Dawn Light Spirit Crane! Ma Hongjun's First Spirit Ring!

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, the group gathered at the academy gate.

Flender led the team, with Zhao Wuji accompanying them for protection.

With two seven-ring Soul Saint masters holding the line, there was no need to worry about safety.

Fu Wen, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun stood in a row, full of spirit.

"Are you all ready?"

Flender swept his gaze over them.

"Ready!"

The three answered in unison.

"Let's go!"

Flender waved his hand, and the group marched imposingly toward the Soul Hunting Forest.

Soul Hunting Forest.

The largest soul beast enclosure in Suotuo City, jointly managed by the Martial Soul Hall and the empire.

The highest-aged soul beasts inside exceed five thousand years, which is more than enough for first or second-ring soul masters.

Flender revealed his identity as a seven-ring Soul Saint, and the patrol guards did not block them, letting them pass directly.

The group entered the forest, with Zhao Wuji walking at the front to clear the path.

"Dad, where is the Dawn Light Spirit Crane?"

Ma Hongjun followed behind Flender, looking around curiously.

"The Dawn Marsh, in the eastern part of the Soul Hunting Forest."

Flender said, "That place is quite remote; very few people go there."

"The number of Dawn Light Spirit Crane is very small; there might only be one or two in the entire Soul Hunting Forest."

"Whether we can encounter one depends on luck."

Ma Hongjun let out an "oh" and didn't speak again.

The group walked for about an hour, passing through several patches of woods, and the scenery before them gradually changed.

The trees became sparse, and the ground began to turn damp, feeling soft and squishy underfoot.

A faint, earthy, fishy smell permeated the air.

"We're almost there."

Flender lowered his voice, "Keep it quiet, everyone; don't startle the soul beasts."

Fu Wen followed behind, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

The Dawn Marsh was larger than he had imagined, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Mist shrouded the marsh, and visibility was low.

This environment was well-suited for avian soul beasts to inhabit.

Zhao Wuji stopped in his tracks and twitched his nose twice.

"There's a scent."

"What kind of scent?"

Flender asked.

"The scent of a soul beast, up ahead, about three hundred paces."

Zhao Wuji pointed to the front left.

Flender narrowed his eyes and looked in that direction.

In the mist, a white figure could be vaguely seen.

It wasn't very large, similar to an ordinary crane, but it had a tuft of golden feathers on its head that stood out remarkably in the fog.

"Dawn Light Spirit Crane!"

Flender's eyes lit up.

It was truly good luck to encounter one just after entering the marsh.

"Xiao Pang, do you see it?"

Flender pointed at the white figure.

Ma Hongjun widened his eyes, straining to look ahead.

"I think... I see it."

"That is the Dawn Light Spirit Crane, about four hundred years old; it's just right."

Flender lowered his voice, "Later, Zhao Wuji and I will make our move to restrain it, and you will deliver the final blow."

"Remember, do not be afraid, and do not hesitate."

"Hunting for a spirit ring is something every spirit master must experience."

Ma Hongjun took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

"Master, I am not afraid."

Flender glanced at him and nodded.

Then, he exchanged a look with Zhao Wuji.

Both of them moved simultaneously.

Two figures darted out like ghosts, reaching the white silhouette in the blink of an eye.

The Dawn Light Spirit Crane sensed danger and let out a sharp cry, its wings snapping open as it tried to take flight.

But it was too late.

The speed of a seven-ring Soul Saint was not something a four-hundred-year-old spirit beast could react to.

Flender pressed down with one hand, his Soul Saint-level spirit power condensing into a massive palm that slammed heavily onto the back of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane.

Bang!

The Dawn Light Spirit Crane was slammed into the ground, struggling as it tried to rise.

Zhao Wuji followed closely behind, stepping on its wing to pin it firmly to the earth.

"Xiao Pang, come quickly!"

Zhao Wuji shouted back.

Ma Hongjun froze for a moment, then took off running.

His round body erupted with astonishing speed at that moment.

Fu Wen and Oscar followed behind but stopped at a safe distance.

What happened next belonged to Ma Hongjun.

He had to finish it with his own hands.

Ma Hongjun ran up to the Dawn Light Spirit Crane, panting heavily.

He looked at the beautiful bird on the ground, his hands trembling slightly.

The feathers of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane were as white as snow, and the tuft of golden feathers atop its head shimmered with a soft glow in the sunlight.

Its eyes were large and bright, currently fixed on Ma Hongjun, filled with fear and resentment.

"Xiao Pang, do it!"

Flender urged, "Spirit beasts have strong vitality; if we drag this out and it recovers, it will be troublesome."

Ma Hongjun took a deep breath and drew the dagger Flender had prepared for him from his waist.

His hands were shaking, but his gaze gradually turned firm.

"I'm sorry."

Ma Hongjun whispered those three words.

Then, he drove the dagger deep into the neck of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane.

Squelch!

Blood gushed out, splattering onto Ma Hongjun's hands.

The Dawn Light Spirit Crane let out a shrill cry, its body convulsing violently a few times before it went completely still.

Those eyes slowly lost their luster.

Ma Hongjun let go of the dagger, took two steps back, and sat down on the ground.

He looked at his blood-stained hands, his face turning pale.

"I... I killed it."

"You killed it."

Flender crouched down and patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder. "You did well."

"This is something every spirit master must experience."

"The weak are prey to the strong; that is the rule of this world."

Ma Hongjun did not speak, merely staring at his hands for a long time.

Then, he looked up at Flender.

"Master, I'm fine."

"It's just... a little hard to get used to."

Flender nodded and said nothing more.

Things like this required time to process.

Hum!

Specks of light began to coalesce above the corpse of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane.

The light grew brighter and denser, eventually converging into a yellow spirit ring.

Four hundred years, yellow.

Ma Hongjun's first spirit ring.

"Xiao Pang, sit cross-legged, summon your Martial Soul, and use your will to guide the spirit ring into your body."

Flender's voice turned serious.

"The process of absorbing a spirit ring will be painful, but you must endure it."

"If you endure, you will be a true Spirit Master."

"If you cannot..."

He did not continue.

But everyone knew the consequences.

Ma Hongjun took a deep breath and sat cross-legged.

The phantom of the Evil Fire Phoenix emerged behind him, and the yellow spirit ring slowly drifted upward, settling over the phantom.

Then, the spirit ring transformed into a warm current, surging into Ma Hongjun's body.

Ma Hongjun's body shuddered violently, his face instantly turning crimson.

That was the reaction to the spirit ring's energy entering his body.

The light-attribute spirit ring of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane clashed violently with the evil fire inside Ma Hongjun.

Fire and light, while seemingly originating from the same source, were fundamentally different in nature.

The two forces collided, tore at each other, and merged within Ma Hongjun's body...

Veins bulged on Ma Hongjun's forehead, and beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down incessantly.

He gritted his teeth, not making a sound.