Bird of Paradise (Please Keep Reading)

"Goodbye, Little Brother Liu Xing. When we get back to Mingdu, Elder Sister will come play with you."

The moment she said that, Xiao Hongchen and Firefly's expressions darkened at the same time. Neither was in a good mood, and each wished they would never see the other again.

Watching Liu Xing and the others leave, Xiao Hongchen pondered aloud, "Grandfather, why do you think they're looking for a thousand-year Spirit Beast?"

Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes and said gravely, "Though I've never seen it myself, I've heard that some exceptionally gifted people, or sects with secret techniques, can allow outstanding disciples to absorb Soul Rings beyond their limits. But to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as one's First Soul Ring, even with a secret technique, would require physical strength beyond that of a Soul Grandmaster."

Jing Hongchen was well-traveled and knowledgeable. He knew that many geniuses in the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms possessed Soul Rings beyond the so-called optimal limits. But someone preparing to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as their First Soul Ring was something he truly had never seen. Even with Twin Martial Souls, one could probably only absorb a thousand-year ring as the Second Soul Ring!

"How is that possible? Grandfather, you must be joking. How could anyone absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as their First Soul Ring?"

Xiao Hongchen's face was full of disbelief. He considered himself exceptionally gifted, yet even he did not dare absorb a thousand-year ring as his Second Soul Ring. Now Jing Hongchen was telling him that someone dared absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as their First Soul Ring. How could he accept that?

Jing Hongchen smiled. "Many powerful sects possess secret techniques to raise the age of Soul Rings, but they consume too many resources, so they are rarely used. As long as one's physical constitution is strong enough, absorbing Soul Rings beyond one's level can be done. Take the Body Sect, for example."

"Grandfather, you mean someone among Liu Xing's group has an exceptionally strong physical constitution?"

Meng Hongchen was not as incredulous as Xiao Hongchen. She was proud, but not to his extent. Just because she could not do it did not mean others could not.

"Yes. That little fellow called Liu Xing and that little girl called Firefly likely both have stronger physical constitutions than you two."

As a Rank 9 Spirit Tool Master, Jing Hongchen had at least that much discernment.

"Firefly?"

Meng Hongchen narrowed her eyes. If it were Liu Xing, she would only be happy. But Firefly was another matter. She was an obstacle that had to be taken seriously.

She still did not believe Firefly's words and thought Liu Xing and Firefly were siblings. After all, both their appearances and names were very similar. If she learned that their martial souls were the same as well, she would be even less likely to believe Firefly's claim.

Just like her and Xiao Hongchen, anyone with eyes could tell they were siblings, even though their martial souls were different.

As for Liu Xing and Firefly, they had the same martial soul, were seventy percent alike in appearance, and had similar names. Anyone's first impression would be that they were siblings. Therefore, Meng Hongchen believed Firefly was just fooling her because she did not want her getting close to Little Brother Liu Xing.

"Were they born with powerful physiques, or do they have Twin Martial Souls?"

Jing Hongchen gazed deeply in the direction Luan Yu and the others had gone. Still, since they were geniuses of the Sun Moon Empire, there was no need to investigate further. If they had been geniuses from the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms, he would have had no choice but to kill them.

Following the map Jing Hongchen had given them, Luan Yu led Liu Xing and the others south. Before long, they arrived at an open valley. Located in a clearing within Demon Forest, the valley formed a vibrant scene of lush grasslands, bare rock, babbling streams, and waterfalls.

Looking at this valley, so utterly out of place with the rest of Demon Forest, Liu Xing and the others wore looks of amazement. No wonder it attracted Birds of Paradise. This valley truly was a refreshing oasis within Demon Forest.

Just then, accompanied by a clear cry, a great bird flew out from one part of the valley. Its entire body shone with pure white radiance, while its light, translucent feathers looked as though they had been woven from the purest crystal or silk.

Hearing its pleasant, crisp cry, like the whisper of an angel, the slightly restless feelings of their group were instantly washed away. They felt an unprecedented calm and entered a tranquil, ethereal state.

No wonder a Bird of Paradise with merely a few hundred years of cultivation could survive in Demon Forest. Upon hearing its cry, any Spirit Beast would lose its killing intent. Even ten-thousand-year Spirit Beasts would probably be affected and would not attack a Bird of Paradise.

Legend said that the Bird of Paradise was a messenger of the Angel God. Wherever it appeared, auspicious omens followed. It could convey divine revelations and guide those who had lost their way. It was a gentle Spirit Beast that generally did not attack humans of its own accord.

The Bird of Paradise landed atop a hill, its pure eyes curiously examining Liu Xing's group. It tilted its head, then let out another soft cry. Its beautiful voice was like the sound of a clear spring, making them feel as warm as though they were soaking in a hot spring.

"What a beautiful bird!"

"So pretty!"

Firefly and Xu Tianzhen stared at the Bird of Paradise in amazement. Then, recalling that they would soon need to hunt this beautiful creature, they felt a surge of reluctance.

"Why don't we forget it?"

Ye Guyi also looked hesitant. She felt a sense of closeness from the Bird of Paradise, as though she had returned to her mother's embrace. Moreover, it showed no hostility and had no intention of attacking them. It was merely watching them curiously.

Looking at the beautiful, gentle Bird of Paradise, even Liu Xing found it hard to bear. Did they truly have to kill it and let Ye Guyi absorb its Soul Ring?

Luan Yu sighed. If the Bird of Paradise had attacked them first, then even if it could soothe people's hearts and possessed such a beautiful appearance, she would have been able to act. But now, before several children, she could not bring herself to do so. Much less could she make Ye Guyi, a six-year-old girl, kill the Bird of Paradise that gave her a warmth like that of a mother.

Luan Yu knew that their current state of mind had been influenced, to some extent, by the Bird of Paradise. This was also the ability that allowed it to survive in Demon Forest.

This was not a soul skill such as mental suggestion, but a natural aura.

However, there was no denying that their reluctance to harm the Bird of Paradise truly came from their hearts, because there was goodness within them. If someone evil by nature had come instead, even a Bird of Paradise probably would not have been able to influence them much.

"Guyi, you decide."

Luan Yu looked at Ye Guyi. After all, she was the one who would absorb the Soul Ring. It was best for her to make the decision herself.

"I've decided, Aunt Luan Yu. Let's find another Spirit Beast with a light attribute. Let this Bird of Paradise live peacefully here."

Ye Guyi shook her head. She truly could not bring herself to do it. Even though it was a Spirit Beast, the Bird of Paradise was close to humans, gentle by nature, and a symbol of auspiciousness. Without sufficient resolve, it was difficult to strike at it.

Besides, Ye Guyi did not necessarily need this Bird of Paradise's Soul Ring. It was only a hundred-year Soul Ring. Choosing another light-attribute Spirit Beast would work just as well.