Hunting Plan and Playing Along

Xiao Wu heard his Heart Voice, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly before she quickly returned to an innocent expression.

Of course, she knew what Lin Yi was thinking.

Ever since they had left the academy, she had been listening to Lin Yi's Heart Voice and understood his plan perfectly.

Two days from Nuoding City to his home?

How could it possibly take that long?

He just wanted to find an excuse to hunt for a Soul Ring.

However, she did not expose him.

Because she had plans of her own.

Xiao Wu knew that Lin Yi possessed Twin Martial Souls, but she had yet to see his second martial soul.

Besides, she was curious about what kind of Soul Ring Lin Yi would choose.

More importantly, she needed to confirm whether Lin Yi could truly help her change her fate.

So, she decided to play along.

"Lin Yi, I'm a little tired." Xiao Wu suddenly stopped and rubbed her calf. "How about we rest for a while?"

Lin Yi was delighted. The opportunity had come.

He looked ahead and could already see the outline of the Maple Forest in the distance.

Pointing in that direction, Lin Yi said, "There's a forest ahead. Let's rest there. It'll be cooler in the woods."

"Sure." Xiao Wu nodded and continued following Lin Yi forward.

Before long, the two of them entered the Maple Forest.

Relying on his memories, Lin Yi quickly led Xiao Wu to the location of the cave.

He pushed aside the vines and walked in.

The cave was not large, but it was dry. There was even a simple bed made of dried grass left behind by previous visitors.

"This place should do." Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction.

Xiao Wu blinked. "Could there be wild beasts here?"

Lin Yi smiled. "I checked. It's very safe."

"Alright, then." Xiao Wu nodded, still looking utterly innocent.

This Little Rabbit is pretty easy to fool.

Later, I'll say I'm going to gather firewood, then slip away while I have the chance.

But Soul Hunting Forest is still forty or fifty li from here. She'll probably wait obediently in the cave for me to return, right?

Lin Yi calculated inwardly, but he wore a gentle smile. "Rest here for a while. I'll go gather some firewood and find something to eat while I'm at it."

"Sure." Xiao Wu nodded, agreeing readily.

She looked around and found that the cave was indeed quite tidy. The bed of dried grass looked fairly comfortable as well.

"Then hurry back." Xiao Wu sat down on the dried grass and waved at Lin Yi.

"Mm, I'll be back soon." With that, Lin Yi turned and left the cave.

However, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he circled around nearby and gathered some dry branches.

That should be enough. Now I can take a detour to Soul Hunting Forest.

With Xiao Wu's personality, she probably won't wander off. At most, she'll look around near the cave.

I'll go and come back quickly. If I make it back before dark, she shouldn't suspect anything.

Lin Yi placed the dry branches at the entrance of the cave, then quietly headed toward Soul Hunting Forest.

He moved quickly, practically flying over the ground, clearly in a hurry.

Inside the cave, Xiao Wu immediately stood up once Lin Yi had left.

She walked to the entrance, lifted the vines, and watched his retreating figure. A sly glint flashed through her eyes.

"Trying to ditch me? It won't be that easy." Xiao Wu muttered softly.

She did not follow him right away. Only after Lin Yi had gone farther away did she quietly leave the cave.

She deliberately kept her distance, making sure she would neither lose Lin Yi nor be discovered by him.

Thus, the two headed toward Soul Hunting Forest, one in front and one behind.

Soul Hunting Forest.

This was a Soul Beast forest maintained by the empire. The Soul Beasts within were not of high level, making it most suitable for low-level Soul Masters seeking Soul Rings.

By the time Lin Yi reached the outskirts of the forest, it was nearly evening.

He stood at the forest entrance and took a deep breath.

Finally, I'm here.

I hope I can find a suitable Soul Ring this time.

The Myriad Star Core is a support-type martial soul. For its first Soul Ring, it would be best to choose a strengthening or recovery-type soul skill.

But the types of Soul Beasts in Soul Hunting Forest are limited. I'll be lucky if I can find a suitable one.

As Lin Yi considered this, he stepped into the forest.

He did not notice that atop a large tree not far behind him, a pink figure was quietly observing him.

This guy usually looks so timid. I didn't expect him to dare come hunt for a Soul Ring alone, Xiao Wu thought.

Watching Lin Yi carefully make his way through the forest, she could not help feeling curious.

What kind of Soul Beast would Lin Yi choose?

And what was his second martial soul?

Xiao Wu held her breath and continued following him.

Lin Yi moved through the forest cautiously.

He summoned the Myriad Star Core, allowing the crystal to float above his palm and emit a faint starlight.

Although the Star Core was not very strong offensively, it was highly sensitive to fluctuations in Soul Power and could sense nearby Soul Beasts in advance.

There's a Soul Power fluctuation on the left. It should be a ten-year Soul Beast. Too weak.

There's one on the right too, but its aura is unstable. It may be injured, so it's unsuitable as a Soul Ring.

Lin Yi analyzed the situation inwardly as he walked.

What he needed was a Soul Beast over a hundred years old, preferably one with a light attribute. That would be the best fit for the Myriad Star Core.

But such Soul Beasts were rare in Soul Hunting Forest.

Lin Yi searched for half an hour without finding a suitable target.

The sky gradually darkened.

The light in the forest grew dimmer and dimmer, and his vision began to be restricted.

I need to speed up. Otherwise, it'll be even more troublesome once night falls.

Although the Star Core can be used as a flashlight, my vision will still be limited.

Lin Yi was growing anxious.

He quickened his pace and headed deeper into the forest.

Generally speaking, higher-year Soul Beasts lived in the deeper parts of the forest.

Although the Soul Beasts in Soul Hunting Forest were limited in level, the deeper he went, the greater his chances of encountering a hundred-year Soul Beast.

Deep within the forest.

Lin Yi finally discovered a suitable Soul Beast.

It was a Starlight Deer, silver-white all over, with specks of light scattered across its body. It looked exceptionally beautiful.

The Starlight Deer was a rare light-attribute Soul Beast, perfectly suited to his support martial soul.

Moreover, judging by the Soul Power fluctuations it emitted, it should be around four hundred years old—the ideal choice for a first Soul Ring.

I found one, but how do I take it down?

This Starlight Deer may be a herbivorous Soul Beast, but it isn't slow.

Lin Yi was delighted, but he quickly calmed down.

Although the Starlight Deer was not very aggressive, it was incredibly fast, and catching it would not be easy.

Furthermore, this was already deep in the forest. Other Soul Beasts could appear at any moment.

He had to end this quickly.

He hid behind a tree and observed the Starlight Deer's movements.

The Starlight Deer was grazing, completely unaware of the danger.

Perfect opportunity.

Lin Yi took a deep breath and prepared to make his move.

But his martial soul was the Myriad Star Core.

A support-type martial soul was not very useful in battle and could easily alert the target.

After weighing the pros and cons, Lin Yi made his decision.

He continued maintaining the Myriad Star Core in his right hand while slowly raising his left hand.