"Thank you for this kindness, child."
I smiled in response to the old lady's tearful words. As I tied the plaster around her arm with an arm pouch, I felt the only kind of exhaustion I liked. The exhaustion from easing the pain of others. Quite the corny words, but I really liked it.
Considering how the entire group was doing their best to improve our reputation in the world, I didn't need to work so hard. But, I did. Especially not for an old lady who lived alone. But, I did anyway.
Afterall, what was one more person thinking good of me when compared to the broad number of people hailing me as a kind man. Due to my schemes, I could be considered a minor mother Teresa figure that had a reputation in the surrounding districts.
So, in the grand scheme of things, working long hours on a surgery to correct the deformed bones of orphaned old women was nothing.
Even so, I did heal her. Whether out of nostalgia for my past life as a surgeon or truly to feel good about myself, I did. As expected, it was exhausting to break a malformed bone and reset it. But, it felt rewarding and peaceful.
"Be careful grandma, the fracture has not yet healed. Right now, this cast was the only thing that is holding the hand in place. So, you must be careful about the arm for few more days."
Of course, I placed a pure stainless-steel rod, refined by teacher, for better healing. Ironic, that with the right skill and right martial soul, it was possible to produce a Stainless-steel prosthesis rod for a fracture. But, for some reason, it was tough to make a gun. Well, the fault laid with me. The lack of progress was due to my lack of interest in that. After all, guns running on soul power, better called as Soul tools were far too much work.
Another path that had potential just like alchemy. But, I couldn't dare work on these time-consuming behemoths. It was at this point that I felt that I needed a powerbase like a sect. Something like a clan or sect that could follow my foresight and develop. Afterall, my hardwork [*cough* AI] alone wasn't enough. Even the study of soul pathways and tiger martial souls was consuming almost all of my time.
My stream of thoughts was interrupted by another words of gratitude.
"Thank you, sir. I am a poor woman who couldn't give you anything more than this, my child. This old man only holds her thanks."
Looking at her tearful eyes as she held my hands, I could only console her, "It's fine."
I watched with pity while looking at the old lady who was alone in this cruel world. Especially her hunched back as she went back to her hut. It didn't take long for the old lady drown back into her solitude.
"Brother Zhang Kun! We need help."
Hearing the shout of panic, I ran to the emergency lifesaving tent. There, I found Ye Lingling, who tasked with using her martial soul to heal the soul masters returning from Star Luo Forest.
In a way, our travel plan along the edge of the forest had two benefits-1, an escape path into the forest in case of pursuit or 2, a way to promote our reputation by healing the injured soul masters.
Injuries which were particularly gruesome.
"FUCK."
The condition of this group was much worse in all the people we met till now.
AI.
[Processing…..Analyzing ....
Patient 1: Tear into abdomen, cardiac arrest from blood loss, Poison from Gu spider
Patient 2: Poison from Gu spider, Necrosis of left hand
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Fuck, either these guys provoked some pit of the Gu spider for good soul ring or were plain unlucky.
It seemed that my past decision to seek a good backing was right. Otherwise blindly exploring the star Luo Forest like these guys was a death sentence.
In the Star Luo academy, I learnt the ways and dangers of Star Luo Forest. Especially the locations of various spirit beasts. Of course, even more obvious profit was the restricted knowledge that wandering soul masters could never get their hands.
After all, Knowledge in my hands would turn into power under the 24/7 hard work of AI. Not just that, I had been experimenting and researching, while documenting the results. My own hard work was not something to scoff at. Afterall, I had the perspective of trauma surgeon.
Hence, I could do this now.
"Ice Control."
With a wave of my hands, ice mist spread and froze the most severe of the injuries. Especially those burning up from poison and sepsis.
It was weeks of hard work, but I managed to bring down the coolness of ice. Otherwise, I risked causing frost bite to my already injured patients.
"Ye Lingling. I need your immediate help to cut this guy's hand. Considering it is already dead, it would be better to remove it. Do you remember the reason we remove the dead limbs immediately?"
"Yes, the increased risk of gas gangrene spreading throughout the body."
With the impromptu test done, I started preparing for the surgery. I had eerily reminded me of my own such experience with such tests under my previous life professors. Unfortunately, such on time analysis and decision making under immense pressure was a basic skill to a surgeon. It was the only way that massive tomes of medical books weighed heavier than an average human, gets stuck into brain.
It was a successful method. So, it was the one I followed when teaching Ye Lingling.
