The Correct Guidance

Deep within the Star Dou Forest, ancient trees towered into the sky, and dense soul power drifted through the woods like a thin mist.

Unlike the crisis-ridden outer perimeter, this area was unnervingly quiet. Forget about ferocious century- or millennium-level soul beasts; even the most common insects and rodents were nowhere to be seen.

Only the breeze occasionally brushing through the trees, carrying the fresh scent of grass and life, along with the slightly nervous breathing of a young boy, broke the silence.

Huo Yuhao followed closely behind Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena, his small body held rigid. His eyes were wide open, vigilantly scanning the surroundings for any movement.

Yet, no matter how he channeled his spiritual power, he could only sense peace for hundreds of meters in every direction; he couldn't detect even a trace of a soul beast's ferocity.

Naturally, he had no idea that with the strength of Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena, the mere hint of dragon might radiating from them was enough to send every soul beast in the area fleeing in terror, not daring to even show their heads.

The two of them were the sovereigns of the Star Dou Forest soul beasts, so naturally, no blind creature would dare to disturb them.

At this moment, Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena maintained the appearance of a twelve-year-old boy and girl. They walked slowly in front, releasing the soul power fluctuations of four-ring Soul Ancestors.

To make it more convincing, soul rings rose slowly beneath their feet. One yellow, two purple, and one black—the four rings circulated with just the right amount of luster.

Huo Yuhao was secretly astonished by this unconventional soul ring configuration at first—two twelve-year-old Soul Ancestors with such high-end rings—but then he realized that he, Huo Yuhao, had truly latched onto a powerful backer.

Heaven truly favors me, Huo Yuhao!

Of course, this was all a performance for Huo Yuhao's benefit, showcasing genius potential far beyond their peers to perfectly fit the image of a brother and sister from a top-tier noble family out for training.

"Brother Yuan, Sister Na, are we... really going further in?" Huo Yuhao couldn't help but ask, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"The limit for a second soul ring is a century-level beast. We've already gone so deep; the soul beasts here are at least millennium-level. I... I'm afraid I won't be able to withstand it."

Although Huo Yuhao's first soul ring was a shocking million-year soul ring, he still knew the basic theoretical knowledge. According to the martial soul core theory of that Yu the Grandmaster from ten thousand years ago, the upper limit for a second ring was roughly 764 years.

When all was said and done, the current Huo Yuhao was still a child who had been suppressed for many years, and he still harbored a fear of things that defied common sense.

He stopped in his tracks, his small hands clenched tightly, his eyes filled with unease.

Even though he now possessed the Spirit Eye martial soul with its ultimate spiritual attribute, had the million-year origin of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm as a foundation, and had undergone a complete physical transformation, he still couldn't help but panic.

For the vast majority of ordinary soul masters, being able to absorb a second soul ring of about 500 years was considered a sign of outstanding talent.

Yet, Gu Yuan had led him straight toward the mixed zone of the Star Dou Forest, clearly telling him that he intended to find a millennium-level spiritual soul beast for his second ring.

To any ordinary soul master, this was a fantasy—an impossible task.

Gu Yuan stopped, turned around, and looked at the anxious Huo Yuhao. He couldn't help but smile, his tone gentle yet filled with unquestionable certainty: "Yuhao, you must remember: the conventional soul ring limits apply to ordinary soul masters, not geniuses."

"I examined your body while you were unconscious. Your physical strength is already comparable to an ordinary high-level Soul Elder, and your spiritual foundation far exceeds that of soul masters at your level by dozens of times. So, have some confidence in yourself, understand?"

Beside him, Gu Yuena also nodded slightly, her cold, clear voice carrying a reassuring power: "Your Spirit Eye is an ultimate spiritual attribute. An ordinary century-level soul ring would be unable to unleash its potential and would instead limit your growth. Only a millennium-level spiritual soul beast is worthy of you now. With a more solid foundation, you can go further on your path in the future. Besides, with us here, there won't be any accidents."

Their affirmative words acted like two calming pills, instantly smoothing out the unease in Huo Yuhao's heart.

He looked up at the brother and sister who were only two years older than him. Even though they didn't look very old, they always gave off a sense of omnipotent security.

It had only been two hours since he woke up, yet this pair had given him warmth, protection, and unprecedented affirmation that he hadn't experienced in ten years.

Huo Yuhao's personality in the early stages was defined by a lack of confidence, mixed with hatred and confusion. Gu Yuan wanted to change his fate, and his personality was a crucial factor. For someone like him, the support of strength combined with care was the best medicine.

Taking a deep breath, the anxiety in Huo Yuhao's eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination.

He nodded heavily: "Okay! I'll listen to Brother Yuan and Sister Na. If you say I can absorb it, then I dare to!"

