With Su Xuan and the others' help, the steel teeth were extracted from Fang Xin's legs. The sudden onslaught of trauma proved overwhelming; even after the metal shards were removed, they left behind ragged wounds that bled freely. Yet, Fang Xin didn't utter a sound. After applying some medicinal paste, she regained her footing surprisingly quickly, though strenuous activity remained out of the question.
Given the expedition's primary goal of assisting the younger students in acquiring hundred-year soul beasts, no dedicated healing soul masters were present. As Su Xuan explained, support-type soul masters specializing in healing were a rare commodity, and other commitments precluded their inclusion in this particular venture. However, they were well-stocked with medicines, many derived from the unique soul skills of auxiliary soul masters.
"Big brother, don't you possess incredible healing abilities? You erased my wound completely; not even a scar remains!" Luo Pupu exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Her words prompted Su Xuan and the other students to cast curious glances in Yin Xiaoya's direction.
He grinned, nonchalantly displaying the Dolphi Wizard Ring on his finger. "Oh, you're referring to this." He explained, "Just as some of your soul skills require a cooldown period, so does mine. While the healing effect is potent, it needs a full day to recharge."
Jing Tieyang, having finished a bite of his dry rations, regarded Yin Xiaoya with newfound interest. His initial wariness had subsided, replaced by a burgeoning curiosity. After absorbing Yin Xiaoya's explanation, he inquired, "So, this isn't a martial soul. Does the cooldown you mentioned imply that it needs to replenish its internal soul power independently?"
Yin Xiaoya nodded, clarifying that the ring couldn't be recharged artificially. He wasn't lying; the system had informed him that, while magically modified to be compatible with soul power, the ring still relied on magical energy for continuous operation.
Driven by soul power, it required either the aforementioned cooldown period or Yin Xiaoya achieving a sufficient soul power level. Moreover, originating from the system, the ring was exclusively bound to Yin Xiaoya, rendering it unusable by others.
"Thank you, big brother," Luo Pupu said, her voice filled with gratitude. Learning that Yin Xiaoya had expended his once-a-day, life-saving ability on her sparked a deeper sense of appreciation.
Yin Xiaoya waved his hand dismissively. "Compared to a life, that's a small price."
His words resonated deeply with those present. Luo Pupu, Su Xuan, Fang Xin, and a handful of other students owed their survival, in varying degrees, to his intervention. Despite their brief acquaintance, this shared experience fostered a sense of camaraderie and goodwill toward Yin Xiaoya.
"Alright, now that that's settled, let's resume the search for Pupu's soul beast," Jing Tieyang announced. His gaze then shifted to Fang Xin, still recovering. "Young lady, what are your plans? You're alone now, and the spirit ring is already absorbed. If you wish to leave, we can escort you out of the forest."
"I…" Fang Xin hesitated. Ever since learning their affiliation with Shrek Academy, she had harbored a desire she couldn't quite articulate. Confronted with Jing Tieyang's question, she found herself at a loss. For some inexplicable reason, her eyes instinctively sought Yin Xiaoya's.
Yin Xiaoya chuckled softly. "Teacher Jing, I believe Fang Xin is a fine young woman. How about inviting her to join Shrek Academy? I think she'd be amenable to that, wouldn't you say?"
Fang Xin nodded eagerly. The recent harrowing events had underscored the necessity of aligning herself with a powerful organization to ensure her future growth and safety.
She was unwilling to risk further sacrifices from her clan. Having previously heard of Shrek Academy and now experiencing it firsthand, her favorable impressions naturally made it her top choice.
"I lack the authority to make such a decision…" Jing Tieyang began.
"Nonsense. If Fang Xin is willing, she's welcome at Shrek."
Su Xuan's interjection not only cut off Jing Tieyang but also prompted him to defer to her opinion with evident respect. This deepened Yin Xiaoya's curiosity about Su Xuan's identity. Despite being affiliated with Shrek Academy, she was addressed as "Miss." Whoever she was, she didn't exist in the Douluo world he knew.
Sensing Su Xuan's gaze, Yin Xiaoya gleaned a subtle message – that extending an invitation to Fang Xin was, in essence, doing him a favor. This wasn't the dynamic he had envisioned; he felt compelled to clarify the situation.
"You won't be disappointed. Fang Xin inadvertently acquired the soul ring intended for Pupu. Don't underestimate her. Her martial soul is a Top-Grade Martial Soul that underwent a positive mutation. If we're drawing comparisons, it's only slightly inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer."
Yin Xiaoya's words ignited genuine interest in Fang Xin. Had she been fully recovered, they would have eagerly requested a demonstration of her martial soul. Fang Xin, on the other hand, felt a surge of bewilderment as to how Yin Xiaoya knew so much about her martial soul; she hadn't disclosed anything.
This, of course, was attributable to the system. Upon witnessing a martial soul, the system instantly analyzed its characteristics. The fact that the Kamen Rider system could perform this feat after its near-month-long dormancy spoke volumes about the hard work it had done during that time.
