The Hunt for a Soul Ring Couldn't Wait

"The outer areas are mostly inhabited by hundred-year-old or thousand-year-old Soul Beast, which are not a major concern. However, we must not be careless, as the dangers in the Star Dou often come from predators skilled in stealth and Sucker Punch."

"Conceal your aura, reduce Soul Power fluctuations, and try to avoid unnecessary fighting that might alert the beings deep within. Lin Xia, stay close to me. Xue'er, watch out for the flanks and the air."

Qian Renxue nodded without saying a word.

The radiant Angel Soul Power flowing around her was deliberately suppressed and contained the moment she entered the forest, but the noble aura originating from her divine Martial Soul could not be completely concealed, making her stand out in the gloomy forest like a pearl with inner brilliance, somewhat out of place with her surroundings.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating an instinctive discomfort with the decaying and gloomy atmosphere.

She slightly raised her hand, and a ball of extremely concentrated, almost non-dissipating divine energy gathered in her palm, as if she were holding an invisible Holy Sword, vigilantly scanning the shadows in the forest and the tangled branches above.

"Yes, Master."

Lin Xia responded, his steps naturally moving closer to Bibi Dong. He glanced at Qian Renxue's condition, pondered for a moment, and whispered a suggestion:

"Xue, the light attribute of the Angel Spirit is like a lighthouse in the forest, too conspicuous. Perhaps we could try using Soul Power to Simulation the life energy fluctuations of a layer of forest to create an outer layer. Although it cannot be completely assimilated, it should reduce the chance of passively attracting Soul Beast attacks."

Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback, then a hint of approval flashed in her eyes.

She immediately tried to adjust her Soul Power circulation, and a faint green halo carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees covered the original pure golden light. Although it couldn't change the essence, the dazzling "exotic feeling" was indeed greatly reduced. She glanced at Lin Xia and nodded slightly.

"That's great, little brother! How do you know so much?"

Bibi Dong took in the entire interaction between the two, her purple eyes still smiling.

However, Bibi Dong didn't say anything, but simply took the lead and stepped into the dark and deep forest path that seemed to devour everything.

"Walk."

The three formed a delicate triangular formation, with Bibi Dong in front, Lin Xia slightly behind and in the Bibi Dong, and Qian Renxue to the side and behind.

The shadows of the forest writhed as if alive, and strange plants exuded a Captivate or deadly aura.

Lin Xia hadn't gone far when she suddenly stopped and hissed:

"Watch out on your left! Underground!"

Almost at the same time Qian Renxue spoke, a cold glint flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, and she seemingly casually pressed her right hand down on the ground to her left!

Laugh!

Several purplish-black Soul Power threads, imbued with strong Corrosion and stickiness, appeared out of thin air and instantly pierced the ground covered with decaying leaves!

"Aww--!"

A shrill, mournful cry rang out! The ground suddenly exploded open, and a worm-like Soul Beast, as thick as a water bucket, covered in dark green scales, and with a huge mouth on its head, was tightly bound by spider silk, twisting and struggling wildly.

Its mouthparts were filled with layers upon layers of sharp teeth, emitting Stench.

"It's Soul-Devouring Demon Earthworm, a thousand-year-old Soul Beast that excels at burrowing underground to ambush, spewing Corrosion mist, and absorbing Soul Power."

Bibi Dong's voice remained calm, but with a slight twitch of her fingertips, a surge of purple light erupted from the spider silk!

The Corrosion energy instantly eroded the earthworm's scales and life force, the chilling hissing stopped abruptly, and its massive body rapidly shrank and withered.

The battle began in the blink of an eye and ended in an instant.

Qian Renxue was also slightly moved. She thought she could handle it too, but she might not be able to do it as effortlessly as Bibi Dong.

Lin Xia then reaffirmed the value of her mental perception combined with her energy insight in providing early warnings in the forest.

Lin Xia crouched down, ignoring the dissipating Soul Ring, her fingers tracing the edge of the burrow made by the demonic earthworm, feeling the residual Soul Power fluctuations and the abnormal activity of the soil, and whispered:

"This Soul Beast seems to be part of a larger predator's ecosystem... Its appearance may mean that there are its natural enemies or symbiotes nearby..."

Before Lin Xia could finish speaking, Qian Renxue's cool voice rang out with a hint of solemnity. "In the air! They're here! And they're very fast!"

Everyone looked up and saw several swift, dark shadows silently swooping down from the dim sky, which was obscured by branches and leaves!

They possessed bat-like wings and vulture-like talons, their scarlet eyes gleaming with greed in the shadows, their target fixed on Lin Xia, the weakest among them!

"Shadow Bat-Vulture! They operate in groups and excel at sonic interference and dive-bombing assassinations!"

Bibi Dong made a quick judgment. The phantom of the Death Spider Emperor flashed behind her, and its powerful aura was about to erupt.

However, even faster than her was another ray of light!

"Holy Light, Purify!"

Qian Renxue let out a shout, but did not use her Martial Soul Avatar; she simply raised her jade hand upwards.

A pure and condensed beam of light, almost tangible, shot into the sky in an instant! The God of Light and scorching, carrying the will to purify all defilement!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle--!

The beam of light swept precisely across the swooping bat-eagles. There was no earth-shattering explosion; the ferocious bird-like Soul Beast were like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun. Amidst their shrill Growl, their bodies were swiftly melted and purified by the holy light, leaving not even a feather behind, only a few wisps of black smoke drifting away.

The beam of light continued its relentless advance, Infiltrator the layers of tree canopy and briefly illuminating a small area above, startling more hidden birds into flight.

The eruption of light in the dark forest was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake!

Bibi Dong was speechless for a moment, then looked at Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue realized that her actions might have been a bit too forceful, but she showed no regret. Her actions were swift and decisive, perfectly protecting Lin Xia.

However, she still looked at Bibi Dong shyly, stuck out her tongue, and showed a girlish side!

As Lin Xia watched the Purification Light dissipate in the sky, and felt the forest atmosphere instantly become "irritable" due to this brief burst of light—countless dormant Soul Power points began to stir, and more beast roars filled with warning and violence came from afar—his heart sank.

"It seems that the plan to remain discreet and stealthy is not going to work."

After saying this with a smile, Lin Xia continued:

Master, Sister Xue'er, let's head straight to where the target Soul Beast is. After all, your strength is evident, and now that you've been exposed, some powerful Soul Beast will definitely Frisk. It's better to deal with it quickly!

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue's gazes briefly met in the air.

Without a word, the mother and daughter instantly achieved a tacit understanding, sharing the same goal.

A hint of approval flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes— Xiao Xia's decisiveness and ruthlessness deeply impressed her.

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her golden eyes burning with a strong Covet for the Seventh Soul Ring and the Spirit Saint realm.

Acquiring Soul Ring is of utmost urgency.