"Gui Yun, what are your requirements?"
Zhang Lexuan's question drew everyone's attention to Mu Guiyun. They were curious about the little newcomer who had suddenly joined them.
"I want a Soul Ring around six thousand years old. The type doesn't matter, but it has to come from a top-tier Soul Beast."
Mu Guiyun rubbed his chin and gave his answer.
Six thousand years!
That was the limit for a fourth Soul Ring. Was this little guy already a Soul Ancestor at such a young age?!
Everyone exchanged glances, unable to contain their shock.
Zhang Lexuan, however, furrowed her brows and said softly, "Gui Yun, wouldn't a six-thousand-year Soul Ring be a little too difficult for you? You're only a Soul Elder..."
So he was a Soul Elder. In that case, it was fine.
Hearing this, everyone let out a quiet sigh of relief. Soul Elders aged twelve or thirteen were rare, but Shrek Academy had seen a few. As for absorbing Soul Rings beyond the usual age limit, everyone present had Soul Rings that exceeded it by several hundred or even a thousand years.
What they didn't know was that Mu Guiyun had only just celebrated his tenth birthday...
"It's fine, Big Sister. My teacher agreed."
Mu Guiyun waved a hand. Ever since his Martial Soul Awakening, he'd been eating rare herbs and plants that were hard to find anywhere else as if they were ordinary meals. Though the Elemental Stone Martial Soul didn't provide much of a physical boost, it still put him beyond the reach of ordinary Beast Martial Soul Masters.
"Is that so? All right, then. But if you run into danger while absorbing your Soul Ring, I'll still step in and stop you."
Zhang Lexuan's expression turned serious. She looked around and said, "Everyone, we're entering the Star Dou Great Forest. Ruoruo and I will take the lead. Wu Ming and Nan Xun will bring up the rear, Xiaotao will cover the flank, and everyone else will stay in the middle."
After giving her orders briskly and efficiently, Zhang Lexuan fixed her gaze on Mu Guiyun and said gently, "Gui Yun, come over here. From now on, you're not allowed to get more than three meters away from me!"
"Big Sister, can I—"
"Xiaotao!"
Ma Xiaotao had just started to object when Zhang Lexuan cut her off without mercy. "I know what you're going to say, but Gui Yun is the academy's future. You're only a Soul King. What makes you think you can protect him?"
Zhang Lexuan's unquestionable authority instantly deflated Ma Xiaotao.
"Fine..."
Ma Xiaotao pouted and kicked a stone away, venting her frustration.
The others lowered their heads in silence. This was the first time they'd seen Zhang Lexuan act so sternly. Especially after hearing what she'd said, they all felt that something about it was a little off.
Seeing that Ma Xiaotao wasn't objecting anymore, Zhang Lexuan returned to her usual gentle, composed self. She slowly held out her delicate hand and said softly, "Gui Yun, come here."
Ma Xiaotao saw Mu Guiyun standing motionless and looking at her instead, and a flicker of delight rose in her heart.
She lifted her chin proudly. "Go on, go on. Don't keep Big Sister waiting."
She even shot Zhang Lexuan a challenging look.
See? Gui Yun's only giving in to your intimidation. Deep down, he's still more on my side!
Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes at the sight, but her lovely face still wore that warm, gentle smile.
"I'm going, then. Xiaotao, be careful."
Mu Guiyun nodded and walked over to Zhang Lexuan.
He was mostly worried Ma Xiaotao would hold a grudge. If he left without saying anything, that woman would definitely roast his little Gui Yun with her Phoenix Evil Fire once they got back...
When Mu Guiyun reached Zhang Lexuan, her delicate hand was still suspended in the air, with no sign of lowering.
Puzzled, Mu Guiyun noticed the meaning in Zhang Lexuan's eyes and the firmness in her expression. In the end, he could only helplessly reach out his hand.
Their fingers intertwined. Mu Guiyun felt as if he were handling a piece of warm jade, smooth and soft.
Naturally, Ma Xiaotao didn't miss their little exchange. Her pretty face stiffened, and the smugness in her heart vanished, replaced by a fury unlike anything she'd ever felt before.
"I'm in a really bad mood!"
Ma Xiaotao clenched her teeth, wishing she could grab Mu Guiyun right then and vent her anger on him.
"Strength, strength! She's only a few years older than me! If that Evil Fire weren't holding me back, I could break through to Soul Douluo at twenty-two, too!"
Ma Xiaotao cursed inwardly. Deep in her crimson eyes, a tiny pink heart appeared, so faint it was almost imperceptible.
The group had high standards for their Soul Rings, and headed straight for the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.
A day passed in the blink of an eye, but they had nothing to show for it. In the end, they had no choice but to stop and regroup.
Compared with the core zone, the Soul Beasts in the mixed zone were much weaker. Most were a thousand years old, with ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts appearing only occasionally.
"Eek, eek, eek!"
Several little pink rabbits gathered around Mu Guiyun. The fact that they didn't seem afraid at all left everyone amazed.
"Gui Yun, what's going on with these Soft Bone Rabbits? They're actually coming right up to humans. How strange."
Han Ruoruo cradled one of the Soft Bone Rabbits in her arms. It was so adorable that it was hard not to love it.
Mu Guiyun smiled. "It's the Seventh Sense that came with my First Soul Ring—Beast Taming Technique! I can not only talk to Soul Beasts, but also control weaker ones whose strength is far below mine."
"What a remarkable ability."
As an old hand in the inner court, Han Ruoruo was one of the few who knew about Mu Guiyun's Martial Soul abilities, but the sight still opened her eyes.
Mu Guiyun hadn't yet fully demonstrated what the Beast Taming Technique could do. Its power was tied to his Soul Power Level, but for now it was already a useful scouting tool.
The sky gradually darkened. Aside from a few students keeping watch around the perimeter, everyone gathered around the campfire and took out the dry rations they'd prepared to replenish their strength.
"I doubt we'll be back at the academy for another two or three months."
A male student sighed, clearly unhappy with the environment in the Star Dou Great Forest.
The students chatted idly, while Mu Guiyun sat quietly to one side.
Gold Element and Aether had already been unlocked. The remaining elements—Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Light—would each be a tremendous boost for Mu Guiyun.
He could even unlock another accompanying Seventh Sense. If he got lucky and unlocked Ice Element and Extreme Healing, he'd take off like a rocket.
All at once, Mu Guiyun's expression tightened. In a low voice, he said, "Something's coming from the eight o'clock direction!"
The group, who'd been making some noise, fell silent at once. No one questioned him; they all moved into battle formation.
After just a few breaths, the students on watch sounded the alarm.
"Eight o'clock direction! Initial assessment: it's probably a bear-type Soul Beast!"
Sure enough, before long, a deafening roar rang out from deep in the forest.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
As the Soul Beast gradually came into view, everyone in the group turned pale.
Good heavens, a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!
Judging by its size, this Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was nowhere near ten thousand years old. For them, this was no different from a pie falling from the sky!