In what seemed like pointless back-and-forth wandering, Huai Shi meticulously repaired the massive, traumatized cycle. First, he severed the thoroughly necrosed parts from the underground root system and abandoned them. Then, he untangled the snarled roots, reconnecting them into a cohesive whole.

Using himself as an intermediary, he moved through this intricate network.

Although it resembled a vexing swimming pool problem—one faucet filling, one drain emptying—throughout this entire process, the previously crippled system was gradually reorganized, and vitality began to flow.

In the end, even the numerous cold-eyed Ravens finally withdrew their gazes, treating the two of them as if they didn't exist.

It seemed they had acknowledged their presence.

So, just how good is this White-named face at currying favor? Even the Ravens were won over so quickly… Yuan Zhao thought.

Yuan Zhao curled his lips. "The Way of Heaven is to take from excess and supplement deficiency. Why didn't you just say so directly?"

Huai Shi turned around, surprised. He gave Yuan Zhao a look of astonishment that seemed to say, Huh, you've actually studied? This angered Yuan Zhao so much his face turned red. "I was directly recruited into the Ji Xia youth class with top grades! Do you think I'm like you, only able to get into university by playing an instrument?"

"So, you're a top student. My apologies." Huai Shi gave an indifferent, cupped-hand salute. His faintly pitying gaze seemed to ask, You're already in university, so why is your emotional maturity still lower than mine, a high schooler? This left Yuan Zhao fuming and speechless.

As Huai Shi continued forward, continuously drawing vitality from various plants, the Source Substance within his body also began to slowly transform. Under the influence of each plant's unique vitality, it lost its original purity and became variegated.

But this rich complexity, now under the regulation of the Mountain Ghost Stigma, seemed vibrant with life.

Like a seed that had finally sprouted!

Growth!

A weight was lifted from my mind; my guess was indeed correct, Huai Shi thought with relief. This stage doesn't require negative Source Substance as pure as that of a Yin Soul. Instead, it demands diversity and complexity—the more complex, the better; the more varieties, the better. The Mountain Ghost is like a botanical garden, needing a profusion of flowers, evergreen through all four seasons… Unfortunately, while there are many plants here, the variety is insufficient. If there were enough time, I could follow the map Little Cat gave me and go to that botanical garden outside Xiematai, the one known as 'Kamiyo Era.' It would surely have a greater variety of plants.

Since the variety is insufficient, I might as well focus on quality for now. Having started rebuilding the system's cycle with the help of the Mountain Ghost Stigma, Huai Shi finally sensed the benefits of the Ring of Nibelungen.

Once Huai Shi became a part of this vast network of vitality, a considerable amount of life force transferred in and out of his body, allowing him to siphon some off. As long as he didn't disrupt the system's cycle, all the plants in Ueno Park were ceaselessly infusing him with vitality.

Having privileges is awesome!

With the influx of abundant vitality, the Yin Soul within the ring began to rapidly undergo metamorphosis, transforming at a gratifying speed. If this trend continued, Huai Shi wouldn't even need to exert himself. He could just find a botanical garden, sit tight, and wait for the Ring of Nibelungen to finish creating the Yin Soul Stigmata.

Although for the Second Stage, the number of Yin Souls I can have is limited to three, the good thing is I don't need to search for precious materials or waste time. As long as I focus on improving my own Stigmata, other benefits will continuously flow my way.

After a long while, Yuan Zhao was getting impatient. "Hey, how much longer is this going to take?"

"About two days or so," Huai Shi replied.

However, that's assuming I plan to advance here, Huai Shi mused. But advancing here obviously isn't worth it. Without enough variety, the Mountain Ghost Stigma would be innately weak even after advancement and wouldn't be very useful. It's better to wait. But if I wanted to create the first Yin Soul for my own independent unit, it should only take about half an hour, right?

Huai Shi estimated the time in his mind.

But suddenly, Yuan Zhao whirled around, raising his Trident. With a piercing shriek, a blade of energy shot out from it, stabbing directly into the low bushes behind him. CRACKLING sounds echoed continuously as leaves flew everywhere.

Only then did Huai Shi hear faint, rustling footsteps in the distance, and he frowned.

Yuan Zhao actually reacted faster than me? This kid actually has some skills.

When the shaking of the disturbed shrubbery stopped, a soft whimper came from within. A yellow Shiba Inu cautiously poked its head out, looking towards Yuan Zhao.

"Is it just a dog?" Yuan Zhao sighed in relief, bent down, and playfully waved at the little dog. "Hey there, little guy, you're adorable. Come here, let me see you?"

"Are you brain-dead?" Huai Shi shook his head and sighed, then immediately grabbed Yuan Zhao by the back of his collar and bolted!

Right behind them, the Shiba Inu that had been cautiously approaching suddenly quickened its pace.

It was as fast as a streak of yellow lightning, leaping into the air. Then, Yuan Zhao saw the skinny Shiba Inu suddenly swell up in midair.

Like a balloon being inflated.

It exploded!

Innumerable bits of flesh scattered through the air, instantly turning a putrid black and splashing in all directions. Wherever the bloody rain fell, the ground turned black as deadly poison spread rapidly, and even the soil itself SIZZLED ominously.

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