Searching for Soul Beasts

Liu Qing and Zhang Niu carefully made their way along the east side of the cavern.

The Ground Underfoot was damp, and every step they took carried a slightly sticky sensation.

Inside the cavern, layers upon layers of stalactites covered the stone walls. Water droplets slowly gathered at the sharp tips before falling.

The constant sound of dripping echoed through the empty cavern, adding a touch of mystery.

Liu Qing slowly squatted down and gently ran his rough palm over the ground, carefully feeling the softness and dampness of the soil.

Liu Qing said quietly, "The soil here is fairly fertile, and there's plenty of water. It's a suitable environment for Earth Net Spirit Root."

Zhang Niu nodded, tightening his grip around the Double-sided Axe in his hand until the handle turned faintly white beneath his fingers. He vigilantly scanned their surroundings, overlooking no corner.

Suddenly, Zhang Niu's gaze fixed on a patch of low shrubs.

The shrubs were lush with branches and leaves, their glossy green foliage gleaming. Their thick roots spread outward like spiderwebs, densely burrowing into the ground.

"Old Liu, look over there!" Zhang Niu lowered his voice and pointed toward the shrubs.

Liu Qing looked in the direction he indicated, A Flash in the Eyes showing his delight. "That's right, that's the aboveground portion of the Earth Net Spirit Root! We finally found it!"

At the Same Time, Liu Feng and Zhang Ma were also searching carefully on the west side of the cavern.

The cavern was dimly lit, with damp air pervading the surroundings. The flickering torchlight barely illuminated the winding path ahead.

Liu Feng cautiously followed behind Zhang Ma, his torch swaying from side to side and casting the surrounding area in shifting light and shadow.

Zhang Ma suddenly stopped, slowly squatted down, and reached out to touch the ground. "Xiao Feng, come take a look here."

Liu Feng hurried over and carefully examined the ground. The soil was somewhat loose, and Faintly Visible beneath it were several thick roots.

He asked quietly, "Are these the Root System of the Earth Net Spirit Root?"

Zhang Ma smiled and nodded. "That's right. The Earth Net Spirit Root has an extensive root system that can spread underground like a spiderweb. If we follow these roots, we'll definitely find its main body."

The two slowly proceeded in the direction of the roots.

Before long, they reached an open area.

The ground was covered in low shrubs, their branches and leaves packed tightly together and full of a Greenish Hue.

Among the shrubs, thick roots were Faintly Visible, stretching beneath the ground like a tangled network of veins.

Liu Feng squatted down, leaned closer to carefully inspect the roots of the shrubs, and asked in a low voice, "Are these the aboveground portions of the Earth Net Spirit Root?"

Zhang Ma nodded and explained with a smile, "Yes, these shrubs are the aboveground portions of the Earth Net Spirit Root. Looks like our luck isn't too bad."

After searching separately through the cavern for a while, the two groups of the Soul Hunting Squad finally met up in an open space.

Liu Qing, Zhang Niu, Liu Feng, and Zhang Ma sat together and began sharing what they had found.

Liu Qing spoke first. "We found a patch of aboveground Earth Net Spirit Root on the east side. Its roots are well developed and its branches and leaves are lush. It looks like it's been growing for quite some time."

Zhang Niu nodded and added, "But we came to meet up before we had the chance to carefully inspect its age."

Zhang Niu continued, "We marked the location. We can bring Xiao Feng over to hunt it later."

Liu Feng continued, "We also found a patch of Earth Net Spirit Root on the west side. Its aboveground portion is growing well, and its roots spread underground like a spiderweb. Uncle Zhang Ma and I followed the roots to find its main body, but we haven't confirmed its age yet."

Zhang Ma smiled and praised him. "Xiao Feng observed it very carefully. The aboveground portion of that Earth Net Spirit Root is indeed growing quite well."

At that moment, Sun Lao San hurried over with a somewhat grave expression, clutching a bloodstained strip of cloth in his hand.

He said quietly, "While searching, I ran into a Rodent Weasel with around five hundred years of cultivation. It ambushed me, but I drove it off."

"Everyone needs to be careful from now on. Soul Beasts like Rodent Weasels hold grudges."

