"Everyone, come here. Let's talk about your expectations and requirements for your next spirit ring."
Ning Qin called out to the group, who were still admiring the scenery. Given that this concerned their futures, even Qian Mo Shang stopped joking around. The group formed a circle and sat down. Ning Qin decided to start by questioning the lower-year students first.
"Qing Qing, what are your requirements for your third spirit skill?"
Ning Qin had an unexplainable fondness for this innocent young girl. She was humble and kind, always helping anyone in need. Such purity was rare these days.
"Teacher, I plan to get a defense-type spirit beast for my third ring. My first and second rings enhance strength and slow down enemies. I want to strengthen Big Brother Tuo Dun's defenses. After all, we'll be part of a team in the future."
After saying that shyly, Qing Qing stole a glance at Tuo Dun's expressionless face. Her words made three people frown. Ning Qin and Lin Xuan sensed something was off, while Lin Fan frowned deeply and sighed in dejection.
The atmosphere became awkward. Tuo Dun didn't respond at all. In the end, Ning Qin simply cleared his throat and nodded, acknowledging Qing Qing's request. He had originally planned a better suggestion, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"What about you, Tuo Dun?"
Ning Qin turned to him. Tuo Dun thought for a moment, then shook his head, indicating he wasn't sure yet.
"You should seek advice in this area. Your first and second skills—a combination of taunt and stun—are good. But I think you still lack offensive capability. You're not purely a defensive spirit master. With your snapping turtle martial soul, you're both defensive and offensive. So I suggest your third skill should abandon defense in favor of offense. What do you think?"
Tuo Dun's eyes lit up. He had originally planned to enhance his defense again, but Ning Qin's suggestion made him realize something—why stick to a traditional defense path? He could mislead his opponents, capable of both defense and attack.
"Lin Fan, you should consider a flying-type spirit beast. A Food System Soul Douluo in the Spirit Hall once told me that the best third-ring skill for food-type martial souls is flight. So we'll find a flying-type beast close to the maximum age your body can handle. Your mission will be tough—be sure to hang in there."
Lin Fan nodded eagerly. Even though flight became somewhat redundant at the Soul Sage level, at their current three-ring stage, having flight meant an extra life.
"As for you, Lin Xuan, no need to say anything. I've already made up my mind. You're not ready for an offensive skill just yet."
Lin Xuan agreed with Ning Qin's judgment. The intent was to remind him not to be too self-centered. One cannot conquer the world alone—only by learning to work with a team can one survive.
"You three probably already know your goals. Just let me know once you find a suitable beast. We've arrived."
Ning Qin addressed Qian Mo Shang and the other two. Their instructors had already arranged everything, so Ning Qin didn't need to worry. And with that, they reached the Star Dou Forest.
"Welcome to the Star Dou Forest, youngsters!"
Elder Mo's feeble voice reached them. Though outwardly excited, the strain in his tone was obvious—he had just exhausted all his spirit power to get them here in just half an hour. Ning Qin grew increasingly uneasy. Elder Mo's loyalty was unquestionable, so there could only be one explanation: the Pope was using them as bait—or more specifically, using Qian Mo Shang as bait.
"Let's go. Thank you, Elder Mo."
Ning Qin bowed slightly, then led the group into the forest. Xingbu Ji, still half-asleep, was being carried on Lin Xuan's back. The group didn't stay especially cautious in the outer forest—most soul beasts here were ten-year types, and even the century-level ones wouldn't dare come near them.
"Chin up, Lin Fan."
Lin Xuan walked beside Lin Fan and tried to comfort him. Ever since they entered the forest, Lin Fan had looked miserable. Lin Xuan could see that he was heartbroken. Lin Xuan had known from the beginning that there was no future between Lin Fan and Qing Qing. Even if she was willing, her family would never allow their daughter to be protected by a low-talent, food-type spirit master.
"Brother Lin Xuan… is having a food-type martial soul useless?"
Lin Fan tried hard to hold back tears as he asked in a low voice. Lin Xuan didn't know how to answer. From his perspective, Lin Fan's assistance to him was negligible at best.
"A real man should stand tall. Getting caught up in love and emotion isn't the right path. Is your vision only as far as Qing Qing?"
Ning Qin used his soul power to send a private sound transmission directly into Lin Fan's ear. Of course, he had overheard the conversation between Lin Xuan and Lin Fan. He also clearly saw Lin Fan's feelings for Qing Qing. Unfortunately, his love was unrequited.
"Stay alert. A Flame Ape—around 1,500 years old—approaching. Skills: Explosion and Charge. Perfect for Tuo Dun's spirit ring. Lin Xuan, you and the others will handle subduing it."
