Two days later.
Qian Jue dragged his weary legs as he followed behind the Grandmaster in the depths of the forest.
It had already been two days since Tang San absorbed his first spirit ring. Two days of endless searching had left Qian Jue's body and mind utterly exhausted.
Two days ago, after Tang San completed his absorption, the changes in his Blue Silver Grass martial spirit—and the manifestation of its first spirit skill, *Bind*—left the Grandmaster deeply satisfied. From that moment on, all three of them devoted themselves wholly to finding the most suitable spirit ring for Qian Jue.
During this time, they had indeed encountered possible candidates. Just yesterday, for instance, they had run into a four-hundred-year-old Arrow Bamboo. Qian Jue thought that would be his destined first spirit ring.
Yet after careful consideration, the Grandmaster chose to abandon it, merely marking its location on the map before leading them onward.
"Not far ahead lies a stone forest," the Grandmaster said, his eyes sharp. "Perhaps there, we may find traces of the Silver Thread Snake."
Tang San had already obtained the most suitable spirit ring. And since Qian Jue was also his disciple, the Grandmaster wanted no less for him. That was why he had passed over the Arrow Bamboo yesterday.
Still, the Arrow Bamboo was not a poor option. They had about three days' worth of rations left. If they failed to find anything by then, they could always return to harvest the Arrow Bamboo as a fallback.
The trio crossed the last stretch of undergrowth before the stone forest. Along the way, they encountered yet another spirit beast—a three-hundred-year-old Copper-core Tree. This only strengthened the Grandmaster's resolve to pursue the Silver Thread Snake.
They had a backup plan; with that assurance, they could afford to chase after the best.
"Teacher, if we just search like this, isn't it too easy to miss?" Tang San asked. "Is there any way to track the Silver Thread Snake by its traces, maybe even find its nest?"
The Grandmaster thought for a moment, then explained: "The Silver Thread Snake's movements leave tracks no different from ordinary serpents. But there is one unique marker—its droppings. As its name suggests, they are silver in color. So you must keep watch for any silver residue. Furthermore, Silver Thread Snakes rarely dig burrows; they prefer to live in small caves or cracks among rocks. If you see silver traces in such places, pay them special attention."
"Understood!" Tang San and Qian Jue nodded in unison.
Even with this knowledge, they still had to search together, each watching a different direction at most. After all, this was the Hunting Soul Forest, a domain where spirit beasts roamed freely. With their low levels, sticking together was their only safeguard.
---
At last, after several hours of relentless searching, they discovered a clue—a few silvery pellets scattered before a cave entrance.
The cave wasn't large, only about the size of a basketball. Peering inside, they saw a narrow, twisting darkness.
"This is it," the Grandmaster said, picking up one of the silver pellets. He pinched it lightly between his fingers—flattening it instantly.
"Yes… this was left recently, within the day. The Silver Thread Snake is indeed here. The only question is—what age is it?"
"Teacher, what do we do now? Do we wait for it to come out? Or what if it's not inside?" Qian Jue asked, impatience creeping into his voice.
"Let Luo Sanpao smoke it out," the Grandmaster replied calmly. "If it's inside, it won't be able to endure and will rush out. If not, we'll keep watch here until it returns. But generally, it should be inside—it is a nocturnal creature."
He summoned Luo Sanpao to the cave entrance, positioning the beast with its rear end facing the hole. The Grandmaster's first spirit ring lit up with a pale glow.
"Stand back, both of you. Luo Sanpao's fart is like thunder, shaking heaven and earth!"
A thick yellow gas erupted from Luo Sanpao's hindquarters, pouring into the cave and surging down its twisting paths with explosive force.
The Grandmaster retreated to join Qian Jue and Tang San. The three crouched together behind a cluster of rocks, eyes fixed on the cave's smoke-filled maw.
*Hissss…*
A faint hissing grew from deep within, drawing closer with alarming speed. Something was about to emerge.
Their hearts leapt into their throats.
Was it truly a Silver Thread Snake? Was its age suitable? Or would they have to start their search anew?
*Whoosh!*
A streak of silver shot out from the cave mouth, darting toward the distance.
But it hadn't gone far before—
*Thud!*
A massive white radish crashed down right in its path. The snake had no choice but to slow, attempting to veer away.
"Sanpao!" the Grandmaster barked. He would never let such an opening slip by.
*Boom!*
Luo Sanpao's first spirit skill exploded forth. Like the Datura Snake before, the Silver Thread Snake was blasted into the air. And there, waiting, Qian Jue's Wolf Spirit leapt, jaws snapping shut around it.
Yet the Silver Thread Snake was far tougher than the Mandala Snake. To Qian Jue, it felt as though his Wolf Spirit's fangs were biting into pliant metal—sharp teeth could not pierce through.
Still, though the fangs could not penetrate, the crushing pressure of the bite inflicted agony. The snake writhed madly in midair, twisting its slender body in torment.
Cautiously, the Grandmaster led Tang San and Qian Jue closer. After observing for a while, a smile curved his lips.
"Qian Jue, fortune favors you. This one is just over three hundred years old. Look—its tail bears three distinct ring marks. Each mark is formed with every hundred years it molts. This age is perfect for your first spirit ring."
As he spoke, he drew a short sword from his storage ring.
The sheath was crystalline blue, set with seven sapphires. The hilt was inlaid with a milky-white jade stone. The blade measured just over a foot long. Even without being unsheathed, a faint chill emanated from it in the Grandmaster's grip.
"Use this. It may just pierce its defenses."
He handed the weapon to Qian Jue.
Qian Jue accepted the sword and stepped forward slowly. The Silver Thread Snake thrashed violently, the Wolf Spirit straining to hold it still. Feeling the strain through his spiritual link, Qian Jue swallowed hard. Forming the 'Mark of Kindred' with his fingers, he steadied his breathing, then raised the blade.
He had to end this quickly.
The battle's seemingly smooth flow was the fruit of flawless teamwork—and the Wolf Spirit's special nature. But the Silver Thread Snake's temporary madness came only from the Wolf Spirit's pain-amplifying trait. Once it adapted, it would retaliate. And should the Wolf Spirit be injured, the backlash on Qian Jue would be severe.
*Clang!*
Steel rang like struck iron. The short sword carved a bloody gash across the snake's body. Pale red blood trickled down, staining its shimmering scales.
Though wounded, the snake thrashed on as though unfazed, twisting against the Wolf Spirit's grip.
—The Sheep Spirit's 'Pain Nullification!
Qian Jue exhaled, then struck again, driving the blade into the same wound.
*Shhhhk!*
This time, the sword sank deep, slicing the serpent clean in two.
The Wolf Spirit released the halves, which convulsed briefly on the ground before going limp forever.
A yellow spirit ring slowly rose from the snake's headless corpse, floating upward.
At that very moment, Qian Jue felt the Mark of Qian Jue within him resonate. His body lightened; strength surged through his limbs. His vision sharpened, ambient sounds grew distinct, and his mind seemed clearer than ever.
"Go," the Grandmaster said, patting his shoulder. "Sit cross-legged, focus on your martial spirit, and keep your mind clear. Begin absorbing it."
"Yes, Teacher."
Qian Jue returned the sword, then, with heavy yet determined steps, approached the hovering spirit ring. He sat down cross-legged, allowing the glowing yellow ring to descend gently onto his head, slowly expanding to envelop his entire body.
…