Qin Yuan glared at Chen Ze in annoyance. "If you're going to run a shop, then run it properly. You don't need to worry about things like this. Besides, this is a confidential mission. I can't tell you the details. If you tag along just to see the excitement, you might not even know how you died."
Carrying out a mission alone made for a smaller target and allowed greater flexibility.
According to the report Ning Fengzhi had provided, a fierce battle had broken out at the scene. The disciples escorting the group from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had only been killed after that.
The group's strength was at most that of Soul Emperors, and none of them would have been above level sixty-four. If they had completely overpowered their opponents, there wouldn't have been many signs of a struggle at the scene.
"Carrying out missions is my hobby, and running a shop is yours. We're both just doing what we enjoy. If I had you carry out missions with me, wouldn't I be forcing my hobby on you?"
Over the past two years, Chen Ze had been living too comfortably. He'd lost his usual vigilance, and that could easily lead to mistakes during a mission. That was one of the main reasons Qin Yuan hadn't brought him along.
After a pause, he added, "But if you really can't sit still, you could recruit a few Soul Hunting Squads to work under our name. Then, we could make a business of connecting clients with them."
"But remember, any squad that wants to work under our name has to be trustworthy. They must be squads with a good reputation."
To take on more missions, they first had to make a name for themselves.
Qin Yuan alone couldn't get very far, even if he ran himself ragged. Right now, for instance, he had a very limited clientele: either commissions from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or commissions from Dugu Yan.
By recruiting more squads and increasing their manpower, they could take on more missions.
As time passed, once their reputation spread, would they still have to worry about finding good commissions?
The next morning.
A powerful figure from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect arrived at the entrance to the Golden Saber Shop.
He was a burly old man with sharp, gleaming eyes and a face covered in intimidating rolls of flesh. Even standing still, he had an imposing presence.
Qin Yuan hurried forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Senior."
The old man's expression softened slightly, and he gave a faint smile. "The sect master told me about you. Mr. Qin, just call me Ning Bao. You were the young lady's guide. I don't deserve to be called your senior."
A guide was someone who showed a Soul Master the way along the path of cultivation—much like a teacher.
Ning Rongrong hadn't wanted to study or cultivate in the past. It was only with Qin Yuan's guidance that she'd gotten back on track, so he could certainly be considered her guide.
Ning Bao was an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but Ning Rongrong was the future heir to the sect. As her guide, Qin Yuan could attain a status in the future no lower than that of Sword Bone Douluo if he chose to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Bao didn't dare put on airs as a senior.
Of course, even if someone said such things, Qin Yuan couldn't take them at face value. He still had to show the proper respect.
The two soon entered the Sunset Forest.
Qin Yuan had already given a great deal of thought to his Sixth Spirit Ring.
However, the information he had was already two years old. He didn't know whether the target Spirit Beast had left its territory or been hunted by another Soul Master.
"A thirty-five-thousand-year Corrosive Fire Tiger. Mr. Qin, your abilities never cease to amaze me." Ning Bao stroked his beard.
Although Ning Fengzhi had told him about Qin Yuan the previous night, and he'd been prepared, Qin Yuan's words still left him astonished.
"Senior Ning Bao, you flatter me. My ability to absorb a Spirit Ring beyond my limit was just a fortunate coincidence back then." Qin Yuan cupped his hands.
Ning Bao shook his head and said with a smile, "That was your good fortune, too. I'm growing more and more curious about just how far a genius like you will go."
Qin Yuan smiled wryly to himself.
Without an Immortal Herb, his cultivation speed would only slow more and more once he broke through to Spirit Emperor.
According to Soul Master theory, someone with innate Soul Power of level five was almost certain to break through to Soul King, had a good chance of reaching Spirit Emperor, and a very small chance of reaching Spirit Saint.
Without some heaven-defying treasure capable of changing one's fate, breaking through to Soul Douluo would be impossible.
At this point, Qin Yuan was counting on an Immortal Herb. He needed to complete Ning Fengzhi's mission as soon as possible, obtain the System Reward, and get in touch with Dugu Bo.
After passing through a dense stretch of forest, the scene before them changed completely.
The trees here had been burned to ash, and the ground was covered with cinders and half-burned charcoal.
Ning Bao scanned their surroundings and said gravely, "A thirty-five-thousand-year Corrosive Fire Tiger is no pushover. Stay within ten meters of me. I can smell the scent of fire in the air. It's somewhere nearby."
Qin Yuan released his Martial Soul and stayed by Ning Bao's side, never letting his guard down.
After they'd gone a few hundred meters, Ning Bao suddenly shouted, "Found you!"
In the next instant, eight Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—appeared beneath his feet, and his Great Strength Giant Bear Martial Soul emerged.
He charged forward, each step making the ground tremble.
As expected of one of the Upper Three Sects. They'd sent a Soul Douluo powerhouse right from the start.
Qin Yuan couldn't help but marvel.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been established a thousand years ago. Its foundations were truly formidable.
Qin Yuan's top priority was to keep himself safe. He didn't chase after Ning Bao, instead retreating into the dense forest.
The Corrosive Fire Tiger was lying in a patch of ash, flames blazing across its fur. An ordinary Soul Master would die on the spot from even the slightest contact with those flames!
But who was Ning Bao? He was a level-eighty-six Soul Douluo. When the Corrosive Fire Tiger pounced, he easily swatted it away with his thick, sturdy hands.
Ning Bao didn't want to waste time. He closed in, his hands like steel as he struck the Corrosive Fire Tiger.
A thirty-five-thousand-year Spirit Beast was powerful enough to rule over a portion of the Sunset Forest. But when faced with a Soul Douluo powerhouse, it could only flee in disarray.
The commotion caused by a Soul Douluo powerhouse in battle was considerable.
As it happened, Dugu Bo was recuperating at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When he sensed the commotion nearby, he immediately went out to investigate.
In his current condition, he'd be in trouble facing a Titled Douluo, let alone a Soul Douluo.
Seeing that Ning Bao was merely hunting a Spirit Beast and had no intention of approaching the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo relaxed a little.
Just as he was about to return and rest, he caught sight of Qin Yuan out of the corner of his eye.
"What's that kid doing here, too?" Dugu Bo wondered.
It was clear that the Corrosive Fire Tiger was thirty-five thousand years old. Qin Yuan had remained within Ning Bao's range the entire time, following close behind him, yet Ning Bao hadn't attacked him. It was obvious they were together.
But Qin Yuan only had level sixty Soul Power. How could he absorb a thirty-five-thousand-year Spirit Ring?
Even if the Corrosive Fire Tiger had provoked them, if it wasn't their target, why pursue it so relentlessly? They could simply drive it away!
Dugu Bo grew curious. He concealed his presence and decided to follow them for a while to see what was going on.
He wanted to see whether Qin Yuan would absorb this Spirit Ring beyond his limit or if someone else would.
Qin Yuan had left a good impression on him, and since they'd crossed paths, Dugu Bo couldn't help but take an interest in him.
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