Target

He had finally reached level ten, and Xiaofei's face was full of excitement.

The next morning, Xiaofei went to the Academic Affairs Office and applied for the school to help him hunt his first Soul Ring. He had several plans for his first Soul Ring. First, it had to come from a Fire Attribute soul beast, preferably over four hundred years old. It could be somewhat higher, but ideally no more than six hundred years.

After half a year of training, Xiaofei felt that his body's limits surpassed those of many Soul Masters. He should be able to withstand an extra one or two hundred years. If not, the Kirin Arm could bear part of the Soul Ring's power. After all, the fundamental advantage of a Body Martial Soul was evolving by absorbing Soul Rings beyond one's limit.

Lastly was the issue of the soul beast's bloodline. The best choice would naturally be one with the Phoenix Bloodline. However, soul beasts with the Phoenix Bloodline were exceedingly rare on the Douluo Continent—even rarer than dragon-type soul beasts. Moreover, they were almost all flying types and extremely difficult to hunt. Small clans had no chance of hunting one, much less a commoner like Xiaofei.

Nuoding Academy was a Soul Master Academy, and its teachers and leaders were all Soul Masters. Among them, the Director of Studies was a Soul Elder, while the Dean was a level 42 weapon-type Soul Ancestor, a well-known figure even within Nuoding City. The academy regularly organized hunting parties to the nearby Soul Beast Forest, though they mainly targeted low-year Soul Rings.

The Director of Studies told Xiaofei that the school would need some time to prepare. Xiaofei also mentioned his requirements—around four hundred years old and Fire Attribute. The Director of Studies said he would need to consider it.

Wang Xiaofei had level-eight Innate Soul Power and had become a prospective Soul Master in less than half a year. He was practically guaranteed to become a Soul Elder before graduation. He was also exceptionally hardworking, an example of diligent study among the students. After the Principal organized a meeting with the teachers, they decided to meet his request. Naturally, the Principal decided to act personally in this case. After all, it was an opportunity to earn a favor from a future great figure.

A few days later, it was time for the academy's Soul Ring hunt. Six students, including Xiaofei, went hunting together. The other five were mostly upper-year students. The Principal personally led the group, accompanied by the school's Director of Studies, the level 36 Soul Elder Wu Changqing, whose Martial Soul was a Black Bear. Two other teachers came along as well, making this essentially the academy's strongest lineup.

The group of ten set off for the nearby Soul Hunting Forest in two carriages, a grand procession.

After arriving at the outskirts and storing their carriages, they found the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest filled with noisy shouts. "Need one more warrant-holder!" "We have all the warrants, need one support!" "Accepting all Soul Ring hunting commissions, satisfaction guaranteed!" ... In short, it was a small marketplace.

The Dean took the opportunity to instruct the students. "There are all kinds of dangers in the Soul Hunting Forest. Many are caused by soul beasts, but even more are caused by people. There are no rules inside. Many people attack each other over a high-quality soul beast. Every year, many die in the Soul Hunting Forest, and even more disappear within it."

After entering the Soul Hunting Forest, the teachers visibly changed their demeanor. The Principal and one teacher escorted the six students in the center. Director of Studies Wu Changqing scouted ahead and cleared the way, while another teacher guarded the rear to prevent sneak attacks from soul beasts or people behind them. They could be considered fairly well-trained.

Once they entered the Soul Hunting Forest, it felt as though they had stepped into an entirely different world. Towering trees stood everywhere, with only narrow paths on the ground for walking, while all kinds of vegetation densely covered the forest. A pair of small snakes or other animals would occasionally dart out. Xiaofei felt that this place was even more terrifying than the animal world from his previous life.

The afternoon went fairly smoothly. Two students found suitable Soul Rings, both just over a hundred years old. At night, the Principal took out several tents. The teachers took turns keeping watch. Teacher Wu also scattered some powder around the area. "This is Titan Giant Ape dung. It can scare off most soul beasts."

Perhaps due to good luck, on the second day they encountered a group of Blazing Lions. The largest among them was over three meters long. Based on the Principal's analysis, it was likely more than four hundred years old.

After discussing it, they all looked at Xiaofei. Xiaofei thought for a moment before finally making up his mind. "Principal, let's take this Blazing Lion. My physical condition is pretty good. I should be able to endure it." The Principal lowered his head without speaking, then felt Xiaofei all over before saying, "Your physical condition is indeed good. You should be able to handle it."

They set a rather large trap near the Blazing Lions, then Teacher Wu went to attack one. The Blazing Lion was clearly enraged after being attacked. Flames erupted all over its body as it charged Teacher Wu like a Fire Qilin. The Principal seized the chance to ambush the Blazing Lion. After a round of entangling combat and luring, the Blazing Lion fell into the prearranged trap, while the other young Blazing Lions scattered in all directions. In the end, after a barrage of attacks, the Blazing Lion collapsed in a pool of blood.

The Principal nodded at Xiaofei. Xiaofei took a long blade and stabbed it into the Blazing Lion's eye. Then, a yellow Soul Ring appeared above the Blazing Lion's corpse. Following the Principal's instructions, Xiaofei summoned his Martial Soul and guided the Soul Ring onto the Fire Phoenix. A powerful surge of soul power rushed into Xiaofei's body, carrying intense flames with it. A phantom resembling a Blazing Lion pounced on Xiaofei, and he immediately felt excruciating pain, as though his entire body were about to explode.

Half an hour later, Xiaofei felt increasingly tortured, as though his body were about to burst apart. The Principal looked at Xiaofei's agonized expression, then carefully examined the Blazing Lion's corpse again. "This is bad. This isn't a Blazing Lion—it's a Blazing Lion King, mutated from an ordinary Blazing Lion. It's already over five hundred years old, nearly six hundred. Xiaofei is in danger now."

Seeing the Principal's expression, the others showed concern as well.

Xiaofei himself only felt as though his body were being scorched by raging flames. He gritted his teeth and endured it, feeling as if his body could collapse at any moment. Is this the consequence of forcibly absorbing a Soul Ring beyond one's limit? At the critical moment, Xiaofei's right hand began to change. It started actively bearing part of the flames and energy, and his entire arm felt as though it were being roasted over a fire. Xiaofei's body also began slowly adapting to the unbearable sensation.

An hour later, the power pressing down on him finally began to fade. Xiaofei finally let out a breath of relief. He had finally absorbed this Soul Ring and crossed this hurdle. When he opened his eyes, the teachers and students also finally relaxed.

The Principal hurriedly asked, "Xiaofei, how do you feel now? Are you uncomfortable anywhere? I'm truly sorry. I misjudged it this time. This Blazing Lion King is nearly six hundred years old."

Xiaofei suddenly understood. No wonder absorbing this Soul Ring had been so difficult, and his body had felt so terrible. If his right hand had not absorbed part of the energy, he might not have made it through. Xiaofei closed his eyes and carefully sensed his body. He felt incomparably clear and unobstructed throughout, and every one of his Meridians carried an indescribably comfortable sensation. His right hand in particular felt much stronger. Only his right palm felt somewhat numb, as if its bones had undergone some change.

Xiaofei opened his eyes, glanced at the people around him, then lowered his head in thought. Secretly breathing a sigh of relief, he said, "Principal, I feel very good right now."

"Good. Let's leave this place first. We still need to hunt Soul Rings for several others," the Principal said.

So they continued in another direction according to the plan, maintaining the same formation as before.