Zhuqing Breaks Through, Journey to Star Dou

The three from Blue Tyrant Academy left after hitting a wall, causing little stir at Myriad Manifestations Academy. Qin Mo quickly turned his attention back to the academy's internal development and disciple training.

The top priority was helping Zhu Zhuqing obtain her Third Soul Ring.

After her trials in Black Prison Forest and the period of consolidation after returning to the academy, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power had completely stabilized at the peak of Level 30. Her aura was condensed, and her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul was restless, needing only a suitable Soul Ring to soar to new heights.

That day, Qin Mo gathered Zhu Zhuqing, Bing'er, and Yan'er. Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling remained at the academy to continue handling daily affairs and cultivate diligently.

"Zhuqing, for your Third Soul Ring, I suggest choosing an agility-type Soul Beast that combines speed, stealth, and a certain degree of offensive power." Qin Mo looked at the cool and resolute girl before him as he analyzed, "The Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul excels in mystery, swiftness, and killing in a single strike. Your Third Soul Skill should ideally strengthen these traits or compensate for some shortcomings."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded earnestly. "I'll leave it all to the Dean." She had absolute trust in Qin Mo.

"Dean, where are we going this time? Star Dou Great Forest?" Yan'er rubbed her fists together, visibly excited. It had been a long time since she had stretched her limbs.

"Yes. Star Dou Great Forest has the most abundant resources, so we have the greatest chance of finding a suitable Soul Beast there." Qin Mo nodded. "Besides, Bing'er and Yan'er, you two are nearing your bottlenecks as well. This trip will be a good chance to keep an eye out for Soul Beasts suitable for you in advance, especially Top-Tier Soul Beasts over ten thousand years old."

At the mention of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, Bing'er and Yan'er's beautiful eyes lit up. A Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring at Level 40 was something most Soul Masters did not even dare dream of, but with their ultimate Martial Souls and Qin Mo's help, they had a great chance of successfully absorbing one.

"Time is of the essence. We leave today."

Qin Mo had always acted decisively. After arranging the academy's affairs, he set out once more for Star Dou Great Forest with the three girls.

With their previous experience, entering Star Dou Great Forest this time was familiar territory. Qin Mo spread out his powerful Spiritual Power like a precise scanner, avoiding a great deal of unnecessary trouble as they headed straight toward the depths of the mixed zone, where high-level Soul Beasts over a thousand years old were active.

Along the way, they encountered quite a few Soul Beasts, but most did not suit Zhu Zhuqing's needs. There were occasionally agility-type Soul Beasts at the thousand-year level, such as Shadow Leopards and Wind Baboons, but after carefully sensing them, Qin Mo shook his head each time. Their quality was not top-tier enough to match Zhu Zhuqing's potential.

"Zhuqing's Third Soul Ring must at least come from a top-tier agility Soul Beast over fifteen hundred years old with a special innate talent," Qin Mo set the standard.

As they ventured deeper, the surrounding trees grew taller and denser, while the air became suffused with a primal, dangerous aura. The pressure of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts also began to faintly emerge.

Just then, Qin Mo raised a brow. He sensed a peculiar energy fluctuation coming from the front left, carrying powerful concealment and a hint of spatial distortion.

"We found something. Follow me."

The four approached without a sound. As they parted a dense cluster of bushes, Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted at the sight before them.

In a clearing among the trees, an elegant feline Soul Beast covered in dark-purple fur, with amber pupils, was confronting a massive thousand-year Mandala Snake. The feline Soul Beast was only around two meters long and exceptionally agile. Most peculiar of all, the light around its body was faintly distorted; without close attention, it would have been easy to overlook its existence.

"It's a Netherworld Leopard!" Bing'er whispered, surprise in her voice. "This is an extremely rare Soul Beast. It is born with powerful concealment abilities and the talent for short-range Space Teleportation. It is incredibly fast, and its attacks carry a certain soul-shaking effect. Judging by its size and energy fluctuations, it should be between seventeen hundred and nineteen hundred years old. It perfectly suits Zhuqing's needs!"

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze instantly locked onto the Netherworld Leopard. Her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul resonated intensely, and she felt that this was the Third Soul Ring most suitable for her!

In the clearing, the Netherworld Leopard relied on its ghostlike speed and concealment to continuously evade the Mandala Snake's venom sprays and constricting attacks. From time to time, it darted in close, its claws trailing streaks of purple as they carved deep marks into the snake's scales. The soul-shaking force within its attacks repeatedly left the Mandala Snake's movements stiff and sluggish.

"What a great opportunity!" Yan'er's eyes brightened. "Once they both come out badly hurt, we can make our move!"

But Qin Mo shook his head. "No need to wait. I want this Netherworld Leopard alive."

The instant he finished speaking, his figure flashed and vanished from where he stood.

The next moment, he appeared above the battlefield between the two Soul Beasts like a ghost. Facing the two thousand-year Soul Beasts locked in a fierce struggle below, he merely released a trace of the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda's aura.

A suppressive force that stood above all things suddenly descended!

The fighting Netherworld Leopard and Mandala Snake both froze, sensing absolute suppression from a higher level of life! The Mandala Snake let out a terrified hiss, turned, and fled without hesitation, burrowing into the grass and vanishing in an instant.

The Netherworld Leopard, meanwhile, was firmly locked down by that terrifying aura. Fear filled its amber eyes as its limbs trembled. It lowered its body and let out submissive whimpers, lacking even the courage to flee.

Qin Mo slowly descended and walked over to the Netherworld Leopard. It was as docile as a housecat, allowing Qin Mo to place his hand atop its head.

"Zhuqing, come here," Qin Mo called.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Zhu Zhuqing walked to Qin Mo's side.

"Circulate your Soul Power, focus your Spiritual Power, and sense its origin," Qin Mo guided Zhu Zhuqing. At the same time, he used the power of the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda to gently suppress and guide the Netherworld Leopard's Origin Power, condensing it into a perfect purple Soul Ring.

This process was countless times gentler than an ordinary hunt and absorption. The success rate was one hundred percent, and it preserved the Soul Beast's origin power to the greatest extent, making the Soul Skill more effective.

Zhu Zhuqing sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began absorbing the 1800-Year Netherworld Leopard Soul Ring. Dense purple light enveloped her as her aura steadily rose.

Qin Mo stood guard beside her and said to Bing'er and Yan'er, "Protect her. This Netherworld Leopard is of good quality. Once Zhuqing absorbs it, her strength should undergo a qualitative leap."

As he watched Zhu Zhuqing enter her cultivation state, Qin Mo turned his gaze toward the deeper forest. Helping Zhuqing obtain a Soul Ring was only one purpose of this journey. Finding suitable Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts for Bing'er and Yan'er was the greater challenge. After all, Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts suited to ultimate Martial Souls were not so easy to find.

What awaited them in the depths of Star Dou Great Forest?