Journey to the Star Dou, Hunt for Jiang Nannan's Second Spirit Ring

Inside the hotel room.

Jiang Nannan sat cross-legged on the bed. Her aura had completely stabilized, but the soul power radiating from within clearly signaled a leap in her strength.

"Teacher, Doudou!"

Jiang Nannan opened her eyes, her face overflowing with irrepressible joy: "I... I'm level twenty!"

In a single day, she had gone from level sixteen to level twenty!

In the past, she would have assumed this was some crooked path that exhausted her potential and forced growth.

But now, she discovered that having resources was such a wonderful thing.

Two top-tier soul bones and one Black Tortoise Divine Pill had forcefully pushed her into the ranks of a Soul Grand Master.

All of this stemmed from Chen Doudou and Bibi Dong, and Jiang Nannan's heart was filled with even more gratitude toward the two of them.

"Not bad. It seems these two soul bones suit you very well. Come, show me your soul bone skills."

Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction.

Jiang Nannan took a deep breath and focused her mind.

A burning sensation emanated from her left leg, and she whispered: "Cloud Thunder God Eagle Left Leg Bone skill, Cloud Thunder Twin Wings!"

As soon as she spoke, a pair of light wings woven from cyan clouds and silver lightning instantly unfurled behind her.

The wings gave a gentle flap. There was no earth-shattering momentum, yet Jiang Nannan's figure suddenly blurred, and the next moment she appeared at the other end of the room, her speed so fast that only an afterimage remained.

"Good speed!"

A flash of admiration crossed Bibi Dong's eyes: "With this speed, almost no soul master of the same level can compare. Even when facing higher-grade soul masters, you now have the capital to maneuver and escape."

Jiang Nannan retracted the wings and smiled shyly, then focused her mind again. A strange grayish-white light emerged from the center of her brow: "Phantom Spirit Sacred Ape Skull skill, Phantom Spirit Labyrinth!"

As the words fell, with her as the center.

An invisible mental fluctuation spread outward. The air seemed to become distorted and viscous, making one feel dizzy at a single glance, as if they were trapped within a bizarre and kaleidoscopic labyrinth.

"An illusion? A very practical mental control skill."

Bibi Dong commented, then looked thoughtfully at Chen Doudou, who was standing to the side: "Doudou, come here. Let Nannan try the Phantom Spirit Labyrinth on you."

"Ah? Use it on me?"

Chen Doudou blinked, looking a bit reluctant: "Sister Dong, is that really a good idea?"

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him: "Less talk. Your level is the closest to Nannan's here."

"Oh..."

Chen Doudou moved over helplessly.

Watching Chen Doudou stand still, Jiang Nannan swallowed nervously, then concentrated. The grayish-white light at her brow flared, and a wave of invisible mental energy surged toward Chen Doudou like a tide.

"Phantom Spirit Labyrinth, activate!"

However, the scene she had envisioned—Chen Doudou's eyes going dull as he fell into the illusion—did not occur.

Chen Doudou stood in place, scratching his head with a blank expression: "Sister Nannan, what... what are you doing? Are you channeling power?"

Jiang Nannan was stunned, then increased her mental output, her face turning red from the effort.

Yet Chen Doudou remained completely unaffected, even yawning: "It's useless, Sister Nannan. This move doesn't work on me."

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Jiang Nannan let out a sharp cry, clutched her head, and crouched down, her small face turning deathly pale.

"Nannan, what's wrong?"

Bibi Dong's expression shifted. She reached out to stroke her back, channeling a gentle stream of soul power into Jiang Nannan's body to soothe her chaotic mental world.

Jiang Nannan threw herself into Bibi Dong's arms, shivering and weeping like rain on pear blossoms: "Teacher, it's so scary... I saw a sword dripping with blood, and so many, so many corpses. The blood flowed like a river, it was so terrifying..."

Hearing this, Bibi Dong understood instantly.

It seemed she had been backlashed by the Asura God's Divine Sense. But thinking about it, it made sense.

Since the Asura God had sent his son Doudou down, how could he not have set up some protective measures?

The mental attack must have just happened to touch that divine sense, triggering the backlash.

