The group entered the Star Dou Forest and, following the map on their list, began searching for suitable Soul Beasts.
The trails through the forest were rough. Ancient trees sprawled tangled roots across the ground, and poisonous insects and vines attacked from time to time, only to be dealt with by the guards.
In a clearing deep in the woods, they spotted a Shadow Cat.
It was lithe, with glossy black fur. Lurking in the shadows, it was almost indistinguishable from its surroundings.
It was naturally skilled at stealth and speed, and possessed a faint ability to interfere with the mind.
Hu Liena's eyes lit up. She was about to strike when Bibi Dong raised a hand to stop her.
Bibi Dong looked at Ling Xiao and asked calmly, "Ling Xiao, what do you think of this Shadow Cat?"
Ling Xiao studied the Shadow Cat for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Master, it isn't the type of Soul Beast I'm looking for."
"This Shadow Cat is decent, but its main abilities are speed and stealth."
"Its Soul Skill would most likely involve stealth or speed, perhaps with a faint mental interference effect at most. It doesn't suit my needs."
"Looks like you've learned well!"
As she finished speaking, she flicked her hand, sending out a burst of Soul Power.
The Shadow Cat was startled and fled, vanishing into the depths of the woods.
The group continued deeper into the forest.
Before long, they spotted a Mandala Snake beside a marsh.
Its scales glinted coldly, its fangs bared. It was probably around three hundred years old.
It was one of the few physical-control-type Soul Beasts marked on the list.
"Little junior brother, what about this one?" Hu Liena asked in a low voice.
"The Mandala Snake's venom can numb the nerves and seal off Soul Power. It's perfect for a control-type!"
Ling Xiao still shook his head. "Judging by its age, it's around three hundred years old. That's a little too low."
He remembered that Tang San's First Soul Ring in the original story had come from a Mandala Snake.
Bibi Dong gave a slight nod, clearly agreeing with his judgment.
The group pressed on, and the sky gradually darkened.
The forest grew dimmer by the minute, and the danger multiplied with it.
"All right, that's enough for today."
Bibi Dong stopped and gave the group her orders.
"We'll make camp in the clearing ahead. Once night falls, no one is to go off alone."
"Yes!"
The guards immediately got to work, clearing a campsite in the open area and setting up multiple layers of protective arrays.
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo took positions on opposite sides of the camp, alert to any movement in the woods.
Before long, a bonfire blazed in the center of the camp.
Its light drove back the darkness and chill of the forest.
Hu Liena crouched beside the fire, holding a skewer of meat and turning it over the flames.
Fat dripped into the fire with a sizzle, and the rich aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
"Master, little junior brother, try my cooking!"
"I spent ages learning from the cooks at the Pope Palace!"
Bibi Dong accepted a skewer, her gaze softening as she looked at her lively eldest disciple.
She spent most of her life surrounded by power and intrigue.
Only around these two disciples could she let her guard down a little.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Ling Xiao took the skewer and lowered his head to eat.
The meat was crisp on the outside and tender within, cooked just right. It really did taste excellent.
"Honestly, we searched all day and didn't find a single suitable one."
Hu Liena sighed as she ate.
"If I'd known it'd be such a hassle, I'd have had the Soul Hunting Hall capture suitable Soul Beasts ahead of time and keep them in the Soul Hunting Grounds. Then we could've gone straight there to absorb their rings."
"Don't be ridiculous." Bibi Dong glanced at her and replied coolly.
"Hunting for a Soul Ring is a contest between a Soul Master and the natural world. When the right opportunity comes, you'll find what you need."
As she spoke, she turned to Ling Xiao, her tone growing much gentler.
"Ling Xiao, don't rush."
"There are plenty of Soul Beasts in the outer reaches of the Star Dou Forest. We'll surely find one tomorrow."
"Better to have none than to settle for the wrong one. I'll take my time searching with you."
"This disciple understands. Thank you, Master."
Ling Xiao looked up at Bibi Dong across the bonfire.
The firelight fell across her exquisite face, softening some of her natural authority.
Ling Xiao felt his heart stir. He picked up the waterskin beside him and held it out to her.
"Master, you've spent all day searching with us. Thank you for all your effort."
Bibi Dong lowered her gaze to the waterskin he held out.
"All right."
