Zhang Lexuan lowered her hand slowly, watching the green bird disappear beyond the treetops.
She clapped her hands lightly, then glanced at the still-dazed Su Wen.
Her expression softened.
She was strict with inner court juniors—but toward a six-year-old child? Only overflowing maternal instinct remained.
Xuan Zi had already returned to the inner court to report.
A strategic-level existence like Su Wen, barring accidents, would become a key cultivation target of the academy...far beyond even Ma Xiaotao.
And since they were still on the outer edge of the Star Dou Forest, danger was minimal.
The distance to Shrek was short, and with Xuan Zi's speed, a round trip would take only a single day.
There was no rush.
"Rustle—rustle—"
A disturbance rippled through the forest in the distance.
Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes slightly and shifted her footing, smoothly positioning herself in front of Su Wen.
Moments passed.
The rustling of leaves grew louder and more chaotic.
A group of Wind Baboons leapt into view, moving with remarkable agility as they bounded between ancient tree branches, as if the entire tribe were in the midst of migration.
The leading Wind Baboon seemed to notice Zhang Lexuan.
It halted abruptly, its snow-white fur bristling as it bared its fangs and let out a low, threatening growl.
"Wind Baboons," Zhang Lexuan said calmly, not even glancing at it as she turned her attention to Su Wen instead.
"The leader has just broken through to the hundred-year level. The rest range from a few years to several dozen."
At that moment, Su Wen's expression changed dramatically.
His gaze locked onto one particular Wind Baboon, his face filled with shock.
[Wind Baboon]
[Cultivation: 14 years]
[Attribute: Wind]
[Potential: 8]
[Evaluation: Heaven-designated Godslayer. The continent has bestowed upon it a unique destiny, making it one of the few beings closest to achieving the feat of slaying a god. Capturing it is an absolute steal…]
"I want that one!"
Su Wen pointed without the slightest hesitation.
"Which one?"
Zhang Lexuan's expression turned serious as she followed the direction of his finger.
Silver-white soul power surged from her body. Her Soul Saint–level aura descended instantly, suppressing the Wind Baboon tribe.
With their strongest barely at the hundred-year level, the beasts were completely immobilized, huddling together and trembling.
"That one!"
Su Wen could barely contain his excitement.
The Wind Baboons instinctively scattered, retreating from the chosen one until only a single baboon remained, standing dumbfounded in place.
It looked around nervously and cautiously edged to the right, toward the direction its tribe had fled.
But the finger pointing at it followed its movement precisely.
"You're the one!"
With all his strength, Su Wen hurled the white sphere in his hand. It traced a clean arc through the air, flying straight toward the Wind Baboon.
"Buzz—"
The white sphere erupted into a pillar of light, enveloping the Wind Baboon completely.
Several seconds later, the brilliant beam faded.
The white sphere vanished.
Standing in the clearing was a Wind Baboon, frozen in place, looking utterly bewildered.
"It worked!"
Su Wen laughed.
With the successful capture, his first Soul Ring transformed.....no, it no longer felt like a Soul Ring at all. It felt more like his martial soul itself.
"Roar—"
The Wind Baboon let out a low growl toward its former tribe, then cautiously retreated to Su Wen's side.
The bloodlust in its eyes faded away, replaced by clarity—and even a hint of dull obedience.
When Su Wen opened the interface again, the information had become far more detailed.
[Wind Baboon]
[Level: 12]
[Strength: 0.14]
[Speed: 0.20]
[Endurance: 0.14]
[Defense: 0.10]
[Skill: Wind Blade (Common)]
[Attribute: Wind (Common)]
[Potential: 8 (Exceptional)]
[Next Evolution Stage: Storm Baboon]
It can evolve?!
Su Wen scanned the panel line by line, his pupils shrinking sharply.
Worthy of the title Godslayer.
This level of potential was absurd. Even among hundred-year, thousand-year, or ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts, a potential rating of eight was extremely rare.
As for how evolution worked—whether through increasing his own Soul Power or raising the Wind Baboon's base attributes—it wasn't stated. That would require experimentation.
The attribute values were easy to understand.
A value of 0.14 roughly corresponded to cultivation....every hundred years translated to one full point in base attributes.
Differences arose due to strengths and weaknesses, such as the Wind Baboon's exceptional speed and comparatively weak defense.