CHAPTER 58: The Spark of Confidence, The Birth of a Plan

Chapter 58: The Spark of Confidence, The Birth of a Plan

"In the end, the direction of the wisdom spirit ring is up to you," Xiao Qiang said calmly, standing in the sea of his spirit. "You know me—I'm just a four-ring spirit master. There are some things I can't help with."

He spread his hands helplessly. Tianmeng was about to shake his head and politely refuse—he truly felt he didn't have the ability for such a task. But before the words left his mouth…

"Just him? Xiao Qiang, I'm not trying to be harsh, but Tianmeng is useless. Depending on him to create a wisdom spirit ring system? That's just unrealistic."

The voice of Bingdi rang out at the perfect time, cutting off Tianmeng's excuse before it could be made.

It was one thing to be looked down on by someone stronger, but to be underestimated by the person you liked—especially when it came to ability—was something Tianmeng couldn't stomach.

Just then, Xiao Qiang joined in again, not missing a beat.

"Bingdi, don't underestimate Brother Tianmeng. His talent has only ever been restricted by his race. If he were human, he might've become the first level 10 soul master in all of history."

"Him? A waste like that?" Bingdi was clearly unconvinced. Her impression of Tianmeng was formed the moment she first saw him—lazy, gluttonous, and always sleeping. She had consumed so much rare ice marrow and still believed that, if it had been her, she could've gone toe to toe with even Xuedi or Ditian.

Xiao Qiang's tone turned serious. "I know you have a deep prejudice against him, but let me ask you something. Besides Brother Tianmeng, have you ever even heard of another million-year-old soul beast?"

Bingdi frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No… but that doesn't change the fact he's a waste. A million years and still, who has he beaten?"

Before Tianmeng's self-esteem could take another hit, Xiao Qiang stepped in again.

"Ice Emperor, you may mock his strength, but don't ignore his achievements. He is the only soul beast to cross the million-year mark. Even the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, who was eventually killed by Sea God Tang San, didn't reach that level."

"In this world, the process matters, but in the end, what matters most… is the result."

"You're right," Ice Emperor responded with a proud nod.

"Well… Bingbing…" Tianmeng's voice trembled. He was on the verge of tears. After all these years, she had finally acknowledged something about him. If he wasn't trying to hold back, he might have already cried from joy.

"Humph. Even so, he's still a waste."

"Urgh…"

"Ice Emperor," Xiao Qiang said seriously, "Brother Tianmeng might be weak in combat, but among all the soul beasts, have you seen another who became a soul ring and survived? Who actually used his brain to invent a way to become immortal through soul rings and planned to create gods?"

"…Never," Bingdi muttered, glancing at Tianmeng, then looking away.

"And have you ever seen another soul beast who could figure out how to give a human a second martial soul—thus creating a top-tier twin martial soul genius?"

"…No."

"Did you know Brother Tianmeng invented something called the Explosive Ring, which lets me temporarily release power far beyond my current level?"

"…I didn't."

"Have you heard that he helped create a digestion-enhancing soul skill in my body for short-term effect?"

"…I didn't know that either."

Xiao Qiang's voice grew steadier, more convincing with every sentence.

"A million-year-old soul beast who created the concept of immortal spirit rings. A god-making plan already underway. A genius with twin top martial souls. Explosive ring development. Customized short-term digestion-boosting soul skills."

"One fluke might be luck. Two? Maybe. But so many achievements? That can't be luck. No one without ability could pull this off."

"That's right!" Tianmeng's chest puffed up proudly. He straightened his back and looked taller than ever in the spiritual sea.

"I truly believe Brother Tianmeng isn't a waste. His only flaw is being born in a race with limited potential."

"That's right!" Tianmeng echoed again, his confidence building.

"I also believe Brother Tianmeng will create a complete wisdom spirit ring system. After all, he was the very first wisdom spirit ring. If anyone can do it, he can."

"That's right!" Tianmeng beamed, his spirit filled with pride.

"But… creating a whole wisdom spirit ring system isn't something that can be done overnight. How long are you going to make us wait?" Xuedi suddenly asked, frowning slightly. Though she didn't outright deny the idea, she still questioned the timeline.

Tianmeng froze, about to blurt out "ten years," but then saw Bingdi glancing at him. His blood surged, and his pride kicked in.

"Ten… no, half a year! If I get the resources, I'll finish it in half a year!"

Xiao Qiang grinned. "That's what I'm talking about! I knew that a mere wisdom spirit ring system wouldn't be enough to stop you!"

"That's right!" Tianmeng declared, confidence surging like a wave. "Do you know who I am? The first million-year-old soul beast! The first wisdom spirit ring! The first to create a god-making plan and put it into motion! A wisdom ring system? Please! Even if it were other self-created soul skills, just tell me what you want, and I'll crack it for you in a few days!"

Xiao Qiang: "…" This guy's getting a little too carried away.

Well… whatever. He was happy, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"Brother Tianmeng, I believe in you."

With that, one human and three soul beasts began laying out the blueprint for the wisdom spirit ring system in Xiao Qiang's sea of spirit. When the planning was done, Xiao Qiang's consciousness slowly returned to his physical body.

When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a snowball and a terrified Jin Chuan, who didn't even dare to move.

Xiao Qiang looked toward the snowball. The Snow Queen gently waved her hand, and the snowball unraveled, revealing the half-frozen, powerless Soul Douluo of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.

As soon as the man fell out of the snowball, he didn't hesitate for a moment. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees in front of Xiao Qiang and the Snow Queen.

"My lord, my friend—I was blind, I was confused! Please spare my life! I'll do anything, serve you as a slave, a beast of burden—anything! This is everything I have! Please, I beg you!"

The Soul Douluo frantically took out a soul guide, holding it up in trembling hands as an offering.

Before he could finish his groveling, Xiao Qiang calmly reached out, took the soul guide, and turned away.

"Idiot. Whether I capture you or kill you, this thing is mine either way."

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