While it was a good thing in essence, for an eight-year-old like Jiang Nannan, it was a major ordeal.

The psychological trauma was no less than that caused by a heavy slap.

"It's alright, Nannan, it's alright..."

Bibi Dong comforted Jiang Nannan in a soft voice.

Chen Doudou had also been startled by Jiang Nannan's reaction, cursing inwardly: "What a rebellious father! Why didn't you come out to stop Bibi Dong when she was spanking me earlier?"

In the afternoon, the sun was just right.

Because Jiang Nannan had successfully broken through to level twenty, she urgently needed to obtain her second soul ring.

The three of them wasted no more time and left the hotel, but not before explaining their reasons to Jiang Nannan's mother.

Jiang Nannan's mother was deeply gratified and incredibly grateful, insisting that Chen Doudou and Bibi Dong stay for a meal before she would let them leave.

Dragged along by her insistence, they ended up eating until they were stuffed before finally hitting the road.

Stepping out of the Jiang family's humble little courtyard, Jiang Nannan blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed: "I'm sorry, Teacher, Doudou. My mother is just a bit too enthusiastic... I hope you aren't laughing at us."

Bibi Dong shot a sidelong glance at the person beside her: "It's fine, no need to apologize. I think this kid enjoyed the meal quite a bit."

Chen Doudou let out a burp: "What is that supposed to mean? Didn't you eat plenty yourself? Besides, if you aren't enthusiastic about eating, there's something wrong with your attitude, right?

Sister Nannan's mother's cooking is so delicious; if I don't eat it now, I won't be able to have it once we leave."

"Hehe... If you like it, Doudou, I can make it for you. I've learned how to cook from my mother."

Chen Doudou hugged Jiang Nannan, excitedly announcing: "Really? That's great! Sister Nannan, I've decided, from now on you are the cook for our team!"

"You really are quick to get familiar with people. Nannan is a Soul Master, not your maid."

Bibi Dong watched from the side, speechless, and extended a finger to push Chen Doudou's face, which was leaning in too close, away.

"Hmph, Sister Nannan isn't an outsider."

"You're just full of lip."

Listening to the two bicker, Jiang Nannan felt an immense warmth in her heart.

Having lost her father at a young age, she had always longed for a younger brother.

Now, that fantasy had truly come true!

She looked at Chen Doudou's innocent yet slightly cheeky face, the corners of her mouth curling up uncontrollably as she whispered softly: "It's so nice."

Afterward, Chen Doudou summoned Pegasus Zeus.

The man and the horse carried the three of them, transforming into a streak of light as they soared into the sky.

This was far more stylish than traveling on the ground, causing pedestrians below to stop and look up, gasping in succession.

"Look! What is that?"

"It's a flying soul beast! My god, there are actually three people sitting on it!"

"Good heavens, what kind of faction could possibly own a flying soul beast these days?"

Ignoring the commotion below, the Pegasus flew steadily at high altitude.

It was Jiang Nannan's first time being so high up; she was a mix of fearful and curious, her small hands gripping Chen Doudou's sleeve tightly as she watched the scenery retreating rapidly beneath her feet, her eyes filled with shock.

Chen Doudou, however, looked entirely at ease, facing the strong high-altitude winds.

This is what true freedom of flight is all about!

By evening, they arrived at the town closest to the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Forest.

Star Dou Town.

The town was as bustling and noisy as ever, with a constant stream of students, merchants, and soul-hunting teams.

Because it was already late, the three of them checked into a hotel that looked reasonably clean.

Once settled, Chen Doudou couldn't wait to drag Jiang Nannan and Bibi Dong out to stroll through the streets.

Just as they were passing a shop selling rare metals and Soul Tool items, a timid voice called out to them.

"P-please... may I... touch that horse?"

Chen Doudou turned around to see a little girl who looked to be only about six years old.

She had emerald-green hair styled into twin tails, wore a light green dress, and held a rabbit doll in her arms.

The little girl had large eyes, like a startled fawn, looking at the majestic Pegasus Zeus beside Chen Doudou with a mix of longing and fear.

Chen Doudou looked her over: "Who are you?"