Set Out! Contract a New Soul Beast!

The Skyvault Bamboo King's gaze grew grave. Its branches and leaves swayed gently as several strands of blue-gold bamboo silk quietly formed, but it did not attack. It was clearly watching.

"Senior, I don't want to be your enemy."

Xiao Shenghe lowered his shield of light and spoke sincerely.

"I know Soul Beasts are wary of human Soul Masters, but not all humans want to hunt Soul Beasts for their Soul Rings. The bond Yao'er and I share is proof that humans and Soul Beasts don't have to fight to the death."

Lu Yao spoke up too.

"Senior Panda, Senior Skyvault Bamboo King, my mother is the chief of the Clouded Deer clan. My clan has lived in harmony with nature for generations and would never harm another Soul Beast without cause. Brother Shenghe is a good person. He won't lie to you."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda snorted but did not attack again. Wariness remained in his eyes.

"A good person? What's a human Soul Master's word 'good' worth? If human Soul Masters hadn't ambushed us back then, my clan would never have..."

His voice caught, and pain flashed through his orange-red eyes.

The Skyvault Bamboo King sighed softly.

"Panda, let the past stay in the past."

He turned toward Xiao Shenghe.

"This symbiosis you speak of—does it truly require neither hunting us nor absorbing Soul Rings?"

"Of course."

Xiao Shenghe nodded at once.

"The Secret of Symbiosis centers on forming a contract. Both sides share part of their power without endangering either life or restricting either one's freedom. A Soul Beast can remain in its own territory. It simply gains a companion linked to its soul."

He paused, his gaze turning resolute.

"I know you don't believe me, but I'm willing to prove it with the Secret of Symbiosis."

"If you're willing, I can form symbiotic contracts with you and become your Soul Spirit. You, in turn, will become part of my power. We'll strengthen each other without causing each other harm."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda froze. Even Lu Xuan and Lu Xue were taken aback.

They had only hoped to pass through the Skyvault Bamboo Forest safely. None of them had expected Xiao Shenghe to offer to form symbiotic contracts with these two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.

The Skyvault Bamboo King fell silent for a moment, his blue-gold bamboo leaves stirring gently.

"You know we're Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts? Forming contracts with us carries enormous risk for you. One slight misstep, and our Soul Power could turn against you."

"I know." Xiao Shenghe looked at Lu Yao beside him, his gaze tender but firm.

"But Yao'er and I have already experienced symbiosis once. I understand the power of trust. And I don't want humans and Soul Beasts to have no choice but to fight to the death anymore. If I can form a bond with you, perhaps we can open a new path for more Soul Beasts and human Soul Masters."

Lu Yao clasped Xiao Shenghe's hand tightly, and their silver-and-jade glow grew more solid.

"Brother Shenghe, I support you. Whatever you decide, I'm with you."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda stared at Xiao Shenghe for a long time. His volatile aura gradually subsided.

"You've got some nerve, kid. But if you want contracts with us, you'll have to show us what you can do. If you can't even pass our tests, you won't withstand our Soul Power after signing."

The Skyvault Bamboo King nodded.

"Panda is right. We can give you a chance, but you must pass our tests. Succeed, and we'll agree to form symbiotic contracts with you. Fail, and you'll leave with your people and never set foot in the Skyvault Bamboo Forest again."

Joy surged through Xiao Shenghe. He hurriedly said,

"Thank you, seniors! What are the tests?"

The Skyvault Bamboo King pointed his branches and leaves toward the depths of the forest.

"My test takes place at the heart of the bamboo forest. You must withstand the pressure of my bamboo soul for fifteen minutes. You may draw on no one else's power; only the Symbiotic Power you share with Lu Yao may sustain you."

The Tigerfang Blazing Panda followed up.

"My test is simpler. Take three strikes from my paws without hurting me. Do that, and you pass."

Xiao Shenghe drew a deep breath, his eyes unwavering.

"All right! I accept!"

Lu Xuan stepped forward and patted Xiao Shenghe on the shoulder.

"Be careful. The Skyvault Bamboo King's bamboo-soul pressure holds a hundred thousand years of accumulated Soul Power. It seems gentle, but it's overwhelming. The Tigerfang Blazing Panda's strength is even more ferocious. Use the Secret of Symbiosis to overcome brute force with softness."

Lu Xue also cautioned him.

"Shenghe, remember: the key to the Secret of Symbiosis is being of one mind. The closer your soul link with Yao'er, the more power you can bring forth. Don't push yourself too far. If you truly can't endure it, give up at once."

"I understand. Thank you, Chief Lu. Thank you, High Priestess."

Xiao Shenghe nodded, then exchanged a glance with Lu Yao. They circulated their Soul Power together, a silver-and-jade glow enveloping them both as they walked deeper into the bamboo forest.

The Skyvault Bamboo King and the Tigerfang Blazing Panda exchanged a look and followed.

Lu Xuan and Lu Xue stayed behind to wait. They watched the pair's retreating figures, worry and anticipation mingling on their faces.

The light dimmed as they ventured deeper into the forest. Blue-gold bamboo leaves blotted out the sky and sun, allowing only scattered rays to slip through and cast mottled patterns below.

The concentration of Soul Power in the air grew ever higher. Tiny blue-gold motes even floated visibly around them—the essence of Soul Power released by the Skyvault Bamboo.

"This is where my test will take place."

The Skyvault Bamboo King stopped. His form swayed slightly, and blue-gold Soul Power spread from within him. It became an invisible pressure that descended upon Xiao Shenghe.

Xiao Shenghe felt a crushing weight bear down on him, as though it would grind his bones to dust.

He immediately circulated their Symbiotic Power, fully merging his Soul Power with Lu Yao's. Their silver-and-jade glow surged, forming a sturdy barrier against the pressure.

"Begin."

At the Skyvault Bamboo King's words, the pressure intensified in an instant. Xiao Shenghe bent slightly, fine beads of sweat breaking out across his forehead.

The blue-gold pressure surged over him like a tide. Xiao Shenghe felt as if he had been plunged into the deep sea, where every breath was a struggle.

Soul Power raced madly through him. His symbiotic link with Lu Yao was like a resilient cord binding their strength tightly together, supplying him with support without cease.

"Hold on, Brother Shenghe!"

Lu Yao's voice sounded in his mind, anxious but unwavering.

She could clearly feel the pressure Xiao Shenghe bore. She pushed her own Soul Power to its limit and sent it to him through their symbiotic link.

Xiao Shenghe gritted his teeth and said nothing, pouring all his focus into circulating their Symbiotic Power.

He could sense no malice in the Skyvault Bamboo King's pressure. It felt more like a probe, testing his resilience and the strength of his symbiotic link with Lu Yao.

"Heaven Soul."

His Martial Soul slowly unfolded within him. The phantom of silvery-white wings appeared behind his back, their jade-lit edges resonating with Lu Yao's Soul Power and forming a unique aura.

That aura not only resisted the pressure but also absorbed small amounts of blue-gold Soul Power from the air and converted it for his own use.

"Hmm?"