She replied softly, uncorked it, and took a sip.
Hu Liena couldn't help teasing him. "Ooh, little junior brother, you're so thoughtful!"
"Looks like I'll have to learn from you how to make Master happy!"
Ling Xiao's cheeks reddened slightly, and he lowered his head to keep eating.
Bibi Dong shot Hu Liena an exasperated look.
"You talk too much. Finish eating and get some rest. We have to get up early to search for Soul Beasts tomorrow."
Hu Liena stuck out her tongue and obediently fell silent.
The night deepened, but the bonfire still blazed.
From time to time, distant Soul Beasts let out low growls.
Hu Liena had been tired for a while. Leaning against a tree trunk, she was nodding off.
Bibi Dong looked at her, then flicked out a thread of Soul Power to drape a thin blanket over her.
Then she turned to Ling Xiao, who was still sitting by the bonfire.
"Why aren't you resting?" she asked.
"I'll meditate a little longer and keep myself ready."
Ling Xiao looked up and answered softly.
"Master, why aren't you resting?"
Bibi Dong replied evenly.
"The Star Dou Forest is full of uncertainties at night. I'm worried something might happen."
"Don't worry about me. Getting enough rest is what matters most. After all, once we find a suitable Soul Beast, you'll still have to absorb its Soul Ring."
"Then this disciple will stay here and keep watch with you," Ling Xiao said.
"Two people mean twice the eyes."
Bibi Dong looked at his earnest expression and didn't refuse.
"All right. Sit with me for a while, then."
The bonfire crackled, its warm light falling over their figures.
The next morning.
The forest was shrouded in mist.
The bonfire had long since burned out, leaving only a patch of ash.
The guards had finished packing, and every protective array had been taken down.
Hu Liena emerged from the tent with a yawn, still bleary-eyed.
When she looked up, she saw Ling Xiao already standing in the clearing.
He had his eyes closed as he focused on circulating his Soul Power. His posture was straight, and the morning light filtering through the branches outlined his youthful figure.
For a moment, she couldn't tear her eyes away.
"Little junior brother, you're up so early!"
She hurried over, smiling as she spoke.
"It's barely dawn. Why not sleep a little longer? Searching for Soul Beasts will take a lot out of you."
Ling Xiao slowly finished his cultivation and opened his eyes.
"I'm used to getting up early to cultivate and stabilize my Soul Power."
"I admire you. You're only six, yet you're already so disciplined."
Hu Liena stuck out her tongue.
"If it were me, I'd sleep for every extra minute I could. Only Master can keep me in line."
Bibi Dong stepped out of the tent.
Seeing the two of them, she spoke calmly:
"Are you both ready? Then let's go."
"Today we're heading to an area the Soul Hunting Hall marked as dense with mental-type Soul Beasts. There's a much better chance of finding one that suits you."
"Yes, Master!"
They answered in unison.
The group ventured back into the depths of the forest, heading toward the Star Dou Forest's inner region.
Unlike the day before, signs of mental-type Soul Beasts were much more common in the forest today.
Every so often, they spotted Illusion Butterflies, skilled at creating mirages, or Sonic Birds, capable of unleashing mental shrieks.
But either their age was unsuitable, or their Soul Skills were too far removed from what Ling Xiao needed. He rejected them one by one.
They walked from morning until noon.
Then they walked from noon until the sun began to sink.
The group had ventured nearly a hundred miles into the outer reaches of the Star Dou Forest, yet they still hadn't found a mental-type Soul Beast that fully met Ling Xiao's requirements.
It was only when they entered the Scarlet Dream Flower Sea that things changed.
The valley was filled with waist-high crimson flowers, their petals layered one upon another.
When the wind swept through, the sea of blossoms rolled in waves, releasing a faintly sweet scent.
After breathing it in for too long, they began to feel dizzy and dazed.
"Stay alert!"
Bibi Dong's voice rang out, cool and clear. Her Soul Power spread through the group, dispelling the dizziness in their minds.
"These Scarlet Dream Flowers have a mild hallucinogenic effect. There must be a mental-type Soul Beast deeper in the flower sea."
"Gui Mei, scout the left side. Yue Guan, take the right. If either of you finds a suitable Soul Beast, suppress it immediately."
"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope!"
They answered, then flashed away into the depths of the flower sea.
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