An incomparably scorching magma fist slammed down on the central head of the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound like a falling meteor, directly piercing through its tough skull and leaving a fist-sized hole.
After suffering such a grievous injury, the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound let out a mournful and despairing roar.
Even though it used the last of its strength to try and break free from Yue Guan's restraints, it ultimately crashed headfirst into a pile of hard rocks due to the severity of its wounds.
Its massive body collapsed with a heavy thud.
Seeing the fallen Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound, the tension and worry in Yue Guan's heart were finally released, and he let out a long sigh of relief.
A deep crimson mist slowly rose from the corpse of the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound.
That mist was dense and scorching, as if it contained the immense strength and dominance of the beast.
As the mist rose, the surrounding temperature increased as well, giving the illusion of being scorched by blazing flames.
The red mist churned in the air and gradually condensed into a massive red halo, radiating dazzling brilliance.
It was a 100,000-year spirit ring.
Gazing at the red-glowing 100,000-year spirit ring, an expression of envy appeared on Yue Guan's face.
A 100,000-year spirit beast was something one could only encounter by luck, and thus very few people had ever obtained a 100,000-year spirit ring.
And the seventh ring that Yan was about to absorb had reached the 100,000-year level a truly unprecedented achievement.
This would bring Yan an enormous boost in strength.
"Yan, go absorb it quickly. I'll guard you."
"Alright."
Feeling the overwhelming might of the 100,000-year spirit ring, Yan was also excited.
He walked under the red spirit ring, adjusted his state, and began to fully concentrate on absorbing it.
As the energy of the spirit ring was absorbed, Yan felt a powerful force unlike anything before surging within his body.
This force was scorching and immense, instantly flooding every meridian in his body.
Those wild and domineering auras kept assaulting his soul, trying to devour him.
Yan clenched his teeth and, relying on his firm will and strong spirit power, gradually subdued that energy and merged it into his Martial Soul.
Yue Guan stood nearby, vigilantly observing the surroundings.
Seeing Yan's gradually calming expression and increasingly stable aura, he couldn't help but feel relieved.
He knew that Yan would be able to successfully absorb this 100,000-year spirit ring.
Afterward, Yan's strength would see a tremendous rise.
As night fell, Yan was still absorbing the spirit ring.
As time went on, the red spirit ring gradually dimmed until it completely disappeared.
Yan slowly opened his eyes, feeling an unprecedented sense of power.
"Teacher, I did it!" Yan exclaimed excitedly.
Yue Guan smiled and nodded.
"Very good. Congratulations on obtaining a 100,000-year spirit ring."
Yue Guan felt grateful that the one who possessed this 100,000-year spirit ring was Yan.
If it had been a young spirit master from outside Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong would absolutely not have tolerated it.
"Teacher, thank you. Without your help, I couldn't have obtained this 100,000-year spirit ring."
Yue Guan gave a faint smile.
"It wasn't something I could have done alone either your Devouring Soul Black Flame played a crucial role."
As Yue Guan spoke, he took out a bone and handed it to Yan.
That bone glowed with a faint crimson-gold light, seeming to contain incredibly powerful energy.
It was clearly a spirit bone.
"This fell from the body of the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound. Judging by the look of it, it's a left leg spirit bone. You should handle it yourself."
As Yue Guan spoke, a trace of complicated emotion flashed in his eyes.
Yan carefully received it, sensing that Yue Guan seemed to have something weighing on his mind.
"Teacher, are you worried about me?"
Yue Guan let out a soft sigh.
"Yes. This fire-attributed spirit bone is a perfect match for you, but it's too precious. Its age has reached a hundred thousand years. I'm not sure whether you should absorb it or present it to Her Holiness the Pope. So, you should decide for yourself."
Yan nodded.
He knew Yue Guan was thinking of him.
Absorbing this spirit bone without Bibi Dong's knowledge might incur her displeasure.
After all, this wasn't just an ordinary spirit bone, but a rare hundred thousand year one.
If he had hunted the spirit beast alone, there wouldn't be so much to consider.
Seeing Yan hesitate, Yue Guan patted his shoulder and smiled.
"Yan, don't overthink it. No matter what decision you make, I'll support you."
"Teacher, I know you're looking out for me. But I've decided to absorb it, and I'll bear whatever consequences come from it myself."
Yue Guan nodded.
"That's fine too. Once you finish absorbing this hundred thousand year spirit bone, your strength will rise another level. If we run into Dugu Bo in Sunset Forest, it'll be much easier to deal with him."
"Yes. Teacher, this is the core area of the forest it's quite dangerous. Let's head to the outer region where it's safer before I absorb it."
"Alright, I was thinking the same."
Yan stored away the spirit bone, then moved with Yue Guan toward the forest's periphery.
Suddenly, a powerful surge of spirit power erupted nearby.
This spirit power was just as intense as the one the Three-headed Crimson Demon Hound had released earlier.
After absorbing that hundred thousand year spirit ring, Yan's spiritual sense had grown stronger.
This time, he didn't feel a fiery aura, but there was a tremendous sense of oppressive force.
"Yan, be careful. Another hundred thousand year spirit beast is coming!"
"Yes, I feel it too."
The ground beneath their feet suddenly began to quake, and the entire forest trembled.
"Take off!"
Yan and Yue Guan simultaneously flew into the sky, looking down to search for the source of the spirit power fluctuation.
Through the dense canopy, Yan saw a gigantic creature.
It was incredibly robust, towering like a mountain.
Yan recognized it that was the hundred thousand year spirit beast Titan Giant Ape!
"Teacher, it really is a hundred thousand year spirit beast."
"Yes, I see it too."
As Yan observed more closely, he noticed a tiny figure standing on the giant creature's shoulder.
He knew it was Xiao Wu.
"Teacher, look. That seems to be the rabbit who took on human form."
Yue Guan furrowed his brows, looked closely, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
"It really is her! I didn't expect she would return to the forest's core and even live with a hundred thousand year spirit beast."
Just as Yue Guan finished speaking, another even more powerful wave of spirit power swept through.
He immediately realized another hundred thousand year spirit beast was hidden in the forest below.
Yan also sensed that powerful aura.
He guessed that it was likely from the Azure Sky Blue Bull Python.
Yue Guan grew even more excited.
To think that in this single trip to the forest's center, they'd encountered three hundred thousand year spirit beasts and even discovered Xiao Wu's hiding place.
Yue Guan knew that the two of them alone could not deal with those two hundred thousand year spirit beasts.
"Yan, to avoid alerting them, let's leave here for now. We'll report this to the Pope. She'll definitely be pleased."