Change, Soul Hunting

Seeing Snake Lance Douluo She Long agree, Bibi Dong finally turned and left.

Once she was certain she had left his line of sight, the smile on Bibi Dong's face vanished completely, replaced by venom, murderous intent, and unwillingness.

"Qian Xunji, just you wait... I won't give up. I endured for nine years; only one year remains, the final year... A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years!"

A trace of killing intent leaked out unconsciously. Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, reined in her emotions, and walked away. At the same time, Stingray Douluo Ci Xue, who had been keeping watch atop an iron rack, swiftly returned and relayed Bibi Dong's situation to his old partner.

"Long, there really is a problem. That little brat wants to harm His Holiness the Pope!"

After hearing what Pufferfish had reported, She Long's face immediately darkened. He lowered his head to look at the medicinal soup he had snatched from Bibi Dong, his five fingers unconsciously curling into a tight fist.

There was no need to think about it. There was definitely something wrong with this medicine!

"What do you think?" She Long ultimately held back from crushing this sole piece of evidence, instead asking Ci Xue.

Ci Xue scratched his head and suggested, "Why don't you report this to the Grand Elder? I'm enough to keep watch over the Pope!"

"We definitely need to report it, but I have an idea. Why don't we beat her at her own game?"

No matter how incompetent Snake Lance Douluo She Long might have been, he was still a Titled Douluo whom ordinary people could only look up to. He had cultivated for over sixty years, so there was no way he lacked even this much sense. Otherwise, how could he have survived in the turbulent Soul Master world of those days, where conflict was everywhere?

Ci Xue slapped his forehead in realization. "That makes sense, but should we tell His Holiness the truth?"

She Long shook his head and said thoughtfully, "Only by deceiving our own people can we make it truly seamless. Bibi Dong is intelligent too. If she notices anything suspicious, all our efforts may be wasted. As for His Holiness settling the score afterward... I believe His Holiness will understand our loyalty."

"Alright, I'll go right away. I'll leave the door to you."

Spirit Hall was immensely wealthy and powerful, so naturally it had its own Soul Hunting Forest—Heavenly Spirit Forest. It even dared to raise soul beasts with ten to thirty thousand years of cultivation. Both the front and rear entrances were guarded by a high-ranking Spirit Saint and a squad of knights.

In the afternoon, few people came here at this hour. Powerful Soul Masters had no need to, while the children at Spirit Hall Academy were in class and training. Thus, Heavenly Spirit Forest was exceptionally quiet.

An icy-blue streak of light cut across the sky as Radiant Feather Douluo descended here. Qian Yuxi jumped down from his back, and master and disciple headed toward the entrance of Heavenly Spirit Forest.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Hearing the commotion and noticing the golden token at his waist, the Spirit Saint responsible for guarding the gate and the patrol squad hurriedly knelt to welcome him.

"Open the gate. This old man is finding a good soul ring for his disciple."

"As you command." Upon hearing this, the gatekeeping Spirit Saint looked up at Qian Yuxi, whose hand Radiant Feather Douluo was holding, a trace of envy appearing in his eyes. He then had the knights unlock the gate and stand to either side.

Finding a suitable soul beast would take time, so Radiant Feather Douluo took the opportunity to discuss the choice of soul ring with his obedient disciple.

"Little Xi, in the long run, you will certainly become a Titled Douluo. Your first soul ring can be an enhancement-type soul skill. After all, future battles between high-level Soul Masters rely on attack-type soul skills from the fifth and sixth rings. Your master has decided that you will focus on your first martial soul and follow the Agility Attack path!"

Qian Yuxi listened quietly, waiting until Radiant Feather Douluo had finished before asking, "Master, then what soul beast are we aiming for?"

Radiant Feather Douluo considered for a moment and held up five fingers. "Most Soul Masters would choose a first ring below four hundred years to be safe, but you're different, kid. With Innate Soul Power at level fifteen, it would be far too pathetic if you didn't absorb a soul ring of over five hundred years."