Ning Qin had detected the presence of a thousand-year-old Flame Ape nearby. It was acting strangely, but that wasn't his concern—it was still just a thousand-year beast. Qian Mo Shang and his group quickly split up and blocked all possible escape routes for the ape.
"Spread out. Tuo Dun, protect the others."
Lin Xuan stood at the front, watching the rustling grass with caution. He casually dropped Xingbu Ji on the ground—she'd be fine anyway. Lin Fan and Qing Qing looked tense, while Lin Xuan and Tuo Dun remained composed.
"ROAR!"
To Lin Xuan's surprise, the Flame Ape that emerged was barely clinging to life. None of them had time to react. Even Ning Qin frowned—the Flame Ape looked terrified, gave a final howl, then collapsed to the ground, twitching violently.
"Wait… what's going on?"
Qian Mo Shang nervously moved beside the beast and blocked Lin Xuan, who was about to approach. This was too strange—how could a Flame Ape not sense them nearby, and why was it already so heavily injured?
"Qian Mo Shang, have Tuo Dun finish the beast off. There are no ten-thousand-year beasts nearby. The Flame Ape won't last much longer."
Ning Qin handed a dagger to Tuo Dun, who caught it midair and wordlessly delivered the finishing blow. He then sat down and began absorbing the spirit ring.
Ning Qin didn't order the others to spread out and guard. The situation was simply too suspicious. It felt like someone had deliberately injured the beast and driven it toward them. A possibility occurred to him, but he wasn't ready to confirm it yet. He needed to see what the enemy's next move would be.
"Mmmm… so soft. Are we home?"
Still half-asleep, Xingbu Ji felt as though she was lying on a soft bed. In front of her was an Oreo sundae, which she licked and began chewing. Something about the taste felt off, but she couldn't figure out what.
"PFFT—Hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's laughter echoed through her dream. She frowned and looked down—the sundae was gone, the bed vanished, Lin Xuan disappeared, and only his obnoxious laughter remained.
"Ptui! Bastard! You dropped me on the ground and made me eat dirt!"
She snapped awake and realized her mouth was full of earthy bitterness. She jumped up, yelling at Lin Xuan.
"Hey, hey, hey, you were the one sleeping. Don't blame me for not laying you down properly. Also, your flat chest nearly bruised me!"
Lin Xuan shot back. Hearing him say she had an "A-cup," Xingbu Ji froze in place like a statue. Her pen pals had teased her about this before, too, and though she had looked into breast augmentation, she'd ultimately backed out.
"You jerk!"
Xingbu Ji cursed, then sat down and began muttering complaints. Lin Xuan could only shake his head helplessly. Since Tuo Dun had just begun absorbing his ring, they needed to stay alert—any disturbance from a spirit beast would be dangerous.
"Luoluo, you must be tired. Look—this cushion is made of jade cicada silk. It's cool and soft, made just for you."
Qian Mo Shang pulled a pristine white cushion from his storage pouch and placed it at Lan Luoluo's feet. But she simply frowned and sat on a nearby rock instead. Seeing himself ignored, Qian Mo Shang didn't show much emotion—he was already used to it. Still, he picked up the cushion and sat next to her, continuing his efforts to please.
"Big bro, are you hungry? I've got some roasted chicken wings if you want."
Lin Fan, feeling like the odd one out, didn't want to mingle with Xu Yibai and instead sat down next to Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan shook his head, indicating he wasn't hungry, then started cultivating again. The senior students like Qian Mo Shang were already at the Spirit King level, while he was still just a Spirit Elder. He needed to reach Spirit Ancestor within a year.
Whoosh!
It took Tuo Dun two whole hours to finish absorbing the Flame Ape's ring. As he exhaled a long breath, Qing Qing immediately rushed to his side and asked:
"Brother Tuo, how was it?"
"Pretty good."
Tuo Dun smiled gently and patted her head. Qing Qing blushed. Lin Fan's eyes dimmed at the sight—if they weren't in the Star Dou Forest, he would've just walked away. Lin Xuan sighed, patted his shoulder, and thought, This Lin Fan is ten years older than me and still acts like a lovesick kid. But he's a sentimental type.
"Alright, we'll talk about the spirit skill later. Lin Xuan, the spirit beast I picked for you, is here. It's also on its last legs—go finish it off."
Ning Qin said to the group. Lin Xuan's heart leapt with joy. Ning Qin had already explained the plan for his third skill. The beast was rare—he didn't expect to find one so soon.
"Teacher Ning… don't you think this is kind of strange?"
Qian Mo Shang asked while they walked. Ning Qin raised a finger to his lips, signaling him to stay quiet. Qian Mo Shang seemed to understand something and suddenly grew tense.
(End of Chapter)