This transformed rabbit was actually staying beside a human child—and she even looked quite weak.
At first, Blazing Flame assumed this was the rabbit's strategy. After all, that human child was a genius with Innate Full Spirit Power. By staying close to him, she could find the perfect chance to eliminate him early.
Otherwise, once such a human grew up and became a Titled Douluo, he would slaughter countless Spirit Beasts. When it came time for his ninth spirit ring, he might even deliberately hunt a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast.
That was the harsh reality.
Yet what truly shocked Blazing Flame was the truth.
This rabbit… had actually fallen in love with that human cub.
How utterly ridiculous.
At this very moment, Blazing Flame had no idea that catastrophe was already descending upon him.
—
Yin Zhang led Hu Liena toward Nuoding Academy.
Along the way, Hu Liena still couldn't quite believe it.
"Two Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beasts… Brother Zhang, if your perception is accurate, then coming back to Nuoding City was absolutely the right decision. Two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings!" Her voice was filled with disbelief.
Yin Zhang laughed lightly.
"Just watch, Nana. I'll capture both Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beasts and bring them right in front of you. When the time comes, I'll have to trouble you to protect me while I absorb the spirit rings."
Hu Liena nodded, then suddenly thought of something.
"Brother Zhang… your seventh spirit ring will give you Martial Soul True Body, right? Wouldn't that waste a spirit ability?"
Yin Zhang froze for a moment.
She was right.
He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"That's true. But it doesn't matter. There's still another one. And with two Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Bones, I'll gain six hundred-thousand-year-grade abilities anyway—even if one of them is Martial Soul True Body."
—
Guided by the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast Detection Bracelet, Yin Zhang entered Nuoding Academy and arrived directly at the playground. The gatekeepers recognized him and allowed him through without question.
There, he saw two boys facing each other.
One was an eight-year-old with short crimson hair.
The other was a seven-year-old with ordinary features.
Blazing Flame.
Tang San.
When Yin Zhang saw the Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger Emperor spirit behind Blazing Flame, everything clicked into place.
So it's you.
Only then did Yin Zhang fully remember the System's hint from years ago—right before he killed that three-thousand-year Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger.
He was destined to cross paths with the Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger Emperor.
He hadn't expected it to happen like this.
If only there were a dozen more like you.
Yin Zhang felt excitement surge through him.
"Hmph!"
Blazing Flame's gaze was icy as he stared at Tang San.
"Blazing Flame. Spirit: Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger Emperor. Level 18 attack-type Spirit Master. Please advise."
If the timing weren't wrong, he would have killed this human cub on the spot and eliminated future trouble.
As for Blazing Flame's own son—the eighty-thousand-year Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger known as Scarlet Tiger—it was currently hiding deep within the forest outside Nuoding City.
Blazing Flame had considered sending Scarlet Tiger directly into the city to slaughter humans, but such a move would immediately attract attention. The risk wasn't worth it.
Tang San frowned, clearly displeased.
"Tang San. Spirit: Blue Silver Grass. Level 18 attack-type Spirit Master. Please advise."
This was the guy who constantly bothered Xiao Wu—something she clearly hated.
Tang San had finally lost his patience.
Both were Level 18 Spirit Masters. Tang San was confident. Besides his first spirit ability, Binding, he also possessed secret techniques and hidden weapons.
As long as he didn't make a mistake, he believed he couldn't lose.
—
Under Hu Liena's puzzled gaze, Yin Zhang calmly walked over and sat down beside Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu was startled when two unfamiliar teenagers suddenly sat next to her.
"H-hello…" she said cautiously, her eyes full of curiosity.
Yin Zhang smiled gently.
"Hello, Xiao Wu."
Xiao Wu froze.
"How do you know my name?"
Yin Zhang only smiled and didn't answer, his gaze shifting back to the battle that had already begun.
Hu Liena, however, suddenly understood something.
She glanced at Xiao Wu more carefully.
So this is the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast Xiao Zhang mentioned… She really does resemble a rabbit.
—
Meanwhile, Yin Zhang was deep in thought.
Which of these two Hundred Thousand Year transformed Spirit Beasts should he use for his Charizard's spirit ring?
The seventh spirit ring was frustrating.
No matter how powerful it was—even at one hundred thousand years—it would only grant Martial Soul True Body.
That meant wasting a Hundred Thousand Year spirit ring and two hundred thousand years' worth of abilities.
What a loss.
If only there were a Spirit Beast with cultivation in the tens of thousands of years…
Then he could first absorb that spirit ring to become a Spirit Saint, and later deal with the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beasts at his leisure.
Just as that thought formed—
[Detected the host's strong desire. Analysis in progress.]
[Blazing Flame was once the emperor of Hurricane Forest. When he fled, he brought along his eldest son—the eighty-thousand-year Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger, Scarlet Tiger. Scarlet Tiger currently resides in the core forest area one thousand meters outside Nuoding City.]
[Triggering the following choices:]
[One: Temporarily spare the two Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beasts. Absorb the spirit ring of the Crimson Flame Roaring Tiger, Scarlet Tiger, and advance to Spirit Saint.
Reward: Spirit Ring Collection Bottle (can store one spirit ring for later absorption; no age limit).]
[Two: Absorb the spirit ring of Scarlet Tiger or Xiao Wu and advance to Spirit Saint.
Reward: Level One Spirit Power Boost Card.]
[Three: …]
Yin Zhang didn't hesitate.
He chose the first option.
This Spirit Ring Collection Bottle was simply too valuable.
With this item, he would never again have to face the dilemma of killing a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast but being unable to absorb its spirit ring.
No more waste.
[Congratulations to the host for making a successful choice. The Spirit Ring Collection Bottle has been stored in the inventory.]
[Inventory]: Black Tortoise Bead, Immortal Herb Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast Detection Bracelet, Spirit Ring Collection Bottle.
Yin Zhang took out the collection bottle.
It looked like an ordinary sunlight bottle—smooth, elegant, and refined. If sold, its appearance alone would fetch a high price.
He stood up with a smile.
"Nana, let's go."
Hu Liena was stunned and subconsciously glanced at Xiao Wu.
"But… didn't we come to Nuoding Academy for—"
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"You'll understand once you come with me. I've got a new plan now."
—
(To be continued)