Soul Hunting Forest, Rock Leaf Dragon!

This was enough to prove that Grandmaster was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

Xia Yuan truly did not know how lucky he was.

A man as knowledgeable as Grandmaster had taken the initiative to accept him as a disciple, yet he had turned around and slandered Grandmaster as a fraud.

Meanwhile, he had only earned Grandmaster's special regard by voluntarily revealing his Twin Martial Souls!

Grandmaster might even know his father!

That afternoon, after lunch, Xia Yuan went straight to the Academic Affairs Office.

Although Xia Yuan's current strength was enough for him to hunt Soul Beasts alone, he still planned to bring someone with him.

After all, it was better to be cautious, and Xia Yuan had no experience hunting Soul Beasts.

Director Su was somewhat surprised when he heard Xia Yuan's request.

"Are you sure you want to obtain your first Soul Ring so soon?"

"I'm sure." Xia Yuan did not say much.

He had long since decided on his first Soul Ring, but the fusion of the Golden Sacred Dragon Origin had given him another option.

Director Su pondered for a moment. "All right. I'll ask the dean for instructions."

The dean of Notting Academy was a level forty-two Soul Ancestor.

With Dean of Notting's help, as long as they did not encounter a Thousand-Year Soul Beast, their lives would at least be safe.

The next day.

Led by Dean of Notting, Xia Yuan arrived at the Soul Hunting Forest closest to Notting City.

The Soul Beasts within the Soul Hunting Forest were all raised in captivity. Most had ten or a hundred years of cultivation, while Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were rarely seen.

The Blue Silver Emperor's most important attribute was vitality.

However, after his battle with Xiao Wu yesterday, Xia Yuan discovered that after his Blue Silver Grass fused with the Golden Sacred Dragon Origin, he might be able to try absorbing the Soul Ring of a dragon-type Soul Beast to strengthen it.

It was impossible for any draconic Soul Beasts to appear within the Soul Hunting Forest.

But even without a subdragon, having an earth dragon as the choice for his first Soul Ring would still be good.

Outside the Soul Hunting Forest stood all kinds of houses and shops, making the place look like a small marketplace.

Since they had already prepared everything at the academy, Xia Yuan and Dean of Notting did not linger in the market and headed straight for the forest.

The Soul Hunting Forest was surrounded by tall fences, with armored soldiers patrolling and checking entrants.

After inspecting Dean of Notting's authorization, the soldiers allowed them into the Soul Hunting Forest.

The Soul Hunting Forest was far quieter than Xia Yuan had imagined.

Towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only scattered patches of light to fall through gaps in the leaves.

As Dean of Notting walked ahead, vigilantly observing their surroundings, he said, "Most of the Soul Beasts here have ten to a hundred years of cultivation."

"And since they are raised in captivity, high-bloodline Soul Beasts are rarely found here."

"Not to mention that you want a dragon-type Soul Beast. Even if it is only an earth dragon, it will be difficult to encounter one."

"We can only try our luck. If we truly cannot find one, then we can only choose another target."

Xia Yuan nodded. "Thank you, Dean. If we really can't find one, then let's look for a Soul Beast with a vitality attribute."

The two ventured deeper into the forest, encountering mostly Soul Beasts with only ten years of cultivation.

Dean of Notting had clearly led many such expeditions before and was highly experienced. He avoided these Soul Beasts whenever possible and did not provoke them unnecessarily.

Only after they entered the depths of the forest did Xia Yuan suddenly feel something stir within him.

His Martial Soul seemed to be reacting.

He hurriedly called out to Dean of Notting and pointed in the direction from which he sensed the reaction.

"What is it?" Dean of Notting stopped and looked around warily.

Xia Yuan said, "Dean, there might be a Soul Beast suitable for me over there."

Dean of Notting followed the direction Xia Yuan pointed and probed ahead. In a low voice, he said, "It's a Rock Leaf Dragon!"

Xia Yuan focused his gaze and looked carefully.

By a marsh ahead lay a massive Soul Beast nearly five meters long. Its entire body was covered in gray-green scales, resembling rocks blanketed in moss.

Dean of Notting explained, "Rock Leaf Dragons excel at defense, and their vitality is exceptionally tenacious."

"However, judging by its appearance, it has at least five hundred years of cultivation. We should look for—"

"That one." Xia Yuan made the decision immediately.

The advantage of Blue Silver Grass was that it accepted everything and could accommodate nearly any attribute.

This Rock Leaf Dragon not only possessed a vitality attribute, but was also an earth dragon-type Soul Beast. There could be no better opportunity.

"Are you sure?" Dean of Notting looked at Xia Yuan in surprise.

By the standards of the Soul Master world, the limit for a Soul Master's first Soul Ring was a little over four hundred years.

Yet most Soul Masters actually chose Soul Rings of just over a hundred years, even those from great families and sects.

Xia Yuan had immediately set his sights on this Rock Leaf Dragon with at least five hundred years of cultivation. One careless mistake, and the consequences would be no laughing matter.

"I'm sure! I choose it!" Xia Yuan said again. "Don't worry, Dean. I'm confident."

Seeing how serious Xia Yuan was, Dean of Notting could only nod. "All right."

Although dragon-type Soul Beasts could not be judged by cultivation alone, Rock Leaf Dragons did not excel at offense and basically only defended passively.

Dean of Notting, with his level forty-two Soul Ancestor cultivation, naturally had no trouble dealing with this Rock Leaf Dragon.

He released his Martial Soul and launched the first attack at the Rock Leaf Dragon.

The resting Rock Leaf Dragon cried out in pain, abruptly opened its eyes, and let out a low roar.

Its massive body immediately turned, charging toward Dean of Notting, who had attacked it.

Xia Yuan did not remain idle either. He possessed one percent of Tang Hao's strength and could even try to wrestle with the Rock Leaf Dragon.

But of course, he would not foolishly rush over like that. Instead, he pulled out the spear he had prepared beforehand and hurled it with all his strength, driving it directly into the Rock Leaf Dragon's soft neck.

The Rock Leaf Dragon angrily lashed its tail. As one of the few earth dragon-type Soul Beasts in this Soul Hunting Forest, even though it did not excel at attacking, other Soul Beasts would never dare provoke it.

Yet now, it had actually been injured by two "monkeys"?

Dean of Notting was also somewhat surprised by Xia Yuan's sudden attack.

He knew very well how strong the Rock Leaf Dragon's defenses were.

Yet Xia Yuan's spear had actually pierced straight into the Rock Leaf Dragon's neck!

Although that was the Rock Leaf Dragon's softest spot aside from its lower abdomen, it was still not something a mere Soul Scholar without even a Soul Ring should have been able to accomplish!

As the Rock Leaf Dragon expended a great deal of stamina under Dean of Notting's attacks and Xia Yuan's occasional harassment, its defense gradually weakened.

Dean of Notting immediately unleashed every method at his disposal, suppressing the Rock Leaf Dragon before looking at Xia Yuan. "Quick! Give it the finishing blow!"

Xia Yuan rushed forward, first releasing his Blue Silver Grass, which instantly wrapped around the Rock Leaf Dragon's body.

The Rock Leaf Dragon let out an enraged roar and struggled desperately.