Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird

An hour later.

Chen Xi opened his eyes and assessed his condition, his dark purple eyes filled with joy.

After absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Chen Xi's Mental Power had nearly doubled.

While raising Chen Xi's Soul Power, the Narcissus Jade Bone had also strengthened his physique.

The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, meanwhile, had the effect of consolidating one's foundation and nourishing one's vitality.

Chen Xi's Soul Power had now reached the bottleneck of level twenty. As for how many levels it had increased by, he would have to wait until he attached a Soul Ring to find out.

"Now that you've finished absorbing them, let's leave."

"It's already getting late."

Qian Renxue looked at the darkening sky, rose from the ground, and headed outside.

"Alright, Sister."

Chen Xi answered and followed Qian Renxue ahead with light steps.

When they reached the outskirts of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Chen Xi could not help but freeze. The outer area, once covered in top-grade medicinal herbs, was now completely bare.

By rough estimate, at least eighty percent of the herbs had been harvested.

"Ci Xue, Yang Wushuang, it's time to leave."

Qian Renxue looked at the still-busy Ci Xue and Yang Wushuang, her clear, pleasant voice ringing out.

"Yes, Young Mistress."

After plucking another herb, Ci Xue strode toward Qian Renxue.

Yang Wushuang looked at the remaining herbs around him. Though he still felt reluctant to leave, he ultimately did not disobey Qian Renxue's order.

They left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's territory.

As the group walked through the forest beneath the towering ancient trees, Qian Renxue turned her gaze to Yang Wushuang.

"Yang Wushuang, take Xiao Xi to the outskirts and help Xiao Xi find a suitable Soul Ring, around seven to eight hundred years old."

The moment she finished speaking, Chen Xi reached out and gently tugged Qian Renxue's arm.

"Sister, I want to try absorbing a Soul Ring around a thousand years old."

"After absorbing the Narcissus Jade Bone, my physique has improved greatly. Around a thousand years should not be a problem."

Chen Xi's expression was extremely serious.

"A Soul Ring around a thousand years old?"

"I think that might be somewhat risky. Besides, there isn't much difference between an eight-hundred-year Soul Ring and a thousand-year Soul Ring. Taking that risk may not be worth it."

Qian Renxue's brows furrowed slightly.

She was conservative by nature, so she did not want to agree to Chen Xi's plan to absorb a Soul Ring beyond his level.

Moreover, just as she had said, the gap between an eight-hundred-year Soul Ring and a thousand-year Soul Ring was not particularly great. Given Chen Xi's talent and the special nature of his martial soul, the risk of absorbing one beyond his level was too high. The cost and reward might not even be proportional.

After all, if one could not withstand the strain of absorbing a Soul Ring beyond one's level, one's body could very well explode and result in death. Even if it succeeded, the reward would only be a tiny improvement.

"Sister, I want to give it a try."

"Besides, the Narcissus Jade Bone really improved my physique by a lot."

Chen Xi's eyes were full of determination.

Seeing Chen Xi's resolute gaze, Qian Renxue considered it carefully before finally nodding lightly.

"Fine."

"Yang Wushuang, if anything goes wrong while Xiao Xi is absorbing the Soul Ring, interrupt it immediately."

"It's only a Soul Ring. If it goes to waste, then so be it."

Qian Renxue looked sternly at Yang Wushuang.

"Young Mistress, please rest assured. Your subordinate knows what to do."

Yang Wushuang patted his chest and assured Qian Renxue.

"Mm."

Qian Renxue softly hummed, then lightly tapped Chen Xi on the head. "Remember, if you truly can't do it, give up. Don't force yourself, understand?"

"Sister, I understand."

Chen Xi nodded seriously and walked toward Yang Wushuang.

After bowing to Qian Renxue once more, Yang Wushuang took Chen Xi away to search for a suitable soul beast.

Watching Chen Xi and Yang Wushuang depart, Qian Renxue beckoned to Ci Xue and headed toward the core region of Sunset Forest.

Within the somewhat silent forest.

Chen Xi quietly followed behind Yang Wushuang, while Yang Wushuang released his Mental Power to investigate the surroundings and search for a soul beast suitable for Chen Xi.

The two walked through the forest for a long time. Whenever they encountered soul beasts that ambushed them or blocked their way, Yang Wushuang casually sent them flying.

White mist gradually appeared around them. A high-pitched cry rang out through the forest, and the instant it sounded, Yang Wushuang's gaze swiftly locked onto a direction as he extended his Mental Power toward it.

"Huh, it's actually a rare species. That's quite uncommon."

"Xiao Xi, what do you think of a thousand-year Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird?"

Yang Wushuang looked at Chen Xi beside him and asked for his opinion.

"Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird?"

"What is that?"

Chen Xi's eyes were full of confusion.

It had only been a few days since he awakened his martial soul.

His current knowledge had not yet reached the subject of soul beasts, so Yang Wushuang's question had truly touched upon his blind spot.

"The Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird is a soul beast that only acts at night. There are two things it is especially known for. First, its mental attacks are particularly powerful. Second is its special ability: Illusory Moon."

"The Illusory Moon ability lets its body become ethereal and creates several identical phantoms. Its real body can freely shift between those phantoms."

Yang Wushuang explained carefully and seriously.

Hiss...

Illusory Moon. If I can obtain that ability while absorbing the Soul Ring, it should be highly versatile.

And it's a soul beast focused on Mental Power. It won't be a loss if I don't get the Illusory Moon ability, but if I do, it'll be an absolute jackpot.

Chen Xi rapidly calculated in his heart.

"Uncle Yang, then let's go with this Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird."

"Alright. Wait here for a moment."

Yang Wushuang released his martial soul, the Soul Piercing Spear. With a light tap of his toe against the ground, he shot forward in an instant.

Chen Xi took out a short sword, ready at all times to deliver the finishing blow.

With the experience from the last time, he was now thoroughly familiar with the process.

About a minute later.

A mournful cry sounded from ahead.

A figure flashed through the forest as Yang Wushuang carried a large bird before Chen Xi.

The Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird was in an utterly miserable state.

Not only had both its wings been broken, even its claws had been snapped. A wound pierced by a spear marked its body, bright red blood flowing from it.

Chen Xi raised the short sword in his hand and, without hesitation, stabbed it into the Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird's body, delivering the final blow.

After the Illusory Moon Demon Eye Bird flapped a few times, a purple Soul Ring floated from its corpse and hovered quietly in midair.

Chen Xi sat down cross-legged and used his Soul Power to draw the Soul Ring onto himself for absorption.