Second Soul Ring, Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear?

Sunset Forest lay in the eastern part of the Heaven Dou Empire. It covered a vast area, with dense vegetation and countless varieties of Soul Beasts living within.

Though it could not compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, it was already the best hunting ground for Soul Masters below the rank of Soul Elder.

Lin Ming and the other two reached the outskirts of Sunset Forest after half a day of travel.

Standing at the forest's edge and looking out, they saw nothing but towering ancient trees. Their branches and leaves intertwined, blotting out the sky and sun. Sunlight filtered through the layered canopy, casting dappled patches of light and shadow across the ground.

The air was thick with the scent of earth, grass, and trees, while the occasional beastly roar echoed from deep within the forest.

"We're here." Sword Douluo stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the forest ahead. "Lin Ming, what kind of Soul Beast do you specifically want? And what age?"

Lin Ming had long since made up his mind. "An attack-type Soul Beast, between three thousand and four thousand years old."

"Three to four thousand years?" Sword Douluo frowned slightly.

Ordinary Soul Masters at level twenty generally chose a hundred-year Soul Beast for their second Soul Ring. Those capable of absorbing a Millennium Soul Ring were already considered geniuses.

Yet Lin Ming had opened with a demand for more than three thousand years. His appetite was far too large.

But Lin Ming was full of confidence. "Rest assured, Master. After eating so much Whale Rubber lately, my physique has improved tremendously. Besides, the Sky-Piercing Spear itself is far stronger than ordinary martial souls. Absorbing a three- or four-thousand-year Soul Ring won't be a problem."

Sword Douluo pondered for a moment before nodding. "Fine. Since you're confident, I'll help you look. But let me make this clear first: if there's any danger, I'll step in immediately."

"Thank you, Master!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes shone as she listened from the side. "Brother Ming, you're amazing! If you succeed, your first two Soul Rings will both be Millennium Soul Rings. You're so much stronger than me!"

Lin Ming smiled. "You're not bad either. You're level twenty-six already, and you'll soon be hunting your third Soul Ring."

"That's different!" Ning Rongrong hooked her arm around his. "I've had good food, good things, and piles of resources since I was little. But you made it this far step by step on your own. You're much more impressive than me!"

Watching the two act so lovey-dovey, Sword Douluo shook his head helplessly. "Enough, enough. Stop flirting here and get moving. We need to find a suitable Soul Beast before dark."

The three entered Sunset Forest.

Sword Douluo walked at the front, his powerful spiritual sense spreading out to cover several miles in every direction. No movement, however slight, could escape his perception.

Lin Ming followed close behind, while Ning Rongrong stayed at his side, occasionally taking snacks from her Soul Tool to feed him.

"Lin Ming, have some jerky and replenish your strength."

"Lin Ming, drink some water."

"Lin Ming, want some fruit?"

Lin Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Rongrong, we came here to hunt Soul Beasts, not to go on a picnic."

"You still have to eat when hunting Soul Beasts!" Ning Rongrong retorted righteously. "How are you supposed to fight if you're not full?"

Lin Ming could not argue with her, so he accepted the fruit she offered and took a bite. Sweet juice burst across his tongue, and he truly felt his spirits lift.

Sword Douluo led the way ahead, and they soon encountered their first Soul Beast—a two-thousand-year Wind Wolf.

"How about this one?" Sword Douluo asked.

Lin Ming took one look and shook his head. "Its age is too low, and its attribute doesn't fit. No."

Sword Douluo did not waste words. With a casual wave, a streak of sword qi forced the Wind Wolf back. Sensing the terrifying aura around Sword Douluo, it tucked its tail and fled in terror.

They continued onward.

Before long, they encountered another Soul Beast, a three-thousand-year Flame Lion.

"What about this one? Its age is enough, and its attribute is decent."

Lin Ming still shook his head. "The fire attribute doesn't suit my Sky-Piercing Spear. The Sky-Piercing Spear follows a path of pure sharpness. It doesn't need elemental enhancement."

