After marking the Moonlight Giant Puffshroom, everything proceeded exactly according to Xiao Lin's plan.
When Xiao Gui was brought above the center of the lake by Stone Egg, the dragon staff in her hand—originally the size of a pair of chopsticks—suddenly expanded.
Once Xiao Lin activated his soul skill, the staff reverted to its original fearsome form.
Its bright silver metallic luster made it impossible for Xiao Gui's delicate hands to hold; she couldn't even lift it properly, let alone throw it.
Xiao Lin silently sighed at his own oversight again. Fortunately, this time, he had Stone Egg fly a bit higher.
With the terrifying force of gravity and acceleration, the dragon staff would still unleash its former destructive power.
Xiao Lin activated his Indestructible Diamond Body Technique, entered his Soul Weapon True Form, and linked his soul power with the dragon staff.
Standing on the lakeshore, Xiao Lin instantly released his first soul ring.
"First soul skill: Heaven and Earth Toss."
With the attack boost from the soul skill, Xiao Gui could no longer handle the weapon's immense weight, not even with brute strength.
But then, she suddenly remembered the past two or three days of travel—all the effort everyone had put in just for this soul ring.
In that moment, emotions surged in her heart: bonds, trust, friendship…
Though nothing dramatic had happened, Xiao Gui chose to believe in Xiao Lin's plan, to believe in the possibility he described.
She let go of the dragon staff, ignoring the damage it had caused to her hands—now red and burning from friction.
A beautiful smile curved at her lips, and she believed: I can do this.
She closed her eyes and silently prayed.
"Boom!"
A huge splash exploded on the lake, making the entire surface churn again.
The immense destructive force sent water shooting ten meters high, soaking both Stone Egg and Xiao Gui.
At this moment, Xiao Gui didn't care that her dress was drenched—her mind was entirely focused on becoming a food-type soul master.
"I hold a handful of osmanthus blossoms!"
"I hold a handful of osmanthus blossoms!"
Osmanthus! Osmanthus!Moonlight shining on frost-kissed blossoms!
Suddenly, the soul incantation in Xiao Gui's heart changed. She didn't know why, but she preferred the new version and kept repeating it in her mind.
A few seconds later, as the flying spray from the lake fell back down, a bright yellow soul ring gradually rose in the center of the lake.
Since the area had just been blasted by Xiao Lin, no other soul beasts would be foolish enough to approach this dangerous spot.
So Xiao Lin could be 100% certain—this soul ring belonged to the Moonlight Giant Puffshroom.
Judging by its color, it wasn't as vivid as Xiao Lin's own soul ring, nor as deep as Tang San or Xiao Wu's.
"Around 250 years,"Tang San commented from the shore, his eyes flashing purple.
He had studied the soul rings of Xiao Lin, Xiao Wu, Su Yuntao, Stone Egg, and many others.
Now, he could roughly estimate a soul ring's age from its soul power fluctuations.
"That's pretty good, perfect for Sister Xiao Gui's first soul ring,"Xiao Lin said with his arms crossed, nodding with satisfaction. The next step was to see if absorbing it would turn her martial soul into a food type.
At the center of the lake, since the Moonlight Giant Puffshroom wasn't near the limit for a first soul ring, even with Xiao Gui's mediocre talent, she easily endured the ring's impact.
Soon, the light-yellow ring was drawn into her martial soul.
Her previously ordinary yellow osmanthus flower now emitted a soft, glowing radiance.
The light, like fireflies, wasn't strong—but everyone could feel a qualitative leap in her martial soul.
After absorbing the ring, Xiao Gui narrowed her amber eyes and smiled faintly.
Clearly, she had sensed her soul skill and was pleased with it.
Once Stone Egg brought her back to shore, everyone eagerly gathered around to ask about her new skill.
"Xiao Gui, did your martial soul turn into a food-type one?"Su Yuntao was especially curious and asked first.
If she had a food-type martial soul, he could even bring her into the Spirit Hall.
Joining the Spirit Hall would make it easier for her to earn money and avoid being bullied by other soul masters.
Hearing this, Xiao Gui frowned slightly and shook her head."Not yet. Let's just say… it's edible."
Xiao Gui understood her martial soul better than anyone.
Xiao Lin wasn't surprised by her answer.
If it succeeded on the first try, wouldn't that be too easy?
"Sister Xiao Gui, what's your soul skill?"Xiao Wu asked curiously. If it was edible, that meant the transformation was more than halfway done.
She had been craving Tang San's Blue Silver Grass for months.
"Moonlight Shines on Osmanthus Frost."
Xiao Gui softly recited her soul incantation, and her yellow soul ring glowed.
In an instant, golden osmanthus blossoms floated toward Xiao Wu.
A strange sensation washed over Xiao Wu's skin—it was extremely soothing and pleasant.
"My first soul skill summons a few osmanthus blossoms for healing. If eaten, the effect becomes internal and increases a teammate's vitality."
"The skill's effectiveness is tied to my own life force. The more flowers, the better the effect."
"Eating a handful of osmanthus can increase a teammate's vitality by 30%."
Xiao Gui wasn't completely sure of her soul skill's full potential—she would need to learn through use.
"Xiao Gui, would you like to join our Spirit Hall? I can personally invite you on behalf of Elder Matthew Nuo."Hearing about her healing abilities and partially food-type martial soul, Su Yuntao instantly extended the invitation.
"Sure!"
Xiao Gui agreed without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lin was busily taking notes on the soul skill's effects.
Osmanthus evolved into Moonlight Osmanthus.
Healing ability, similar to Tang San's, relies on user's vitality, mainly single-target. Can enhance healing by up to 30%?
Flower quantity can be controlled—effect can be reduced to conserve soul power.
Skill doesn't rely on moonlight; unlike Tang San or Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, there's no light-based transformation—it's purely floral.
Considering Sister Xiao Gui dislikes combat, this is fine.
Most importantly: she has a soul incantation, and the transformation into food-type is half done...
Technically, Xiao Lin could consider this a complete success—the soul skill wasn't inferior to Oscar's—but...
The soul skill consumed too much energy.
It lacked the cost-efficiency and stamina of a full food-type soul. So, Xiao Lin considered it a half-success.
Being edible is already great. If Tang San's Blue Silver Grass can be eaten too, that counts as half a success.
"Sister Xiao Gui, any other details? What were you thinking at that moment?"
Xiao Lin pestered Xiao Gui for answers—but was immediately pushed aside by the Flirty Rabbit.
"Ignore Brother Lin. Sister Xiao Gui, change into dry clothes first, then let me try the osmanthus frost. I wanna see how it tastes!"
Xiao Wu hugged Xiao Gui's arm, eyes full of longing, mouth already watering.
Big glutton. Hungry bunny.
Xiao Lin cursed internally. Still, the Soul Hunting Forest was dangerous, and he didn't want Sister Xiao Gui catching a cold either.
He didn't argue—he could ask her again later.
But then…
"Tang San?"
"Yeah, I felt it too. A sense of foreboding."
Tang San and Xiao Lin were so attuned to each other that sometimes just a glance said it all.
"Let's hope it's not trouble caused by blowing up the lake..."
Xiao Lin tightly gripped his dragon staff, unwilling to let go. From beneath his black hair, a pair of small Mighty Minotaur horns peeked out.
(End of Chapter)