Changing the plot

"Hey, you sure about going to Star-Dou forest?" Xiao Wu's voice echoed in my mind, tinged with genuine concern. Her mental projection manifested beside me as I stood at the forest's edge, the ancient trees towering ahead like silent sentinels.

I adjusted my weight bracelet, feeling its reassuring weight. "Yeah, even with my single soul ring, I have soul power reserves equivalent to a level 30 master, possibly more. And with my new sword skills, I could easily defeat most threats or retreat if necessary." The confidence in my voice wasn't bravado—it was calculated assessment.

The forest before us was renowned throughout the continent—Star-Dou Forest, a place where spirit beasts of remarkable power dwelled. Many soul masters had entered seeking power, fewer had emerged victorious, and some had never returned at all. For most, this would be a foolhardy venture. For me, it was the next logical step.

"Are you sure about removing your hidden weapon?" Xiao Wu persisted, her translucent form shifting anxiously beside me. 

"Don't worry," I replied, starting forward along the narrow path that marked the forest's entrance. "Even if I find myself in a pinch, it would take only an instant to create another hidden weapon if needed. But I want to stop relying on such tools—they're effective against weaker opponents but less useful against soul beasts beyond 1,000 years."

I paused, surveying the forest's interior as the path gradually disappeared among the undergrowth. "Besides, I have other options. If the sword proves insufficient, I can manifest a gun. If the gun fails, I'll create more powerful armaments." A thin smile crossed my lips. "And in the worst case, I can always retreat using your spirit skill 'Teleportation'."

Xiao Wu's form floated alongside me as we ventured deeper into the forest. "So, what do you plan to get for your second soul ring? I looked through that book you gave me in our mental space, but according to your actual martial spirit, none of the soul beasts seems particularly suitable."

She continued thoughtfully, "At most, ice-aligned beasts might amplify your frost damage. Alternatively, you could choose a spiritual beast to enhance your spiritual aspects. You could even absorb a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear for its metal element, which would strengthen your creations."

I stopped mid-step, turning to her with surprise. "Wait, wait, wait—you finished the whole book?"

Xiao Wu's translucent form crossed her arms defensively. "Yeah, so what? Did you expect me to sit idle waiting for my death? I was so bored watching you swing that same sword the same way for an entire year that I decided to read through it all."

Her expression softened slightly. "I won't deny it helped me understand soul beasts better. I have to admit that humans are even more frightening in their capacity for collecting information about us. The book was simple enough that I even could proclaim to be a master of soul beast knowledge."

"Why do I feel that lately you're talking more than I do?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as we continued deeper into the forest.

"Guess who taught me that?" she replied with a knowing smirk. "Anyway, I think you should consider a spiritual soul beast. I don't believe it's safe to face a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear at your current level. It would be better to pursue one at a later stage when it can provide more advanced attack methods. So, which spirit beast are you going to choose?"

"I have to admit, I'm impressed by your research," I conceded, ducking beneath a low-hanging branch. "And you've even guessed which spirit I've been considering. But my goals remain beyond your understanding."

We had been walking for nearly two hours, gradually ascending into more dangerous territories. The forest had grown denser, the light filtering through the canopy taking on an almost ethereal quality. Wildlife sounds had diminished—a sure sign we were entering territory dominated by spirit beasts rather than ordinary animals.

I paused, reaching out for my previous achievement rewards that I have not claimed yet.

[Plot Modification: Can alter the immediate future to create specific circumstances. Warning: Significant changes may be rejected by world laws.]

I focused my intention into the card: Tian Meng would accidentally escape from ferocious beasts and sacrifice to me here.

A red notification flashed before my eyes: [Invalid Request: Exceeds Current Parameters]

I actually knew this would happen. Let me try something more aligned with natural probability.

I reformulated my request: Tian Meng would accidentally escape from ferocious beasts and will encounter me here.

This time, the System responded: [Plot Modification Card Activated: Tian Meng will encounter the host after fleeing pursuers]

To my amazement, a shimmering golden thread materialized before me—visible only to my eyes—extending from some distant point in the forest directly to my position. It pulsed once, bright as sunlight, then faded from view, though I could still sense its presence. This must be what referred to as a "string of fate"—a tangible connection between destined events.

"Let's head this way," I said to Xiao Wu, deliberately changing our course to follow the invisible thread's origin.

As we traveled along this new path, the hair on the back of my neck began to rise. We were being watched—I could feel it with the heightened awareness. My sixth sense—or Mind's Eye, provide me more heightened awareness which is very vital for survival against unknown.

An idea formed in my mind. I called out mentally to Xiao Wu, summoning her visible form beside me.

"Now what happened? Did you find your soul ring choice?" she asked, materializing fully.

"Not yet. I just called you out for a talk," I replied, simultaneously sending her mental instructions about my suspicions and intentions. Her eyes widened slightly in understanding.

"What do you even need to talk about?" she asked loudly, playing along with my improvised scheme. "Well, anyway, I'm relying on you to become a god."

I nodded, projecting my voice just enough to be overheard by our hidden observer. "Don't talk like that. You're putting in effort too."

"Like, I just became your soul ring and have to rely on you so that you could become a god and resurrect me as one." Xiao Wu sighed dramatically. "It's a pity that Gods have restricted every soul beast from ever becoming divine."

"With my talent, I could become a god of high position," I responded confidently. "But I still need soul rings from powerful soul beasts like you to support our goal."

