Campfire Night Talk, Continuing the Search

The group stepped into the Star Dou Forest, following the map on their list to begin searching for a suitable soul beast.

The path through the forest was not easy to traverse; the roots of ancient trees were gnarled and tangled, and from time to time, venomous insects and vines would strike, only to be cleared away by the guards.

In a clearing within the dense woods, the group discovered a Shadow Cat.

Its form was agile and its fur pitch-black, hiding within the shadows and blending almost perfectly with its environment.

It was naturally gifted in concealment and speed, possessing a faint ability to cause mental interference.

Hu Liena's eyes lit up, and just as she was about to strike, Bibi Dong raised a hand to stop her.

Bibi Dong looked toward Ling Xiao and said indifferently, "Ling Xiao, what do you think of this Shadow Cat?"

Ling Xiao stared at the Shadow Cat for a moment before slowly shaking his head: "Master, it is not the type of soul beast I am looking for."

"Although this Shadow Cat is decent, its core abilities are speed and concealment."

"Its soul skill would most likely be related to concealment or speed, with at most a weak mental interference effect, which does not meet my requirements."

"It seems your studies have been effective!"

After she finished speaking, she waved her hand, sending out a surge of soul power.

The Shadow Cat was startled and fled, disappearing into the depths of the dense forest.

The group continued to venture deeper.

Not long after, they discovered a Mandala Snake beside a swamp.

Its scales shimmered with a cold light and its fangs were exposed; its age should have been around three hundred years.

It was one of the few physical control-type soul beasts marked on their list.

"Little Junior Brother, how about this one?" Hu Liena asked in a low voice.

"The toxin of a Mandala Snake can paralyze nerves and seal soul power; it is exactly the control type you need!"

Ling Xiao still shook his head: "Judging by its age, it should be around three hundred years old, which is a bit low."

He remembered that in the original story, Tang San's first soul ring had been from a Mandala Snake.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, clearly approving of his judgment.

The group continued forward as the sky gradually began to darken.

The light in the forest grew dimmer, and the danger level increased exponentially.

"Alright, we will stop here for today."

Bibi Dong halted her steps and gave instructions to the group.

"We will set up camp in the clearing ahead. After nightfall, no one is allowed to act alone."

"Understood!"

The guards immediately sprang into action, clearing a campsite in an open area and setting up multiple defensive formations.

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo took up positions on either side of the camp, remaining vigilant against any movement in the forest.

Soon, a bonfire was lit in the center of the camp.

The firelight dispersed the darkness and chill of the forest.

Hu Liena squatted beside the bonfire, holding skewers of meat and turning them over the flames.

Grease dripped into the fire, making a sizzling sound as a rich, meaty aroma filled the air.

"Master, Little Junior Brother, try my cooking!"

"I spent a long time learning from the chefs at the Pope Palace!"

Bibi Dong took the skewer, her gaze softening as she looked at her lively eldest disciple.

She had occupied a high position for many years and was accustomed to schemes and trickery.

Only in front of these two disciples could she lower her guard.

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Ling Xiao took the skewer and began to eat.

The roasted meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, cooked to perfection, and tasted truly excellent.

"Sigh, we searched all day and didn't find a single suitable one."

Hu Liena sighed while eating her meat.

"If I had known it would be this troublesome, we should have had the Soul Hunting Hall capture suitable soul beasts in advance and keep them in a hunting ground so we could just go and absorb them."

"Nonsense." Bibi Dong glanced at her and said indifferently.

"Hunting for soul rings is inherently a gamble between a soul master and the heavens; when the opportunity arrives, one will naturally find what is suitable."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Ling Xiao, her tone becoming much gentler.

"Ling Xiao, there is no need for you to be anxious."

"The number of soul beasts in the outer reaches of the Star Dou Forest is vast; we will certainly find one tomorrow."

"Better to have nothing than to settle for less; Master will accompany you as you search slowly."

"This disciple understands, thank you, Master."

Ling Xiao raised his head, looking at Bibi Dong across the campfire.

The firelight reflected on her stunningly beautiful face, softening the air of majesty she usually carried.

Ling Xiao's heart stirred slightly; he picked up the waterskin beside him and held it out.

"Master, you have spent the whole day searching with us, you must be exhausted."

Bibi Dong looked down at the waterskin offered to her.

"Very well."

She responded softly, unscrewing the cap to take a sip.