Sword Douluo sighed helplessly and drove off the Flame Lion once more.

Over the next stretch of time, Sword Douluo found seven or eight Millennium Soul Beasts in succession: a three-thousand-five-hundred-year Ironclad Rhino, a four-thousand-year Lightning Leopard, a three-thousand-eight-hundred-year Vajra Ape... Yet Lin Ming was dissatisfied with every one of them.

"Not this one, not that one—what exactly do you want?" Sword Douluo glared, his beard bristling. "I'm a dignified Titled Douluo, reduced to playing hunter for you, and you're still being this picky!"

Lin Ming gave an embarrassed smile. "Please calm down, Master. This is a lifelong matter, so I can't be careless."

Ning Rongrong chimed in from the side. "Exactly! Grandpa Sword, don't be so impatient! Lin Ming's second Soul Ring naturally has to be the very best!"

Sword Douluo was so angry that even his beard curled upward, but he could do nothing about the two youngsters. He could only lower his head and continue searching.

The ground was littered with Soul Beasts he had wounded and driven away. Every one of them had at least a thousand years of cultivation, yet none had caught Lin Ming's eye.

Just then, an unexpected change occurred!

A black shadow suddenly sprang from the bushes beside them and pounced on a heavily injured Millennium Black Tortoise with lightning speed.

The shadow was incredibly fast. With one swipe, it shattered the Black Tortoise's head, snatched up its Soul Core, and turned to flee.

"Hm?" Sword Douluo raised a brow. "Bold indeed!"

Just as he was about to kill it outright, Lin Ming suddenly shouted, "Wait, Master!"

Sword Douluo stopped and looked at him in confusion.

Lin Ming stared intently at the black shadow, his eyes widening more and more.

It was a bear.

A massive bear covered from head to toe in dark-gold fur. Its body was not particularly large, only around three meters long, but its limbs were exceptionally thick. Its claws were half a meter long, sharp as blades, and gleamed with metallic coldness.

Its eyes were fierce and cunning, and a savage aura radiated from its entire body.

A Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear!

Lin Ming's heart thudded violently.

This was a top-tier Soul Beast! The Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear was hailed as the king among bears, possessing terrifying attack power and defense.

Its claws could tear through any defense. An adult Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear could even contend with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Judging by its size and aura, however, the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear before them was still in its juvenile stage, likely around four thousand years old.

This was practically a Soul Ring tailored specifically for him!

"Master! I want this one!" Lin Ming pointed at the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear, his tone utterly resolute.

Sword Douluo looked at the bear and nodded. "Good eye. A Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear truly is a top-tier Soul Beast. Though its age is not high, its potential is enormous. It is more than sufficient as your second Soul Ring."

Before his words had even faded, his figure vanished from where he stood.

The next second, Sword Douluo appeared before the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear and struck with his palm. Sensing danger, the bear let out a furious roar and swung its claws at him.

However, before a level ninety-six Titled Douluo, this juvenile Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear had no room to resist. Sword Douluo casually struck its forehead with his palm, and the tremendous force directly knocked it unconscious.

"Done." Sword Douluo clapped his hands. "Lin Ming, come absorb it."

Lin Ming walked forward and looked at the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear sprawled on the ground, then took a deep breath.

Though unconscious, the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear still radiated a fierce, savage presence. Its dark-gold fur glimmered beneath the sunlight, and even with its half-meter claws drawn in, they inspired a chill in anyone who looked at them.

As though it sensed the fate awaiting it, the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear slowly regained consciousness. It opened its blood-red eyes and saw Lin Ming standing before it.

A weak human.

A flash of contempt passed through the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear's eyes. It could sense that the Soul Power fluctuations from this human were pitifully weak—not even enough to scratch an itch. This ant-like creature wanted to absorb its Soul Ring?

It struggled to rise, but Sword Douluo's seal left it unable to move. Even so, it held its head high and looked down on Lin Ming with a disdainful gaze.

Its eyes seemed to say: You? Even if I stood still and let you hit me, you couldn't break my damn defense!