Earth Fire Lizard Dragon, First Soul Ring. (Seeking collection, seeking recommendation)

Three days later, outside the Star Dou Forest.

The caravan slowed to a halt beside a small stream. Old Wang, who had been leading the way, swung down from his horse and walked toward one of the carriages.

"My Lords and Lady, we have now reached the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Forest."

Old Wang stood before the carriage, bowed respectfully, and said, "It is already dark, so let us rest here for the night. We shall enter the Star Dou Forest to hunt for soul beasts tomorrow."

"Very well, we shall rest here for the night as you suggest and head into the Star Dou Forest to hunt tomorrow."

"In that case, this subordinate will take his leave." With that, Old Wang stepped away from the carriage and called his brothers over to start a fire and prepare a meal.

Inside the carriage, after answering Old Wang, Xu Jiujiu leaned against the side, bored. She played with her hair absentmindedly, tilting her head to look at Liu Lin, who was engrossed in a compendium of soul beasts.

"Fiancé." Xu Jiujiu scooted closer to Liu Lin, tugging on his arm with a hint of playfulness in her tone.

"Stop reading. Come down and walk with me. It's been so long since I've left Star Luo City."

Hearing her, Liu Lin closed the book and looked up to meet her expectant gaze.

"You're right. We've been in the carriage for so long; it is time to get some fresh air. Let's go." Liu Lin set the book aside and nodded, agreeing to her request.

"Good." Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up at his answer. She took Liu Lin's hand and led him out of the carriage.

As she stepped down, Xu Jiujiu seemed to remember something and called out to Elder Lin, who was resting with his eyes closed inside:

"Elder Lin, Liu Lin and I are just going for a walk nearby. Please don't worry about us."

Inside the carriage, Elder Lin opened his eyes at her words and replied in a deep, aged voice, "Very well."

Elder Lin released his spiritual power, shrouding the surrounding ten miles to ensure he could arrive in an instant should the two encounter any danger.

With Elder Lin's assurance, Xu Jiujiu pulled Liu Lin away to wander elsewhere.

"It's so much more comfortable outside. Staying in that carriage is so boring, don't you think, Liu Lin?"

Xu Jiujiu led Liu Lin to a grassy clearing, soaking in the warmth of the evening breeze. She turned to ask him as she spoke.

"It is quite boring, indeed." Seeing her turn to ask him, Liu Lin nodded in agreement.

"Tch, you don't have to just agree with me. You seemed pretty serious about that book in the carriage," Xu Jiujiu pouted.

Liu Lin felt a bit awkward and rubbed his nose.

He was unfamiliar with the fire-attribute soul beasts of the Douluo Continent, so he had asked his maid, Xiao Xue, to borrow a compendium so he could learn and avoid being ignorant when he encountered them, as well as to properly select his first soul ring.

During the three days of travel to the Star Dou Forest, Xu Jiujiu had felt bored in the carriage and wanted to chat with him.

Unexpectedly, Liu Lin had spent all three days buried in that book.

"Your fiancée isn't as interesting as a book. I really wonder if you're just pretending sometimes?"

Xu Jiujiu muttered, then pointed to a spot beside her for Liu Lin to sit. "Forget it, Liu Lin. Come sit with me for a while."

Not knowing what else to do, Liu Lin walked over and sat down beside her.

"And I told you the last two days not to call me Princess, just by my name. Did you remember? If you forget again, I'll have to punish you."

Seeing him sit down, Xu Jiujiu feigned a stern expression and waved her small fist.

"Alright, I understand, Jiujiu." Liu Lin smiled as he replied.

At his words, her face flushed a soft pink.

"Enough, let's just sit here quietly."

The two sat side by side on a rock, watching the stars in the night sky, falling into a comfortable silence.

It lasted until a middle-aged man appeared behind them and said respectfully, "Elder Lin says it is getting late. He has asked me to bring you both back for dinner and rest."

"Understood." Xu Jiujiu stood up and brushed the dust from her clothes. Liu Lin followed suit, and they returned to the caravan with the man.

By the time they arrived, Old Wang had finished making fish soup and was serving it to everyone.

Xu Jiujiu and Liu Lin each received a bowl. After finishing their meal, they returned to their carriage to rest and wait for the dawn.

The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten.

Old Wang and several other Soul Kings were already prepared and waiting for orders.

"Young Master Liu, we are about to enter the Star Dou Forest. May I ask what your requirements are for your first soul ring?"

Old Wang approached Liu Lin to inquire about his needs.

"I need a fire-attribute soul beast around seven hundred years old. An Earth Fire Lizard Dragon would be best, but a Red Fire Lion will suffice."

Old Wang's mouth twitched at the request. If anyone else had told him this, he would have assumed they were drunk.

"Very well, I understand. We will do our best to find an Earth Fire Lizard Dragon around 700 years old. But if I may be so bold, are you sure you can handle 700 years?"

"I have no issues. You just focus on the hunt." Liu Lin was confident in absorbing a 700-year-old beast as his first ring because he had a guarantee.

On the day he awakened his martial soul, his body had been tempered by Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire, which had significantly enhanced his physical constitution. On the way here, he had even asked Elder Lin to examine him, and the elder had confirmed that his limit was indeed around 700 years.

Furthermore, he had decided to hunt for his ring now rather than waiting to consume whale glue to hunt a thousand-year beast for his first ring.

He felt that would be too flashy, and the Star Luo Empire might not be able to protect him. It would be more cost-effective to increase his soul ring's age when he attained godhood in the future.

After Old Wang finished his inquiries, he led the caravan toward the Star Dou Forest.

About three hours later, Elder Lin opened his eyes inside the carriage and said to Old Wang outside, "There is an Earth Fire Lizard Dragon of about 720 years ahead."

Upon hearing Elder Lin's words, Old Wang understood immediately. He leaped from his horse, activated his martial soul possession, and with six soul rings appearing behind him, he ran directly in the direction Elder Lin had indicated.

About ten minutes later, Old Wang returned, dragging a heavily wounded and dying Earth Fire Lizard Dragon.

"Young Master Liu, I have brought back the soul beast you requested. Deliver the final blow, and you can absorb this soul ring."

Hearing Old Wang, Liu Lin hurried down from the carriage.

Seeing the dying Earth Fire Lizard Dragon, Liu Lin pulled out the dagger Xu Jiujiu had pressed into his hand earlier and thrust it toward the dragon's head.

The Earth Fire Lizard Dragon let out a roar before its entire body collapsed onto the ground, and a deep yellow soul ring drifted up from its body.

Following the method Elder Lin had taught him, Liu Lin sat cross-legged and slowly guided the soul ring to hover above his head.

Xu Jiujiu also stepped down from the carriage, watching Liu Lin, who was in the midst of absorbing the soul ring, with a look of concern on her face.