In the dining hall, Bibi Dong gazed at the sumptuous dishes before her and let out a deep sigh.
"Haah..."
"What's wrong, Sister Dong'er? Don't you like the food here?"
Ban Shu had already begun to dig in. At six years old, he was at the perfect age to grow.
Besides, the Spirit Hall's meals were all made with Soul Beast meat. Eating it could improve one's physique and bring many benefits to future cultivation.
Bibi Dong propped her chin on her hand, her tone faintly wistful. "I just feel like Teacher Fang doesn't really like me. Why is that?"
"..."
Ban Shu swallowed his food and rolled his eyes in exasperation. How could she not know why Teacher Fang didn't like her?
With theoretical knowledge like hers, no wonder she'd get tricked by a self-proclaimed scholar like Yu Xiaogang in the future.
"Sister, as long as you listen carefully in Teacher Fang's lessons and stop dozing off all the time, I'm sure she'll warm up to you."
"Forget it."
Thinking of the books, each several meters thick, she had to study, Bibi Dong's head began to ache. "A Soul Master just needs to learn how to fight. Why do we need all that theory?"
"It's such a waste of talent and time~"
With that, Bibi Dong focused on the delicious food before her, no longer giving those other things a thought.
Watching her carefree expression, Ban Shu sighed helplessly. Before she turned evil, Bibi Dong really was innocent and simple-minded.
But never mind. If she didn't want to study, then she didn't have to. He knew enough theory for both of them.
With Ban Shu around, any Yu Xiaogang or Wang Xiaogang could be beaten to death with a flurry of clubs.
And as for anyone trying to lay a hand on his beloved older sister and fellow disciple—ya shi la lei.
The days flew by in their busy routine. For the past few days, the two had spent their mornings meditating and cultivating, and their afternoons studying theory. Before they knew it, it was time for Ban Shu to obtain his First Soul Ring.
Early the next morning, the two arrived at the Pope Palace and waited for Qian Xunji.
When Qian Xunji arrived, the three of them got into a carriage driven by Li Yan, and the four set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.
The sun sank in the west, and the sunset gradually faded. By then, they had reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Since Ban Shu was only a level-ten Soul Scholar, they would search for Soul Beasts near the forest's perimeter, where there was almost no danger.
Besides, they had Qian Xunji, a Titled Douluo, and Li Yan, a Soul Saint. As long as they didn't venture deep into the forest, they would be perfectly safe.
"Xiao Ban, do you have a particular Soul Beast in mind for your First Soul Ring?"
"Well..."
At the question, Ban Shu thought for a moment. Fortunately, he had prepared before coming here.
"I asked Teacher Fang for advice. I know which Soul Beasts would suit me."
Ban Shu held up a book. It covered most of the thunder- and fire-attribute Soul Beasts found in the Star Dou Great Forest, and he had already memorized it inside out.
"Teacher, my Martial Soul seems to have both thunder and fire attributes, so Soul Beasts with either of those attributes would suit me best."
Qian Xunji nodded. Since Ban Shu had come prepared, all he needed to do was take action.
"This one, a Flame Lion. It has powerful fire abilities, so it would indeed suit Xiao Ban. But its mane looks rather sparse. It seems to be only around three hundred years old, so it's not suitable."
Following the book's advice, Ban Shu examined it up close. When he realized it wasn't suitable, he shook his head.
Qian Xunji sighed and, without wasting any more time, led them away.
"A Volcano Behemoth. This one's even younger, only two hundred years old. It hasn't even reached adulthood yet, so it won't do either."
"A Thunder Snake? Its age seems about right, but it's just too weak. Absorbing its Soul Ring wouldn't make me much stronger."
Led by Qian Xunji, they passed through one stretch of trees after another, venturing deeper as they searched for a suitable Soul Beast.
But no matter how many they found, they were either too young or too low in quality.
Qian Xunji intended to raise Ban Shu as his successor. Even for his First Soul Ring, he had to get the best.
Time passed second by second. The sun had already set, and as the last rays of light faded, darkness fell completely.
After searching for several hours without success, Ban Shu suggested they rest and resume the search the next day.
"Very well."
The four found a flat clearing overgrown with Blue Silver Grass. Li Yan quickly pitched the tents, lit a campfire, and scattered insect-repelling powder.
An ordinary Soul Master wouldn't dare light a fire so carelessly, but Li Yan and Qian Xunji were both experts, so they had nothing to fear.
As the younger ones, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong certainly didn't need to keep watch. And Qian Xunji was the Pope; he couldn't possibly do it either.
In the end, that left only Li Yan, the diligent wage slave, sitting by the fire and keeping an eye on their surroundings.
Li Yan picked out a few lucky Soft Bone Rabbits nearby, prepared them, skewered them with branches, and roasted them over the fire.
Each of the four had a rabbit, along with some dried provisions they'd brought. They ate their fill, then prepared to rest.
"Come on, Xiao Ban. I'm sleepy."
Bibi Dong yawned and, as naturally as could be, took Ban Shu by the arm and led him into the same tent.
"Yeah. I've been sitting in the carriage all day. My back's about to break."
Ban Shu pounded his aching lower back. Even with a shock-absorbing Soul Tool in the carriage, it still wasn't as comfortable as riding in a car from his previous life.
Watching the two enter the same tent as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Li Yan and Qian Xunji exchanged a glance and said nothing.
"Old Li, I'm leaving tonight to you."
Qian Xunji patted his shoulder, then turned and entered the other tent.
"Haah..."
In the early hours of the next morning, Ban Shu was sleeping soundly when a piercing eagle cry suddenly jolted him awake.
"What happened?"
Ban Shu rubbed his eyes and moved Bibi Dong's leg off him. Only then did he groggily get up and open the tent.
"Hahaha, Xiao Ban, we've found your Soul Beast!"
As soon as Ban Shu opened the tent, he saw a gigantic purple eagle right in front of him.
"!"
Caught off guard, Ban Shu jumped in fright and stumbled backward. He instinctively summoned his Painted Halberd and shouted, "What demon are you?!"
"It's me."
The eagle was moved aside, revealing Li Yan behind it.
"Uncle Li? What's going on?"
Ban Shu was fully awake now. He planted the Painted Halberd in the ground, hurried over to Li Yan, and curiously examined the gigantic eagle lying unconscious.
Li Yan held the eagle, his eyes brimming with delight. "This beast flew over early this morning and tried to attack us. I took it down on the spot."
"And judging by what I can see, this eagle seems to command the power of thunder. Xiao Ban, take a look and see if it suits you."
At that, Ban Shu immediately examined the eagle Soul Beast closely, his eyes lighting up.
"Sure enough, it's a thunder-attribute Soul Beast: a Sharp-Feathered Thunder Eagle. Judging by the length of those feathers at the tips of its wings, it's probably around seven hundred years old."
Hearing that, Li Yan's face fell. "If that's the case, then we got excited for nothing?"
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