Scarlet Dream Heart Fox

The group moved forward at a slow, steady pace.

Ling Xiao walked in the middle of the formation, his spiritual power spreading out to cautiously sense any movement within the sea of flowers.

His spiritual power far exceeded that of an ordinary person, granting him a vast range of perception.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao's footsteps faltered.

He whipped his head toward a spot beside a giant boulder deep within the sea of flowers.

A scarlet shadow flashed past.

"Master, there is something over there."

Ling Xiao spoke immediately, raising his hand to point toward the boulder.

Before his voice had even faded, Bibi Dong's spiritual power had already locked onto the boulder.

A cold glint flashed in her eyes as a wave of pressure radiated outward.

A fox darted out from the flower bushes.

It possessed scarlet fur and trailed three fluffy tails behind it.

Waves of soul power swirled around its body, making one's heart and mind sway, compelling them to draw closer.

"What a beautiful fox!"

Hu Liena let out a soft cry, her eyes lighting up.

"A Scarlet Dream Heart Fox! A natural spirit-type soul beast—it's exactly what you need!"

Bibi Dong's gaze landed on the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox, and she immediately calculated its age.

Her brows furrowed slightly: "Five hundred years."

It had reached the absorption limit for a soul master's first soul ring.

"What a pity."

The joy on Hu Liena's face faded, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"The age is a bit too high; there will be risks in absorbing it."

Ling Xiao, however, took a step forward.

He stared intently at the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox, his tone firm as he spoke:

"Master, I want this one."

"Little Junior Brother, have you lost your mind?!"

Hu Liena grabbed his arm, her voice urgent.

"This is a five-hundred-year soul ring! It exceeds the limit for a first soul ring! This isn't a game!"

Bibi Dong also turned around, looking at Ling Xiao with a tone that had grown more serious.

"Ling Xiao, do you know what you are saying?"

Ling Xiao bowed to Bibi Dong, his eyes remaining resolute.

"Master, this disciple knows the risks and is clear about what he is doing."

"This disciple has never ceased his daily physical training and breathing exercises; I am confident that my physical constitution is stronger than the average person, and I have the confidence to absorb it successfully."

"This Scarlet Dream Heart Fox is, thus far, the soul beast that best fits me."

"Its Charm ability, mental manipulation, and illusion creation all align with the type of soul skills I desire."

"If I miss this one, I may not find another one more suitable."

"As for the risks, this disciple is confident in handling them."

"Furthermore, with you, Master, here to protect me, even if an accident occurs during the absorption process, you will be able to intervene in time."

Bibi Dong could sense that Ling Xiao's physical constitution and spiritual strength were indeed far superior to ordinary people.

After a moment of silence, Bibi Dong finally nodded slowly.

"Very well. Since you have thought it through, this master will accompany you on this gamble."

"Thank you, Master!"

Joy filled Ling Xiao's eyes.

"Don't thank me yet."

Bibi Dong raised a hand, her tone turning stern once more.

"I will state this clearly beforehand: if I discover that you cannot hold on during the absorption process, I will immediately intervene to terminate it."

"This disciple understands! I will follow your arrangements in everything, Master!"

During the time they were speaking, the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox seemed to sense the danger.

It let out a sharp hiss, and a dense force of illusion swept toward the group.

"You court death!"

Bibi Dong let out a cold snort, releasing the pressure from her body.

A terrifying aura swept out like a tsunami, instantly crushing the illusions filling the sky.

The distorted scenery returned to normal in an instant.

Under this terrifying pressure, the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox could not even move.

Its four legs went weak, and it collapsed directly onto the ground.

Its pink eyes were filled with fear, and it let out whimpering cries, lacking even a shred of strength to resist.

This was the power of a Titled Douluo!

"Ling Xiao, do it."

Bibi Dong spoke indifferently.

"Make it quick, give it a clean end."

"Yes, Master."

Ling Xiao responded, slowly walking in front of the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox.

He looked at the soul beast trembling on the ground, his expression blank.

Soul masters and soul beasts were the survival law of this world; if he wanted to walk this path, he had to take this step.

He took a long spear and precisely pierced the heart of the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox.

The Scarlet Dream Heart Fox let out a short, mournful cry, then ceased to breathe.

A dazzling yellow soul ring rose from its corpse, and rich fluctuations of soul power scattered in all directions.

"Sit cross-legged and begin the absorption immediately."

Bibi Dong's voice rang in his ears.

"Remember, guard your heart and mind, use your own soul power to guide the energy of the soul ring, and merge it into your martial soul."

"Yes, Master."

Ling Xiao immediately sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

The soul ring was drawn over and settled onto his body.

Dazzling yellow light enveloped his entire being.

The terrifying energy of the soul ring surged into his body, rampaging through his meridians.

The energy of a five-hundred-year soul ring far exceeded that of an ordinary hundred-year soul ring.

"Ngh..."

Ling Xiao let out a muffled groan, cold sweat seeping from his forehead as his body began to tremble slightly.

"Little Junior Brother!"

Hu Liena could not help but take a nervous step forward, but she was stopped by Bibi Dong raising her hand.

"Don't touch him."

She could sense that the soul ring energy within Ling Xiao was slowly merging with him.

Time passed second by second.

Nightfall shrouded the entire Scarlet Dream Flower Sea.

The guards lit torches, the firelight illuminating the camp.

Ling Xiao remained sitting in place, the yellow soul ring around his body flickering on and off.

Deep within his consciousness, he was waging a final battle against the illusions of the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox.

Ling Xiao's mind was as firm as a rock, unmoved.

Inside his sea of consciousness, the Demon Fruit Tree trembled slightly.

Its gnarled branches emitted a dark purple halo, beginning to devour the incoming power of the illusion and converting it into nutrients to nourish itself.

He tamed it bit by bit, guiding it along the meridian pathways of the Heaven Origin Soul Art, until it slowly flowed and finally converged into his dantian sea of energy.

A night passed, and the horizon turned a pale white.

As the first ray of morning light fell upon Ling Xiao, the soul ring completely merged into his body.

His Soul Power Level climbed continuously.

Eleven, twelve, thirteen!

It finally stopped at the realm of a level thirteen soul master!

Ling Xiao slowly opened his eyes.

A faint crimson halo flashed through his pitch-black pupils before quickly fading away.

His entire temperament had undergone a heaven-shaking transformation.

He was already handsome and refined by nature, but now, having absorbed the spirit ring of the Scarlet Dream Heart Fox, the passive effect of his spirit skill added an even more soul-stirring charm to his appearance.

His eyes were like stars; just a quiet glance from him was enough to make one's heart sway and yearn to draw closer.

Despite being only a six-year-old boy, the magnetic attraction he exuded could no longer be concealed.

"Junior Brother! You're awake!"

Hu Liena was the first to rush over, staring at him in a sudden daze.

She couldn't shake the feeling that, overnight, her junior brother had become even better-looking.

It was clearly the same face, yet it made her want to lean in closer and grow intimate with him.

"Senior Sister, I am fine."

Ling Xiao watched her stunned expression, the corners of his lips curling upward as he spoke softly.

His voice was clear and crisp, now carrying the passive Charm of his spirit skill, which made Hu Liena's cheeks flush red.

"Y-you, as long as you're okay... You scared me to death, I thought you were going to fail... No, wait, Junior Brother, why have you suddenly become so good-looking?!"