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With the surgery done, Ye Lingling was tasked with overseeing the normal day to day patients that needed treatment for cough or cold. I could feel and understand her tiredness and a small amount of resentment towards me for that. After all, a surgery of 4 hrs deserved a break.
But, I won't do. Much less this world with superhuman fitness levels, even my old world's neuro-surgeon managed to work for 12 hours easily. One of my neuro professors did a back-to-back neurosurgery thrice, making for a 2 days continuous work. And he never made a mistake.
Of course, my biggest motivation was that I knew that this continent would plunge into war in the coming decades. So, I needed my soon to be prime healer to be capable of continuously working for days at peak efficiency.
The only monstrous part was her age. Looking at a village kid of Ye Lingling's age playing around with a ball, I grimaced. It was only now that I understood genius' didn't have it easy either.
Well, not like anyone did. I guess that was life.
My innate bouts of philosophy were new thing I found as we were travelling. As it was the case with travelling, we eventually ran out of spices, herbs and other essentials.
So, the large group had stopped for resupplying in this nameless village. I must say, ours was a really large group.
Teacher, me and Ye Lingling's family.
The blacksmith apprentices that the teacher brought with him. Then there were blacksmiths who followed him for more than a decade.
Of course, the most recent addition from the escape from the Star Luo empire, Ju Lian's family.
Considering how much I knew Ju Lian and his circumstance, they could be considered loyal.
Unfortunately, the good news ended there.
The most glaring and nightmare inducing additions to the group were the tracker team who got discarded during the conflict between royalty.
Yep, they were here.
You see Ju Lian met us based on the information my mirror forge clone had left. Unfortunately, it meant that the tracker team tracked them. Luckily, they were following not just us but also our actions. Meaning, they were turning coat.
It was understandable considering that they were not nobles who can go back with ease even after offending the empress. If the empress told them to die even in the most indirect way that filled with schemes and betrayal, they must die like excellent dogs.
Well, their escape from Star Luo empire told me that they didn't want to die. It was understandable. But, their request to join our group wasn't.
Frankly, I was surprised at their decision.
No, it was better that I was fully suspicious.
The tracker team was the most elite hounds of the Star Luo empire, delving into the underworld, skilled in information trade and not forget their investigation skills.
If someone escaped empire's influence like I did, they were the ones that were sent in pursuit.
But, for them to be the one to escape was surprising. They wanted to travel with us till Heavenly Dou empire.
In their words, the more numbers, the tougher it was for the assassins and bounty hunters to attack us.
Teacher and I only agreed after looking at their strength that would act as a buffer in case of fights. Of course, their tracking and anti-tracking experience would invaluable. Hence, my lack of sleep for days and constant looking over my shoulder, imagining betrayal everywhere and at any time.
It was to the point that I took up healing everyone I could, to relive my stress by falling into the familiar rhythm I followed an entire lifetime.
"You know, I could smell your suspicion a mile. In fact, it is easy to see it on your face. The scrunched forehead and glaring eyes at my team make it all the way more obvious."
I looked towards the black-haired man, who was the definition of big-boned body and wide chin. His hair that grew all over his face and limbs looked like a tangled fur that made him look like a dog. Ironic, when I considered his martial soul.
"Good, that was my intention. I needed a reminder both to me and rest of my group that you guys were suspicious. So, I took up the task of becoming the reminder."
Looking at his clenched fists, I decided to acknowledge one thing. Either this guys were really good at acting and that implied he was a spy. Or he was emotional, and he was telling the truth. The chances of former was less considering that I was not worthy enough to put a spy in my circle.
"Still, I am sorry for not trusting you. After all, You guys are the hounds of empire."
Looking at the Tracker team head -Shian Ti, a soul king with Basker Hound marital soul, I stood firm in my words. Afterall, this guy alone could kill my entire group. Even teacher, a rank 42 soul ancestor, won't be able to stop him.
Afterall, my teacher was a normal soul master and not a monstrous genius that could cross levels and fight against a soul king. Hence, came the biggest reason for us travelling. I couldn't do anything if they did want to travel with us.
"While my group might help you wear off the small bounty hunters, but it also means that we would have to face the hunters coming to kill a soul king like you."
Shian Ti shook his head and said, "Zhang Kun, sir, do you know the condition of the empire right now?"
I jokingly said, "A pot that is about to explode."
