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--- Chapter 506 ---
Han Yuan and Mu Xi sat side by side on the soft bed, deep in discussion regarding the specific direction she should take to change her cultivation path.
"So... you're telling me that contracting a Fire Raging Lion as my Spirit Soul was a mistake?" Mu Xi blinked, her eyes wide with confusion.
Han Yuan nodded earnestly. "Mhm. Your Martial Soul manifests as a fire-attribute on the surface, but who ever said the Sun was restricted to simple flames?"
"The Sun is a celestial body, a star, and that foundational stellar force is where your cultivation should have been focused from the beginning."
"The 'fire' humans see radiating from the Sun is merely the byproduct released by its immense mass and gravity."
"What you should truly be cultivating is Solar Plasma, a super-heated, electrically charged state of matter composed of free ions and electrons that forms the core structure of the Sun itself."
"Ions... Electrons...?" Mu Xi tilted her head, her mind spinning at the unfamiliar, complex terms.
Han Yuan chuckled softly. "Well, don't overthink the science just yet. Just focus on the concept first."
"By shifting your cultivation focus toward Solar Plasma, not only will your destructive output skyrocket, but you will also gain control over certain electromagnetic forces, making your path as Battle Spirit Master much smoother."
"In fact, mastering plasma will allow you to manipulate heat and magnetic fields directly, accelerating your forging skills quickly."
"B-But... I've already contracted the Fire Raging Lion," Mu Xi murmured, her expression turning bitter. "Even though that guy is pretty lazy, we're very close."
"Breaking a Spirit Soul Contract isn't something that can just be done on a whim..."
"Well," Han Yuan reached over, gently poking her soft cheek with a playful grin. "Severing a Soul Contract isn't impossible with the right method, but why throw away a perfectly usable foundation?"
"The Fire Raging Lion has already condensed two spirit rings for you. Its origin energy and yours are deeply intertwined at this point."
"Which brings us to the far superior alternative."
"Symbiotic Mutual Evolution!"
"Symbiotic... Mutual Evolution-what?" Mu Xi's eyebrows knitted together as Han Yuan dropped yet another complex phrase.
Han Yuan offered her a reassuring, mysterious smile. "We'll go through the details step by step. But first, let's discuss this with Grandpa, Grandpa Zhen, Grandpa Mu, and Uncle Mu."
"After all, this involves the evolution of your Martial Soul's essence, Sister Mu Xi. It's an important turning point for your future."
"Okay... I trust you," Mu Xi murmured. She didn't know exactly what Han Yuan was planning to do with her martial soul and Spirit Soul, but she trusted him with all her heart.
Although they had only known each other for two weeks, their bond as siblings had grown incredibly strong.
Eventually, they walked down to the living room where the four elders were seated, enjoying tea and discussing various matters.
"Oh, you two are finally out. I was starting to think you were planning to live in that bedroom," Mu Ye teased, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "Mu Xi, you didn't do anything bad with Xiao Yuan, right?"
Mu Xi's face flushed bright red. "Elder Mu Ye, you're so annoying! W-We didn't do anything bad at all!"
Zhen Hua chuckled in amusement. "Haha, Mu Ye, stop teasing her. I don't think Little Xi even knows what kind of 'bad' you're implying."
"I do know! I'm ten! I'm practically a grown girl already!" Mu Xi declared, putting on her most intimidating glare. "Don't look down on me! I am very intelligent!"
"...It's... it's holding hands and stuff, right..." She mumbled a moment later, looking down at her curling toes in embarrassment.
"Hahaha! You're still just a kid after all!" Mu Ye laughed out loud, slapping his knee.
"Sigh... I really don't know if bringing you on vacation here was a good idea or not." Mu Chen clutched his chest, looking as though he were on the verge of a heart attack seeing his daughter act this way. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to be genuinely angry.
After all, her daughter's affection was directed at someone who wasn't just four years younger than herself. The boy was a heaven-defying monster whose talents surpassed every known logic.
Nearby, Han Tianyi stroked his mustache, gazing at Mu Xi with a glint of contemplation in his deep silver eyes. Honestly, securing a future match for his grandson this early wasn't a bad prospect at all.
While having her as a "wife" for Han Yuan was too premature, establishing a childhood sweetheart bond that could develop into an engagement down the line suited his plans just fine.
Han Tianyi could already imagine himself holding great-grandchildren in both hands, chuckling in amusement.
Han Yuan sighed inwardly at his grandfather's daydreaming look before chiming in. "Alright, grandpas, that's enough. Sister Mu Xi and I came here to discuss something important regarding her future as a Spirit Master."
Without waiting for them to interrupt, Han Yuan immediately launched into his detailed breakdown of Mu Xi's optimal cultivation path and how to improve her potential.
In truth, if Mu Xi had been born twenty thousand years ago, or even ten thousand years ago during the era of Huo Yuhao, a Shining Sun Martial Soul alone would have been enough to bring her to the peak of the continent.
Her talent was exceptionally high. She possessed an innate Spirit Power level of 8.5, and subtle indications of spiritual domain awakening.
Unfortunately, in this modern era, the diversity and quality of spirit rings had sharply declined. Natural growth for a celestial Martial Soul like the Shining Sun was heavily constrained.
All Mu Xi could realistically hope for in standard canon was a luck-based mutation from a high-tier Spirit Soul, an ancient bloodline Spirit Bone, or an Immortal Herb, and all of those options were well beyond Mu Chen's capability to get.
Mu Chen was a talented Saint Craftsman. While prestigious, he paled in comparison to Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua.
Yet even Zhen Hua couldn't demand Ultimate Spirit Souls or Immortal Herbs at will.
Those strategic resources were strictly guarded treasures held within the deepest vaults of the Spirit Pagoda and the Tang Sect.
Han Tianyi listened closely, his silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Symbiotic Mutual Evolution... A Shining Sun treading the Path of Stars, huh?"
He gazed at his grandson calmly. "Have you discovered a way to utilize 'that' yet?"
The "that" Han Tianyi referred to was the concept of converting Star Monsters directly into Star Spirit Souls, a project Han Yuan was still developing behind the scenes.
"Not quite. I'm using another method for Sister Mu Xi," Han Yuan replied smoothly. "A direct purification of her Martial Soul's origin."
Mu Ye frowned, setting his teacup down. "Purification? Are you planning to force a Second Awakening on the girl? With her current physical foundation, her body won't hold up under that kind of burden."
"Are you simple-minded, Mu Ye?" Zhen Hua glared at his friend. "Xiao Yuan literally called it Symbiotic Mutual Evolution."
"Think about what those words actually mean..."
"Wait..." Mu Ye blinked as realization dawned on him. "You intend to use your own Martial Soul's origin to guide and elevate the girl's spirit?"
Han Yuan smiled brightly. "Yes!"
Naturally, it wasn't just a transfer of energy.
Han Yuan had designed a multi-layered process using Sky Poison Pearl, Several Pills, and Star Liberation Crown's Innate Ability, ensuring that Mu Xi's potential wouldn't just improve—it would surpass her peers.
"Xiao Yuan... tell Uncle Mu everything you need," Mu Chen spoke, his voice tinged with emotion and resolve. "Uncle will do whatever it takes to back you up."
"If Little Xi's Martial Soul can truly undergo a qualitative evolution, her future will be infinitely brighter than anything I could have ever arranged for her."
"Great," Han Yuan nodded, pulling out a clear list. "Then please help me gather these specific refined metals, spatial stabilization conductors, and spiritual herbs..."
"Also... I'll need an open elevated platform where the moonlight, starlight, and sun rays are visible without interference."