Continental Situation

Because the number of ten-thousand-year soul beasts needed for a Fifth Soul Ring was relatively scarce, it was impossible to hunt a specific soul beast as they had for the first four soul rings.

For Star Crown Soul Masters focused on control, the sect's long-standing research suggested that, if possible, they should seek out a special kind of soul beast.

That soul beast was the Bewitching Butterfly, which often appeared in the inner regions of the Star Dou Great Forest and used the scales on its body to hallucinate its enemies.

Star Crown Sect Soul Masters who hunted this soul beast had a high chance of obtaining an illusion-inducing soul skill: Star Radiance Bewitchment.

Another kind of butterfly often appeared alongside it—the Soul Devouring Butterfly. After the Bewitching Butterfly hallucinated its prey, the Soul Devouring Butterfly would cause the prey to die within its illusory dreams.

However, if Support Soul Masters with the Star Crown Martial Soul absorbed the Soul Devouring Butterfly's soul ring, they had a chance of gaining a soul skill that healed the mind.

Several Support Soul Masters in the Star Crown Sect had absorbed Soul Devouring Butterflies, but unfortunately, only the Fourth Elder had obtained this miraculous healing skill.

"No, the Bewitching Butterfly doesn't suit me. Although the soul skill it produces is powerful, I'd rather choose the Moon Embracing Flower. I think it suits me better."

The Sect Master revealed an expression as though he had expected this. Ever since he had learned from Vine Elder that Xu Mingxi's Martial Soul had undergone a beneficial change, and that his First Soul Skill could draw in Moon Essence—

the Sect Master had begun searching for information on soul beasts related to the moon. Unfortunately, soul beasts associated with the moon were simply too rare.

The Sect Master had only found three kinds: the Howling Moon Silver Wolf, the Blood Moon Wolf, and the third kind—the Moon Embracing Flower he had mentioned.

The Howling Moon Silver Wolf was similar to the Moon Gazing Toad. Absorbing it would very likely strengthen Xu Mingxi's affinity with the moon.

The Blood Moon Wolf was a variant of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf. Absorbing its soul ring would very likely grant an offensive soul skill. Howling Moon Silver Wolves were already rare, so there was no need to mention Blood Moon Wolves.

The most likely one to be found was instead the third choice—the plant-type soul beast, the Moon Embracing Flower.

According to the sect's records, Moon Embracing Flowers were very likely to appear at Moon Lake, located at the border between the core area and the mixed area of the Star Dou Great Forest.

However, this record had been left behind by an Old Ancestor conducting research several hundred years ago. Moreover, the depths of Moon Lake lay within the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest. The Star Crown Sect had never considered hunting this soul beast before, so the Sect Master had no idea what the situation there was actually like.

"Mingxi, have you made up your mind? You're choosing the Moon Embracing Flower as your Fifth Soul Ring?"

"Sect Master, the Howling Moon Silver Wolf and Blood Moon Wolf would work as well. But of course, the Moon Embracing Flower would be better."

For the Star Crown Martial Soul, the first two soul beasts were not actually a very good match. Few disciples in the sect chose wolf-type soul beasts for their soul rings.

"Good. Since you've made your decision, the sect will support you with all its strength."

The Sect Master looked troubled, but in the end, he agreed with a firm gaze.

In the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, even its outer fringes had the possibility of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts appearing.

A single Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was not frightening. What was frightening was the endless tide of soul beasts that could be drawn in by the commotion of battle.

That night, the Sect Master Hall was brightly lit once more. The Sect Master and all ten elders were gathered there.

"Let's discuss it. We must help Mingxi obtain this soul ring. The question is, what sort of team should we send?"

Everyone present fell silent. Naturally, they all knew how important Xu Mingxi was, but that was the core area.

The Star Dou Great Forest was no friendly place. Every year, countless Soul Masters were buried within it. Not everyone was willing to risk their lives and selflessly contribute, even if it was for the sect's future.