With Fang Xin's situation resolved, they resumed their search for Luo Pupu's soul beast. Luo Pupu had initially felt disappointment at having her target stolen, but after befriending Fang Xin, her discontent quickly dissipated, embracing her as a friend. Meanwhile, the boys flocked around Yin Xiaoya, peppering him with questions about Kamen Rider. Across worlds, the allure of armored heroes proved irresistible.
Su Xuan appeared pleased by Yin Xiaoya and Fang Xin's quick integration into the group.
"Miss, setting aside the matter of the Fang family. I've never encountered anything like a Kamen Rider. While I have a favorable impression of Yin Xiaoya, he presents too many unknowns. Is it prudent to bring him back to Shrek?" Jing Tieyang murmured to Su Xuan.
Su Xuan chuckled softly. "Perhaps it's more accurate to say he possesses many secrets rather than raising doubts. As long as his character is sound, it shouldn't be a problem. I trust he'll reveal more in due time. Furthermore, I believe you can sense it: his power seems directly linked to these secrets. It's highly likely that the more secrets he holds, the stronger he becomes. Would you prefer such a formidable individual to slip through our fingers and align with another faction?"
Jing Tieyang remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. "You're right. And, coincidentally, he's also crossed paths with someone from the Martial Soul Hall. This could prove beneficial for us. Perhaps he can bolster our strength during the Martial Soul Saint Meeting."
Yin Xiaoya, observing Su Xuan's hushed conversation with Jing Tieyang, couldn't contain his curiosity. He pulled one of the students aside and asked, "Hey, what exactly is Miss Su's position at the academy? Why does someone as strong as Uncle Jing still address her as 'Miss'?"
His question elicited peculiar expressions from the other students. They averted their gazes, seemingly reluctant to answer. Just then, a hand tugged at the hem of his clothes. Luo Pupu extended a finger, tracing a cross in the air before Yin Xiaoya.
"Big brother, discussing Teacher Su's identity in private is strictly forbidden at the academy. Don't worry; if you spend enough time with her, she'll eventually reveal it."
Yin Xiaoya scratched his head, intrigued by the air of mystery. It seemed vastly different from the original timeline.
At that moment, the system interjected.
[A soul beast capable of unlocking a Kamen Rider's power has been detected. However, this soul beast's spirit ring is also highly suitable for Luo Pupu, even more so than the one Fang Xin absorbed. How should the host proceed? ]
"Is it the power of a main Rider?"
[Negative, it unlocks a secondary Rider. A personal scan of the soul beast is required to determine the specific Rider. ]
Given that it pertained to a secondary Rider, there was no pressing need to unlock it immediately. Thus, Yin Xiaoya halted Jing Tieyang, who was leading the way.
"Uncle Jing, I've located a soul beast that's even more suitable for Pupu than the previous one."
"Oh?" Jing Tieyang's eyes widened with interest. "What type of soul beast?"
"I've only pinpointed its general location. I need to confirm it in person. In any case, it's not far from here. Why don't we take a look? We have nothing to lose."
Given that this new target was purportedly more compatible than the one Fang Xin had claimed, Luo Pupu had no reason to object. "Mr. Jing, I trust big brother. Let's go see!"
"Very well, lead the way then."
Yin Xiaoya nodded, setting off in the direction indicated by the system.
Following at the rear, Jing Tieyang remarked to Su Xuan, a smile playing on his lips, "Miss, you were right. This boy harbors a multitude of secrets."
"Oh?"
"He claims to have found traces of soul beasts suitable for Pupu, but if such traces existed, wouldn't I have detected them?"
Su Xuan's eyes lit up. "You mean he possesses a unique method for locating soul beasts? Could it be related to that small locust he deployed earlier?"
"That remains to be seen. We can only wait and observe."
Guided by Yin Xiaoya, the group ventured into a swampy terrain. Approaching the area, Jing Tieyang had already detected the soul beast Yin Xiaoya had alluded to. He nodded to Su Xuan, his expression surprised, and remarked, "He's right. This soul beast is indeed the most compatible one we identified for Pupu. However, its elusive nature and the treacherous environment led us to dismiss it."
Just then, a student pointed at something wriggling in the swamp. Upon closer inspection, they discerned a long, serpentine body. Yin Xiaoya noticed that the body was adorned with green, eyeball-sized spheres. The overall visual effect was far from pleasing.
Now within scanning range, the system supplied information about the soul beast.
[Green Fruit Swamp Dragon, millennium level. Possesses dual attributes of water and wood. Unlocks Kamen Rider Ryugen's Sengoku Driver and Grape Lockseed.]
In conjunction with the system's description, an image flashed through Yin Xiaoya's mind: a Kamen Rider clad in Chinese-style armor, wielding a grape-themed dragon gun.
"Oh...so it's that brooding little grape."
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz