Dangerous Soul Hunting Forest, Setting Up Camp

The Soul Hunting Forest was vast, but there were not many Spirit Beasts around its outskirts. Guided by Luo San Pao's powerful sense of smell, the three of them found only a ten-year Colorful Cat, a ten-year White Feather Sparrow, and a Solitary Bamboo that was nearly a hundred years old over the entire afternoon.

Gradually, the sky began to darken.

The three had arrived at the Soul Hunting Forest at noon and entered immediately. They had not eaten since then, and after traveling so far, even Grandmaster could not help feeling hungry.

"Bai Ge, Xiao San, you must be tired after walking for so long. Stop and rest for a while. Let's eat something."

Looking at the dim yellow sun on the horizon, which was about to set, Grandmaster stopped in an open area beside a stream and spoke to the two of them.

"Xiao San, take out the food so we can replenish our strength. Then, while it's still light, we'll continue searching. If we still can't find anything, we can only continue tomorrow."

Slowly walking over to the stream, Grandmaster scooped up some water and splashed it over his face as he spoke to Tang San.

"Yes, Teacher."

Tang San nodded and took out three portions of food from the Space Belt at his waist.

Since they had a Space Belt, all their supplies had been stored inside Tang San's Space Belt. Hearing Grandmaster ask for food, Tang San immediately took out three portions and handed them to Bai Ge and Grandmaster.

"Teacher, we've been walking for so long without encountering a suitable Spirit Beast. What kind of Spirit Beasts are you planning for Tang San and me to hunt?"

As he ate, Bai Ge asked.

"Mm, based on my previous research, I already have a rough plan for the Spirit Ring configurations of you two. First, Xiao San's. Xiao San's Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. Although it consumes little Soul Power, it is far too fragile, so it needs a Spirit Ring that can increase Blue Silver Grass's toughness.

"But Blue Silver Grass's initial toughness is still too low. The increase from a single enhancement cannot bring its toughness up to the minimum standard I have in mind for a Control System Martial Soul. Therefore, poison must be added as well. With toxins providing support, even if an enemy breaks free, the poison can still weaken them. Toughness combined with poison—therefore, my projected configuration for Xiao San's First Soul Ring is a Spirit Ring from a snake-type Spirit Beast. However..."

Grandmaster's tone suddenly shifted.

"A Plant System Spirit absorbing an animal-type Spirit Ring is something that almost no one in the history of Douluo Continent has truly accomplished. However, according to one of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul that I proposed through my research—the Martial Soul Mimicry Theory—

"A plant Martial Soul does not necessarily have to absorb a Plant Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring, nor is a Beast Martial Soul necessarily unable to absorb a plant Spirit Ring. Under certain special circumstances, the two can absorb each other.

"I've said before that one major advantage of Blue Silver Grass is its lack of exclusivity. Because it is inherently too weak, it does not reject any attributes added by a Spirit Ring. Instead, it can only passively incorporate them. Therefore, in theory, the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul can absorb a snake-type Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring. But, Xiao San, are you willing to trust me?"

Grandmaster could not help looking at Tang San seriously.

"Teacher, I trust you. I'll definitely prove to all Soul Masters that your theories are correct!"

Tang San looked at Grandmaster and spoke with utter resolve.

"Xiao San, thank you!"

Hearing Tang San's words, Grandmaster's heart was immediately filled with warmth.

"Based on the requirements I mentioned, the Spirit Rings most suitable for Xiao San should come from venomous snake-type Spirit Beasts, such as the Purple Ring Silver Snake, Thorn Horn Dragon Viper, Black Spotted Ringed Viper, and Mandala Snake.

"According to my research, the maximum age of a Spirit Ring that a Soul Scholar advancing to Soul Master can absorb is four hundred and twenty-three years. Therefore, the age of the Spirit Rings you absorb should be as close to four hundred and twenty-three years as possible."

Grandmaster spoke confidently and eloquently.

"Then what about me, Teacher? What kind of Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring would be best for my Cloud-Soaring Vine to absorb?"

After hearing what Spirit Ring Tang San's Martial Soul was best suited to absorb, Bai Ge could not help asking curiously.