Besides, weren't there others who could go?

As Xu Mingxi's grandfather, the First Elder naturally stepped forward without hesitation. The Second Elder would be accompanying him as well.

No one found this strange. Though the two usually bickered, they actually had the best relationship.

In the end, the three newly appointed elders who had just become Soul Douluo exchanged glances and raised their hands.

"Sect Master, the three of us will go. We only managed to break through thanks to little Mingxi."

"That's right, Sect Master. I never thought that, at my age, I'd still have a day when my dream came true."

The Sect Master looked at the five elderly men before him. Though each had their own thoughts, their original intentions were good.

"I'll leave Mingxi to you."

"Don't worry, Sect Master. With our lineup, as long as we don't run into a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, we'll be fine."

If Xu Mingxi had been there, he definitely would have stopped his grandfather from saying something that sounded so dangerously like a jinx. Unfortunately, he was still busy taking care of his newborn younger brother.

Eighteen-year-old Xu Mingxi wore a white Soul Master robe, its golden patterns glittering in the sunlight.

His fair skin, pale from rarely seeing the sun, his handsome face, and his head of dazzling golden hair would have enchanted countless young female Soul Masters.

Unfortunately, this genius young Soul Master was being driven to distraction by the infant in his arms.

"Dad, honestly. You're usually so busy cultivating, yet you still found time to do this."

The couple laughed awkwardly. They had not expected that after only a few times, they would accidentally hit the mark. Their child was already this old, yet they had somehow ended up with a second one. It was rather embarrassing.

"Oh, Mingxi, you'll have to take good care of your younger brother from now on.

By the way, why don't you just treat him as your own son? I heard from your aunt that some Soul Masters outside already have children at fifteen or sixteen."

Gee, thanks a lot.

"Mom, you should raise him yourself. I don't have the time."

Xu Ya naturally knew that her son was busy cultivating. That was precisely why she worried. So many high-level Soul Masters only focused on cultivation, becoming detached from all worldly desires.

"Alright, Mom, I won't talk to you anymore. I still need to pack up. We're setting out tomorrow to obtain my soul ring."

Xu Mingxi placed his younger brother directly into his mother's arms, returned to his room, and slammed the door shut with a bang.

What is all this?

Xu Mingxi had no desire to date right now. He was wholly focused on building his career.

Women? They would only slow down his path to godhood.

That evening, his grandfather brought Xu Mingxi news about the Soul Hunting Team.

Not only would the First Elder, Second Elder, and three newly appointed elders be going, but since among the three new elders, two were control-type and one was assault-type, the Sect Master consulted the Fourth Elder and had her join the team as well.

Xu Mingxi's Fifth Soul Ring had mobilized the Star Crown Sect on a grand scale: two Titled Douluo and four Soul Douluo. Only the Sect Master had to remain behind to guard the Mountain Gate and could not accompany them.

Otherwise, this team would have been more than capable of taking on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which was currently supported by Yu Yuanzhen alone.

Just two days ago, Xu Mingxi had seen a newly compiled summary of continental news on the Sect Master's desk.

Yu Xiaogang had been expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan due to his slow progress and weak strength, and had chosen to venture out into the world.

The reputation of the Clear Sky Sect Twin Stars was steadily rising. Both had reached the rank of Soul Saint, and even ordinary Soul Douluo did not dare confront the two of them head-on.

The Star Luo Empire seemed to have sensed the threat posed by Spirit Hall and had eased its suppression of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Qian Xunji also feared an alliance between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, so his actions were no longer quite as aggressive—though he still had plenty of underhanded methods in private.

Even Luo Yi, king of the Star Luo Kingdom, had once sent a letter to the Star Crown Sect. Its contents made clear that Spirit Hall had attempted to recruit him.

However, Luo Yi would not choose a side so easily. Before the situation became clear, no one dared make the first move.