Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus, Poison Mist Snake!

Soul Hunting Forest

As everyone ventured deeper, the forest gradually grew denser, and various strange Spirit Beasts began to appear.

There were ten-year Wind Baboons, thirty-year Shadow Leopards, fifty-year Gale Wolves, and a hundred-year One-Eyed Owl...

Dean of Notting merely released his aura as a Soul Ancestor, and they were all scared away.

"Look there!"

Finally, after walking through the forest for more than half a day, Dean of Notting finally spotted a Spirit Beast that caught his eye.

In the shadow beneath a large rock, a clump of small grass grew, its leaves emitting a faint blue glow. Wisps of mist swirled around it, and the air was exceptionally fresh, as if it could purify all impurities.

"This is a Sweet Dew Grass, about one hundred and fifty years old."

Yu Xiaogang only stated its type and age before watching from the sidelines, saying no more.

"Sweet Dew Grass itself has healing abilities. Although its age is a bit low, it's still a decent Spirit Beast."

Dean of Notting pondered and asked, "Little Mu, do you want to choose this one?"

"No."

Bai Mu decisively shook his head. "Although Sweet Dew Grass has healing abilities, its power mainly leans towards Soul Power recovery and purification. If Zygarde absorbs it, the Spirit Skill obtained will most likely be a purification ability."

Zygarde already possesses Safeguard. As a Divine Beast, it might master purification abilities in its stronger future forms, making it unnecessary to waste a Spirit Skill slot.

Seeing that Bai Mu recognized even such an obscure Spirit Beast, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly but said nothing.

"Alright, since hundreds-year-old plant-type Spirit Beasts won't run away, we can keep it as a backup and continue looking for others."

Dean of Notting didn't dwell on it. After all, it was normal to spend ten days to half a month searching for a suitable Spirit Beast, so there was no need to rush.

The group continued deeper, moving slowly.

As the sun began to set in the west, they found an open space, sprinkled some beast-repelling powder, and settled down to rest.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

They successfully found Spirit Beasts with healing abilities like Healing Mushroom and Jade Spirit Flower, but either their age was less than a hundred years, or their abilities didn't match, so they had to give them up.

Unknowingly, they had ventured deep into the forest, requiring constant vigilance against surprise attacks from Spirit Beasts over 500 years old.

"Woof~"

Just then, Zygarde, walking beside Bai Mu, stopped and barked in a certain direction.

"You said you sensed a pure life aura?"

Through Telepathy, Bai Mu understood the other's meaning.

As the Monitor of the Ecosystem, Zygarde's life energy sensing ability was extremely powerful.

A life aura that could make it feel this way now was definitely extraordinary!

"Roar~"

Zygarde let out a soft cry and took the lead, stepping into the grass.

Everyone exchanged glances and decisively followed. After passing through a dense patch of bushes, the scene suddenly opened up.

A swamp hidden deep within the forest appeared before them.

Mud and fallen leaves were scattered everywhere, and corroded bones lay around. It looked like an ominous place at first glance.

However, in the center of the swamp, amidst the accumulated mud, a lotus flower as beautiful as blue and white jade bloomed quietly.

The flower had twenty-nine petals, each crystal clear, as if flowing light was revolving within. The flower exuded a warm and pure life aura that made people unconsciously intoxicated.

"Born from mud yet unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not seductive."

Tang San couldn't help but praise softly.

"What kind of Spirit Beast is this?"

There was no such Spirit Beast in Notting Academy's library, so Bai Mu turned his questioning gaze to the Dean.

"Xiaogang, you know a lot, you tell us."

The Dean of Notting naturally looked at Yu Xiaogang.

"Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus. It's named for being as mysterious as the Epiphyllum flower and as pure as the lotus. It has no offensive capabilities.

It can absorb surrounding energy to release life auras to heal surrounding creatures, and it can also accelerate the growth of Spirit Beasts. Because of this, it is often guarded by Spirit Beasts."

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back and spoke eloquently:

"For every 10 years of cultivation the Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus gains, it grows one jade-colored petal. Therefore, this one has 290 years of cultivation. Killing it will most likely yield a healing Spirit Skill."

The Dean asked, "Although it hasn't reached 400 years, its abilities seem to be a perfect fit. Bai Mu, what do you think?"

"Such a suitable Spirit Beast, you don't always find one. It's this one!"

Bai Mu stared at the jade lotus and nodded heavily.

A 290-year limit, while not high, wasn't low either.

In his eyes, as long as the acquired Spirit Skill was suitable and powerful, there was no need to pursue the so-called limit year.

Having transmigrated for the first time, and without needing to risk his life, why should he risk it for no reason?

"..."

Yu Xiaogang seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he just pursed his lips.

"There might be hidden Spirit Beasts around here. Little San, use your Blue Silver Grass to get the lotus, and I'll keep watch."

The Dean's Soul Power surged, and he summoned a Wind Fire Staff.

At the same time, four Spirit Rings—one white, two yellow, and one purple—rose from his feet. He was clearly a Soul Ancestor!

"Blue Silver Entanglement!"

Tang San waved his hand, and the Blue Silver Grass immediately extended, biting towards the Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus like a Datura Snake.

Suddenly...

Splash--!

Mud and water exploded, and a figure shot out from the mud pit, opening its mouth and spewing out a terrifying purple poisonous mist.

As the attacking Blue Silver Grass touched the poisonous mist, its petals were instantly corroded and withered.

"Wind-Supporting Staff!"

The Dean, who had been on guard, had his third Spirit Ring flash. His aura surged, and he fiercely swung his staff.

Whoosh~

The staff's momentum was like the wind, and the surging Soul Power instantly scattered all the incoming poisonous mist!

"Hiss~"

Everyone looked and saw a giant snake as thick as a basin, its body covered in dark green scales.

The snake's head was triangular, its vertical pupils were cold, and it coiled beside the jade lotus. From its flickering tongue, purple poisonous mist dyed the surrounding air a faint purple.

"This is a seven-hundred-year-old Poison Mist Snake. It has excellent toughness and is skilled at spewing terrifying poisonous mist, which can slow down poisoned individuals and cause their Soul Power to drain rapidly!"

Yu Xiaogang was not surprised but delighted, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"Although it's not the Ghost Vine we planned for, this Poison Mist Snake's abilities and toxins are very suitable for Blue Silver Grass, and it's also a snake, like the Datura Snake of the first Spirit Ring."

He looked at Tang San, "Little San, what do you think?"

"If Blue Silver Grass can spew poisonous mist, it would indeed be very suitable as a second Spirit Ring."

Tang San's lips curved into a smile, as if he could already see his Blue Silver Grass ambushing people like hidden weapons!

"Indeed, not bad."

Bai Mu also smiled.

While the Poison Mist ability paired with Blue Silver Grass might be stronger in actual combat than the parasitic ability in the original work, it posed less of a threat to him.

Without the parasitic ability, Tang San's control methods would be one step short, and his future threat to him would also be reduced.

"Then I'll take you both down, Blazing Fire Staff!"

The Dean's Spirit Ring lit up. He leaped lightly, flames igniting at the end of his staff, smashing towards the Poison Mist Snake like a swift, fiery meteor.

"Hiss~"

The Poison Mist Snake showed no fear, opening its gaping maw to bite directly at the Poison Mist Snake.

Boom--!

The moment the two collided, the surface of the mud pit vibrated violently, sending water splashing.

Their strengths seemed evenly matched, and for a time, they were locked in a stalemate.

Just then...