Shian Ti spoke in his monotone voice, saying, "No, it was a pot that was about to explode. Now, it is a ball of flames and chaos. My contacts in the underworld tell me that the factions of the princes are being reorganized. Marriage alliances are being broken and remade, and there are assassinations taking place everywhere. The second prince seeks revenge, while the first prince retaliates. The underworld is making immense profits in their trade, so much that what they earned in the last few weeks surpassed their earnings in the last decade. I know of at least a dozen assassinations on both sides, some successful and others unsuccessful."
Well, fuck. This was worse. I was expecting a game of thrones like political battle royale, not the unchained killing fest.
"In fact, you were lucky in keeping the second prince alive, otherwise you would have been dead no matter what preparations you made. Him being alive to take revenge against the first prince was the only thing that ensured our safe escape."
SIGH
It was pure luck at that part. It had been a complete fluke in keeping him alive, completely based on a gut instinct that Dai Weisi might have betrayed me. I expected bloodshed, not this convoluted mess.
"In fact, if the condition of the empire was anything other than this, we would have been dead from the occasional soul emperor or soul saint sent by them. But all the higher powers are tied up in keeping themself safe, leaving offhanded underworld bounties on us rather than official announcements of betrayal. In fact, we already had a dozen attacks, but all of them were weak, at best soul ancestors or soul elders levels. So, my team dealt with them, so you don't need to thank us for this."
I could only say, "Fuck, we are in your debt, then. But why join us if you can handle yourself so well? We would be a burden to you."
He pointed at me and the distant Ye Lingling who was healing the last few soul masters. "Because you represent a chance for a stable future. I can guess you guys are heading for Heavenly you academy and will try to connect with the nine-heart flowering apple wielder in it. We want to join you for passage into the Heavenly Dou empire. Our past identity might never allow entry into the Heavenly Dou empire or any other major forces for employment. But citizenship or being allowed to be a mercenary is possible as long as someone can vouch for us."
"You are really holding me in high regard, but I am sorry to say, I am not so sure that I can enter the academy. Much less vouch for problematic folks like you."
He nodded as if it was natural, "That is why we will only travel with you till the empire. If you can arrange that, then it is good, otherwise we will part ways to find ourselves another backing or help."
After some brief silence filled with thinking, he said, "I think it is best to inform you of this. While the chaos will be increasing overtime, it will end rather swiftly, and peace will be restored to the empire."
Hence, securing it's strength and free up the empire hands that needed to vent it's anger.
I couldn't help but say, "Who can do that? I don't know how, but even the emperor can't intervene in the conflict for the throne. Who else can stop everyone?"
Shian 'Tis voice finally had an emotion, an emotion of fear. "The Dai family. Filled with the descendents of Royalty who didn't inherit the White tiger martial soul but possess a diverse variety of Top-class martial souls. Every one of them was grown strong under the resources of the Star lo empire. Their existence is only for a single reason- Ensure that the conflict for the throne never threatens the strength of empire. Considering the situation, they will move and when they do, they will be swift. I don't know when, but I estimate that we have about two more months before the situation stabilizes. Then the empire remembers the ant that bite them in the past- us."
As if pleased with my reaction to his warning, he continued, "So, Zhang Kun, we want to travel with you to converse with our strength. In doing so, we save ourselves some effort when facing the many weaklings attacking us. Because of the sheer advantage of numbers we will have with our groups combined, they would dare attack."
What could I say? It was fucking obvious. Even if it meant that I would not sleep properly for a long term.
I said, "Yes, we will be happy to have you."
Shian Ti smiled with his entire face changing to accommodate his wide smile, "Good, where is our next destination.
"We are going to the Star Luo Forest for my second ring."
Of course, I had reached rank 20. After all, a 20000-year-old soul bone was a treasure that wasn't meant for soul masters like me. It was usually held by soul kings or soul emperors. Such rapid jump in soul power left me giddy with happiness. However, I needed time to master the increased reserves and also condense the soul power more. It would take months, but I could do that anywhere. Rather than risk it among the society, I planned to spend the next couple of months in the forest.
Afterall, my soul ring hunting would take months. That was a generous estimate considering that I found the target immediately.
He nodded as if it was alright.
"I have a suggestion for you."
I nodded, considering what he wanted to say.
"You better should avoid sending your teacher or his apprentices into the towns or villages. They have really loose lips. A few nights of sex and booze made them reveal your travel plan to my people. Don't worry, I cleaned the trails they unintentionally left behind."
SMACK
While my face smack hurt, I needed to do so to control myself. Thank god, I didn't reveal the exact route and plan to enter heavenly duo empire, otherwise these guys would have sucked the info from teacher and made off on their own.
