The Thousand-Year Earth King

Ling Yun could clearly feel the soul power within his body surging!

"Since my soul power has already reached level twenty, it is time to obtain my second soul ring!"

Thinking of this, Ling Yun immediately left Dorm Seven, arrived at Director Su's office, and explained the situation to him.

Upon learning that Ling Yun's soul power had reached level twenty, Director Su was shocked and said with a wry smile, "Only eight years old and already at level twenty; you are truly worthy of having Innate Full Soul Power. This talent is truly enviable..."

After sighing for a moment, Director Su continued, "There is no time to lose. Let us head to the Soul Hunting Forest now; the sooner we go, the sooner we return."

"Agreed."

Ling Yun nodded, and the two rented a carriage to head toward the Soul Hunting Forest outside Notting City.

In the carriage, Director Su could not help but ask, "Little Ling Yun, have you decided on the soul beast you want to hunt?"

"I have. I want a fire-attribute soul beast for my second soul ring. As for the age, the higher, the better."

Ling Yun replied. There were two main reasons for choosing a fire-attribute soul beast.

First, among the five elements, wood generates fire. His first soul ring was wood-attribute, and absorbing a fire-attribute soul ring now might trigger an unexpected transformation.

Second, among the five types of beast warriors, only the fire-attribute Flame Crane possesses the ability to fly.

Once he obtained his second soul ring and became a level two Soul Grand Master, it would be time for him to leave Notting Academy.

When he was out on his own, if he encountered robbers, bandits, evil soul masters, or fallen ones, he would at least be able to escape in time if he could not defeat them.

"A fire-attribute soul ring? That is indeed a good choice."

Director Su nodded. He already knew that Ling Yun's Five Spirit Lock could store the five elements, so choosing to absorb a fire-attribute soul ring might allow him to transform into an even more powerful beast warrior.

The carriage sped along, and within the time it took to finish their conversation, the two had already arrived at the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest.

The soul beast resources in the forest were quite abundant, and there were many fire-attribute soul beasts. Unfortunately, their ages were all too low; most were ten-year soul beasts, and hundred-year soul beasts were pitifully rare—perhaps because the forest authorities feared they would set the entire forest ablaze.

However, Ling Yun required a fire-attribute soul beast with thousand-year cultivation. With no other choice, the two had to head deeper into the forest, hoping to find a high-age fire-attribute soul beast.

Yet, after searching for an hour, they had come up empty-handed.

BOOM--

Just then, a dazzling and scorching pillar of fire shot into the sky. Even from a great distance, the two could feel a searing heat.

"That is..."

Watching the pillar of fire piercing the heavens, Ling Yun's eyes lit up. He quickly said, "It truly is a case of 'finding what you seek without even trying.' Director Su, let's go take a look; that soul beast might just be perfect for me."

"You're right, let's go!"

The two bolted forward as if their feet were greased, sprinting toward the direction of the erupting fire pillar.

During the dash, Director Su was amazed by Ling Yun's running speed. One had to remember that he was an agility-type soul master, and speed was his specialty.

Yet Ling Yun was merely an eight-year-old child, and his martial soul was a tool-type martial soul. To think he could barely keep up with his pace—it was truly strange.

Little did he know that after consuming the Whale Rubber, Ling Yun's strength and speed had increased tremendously. Running at full tilt, he could easily keep up with Director Su's pace.

Before long, the two arrived at the site where the fire pillar had erupted. The area was now filled with a scorching heat.

At the same time, Ling Yun saw a giant, snow-white scorpion. Its body length exceeded two meters, and its snow-white carapace was covered in magma-like, fiery red energy patterns. Its two pincers were incredibly thick; a slight exertion of force would be enough to crush rock.

Behind this giant scorpion grew a three-meter-long tail, composed of nine segments, with a stinger at the tip measuring over thirty centimeters.

"That is an Earth King, a high-tier fire-attribute soul beast!"

Upon seeing the giant scorpion, Ling Yun recognized it instantly. He hadn't spent the last two years in theory classes for nothing; he could identify most common soul beasts.

"It is indeed an Earth King, and its attributes are a perfect match for you."

Director Su nodded, then shook his head helplessly and explained, "It is a pity that its age is too high. Do you see its tail segments?

The cultivation of an Earth King can be judged by the color of its tail segments: fiery red, snow-white, and deep blue, corresponding to hundred-year, thousand-year, and ten-thousand-year levels respectively.

The tail segments of this Earth King are snow-white, which means it is a thousand-year soul beast.

Although judging by its size, its cultivation is likely only a little over a thousand years, it is still a thousand-year soul beast, which exceeds the limit for a second soul ring. It seems we must look for another."

"No, Director Su, let's choose this Earth King." Ling Yun shook his head and said firmly. An Earth King of just over a thousand years was exactly what he needed.

"What? Ling Yun, are you trying to absorb a soul ring beyond your limit? Have you lost your mind?"

"Of course not, Director Su. Do you remember what I told you before? My Five Spirit Lock can store the five elements, so I can easily adapt to the pressure brought on by absorbing a soul ring."

Ling Yun spun a lie without blushing or skipping a beat, then added, "If we give up on this Earth King, who knows how long it will take to find another suitable soul beast, and besides..."

He paused and pointed at the Earth King. "That Earth King has already set its sights on us!"

"What?"

Director Su whipped his head around and discovered that while they were talking, the Earth King had finished its meal and was staring at them with scarlet eyes, drooling. It was clearly treating them as its next meal.

Soon, the hungry Earth King initiated the attack, charging toward the two on its thick, scorpion legs.

In a few breaths, it reached them and raised its razor-sharp pincers, slamming them down heavily.

Seeing this, the two leaped away, retreating to put some distance between themselves and the Earth King. Meanwhile, the Earth King's pincers smashed heavily into the ground.

With a loud BANG, two large craters were smashed into the ground where they had just been standing, a testament to the Earth King's immense strength—it was truly worthy of being a thousand-year soul beast.

Seeing Ling Yun and Director Su dodge its attack, the Earth King launched a second wave.

The stinger at the end of its tail glowed with a crimson light, suddenly unleashing a scorching stream of fire that roared toward the pair like a galloping fire dragon.

"Is that the Magma Earth-Splitting Strike? Ling Yun, dodge!"

Director Su was struck with terror at the sight and hurriedly warned Ling Yun to move, while he himself scrambled to condense his soul power and unleash a soul skill to evade the terrifying fiery impact.

"First Soul Skill: Acceleration!"

"Five Spirits Power, Transform!"

Simultaneously, Ling Yun transformed into the Divine Wood Ape; his speed surged and his body became far more agile, allowing him to easily evade the incoming flames.

"Director Su, let's join forces to defeat this Earth King first!"

"Agreed!"

"Power of the Wood Spirit!"

Ling Yun let out a loud shout, and immediately, rows of green vines erupted from the ground, sweeping toward the Earth King.