Re-entering the Star Dou Forest

"Father!" Tang San, seeing Tang Hao collapse before him, immediately panicked and hurried to his side, trying to help him up.

"Let's go. It's time to head to the Star Dou Forest and obtain my Fifth Soul Ring." Lin Yu's gaze fixed on the direction of the Star Dou Forest.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing stood beside Lin Yu. After consuming the top-tier medicinal herbs, her Soul Power had already reached Level 30, allowing her to accompany Lin Yu to the Star Dou Forest to acquire a soul ring.

Although Zhu Zhuqing had long known that Lin Yu's strength was far beyond that of a mere Soul Ancestor, she had never imagined that at just twelve years old, he already possessed Level 50 Soul Power. All he needed was to obtain a soul ring to become a Soul King.

"What? Surprised?" Lin Yu naturally caught the flicker of astonishment on Zhu Zhuqing's face.

"No need to be surprised. You're only eleven now, and you've already reached Level 30 Soul Power, haven't you?" Lin Yu said with a gentle smile as he looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

"From now on, as one of my people, this is just the beginning. If the absorption age of your Third Soul Ring satisfies me, I will grant you an unimaginable opportunity when we return to Martial Soul City."

That opportunity will greatly elevate your strength." Lin Yu spoke to Zhu Zhuqing as if it were no big deal.

"Rest assured, Young Master. I will definitely meet your expectations." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly toward Lin Yu.

However, compared to others, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't even see her own feet.

The group moved quickly and soon entered the Star Dou Forest.

Once inside, Zhu Zhuqing took the initiative to search ahead for a suitable soul beast.

Normally, a figure like hers would severely hinder movement, but Zhu Zhuqing was exceptionally agile.

"Xiao Yu, this Zhu Zhuqing is quite impressive." Ghost, who rarely spoke, unexpectedly praised her.

"Old Ghost, I never thought I'd see the day you compliment someone!" Yue Guan exclaimed dramatically, staring at Ghost.

After all, Ghost rarely praised anyone. Even among the Golden Generation of Martial Soul Hall, only Hu Liena and Xie Yue had received his commendation—Yan had never earned such recognition.

But now, Ghost was actually praising Zhu Zhuqing.

"This young girl truly possesses rare tenacity." Ghost showed no change in expression at Yue Guan's words, merely nodding.

"If Uncle Ghost thinks highly of her, then let him take her as a disciple when we return to Martial Soul City. Her martial soul is well-suited to his teachings." Lin Yu smiled upon hearing Ghost's approval.

As they chatted, Zhu Zhuqing had already located a suitable soul beast.

"Young Master, there's a suitable soul beast ahead." Zhu Zhuqing's nimble form landed before Lin Yu, kneeling on one knee as she looked up at him.

"Oh? Tell me, what soul beast did you find?" Lin Yu asked with a smile, looking at Zhu Zhuqing.

He had already sensed the presence of soul beasts in the area before she arrived.

In Lin Yu's perception, there were two soul beasts. One was the Ghost Tiger that Zhu Zhuqing had slain in the original story, with an age of around fifteen hundred years.

The other was a soul beast even more suited to Zhu Zhuqing—a Hell Spirit Cat, matching her own martial soul.

However, this beast's age exceeded the limit for a Third Soul Ring.

But after consuming the top-tier medicinal herbs, Zhu Zhuqing's physical resilience had already been slightly enhanced, enough for her to absorb a two-thousand-year soul ring now. It all depended on whether she had the courage for it.

Still, the Hell Spirit Cat's concealment abilities were far superior, and Zhu Zhuqing might not even detect it.

"Young Master, I found a Ghost Tiger. It has a cub with it." Zhu Zhuqing looked at Lin Yu.

Hearing her answer, Lin Yu felt a twinge of disappointment, though he had expected it.

"Zhuqing, there are actually two soul beasts nearby suitable for you. One is the Ghost Tiger you mentioned, with an age of about fifteen hundred years.

The other is a Hell Spirit Cat, the same as your martial soul, but its age reaches around two thousand years. It's up to you to choose." After laying out the information, Lin Yu gazed intently at Zhu Zhuqing, waiting to hear her decision.

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated.

Encountering two suitable soul beasts at once, one of which matched her own martial soul but had a higher age, left her momentarily uncertain.

But as she wavered, Lin Yu's earlier words suddenly echoed in her mind: "If the absorption age of your Third Soul Ring satisfies me, I will grant you an unimaginable opportunity when we return to Martial Soul City."

With that thought, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up.

Seeing her hesitation, Lin Yu's expression dimmed with disappointment. He had already hinted so clearly, yet she still couldn't decide.

"Young Master, I choose the Hell Spirit Cat!" At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly lifted her head, meeting Lin Yu's gaze with firm resolve.

"Are you sure? A two-thousand-year age exceeds the limit for a Third Soul Ring. If you can't hold on, you might burst from the strain." Lin Yu's expression turned serious as he looked at her.

"Yes, I've made my choice." Zhu Zhuqing's gaze remained unwavering.

"Good. Your choice didn't disappoint me. Uncle Yue, bring that Hell Spirit Cat over." Lin Yu was pleased with her answer.

"Xiao Yu, this is better left to Old Ghost." This time, Yue Guan didn't follow Lin Yu's instruction, instead deferring to Ghost.

Without a word, Ghost vanished from their sight in a flash. When he reappeared, he was holding a Hell Spirit Cat in his hand.

"Kill it, and you can absorb its soul ring." Ghost's voice was hoarse as he tossed the beast before Zhu Zhuqing.

Having made her decision, Zhu Zhuqing didn't hesitate. She activated her First Soul Skill and slew the beast. A purple-glowing soul ring materialized over the Hell Spirit Cat's corpse.

She immediately sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

"Xiao Yu, do you think she'll succeed?" Yue Guan asked, watching Zhu Zhuqing absorb the ring.

"Uncle Yue, you personally chose the medicinal herbs for her. Don't you know? A two-thousand-year soul ring is nothing for her now—it's a breeze." Lin Yu replied with some exasperation at Yue Guan's question.

Sure enough, Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the soul ring without any trouble. It went smoothly, and within just half an hour, she had fully integrated it.

"Young Master." Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, looking at Lin Yu with excitement.

"How is it?" Lin Yu smiled at her. Seeing her so pleased, it was clear the harvest had been excellent.