Liu Qing nodded solemnly. "Rodent Weasels may not be particularly powerful, but they excel at ambushes. Everyone should stay on guard."

At Sun Lao San's reminder, the group decided to first head to the east side, where they had found the Earth Net Spirit Root, and confirm whether its age was suitable for Liu Feng to absorb.

The group cautiously advanced through the cavern passage.

A damp, rotten stench filled the passage, making it hard to breathe.

Before long, they arrived at the area where Liu Qing and Zhang Niu had found the Earth Net Spirit Root.

Low shrubs covered the ground, their leaves a deep, rich green that seemed full of vitality beneath the torchlight.

Liu Feng squatted down, leaned closer to carefully inspect the roots of the shrubs, and said quietly, "Dad, look. The aboveground portions of these shrubs are about one inch tall."

Liu Qing nodded and patiently explained, "The aboveground portion of an Earth Net Spirit Root grows one inch every hundred years. This patch is around a hundred years old, making it suitable for Xiao Feng to absorb."

Zhang Niu frowned and voiced his concern. "A hundred-year Earth Net Spirit Root might not produce a strong enough Soul Ring. Should we look somewhere else?"

"Let's check the other one first and compare them before deciding," Zhang Ma agreed.

The group left the eastern Earth Net Spirit Root area and headed for the western area discovered by Liu Feng and Zhang Ma.

The passages within the cavern twisted and turned like a coiling giant python.

Fortunately, the group was experienced and quickly found their destination.

The Earth Net Spirit Root area on the west side was more open than the one on the east. The shrubs growing on the ground were especially lush, their branches and leaves intertwining like a green sea.

Liu Feng squatted down and once more carefully examined the roots of the shrubs. "The aboveground portions of these shrubs are about four inches tall."

A Flash in the Eyes, Liu Qing showed a trace of delight. "Four inches tall means this patch of Earth Net Spirit Root is around Four Hundred Year old."

Zhang Ma said with a smile, "Xiao Feng's luck is good. This is another one that meets the requirements."

Sun Lao San nodded and added, "The Earth Net Spirit Root in this area has a more developed root system. Its Soul Ring will definitely be more effective."

After confirming that the Earth Net Spirit Root on the west side was four hundred years old, Liu Qing's brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

He turned to Liu Feng and said earnestly, "Xiao Feng, this Earth Net Spirit Root is four hundred years old. The higher the age, the stronger the Soul Ring's effect, but I'm worried whether your body can withstand it. After all, this is your First Soul Ring. An age that high could be risky."

Hearing his father's words, Liu Feng's heart tightened.

He understood that his father was being so cautious out of concern for him.

But Liu Feng knew that, in this era, theories concerning the limits of Soul Ring absorption had yet to form a complete system. Most people judged a Soul Ring's suitability based on experience and intuition.

As a transmigrator, however, he knew the theory that the future "Master," Yu Xiaogang, would put forth regarding the limits of Soul Ring absorption—the limit for a First Soul Ring was roughly four hundred and twenty-three years.

Liu Feng took a deep breath, looked up at his father, and said firmly, "Dad, I think I can try absorbing this Soul Ring. Although the Earth Net Spirit Root's Soul Ring is old, its attribute is mild. It mainly provides healing and recovery, so it shouldn't place too great a burden on my body."

Liu Qing listened to his son, but his brows still did not relax.

He turned to Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma and asked, "What do you think? Is a four-hundred-year Soul Ring too risky for a Level-Ten Soul Scholar?"

Zhang Niu pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Old Liu, Xiao Feng has a point. The Earth Net Spirit Root's Soul Ring has mild attributes, so it is indeed easier to absorb than the Soul Rings of other offensive Soul Beasts."

Zhang Ma nodded as well. "Xiao Feng is talented, and his Physical Quality is much stronger than that of children his age. If he believes he can try, we can stand guard beside him and ensure his safety."

Sun Lao San smiled. "Old Liu, your son has courage. That's a good thing. As long as Xiao Feng steadies his mind, there's a high chance he'll succeed."

He continued, "Besides, if he can't absorb it, we can simply interrupt him. Since it's his First Soul Ring, stopping the absorption won't injure him too badly."