"Mm... based on our previous research, your Cloud-Soaring Vine Martial Soul performs exceptionally in toughness, resistance, and its consumption of a Soul Master's Soul Power. Its only flaw is that it lacks the greatest advantage of Plant System Spirits—poison. Therefore, your Martial Soul definitely needs to absorb a Spirit Ring from a poison-type Spirit Beast.

"Since your Martial Soul's toughness is already the greatest among the Plant System Spirits I know of, even if Xiao San raised his Blue Silver Grass's toughness to the limit, it might not necessarily be a match for your Martial Soul at the same level. Therefore, I intend for your development to focus on control, including Binding, strangulation, and restraint, supplemented by poison.

"Because your Martial Soul is very powerful, I cannot determine whether it can absorb a snake-type Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring. So, it would be best for you to absorb a Plant Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring instead. Among Plant Spirit Beasts, the more famous ones that possess both control and poison are Ghost Vine, Magic Marsh Vine, Iron Wire Vine, and Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine.

"Since Plant Spirit Beasts cannot move, they should theoretically be easier to find than animal-type Spirit Beasts. However, of the first two Plant Spirit Beasts suitable for you, Ghost Vine has no fixed growth environment and is difficult to find, while Magic Marsh Vine grows only in swamps. Iron Wire Vine mostly grows only in mountains. Only Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine has a relatively clear target and is easier to find, and its weaknesses are also quite obvious."

"Then my target Spirit Beast is Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine?"

Bai Ge could not help asking.

"That's right. Although Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine is inferior to Ghost Vine and Magic Marsh Vine in toxicity, and not as tough as Iron Wire Vine, besides its poison, Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine also possesses excellent strangling and Blood Sucking abilities. Moreover, its growing environment is easy to locate. Taking everything into consideration, Blood Pattern Black Thorn Vine is the best choice for your first target Spirit Beast. If we can't find one, we'll discuss other options."

Grandmaster answered.

"Alright, I've answered your questions. You've both finished eating, right? Let's continue searching for Xiao San's Spirit Beast. Night is approaching, which is just when snake-type Spirit Beasts come out to hunt for food. Let's go. We might be able to find one."

After speaking, Grandmaster stood up.

The three set off toward the depths of the Soul Hunting Forest once again. However, from dusk until the sky became completely dark, although they encountered Spirit Beasts such as Black Striped Leopard Cats, Moonlight Foxes, and Fanged Wolves, as well as some venomous snakes, they did not find a single snake-type Spirit Beast.

"It's completely dark now. Forget it, let's quickly find a place to set up camp. Night has fallen, and the Spirit Beasts have begun coming out to hunt. It's too dangerous for us to wander around the forest now."

Seeing that the sky had gone completely dark, Grandmaster pondered for a moment before speaking.

They found a small clearing without many trees. The surroundings were open, allowing them to clearly see the area around them and know whether any Spirit Beasts were approaching. Grandmaster immediately made the decision to camp there.

However, although they had decided to camp, Grandmaster sternly told Bai Ge and Tang San not to light a fire.

Within the Soul Hunting Forest, although many Spirit Beasts feared fire, powerful Spirit Beasts could also be drawn to it. If they carelessly lit a fire and attracted a powerful Spirit Beast, they would undoubtedly be courting death.

"You two, spread the powder inside this around the area. Remember to spread it evenly."

Keeping watch on the surroundings, Grandmaster took out a tall-necked patterned porcelain bottle from the Bracelet-shaped Magid Device around his wrist, handed it to Bai Ge and Tang San, and instructed them.

"Alright."

Tang San took the bottle and opened it to take a sniff.

The smell of the contents was extremely pungent, so even Bai Ge, who had not leaned in to smell it, instantly guessed that it contained Realgar Powder, mainly made from realgar. It was likely meant to drive away snakes, insects, rats, and ants.

Taking the bottle, the two walked to the edge of the clearing. Tang San kept watch over the surroundings while Bai Ge carefully sprinkled a circle of insect-repelling powder, mainly made from realgar, around the campsite.