Ge Long clasped his hands respectfully in front of him, his posture slightly bowed.
"Hahaha! There's no need to be so formal, Ge Long. We're all family here. Just call him Lin Feng. This little guy might need your help in the future."
Lin Ye glanced at Ge Long, nodding with a satisfied smile.
"Then let us head out together."
On the way, Lin Feng activated his system and used [Trait Insight] on Ge Hu.
[Innate Soul Power: Rank 8]
[Soul Power: Rank 20]
[Martial Soul: Purple-Scaled Wolf (High-Tier)]
[Traits: General's Son (Green), Military Strategist (Green), Innate Soul Power Rank 8 (Purple)]
Lin Feng was slightly surprised, but it made sense. As the eldest son of the future Marshal of the Heaven Dou Empire, such talent was expected.
As they entered the Soul Hunting Forest, tall trees blanketed the sky. In the outer region, low-level soul beasts roamed and roared, displaying their ferocity.
The group moved swiftly through the woods, though they still hadn't found suitable soul beasts for Lin Feng and Ge Hu. Soon, they ventured deeper into the outer perimeter.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A Groundscale Armored Beast charged toward them.
This crocodile-like soul beast was about five meters long, with barrel-like limbs and pitch-black armor plates, each the size of a palm, giving off a formidable aura.
The system activated, presenting its stats:
[Name: Groundscale Armored Beast]
[Traits: Ironhide (White), Cowardly (White)]
There was no time to read further. The beast charged forward, its massive jaws gaping.
Lin Feng and Ge Hu leapt in opposite directions.
"Ge Hu, that's a Groundscale Armored Beast. Its age is around 700 years—perfect for you," Ge Long said calmly.
He stepped forward, unsheathing his blade. In a flash, his sword pierced through the beast's mouth and severed its tail.
The Groundscale Armored Beast collapsed.
Ge Hu stepped forward, his clawed hand gleaming with scales. With a clean strike, he broke its neck.
A yellow soul ring slowly rose into the air.
"Well done, Ge Long. That didn't take long at all. Congratulations to you and Hu'er," Lin Ye said, smiling.
"Thank you, General," Ge Long nodded.
"Alright. You stay here and guard Hu'er while he absorbs his soul ring. I'll take Feng'er elsewhere to look for his."
After walking a bit further—
"Father, who exactly is Uncle Ge Long? You seem very close."
"Ge Long? His family used to be a small noble house. Their inherited martial soul was the Purple-Scaled Wolf. But later, Ge Long awakened the top-tier martial soul, Ya Zi. After joining the Heaven Dou Empire, he rose quickly through the ranks with countless military merits and was granted the title of Viscount. Now, he works under me. He's steady, modest, and promising."
Oh? So he's a direct subordinate of Father's. No wonder he's so close.
Lin Feng nodded, already thinking about cultivating ties with the Ge family. After all, Ge Long was destined for greatness.
"Come, Feng'er. Let's check out that lake up ahead. I sensed a soul power fluctuation there."
They reached the lake and saw a few soul beasts fighting over water.
"Hmm… Doesn't look like any of them suit you, Feng'er."
As they turned to leave, rustling came from the nearby brush.
Lin Feng raised his voice.
Lin Ye immediately blasted the foliage with his soul power.
A crimson serpent with red markings and a wide head slithered into view, startled by the blast. It was at least ten meters long, its body covered in red scales.
"Hahaha! A Scarlet Flame Serpent! Just over four hundred years old. Perfect for you, Feng'er."
Lin Feng quickly scanned it.
[Name: Scarlet Flame Serpent]
[Traits: Predator (White), Constrictor (White)]
"Wait here, Feng'er. I'll take care of it."
Lin Ye vanished into the trees.
Moments later, he returned, carrying the nearly-dead serpent.
"Feng'er, it's all yours."
With the longsword Lin Ye handed him, Lin Feng ended the serpent's life. A yellow soul ring rose from the corpse.
Following his father's guidance, Lin Feng sat down and began absorbing the soul ring.
As the process concluded—
[Congratulations. You have acquired a Yellow Soul Ring. New Trait Unlocked: Analysis.]
[Analysis (White): You gain unique insights into everything you observe.]
[All Traits reset. All current traits may now be refreshed.]
Yes! A new trait slot at last!
Lin Feng's heart raced with excitement.
So all traits can now be refreshed?
Without hesitation, he began refreshing.
[Refreshing Trait: Trait Insight… Congratulations. Trait has advanced in rarity.]
[Refreshing Trait: Lightning Reading… Congratulations. Trait has advanced in rarity.]
[Refreshing Trait: Analysis… Congratulations. Trait has advanced in rarity.]
Wait—three traits upgraded at once?
What kind of luck is this?
Lin Feng could hardly believe it.
Hahaha! Must've been saving up luck all month.
He first looked at the upgraded [Trait Insight] options:
[Outstanding Talent (Purple): Your innate soul power is full rank.]
[Fortune Magnet (Purple): You attract great wealth and treasures wherever you go.]
[Trait Insight (Purple): You may now view and refresh others' traits. Cooldown: 6 months. Maximum upgrade level: Purple.]
Purple-level Trait Insight… and I can now change others' traits?
No doubt about it, I'm picking this one.
As for the other two—full innate soul power and treasure magnet—they can't beat this.
A power that lets me alter fate itself?
Lin Feng grinned widely.