Star Dou Spirit Hunt: The Twin Spirits Take Shape

On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest in September, lush branches and leaves spread like umbrellas, while sunlight filtered through the gaps and wove dappled patterns across the ground. Tang San walked at the front with a pack on his back, filled with the spirit-hunting tools Master had prepared. Lin Zhixia followed closely beside him, her right hand unconsciously gripping the spirit mark of the Starfall Bow as her wary gaze swept over the surrounding bushes. Master Yu Xiaogang brought up the rear, holding a beast-hide map and stopping from time to time to confirm their direction.

"The outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest are home to many spirit beasts, but few are over three hundred years old. Our goal is to find spirit beasts suitable for you." Master's voice was low as his gaze settled on the map. "Tang San, your Blue Silver Grass needs a control-type or Entanglement-type spirit skill. The Mandala Snake is the best choice. Its venom and binding abilities are a perfect match for Blue Silver Grass, and it should preferably be between three hundred and fifty and four hundred years old. Zhixia, your Starfall Bow needs a spirit skill that combines powerful offense and control. The stellar energy of a Star Pattern Rabbit can strengthen your arrows, and it should also be around four hundred years old to achieve the best effect."

Tang San nodded. A few strands of Blue Silver Grass condensed at his fingertips and gently wound around the nearby tree trunks. "I'll use Blue Silver Grass to sense the spirit beasts around us. If anything moves, I'll notice immediately."

Lin Zhixia also circulated her Soul Power. The phantom of the Starfall Bow flashed across her palm, and she could sense faint energy flowing through the air—the aura emitted by spirit beasts. "Master, I think I can feel a spirit beast's aura to the east. It's very faint, like... a rabbit?"

Master's eyes lit up, and he immediately put away the map. "Let's go take a look! A Star Pattern Rabbit's aura is exactly like this. It excels at hiding, and its stellar energy can interfere with perception. Most people would have a hard time detecting it."

The three headed east. The deeper they went, the denser the trees became and the heavier the moisture in the air grew. Suddenly, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass went taut. He immediately stopped. "Danger! It's the aura of a snake-type spirit beast, right in the grass ahead!"

Master swiftly stepped in front of them and lowered his voice. "Tang San, prepare to release Blue Silver Grass. Zhixia, keep your Starfall Bow ready. The moment the spirit beast appears, control its movements first!"

Before he finished speaking, the grass suddenly shook violently. A huge snake, dark greenish-black all over and marked with purple patterns, shot out. Its forked tongue flicked rapidly as a pair of scarlet eyes fixed on them—the Mandala Snake!

"Excellent! It's right around four hundred years old!" Excitement flashed in Master's eyes. "Tang San, use Blue Silver Grass to bind its body. Be careful of its venomous fangs!"

Tang San immediately released his spirit. Pale blue Blue Silver Grass surged out like a tide, winding toward the Mandala Snake. Sensing danger, the Mandala Snake violently twisted its body, trying to break free from the Blue Silver Grass. But the grass was exceptionally tough, wrapping around it like a net and holding it firmly in place.

"Now!" Master shouted.

Tang San took a deep breath and circulated all the Soul Power in his body, pouring it into the Blue Silver Grass. The grass instantly tightened. The Mandala Snake let out a painful hiss and struggled violently, purple venom spraying from its fangs only to be blocked by the Blue Silver Grass.

"Zhixia, use the Starfall Bow to disrupt it! Don't let it break free!" Master shouted.

Lin Zhixia immediately condensed her Soul Power, forming a silver short arrow in her palm. Its shaft was covered in fine star patterns. She aimed at the Mandala Snake's vital point and released it sharply. The short arrow cut through the air toward the Mandala Snake. The star-patterned arrow grazed its body, leaving a shallow mark on its scales. Stellar energy erupted in a faint Light Burst, temporarily dazzling the Mandala Snake.

Taking advantage of the opening, Tang San tightened the Blue Silver Grass again. The Mandala Snake's body creaked as it was constricted, and its aura gradually weakened. At last, it stopped struggling and collapsed limply to the ground. A yellow spirit ring slowly rose from its body and floated in midair.

"We did it!" Tang San let out a breath, withdrawing his Blue Silver Grass. His eyes were full of anticipation as he looked at the hovering spirit ring.

"Quickly, Absorb Spirit Ring!" Master urged. "Circulate your Soul Power as you absorb it and guide the ring's energy into your body. Remember, no matter how painful it is, you must not stop!"

