Thirty-five Thousand Year Corrosive Fire Tiger

Qin Yuan glared at Chen Ze impatiently. "Just focus on running the shop. You don't need to worry about this. Besides, this is a confidential mission, and I can't tell you the details. If you tag along just to watch, you won't even know how you died."

Executing a mission alone meant a smaller target and greater flexibility.

According to the report provided by Ning Fengzhi, a fierce battle had broken out at the scene, resulting in the deaths of the escort disciples from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The strength of the assailants was at most Spirit Emperor level, and they wouldn't exceed level sixty-four. If there had been a complete power disparity, there wouldn't have been many traces of combat at the scene.

"Executing missions is my hobby, and running a shop is yours. We're both just doing what we love. If I made you join me on missions, wouldn't that be forcing my hobby onto you?"

Chen Ze had lived too comfortably these past two years, losing his necessary vigilance. He was likely to make mistakes during missions, which was a crucial reason Qin Yuan hadn't brought him along.

He paused before adding, "If you're really restless, try to recruit some Soul Hunting Squads to affiliate with us. In the future, we can act as intermediaries."

"But remember, any squad that wants to affiliate with us must have good character and be well-reputed."

To take on more missions, they needed to build their reputation.

If Qin Yuan relied solely on himself to run missions, his legs would break before he achieved anything significant. For instance, his current client base was very limited, consisting of either commissions from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or from Dugu Yan.

By recruiting more squads and increasing manpower, they could accept more missions.

As time went by, once their reputation was established, who would worry about not getting good commissions?

The next morning.

A powerful figure from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect arrived at the Golden Saber Shop.

It was a burly old man with piercing eyes and a face full of flesh that was intimidating. Just standing there, he exuded an aura of natural authority.

Qin Yuan quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Greetings, Senior."

The old man's expression softened slightly, and he revealed a faint smile. "The Sect Master told me, Mr. Qin can just call me Ning Bao. You are the young lady's guide, so you shouldn't address me as Senior."

A guide, in this context, was someone who led a soul master on their path, equivalent to a teacher.

Ning Rongrong had been unwilling to study or cultivate in the past, but under Qin Yuan's guidance, she had finally gotten on the right track, making him worthy of being called her guide.

Ning Bao was an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but Ning Rongrong was the sect's future successor. As her guide, if Qin Yuan were willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his future status would be no less than that of the Sword Bone Douluo. He dared not put on airs of seniority.

Of course, Qin Yuan couldn't take Ning Bao's words lightly; the necessary respect was still essential.

The two soon entered the Sunset Forest.

Qin Yuan had already given considerable thought to the choice of his Sixth Spirit Ring.

However, the intelligence in his hand hadn't been updated in two years. He didn't know if the target Spirit Beast had left its territory, or if it had already been hunted by other Spirit Masters.

"A thirty-five-thousand-year-old Corrosive Fire Tiger. Mr. Qin's abilities truly surprise Old Man," Ning Bao said, stroking his beard.

Although Ning Fengzhi had told him about Qin Yuan's situation last night and he had been mentally prepared, Qin Yuan's words still left him utterly astonished.

"Senior Ning Bao flatters me. Being able to absorb Spirit Rings across levels was a matter of chance back then," Qin Yuan said, cupping his fists.

Ning Bao shook his head and chuckled, "That was still your fortune. Old Man is becoming more and more curious about how far a genius like you can go in the future."

Qin Yuan gave a wry smile inwardly.

Without immortal herbs, his cultivation speed would only slow down after breaking through to Spirit Emperor.

According to Spirit Master theory, having five levels of innate Spirit Power almost guaranteed breaking through to Spirit King, with a higher probability of breaking through to Spirit Emperor, and a very small chance of breaking through to Spirit Saint.

Unless he found heaven-defying treasures, breaking through to Soul Douluo would be impossible.

Now, Qin Yuan was pinning all his hopes on immortal herbs, completing Ning Fengzhi's mission as quickly as possible, obtaining the system rewards, and contacting Dugu Bo.

Passing through a dense forest, the scene before them changed dramatically.

The trees here had been incinerated by fierce flames, and the ground was covered in embers and unburnt charcoal.

Ning Bao's gaze swept across the surroundings, and he said in a deep voice, "The thirty-five-thousand-year-old Corrosive Fire Tiger's strength should not be underestimated. Stay within ten meters of Old Man. Old Man smells the scent of fire in the air; it's nearby."

Qin Yuan activated his Martial Soul and followed closely behind, not daring to slacken for a moment.

After advancing several hundred meters, Ning Bao suddenly shouted, "Found you."

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 manifested.

He charged forward, and with every step he took, the ground trembled.

As expected of the Upper Three Sects; a Soul Douluo expert at the first move.

Qin Yuan marveled inwardly.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been established for nearly a thousand years; its foundation was truly profound.

Qin Yuan's primary task was to ensure his own safety. He did not pursue Ning Bao but retreated back into the dense forest.

The Corrosive Fire Tiger lay in a pile of ashes, its fur burning with fierce flames. Even a slight touch would have killed an ordinary Spirit Master on the spot!

But who was Ning Bao? He was an eighty-sixth-level Soul Douluo. Facing the Corrosive Fire Tiger's pounce, he easily swatted it away with his thick palms.

Ning Bao did not want to waste time. He pressed forward, his steel-like palms striking the Corrosive Fire Tiger.

A 35,000-year Spirit Beast was enough to be a overlord in the Sunset Forest, but when facing a Soul Douluo expert, it could only flee in disarray.

The commotion caused by a Soul Douluo expert's attack was not small.

Coincidentally, Dugu Bo was healing his injuries at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Sensing movement nearby, he went out to investigate immediately.

In his current state, let alone facing a Titled Douluo, he was very vulnerable even facing a Soul Douluo.

Seeing that Ning Bao was only hunting for souls and had no intention of approaching the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Just as he was preparing to return and rest, his peripheral vision caught sight of Qin Yuan not far away.

"Why is that kid here too?" Dugu Bo was somewhat puzzled.

It was evident that the Corrosive Fire Tiger had a cultivation of 35,000 years. Qin Yuan had been within Ning Bao's perception range the entire time, yet he was constantly trailing behind Ning Bao. Ning Bao, however, did not attack him, clearly indicating they were together.

But Qin Yuan only had Level 60 Spirit Power. How could he absorb a 35,000-year Spirit Ring?

Even if the Corrosive Fire Tiger provoked them, if it wasn't the target for hunting, why would they pursue it relentlessly and force it to retreat?

Dugu Bo became interested. He concealed his aura and decided to follow them for a while to observe the situation.

He wanted to see if Qin Yuan would absorb this Spirit Ring beyond his level, or if someone else would.

Speaking of which, Qin Yuan had left a good impression on him. Since they had met, Dugu Bo naturally paid some attention to him.