Three months later.
Tang San and Qian Jue, traveling light, once again arrived at the gates of Nuoding Academy.
"Alright, time to head in. Don't forget to come back and visit when you have the chance."
Uncle Deng Sheng handed over their travel bundles, his voice warm yet tinged with reluctance.
"We will, Uncle," Qian Jue replied. For once, his usual playful smile was gone, replaced by a touch of sorrow. After living together for more than half a year, parting so suddenly left his heart feeling heavy.
"Uncle Deng," Tang San spoke up earnestly, "may I trouble you to check in on my father from time to time? Maybe bring him some food occasionally? I've already learned my father's craft. Once I find work at a blacksmith's shop in town, I'll save up some money. When I return, I'll make it up to you."
"You good child," Deng Sheng chuckled, ruffling Tang San's hair. "Don't you worry. I'll keep an eye on your father for you. And if he dares to drink himself into a stupor again, I'll refuse to sell him any more wine!"
Qian Jue passed his bundle to Tang San, then stepped forward and embraced Deng Sheng tightly. "Thank you, Uncle Deng."
He truly meant it. Without Deng Sheng's kindness and protection—and his freedom to come and go—Qian Jue would never have had the chance to meet Tang San, nor to reach the point where he stood today.
"Alright, Xiao Jue," Deng Sheng patted his shoulder with fatherly affection, "this isn't farewell forever. Come back when you have time. This old uncle will be waiting."
"Mm. Then, Uncle, we'll go in now. Please head home quickly." Releasing his embrace, Qian Jue picked up his bundle again and waved.
"Go on," Deng Sheng said, smiling faintly as he watched the boys step into the academy gates. Only when he turned away did his eyes redden with unshed tears.
At dawn, when most of the academy still slept, three figures slipped quietly through the main gate: the Grandmaster, with Tang San and Qian Jue at his side.
"Teacher, where are we going to find spirit beasts?" Qian Jue asked eagerly.
"Our destination is the Hunting Soul Forest, four hundred li northeast of Nuoding City," the Grandmaster explained. "That is where the Empire pens and breeds spirit beasts. With luck, you'll find spirit rings suited to you both."
"Caged?" Tang San blinked in surprise. "You mean spirit beasts can actually be raised in captivity? Teacher, please tell us more about them."
The Grandmaster nodded. "High-level spirit beasts cannot be contained, of course. But weaker ones can. In essence, spirit beasts are wild animals imbued with soul power. Just as humans must awaken their martial spirits, spirit beasts experience a natural awakening shortly after birth. If their bodies nurture soul power during this awakening, they transform from ordinary beasts into true spirit beasts, freed from the limits of a mortal lifespan.
Without interference, even the most common among them may one day grow into a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast."
Tang San furrowed his brow. "But if that's the case, shouldn't spirit beasts appear everywhere? Even if livestock like chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep have only the slimmest chance of awakening, sheer numbers should still give rise to some. Yet spirit beasts seem to exist only within spirit beast forests."
The Grandmaster gave him an approving glance. "A keen question. The truth is this: during their early years of cultivation, spirit beasts cannot withstand prolonged contact with humans. If they are exposed to human presence for too long, their soul power withers and vanishes, reducing them back into ordinary beasts. That is why only secluded places, such as spirit beast forests, can nurture them. Even in the Hunting Soul Forest—though it is maintained by both the Empire and Spirit Hall—every beast within is at least a few decades old. Entry requires a permit token, to prevent beasts near the outer edge from degenerating due to excessive contact with humans."
As he lectured, the Grandmaster bought provisions in the marketplace, then hired a carriage. Together, the three set off toward the forest. Four hundred li was no short journey; by the time they arrived, it would be the next day.
Inside the carriage, the Grandmaster sat opposite his two young disciples.
"Curious where I put all the supplies I just bought?" he asked.
"In your belt, of course. Where else?" Qian Jue answered quickly, then immediately regretted his slip.
The Grandmaster's brows arched. Qian Jue hurried to explain, "Every time you put something away, you brushed your hand across your belt. You were discreet, but after a few times, I caught on."
Tang San nodded—he had noticed as well.
The Grandmaster's stern expression softened into faint approval. "Good. Both of you are observant. Yes, the belt is no ordinary belt."
He removed it, brushed his hand across it, and another belt appeared in his palm.
"This is a soul tool—a relic from my younger days of adventuring. The twenty-four jade stones embedded in it each hold a cubic meter of space for storage."
He then revealed another item: a black, irregular pendant, glass-like in texture, with faint motes of light drifting inside like flowing sand.
"This stone, also from an expedition, calms the mind and hastens cultivation. When my companions and I found it, they entrusted it to me, hoping it would help me break past the thirtieth rank. Unfortunately…" He trailed off, then placed both items before the boys.
"Now, they are yours. Choose one each."
Tang San and Qian Jue exchanged glances, neither reaching forward. Both knew the belt was far more valuable.
"I'll take the stone. Xiao San, the belt is better suited for you," Qian Jue said, lifting the pendant.
"Brother Jue…" Tang San hesitated.
"Don't argue. You tinker with so many little gadgets; the belt's storage will be far more useful in your hands. As for me, I don't cultivate as diligently as you. With this stone, at least I won't fall too far behind." He gave Tang San a playful tap on the shoulder and twirled the pendant with a grin.
