On the afternoon of the nineteenth day, Bai Chenxiang silently descended from the sky, her breath slightly short.
Her eyes gleamed with barely suppressed excitement. "Found it! About fifteen miles to the northeast, there's a swampy lake shrouded in thick fog. On a small island in the middle of the lake... there's a large bird with an emerald glow all over its body, it's incredibly beautiful!"
"Did you see what it was?" Tang Feng asked.
"It should be a Swan -type Soul Beast, very large, with a wingspan of four or five meters."
Bai Chenxiang tried to describe it, "But strangely, there were many other Soul Beast gathered around it, dozens of them of all sizes, all lying there quietly, as if... as if they were receiving treatment?"
The group exchanged glances, already knowing their answer.
" Emerald Swan."
A rare seriousness appeared in Tang Feng's eyes. "One of the top-tier healing-type Soul Beast, its age is often directly proportional to its healing ability. To gather so many followers, it must be at least 30,000 years old."
He paused, then added, "This kind of Soul Beast has almost no offensive power, but the Soul Beast guarding it will be the biggest problem. Emerald Swan swans are born with a strong affinity for life, capable of healing the injuries of other Soul Beast, and are therefore often revered as 'sacred beasts' by high-level Soul Beast, who voluntarily take on the task of guarding them. If you want to obtain it, you must first stop those guards."
Everyone looked solemn.
"A direct confrontation is unwise. Our goal is not to kill all the guards, but to take the Emerald Swan."
Tang Feng's gaze swept over the crowd, and he quickly made a decision. " Brother Jian, Tai Long, you two draw the guards' attention from the front. The bigger the commotion, the better, to lure away as many guards as possible from the outer perimeter of the island. No need for a fight to the death, focus on attrition."
His gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan, and he continued, "You two seal off the outer perimeter of the lake and intercept any other high-level Soul Beast coming to the rescue."
Then, pointing to Bai Chenxiang, he said, " Chenxiang, you monitor the entire area from this vantage point and report back immediately if any stronger Soul Beast have been alerted and are coming to the area."
Finally, he turned to Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Niu Zhen: "The four of you wait for my signal on the perimeter. Niu Zhen and Little Ao, protect Sister Lingling and Rongrong. Once I've succeeded, retreat immediately and find a safe place to absorb the Soul Ring."
The group nodded slightly.
"Action."
Tang Jian and Tai Long launched a fierce frontal assault, and the wetlands erupted in chaos!
More than ten thousand -Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast were startled and roared as they pounced on the two audacious humans!
There were Crocodile-Toothed Beast covered in scales, Frost-Fang Leopard that spew ice arrows, and even a massive Red-Armored Earth Dragon with over 20,000 years of cultivation!
Tang Jian crashed head-on into the Red-Armored Earth Dragon, the Clear Sky Hammer clashing directly with the dragon's claws!
"Clang!!"
Tang Jian retreated seven steps, but grinned wildly. "Well done!"
He stepped forward again, Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, each strike heavier than the last, managing to drag the Red-Armored Earth Dragon to its spot!
Tai Long roared and lunged to the other side, his arm muscles bulging to the limit, his Fourth Soul Ring shining. He didn't need to defeat these Soul Beast; he only needed to lure them away!
"Roar!! Come on! Grandpa's here!"
The main guard force was successfully drawn away.
At the same moment, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Poison Mist surged into the eastern side of the wetland like a tide.
Several Soul Beast attempting to flank and provide support plunged into the poisonous fog, instantly becoming slowed and roaring incessantly, yet unable to break free.
Zhu Zhuqing moved through the low sky, her Dark Gold Dreadclaw silently tearing through the air, blocking the other Soul Beast that were trying to reinforce her.
Instead of attacking head-on, Tang Feng unfurled his Flame Dragon Wings, the dark golden wings carrying Tang Feng gliding into the depths of the swamp.
He landed on an inconspicuous little island in the middle of the wetland.
Emerald Swan are resting in the shallow water.
It is even more beautiful than the description of Bai Chenxiang.
Its feathers are like the finest mutton fat jade, with each feather edge shimmering with a soft, pale emerald-colored sheen.
Its long neck was gracefully curved, its head buried under its wings, its breathing steady and peaceful.
It is surrounded by a rich life force; simply getting close to it allows one to feel a gentle energy permeating one's body and mind.
The Emerald Swan sensed the unfamiliar presence, raised its head, and looked at Tang Feng with its clear, spring-water-like eyes.
