The next morning.
While most of Notting Academy's faculty and students still slumbered, two tall figures and two short ones had already departed through the academy gates.
"Master, this is your new disciple?" The dean observed Tang San walking beside the master, a smile gracing his features.
"Indeed. This is my disciple, Tang San." The master nodded with measured composure. "Though Xiao San's martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass—branded as useless—I firmly believe there are no worthless martial spirits in this world, only worthless spirit masters. Under my theoretical tutelage, his future achievements will reach at least Titled Douluo level."
"Haha... I certainly hope so." The dean's smile turned somewhat strained.
"By the way, Dean, I haven't caught your name yet." Cheng Xiao looked up at the academy head inquiringly.
"My surname is Ma, given name Nuo. You may call me Dean Ma." Ma Nuo's smile was warm.
"Understood, Dean Ma." Cheng Xiao acknowledged.
"I nearly forgot—Cheng Xiao, you're unfamiliar with our destination for spirit beast hunting, correct?" Ma Nuo asked.
"I don't know the specifics." Cheng Xiao shook his head.
"We're heading to the Spirit Hunting Forest, four hundred miles east of Notting City—where the Empire maintains spirit beasts." Ma Nuo explained pleasantly. "However, before hunting, we must help the master prepare certain supplies."
"Supplies?" Cheng Xiao paused, then seemed to recall something, nodding silently.
As the sun gradually ascended from the eastern horizon, foot traffic through Notting City increased. Street vendors hawked their wares with enthusiastic shouts, creating a lively atmosphere.
The master's supply list proved straightforward—four leather water pouches, along with dried provisions, preserved meat, and fruit for the journey.
Of course, the master also purchased a full twenty pounds of white radishes—clearly serving some important purpose.
"Teacher, what are these radishes for?" Tang San hefted the basket with considerable effort, asking breathlessly. Without his Mysterious Heaven Technique cultivation, he might not have managed the weight.
Observing the twenty-pound radish load, Ma Nuo sighed helplessly. As the master's friend, he knew precisely their purpose.
The master didn't answer Tang San immediately. As a theoretical master, a rare hint of bitterness touched his lips. He ruffled Tang San's hair. "I'll explain later."
Once preparations concluded, Dean Ma Nuo hired a four-person carriage within the city. With transportation secured, the group set off toward their destination.
Throughout the journey, the master continuously expounded upon spirit theory to Tang San, also presenting him with a blue belt.
Examining the belt, Tang San christened it "Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges." He had no reason to refuse his teacher's gift—after all, the Tang Sect of his previous life operated on the principle of accepting what was offered without refusal.
After bestowing the belt, the master's gaze drifted toward Cheng Xiao. He wanted the boy to understand—should he accept discipleship, identical gifts awaited him.
But the master was destined for disappointment. Upon boarding the carriage, Cheng Xiao had leaned against one side and closed his eyes to rest. Even Dean Ma Nuo found it puzzling. Could the child have slept poorly due to excitement over today's spirit hunt?
How could they know that Xiao Wu had done everything possible to prevent Cheng Xiao from sleeping early last night? Unfortunately, Cheng Xiao proved immune to her childish tricks, showing zero reaction.
Seeing Cheng Xiao completely resistant to tickling, Xiao Wu could only pout and surrender to sleep.
But sleep itself became the problem—because once Xiao Wu drifted off, she became a restless sleeper, sprawling everywhere and keeping Cheng Xiao awake...
Four hundred miles was neither long nor short. After departing Notting City, the quartet arrived at their destination—the Spirit Hunting Forest—by noon the following day.
Having caught up on sleep during the carriage ride, Cheng Xiao followed Dean Ma Nuo out of the vehicle, immediately assaulted by various sounds.
"Warrant available! Organizing group to hunt century-old spirit beasts! Spirit masters needing spirit rings, come look!"
"Hunting power-type spirit beasts! Seven slots available with warrant—ten gold spirit coins!"
Similar shouts echoed continuously. Cheng Xiao gained preliminary understanding of this Spirit Hunting Forest's nature.
Called a hunting forest, it functioned more like a game dungeon from an online RPG—these shouting spirit masters resembling mercenaries offering escort services.
The marketplace proved extremely noisy. Cheng Xiao's group quickly navigated through. When the vast forest came into view, inexplicably, his heart stirred with faint agitation—a familiar sensation washing over him.
The shadow power within is boiling... is this similar to entering a dungeon when I leveled up alone? Cheng Xiao mused internally.
He differed from Sung Jinwoo. The latter possessed a system created by the Architect, allowing adaptation to the Shadow Monarch's power through game-like mechanics—the system itself being the Shadow Monarch's power manifested.
As for Cheng Xiao, since the Architect who'd created the system was deceased, the Shadow Monarch had chosen an alternative method—storing power within his body. As his level increased and strength grew, the shadow power would gradually release, becoming Cheng Xiao's own.
A massive steel fence surrounded the Spirit Hunting Forest—over ten meters high, appearing exceptionally sturdy and solid.
Outside the fence, over a hundred soldiers patrolled, guarding the Empire's spirit beast preserve.
"Let's proceed." Before the Spirit Hunting Forest entrance, Dean Ma Nuo presented a token to the guard. This black token bore a peculiar pattern—three symbols combined: a sharp sword at center, flanked by a hammer and dragon.
After the guard verified the warrant's authenticity, he promptly ordered other soldiers to open passage, admitting Cheng Xiao's group into the Spirit Hunting Forest.
Upon entering, the master's previously somewhat listless eyes suddenly brightened. His hands formed seals at his chest. "Come forth! Luo Sanpao!"
Two yellow spirit rings rose from the master's feet, followed by spirit power fluctuations emanating from his body. With a flash of purple light, a creature resembling both pig and dog materialized before the quartet.
Luo Sanpao possessed lavender fur, drooping oversized ears, and large deep-blue eyes gazing into the forest depths. His fat, bloated body appeared rather foolish, his appearance unlike any normal canine. If one must assign classification, it would be a pig-dog hybrid.
"Master, your martial spirit is quite special—it can even manifest outside your body." Cheng Xiao crouched down, patting Luo Sanpao's head before smiling at the master.
"My martial spirit mutated—unfortunately, in an adverse direction." The master shook his head, bitterness touching his lips. "If not for my innate spirit power being less than half a level, how would I have devoted myself so completely to spirit theory research?"
But it's fortunate I've acquired a genius disciple with innate full spirit power—and twin martial spirits at that. Once I train Tang San into a powerhouse, who will dare look down on me, Yu Xiaogang?
"Cheng Xiao, the master's martial spirit is indeed exceptional. From certain perspectives, he's also a rare genius. Unfortunately, fate can be cruel." Dean Ma Nuo sighed, clearly sympathizing with his friend's martial spirit predicament.
"Enough discussion about my martial spirit." The master's expression turned serious, his tone grave. "Let's focus on spirit hunting. Finding a spirit beast suited to your martial spirit won't be easy."
With that, the master issued commands to Luo Sanpao.
"Sanpao, lead the way forward."