"But Brother Jue—"
"Enough. Don't fuss like an old woman. You keep the belt. Can't I still store things elsewhere? Besides, didn't you already give me a gift?" Qian Jue raised his sleeve, revealing the intricate Silent Sleeve Arrow hidden beneath.
Watching their exchange, the Grandmaster smiled faintly. In truth, he owned several storage soul tools from his past adventures, though none as fine as this belt. His test had been to see if the boys would bicker—or yield.
"Since you've decided, I'll give this storage bracelet to Xiao Jue. Its capacity is smaller, about seven or eight cubic meters, but it's more than enough for daily use."
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Teacher!" Qian Jue's eyes lit up with delight. He had refused the belt only for Tang San's sake, but secretly he still longed for a storage tool. Now, with this bracelet, he was more than satisfied.
Tang San, seeing Qian Jue's joy, accepted the belt without further protest. He bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Teacher."
"Good. Since you each have your own treasure, give them names," the Grandmaster instructed.
Tang San thought for a moment, then whispered the name from his past life: 'Twenty-Four Moonlight Bridges'.
Qian Jue, far less poetic, glanced at the shifting light within his pendant. "Flowing Shadow Stone," he declared. As for the bracelet, he simply called it the Storage Bracelet.
The rest of the day was spent practicing how to store and retrieve items. Tang San and Qian Jue grew increasingly skilled, while Qian Jue also tested the calming effect of the Flowing Shadow Stone. Thus, an entire day slipped quietly by.
"Finally—we've arrived!"
Qian Jue stretched his aching back as he clambered out of the carriage. Without modern comforts, every bump of the road had rattled his bones. If not for their soul power, he might have been shaken apart.
But the bustling sight before them quickly drove away his complaints.
The outskirts of the Hunting Soul Forest teemed with life: rows of shops and inns, crowded streets full of merchants and adventurers, the air alive with noise and energy.
So different from what they had imagined—a wild, desolate place. Qian Jue chuckled inwardly. Of course. Just like the great scenic sites of my past life—wherever there's profit to be made, crowds will follow.
Seeing the boys dazed, the Grandmaster guided them deeper, explaining how such prosperity grew around the forest, how spirit beasts were hunted, how rings were obtained, and what roles a proper soul master team required.
The further they walked, the more the bustle faded, until at last iron fences towered before them, guarded by stern, armored soldiers.
"Halt! To enter the Hunting Soul Forest, you must present your token!"
The Grandmaster tossed over a carved insignia. Though it bore only three patterns, not six like Tang Hao's, it was enough to make the guard blanch and order the gates opened without question.
Inside the forest, the Grandmaster answered their endless questions while keeping a keen eye on their surroundings.
"Xiao Jue, do you see that ten-year Blazing Leopard over there? Try focusing your Mark of Qian Jue on it."
Qian Jue concentrated. "I think I can. Teacher, should I?" His eyes gleamed with excitement. Back in Holy Soul Village, no ordinary animal had ever responded to his mark.
"Not yet. Let us save it for a spirit beast you're meant to kill."
As they walked, the Grandmaster shared his months of study.
"Xiao San, your Blue Silver Grass should follow the path of control. For your first ring, you need one that strengthens its resilience. The best choices are Lonely Bamboo, Purple Leaf Vine, Binding Vine, Fine-Striped Snake, or Datura Snake. Ideally, the ring should come from a beast of three to four hundred years. For the Datura Snake, however, one to two hundred years is best."
"Teacher," Tang San asked, "my martial spirit is a plant, yet you say I can absorb rings from beast-type spirit beasts? And why must the Datura Snake be of lower years? Is its ring difficult to absorb?"
The Grandmaster smiled faintly. "A good question. Plant spirits can take rings from beast-type spirit beasts. That is one of the ten core principles of martial spirit theory—the Doctrine of Mimicry. For years, people believed otherwise, but they were mistaken.
"As for the Datura Snake… its venom is terrifying, both paralyzing and destructive to nerves. Its body is tough as iron, nearly impervious except for its mouth and eyes, which it guards fiercely. Its speed is astonishing. If I encountered a Datura Snake over a hundred years alone, I would prepare to flee. Yet for you, its ring is perfect—your Blue Silver Grass would not only gain resilience, but may also inherit a touch of its neurotoxin. With it, you could immobilize peers of your rank with just a touch. Truly formidable."
"I understand, Teacher." Tang San nodded solemnly.
"And me, Teacher?" Qian Jue asked quickly. "Which beast is best for my first ring?"
"For you, the Silverthread Snake is ideal. Have you noticed? Every beast I recommended to you is flexible and resilient.
That is because your Wolf Spirit bears a curious bow upon its left arm. When you spirit-fuse, no bow appears—meaning it requires the right ring to manifest. Your spirit has no claws or fangs; it strengthens your body instead. But the bow may exist to compensate. With the right ring, it might materialize as a true weapon.
"The Silverthread Snake is the toughest among them. Rare, yes—it lives near silver mines, hiding in narrow burrows—but if fortune favors us, you may encounter one."
Both boys gazed at their teacher with admiration.
I was right to follow him, Tang San thought. Strength cannot be given, but knowledge can. Meeting this teacher is my greatest fortune.
Qian Jue, too, was awed. He may have known much of this world's secrets, but compared to the Grandmaster's insight, he felt humbled. Truly, each art has its master.