The four of them wandered around the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.
They still hadn't found a Soul Beast with a suitable age.
After discussing it, Gu Rong and Chen Xin decided to head toward the core region, staying on high alert as they carefully surveyed every movement around them.
Only after they had fully entered the core region did Gu Rong finally find a Thunder Tiger on a small hillside—a Soul Beast perfectly suited to Han Yu.
When they reached the vicinity of the hill, a few clouds that were about to disperse drifted across the sky.
The Thunder Tiger was lying on a boulder, licking its wounds. Not a blade of grass grew around it, and the ground was pocked with charred craters.
It was three meters long, with broad, heavy paws and deep purple fur. Its hairs stood stiff as steel needles, and the sparks of electricity dancing among them made it look as though it wore a coat of lightning armor.
Just then, a gust of wind stirred the grass leaves in the distance.
The Thunder Tiger vanished from the spot in a flash of lightning, gazing toward the distant place where the wind had come from.
Gu Rong pointed at the Thunder Tiger on the ground and said, "There are six stripes on its tail, so it's around six hundred years old. Its age isn't particularly high, but it's an extremely rare Soul Beast. Legend has it that it can advance by enduring lightning strikes.
"It excels at explosive bursts over short distances and combines strength with speed. It never bites its prey; instead, it uses the lightning coursing through its body to move faster, then slams its forepaws into its enemies and beats them to death.
"The Thunder Tiger is one of the ideal Soul Beasts for Power Attack System Soul Masters. It should be quite compatible with your Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords Martial Soul."
When Chen Xin heard that the Thunder Tiger was six hundred years old, his brow twitched. But remembering Han Yu's unusual circumstances, he chose to remain silent.
Having already advanced to Soul Master with a four-hundred-year Soul Ring, and with his exceptionally resilient meridians, Han Yu truly had little to worry about. In fact, Chen Xin felt that Han Yu could probably absorb one with an even greater age.
Han Yu's gaze settled on several wounds on the Thunder Tiger, and his eyes flickered.
He sensed a familiar force of lightning in them. The Evil-Warding Divine Thunder was a celestial thunder nurtured by Ten-Thousand-Year Golden Thunder Bamboo, and it shared the same origin as lightning in nature. That meant this Thunder Tiger had just endured a baptism by heavenly lightning. Its age was definitely not what it appeared to be.
"Teacher, after a Thunder Tiger advances by enduring lightning strikes, does it grow stripes on its tail to match its age? It looks like it's been struck by lightning." Han Yu pointed at the charred craters on the ground.
"Uh... I'm not sure about that either." Gu Rong froze, then shook his head with a frown.
He had only read through some books and knew nothing about such matters beyond what they covered. Even the books he remembered had only mentioned it in passing. They offered no detailed explanation of how the Thunder Tiger advanced through lightning strikes. Perhaps even their authors didn't know this secret.
Gu Rong was at a loss. If this Soul Beast's age was far beyond six hundred years, it would be too dangerous. He didn't want his disciple taking a risk just to get a higher-year Soul Ring.
"Then let's find another one. Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone are so strong; you can find a suitable Soul Beast whenever you want." Ning Rongrong folded her arms and lifted her chin, urging the three of them.
"Let's go," Chen Xin said first.
"Wait. Wouldn't we find out if we killed it?" Han Yu tilted his head, his face full of a child's innocent confusion.
Chen Xin stopped in his tracks, stumped by the question and unsure how to answer. He looked at Gu Rong, only to find the same expression on his face.
They had never heard anyone suggest such a thing before. Usually, when hunting Soul Beasts, they chose a suitable target before attacking. A situation like this was exceedingly rare.
At the same time, they gained a deeper understanding of their disciple's temperament. He really didn't see Soul Beasts as people. Then again, there didn't seem to be anything wrong with that. What was wrong with being cruel to one's enemies?
"Han Yu, you've certainly taught me and Old Bone a lesson today." Gu Rong laughed and patted Han Yu on the shoulder, his voice full of praise.
Gu Rong casually raised his hand, and the Thunder Tiger was instantly pinned to the ground, as if an invisible giant hand had it by the throat. It lay there as docile as a housecat, its fur trembling all over. Its huge, bell-like eyes were full of terror. The speed it relied on to survive hadn't helped it in the slightest.
Unexpectedly, something bizarre happened the next moment.
A torrential rain began to fall from the sky. Strong winds howled, and faint rumbles of thunder rolled in the distance.
"How interesting. This beast really is blessed with good fortune. It's endured two waves of heavenly lightning to temper its body." Gu Rong grew interested and released the Thunder Tiger, keeping it pinned in place.
The sky gradually darkened, and flashes of lightning struck now and then. The fur on the Thunder Tiger's back acted like lightning rods, drawing the heavenly lightning to strike it with pinpoint accuracy. With every bolt, its fur grew brighter. It let out pained, plaintive growls, stubbornly remaining on its feet and refusing to fall.
When the final bolt of lightning vanished, the Thunder Tiger slammed its forepaws against the ground. It was completely renewed, its wounds gone. Its eyes shone with wild joy as its thick tail swished back and forth. Only a single black line remained of the six stripes on it.
It had advanced and become a thousand-year Soul Beast.
"Teacher, I want its Soul Ring." Han Yu looked up at Gu Rong.
"No." Gu Rong rejected him without a moment's hesitation.
His expression stern, he stood in front of the Thunder Tiger. "Han Yu, this is a thousand-year Soul Beast. Trying to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as your First Soul Ring is absolutely impossible.
"With your talent, you don't need to chase a temporary boost. In the future, you'll be no weaker than us. If something happens to you, the loss will far outweigh the gain.
"Old Fossil, say something. Aren't you the one who's always opposed to relying on outside power?"
To his surprise, Chen Xin didn't speak up for Gu Rong. Instead, he looked seriously at Han Yu.
Han Yu took a deep breath and explained softly, "Teachers, the Spirit Gathering Array has another function besides assisting cultivation. When absorbing a Soul Ring, it can help resist the impact of Soul Power and improve a Soul Master's chances of success.
"There's also my own condition. The lightning in the Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords will strengthen my body and protect my meridians from damage. That's what gives me the confidence to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring. Teacher Chen Xin knows this."
Gu Rong looked at Chen Xin. Seeing him nod, Gu Rong turned to Han Yu's resolute, confident gaze and fell silent.
Chen Xin pondered for a moment, considering whether this approach was feasible.
At last, he gave a slight nod. "Let him try. I'll use my sword intent to protect his heart meridian."
"All right." Gu Rong nodded in agreement. "If you feel even the slightest discomfort, stop absorbing it at once."
"Yes, Teacher," Han Yu answered.
Ning Rongrong stood to one side, her gaze fixed on Han Yu as she twisted her handkerchief into a knot. Her heart filled with worry, she murmured softly, "Han Yu, you idiot... You... you're not allowed to get hurt!"
Han Yu went over to the unconscious Thunder Tiger and summoned his Second Martial Soul before beginning to set up an array beneath his feet.
Besides the Spirit Gathering Array, he also set up a Soul Calming Array and a Heart Clearing Array.
He was doing everything he could to accomplish this limit-breaking feat with the utmost care.
Han Yu's gaze sharpened. Green light gathered in his palm, and the Bamboo Cloudswarm Swords appeared in his hand.