On the way back to the Pope Palace, Qian Xunji looked at the huge smiles on Ban Shu and Bibi Dong's faces and helplessly patted them both on the head.
"Happy now?"
"Mm-hmm!"
The two nodded quickly. Anyone would be happy to receive so many good things at once.
"You two, these things are the elders' way of motivating you. Don't let it go to your heads. You still need to train hard, understood?"
"Yes, teacher. We understand!"
With his hands behind his back, Qian Xunji strode ahead. "In that case, let's go. Don't forget, Xiao Ban—you have to reach level thirty before Uncle Golden Crocodile will take you to the ruins."
"Mm!"
Time flew by, and before they knew it, a year had passed.
Inside the Pope Palace, a young man and woman stood side by side. They were none other than Ban Shu and Bibi Dong, as they were now.
After a year of growing up, both had changed considerably.
Ban Shu had grown more mature than before. His features had become increasingly handsome, and he had grown taller—so tall that he now stood above Bibi Dong, who was like an older sister to him.
After a year, Bibi Dong had also grown further from the girl she had once been.
Girls matured early, and Bibi Dong had shed her childishness. Her curves had become more pronounced, and she was growing more mature and graceful.
During this time, the two had trained in the Spirit Hall. In just one short year, Ban Shu had broken through several times, reaching level thirty and the Soul Ancestor rank.
By now, Bibi Dong had also reached the Soul Ancestor rank. They were each just one Soul Ring away from advancing.
Inside the main hall, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong respectfully bowed. "Your disciples pay their respects, teacher."
Qian Xunji looked up, his face full of pride and affection as he gazed at the two disciples who made him proud. "Xiao Ban, Dong'er, you're here. How are your cultivations coming along?"
"Teacher."
Ban Shu straightened up. "I've reached level thirty. I only need one more Soul Ring to advance."
"Teacher, I've reached the Soul Ancestor rank too. I'm also just one Soul Ring away from advancing."
Bibi Dong raised her hand as she spoke.
At that, Qian Xunji rose and came to stand before them, nodding with satisfaction. "Not bad. You've reached such a high level at such a young age. Your teacher is proud of you."
"It's nothing, teacher."
Ban Shu straightened and looked directly at Qian Xunji. "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching."
"Hahaha."
Qian Xunji laughed and shook his head. "I didn't do much. I simply gave you the resources you needed. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find you Soul Rings."
"Yes."
The next morning, Qian Xunji led the group once again. Golden Crocodile Douluo, Ban Shu, and Bibi Dong entered the Star Dou Great Forest with him, just as they had several years ago.
Once they were inside the forest, they first set out to find a suitable Soul Ring for Bibi Dong.
As a leading expert in theoretical knowledge, Ban Shu had long since worked out what Soul Rings he and Bibi Dong should obtain next.
The Death Spider Emperor's greatest strength was its immortality; it was extremely difficult to kill. So Ban Shu had advised her to focus that Martial Soul on defense and recovery, while the Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor focused on offense.
Switch between offense and defense, and nothing could stand in their way.
Bibi Dong, the little dunce, naturally followed Ban Shu's instructions to the letter. For her fourth Soul Ring, they were looking for a Soul Beast called the Thorn Poison Scorpion.
Unlike ordinary scorpions, this Soul Beast didn't hunt by stinging its prey with the venomous barb on its tail. Instead, it used the half-meter-long poisonous spikes covering its entire body to injure its prey when they struck it.
It could also change color to camouflage itself, making it a master assassin.
Its usual habit was to lie in wait among the rocks, waiting for some unlucky fool to step on it. Then it would have its meal.
Given the Soul Beast's habits, they searched the valleys and the areas around the rocks. Under the powerful spiritual perception of Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile Douluo, both Titled Douluos, they soon found a clue.
"Dong'er, look."
Qian Xunji pointed toward a rocky hillside ahead. "It's over there."
"?"
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and carefully examined the rocky slope, but she couldn't see any sign of a Soul Beast.
"If teacher says it's there, then it definitely is."
Ban Shu couldn't see what was among the rocks either, but he had a cheat.
"Sharingan, activate!"
Ban Shu closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a Tomoe spun rapidly in each eye.
"Xiao Ban, what is that?"
Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Ban Shu's eyes in surprise. They could sense the powerful spiritual ability within them.
"Teacher, this is an ability I awakened before. It greatly enhances my eyesight and spiritual power. I suppose it's another awakening of my Martial Soul."
Looking through his Sharingan, Ban Shu soon spotted a clue. "It's right there, between those two protruding boulders!"
"Judging by the rings on its back, it's around six thousand years old. You can absorb it."
Qian Xunji gave Ban Shu an approving look, then stepped forward and summoned his Martial Soul. In just a few moves, he took care of the Thorn Poison Scorpion.
It could reflect damage, but Qian Xunji had ranged attacks too. He just had to avoid fighting it up close.
"Dong'er, absorb it quickly. Aim for the gaps in its armor."
Bibi Dong nodded and summoned the Death Spider Emperor. She spread its sharp legs and, without hesitation, stabbed them into the gaps in the Thorn Poison Scorpion's armor.
The poison entered its body. After a few spasms, the Thorn Poison Scorpion died.
When the Soul Ring rose into the air, Bibi Dong sat cross-legged and began absorbing it.
She struggled at first, but soon her expression settled, and the absorption went unusually smoothly.
A few hours later, Bibi Dong finally opened her eyes and stood up excitedly.
"I did it!"
Bibi Dong's fourth Soul Skill was called Thorn Armor. It created armor covered in poisonous spikes around her body without affecting her speed, and it had formidable defensive power.
"Excellent. Next up is Xiao Ban."
Qian Xunji glanced at the sky. "The sun is almost setting. Let's rest for the night and search again tomorrow."
The night passed without incident...
The next morning, after breakfast, the group headed west through the Star Dou Forest.
"Ban Shu, what kind of Soul Ring are you looking for this time?"
As they searched for a Soul Beast, Bibi Dong asked curiously.
"Well..."
Ban Shu opened the book in his hands. "This is what I'm looking for: a Demon-Devouring Mosquito."
"Huh? A mosquito?"
Bibi Dong looked at the picture in the book with disgust. "How can there be such a disgusting Soul Beast?"
"There are all kinds of things in this vast world. Soul Beasts are no different."
Ban Shu smiled and closed the book. "But you're right about one thing: these Soul Beasts are incredibly annoying. Even other Soul Beasts hate them."
"So they have no choice but to stay away from the usual Soul Beast groups and live in the corners of the forest."
"Eww~"
Just imagining a mosquito several meters tall buzzing in front of her made Bibi Dong's skin crawl.
"What abilities does this thing have, anyway?"
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