Depart, Star Dou Great Forest

In the dining hall, Bibi Dong looked at the sumptuous meal before her and let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh~"

"What's wrong, Sister Dong'er? Is the food here not to your liking?"

Ban Shu had already begun to tuck in; at six years old, he was at the prime age for growth.

Moreover, the food in Spirit Hall was prepared with spirit beast meat, which helped improve one's physical constitution and offered many benefits for future cultivation.

Bibi Dong rested her chin in her hand, her tone tinged with melancholy: "I just feel like Teacher Fang doesn't really like me. Why could that be?"

"..."

Ban Shu swallowed his food and rolled his eyes in silence. You actually don't know why she doesn't care for you?

With your grasp of theoretical knowledge, you deserve to be swindled by a charlatan like Yu Xiaogang in the future.

"Sister, if you just listen to Teacher Fang's lectures carefully and stop falling asleep, I believe her attitude toward you will soften."

"Forget it."

Thinking of the books several meters thick that she was required to study, Bibi Dong felt a headache coming on: "We're spirit masters, isn't learning how to fight enough? Why do we need all this theory?"

"Isn't that just a waste of talent and time~"

With that, Bibi Dong focused her attention on the delicacies before her, no longer dwelling on such trivial matters.

Watching her carefree demeanor, Ban Shu sighed helplessly. He could only say that before her corruption, Bibi Dong was truly simple-minded and naive.

But never mind; if she didn't want to learn, she didn't have to. With his own knowledge, it would be enough.

Now that he, Ban Shu, was here, any Yu Xiaogang or Wang Xiaogang would be beaten to death with a stick.

Trying to lay a finger on his dear sister and junior fellow apprentice? Eat dirt.

A fulfilling life passes quickly. Over the past few days, the two spent their mornings in meditation and their afternoons on theory. Before they knew it, the time had come for Ban Shu to obtain his first spirit ring.

The next morning, the two arrived early at the Pope Palace to await Qian Xunji.

Once Qian Xunji arrived, the three boarded a carriage driven by Li Yan, and the four of them set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group finally reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Since Ban Shu was only a level 10 spirit master, they only searched for spirit beasts on the forest's periphery, where they were unlikely to encounter any danger.

Furthermore, with a Titled Douluo like Qian Xunji and a Spirit Saint like Li Yan present, they were perfectly safe as long as they didn't venture deep into the forest.

"Xiao Ban, do you have any specific spirit beasts in mind for your first ring?"

"This..."

At the question, Ban Shu fell into deep thought. Fortunately, he had prepared before coming here.

"I've already consulted Teacher Fang and learned which spirit beasts are suitable for me."

Ban Shu pulled out a book and gave it a shake; it was a guide to most of the lightning and fire-attribute spirit beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest, which he had already memorized by heart.

"Teacher, my spirit seems to possess both lightning and fire attributes, so absorbing a beast with these two attributes would be most appropriate."

Qian Xunji nodded. Since Ban Shu was prepared, he only needed to provide the muscle.

"This Flame Lion possesses powerful fire energy and is indeed suitable for Xiao Ban, but look at the mane on its neck—it's quite sparse. It looks to be only about three hundred years old. Not good enough."

Ban Shu observed it closely according to the methods in his book, realized it wasn't a match, and shook his head.

Qian Xunji sighed and, not wanting to waste time, led them away.

"A Volcano Behemoth? The age is even lower, only two hundred years. It hasn't even reached adulthood. That won't do either."

"A Thunder Snake? The age seems appropriate, but it's far too weak. It wouldn't provide much power even if absorbed."

Under Qian Xunji's guidance, the group wove through tree after tree, venturing deeper and deeper in search of a suitable beast.

Yet, no matter how they looked, the beasts were either too young or of poor quality.

Qian Xunji intended to groom Ban Shu as his successor; even for a first spirit ring, he wanted the best.

Time ticked away, and the sunset had long since vanished. As the last traces of light faded, darkness descended completely.

After searching for several hours with no success, Ban Shu suggested they rest and continue the search the next day.

"Very well."

The four found a flat clearing covered in Blue Silver Grass. Li Yan quickly set up a tent, started a campfire, and sprinkled insect-repellent powder.

An ordinary spirit master wouldn't dare light a fire so casually, but Li Yan and Qian Xunji were experts and had no such fears.

As the juniors, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong certainly didn't need to keep watch, and Qian Xunji, as the Pope, would never do such a thing.

In the end, it fell to the diligent worker Li Yan to stand by the fire and keep watch over the surroundings.

Li Yan caught a few lucky Soft Bone Rabbits nearby, prepared them, skewered them on branches, and roasted them over the fire.

Each of the four had a rabbit, supplemented by some prepared dry rations. They ate their fill and prepared to rest.

"Let's go, Xiao Ban. I'm sleepy."

Bibi Dong yawned and, with complete naturalness, took Ban Shu's arm as they entered the same tent.

"Yeah, I've been sitting in that carriage all day; my back feels like it's about to snap."

Ban Shu pounded his aching lower back. Even with the shock-absorbing soul guidance device on the carriage, it still wasn't as comfortable as the cars from his past life.

Watching the two enter the tent with such ease, Li Yan and Qian Xunji exchanged a glance, tacitly choosing to remain silent.

"Old Li, I'll leave tonight to you."

Qian Xunji patted the other man on the shoulder and turned to enter a separate tent.

"Sigh~"

At dawn the next day, just as Ban Shu was sleeping soundly, he was suddenly jolted awake by a piercing eagle screech.

"What's going on?"

Ban Shu rubbed his eyes, moved Bibi Dong's leg off his body, and stood up in a daze before opening the tent flap.

"Hahaha, Xiao Ban, your soul beast has been found!"

The moment Ban Shu opened the tent, a massive purple eagle appeared before his eyes.

"!"

Caught off guard, Ban Shu jumped back in shock. Instinctively, he summoned his Painted Halberd and shouted sharply, "What kind of monster is this!"

"It's me."

As the eagle was shifted aside, Li Yan's figure appeared behind it.

"Uncle Li? What is going on here?"

Ban Shu was now wide awake. He drove the Painted Halberd into the ground and hurried over to Li Yan's side, curiously examining the unconscious giant eagle.

Li Yan hauled the eagle, his eyes filled with joy. "This beast flew over early this morning trying to attack us, so I took it down on the spot."

"From my observations, this eagle seems to possess the power of lightning. Xiao Ban, take a look and see if it's suitable for you."

Hearing this, Ban Shu immediately began to scrutinize the eagle soul beast, his eyes lighting up.

"It really is a lightning-attribute soul beast, a Sharp-Feathered Thunder Eagle. Judging by the length of those feathers on the wingtips, it must be around seven hundred years old."

Hearing Ban Shu's words, Li Yan's face instantly fell with disappointment. "In that case, was all this excitement for nothing?"