It seemed Bibi Dong had expected Qian Yun not to know about this kind of Spirit Beast. Before he could ask, she explained, "Besides possessing considerable spiritual power, what makes this Star-Chasing Deer especially rare is its Star Power, which happens to match your Martial Soul's attributes. Obtaining its Spirit Ring should grant you an attack-type Spirit Skill."
Qian Yun's eyes lit up. He had been fixated on improving his spiritual power, but had forgotten he could also focus on Star Power. In that case, the Star-Chasing Deer really was the best choice.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher." Looking at Bibi Dong seated in the main chair, Qian Yun felt deeply moved.
Having guidance from a top expert really made all the difference. It could save him from taking countless wrong turns, and much of her experience came from personal practice—it was leagues beyond pure theory.
If not for Bibi Dong's advice, Qian Yun had even considered hunting the Ghost Moth, his sworn enemy. Fortunately, he didn't need it at this stage.
"Mm."
Actually, Bibi Dong's expectations for Qian Yun were even greater than for Hu Liena. After encountering his Martial Soul, she had realized that in terms of quality alone, it undoubtedly surpassed her Twin Martial Souls and might even rival the Angel Martial Soul.
The Angel Martial Soul was a divine-level Martial Soul, naturally granting its wielder twentieth-level Soul Power. It was an existence that transcended the usual rules governing Martial Souls. Though the Crown lacked the advantage of naturally granting twentieth-level Soul Power, in terms of mastery over multiple elements, the Crown Martial Soul was unquestionably the greatest in the world!
I wonder what expression that old fool will wear when Qian Yun tramples the Angel Martial Soul he thinks is invincible beneath his feet. And what will he look like when he invites Qian Yun to join him like a lapdog, only to discover that such a genius already belongs to me?!
Thinking of what lay ahead, Bibi Dong sneered inwardly.
Now that they had a clear goal, Qian Yun and Hu Liena didn't waste any time. They planned to hunt for Spirit Rings the next day. To ensure the trip went smoothly, Bibi Dong directly assigned a Titled Douluo to accompany them.
As for the location, of course they would head to the Star Dou Great Forest, where Spirit Beast resources were richest.
The next day
The sky was still dim, and the first rooster's crow was still some time off when Qian Yun and Hu Liena climbed into the carriage.
Besides the Titled Douluo accompanying them, a fully armed escort squad led the way. Their entourage was almost as grand as if the Pope herself were making the trip.
The luxurious convoy set off in a magnificent procession. Looking at the carriage ahead, Qian Yun thought that this time, even if they encountered a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast instead of a Hundred-Year Soul Beast, they could kill it without hesitation. After all, they had a Titled Douluo on their side!
How many factions in the world could ask a Titled Douluo to accompany them on a Soul Hunting expedition?
They had made thorough preparations. Their supplies of food, weapons, and medicine were ample, and specialists were even monitoring the Spirit Beasts' locations, marking them directly on a map. All they had to do was travel there. Yue Guan would slap the Spirit Beast, Qian Yun would finish it off, and that would be that!
As for walking there? Only an idiot would do that!
So Qian Yun was completely relaxed along the way. He read books about the world, admired the scenery, and, three days later, they were nearly at their destination.
As they approached the Star Dou Great Forest, he finally heard the bustle he had missed. Qian Yun lifted the curtain and looked at the place, which resembled a marketplace, his eyes full of curiosity. They sold everything there, all the supplies one might need for travel and adventure. He even witnessed a temporary Soul Hunting team being put together.
But they didn't need to replenish any supplies. After slowing briefly, the carriage continued toward the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest, amid the envious gazes of the crowd.
At last, Qian Yun and Hu Liena got out of the carriage. From here on, they would have to proceed on foot.
Only when standing before it could one truly feel the Star Dou Great Forest's immense vitality.
All around them rose towering, dark-green trees. They were so tall that an entire city could have been hidden among them, and this was only the forest's outermost edge. As for what lay deeper within, perhaps only a handful of top experts had ever glimpsed it.
As they spoke, they had already presented their tokens. The sturdy iron gates creaked open, and the guards surrounded Qian Yun, Hu Liena, and Yue Guan as they began moving forward.
With the map to guide them, the group headed straight for their destination at a decent pace. Yue Guan's oppressive aura kept ordinary Spirit Beasts at bay. Those that were too foolish to flee, or too slow, were cut down by the escort squad. Evening fell in the blink of an eye, and they were still a day away from the Demon Fox's lair.
The forest at night was always both serene and restless. Lying in his tent, Qian Yun listened to the mournful howls, some near and some distant, and stayed up late for once.
Another day passed.
Qian Yun and the others finally arrived at their destination. They looked toward the jungle in the distance, where a waterfall roared, but though they were curious, they didn't dare get too close.
Yue Guan, standing in the distance, beckoned to them and pointed below. When Qian Yun carefully parted the bushes, he finally saw the legendary Demon Fox.
Lazily sprawled on a boulder beside the waterfall, its tail swaying at ease, what could this Spirit Beast be but the Demon Fox?
As expected of a member of the fox clan, its chestnut fur was sleek and immaculate. A tuft of golden fur ran from between its brows down to its nose, marking its extraordinary status. Most astonishing of all, it had three tails.
