"Master, Master!"
Hu Liena suddenly leaped up from her chair, moved to Bibi Dong's side, and tugged at her sleeve, shaking it back and forth.
"Then I want to go along this time when you hunt for a Soul Ring!"
"I'm already a Level 25 Soul Grandmaster. I can protect junior brother!"
"I want to see Star Dou Forest and get some experience, too!"
Bibi Dong was helpless under her shaking and tapped her on the forehead.
"You really can't sit still, can you?"
"Fine, I'll take you this time. It'll be a good chance to see whether you've let your cultivation slip over the past six months."
"But we're agreed: once we reach Star Dou Forest, you're not allowed to run off. You'll follow orders. Understood?"
"Understood! Thank you, Master!"
Hu Liena's face immediately lit up with delight. She turned to Ling Xiao and smugly raised her chin.
Ling Xiao shook his head helplessly, then bowed to Bibi Dong again.
"Thank you for going to so much trouble, Master."
"You're my disciple. Of course I'll make all the proper arrangements for you."
Bibi Dong's voice was gentle.
"Go back to Qinghui Hall and get yourself ready."
"Focus on stabilizing your Soul Power and make sure there's no room for error when you absorb your Soul Ring."
"I'll send word to Mo Chen and have him screen for the Soul Beasts best suited to your requirements and draw up a hunting list."
Star Dou Forest was the largest gathering place of Soul Beasts on Douluo Continent.
Below a thousand years old, most Soul Beasts could be found on the forest's outskirts, making them suitable targets for obtaining a Soul Ring.
Ling Xiao understood and asked,
"Master, when will we set out?"
"In three days."
"We'll leave Spirit City early that morning and head for Star Dou Forest."
"I'll arrange for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to accompany us, to ensure everything goes smoothly."
Two Titled Douluos!
Ordinarily, a Soul Master hunting for their First Soul Ring needed no more than a Soul King to lead the group.
Bibi Dong had actually arranged for two Titled Douluos to accompany him. With Bibi Dong herself also a Titled Douluo, the sheer prestige of the arrangement was off the charts!
Perhaps nowhere else on Douluo Continent could anyone receive such treatment—unless they were the Pope's personal disciple.
Ling Xiao was a little surprised, and gratitude colored his voice.
"This disciple thanks you for going to so much trouble, Master."
"All right, you two can go back now."
Bibi Dong waved a hand.
"Nana, make sure you improve your cultivation over the next few days, too. Don't go getting flustered when we reach Star Dou Forest."
Hu Liena blushed and stuck out her tongue. Taking Ling Xiao by the hand, she said,
"I understand, Master! We'll be going now!"
The two took their leave together and walked out of the Pope's Main Hall.
The moment they stepped outside, Hu Liena couldn't help patting Ling Xiao on the shoulder as she laughed.
"Not bad, junior brother! Master actually arranged for two Titled Douluos to accompany you!"
"When I went to hunt for my Second Soul Ring, I only had one Titled Douluo with me!"
"We're going to Star Dou Forest in three days. Don't be afraid."
Hu Liena thumped her chest and assured him confidently,
"Your senior sister might not be able to beat a Titled Douluo, but dealing with a Hundred-Year Soul Beast will be a piece of cake!"
"Then I'll thank you in advance, senior sister."
Ling Xiao nodded slightly, not rejecting her kind offer.
The two chatted as they walked, then parted at a fork in the road.
Once the hall doors were shut, silence returned.
Ling Xiao walked over to the window and raised his hand, studying his palm.
His mental power sank into the sea of qi in his dantian, where the phantom of the Demon Fruit Tree swayed gently.
Ling Xiao slowly lowered his gaze, went to the meditation cushion, and sat down.
He closed his eyes and began circulating the Heaven Origin Soul Art, calming his mind as he steadied his Soul Power.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
At daybreak, the group had already assembled.
A specially made carriage, pitch-black from end to end, stood ready, with eight black-armored guards following behind it.
At the head of the group stood two men of extraordinary bearing.
