Beast-Type Warrior: Flame Crane

"Ling Yun, you've obtained a Thousand-Year Torso Soul Bone. That's certainly a good thing, but as your teacher, I have to remind you of something."

At this, the smile vanished from Director Su's face, replaced by a solemn expression. He spoke gravely.

"Unless your life is in immediate danger, never use a Soul Bone! Soul Bones are different from Soul Rings. All it takes is killing the Soul Master who absorbed one to remove it.

"Even though yours is only a Thousand-Year Soul Bone, it's still priceless. If someone with ill intentions learns that you have one, they might very well come after you."

"Mm, I understand. Thank you for the warning, Director Su."

Ling Yun nodded. Even without Director Su's warning, he wouldn't use his External Soul Bone lightly.

To him, the External Soul Bone was nothing more than a trump card.

Seeing Ling Yun's response, Director Su nodded in satisfaction. "That's good. Well, now that you've obtained a Soul Ring, we should head back..."

"Awooo—"

Before Director Su could finish speaking, a sharp wolf howl rang out. A pack of enormous black wolves came charging toward them, all of them baring sharp fangs. They looked like trouble.

Director Su's expression shifted when he saw them. "Nether Wolves? There are this many?"

Ling Yun looked over and saw twenty Nether Wolves in all. The wolf king leading them was a Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and its aura was no weaker than that of the Earth King they had just killed.

"Not good. Looks like this pack of Nether Wolves has targeted us."

Director Su frowned, then said to Ling Yun, "Ling Yun, I'll cover you. Hurry and transform into the Divine Wood Ape and get out of here."

"No need for that, Director Su. Just watch." Ling Yun smiled, then imitated GG Bond by wiping his nose before giving a sharp cry.

"Five Spirits Power, transform!"

In an instant, the purple Soul Ring beneath Ling Yun's feet began to shine. The Five Spirit Lock flashed with dazzling red light, and a torrent of pure fire-attribute Soul Power poured out, flowing into Ling Yun's body.

At the same time, pure white feathers sprouted all over him. He spread his arms, which transformed into a pair of sacred wings.

With a beat of his wings, Ling Yun soared into the sky. As he flew, his body transformed into a crane, free to wheel through the heavens.

He could go anywhere, whether heaven or earth.

And his current form was the fire-attribute Beast-Type Warrior: Flame Crane!

"He actually turned into a crane?"

Director Su was startled, then began muttering to himself. "Just as I suspected, Ling Yun's Five Spirit Lock can absorb Soul Rings of the five elements. Each time he absorbs a Soul Ring of a different element, he can transform into a different Beast-Type Warrior."

At this, Director Su was overjoyed. The Flame Crane could clearly fly, which meant they could escape and leave the pack of Nether Wolves behind.

After transforming, Ling Yun swooped down and opened his beak. Red light flickered inside, revealing incredibly pure fire-attribute Soul Power.

Ling Yun aimed at the Nether Wolves surrounding Director Su and spat out fireballs the size of basketballs, sending them sweeping toward the pack.

A series of explosions rang out. Under the barrage of fireballs, the Nether Wolves suffered heavy casualties.

In the blink of an eye, seven century-old Nether Wolves were killed by the bombardment, while the others were injured to varying degrees.

Seeing this, the only unscathed wolf, the Nether Wolf King, threw back its head and howled. It bared its teeth at Ling Yun in the sky, as if it wanted to tear him apart and swallow him whole.

But it couldn't fly. All it could do was rage helplessly on the ground. In the end, the Nether Wolf King had no choice but to turn its attention to Director Su, planning to kill him first to vent its fury.

Its hind legs tensed, and the Nether Wolf King shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow, swinging its razor-sharp claws toward Director Su's neck.

At the same time, Ling Yun plunged from the sky. He was clearly much faster than the Nether Wolf King. Before it could reach Director Su, Ling Yun grabbed Director Su by the shoulder, then beat his wings and shot straight into the clouds.

"Heh-heh, you can stay here and play. We'll be on our way!"

With that, Ling Yun flew straight out of the Soul Hunting Forest, leaving the Nether Wolf King behind to roar and rage on the spot.

"Heh, no wonder you absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring beyond your level. This Soul Skill is incredibly useful."

Director Su chuckled. "The Flame Crane has astonishing attack power, and it can fly, too. It's even much faster in the air than an agility-type Soul Master of the same level.

"Honestly, Ling Yun, you're probably already stronger than this old man."

"Heh-heh, it's all thanks to the Thousand-Year Soul Ring." Ling Yun smiled. He also thought that if he used the Flame Tail Hook together with the Divine Wood Ape, he could probably beat Director Su now.

Thinking about how much stronger he had become, Ling Yun's smile grew even brighter. Even in his Flame Crane form, the smile on his face was clear.

"Director Su, we're about to leave the Soul Hunting Forest."

At this, Ling Yun landed and ended his transformation. He couldn't help it. Once he transformed into a Beast-Type Warrior, his Soul Power drained rapidly. With his current level of twenty-four, he couldn't maintain the transformation for long.

After ending the transformation, Ling Yun and Director Su left the Soul Hunting Forest and took a carriage back to Notting City.

Director Su went straight back to Notting Academy, while Ling Yun headed to the Martial Soul Branch Hall in Notting City to be tested for the rank of Soul Grandmaster.

Once he became a Soul Grandmaster, he would receive ten Gold Soul Coins each month, allowing him to save up more money to buy Whale Rubber.

During the test, Ling Yun displayed his Soul Rings. When Ma Xiunuo saw his second Thousand-Year Soul Ring, shock filled his face, and he once again invited Ling Yun to join Spirit Hall.

Ling Yun politely declined as before. Ma Xiunuo didn't press him, and in the end, Ling Yun left the Martial Soul Branch Hall with ten Gold Soul Coins in compensation.

Looking at the bustling streets outside, Ling Yun murmured, "Given Ma Xiunuo's temperament, he'll probably report my second Thousand-Year Soul Ring to a higher branch of Spirit Hall, or even directly to Spirit City."

It probably wouldn't be long before news of his second Thousand-Year Soul Ring landed on Bibi Dong's desk, and he came into her line of sight.

Even so, Ling Yun didn't regret it. To grow stronger and eventually become a god, he had to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

"Now that I've obtained my second Soul Ring, and my strength is comparable to that of a three-ring Soul Elder, it's time to leave."

With that, Ling Yun returned to Notting Academy and went straight to find Director Su.

Director Su had already eaten lunch and was resting in a recliner in his office, looking relaxed and at ease.

Seeing Ling Yun, Director Su smiled. "Ling Yun, why aren't you taking a nap in the middle of the day? What brings you here?"

"Director Su, I'd like to apply for graduation. I also came to say goodbye to you."