Sword Douluo's Thoughts

Sunset Forest.

Ma Hongjun's eyes flickered with a hint of excitement and curiosity as he caught sight of the heavily guarded checkpoints surrounding the forest perimeter.

"Boss, why do they have to check everyone entering the forest?"

The young boy's face was filled with confusion.

Ever since he decided from the bottom of his heart to follow Ye Ruilin to the death, Ma Hongjun had begun addressing Ye Ruilin directly as Boss.

"Kid, you have to understand that for commoners, the soul beasts inside the soul beast forest are lethal."

"If the imperial army weren't stationed here, the villages on the outskirts of the soul beast forest would be completely wiped out whenever a soul beast wandered out."

"These troops are stationed here not only to protect the safety of the commoners but also for the sake of the soul master community itself."

Old Wu spoke up to explain.

Old Wu did not explain the deeper, more complex reasons.

After all, those deeper reasons were not something a boy like Ma Hongjun needed to concern himself with.

Ma Hongjun understood instantly.

Although Ma Village had never encountered soul beasts, they did frequently run into terrifying wild beasts.

Under Old Wu's arrangements, the group successfully entered the Sunset Forest.

The moment they stepped into the Sunset Forest, a fragrance unique to vegetation rushed to greet them.

"Kid, what exactly do you intend to do on this trip to the Sunset Forest?"

Bone Douluo's gaze fell upon Ye Ruilin.

Throughout the entire journey, Ye Ruilin had never mentioned what he was actually planning to do.

Now that they had finally reached their destination, Bone Douluo could no longer hold back and asked directly.

In his heart, he was calculating—

Was this kid planning to have the two of them help him hunt a powerful soul beast?

But his strength didn't seem to have reached the next level yet; even if they hunted a soul beast, he wouldn't be able to absorb a soul ring.

If it were for a soul bone.

Ning Fengzhi had already given him a ten-thousand-year fire-attribute soul bone previously.

There was no need for him to run all the way to the Sunset Forest to hunt soul beasts for soul bones.

He couldn't figure it out!

Bone Douluo truly couldn't fathom what was going on inside that kid's head.

"My business isn't urgent; let's get Rongrong and Hongjun their first soul rings first."

"Rongrong, Hongjun, do you have any thoughts on what you want for your first soul rings?"

Ye Ruilin asked the two of them.

Although the little girl didn't like to study, she possessed some basic common sense.

"I will most likely choose a soul beast with exceptional speed; after all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has its own unique requirements for soul rings."

The little girl leaned in beside Ye Ruilin and said with great certainty.

Ma Hongjun, however, looked at Ye Ruilin in a daze.

In his life up to this point, he had never been exposed to such specialized knowledge about soul beasts.

"Big Brother, whatever you say I should choose, that's what I'll choose."

The boy scratched the back of his head, a silly, honest grin appearing on his face.

Since he had already made up his mind to follow his Big Brother for the rest of his life, it was just a soul ring—he would listen to whatever his Big Brother said!

Ye Ruilin nodded and strode into the depths of the Sunset Forest.

Before long, he came to a halt.

When that brilliant golden luster appeared before them, the others were already accustomed to it.

Ma Hongjun hurriedly rushed forward to pick up the Gold Soul Coin at Ye Ruilin's feet.

He wiped it off on his clothes and stuffed it straight into his pocket.

Ever since they had Ma Hongjun, Old Wu no longer had to pick up these Gold Soul Coins, which saved him quite a bit of trouble.

Watching the boy's nimble movements, Old Wu nodded in gratification.

"Hongjun, based on experience, everyone hunts soul beasts by looking for those that are compatible with their own martial soul."

"Since your martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, it possesses extremely strong explosive power and the ability to control flames."

"When searching for a soul beast, you can prioritize fire-attribute soul beasts."

"Something like a Blazing Lion King would be a very good choice."

"Blazing Lions are pack animals; the larger the group, the more powerful the Lion King becomes."

"As a first spirit ring, it is best to aim for around 400 years, but given your current physical constitution, you can fully withstand a 500-year spirit beast."

"If we are lucky enough to encounter a mutated Blazing Lion King, that would be an excellent choice."

Ye Ruilin explained the suitable spirit beasts to Ma Hongjun earnestly.

Ye Ruilin was quite attentive toward his little brother.

After all, who wouldn't like a diligent, serious, and very honest little brother?

"Boss, for some reason, ever since you said that, I feel like we will definitely encounter a mutated Blazing Lion King today."

Ma Hongjun whispered.

Ye Ruilin was stunned, then laughed in realization.

With his own Auspicious Qilin attribute, if he had such a thought, it might actually come true.

Ning Rongrong, standing to the side, looked at Ye Ruilin with instant admiration, her eyes seemingly sparkling with starlight.

"Brother Ye, you are truly amazing."

"Your spirit is really quite unfathomable."

Ning Rongrong felt a bit envious.

Her own Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was already very powerful.

It could even vaguely sense the existence of certain treasures.

But compared to Ye Ruilin's Auspicious Qilin, Ning Rongrong felt that her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was somewhat lacking.

That hazy, indistinct sensing ability simply could not be mentioned in the same breath as this kind of fortune.

Sword Douluo glanced at Ye Ruilin from the side, a few different thoughts quietly emerging in his eyes.

As for Ye Ruilin's identity, he knew it better than anyone.

The reclusive Kirin Ye Clan was an existence that did not pale in comparison to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Coupled with this kid's spirit, which possessed such a peculiar ability.

And on top of that ability, he also possessed powerful combat strength.

If such a top-tier prodigy could become their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's son-in-law.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would completely transcend the other two Upper Three Sects.

"Rongrong, you could learn a thing or two from this kid regarding the sensing ability of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

Sword Douluo spoke up.

He felt that Rongrong should take advantage of this kid's time at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to close the distance between them.

"Sword Grandpa, Brother Ye's sensing ability comes entirely from his spirit."

"Dad has already said that this kind of feeling is mysterious and profound."

"There is no way to cultivate it."

Ning Rongrong pouted.

She did not know Sword Douluo's intentions, only feeling a bit of regret that such an ability could not be cultivated.

Old Wu, standing behind Ye Ruilin, seemed to have seen through Sword Douluo's thoughts.

A faint, smug smile appeared on his face, which usually remained expressionless year-round.

He had said so!

With his young master being so outstanding, how could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect not have ideas?

It was only the young master who thought they were still young and that others wouldn't have ulterior motives.

The young master was still a bit too naive, not understanding the principle that one must act early to secure a good thing.

Ning Rongrong's status and talent were, all things considered, a decent match for their young master.

Old Wu sized up Ning Rongrong and nodded secretly.