Upon receiving the master's order, Luo Sanpao waddled toward the forest ahead, shaking his head. Despite his somewhat rotund, bloated body, his four stubby legs moved with surprising agility, nose constantly sniffing the air as he advanced.
Pointing at Luo Sanpao leading the way, the master addressed Tang San. "Xiao San, you've been curious about my martial spirit, haven't you?"
Tang San nodded eagerly.
"This is my martial spirit—Luo Sanpao. Its defining characteristic is an exceptionally keen sense of smell, capable of detecting traces of low-level spirit beasts. It will prove invaluable in locating suitable hunting targets."
With that, the master retrieved a short sword from within his robes and handed it to Tang San. Due to spirit ring mechanics, only the spirit master who personally slays the beast can absorb its ring.
Therefore, for safety's sake, the master presented this completely azure dagger to Tang San—so that upon finding an appropriate spirit beast, he could hunt it himself.
Simultaneously, he was demonstrating to Cheng Xiao just how correct Tang San's decision to become his disciple had been.
However, Cheng Xiao's attention lay elsewhere entirely. Since arriving at the Spirit Hunting Forest, he'd noticed something different about his martial spirit, the Shadow Monarch. The shadow power within seemed to strain against some bottleneck—yet he hadn't even obtained his first spirit ring.
Regarding this strange sensation, Cheng Xiao could only suppress it temporarily. It seems I need to hunt down a suitable spirit beast as quickly as possible.
As if sensing something amiss, Dean Ma Nuo inquired, "Cheng Xiao, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Dean." Cheng Xiao shook his head, choosing not to mention his body's abnormality. Not that he distrusted Ma Nuo—but as someone not native to Douluo Continent, whose martial spirit wasn't inherited from parents, revealing too much would only invite unnecessary complications.
"Very well, but inform me immediately if any issues arise." Ma Nuo's brow furrowed. "When we spirit masters absorb spirit rings, we must maintain optimal condition. Otherwise, a single mistake during absorption can ruin your entire cultivation path—or worse!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Dean. I understand." Cheng Xiao smiled and nodded acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Ma Nuo ceased his inquiries. He'd said what needed saying—the rest was Cheng Xiao's responsibility.
After walking for some time, Luo Sanpao—who'd been scouting ahead—suddenly halted. His large eyes fixed on a particular direction, a trembling sound emanating from his throat.
"Teacher, what's wrong with Sanpao?" Tang San looked to the master, confusion evident.
"No need for alarm." The master smiled with practiced calm, as though everything remained under his control. He gestured toward a plant ahead—so dark its features were difficult to discern—and explained, "We're quite fortunate. Immediately upon entering, we've encountered a century-old spirit beast—the Shadow Vine."
"Shadow Vine?" Tang San's gaze shifted to Cheng Xiao. "Then wouldn't this plant-type spirit beast suit Cheng Xiao's martial spirit perfectly? You mentioned that although Shadow Vine is plant-type, it possesses a characteristic many plants lack—sharpness."
"Precisely. The Shadow Vine is rather unique among plant-type spirit beasts. Cheng Xiao, I recall your martial spirit is the supreme beast-type Shadow Soldier, correct?" The master regarded Cheng Xiao evenly. "Why not make this Shadow Vine your first spirit ring? From my assessment, after absorption, you'll most likely acquire a sharp-type skill."
"Master, perhaps we shouldn't draw conclusions prematurely." Ma Nuo placed a hand on the master's shoulder. "Cheng Xiao's martial spirit is a supreme beast-type we've never encountered before. Though it contains the word 'shadow,' it also includes 'soldier.' I suggest we continue searching—preferably for other spirit beast types. What do you think?"
"No. Though Cheng Xiao's martial spirit is supreme beast-type, this Shadow Vine can provide him with a sharp spirit ability. Regardless of how unique his martial spirit may be, it cannot escape the fundamental nature of beast-type possession. With the Shadow Vine's sharpness, his attack power will improve dramatically." The master's tone turned stubborn.
As a master theoretician, his judgment was infallible. Though he'd never seen Cheng Xiao's martial spirit, if it was beast-type, acquiring a sharp ability from the first ring was perfectly logical.
"Why not ask Cheng Xiao's opinion? He's the one hunting for a spirit ring, after all." Ma Nuo felt somewhat embarrassed being rebutted so directly, but still offered Cheng Xiao the choice.
"My vision is never wrong." The master's tone remained flat.
"Master, I still believe the Dean makes valid points. Let's continue searching." Cheng Xiao considered briefly before declining the master's proposal.
Though the master's reasoning sounded logical, it might not apply to his unique situation.
"You..." The master hadn't anticipated Cheng Xiao's refusal. His expression immediately darkened, tone turning cold. "Then search for yourself."
With that, the master pointedly ignored Cheng Xiao. A six or seven-year-old child actually rejecting my theoretical guidance after I graciously offered explanation. Though my original intent was accepting him as a disciple, he's refused repeatedly. Even clay figurines have some temper—let alone this generation's foremost martial spirit theoretician!
Witnessing this exchange, Tang San sighed internally. Cheng Xiao is truly foolish. Teacher has studied martial spirit theory for decades—how could he err in selecting spirit rings?
Naturally, Cheng Xiao remained oblivious to the master and Tang San's thoughts. He lacked mind-reading abilities—and more importantly, genuinely didn't want to absorb the Shadow Vine. Even if it related to his martial spirit's attributes, they couldn't simply focus on the word "shadow" alone, could they?
Just then, Luo Sanpao's cry sounded once more. Due to his martial spirit's characteristics, the master immediately grew alert, gaze snapping toward another forest direction.
"Movement detected there. Everyone, stay vigilant." The master's warning came coldly.
"What's happening?" Ma Nuo moved to the master's side, confusion coloring his tone.
"A group of spirit beasts appears to be approaching—their cultivation level is substantial!" Though slightly unnerved, the master maintained his composure.
Upon hearing this, Dean Ma Nuo immediately released his martial spirit—the Rock Shield. Four spirit rings—white, yellow, yellow, purple—rose from his feet, revealing the aura of a Spirit Elder exceeding level forty.
Ma Nuo's martial spirit was an earth-attribute weapon type—the Rock Shield. True to its name, a defensive armament martial spirit. Unfortunately, his innate spirit power wasn't particularly high, and lacking affiliation with quality forces in his youth, he'd missed crucial cultivation resources.
He'd barely reached Spirit Elder realm in half a lifetime—but in a small place like Notting City, such achievement still qualified as rare talent.
At this moment, both Cheng Xiao and Tang San understood what approached—because directly before them, over a dozen Nether Wolves were closing in.
And among those dozen-plus Nether Wolves, a massive figure shrouded in black mist slowly followed behind the pack.