"Yeah, if it wasn't for your ability to retain my consciousness in this spirit ring, I wouldn't have believed you." Xiao Wu circled around me, her translucent form shimmering. "But seeing you, a seven-year-old human, reach level 30 obviously gives me confidence. By the way, can you make any soul beast ring you absorb into gods?"

"No worries," I assured her, maintaining the façade. "I can easily transform any soul beast that joins me into a god and preserve their consciousness just like yours. With my divine inheritance and God-level spiritual martial soul, it's guaranteed that everyone with me can ascend. It's just a pity I couldn't find better soul rings for myself so far."

The ground beneath our feet suddenly trembled, interrupting our performance. With a tremendous eruption of soil and roots, a massive creature burst from below the earth. It had a plump, fat-looking head with a diameter exceeding one meter, its entire body stretching over seven meters in length. Its body gleamed like white jade, translucent and sparkling, with halos of light moving beneath its epidermis. A small pair of eyes on its head flickered with golden radiance. Most remarkable were the golden patterns engraved along its body at regular intervals, starting half a meter from its head—ten golden patterns in total from head to tail.

The magnificent creature regarded us with unexpected intelligence in its golden eyes. "Don't be afraid," it spoke, its voice resonating directly in our minds. "I mean no harm. I am the greatest spiritual Sky Dream Iceworm, one of the strongest in this forest. You may call me Brother Tian Meng."

It undulated closer, the golden patterns on its body pulsing with inner light. "I believe you need a soul ring for your martial spirit. I can feel that we were destined to meet here." The worm's eyes fixed on me with surprising intensity. "How about I sacrifice myself to you, like this little girl, and you promise to resurrect me as a God?"

I stared at the creature, genuinely taken aback by how smooth our plan had went—even better than anticipated. "How can you trust me this much?" I asked, curious about its immediate acceptance.

"As a spiritual soul beast, I can easily read anyone's intentions," Tian Meng replied, the golden light in its eyes brightening. "Even though I knew your words were directed at me, I sense that everything you said is the complete truth. I would rather gamble on your potential godhood than remain in this place, eventually dying or being hunted by other soul masters and ferocious beasts."

The sincerity in the spirit beast's voice was unmistakable. I straightened my posture, adopting the formal stance befitting such a significant pact. "I, Qingxue, promise on my martial spirit that I will resurrect you as a divine beast in the future and maintain your consciousness within your spirit ring, provided you assist in fulfilling my ambitions."

"I, Tian Meng, also promise on my entire cultivation that I will help you in every way possible to honor your pledge." The worm bobbed its massive head in a gesture reminiscent of a bow. "Shall I begin my sacrifice?"

"Oh, before that, wait a moment," I replied, reaching mentally into my System inventory. "I need you to do something first."

[Soul Beast Evolution Stone: Evolves a soul beast to a higher level of its bloodline regardless of current power level. ]

I withdrew the glowing, crystalline stone from system. The moment it appeared in my palm, a wave of energy pulsed outward. Not only did Tian Meng fixate on it with evident desire, but I could sense numerous presences in the surrounding forest suddenly alert and attentive. Fortunately, Tian Meng's formidable spiritual pressure kept any curious or covetous creatures at bay.

"Wow, what is that?" The worm's voice trembled with excitement. "Is that for me?"

"Yes," I confirmed, extending my hand toward the massive creature. "Consider it something from my inheritance rewards. It won't benefit me directly, but it will make you far more valuable as my spirit ring."

Tian Meng's golden eyes gleamed with newfound warmth. "Haha, from now on, you are my elder sister. I will call you Sister Qingxue." With surprising delicacy for such an enormous creature, it extended its head and consumed the evolution stone in a single gulp.

The effect was immediate and spectacular. Dark clouds gathered overhead with unnatural speed, blotting out the sun. Thunder rumbled, first distant, then directly above us, before lightning began to strike—not randomly, but precisely at Tian Meng's position. The worm's body glowed with intense white-gold radiance, so bright I had to shield my eyes.

Its form began to change, compressing and reshaping itself within a cocoon of pure energy. As thunder continued to strike the cocoon, powerful spiritual waves emanated outward in concentric circles, causing every soul beast throughout the forest to freeze in instinctive awe or fear.

Xiao Wu materialized beside me, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "What have you done? This... this is beyond a simple evolution."

"Watch," I whispered, unable to take my eyes off the transformation.

The cocoon began to crack, golden light spilling from the fissures. As the shell fell away piece by piece, magnificent butterfly wings unfurled—not physical wings, but ethereal constructs of pure spiritual energy. Ten golden flowing wave patterns adorned each wing, pulsing with power that exceeded anything I had expected.

Where the worm had been now hovered a creature of breathtaking beauty—part humanoid, part butterfly, radiating spiritual energy that made the air itself seem to sing. Tian Meng had transformed from the Sky Dream Iceworm into something far more rare and powerful—that seems even more stronger than any top soul beast.

"Sister Qingxue," the transformed being spoke, its voice melodic and layered with harmonic overtones. "I thank you for this gift beyond measure. My potential was always limited by my form, but now I can feel 'What it means to be a True Divine beast.' From now on I will be known as Crystal Ethereal Butterfly." The whole cocoon faded into spectral butterfly wings. "Now I that I can sense that thunder tribulation are meant to kill me to stop my ascension, I will start my sacrifice to you."