Qian Yuxi smiled faintly to show that he understood, then lowered his head, seemingly contemplating his choice of soul ring.

Radiant Feather Douluo did not disturb him. Watching his disciple deep in thought, he quietly praised him in his heart. Sure enough, Innate Soul Power can sometimes affect a child's mind. Innate level fifteen... Tsk, tsk. Little Xi is probably second only to the Young Master on the continent.

As they continued deeper into Heavenly Spirit Forest, they entered an area where thousand-year soul beasts appeared. Radiant Feather Douluo expanded his spiritual detection and quickly locked onto a thicket.

"A six-hundred-year Aurora Profound Deer, slightly beyond expectations..." Radiant Feather Douluo rested his chin on his hand as he considered his decision.

The Aurora Profound Deer was a soul beast known for its speed and sharp eyesight. Not only was it compatible with the light element, but it also suited all Agility Attack System martial souls!

"Little Xi, your teacher has good news and bad news. We found a soul beast suitable for you, but its age exceeds our estimate by a hundred years. Do you dare to try?"

Six hundred years?

Qian Yuxi summoned his martial soul. The Aurora Sacred Feather Bow coiled in his palm, and without a soul ring, it was currently only about half a meter long.

"...Then it's this one, Master. This is my decision!"

The determination in his obedient disciple's eyes surprised Radiant Feather Douluo, but he said nothing more. He summoned his martial soul, carefully controlled his Soul Power, drew his bow, and nocked an arrow!

Whoosh!

A faint whistle of wind passed by, followed by a scream. Radiant Feather Douluo flashed forward, then returned two breaths later with an elk covered in azure-blue fur and bearing golden antlers.

"Give it the final blow. Only the person who truly kills a soul beast can absorb its soul ring. Your master will protect you."

"Thank you, Master." Qian Yuxi took out a gleaming dagger and stabbed it into the Aurora Profound Deer's left abdomen. After its final wail, faint yellow Soul Power gathered and condensed into a yellow soul ring above the soul beast's corpse.

Qian Yuxi sat down cross-legged. After taking a deep breath, he guided the soul ring onto the Aurora Sacred Feather Bow. Pale yellow Soul Power flowed into his martial soul, then circulated through his limbs and body via the martial soul.

At the same time, Snake Lance Douluo knocked open the door to Qian Xunji's secluded recovery chamber. He handed Bibi Dong's medicinal soup to him and relayed every word she had said to the Pope without omission.

"Additionally, the Saintess gave one final instruction: Your Holiness, this medicine must not be drunk all at once, or your body may not be able to withstand it."

That line was entirely She Long's own addition. If Qian Xunji did not finish it, the evidence would remain.

"This child..." Qian Xunji sighed softly, accepted the medicinal soup, and waved at Snake Lance Douluo. "At least I can reheat it with my martial soul. You may withdraw first."

"Yes." Snake Lance Douluo bowed and withdrew, still continuously apologizing to Qian Xunji in his heart. As the saying went, loyal advice was unpleasant to hear. Snake Lance Douluo could only take the risk.

You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the child, and you can't catch the Saintess without sacrificing the Pope. Your Holiness, you'll just have to suffer first.

At Si Hour, the sky had completely darkened. Qian Yuxi had spent roughly three shichen absorbing this soul ring, while Bibi Dong, still uneasy, decided to probe Qian Xunji's true condition once more.

Buzz...

"Success!"

Qian Yuxi opened his eyes. Though he was panting heavily, joy glittered in his eyes as he clenched the bow.

Beside a campfire, Radiant Feather Douluo heard his disciple's shout and hurried over to inspect his body. Once he confirmed that there was nothing abnormal, he smiled and patted his head.

"Little Xi, congratulations. How is your soul skill? Let your master see it."

If you can't stand reading this, I suggest you read Starting as a God instead.