The Human-Faced Demon Sheep

Not only did healing-type Martial Souls have limited room to grow; other Support System Martial Souls did as well. It was difficult for them to reach higher levels.

Ning Fengzhi, the greatest Support Master in the world, had only reached level seventy-nine in Soul Power.

Long Chen guessed that, like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Nine Heart Begonia had a limit to its Martial Soul Quality, making it difficult to break through.

When Ye Lingling's grandmother passed away, her Soul Power had been at level seventy-two.

Ye Susu was forty-five this year, with Soul Power at level sixty-five. Among the Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters, her talent was considered quite high.

Most Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters were unable to break through level seventy in their lifetime.

However, for Ye Susu, breaking through level ninety was still an unreachable goal.

Learning that the Nine Heart Begonia could reach the higher realm of the Sacred Hearts Begonia, Long Chen felt a little surprised and delighted.

Perhaps the Aromatic Silk Beauty Immortal Herb really could change the fate of Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Clan.

"Xiao Chen, don't overthink it. Lingling will get used to it in time. You've been tired all day, too. Go back to your room and get some rest."

"Mm. Good night, Uncle, Auntie."

"Good night."

Watching Long Chen walk away, Ye Susu sighed.

"Xiao Chen awakened a Martial Soul with an Evil Attribute, and he also has Innate Full Soul Power. What will happen if he can't control that power?"

"Exactly. If Xiao Chen didn't have Innate Full Soul Power, I would've urged him to give up cultivating. Then he wouldn't become a Fallen One. But he just had to be a genius. We can't interfere with his life; all we can do is guide him as best we can, protect him, and keep him on the right path."

"Brother Tianming, I believe in Xiao Chen. After we finish with Mom's funeral, you'll take him to hunt Soul Beasts, right?"

"Mm."

To Ye Tian and his wife, Long Chen and Ye Lingling were both beloved children.

They were looking forward to seeing Long Chen grow, too.

Ye Lingling's grandmother's funeral was soon taken care of.

Over the past few days, with Long Chen's attentive company, Ye Lingling had gradually calmed down, but she was no longer as lively and cheerful as before.

That day, Ye Tianming and his wife called Long Chen and Ye Lingling to the study.

Two exquisite wooden boxes sat on the table before them.

Ye Tianming smiled.

"Xiao Chen, Lingling, you're about to officially enter the ranks of Soul Masters. Mom and Dad prepared a gift for you. Open them and take a look."

Long Chen and Ye Lingling exchanged glances, then carefully opened the boxes in front of them.

The contents of the two boxes looked much alike. Each contained two items: a dagger and something that resembled a belt.

Long Chen asked,

"Uncle Ye, are these Storage Artifacts?"

"Mm. Storage Artifacts are essential for Soul Masters. You two should try them on."

Long Chen and Ye Lingling smiled at each other, then fastened the Storage Artifacts around their waists to try them out.

"Great. Thank you, Uncle and Auntie."

Long Chen's gaze fell on the dagger.

He picked it up and carefully drew it. A dazzling flash of cold light gleamed, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Xiao Chen, this dagger is incredibly sharp. It can cut through metal, so be careful when you use it, or you might hurt yourself."

"Mm, I understand. Thank you, Auntie."

Long Chen put the dagger into his Storage Artifact.

Ye Tianming continued,

"Xiao Chen, tomorrow I'll take you to the Sunset Forest to hunt a Soul Beast and help you get your first Soul Ring. When we return, I'll send you both to the academy."

"Okay."

Long Chen looked at Ye Lingling beside him and spoke gently.

"Lingling, would you like to come with us to hunt a Soul Beast?"

"Mm."

Ye Lingling nodded softly and said nothing more.

Ye Tianming patted Ye Lingling's head.

"Good. Then I'll take you both."

The Sunset Forest lay two hundred li east of Heaven Dou City. It wasn't very large, and most of the Soul Beasts living there were below ten thousand years of cultivation.

A Hundred-Year Soul Beast would be enough for Long Chen's first Soul Ring.

So even with two children who had just awakened their Martial Souls along, they would be quite safe.

The next day, Ye Tianming brought Long Chen and Ye Lingling to the Sunset Forest.

A rich, fresh scent of nature washed over them.

Towering old trees stood tall, their trunks covered in moss and vines, giving them an ancient, weathered look.

Now and then, birdsong and the roars of beasts rang through the woods, near and far, all brimming with the wild vitality of life.

Sunlight streamed through gaps in the dense canopy, scattering dappled shadows across the forest and lending it a quiet, fantastical air.

Beneath its tranquil surface, countless Soul Beasts lurked, some hidden in the grass, others perched in the treetops, silently watching the outsiders who had entered the forest.

The three followed a winding path. Every so often, small Soul Beasts darted past, leaving trails of hurried footprints behind them.

This was Long Chen and Ye Lingling's first time in a Soul Beast Forest, and they were curious about everything around them.

Ye Tianming walked in front, keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.

His gaze was sharp, as if he could see through any disguise and catch sight of a Soul Beast's tracks.

"Xiao Chen, your first Soul Ring can come from a Soul Beast with a hundred years of cultivation. Any one capable of producing sound waves will do."

"Mm. Uncle Ye, I'll leave it to you."

The three continued deeper into the forest.

The sky gradually darkened.

Ye Tianming planned to find an open area where they could rest for the night, then resume looking for a suitable Soul Beast the next day.

Suddenly, a strange sound rang out.

The three stopped in their tracks at once.

Listening closely, they heard a sound like a baby crying.

Ye Lingling looked curious.

"Dad, why is there a child crying in the forest?"

Ye Tianming shook his head.

"That's not a child. It's a cunning Soul Beast. It deliberately imitates a baby's cries to lure its prey into a trap."

"Uncle Ye, do you know what kind of Soul Beast makes that sound?"

"It's a kind of sheep-type Soul Beast called a Human-Faced Demon Sheep. It's known for its distinctive cries and cunning nature, and it's rarely seen in Soul Beast Forests."

"A Human-Faced Demon Sheep?"

Long Chen grew even more curious.

Ye Tianming continued explaining.

"The Human-Faced Demon Sheep has markings on its head that resemble a human face, hence its name. It uses cries like a baby's to confuse its prey. Once they approach, it suddenly attacks."

As he spoke, Ye Tianming sent his mental power toward the source of the sound to investigate.

"That Human-Faced Demon Sheep is nearby. It has over a hundred years of cultivation, which makes it just right for your first Soul Ring. Let's go take a look."

"Mm."

Long Chen and Ye Lingling followed behind Ye Tianming, their steps growing more cautious.

Suddenly, a dark figure shot out of the bushes.

Ye Tianming reacted instantly. He released his Golden Sculpture Spirit and pinned the shadow to the ground with lightning speed.

It was the Human-Faced Demon Sheep.

It did indeed have a sheep's body and a face resembling a human's. Its entire body was pitch-black, black energy emanating from its two sharp horns, and all four of its claws were razor-sharp.