One wore a brocade robe patterned with chrysanthemums. He was handsome, with a smile that never quite left his lips: Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
The other stood cloaked in shadow, a ghostly aura about him: Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
To hunt for a First Soul Ring for a six-year-old child who had only just awakened his martial spirit, this kind of lineup was—
unprecedented anywhere on Douluo Continent.
"Junior brother, hurry up! We're all waiting for you!"
Beside the carriage, Hu Liena was waving toward the city gates, her eyes bright with excitement.
Soon, a tall figure approached.
Ling Xiao wore a fitted white outfit, his black hair tied back. He looked sharp and dashing.
He stopped in front of the carriage and nodded slightly to Hu Liena.
Bowing to Bibi Dong, who had just stepped down from the carriage, he greeted her. "Master."
Bibi Dong had traded her resplendent papal robes for a purple dress today. Her long hair flowed naturally down her back, making her look like a bewitching immortal.
Looking at her disciple, she asked gently, "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, Master. Everything is ready," Ling Xiao replied.
"Then get in."
Bibi Dong turned and entered the carriage first.
"Star Dou Forest is quite a distance from Spirit City. We can use the journey to go over the things you need to know about hunting Soul Beasts and absorbing a Soul Ring."
Ling Xiao and Hu Liena followed close behind and climbed into the carriage.
The carriage was spacious and bright, with specially made crystal panes fitted into the windows on either side.
They offered a clear view of the scenery outside while keeping out the sounds beyond.
As soon as Hu Liena got in, she pressed herself to the window, gazing out and chattering with endless questions.
Ling Xiao, by contrast, quietly studied the Soul Beast compendium in his hands, his expression intent.
"Ling Xiao," Bibi Dong said, breaking the silence.
"I already had the Soul Hunting Hall scout the area in advance. There are plenty of Soul Beasts on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest that meet your requirements."
Ling Xiao was delighted. "Thank you for going to so much trouble, Master."
Hu Liena thumped her chest beside him. "Don't worry, junior brother! Your senior sister will help you absorb your Soul Ring successfully!"
Bibi Dong rapped her on the forehead. "You think you're so capable, do you?"
"Once we get there, don't go acting on your own."
Hu Liena stuck out her tongue and hunched her shoulders, not daring to say another word.
The carriage raced toward Star Dou Forest.
They traveled from morning until noon, then from noon until the sun slanted low in the west.
At last, a seemingly endless sea of trees filled the distant horizon. They had reached Star Dou Forest.
The carriage stopped on the outskirts of the forest, and the group climbed out one after another.
Ancient trees towered overhead, their crowns blotting out the sky. Even the thinnest trunks would have taken two people to encircle.
Dense branches and leaves blocked the sun, allowing only scattered flecks of light to fall to the ground.
From time to time, a Soul Beast's roar echoed through the forest.
Beneath the tranquil sea of trees lurked danger at every turn.
"Your Holiness."
Chrysanthemum Douluo hurried over.
"This is the list of Soul Beasts drawn up by the Soul Hunting Hall. Please take a look."
As he spoke, he handed over a thin booklet.
Bibi Dong accepted it and passed it to Ling Xiao beside her.
"Take a look. I had the Soul Hunting Hall screen these Soul Beasts according to your requirements."
Ling Xiao took the booklet and flipped through it carefully.
It was exceptionally detailed, with an in-depth description of each Soul Beast.
Among the Plant-type Soul Beasts were Entangling Silk Vine, Illusion Flower, and Soul-Binding Grass, all adept at restraining their targets, creating illusions, or sealing away their minds.
The mind-type Soul Beasts included Phantom Heart Fox, Shadow Cat, Soul Devouring Butterfly, and others.
"Thank you, Master." Ling Xiao closed the booklet, his voice full of gratitude.
Bibi Dong had truly taken care of every last detail regarding his First Soul Ring.
"What's there to thank me for? I'm your master."
Bibi Dong waved a hand, her tone turning stern.
"Once we're in the forest, everyone stays alert."
"Gui Mei, take the lead. Yue Guan, bring up the rear and keep the others safe."
"Without my order, no one is to act on their own."
"Yes, Your Holiness!" everyone answered in unison.
Before you continue