Three days later.
Inside a secluded cultivation chamber at the Star Luo Hotel.
Xiao Xiao sat cross-legged on the jade platform in the center of the chamber.
Soul Power surged around her, a faint azure light flowed over her body, and an indistinct, ancient-looking, three-legged bronze cauldron surrounded her.
As the last of the Mystic Water Pill's medicinal power was fully absorbed, her tightly closed eyes opened, and a flash of delight passed through them.
"Finally, level thirty!"
Feeling the level-thirty Soul Power in her body, Xiao Xiao couldn't stop the corners of her lips from lifting.
"Big brother's going to take me Soul Hunting!"
Before she had even finished speaking, she jumped off the jade platform, unable to wait any longer.
Without even bothering to close the cultivation chamber door properly, she ran excitedly toward Xiao Yan's hotel room.
Meanwhile.
Xiao Yan was sitting at a table, looking through information on the distribution of Soul Beasts around Star Luo City.
Besides his daily cultivation, he also spent an hour each day removing the curse from the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, treating it as practice for fine control of Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
With nothing to do while his Soul Power recovered, he had Uncle Zhong gather a great deal of information on the Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest.
For ordinary Soul Masters, hunting for a Soul Ring amounted to relying on luck to find a suitable Soul Beast, then having an elder or companion help them kill it.
But Xiao Yan didn't want to build his plans on luck.
This Soul Hunt in particular concerned not only Xiao Xiao's third Soul Ring, but also the direction of her future growth.
So the choice of her third Soul Ring absolutely could not be made carelessly.
"Brother!"
A clear voice rang out.
Xiao Yan looked up to see Xiao Xiao push open the door, her face full of undisguised joy.
"You broke through?"
Before Xiao Xiao could speak, Xiao Yan had already noticed the change in her.
Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously and puffed out her chest.
"Yep! I'm level thirty!"
"Not bad."
Xiao Yan put down the information in his hands and nodded in satisfaction.
"Looks like the Mystic Water Pill worked well!"
"Come on!"
Xiao Xiao raised her chin, looking as if to ask how he could think that.
"I've been cultivating seriously every day! I didn't even have time to go out and play! Besides the pill, my cultivation was important too!"
Xiao Yan glanced at her. "Really? Who was it yesterday complaining that cultivation was too boring and wanting to go shopping?"
The smile on Xiao Xiao's face froze.
"Th-that was just a break after I finished cultivating! Don't you know what a break is?"
She quickly came up with an excuse, then moved over to Xiao Yan and reached out to grab his sleeve.
"Brother, you promised me. Once I broke through to level thirty, you'd take me to hunt for my third Soul Ring. I've broken through now, so when are we leaving?"
Seeing her expectant face, Xiao Yan didn't deliberately keep her in suspense.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Really?"
Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up.
"Of course."
Xiao Yan picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.
"Get a good rest tonight and get yourself into your best condition. We'll set out for the Star Dou Great Forest first thing tomorrow morning."
"The Star Dou Great Forest?"
Xiao Xiao was briefly startled, then excitement appeared on her face.
It was one of the most famous gathering places for Soul Beasts on the continent.
Although she had heard about the dangers of the Star Dou Great Forest before, those were only rumors, after all.
Now that she finally had a chance to go there herself, she couldn't help feeling a little excited.
But she soon remembered another question.
"Brother, what kind of Soul Beast should I look for for my third Soul Ring? Have you decided already?"
Instead of answering immediately, Xiao Yan pushed the information on the table in front of her.
"Take a look at this first."
Xiao Xiao looked down and saw records of several Soul Beasts suitable for her, as well as the kinds of Soul Skills they might grant.
She studied them for a moment, her brows gradually drawing together.
"The Soul Skills these Soul Beasts can give me all have different focuses."
"Of course they do."
Xiao Yan leaned back in his chair, his tone calm.
"Your main focus right now is the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron. When choosing your third Soul Ring, you have to consider how you'll fight in the future."
"Brother, which Soul Beast do you think suits me best?"
Xiao Yan looked at her and smiled slightly.
"The Rock-Armored Stone Turtle."
"Huh?"
Xiao Xiao was stunned. "What kind of Soul Beast is a Rock-Armored Stone Turtle?"
Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xiao a Soul Beast encyclopedia. "I keep telling you to read more, but now you don't know what I'm talking about. Take it back and read it. I'll check tomorrow to see if you've studied it properly."
"No, brother..."
Xiao Xiao's face fell.
She never should have asked another question. Now she had to go back and do homework.
Wait, had my damn bad brother been waiting for me to ask all along?
Why else would he hand me a book without the slightest hesitation?
"In the Star Dou Great Forest, don't let your guard down just because someone is protecting you. When you run into danger, follow instructions, understand?"
Xiao Xiao had wanted to argue a little more, but seeing the serious look on her brother's face, she obediently nodded in the end.
"Got it."
Only then did Xiao Yan look away.
He was willing to take Xiao Xiao Soul Hunting because he was naturally confident he could protect her. Besides, Uncle Zhong would be going with them, so their safety was sure to be as secure as possible.
But protecting her didn't mean indulging her.
If Xiao Xiao wanted to truly grow, she had to learn to face danger on her own instead of hiding under his protection forever.
Besides, Xiao Xiao was already level thirty. It was time for her to experience combat.
"All right, go back and get ready."
Xiao Yan waved his hand.
"Pack everything you need, especially the Soul Tools for self-defense. I'll check them for you again before we leave tomorrow."
"Okay!"
Xiao Xiao agreed cheerfully and turned to leave.
When she reached the courtyard gate, she suddenly stopped and looked back with a sly smile.
"Brother, you said you'd prepare something nice for me once I broke through to level thirty. Don't forget!"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.
"When did I say that?"
"You said before that as long as I cultivated properly, I could tell you whatever I wanted!"
Xiao Yan couldn't help laughing.
This girl...
"All right, you'll get your share."
"Hehe! Then I'm going back now!"
Having received a satisfactory answer, Xiao Xiao finally left, completely content.
Watching her cheerful figure retreat, Xiao Yan shook his head and picked up the information on the table again.
After he left for the Sun Moon Empire, Xiao Xiao had to be able to stand on her own.
Early the next morning.
Day was just breaking, and a carriage was already waiting in front of the Star Luo Grand Hotel.
With her packed luggage on her back, Xiao Xiao had arrived early to stand beside the carriage.
Before long, Xiao Yan walked over at a leisurely pace.
He wore a fitted black outfit, with a Storage Soul Tool at his waist, and looked as composed as ever.
"Xiao Xiao, are you ready?"
"Yep! Everything's ready!" Xiao Xiao answered at once.
Xiao Yan looked at her, then at Xiao Zhong, who was already waiting nearby.
"Uncle Zhong, let's set out."
"Yes, young master," Xiao Zhong replied respectfully.
Xiao Yan said nothing more and turned to board the carriage.
Xiao Xiao followed close behind, and as soon as she was seated, she eagerly lifted the carriage curtain.
She gazed at Star Luo City as it gradually receded into the distance, her mind filled with endless imaginings.