The only reason these guys didn't attack or become violent was because we don't have any enmity between us.
That and the fact that the mirror forge clones could double their chance of survival.
But those clones could only be made if enough resources were invested. I can already see all the accumulated wealth from our blacksmith branch being exhausted in making a clone for Shian Ti, but the sheer prospect of having two soul king powers was exciting.
"TEACHER, You Have a job."
Teacher Mo Tian, who was sitting beside the woman subordinate that came with Shian Ti, made me realize she was the one who sucked the info out of him. I think her name was Su Muan.
"Leave it to me, my student. I will start forging right hand."
He immediately took out metals after metals. Fucking asshole, no wonder my paranoid self-agreed to this offer. My own teacher betrayed me by giving info about all the buttons to push me.
Just so, he could wet his dick.
He was no longer even bothering to hide that fact. Looking at the materials needed for mirror clone; I wanted to scream at teacher and cuss like a sailor.
Despite my looks of wrath, teacher released his martial soul, "Now, you furry dog, cut your wrist and fill this tank with blood."
Looking at the nauseating tank that is bigger than an elephant, I understood Shian Ti's thoughts, "No need to worry, we have the best healing martial soul in the world. So, you don't need to worry about your health. So, bleed more with a peace of mind."
——————3 months later, 5 months since escaping the empire ————
"Ice control"
"Gear 5: Rippling hammer."
BOOOOM
It was the 35th crushing defeat for the 900-year-old red tiger and it finally yielded with the proof of it's predecessor shown in front of it. Looking at my 900-year-old 1st soul ring, it shown its consent.
MEOWWWW
Looking at the tiger that had crouched in defeat, exhausted from constant healing from Ye Lingling and spars with me. I felt like crying too. After all, I also underwent the cycle of healing and spars like it.
No, even more so I know that given enough time, I could grow my body enough to surpass the 1000-year-old limit for the second ring. But, I had no time. In order to enter the Heavenly Dou academy, I need to increase my value as much as possible.
Spending a half year to break the limit of my body was the same as committing suicide.
But, I was still unwilling. It was because of the strengthening effect of the soul bone that I could actually break the limit now. After taking the second ring, the effect will decrease. Meaning I would lose the chance to break the limit.
Meaning, I need another opportunity all over again.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Having vented my anger and feelings, I went towards the red tiger whose attribute was flame.
"Start the procedure."
MEOW
[Processing….
Analyzing….
Red Tiger: Soul sync 40%
Recommended change to Red Tiger: Change the soul power from the claws to the tail in the reverse path of the Flame cloak.
Recommended Change to Host: Change the soul power path to the navel and pelvis through the passage through the liver.]
With prior experience from teaching the Ice Tiger, I grabbed the red tiger's tail and pulled it with all my strength. "Pull the soul power from your flame skill into here."
MEOW
I followed the suggestion made from the vast database I made.
[ Soul sync: 63% [temporary] ]
"Enough, time to fuse. Start the sacrifice, Red Tiger."
ROARR
Looking at the red ball of light that is zipping through the air for me, I immediately sat down in my position to guide the absorption. Finally, with the large amount of prior data and experience, I got to start a harmless experiment.
[Experiment: External bone-tail
Guide the soul ring self-sacrifice to the portal vein, spinal ganglion, lumbar plexus and the pelvic bones in the order of ….]
Yes, I plan to get myself an external bone. I shouted at the Red Tiger to guide its essence into my veins.
'Now, head towards the navel. Good, now towards my back. Hurry, damn it.'
Fuck, it hurts.
'Fucking stupid idiot, not that way.'
MEOW
I don't think I can bear this much longer.
Ohh! That actually felt good. So, passing the essence through their feels this good.
Fuck
'Yes, yes, finally. Let's now go to the pelvic bone. YES,'
ROARRR
[Processing... Experiment failed.]
FUCK
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, IT HURTSSSSS."
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[Clash of Fire attribute and ice attribute.
Starting the instructions as per the preparations
Follow the Ice control soul paths, bring the ice attribute power to the skin at 22%
Bring the Fire attribute at 34%]
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[Change: Increase the soul power to the organs, portal vein, penis.
Ice Attribute to 98%
Fire Attribute to 87%]
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[ Clearing the soul power paths with soul power- Completed by the host
Ice Attribute -0%
Fire Attribute-0%
TING. TING. Soul ring gained]
After this miserable experience, I had to compromise with the age of the second ring and failed in the experiment. I did get my second ring.
