Hu Liena's First Spirit Ability

As if she had anticipated that Qian Yun would be unfamiliar with this type of Spirit Beast, Bibi Dong explained before he could even ask: "Beyond its formidable mental power, this Star-Chasing Deer is even more precious for its Star Power, which happens to perfectly align with the attributes of your Martial Soul. Obtaining its Spirit Ring should grant you an offensive-type Spirit Skill."

Qian Yun's eyes lit up. He had been so fixated on enhancing his mental power that he had forgotten he could also leverage Star Power. In that light, the Star-Chasing Deer was indeed the optimal choice.

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher." Looking at Bibi Dong, who sat in the seat of honor, Qian Yun felt a surge of deep emotion.

Having the guidance of a top-tier powerhouse truly made a difference; it allowed him to avoid many detours. Moreover, much of her experience was gained through personal trial and error, which was far superior to mere theoretical knowledge.

Had it not been for Bibi Dong's words, Qian Yun might have even considered hunting his enemy, the Ghost Moth, though fortunately, he did not need it at this stage.

"Mm."

In truth, Bibi Dong's expectations for Qian Yun surpassed those she held for Hu Liena. After all, having come into contact with his Martial Soul, she understood that in terms of pure quality, Qian Yun's Martial Soul undoubtedly exceeded her own Twin Martial Souls and was even comparable to the Angel Martial Soul.

The Angel Martial Soul was a god-level Martial Soul, naturally possessing twenty levels of Spirit Power—an existence that transcended the common laws of Martial Souls in this world. While this Crown did not have the advantage of innate twenty-level Spirit Power, in terms of control over multiple elements, the Crown Martial Soul was arguably the best in the world!

I wonder what kind of expression that old thing will have when Qian Yun eventually tramples his supposedly invincible Angel Martial Soul beneath his feet? And what will his expression be when he acts like a lapdog, inviting Qian Yun to join him, only to discover that such a genius already belongs to me?!

Thinking of everything that would come to pass, Bibi Dong sneered inwardly.

With their goal clearly defined, Qian Yun and Hu Liena did not delay. They planned to set out the next day to hunt for the Spirit Ring, and to ensure the operation was foolproof, Bibi Dong dispatched a Titled Douluo to accompany them.

As for the location, it was, of course, the Star Dou Great Forest, where Spirit Beast resources were most abundant.

The next day.

The sky was still dim, long before the first rooster crowed, when Qian Yun and Hu Liena boarded the carriage.

Beyond the Titled Douluo escorting them, there was a fully armed guard unit clearing the path; judging by this display, it was no different from the Pope herself making an appearance.

The luxurious convoy set off in a grand procession. Looking at the carriage ahead, Qian Yun thought that this time, let alone a hundred-year Spirit Beast, even if they encountered a ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast, they could kill it without issue, for they had a Titled Douluo presiding over the mission!

A Titled Douluo accompanying a Spirit Ring hunt—how many factions in this world could boast such treatment?

The preparations were also extremely thorough. Not only were food, weapons, and medicine well-stocked, but the locations of the Spirit Beasts were monitored by specialists and even marked directly on a map. All they had to do was the simplest part: travel along the route, let Yue Guan slap the Spirit Beast, and then deliver the finishing blow himself. Done!

As for traveling on foot? Only a fool would do that!

Thus, Qian Yun felt incredibly relaxed on the journey, reading books on popular science and taking in the scenery along the way. Three days later, they were nearing their destination.

As they approached the Star Dou Great Forest, they finally heard the long-lost bustling noise. Qian Yun lifted the curtain to look at the market-like area, his eyes filled with curiosity. Everything needed for travel and adventure could be bought here, and he even witnessed the formation of a temporary Spirit-hunting squad.

However, they did not need to replenish any supplies. After the carriage slowed down slightly, it drove toward the gates of the Star Dou Great Forest amidst a crowd of envious gazes.

Qian Yun and Hu Liena finally stepped out of the carriage; from here on, they would have to proceed on foot.

The vast vitality of the Star Dou Great Forest could only truly be felt when one stood before it.

What met their eyes were towering, dark green trees. At such a height, hiding an entire city would be effortless, and this was merely the outermost perimeter of the great forest. As for what the deeper regions looked like, perhaps only a few top-tier powerhouses could catch a glimpse.

While he was lost in thought, they had already presented their tokens. The sturdy, massive iron gate was pushed open with a creak, and the guards surrounded Qian Yun, Hu Liena, and Yue Guan, beginning to move forward slowly.

Guided by the map, the group headed straight for their destination at a steady pace. Along the way, with the pressure released by Yue Guan, ordinary Spirit Beasts fled early on. As for those that were blind or too slow, they were dispatched by the guard unit. In the blink of an eye, night fell, and they were one day away from the Demon Fox's hiding place.

The nights in the forest were always quiet yet restless. Lying in his tent, Qian Yun listened to the shrill roars echoing from near and far, finding it difficult to sleep.

Another day passed.

Qian Yun's group finally arrived at their destination. Gazing at the jungle in the distance where a waterfall roared, Qian Yun and Hu Liena were curious but dared not get too close.

In the distance, Yue Guan beckoned to the two of them and pointed downward. When Qian Yun carefully parted the bushes, he finally saw the legendary Demon Fox.

The Spirit Beast, lounging comfortably on a boulder by the waterfall and lazily flicking its tail, was none other than the Demon Fox.

