"Lightning Mink…"
Gui Mei paused, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.
"My lord, the Lightning Mink is a rather rare soul beast, known for its extraordinary speed. I once encountered one roughly two thousand years old, back when my soul power had already reached Rank 72—and even then, I couldn't catch it."
That remark stirred Gui Mei's memory. He recalled the time he scoured the forest for a soul beast compatible with his martial soul and chanced upon a Lightning Mink.
"Not only is it lightning fast, but it also possesses powerful thunder-based energy. Soul beasts or soul masters of the same rank are no match for it. Even those a rank or two above might not be able to subdue it."
"Powerful thunder energy…"
Aether murmured softly to himself. That kind of elemental power sounded like it could greatly benefit Yu Keke's innate martial soul.
"When a soul master absorbs a soul ring from a beast, is there a chance they gain innate abilities from it?"
"Yes," Gui Mei replied, "soul skills are generally influenced by the attributes of the soul beast. Only in rare cases are they unrelated."
"Fire Meow Meow," Aether turned to the creature, "do you know where Lightning Minks often appear?"
Fire Meow Meow nodded vigorously, eyes lighting up with excitement.
Seeing how eager it looked, Aether asked suspiciously, "Fire Meow Meow, do you have a grudge with the Lightning Minks or something? You look like you can't wait to go beat one up."
"My lord, danger… was hurt… but with you… not dangerous…"
Fire Meow Meow froze, then answered with slight guilt.
"So you're saying it's a dangerous place and you got hurt there before, but with my brother around it'll be fine?"
Yu Keke crouched down and gently patted Fire Meow Meow's head, as if translating its broken speech.
Fire Meow Meow nodded again, rubbing against her hand in a fawning manner.
Before meeting Aether, it had lived its whole life in the Star Dou Great Forest. Thanks to its natural talent for flame elements, it had quickly adapted to the law of the jungle.
But there's always a stronger beast. While Fire Meow Meow was gifted, the Star Dou Great Forest was the largest soul beast sanctuary on the continent—home to countless soul beasts, many with extraordinary talent like its own, and a few that were monsters among monsters.
During a territory skirmish, Fire Meow Meow had crossed paths with one of those monsters.
Had it not relied on its unique fire-type soul power to barely escape with its life, it would've long become fertilizer for some ancient tree.
It would never forget—those who hunted it down most ferociously were from the Lightning Mink clan under the command of the Beast King…
As it fled for its life, it endured wave after wave of punishing thunderbolts. Though painful, those strikes inadvertently tempered its body.
Still, it wasn't some masochist. It wouldn't go provoking Lightning Minks just to toughen itself up.
Piss them off too much, and with the power it had at the time, it wouldn't have stood a chance.
The only reason it escaped was because it was fighting for its life, while they were merely following orders from their boss…
"Alright then, we'll go hunt a Lightning Mink."
Aether weighed the idea and decided it was the right choice for Keke's third soul ring.
Let's just hope her body's martial soul doesn't break under my 'stone-by-stone bridge-building' approach. Otherwise, I'd be just like Yu Xiaogang leading Tang San down the wrong path…
Brrr~
Aether shivered.
"Keke, here's how I see it. The Lightning Mink isn't just compatible with your martial soul—it also possesses thunder energy."
"That thunder energy might help temper your body, making you physically stronger.
That way, when you hit the bottleneck for awakening, your physique and spiritual force will be more balanced. What do you think?"
He laid out everything he had in mind, hoping she'd understand where he was coming from—and to see if anyone else had suggestions.
"Let's go with the Lightning Mink, big bro! I'll do whatever you say, hehe~"
Yu Keke replied with a bright, toothy grin.
Even though she didn't understand everything her brother said, he sounded so knowledgeable!
And if there was anyone in this world she could trust without question, it was her brother—and Paimon.
No one else even came close.
So, no matter what it was, she'd always follow his lead.
That didn't mean she was dumb—on the contrary, she was incredibly smart.
"You…"
Aether chuckled softly. Then he turned toward the two Titled Douluo.
"What do you two think?"
From a martial soul standpoint, these two had far more experience than the scattered fragments he retained in memory.
"My lord, what you just mentioned—is it the cultivation method for a body-type martial soul?"
Gui Mei looked like he had just grasped something profound.
"Yes. It's a method I pieced together from incomplete records."
"Then I agree with your plan. Even if the final results don't match your expectations, the Lightning Mink still complements Miss Keke's martial soul perfectly."
Yue Guan analyzed the situation and offered a level-headed opinion.
"What about you, Paimon? Got any thoughts?"
Paimon spread her hands. "You already know I don't know anything~"
"…"
Aether's mouth twitched. Right. Her brain wasn't exactly the most reliable resource in this world.
"Well then, since we've chosen the soul beast for Keke's third ring, we'll set off once Zhuqing finishes her absorption."
He turned to Fire Meow Meow. "Why don't you scout ahead?"
Roar!
With a sharp cry, Fire Meow Meow bounded into the jungle, vanishing in a flash.
Huh. That one might really have some unfinished business with the Lightning Minks…
Watching it disappear into the foliage, Aether shook his head.
Fine. If he could help Keke get her soul ring and help Fire Meow Meow get some revenge, why not?
"My lord, earlier… the awakening you spoke of—does that only apply to body-type martial souls?"
Gui Mei stepped forward, face serious, and cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
He'd been stuck at his current level for far too long. If he couldn't break through soon, even Yue Guan might become a Titled Douluo before him.
Then their nickname "Twin Douluo" would be meaningless—because he'd be the one dragging them down.
"Yes. Body-type martial souls usually undergo three awakening stages: Bronze, Silver, and Gold."
Aether recalled carefully before casting a glance at Gui Mei.
"You've likely been stuck on the second awakening stage."
"The second awakening…"
Gui Mei repeated the words softly, then bowed deeply with both hands cupped.
"My lord, I beg you—please help me!"
_
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