It clearly hadn't noticed Qian Yun and the others. It was still basking lazily in the sun, completely unaware that danger was closing in.
"How beautiful," Hu Liena exclaimed sincerely.
Qian Yun thought, It is beautiful, but even a hundred of me probably wouldn't be enough to take down that fox.
That would have been true under normal circumstances. But no matter how strong the fox was now, it was doomed.
Yue Guan rose to his feet. Qian Yun couldn't even make out his movements. In the blink of an eye, he had appeared behind the Demon Fox.
Only then did the Demon Fox belatedly realize what was happening. Light flickered across its body as it tried to flee, but Yue Guan simply pointed a finger at it, and an invisible force pinned it in place, leaving it unable to move.
It was all over. This Spirit Beast had given countless Spirit Masters of its level a headache, yet faced with overwhelming strength, it couldn't last half a breath.
Qian Yun went over to the Demon Fox, which was already on the verge of death, marveling at its enormous size. Meanwhile, Yue Guan tossed Hu Liena a dagger. Everyone present understood what this meant.
To advance, a Spirit Master had to hunt Spirit Beasts and obtain Spirit Rings. Personally killing a Spirit Beast was something every Spirit Master was destined to experience.
Hu Liena's small hand gripped the cold hilt as she met the Demon Fox's pleading gaze, which seemed almost human. She hesitated. Back in Beast King Village, she had cooked for the village chief's family, who made their living hunting, and she had seen plenty of bloody scenes. But she had never even killed a chicken herself. She needed to prepare herself before killing a Demon Fox several times her weight.
No one urged her. They all understood that this was a step every Soul Scholar had to take to truly enter the world of Spirit Masters.
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, Hu Liena finally approached the Demon Fox and raised the gleaming dagger, squeezing her eyes shut. Then, as the Demon Fox stared at her in despair, she plunged the blade into its head.
With a squelch, the sound of flesh and bone being pierced rang out.
The Demon Fox didn't struggle at all. The moment the dagger entered its body, it fell completely still, and a golden Spirit Ring slowly formed above its head.
On Douluo Continent, the appearance of a Spirit Ring meant the Spirit Beast had died completely.
Yue Guan finally released the Demon Fox. Its enormous body slumped onto the boulder like a discarded sack. He turned to Hu Liena, who seemed a little dazed, and said, "Xiao Na, hurry and absorb it. If you wait any longer, it'll be too late."
"Oh, right!" Hu Liena came to her senses. Putting her complicated feelings aside, she sat down at once and began using the cultivation method Yue Guan had taught her. The Hundred-Year Soul Ring, which had been drifting aimlessly, gradually moved toward her.
The guards dutifully kept watch around Qian Yun and the others.
The process didn't take long. A little more than a quarter of an hour later, the golden Spirit Ring had disappeared. A few breaths after that, Hu Liena finally opened her eyes.
The Demon Fox's Spirit Ring must have been exceptionally compatible with her Martial Soul. The moment Hu Liena opened her eyes, a pink glimmer seemed to flash in them. The golden Hundred-Year Soul Ring beneath her feet was also clearly visible.
From that moment on, Hu Liena had officially become a Spirit Master—and one whose First Soul Ring was a Hundred-Year Soul Ring. That put her far ahead of her peers. What's more, the Spirit Ring she had obtained came from the Demon Fox, which was exceptionally compatible with her.
Qian Yun watched her change. From what he could sense, Hu Liena was now far stronger than he was, since he had yet to advance.
"Congratulations, Xiao Na," Qian Yun said sincerely.
"Thank you, Qian Yun. I feel great now. I think I can see farther, and my mind feels clearer too. Are these the benefits of a Spirit Ring? This is amazing!" Hu Liena said excitedly, feeling the improvement in herself.
"Your spiritual power has increased. And from your description, the Demon Fox's Spirit Ring seems to have given you quite a boost. What level is your Soul Power now?" Yue Guan immediately pinpointed the reason.
Hu Liena tipped up her face and thought for a moment. "I think it's level twelve. As for what my Spirit Ring does... Qian Yun, watch."
Hu Liena suddenly flashed Qian Yun a mischievous smile. The Hundred-Year Soul Ring at her feet flickered, and in an instant, everything around Qian Yun turned a hazy pink. Hu Liena moved so fast that it was terrifying. She seemed to teleport, appearing out of nowhere in front of him, tapping the tip of his nose, then vanishing before he could react. With his current abilities, it was difficult to catch sight of her.
Fortunately, the effect didn't last long. A few breaths later, Hu Liena withdrew her Martial Soul, and the mist surrounding him finally vanished.
"What was that just now?" Even now, Qian Yun still felt as if none of it had been real.
Seeing the confusion in Qian Yun's eyes, Hu Liena lifted her chin proudly. "That was my First Soul Skill, Charm. Under its influence, all of the enemy's senses are affected."
"Uh, so when it looked like you were moving incredibly fast, that was an illusion? You weren't really moving that fast?" Qian Yun asked in astonishment.
Hu Liena smiled smugly. "Hehe, of course not. There's no way I could move that fast!"
Qian Yun understood almost immediately. This was a group-control skill with tremendous potential!
Before you continue