The Demon Fox was truly worthy of the fox clan; its chestnut-colored fur was bright and well-groomed, and a tuft of golden fur extending from its brow to its nose marked its extraordinary status. Behind it were three astonishing tails.

It clearly had not discovered Qian Yun's group and was still lazily basking in the sun, completely unaware that danger was approaching.

"It's so beautiful," Hu Liena exclaimed with genuine admiration.

Qian Yun thought to himself: Beautiful it may be, but even if a hundred of me were added together, I'm afraid I wouldn't be enough for that fox below to kill.

But that was under normal circumstances; now, no matter how powerful this fox was, it was a dead end.

Yue Guan stood up, and before Qian Yun could even track his movements, he had appeared behind the Demon Fox in an instant.

The Demon Fox finally reacted, light shimmering on its body as it tried to flee, but Yue Guan pointed his finger into the air, and the Demon Fox was pinned down by an invisible force, unable to move a muscle.

Everything was settled. This Spirit Beast, which caused countless Spirit Masters of the same level endless headaches, could not even last half a breath in the face of absolute power.

Qian Yun approached the dying Demon Fox, marveling at its massive size. On the other side, Yue Guan tossed a dagger to Hu Liena; everyone present knew what this meant.

For a Spirit Master to advance, they must hunt Spirit Beasts to obtain Spirit Rings, and killing a Spirit Beast with one's own hands was a rite of passage for every Spirit Master.

Hu Liena gripped the cold hilt of the blade, meeting the Demon Fox's eyes, which seemed to hold human-like pleading. For a moment, she hesitated. Back at Beast King Village, although she cooked and the village chief's family lived by hunting, she had seen bloody scenes often enough, but she had never killed even a chicken herself. Being asked to kill a Demon Fox several times her weight all at once required some mental preparation.

No one in the group urged her; they all understood that this was a step every Spirit Disciple had to take to truly enter the world of Spirit Masters.

Feeling the gazes around her, Hu Liena finally walked up to the Demon Fox, raised the white, gleaming blade, and squeezed her eyes shut. Then, amidst the desperate expression of the Demon Fox, she plunged it into its head.

Squelch. The sound of flesh being torn echoed out.

Without a struggle, the moment the dagger entered its body, the Demon Fox went completely still. At the same time, a golden Spirit Ring slowly gathered above the Demon Fox's head.

On the Douluo Continent, the appearance of a Spirit Ring signified the absolute death of a Spirit Beast.

Yue Guan finally released his restraint on the Demon Fox, and its massive body collapsed onto the boulder like a broken sack. He turned to the somewhat dazed Hu Liena and said, "Xiao Na, hurry and absorb it. If you wait any longer, it will be too late."

"Oh, yes!" Hu Liena snapped out of it. Ignoring her complex emotions, she sat down immediately and began to circulate the technique Yue Guan had taught her. The hundred-year Spirit Ring, which had been drifting aimlessly, gradually began to draw toward her.

The guards were Qian Yun and two others, who were performing their duties diligently.

The process did not last long; after a little over ten minutes, the golden spirit ring had vanished, and a few breaths later, Hu Liena finally opened her eyes.

Perhaps because the Demon Fox spirit ring was an exceptional match for her martial soul, a flash of pink light seemed to streak through the depths of her eyes the moment she opened them. At the same time, the golden hundred-year spirit ring beneath her feet was fully revealed.

From this moment on, Hu Liena had officially become a Spirit Master, and one whose first spirit ring was already of the hundred-year level. This undoubtedly put her far, far ahead of her peers, not to mention that the spirit ring she had obtained was a Demon Fox that was perfectly compatible with her own.

Qian Yun took in all her changes; in his perception, the Hu Liena of this moment was undoubtedly much stronger than he was, even though he had yet to advance himself.

"Congratulations, Xiao Na," Qian Yun said, offering his sincere congratulations.

"Thank you, Qian Yun. I feel great right now. I seem to be able to see further, and my mind is much clearer. Is this the benefit brought by a spirit ring? It's so magical." Feeling the improvements within herself, Hu Liena spoke of her experience with a hint of excitement.

"That is because your mental power has increased, and judging by your description, the Demon Fox spirit ring has provided you with quite a significant boost. About what level is your spirit power now?" Yue Guan pointed out the reason behind it.

Hu Liena tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "It should be level twelve. As for the effect of the spirit ring... Qian Yun, look."

Hu Liena suddenly gave Qian Yun a mischievous smile, and the hundred-year spirit ring beneath her feet flickered slightly. Immediately after, Qian Yun felt everything around him turn a suggestive shade of pink. Hu Liena's movements were frighteningly fast; she appeared before him out of thin air as if she had teleported, tapped the tip of his nose, and then vanished again just as he was about to react. With his current abilities, it was very difficult for him to track her movements.

Fortunately, this state did not last long. A few breaths later, Hu Liena retracted her martial soul, and the mist that had been cast upon him finally dissipated.

"What was that just now?" Qian Yun still felt a sense of unreality as he faced Hu Liena.

Seeing the confusion in Qian Yun's eyes, Hu Liena tilted her little face up with a look of triumph. "That was my first spirit skill, Charm. Under its influence, all of an enemy's perceptions will be affected."

"Uh, so you mean the extreme speed I saw you move with was also an illusion, not real?" Qian Yun asked, stunned.

Hu Liena laughed smugly. "Heh heh, of course. How could I possibly achieve that kind of speed!"

Qian Yun realized almost the very next instant that this was a group crowd-control skill with immense potential!