Black Flame Demon Fox

On the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.

Towering trees stood everywhere, vines hung down, and sunlight broke through the leaves in scattered fragments that fell across the ground.

A few low beastly roars occasionally drifted from the distance, only to be scattered by the wind.

The air was heavy with the damp smell of earth and plants.

Two figures in long, deep-blue robes patterned with silver walked one in front of the other, guarding a six-year-old boy between them.

The man in front looked to be around thirty-five or thirty-six. He was tall and slender, with sharply defined features and a conspicuous black mole between his brows.

A long sword was slung diagonally across his back, its blade faintly traced with flowing dark patterns.

His steps were steady, and his gaze swept over their surroundings from time to time.

Two yellow, two purple, and one black Soul Rings slowly revolved around him.

The woman behind him was in her early thirties. Her features bore some resemblance to the man's, but were gentler, and the pale pink mole between her brows looked like a dab of cinnabar.

She also carried a sword on her back, but hers was plain and unadorned—a completely ordinary Iron Sword.

Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings surrounded her.

The boy between them wore gray robes and was exceptionally handsome.

His most striking feature was his eyes: the corners tilted up slightly, his pupils were deep black, and his gaze was lively. He looked clean-cut and full of energy.

In his hand, the boy held a Writing Brush about thirty centimeters long, its black shaft marked with many white patterns.

He had only one yellow Soul Ring.

Their clothes all bore the insignia of Spirit Hall and the words "Spirit Hall Academy."

They were Li Yi, Li Ruolan, and Duan Fan.

On the very day Duan Fan's Soul Power Level reached twenty, Li Ruolan had called on Li Yi, and the two of them had taken Duan Fan on the road to Star Dou Forest.

By now, the three of them had been in Star Dou Forest for some time.

They had already found two kinds of Soul Beasts suitable for Duan Fan, but neither was old enough, so they had to set both aside for the time being.

At that moment, they were heading toward the next place where their target Soul Beast might appear.

As he walked, Li Yi glanced back at Duan Fan and said casually, "Our next target is the Black Flame Demon Fox."

"On the way to Star Dou Forest, I told you about this Soul Beast. Do you remember?"

Duan Fan replied, "I do."

"The Black Flame Demon Fox is a fox-type Soul Beast that can release black flames. When it enters the flames it has released, its body grows larger and its combat strength increases."

Li Yi looked approving. "That's right."

"The reason I included the Black Flame Demon Fox among your options for a Second Soul Ring is that it also has the ability to create—though what it creates is a stronger version of itself."

"Quite a few Soul Masters have chosen the Black Flame Demon Fox as a Soul Ring in the past. The Soul Skill they obtained was generally Black Flame."

"But your Martial Soul is special. If nothing unexpected happens, there's a good chance your Soul Skill will let you draw a Black Flame Demon Fox. Even if you end up with the Black Flame Soul Skill, that's still not bad."

The first time Li Yi had asked Duan Fan about his circumstances, he had already pointed out that Duan Fan's Innate Full Soul Power and Martial Soul were no ordinary Writing Brush.

The creative power of his first Soul Skill, Life from the Brush, came not only from the Dream-Weaving Spider Soul Beast but also from the powerful creative talent inherent in his Martial Soul.

Fang Qingshan had told Duan Fan much the same thing.

Duan Fan naturally agreed with them, because what they said was simply true.

A Soul King and a Soul Ancestor escorting a Soul Master at level twenty through the outskirts of Star Dou Forest in search of a suitable Second Soul Ring.

That was about as safe a setup as anyone could ask for.

Li Yi and Li Ruolan kept their Martial Souls activated at all times. The pressure of the Soul Power they released was enough to scare off the vast majority of Soul Beasts on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest. If any foolhardy ones did approach, they could be dealt with in a single sword stroke.

After walking for a little over an hour, the terrain began to rise and fall beneath their feet, changing from gentle wooded slopes to inclines strewn with gravel.

The trees grew sparse, giving way to broad stretches of exposed gray-black rock. A faint smell of sulfur hung in the air.

"We're almost there."

Li Yi stopped and surveyed the terrain ahead. "Those low hills up front are our destination. There are many caves there, and they're among the Black Flame Demon Fox's favorite lairs."

Following Li Yi's gaze, Duan Fan saw several cone-shaped hills rising from the ground in the distance. Almost no trees grew on them, only dark green moss and sparse shrubs.

Some black, gaping caves were faintly visible at the foot of the hills. The temperature there seemed extremely high, with waves of heat constantly rising into the air.

"The Black Flame Demon Fox is naturally wary. The moment it senses danger, it'll retreat deep into its cave. The caves are a maze inside, so going in to look for one would be too inefficient."

"We can find some bait to draw the Black Flame Demon Fox out. If we find one that's suitable, we'll take it down immediately."

"Ruolan, stay here and protect Duan Fan. I'll go find some lower-year Soul Beasts nearby."

After speaking, Li Yi started toward the nearby woods.

Li Ruolan nodded and moved in front of Duan Fan to shield him.

Duan Fan then said, "Teacher Li Yi, the Black Flame Demon Fox probably isn't picky, right? I wonder if it likes eating Dream-Weaving Spiders?"

Li Yi paused in surprise, then smiled. "A Dream-Weaving Spider would work. It's one of the Black Flame Demon Fox's prey, too."

"Are you thinking of using your Soul Skill to draw one and use it as bait?"

"That could work, but your Dream-Weaving Spider is a little too old. A Black Flame Demon Fox bold enough to attack a Dream-Weaving Spider over six hundred years old would most likely be over eight hundred years old. The limit for an ordinary Soul Master's Second Soul Ring is only a little over seven hundred and sixty years."

Duan Fan said, "I remember you also said these records are just for reference, not absolutely correct. There's no fixed age limit for a Soul Master absorbing a Soul Ring. It mainly depends on the quality of their Martial Soul, their physical strength, their spiritual power, and other factors."

"I have Innate Full Soul Power, so my Martial Soul's quality shouldn't be bad. You told me that yourself before."

"As for my physical strength, I think I'm far stronger than the average person."

"I just haven't had a chance to tell you about this."

As he spoke, Duan Fan glanced at Li Ruolan too and gave an embarrassed smile.

Then Duan Fan drew the dagger from his belt and forcefully slashed it across the back of his hand.

"Duan Fan, what are you doing?"

Li Yi's eyes widened, while Li Ruolan cried out in alarm. The siblings both instinctively tried to stop him.

But Duan Fan was too fast. The dagger had already struck the back of his hand.

Then a bizarre scene unfolded. Although Duan Fan had slashed with all his strength, he failed to leave even the slightest wound on his hand—not even a white mark.

The dagger, on the other hand, had gone from razor-sharp to having its edge curled, as if it had struck hardened steel.

Li Yi and Li Ruolan, who had tried to stop Duan Fan, froze with their hands suspended in midair, their faces full of shock and suspicion.

"This... how is that possible?"