Within his spiritual sea, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm also popped out immediately, laughing as he cheered him on: "Don't be afraid, Yuhao! With Brother here, don't even mention a mere millennium soul ring—even a ten-thousand-year one can be arranged for you perfectly! Just go ahead and absorb it with confidence!"

Even Electrolux, who had been silent within the Soul-Nurturing Wood, sent a gentle voice: "Little one, the stability of your soul foundation is the greatest I have ever seen in my life. Although I do not understand your cultivation system, one must have the courage to challenge oneself to become stronger."

With the guarantees of Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena, and the encouragement of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux, the last shred of hesitation in Huo Yuhao's heart vanished.

Gu Yuan looked at the rekindled light in his eyes, nodded with satisfaction, and turned to continue walking deeper into the forest: "Let's go. There is a soul beast just ahead that is perfect for you."

The three of them passed through layers of ancient trees, and in less than half an incense stick of time, they arrived before a quiet valley.

The valley was filled with pale purple lilies of the valley. As the breeze brushed over the petals, they swayed gently, emitting a faint fragrance that could bewitch the mind.

Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eye flickered, and he immediately sensed movement deep in the valley, whispering: "Brother Yuan, there's a soul beast inside! Its spiritual power is very strong!"

"Not bad, very sharp," Gu Yuan praised with a smile, a flash of approval in his eyes.

"Inside is an 1,800-year-old Phantom Spirit Fox. It naturally controls spiritual illusions and is a suitable choice for a spiritual-type martial soul."

"It happens to be a perfect match for your Spirit Eye martial soul, and it can take your use of spiritual power to the next level."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp fox cry erupted from the depths of the valley.

A silvery-white shadow instantly darted out from the lilies of the valley. It was a small fox, snow-white all over, its fur shimmering with a faint silver light. Its fox eyes were an eerie purple, and it was currently staring fixedly at the three intruders, its eyes full of vigilance and ferocity.

The Phantom Spirit Fox could clearly feel that the boy and girl before it possessed a terrifying aura that made its very soul tremble, yet the soul power they released was only at the four-ring Soul Ancestor level.

This contradiction made it afraid to approach easily, so it could only let out a threatening low growl, while a pale purple illusionary aura gradually began to emanate from its body.

"Yuena, I'll leave it to you," Gu Yuan said softly to Gu Yuena, turning his head.

Gu Yuena nodded slightly and raised her slender hand.

There was no earth-shattering explosion of soul power, just an imperceptible silver streak of light that flew from her fingertips and instantly landed on the Phantom Spirit Fox.

In an instant, the Phantom Spirit Fox, which had been gathering its strength to unleash an illusion, froze, the ferocity in its eyes instantly replaced by extreme terror.

It felt as if it had been imprisoned by the entire world; its limbs were completely unable to move, the soul power within its body was completely stagnant, and it couldn't mobilize even the slightest bit.

Various energies enveloped it; they didn't harm it in the slightest, yet they left it without even the chance to commit suicide.

This is the power of the Silver Dragon King, governing all life and the laws of creation in this world; for mortal soul beasts, a single thought is enough to determine their life or death.

Gu Yuan stepped forward, looking at the Phantom Spirit Fox trembling as it remained frozen in place, and spoke indifferently: "Your sacrifice now is for the sake of the soul beast clan. Rest in peace, my subject."

A flicker of human-like surprise flashed through the purple eyes of the Phantom Spirit Fox, then, as if it had realized something, the fear in its eyes gradually faded until it finally closed them, abandoning all resistance.

It could clearly sense a supreme aura emanating from the youth before it, one that made its very soul submit.

Gu Yuan raised his hand, and a gentle golden light flew from his fingertip, landing precisely between the brows of the Phantom Spirit Fox, ensuring that it could immediately reincarnate after death and be spared the suffering of waiting.

Huo Yuhao stepped forward to end the life of the Phantom Spirit Fox. The Phantom Spirit Fox simply collapsed slowly as if falling asleep, and then a dazzling purple soul ring rose from its body, the unique halo of a thousand-year soul ring casting a brilliant glow through the forest.

"Yuhao, absorb it." Gu Yuan patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder.

"Absorb it with peace of mind. We will stand guard right here; nothing will go wrong."

Huo Yuhao looked at that perfect thousand-year purple soul ring, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He took a deep breath, sat down cross-legged, and following the method taught to him by Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, channeled the soul power within his body to draw the thousand-year soul ring toward himself.

The purple soul ring descended slowly, completely enveloping his body. A gentle yet vast spiritual power surged into his body along with the soul ring, perfectly resonating with his Spirit Eye martial soul.

Unlike the earth-shattering experience of absorbing his first soul ring, this absorption process was unimaginably smooth. The death of the Phantom Spirit Fox had been voluntary, and there was not a shred of malice within the soul ring.

Coupled with Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux helping him channel the incoming spiritual energy from within his spiritual sea, the entire absorption process encountered almost no obstacles.