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"Goodbye, little Meteor. When I get back to Ming City, I'll come find you to play."
The moment those words left her mouth, both Xiao Hongchen and Liuying's expressions darkened at the same time. Neither of them felt anything close to happy—if they could, they'd wish to never see each other again.
Watching Meteor and the others walk away, Xiao Hongchen frowned in thought and asked, "Grandpa, why do you think they're after those thousand-year spirit beasts?"
Grandpa Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes and said seriously, "Although I've never seen it myself, I've heard that some exceptionally gifted people, or secret sects with special methods, can have their disciples absorb spirit rings beyond the usual age limits. But for someone to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring as their first ring? Even with secret methods, they'd need the physique of a great soul master to pull that off."
Jing Hongchen was experienced and well-informed. He knew many geniuses in the former Douluo Three Kingdoms had spirit rings that surpassed the so-called 'best age' limits. But for a first spirit ring to be a thousand-year one? That was unheard of. Even twin martial souls usually only got thousand-year rings starting from the second ring, at best.
"That's impossible! Grandpa, you must be joking. How could anyone absorb a thousand-year spirit ring as their first?"
Xiao Hongchen looked totally incredulous. He was confident in his own talents, but even he didn't dare to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring for his second ring. Now Grandpa Jing was telling him someone took a thousand-year ring right from their first? No way he could accept that.
Jing Hongchen smiled and said, "Many powerful sects have secret methods to extend the age limit of spirit rings, but they're costly and rarely used. If your body is strong enough, you can absorb rings beyond your level — like the Original Sect, for example."
"So, Grandpa, you're saying someone in Meteor's group probably has an extremely strong physique?"
Meng Hongchen wasn't as doubtful as Xiao Hongchen. She was proud, sure, but not as extreme. Just because she couldn't do it didn't mean others couldn't.
"Yes. That little guy called Meteor, and that little girl named Liuying — their physiques are probably even better than yours."
As a level-nine soul master, Jing Hongchen's insight was reliable.
"Liuying?"
Meng Hongchen squinted. If it was just Meteor, she'd be happy. But hearing about Liuying made her serious — this was a big obstacle that couldn't be ignored.
She still didn't believe Liuying's words. She thought Meteor and Liuying were siblings, after all, they looked alike and even their names were similar. If she found out their martial souls were the same too, she'd definitely refuse to believe what Liuying said.
Just like her and Xiao Hongchen — any clear-eyed person could tell they were siblings, and their martial souls were different.
Meteor and Liuying, however, had the same martial soul, looked about 70% alike, and had similar names. Anyone would think they were siblings at first glance. So Meng Hongchen thought Liuying was just trying to fool her — probably so she wouldn't get close to little Meteor.
"Is it because they have a naturally strong physique, or because of their twin martial souls?"
Jing Hongchen looked deeply in the direction where Luan Yu and the others had gone. Since they were geniuses of the Sun and Moon Empire, there was no need to dig too deep. But if they were geniuses from the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, then he'd have to be ruthless.
Following the map Jing Hongchen gave them, Luan Yu led Meteor and the others southward. Soon they arrived at an open valley in the Evil Demon Forest. This valley was a wide clearing, with lush green grass, bare rocks, and streams and waterfalls flowing gently—a scene full of life and vitality.
Looking at the valley, which didn't match the usual sinister vibe of the Evil Demon Forest, Meteor and the others were amazed. No wonder the Bird of Paradise came here—this valley was like a pure spring inside the dark forest.
At that moment, a clear, bright call rang out. From a part of the valley, a large bird flew out, its body glowing with pure white light. Its feathers looked delicate and translucent, as if woven from the finest crystal or silk.
Hearing that clear and lovely call, like an angel whispering, their slightly restless hearts instantly felt cleansed and soothed. A calmness they'd never experienced before settled over them, and they slipped into a peaceful, almost spiritual state.
No wonder this Bird of Paradise, with just a few hundred years of cultivation, could survive in the Evil Demon Forest. When it calls out, any spirit beast would lose its killing intent. Even a ten-thousand-year spirit beast would be affected and wouldn't dare attack the Bird of Paradise.
Legend says the Bird of Paradise is the messenger of the Angel God. Wherever it appears, good fortune follows. It can convey divine messages and guide lost souls. It's a gentle spirit beast that usually won't attack humans first.
The Bird of Paradise landed on a hilltop nearby. Its pure eyes curiously scanned Meteor and the others. It tilted its head, then called out again. The beautiful sound was like a flowing mountain spring, making everyone feel as if they were soaking in a warm hot spring.
"Such a beautiful bird!"
"So pretty!"
Liuying and Xu Tianzhen looked at the Bird of Paradise in awe, then suddenly remembered they had to hunt this beautiful bird. A pang of guilt stirred inside them.
"Maybe... we should just forget it?"
Ye Guyi also looked hesitant. She felt a strange warmth from the Bird of Paradise, like being wrapped in a mother's embrace. And the bird showed no hostility, no signs of attacking — it was only curious about them.
Even Meteor felt reluctant. Was it really right to kill this gentle and beautiful Bird of Paradise, just so Ye Guyi could absorb its spirit ring?
Luan Yu sighed. If the bird attacked them first, even with its calming aura and beauty, she would have no qualms about killing it. But now, in front of these kids, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Let alone forcing Ye Guyi, a six-year-old girl, to kill a bird that gave her such a motherly warmth.
Luan Yu knew their feelings were influenced by the Bird of Paradise — that was its power to survive in the Evil Demon Forest.
This wasn't some soul skill or mental manipulation — it was a natural aura, a presence.
But the truth was, their unwillingness to harm the bird came straight from their hearts, because they were all kind-hearted. If it were someone naturally evil, even the Bird of Paradise wouldn't affect them much.
"Guyi, you decide."
Luan Yu looked to Ye Guyi. After all, the spirit ring would go to her, so it was best for her to make the call.
"I've made up my mind, Auntie Luan Yu. Let's find another light-attribute spirit beast. Let this Bird of Paradise live quietly here."
Ye Guyi shook her head. She really couldn't bring herself to strike. Even though it was a spirit beast, it was friendly to humans, gentle in nature, and a symbol of good luck. Without strong resolve, it was too hard to kill it.
Besides, Ye Guyi didn't necessarily need this Bird of Paradise's spirit ring—it was just a hundred-year ring. Choosing another light-attribute spirit beast would be just as good.
"....."