Hu Liena, sitting to the side, couldn't help but tease, "Oh, little junior brother, you're quite attentive!"

"It seems I'll have to learn from you in the future on how to please Master!"

Ling Xiao's face flushed slightly, and he lowered his head to continue eating his roasted meat.

Bibi Dong shot Hu Liena an annoyed glare.

"You have too much to say. Finish eating and go rest early; we have to get up early tomorrow to search for soul beasts."

Hu Liena stuck out her tongue and obediently shut her mouth.

The night deepened, yet the campfire continued to burn brightly.

Occasionally, the low roars of soul beasts drifted in from the distance.

Hu Liena had long since grown sleepy, leaning against a nearby tree trunk and drifting off.

Bibi Dong watched her, raising her hand to release a wave of soul power that draped a thin blanket over her.

She then turned her head to look at Ling Xiao, who was still sitting by the fire.

"Why aren't you resting?" she asked.

"I will meditate for a while longer to maintain my state."

Ling Xiao looked up and replied softly.

"Master, why aren't you resting?"

Bibi Dong replied indifferently.

"The Star Dou Forest has too many variables at night; I am worried about accidents."

"You don't need to worry about me; keeping your energy up is what matters most. After all, once we find a suitable soul beast, you will still need to absorb the spirit ring."

"Then this disciple will keep watch with you, Master," Ling Xiao said.

"Two pairs of eyes are better than one."

Bibi Dong looked at his earnest expression and did not refuse.

"Very well, then you may sit with me for a while."

The campfire crackled, its warm light casting the shadows of the two figures against the dark.

The next morning.

Morning mist swirled through the forest.

The campfire had long since burned out, leaving only a pile of ashes.

The guards had finished packing, and the defensive arrays had all been dismantled.

Hu Liena emerged from her tent, yawning, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

She looked up and saw Ling Xiao already standing in the forest clearing.

He stood with his eyes closed, focusing his soul power, his posture upright. The morning light filtered through the branches and leaves, falling upon him and outlining the silhouette of the young boy.

It left her momentarily dazed.

"Little junior brother, you're up so early."

She walked over quickly and spoke with a smile.

"It's only just dawn, why not sleep a bit more? Searching for soul beasts later will consume quite a bit of energy."

Ling Xiao slowly withdrew his power and opened his eyes.

"I am used to rising early to cultivate and stabilize my soul power."

"I truly admire you; you're so disciplined at only six years old."

Hu Liena stuck out her tongue.

"If it were me, I'd sleep as long as I possibly could. Only Master can keep me in check."

Bibi Dong stepped out from her tent.

Seeing the two of them, she spoke indifferently:

"Are you both prepared? Then let us depart."

"The area we are heading to today is a region marked by the Soul Hunting Hall as being densely populated with mental-type soul beasts; the probability of finding a suitable soul beast will be much higher."

"Yes, Master!"

The two answered in unison.

The group stepped once more into the depths of the dense forest, heading toward the more core regions of the Star Dou Forest.

Unlike yesterday, the traces of mental-type soul beasts in the forest were noticeably more frequent today.

From time to time, they could see Illusion Butterflies adept at creating illusions, or Sonic Birds capable of emitting mental screeches.

Yet, either the age was unsuitable, or the direction of the soul skill deviated too far from Ling Xiao's requirements, and he rejected them one by one.

They walked from dawn until noon.

And from noon until the sun slanted to the west.

The group had already penetrated nearly a hundred miles into the outer reaches of the Star Dou Forest, yet they still had not found a mental-type soul beast that perfectly met Ling Xiao's requirements.

It was not until the group stepped into the Scarlet Dream Flower Sea.

The valley was filled with waist-high scarlet flowers, their petals layered and overlapping.

As the wind blew, the sea of flowers surged, emitting a faint, sweet fragrance.

Smelling it for too long made one feel somewhat dizzy and mentally dazed.

"Stay alert!"

Bibi Dong's voice was cold and clear, carrying soul power as it dispersed, dispelling the sense of dizziness in everyone's minds.

"These Scarlet Dream Flowers themselves have a weak hallucinogenic effect; deep within this sea of flowers, there must be mental-type soul beasts."

"Gui Mei, you go to the left to scout; Yue Guan, you go to the right. Once you discover a soul beast that meets the requirements, suppress it immediately."

"Yes, Your Eminence the Pope!"

The two answered, their figures flashing as they vanished into the depths of the flower sea.