Tang San sat down cross-legged and stretched out his right hand, guiding the yellow spirit ring toward himself. The instant it touched his body, a scorching energy flooded into him, as though countless needles were piercing his meridians. Gritting his teeth, he followed Master's instructions and slowly guided the energy into the Blue Silver Grass spirit mark.

Just as Tang San was absorbing the spirit ring, Lin Zhixia suddenly pointed toward the northern woods. "Master, there's a Star Pattern Rabbit's aura over there! It's very clear, and its age should meet the requirements!"

Master immediately turned to look. A snow-white rabbit with pale golden specks like stars scattered across its fur was crouching on a nearby rock, watching them warily—the Star Pattern Rabbit!

"Zhixia, that's the Star Pattern Rabbit! Its stellar energy can strengthen your arrows. Get ready!" There was a trace of urgency in Master's voice. "Star Pattern Rabbits are very fast. Use the Starfall Bow to restrict its movements first!"

Lin Zhixia immediately released her spirit. A silver Starfall Bow condensed in her palm. Taking a deep breath, she circulated her Soul Power and formed a Star-Pattern Arrow thicker and stronger than before. She aimed at the Star Pattern Rabbit's hind leg and fired. The star patterns on the arrow flickered as it streaked toward the rabbit in a faint silver glow.

The Star Pattern Rabbit sensed the danger and sprang upward, trying to evade the arrow. But the Star-Pattern Arrow suddenly split into three smaller arrows midair, each shooting toward one of its limbs. The Star Pattern Rabbit could not dodge in time. One of the small arrows struck its hind leg, and stellar energy erupted in a Light Burst, temporarily trapping it in place.

"Good! Now's the time!" Master shouted. "Condense an arrow with your Soul Power, aim for its vital point, and kill it in one strike!"

Lin Zhixia did not hesitate. She condensed her Soul Power once more, and a Star-Pattern Arrow containing all her Soul Power rapidly formed. She aimed at the Star Pattern Rabbit's head, her gaze resolute, and released it fiercely. The Star-Pattern Arrow tore through the air and struck the Star Pattern Rabbit squarely in the head. It let out a short cry and collapsed limply to the ground. A yellow spirit ring rose from its body. Like Tang San's spirit ring, it was right around four hundred years old.

By then, Tang San had also successfully absorbed the Mandala Snake's spirit ring. He rose to his feet. The Blue Silver Grass in his palm had become tougher, and faint purple venom patterns now ran along it. "My First Spirit Skill, Entanglement!" Tang San said softly. Blue Silver Grass surged forth, coiling around a nearby tree trunk as purple venom instantly corroded the bark.

Lin Zhixia sat down cross-legged and guided the Star Pattern Rabbit's spirit ring into her body. Warm energy flooded her meridians, more comfortable than absorbing Soul Power. The Starfall Bow spirit mark in her palm flickered and became clearer. A moment later, she opened her eyes. The Starfall Bow in her palm was covered in star patterns, and a silver arrow condensed upon it. The starlight on its shaft shone more brilliantly than before.

"My First Spirit Skill, Starlight Arrow!" Lin Zhixia said softly, shooting the arrow into the sky. It erupted in midair with a powerful Light Burst. The surrounding trees trembled slightly from the glare, and after the burst faded, faint starlight still lingered in the air.

Master watched as the two successfully obtained their spirit rings, a gratified smile appearing on his face. "Very good! Tang San, your Entanglement can both control and attack, making up perfectly for Blue Silver Grass's weaknesses. Zhixia, your Starlight Arrow not only possesses powerful offensive ability but can also blind opponents. It will be highly effective in future battles."

As he spoke, Master took a silver arrow shaft from his pack and handed it to Lin Zhixia. "This is a Starwood Arrow Shaft polished from a Star Pattern Rabbit's spine. It can improve the transmission of starlight energy. If you use it to condense arrows in the future, your spirit skill will be more powerful."

Lin Zhixia accepted the arrow shaft. When her fingertips touched its star patterns, she could feel a faint stellar energy flowing through it. She looked at Master gratefully. "Thank you, Master!"

As the sun set, golden afterglow spilled over the Star Dou Great Forest. The three set out on their journey back. Tang San walked in front, Blue Silver Grass swaying gently at his side. Lin Zhixia held the Starwood Arrow Shaft, while the phantom of the Starfall Bow flashed in her palm from time to time. Master walked at the back, looking at the two children's backs with anticipation in his eyes.

They knew that obtaining their first spirit rings was only the beginning. The road of cultivation ahead was still long, but as long as they fought side by side, there would be no difficulty they could not overcome. And their legend would continue to write new chapters upon the Douluo Continent.