"Flame cover."
SIZZLE
Flames literally arose all over my body like a clock. Almost as I was a human torch.
While not a direct flame control, it was the next best thing. Most importantly, it eas even better in the aspect that flames were coming from my entire body and I had no burns. This soul ring alone explored many unknown routes and possibilities to use flames without getting burned. It was enough.
OF CCOURSE NOT.
If I had a choice, I wanted Flame control. But, that was impossible to search for without a year to dedicate solely for searching. Even so, the only race that had flame control skill as a characteristic soul skill were Flame moths in Volcanic fields of Tao from the extreme south. Even so, I couldn't risk my evolution chances by absorbing a non-tiger martial soul.
In cultivation terms, it was like putting the cart before the horse.
SIZZLE
Feeling the flames on me, I aimed my hammer at a nearby tree.
BOOM
Looking at the tree that got broke and fell down, leaving the sizzling remains. I felt that the soul skill was ok. Not bad, neither was it good. At least for my standards. Well, my standards were mostly comparing with Tang San, it might be a bit too steep.
"Incredible to think your mad attempt would succeed. You broke the optimal limit."
I looked at Shian Ti, who held the entire red tiger tribe hostage with his brute strength. I wondered if he really is tracker. Or it might be the fact that the Soul King was just that strong.
Thankfully, Teacher had put a self-destruction feature in the mirror forge clone. So, if he wants to use the clone, he would have to protect us.
Teacher just smiled, knowing that I had a 900-year-old ring as my first ring.
Hey, to think that I had the same cultivation ring in both the first and second ring. It seems the plan must change.
Initially, I thought about a thousand-year fire attribute ring for 2nd soul ring and the ice worm [ice, mental] for 3rd ring. Hence balancing the attributes in my body when combined with the immortal herbs and ice-fire well, to force a martial soul evolution. A theory that apparently had success in the past, according to the 2nd prince.
Now, it seems I must force the evolution before third ring, otherwise it will be too late. Because to balance the attributes gained in the third ring, I need to waste the 4th ring. As for evolution apparent from the 5th ring, unless I was a half soul beast, it was lost because the martial soul would become too stable.
"I don't get your reason for choosing the opposite attributes. Everyone who does that are combat madman who doesn't want to have any weakness. Whatever, you succeeded. Now, if fire doesn't work, you can use ice. You will always have an advantage in battles of the same level."
"Thank you for the compliment, teacher."
"Let's party and barbecue."
"Hurray."
Looking at the blacksmiths, I could only say that blacksmithing was tiring work. No wonder they are easily led astray by booze and women. They did need to relax. Especially considering the days we spent in the forest to avoid the pursuit. Obviously, the major reason had been preparations to get the 2nd ring soul ring.
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Shian Ti patiently waited an entire day for the congratulations and celebrations to end before asking.
"So, where to next? Because we are in the forest, it is difficult to get the information. Even if my men are going back and forth for us to get the information, any delay would be a death sentence for us."
Hearing his trust in my opinion, I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you trusting my opinion so much? I mean, I am a kid, no matter how much of a genius I am."
Shian Ti gave a rather chilling answer, "It is simple: you took part in the conflict for the throne. Age doesn't have any value in that. The prince and the nobles are already putting their life and future on the line in the conflict. Such cruelty while disgusting, churns out hardened politicians and warriors, because those who cannot harden themselves die or disappear."
Those who look from outside did have a clear vision. It was true. I was sure that the students or participants in the conflict for Throne are beyond the words of mature and calculating, in a way far beyond most peers of the same age.
I thought for a while and answered the truth. "I initially planned to build my reputation slowly with healing and awakening the martial souls. Now, we need to do something big or an incident to do the same rapidly."
"I don't get it. What's with your pursuit of reputation?"
"HAHAHA! It seems you have less interest in politics or the nature of men in truth. If you found two people seeking shelter because they were banished from their village. Who will you give shelter to. Especially, if you can only choose one? Most importantly, one is an honest man who donated all his wealth to the poor. Another was a gambler who drinks all day. Like I said, you don't know why they were banished from the village."
"The Kind guy."
"Exactly. I want to be the Kind guy who gets the shelter. Of course, the reality is far more complex, but the thing is that I want to increase my value. The place we are going to next will increase my reputation and also my strength further."
We are aiming for the village, which had the rumours of Wolftaken harassing them. I was sure they are the ones mentioned in the canon, especially when considering the location.
How much would my strength increase if I get another soul bone?