silver King's real meaning was probably: "You've already taken one of our soul rings, so don't go slaughtering more of us."
Still, he nodded with respect. "Thank you for the reminder. I'll keep that in mind."
—
End of Chapter