Tang Feng met its gaze for a moment, hesitated only briefly, and without any flashing of Soul Ring, he delivered a swift and precise palm strike to the back of the Swan's neck.
Before the Emerald Swan could even utter a cry, its long neck drooped softly.
Tang Feng cradled its soft body with one hand, while taking out his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse with the other. With a flash of azure light, the 35,000-year-old sacred forest beast was safely stored in his pouch.
He turned around, his Flame Dragon Wings flapping wildly, and he swept across the wetlands in an instant!
"Success! Retreat!"
Tang Jian shattered the Red-Armored Earth Dragon with a single blow, then turned and ran without hesitation!
The others quickly regrouped and immediately retreated.
Behind them, the deafening roar of Soul Beast echoed from the Heaven Shaking.
After chasing for several miles, the guardian Soul Beast gradually stopped. They had lost sight of their target; the Emerald Swan had already been taken away.
The team set up camp in a secluded cave half-hidden by vines. The entrance to the cave Niu Zhen Niu Gao, using his Soul Power to move the rocks, leaving only a small ventilation opening.
Dugu Yan laid down a poisonous miasma outside the cave to isolate the aura of even the most sensitive hunting-type Soul Beast.
Deep inside the cave, Ye Lingling sat cross-legged, facing the still unconscious Emerald Swan.
She gazed at it quietly, her eyes calm as still water, with a hint of reluctance and pity.
She is a healer, knowing better than anyone how many lives this Swan has protected in the forest and how many wounds it has healed.
A moment later, pity transformed into an unspeakable focus and respect; what she was about to do was seize this power and make it her own.
This is the oldest and cruelest law of survival between Soul Master and Soul Beast.
" Sister Lingling, let's get started when you're ready."
Tang Feng's voice came from behind.
Ye Lingling nodded gently.
She extended her right hand and gently placed it on the Emerald Swan's forehead. The Swan died in its sleep, without any struggle.
The deep black Soul Ring slowly rose, its halo shimmering with a warm, emerald-like luster in the dark cave. Unlike the violent nature of ordinary Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, it exuded a tranquil, timeless, and almost sacred aura.
The Nine Heart Holy Begonia Martial Soul appeared on his right hand as if summoned, and the edges of the begonia petals also swirled with a faint emerald halo, which was the life force of the same origin as the Swan before him.
Ye Lingling closed her eyes and guided the Soul Ring into her body.
Soul Power surged into her meridians like a hot spring, without the tearing and impact of ordinary Soul Ring absorption, only a gentle, continuous, and inexhaustible immersion.
The feeling wasn't so much like conquest, but more like acceptance; it was the lingering will of this Emerald Swan that chose to acknowledge her and entrust her with its destiny.
One hour, two hours, three hours.
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon outside the cave, Ye Lingling opened her eyes.
Her aura underwent a subtle yet profound change. It was no longer simply aloof and serene, but possessed a deeper, more inclusive tenderness, as if it could bear the pain of all things.
" Level 62. The skill remains an area-of-effect heal for all targets, but the recovery amount is increased by 300%, significantly enhancing healing capabilities, and it can instantly restore 50% of the health of a designated target."
Ye Lingling said softly.
Tang Feng handed over a Head Soul Bone that was completely translucent green, shaped like a winding wing, with a jade-colored glow flowing across its surface and radiating a gentle life force.
" The Head Soul Bone from the Emerald Swan is 35,000 years old," Tang Feng said calmly.
A hint of surprise flashed in Ye Lingling's eyes. She took the Soul Bone Soul Bone with both hands and slowly integrated it into her forehead.
A warm, tingling sensation, like the gentle caress of early spring sunshine, emanated from deep within his bones, causing his spiritual power to surge, solidify, and sublimate like a tidal wave.
Another hour passed, and the fluctuations in Soul Power had stabilized at level sixty-three. When Ye Lingling opened her eyes again, she carefully sensed the instinctive memories transmitted by the Soul Bone.
" Soul Bone Skill, Heavenly Feather Rejuvenation. Instantly restores 50% of the target's Spirit and Vitality. If the target's Spirit is depleted or injured, this skill can also increase the Spirit recovery speed."
Ye Lingling's healing abilities have now been completely transformed.
Tang Jian walked to her side, said nothing, and simply shook her hand.
Ye Lingling nodded gently in response.
Outside the cave, night had fallen.
The chirping of insects from the Star Dou Great Forest drifted faintly from afar, long and tranquil, as if nothing had happened.
Tang Feng decided to rest for one night before setting off again.