As night fully descended and the campfire crackled, the halo around Ye Lingling finally slowly receded, the shimmering blue Spirit Ring completely merging into her body and disappearing. Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.
Joy from success instantly surged in her heart. She abruptly jumped up from the mat, her little face flushed with excitement, waving her small hands: "Father! Mother! Brother! I succeeded! I succeeded! I'm a Soul Master now!"
She excitedly ran up to Marco, tilting her little face up, full of pride and showing off: "Look, brother! I have a Spirit Ring too! I can help you from now on! When you get injured during training, I'll heal you!" As she spoke, she eagerly demonstrated her Spirit Ability. White petals surged toward Markel...
She carefully described the effects of her Spirit Ability—mainly releasing a healing radiance imbued with the tranquil power of the Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid, capable of rapidly recovering external injuries and soothing mental fatigue. Its effect seemed to carry an additional deep, soul-comforting power compared to ordinary Nine Heart Begonia healing. However, for severe internal injuries and high-level wounds like severed limb regeneration, it was still beyond her current capabilities. But for a first Spirit Ability, this was already an exceptionally outstanding and practical skill.
Seeing his younger sister's excitement and the powerful Spirit Ability she had obtained, Marco felt genuinely happy for her. He smiled and patted her head: "Amazing, Lingling! I'll be relying on you for protection from now on."
Ye Wantang and Li Zhaoyan also approached, their faces radiant with relieved and proud smiles. Ye Lingling's successful absorption meant she had laid an incredibly solid foundation for her future path as a support-type Soul Master. Under the night sky, beside the campfire, the air was filled with the joyful laughter of family. The new generation of Nine Heart Begonia had officially taken her first step.
After successfully obtaining the highly compatible "Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid" Spirit Ring for Ye Lingling, the Li family rested for the night at their temporary camp in the central region of Sunset Forest. Early the next morning, Li Zhaoyan led his family deeper into the forest. The sole objective of this trip was to find the most suitable first Spirit Ring for Marco.
The deeper they went into Sunset Forest, the taller the trees grew, and the environment became increasingly serene, with the air thick with rich Soul Power. Li Zhaoyan, with his extensive experience, kept his aura perfectly restrained—enough to ward off numerous weaker Soul Beasts without startling any potential rare targets. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, not missing the slightest unusual movement.
Ye Wantang followed closely behind, holding Ye Lingling's hand with one hand while constantly observing the distribution of herbs and plants around them—a habit of hers as a healing-type Soul Master. Ye Lingling, still carrying the excitement from yesterday's success, had more anticipation for her brother showing on her little face.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye. Marco walked in the middle of the group, his ice-blue eyes continuously scanning the environment. His mood, initially full of anticipation, gradually mixed with a trace of barely noticeable anxiety. As time went by, they encountered several weak Soul Beasts of ten or several decades, all scared away by the faint, imperceptible aura. They also came across one or two beast-type Soul Beasts over a hundred years old, but their attributes were completely incompatible with the Azure Flame Phoenix.
Until the afternoon of the third day, they finally discovered a truly noteworthy Soul Beast—a four-hundred-year-old "Azure Flame Finch." This creature possessed dual attributes of fire and wind, moved with extreme speed, and was a popular choice among many flying-type Soul Masters.
Li Zhaoyan signaled for everyone to stop and, after observing for a moment, sought Marco's opinion.
Marco stared intently at the Azure Flame Finch but shook his head. "Father, thank you. But this Azure Flame Finch seems to have limited potential. I'd like to search for something better." He didn't want to settle.
A flicker of approval crossed Li Zhaoyan's eyes. "Good. Clear goals." With a wave of his hand, a gentle surge of Soul Power startled the Azure Flame Finch away without harming it.
However, their subsequent search hit a deadlock. For two full days, they found nothing. Marco's inner restlessness gradually built up. Ye Wantang, noticing his agitation, softly reassured him, "Marco, there's no need to rush. A top-tier Martial Soul requires a top-tier Spirit Ring. If the opportunity hasn't arrived, forcing it is futile."
Ye Lingling also took her brother's hand and encouraged him, "Brother is the best! You'll definitely find the most powerful Spirit Ring!"
Li Zhaoyan spoke calmly, "Don't worry. Your Martial Soul is extraordinary; a suitable Soul Beast for you surely exists."
Just then, from deep within the forest ahead, came the violent clash of energies, followed by a roar filled with fury and a sharp, resolute cry!
Li Zhaoyan halted abruptly. "There's a fight between Soul Beasts ahead, and the energy intensity is significant. Let's investigate." He led his family silently toward the source of the noise.
Pushing through the bushes, they saw a clearing where the battle between two Soul Beasts was nearing its end. The Mountain-Backed Rock Bear had its chest torn open, flesh mangled and bones visible. The other combatant, a dark-red giant eagle—the "Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle"—had broken wings and was covered in wounds, but the pale flames around it burned even more fiercely, radiating a desperate, all-consuming aura!
"The Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle?" Li Zhaoyan murmured. "Its innate ability, 'Soul Burning,' allows it to burn Soul Power in exchange for ultimate attack power."
With a long cry, the Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle compressed its pale flames to the extreme, transforming into a streak of light that shot toward the Rock Bear! A tearing sound echoed as the bear's chest was pierced through, and it collapsed with a thunderous crash. The Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle, now drained and exhausted, slumped to the ground, though its eagle eyes still held unyielding pride.
In an instant, Li Zhaoyan appeared beside it, using his Soul Douluo-level spiritual power to soothe its final struggles. "Marco, this eagle is six hundred years old. Its 'Soul Burning' essence hasn't dissipated yet. Absorbing it now might preserve the core of its innate ability."
"Six hundred years?!" Ye Wantang exclaimed in shock. "It's too dangerous!"
Ye Lingling nervously gripped her brother's hand.
Marco's eyes blazed with determination. "Father, Mother, let me try! My Martial Soul grants me exceptional recovery power, and my body has been tempered through training. I can endure it! Please believe in me!"
Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Li Zhaoyan pondered for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But if the situation turns dangerous, I will intervene immediately."
Marco stepped forward and delivered the final blow to the eagle. A deep yellow Spirit Ring, edged with flickering pale flames, materialized before him.
Under the worried gazes of his family, Marco guided the Spirit Ring to merge with him! Instantly, violent energy surged into his body, causing him to tremble violently and contort in pain.
Just as Li Zhaoyan was about to intervene—a clear, melodious bird cry rang out from within Marco! His Azure Flame Phoenix Martial Soul erupted spontaneously! Vast azure flames enveloped him, frantically repairing the damage and devouring the violent will of "Soul Burning" as it fused with him!
The most dangerous hurdle had been overcome. Marco's expression gradually steadied as he entered the absorption phase.
After a long while, the Spirit Ring was successfully absorbed. He opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them.
"Success!" His family gathered around, overjoyed and astonished.
Marco released his Spirit Ring and activated his Spirit Ability: "First Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Ignition!"
Azure flames surged violently, their edges tinged with pale starlight, comprehensively enhancing his attack, defense, and speed by 50%. The azure flames themselves grew more condensed and scorching!
"This ability originates from 'Soul Burning', trading Soul Power consumption for a massive boost in combat power and enhancement of the azure flames. However, it drains my Soul Power tremendously, making it my ultimate trump card! Moreover, the enhancement can reach 50%," he explained.
Li Zhaoyan nodded with satisfaction: "Excellent. A six-hundred-year Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle as your first ring—your starting point far surpasses ordinary people
."
Thus, the spirit hunt concluded perfectly. The next day, the family set off to return to their small town.