The next day
Zhu Changhe packed up the camp and led Zhu Ziyang into Tianhui Canyon.
The canyon stretched from north to south and was quite narrow and long. They entered from the northern end, and Tianhui Canyon extended all the way south to Ironclad City, spanning more than 600 kilometers.
Once inside, they were greeted by jagged rocks, towering trees, dense underbrush, and scattered bones—a desolate and lifeless scene.
"Yangyang, stay close to me. Don't wander off. This place is dangerous, understand?" Zhu Changhe said seriously, repeating the warning several times.
"I understand." Zhu Ziyang knew this wasn't the time to act brave. He obediently stayed close, matching his father's steps.
They followed the terrain westward. About five kilometers west of the canyon's northern entrance was a forested area known to host Blazing Mantises, Zhu Ziyang's top choice for his first soul ring.
"Hmm? Are those... Scythe Bone Fiends?" Zhu Ziyang suddenly stopped. He had spotted a group of strange-looking soul beasts ahead. They looked like kangaroos with massive scythe-like forelimbs and large skeletal bodies, with little muscle and white fur-covered skin stretched tightly over bone. These were Scythe Bone Fiends, the source of Zhu Changhe's first soul ring—soul beasts with incredibly tough skeletons capable of slicing through stone.
There were about ten of them, all under 100 years of cultivation, running eastward in a panic.
"There's a few in there that would suit you. I originally wanted one of them for your first ring. What do you think?" Zhu Changhe asked.
"No way! I've made up my mind," Zhu Ziyang rejected firmly.
"In that case, let's keep moving," Zhu Changhe said, a bit disappointed but not forcing the matter.
They continued forward, but within 200 meters, they encountered seven or eight more groups of Scythe Bone Fiends—each panicked and fleeing east in haste, as if something terrifying were chasing them.
Both father and son stopped. They exchanged wary glances.
"Something's wrong," Zhu Changhe said. "A powerful soul beast must be nearby. Otherwise, these Scythe Bone Fiends wouldn't be fleeing like this. Yangyang, let's change direction!"
"Okay!" Zhu Ziyang agreed instantly. He valued his life and knew this was no time to take chances.
If Zhu Changhe were a Soul Emperor or Soul Sage, Zhu Ziyang might have risked continuing for a potential stroke of fortune. But with his father only a Grand Soul Master, anything above a thousand-year beast could be fatal.
They turned back toward the canyon entrance, planning to wait and observe before re-entering.
But then, just 100 meters into their retreat, Zhu Ziyang glanced back—and a sudden thought struck him.
"Dad, wait!" he called out.
"What is it?" Zhu Changhe looked at him in confusion.
"I want that soul beast!" Zhu Ziyang said, pointing to a lone creature about 400–500 meters behind them. His eyes shone with determination, as if enchanted.
"Huh?" Zhu Changhe was stunned, but followed his son's gaze. What he saw puzzled him.
It was a century-level Scythe Bone Fiend, though it looked slightly different from the others. Still, the telltale scythe forelimbs were unmistakable.
"You're sure?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Zhu Ziyang nodded. He figured his father had mistaken it for a normal Scythe Bone Fiend—which was perfect. It meant he wouldn't object.
"All right! Stay here, I'll bring it back!" Zhu Changhe replied, giving him a deep look before rushing toward the beast.
Without hesitation, he summoned his martial soul. Two yellow soul rings appeared behind him. As he dashed forward, the second ring lit up—
Dusklight Scythe's second soul skill: Iron Blade Slash!
The 50cm blade shimmered with deadly sharpness and slashed into the dazed creature without mercy.
A full-force strike from a Grand Soul Master brought the soul beast to the brink of death. Had Zhu Changhe not held back at the last second, it would've died instantly.
He quickly dragged the dying beast back to Zhu Ziyang, panting slightly. "Yangyang, let's move! We'll talk outside the canyon!"
"Right!" With the beast secured, Zhu Ziyang followed his father without hesitation.
As they ran, Zhu Ziyang's gaze fixed on the soul beast in his father's grasp.
It looked like a Scythe Bone Fiend—but it wasn't.
It was the White Bone Scythe Fiend, a mutated variant and the reason the others had fled in fear.
Despite the similar name, it was far more powerful. Scythe Bone Fiends were ordinary soul beasts; White Bone Scythe Fiends were high-grade beasts with death attributes. If a Scythe Bone Fiend suffocated during birth, it could mutate into this form.
Driven by a strange vengeance, White Bone Scythe Fiends slaughtered their own kind. A 100-year one could rival a 500-year Scythe Bone Fiend—and its death attribute completely countered them.
That's why they fled.
And it was this death attribute that made Zhu Ziyang change his mind.
He was curious—what would happen if his Radiant Scythe, which only faintly contained death energy, absorbed a full death-attribute soul ring?
Could his Radiant Scythe evolve into a top-tier martial soul, one that combined light and death?
The thought was like a devil's whisper, tempting and irresistible. In the end, it drove his decision—a decision that would shape his future forever.
—
Back at their previous camp site, Zhu Changhe tossed the dying soul beast to the ground and looked at his son seriously.
"Ziyang, are you sure? This one only has 100 years of cultivation—it's not ideal. If you really want a Scythe Bone Fiend, I can get you a 400-year one."
"I'm sure. It has to be this one!" Zhu Ziyang replied firmly, his eyes never leaving the White Bone Scythe Fiend. The idea burned in his mind, as if afraid he might second-guess himself.
"Very well…" Zhu Changhe sighed. "I don't know why you insist, but I hope it's not because of me."
"You don't have to say more, Dad. I have my reasons. You'll understand once I finish absorbing the ring." Zhu Ziyang finally looked up, locking eyes with his father.
Zhu Changhe saw the determination there and could only nod.
Suppressing his excitement and anxiety, Zhu Ziyang summoned his Radiant Scythe. With a soft squelch, he pierced the White Bone Scythe Fiend's eye and drove the blade into its brain. The beast twitched a few times, then fell still. A faint yellow soul ring rose from its body.
The newborn White Bone Scythe Fiend had perished before it could ever show its power.
"All right, begin absorbing it. I'll protect you," Zhu Changhe said, impressed by his son's decisiveness.
Zhu Ziyang sat down, placing the Radiant Scythe across his lap. Fixing his gaze on the floating yellow soul ring, he channeled his soul power to draw it in.
It was time to absorb his first soul ring.