Chapter 3. The First Ring and the Green Light
A month had passed since the awakening ceremony in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. For most children, the days were filled with routine lessons in etiquette, basic meditation, and introductory theory on soul rings. For Ning Rongrong and Ye Chen, however, the time had been transformative.
They spent nearly every free moment together. Mornings were devoted to joint training under the supervision of Elder Gu Rong. Afternoons brought secret excursions to the garden, where they practiced combining their martial souls. Evenings were spent in quiet conversation on the covered gallery, gazing at the stars above the clan estate. Rongrong no longer behaved like a distant "princess"; with Ye Chen she was simply herself — lively, curious, occasionally petulant — a girl who had finally found someone with whom she could be genuine.
Ye Chen reciprocated fully. He listened to her endless complaints about the tedium of being an heiress, her dislike of her father's rigid training regimen, and her dreams of one day surpassing everyone in the clan. In return, he shared his thoughts — carefully, without revealing too much about his previous life. He helped her gather peach petals for herbal infusions, taught her proper breathing techniques during meditation, and simply sat beside her in silence when she grew tired and wished for quiet companionship.
Over the course of the month, their friendship deepened into something irreplaceable. Other children in the clan already whispered: "The princess and the gardener's son — what a strange pair." Rongrong merely lifted her chin proudly and replied: "He is my best friend. That is all."
Then the time arrived.
Patriarch Ning Fengzhi personally summoned them to the main hall. Standing beside him was Sword Douluo Chen Xin — one of the clan's two titled Douluo — his presence alone filling the air with the sharp, cold aura of tempered steel.
"Rongrong, Ye Chen," the patriarch began in a calm yet authoritative tone. "Both of you have reached the tenth level of soul power. The moment has come to obtain your first soul ring."
Ning Rongrong clapped her hands in delight.
"Finally! I was growing tired of waiting!"
Ye Chen merely nodded, concealing the tension within him. He understood how crucial the first ring was; it would set the direction of his martial soul's development for years to come.
"Sword Douluo Chen Xin will personally escort you to the Star Dou Forest," Ning Fengzhi continued. "He will select suitable spirit beasts. Return with your rings. And remember: safety above all else."
At dawn the following day, they set out.
The Star Dou Forest greeted them with thick mist and distant roars of spirit beasts. Chen Xin moved ahead — tall, silent, the sword on his back seeming an extension of his own body. He spoke little, merely indicating direction with occasional gestures.
Their first target was Ning Rongrong.
The Sword Douluo halted at a small clearing surrounded by tall trees with violet bark.
"Here," he stated concisely. "A suitable beast."
From the undergrowth emerged a spirit beast — an elegant Moon Illusion Rabbit, approximately 280 years old, its silver-blue fur soft and shimmering, eyes glowing with gentle lunar radiance. Long ears twitched, catching every sound. The creature was swift, cunning, and possessed innate illusion abilities — perfect for an auxiliary-type martial soul focused on support.
With a single motion of his sword, Chen Xin sealed off its escape routes. The rabbit attempted to create several illusory copies of itself, but the titled Douluo merely smirked.
"Rongrong. Your move."
The girl nodded. She summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and released the first tier — red. Strength struck the rabbit, freezing it for an instant. The second tier — orange — boosted her own speed. She dashed forward, extended her hand, and struck the beast's head with all the accumulated soul power she possessed.
The rabbit let out a pitiful squeak and collapsed. Its body slowly dissolved into golden light. Above it formed the first soul ring — yellow, tinged with faint silver.
Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged and began absorption. The process proceeded smoothly; her body was enveloped in soft seven-colored radiance. Half an hour later, she opened her eyes and sprang to her feet with joy.
"First ring! The skill is called 'Illusion Strength'!" she announced excitedly. "Now my pagoda can create weak illusions around allies, confusing enemies! It also slightly increases movement speed!"
Chen Xin gave a nod of approval.
"A good choice. Now it is your turn, Ye Chen."
They pressed deeper into the forest. The air grew warmer, denser. An hour later, Sword Douluo stopped at a scorched clearing. At its center stood a Fire Hound — a large beast with blazing red fur and eyes like burning coals. Age: approximately 320 years. Heat radiated from its body; each step left melted footprints on the ground.
"Suitable," Chen Xin said briefly. "Attack type. It will strengthen your hat in close combat."
Ye Chen stepped forward. He summoned the Nephrite Hat; it settled obediently on his head, emitting a faint green glow.
The hound snarled and lunged. Ye Chen dodged, sensing how the hat sharpened his perception — the brim quivered slightly, guiding him to the trajectory of the attack. Though physically weak, a month of training with Rongrong had honed his reflexes. He rolled aside, then thrust his hand forward.
The hat reacted instantly: a stream of green light shot from its brim and enveloped the hound. For a fraction of a second, the beast's movements slowed, as though weighed down. Ye Chen seized the opening, closed the distance, and struck the muzzle with a fist empowered by tenth-level soul power. The blow was modest, but sufficient. The hound howled and fell.
Chen Xin ended the fight with a single sword stroke. The ring formed — bright yellow with a reddish sheen.
Ye Chen sat on the ground and began absorption. Heat from the ring surged through his body, making his blood boil. The pain was sharp yet bearable. After some time, he opened his eyes.
First ring.
Skill acquired.
He stood, summoned the hat, and mentally activated the technique.
"It is called 'Green Light'," Ye Chen stated calmly, though a trace of astonishment colored his voice.
Above him erupted a pillar of nephrite-green radiance. His entire body was bathed in the glow — muscles swelled with power, vision sharpened, breathing became deep and steady. Every cell screamed with overflowing energy.
"Upon activation, Green Light descends upon me," he explained, looking at Ning Rongrong and Chen Xin. "All physical attributes increase by two hundred percent: strength, speed, endurance, reaction — everything doubles and more. Duration… I do not yet know precisely. But the effect is powerful."
Rongrong gasped and hurried to his side.
"Two hundred percent?! That is… incredible! You will become so fast and strong!"
Chen Xin merely inclined his head.
"Not bad for a first ring. A tool-type soul with such amplification is uncommon. We return."
On the journey back, Ning Rongrong did not stop talking for a moment. She repeatedly touched Ye Chen's arm, enthusiastically describing how unbeatable they would become together. Ye Chen smiled in response, yet inwardly he analyzed.
Green Light. Doubling of physical attributes. At present, it appeared to be a straightforward enhancement. But he knew: the hat was far from ordinary. Its true power had yet to reveal itself. And when it did… the price would be steep.
For now, however, he walked beside his best friend, feeling the warmth of her small hand in his. For the first time in a long while, he permitted himself to believe that this path might not lead only to darkness.
At least — not yet.