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Before entering the Star Dou Great Forest, the same warning was once again given to Lin Yongming.
"Xiao Ming, although hunting spirit beasts is a necessary path for a spirit master's advancement, we don't approve of wanton killing. Over the years, the number of spirit beasts has been gradually decreasing. If this continues, there may come a time when no spirit rings are left to absorb. That's why spirit masters have formed an unspoken rule: unless absolutely necessary, we must not kill spirit beasts indiscriminately."
"So, once we enter the forest, unless we're certain about the spirit beast we're targeting, we should avoid disturbing the others. Understand?"
"The incident with the jungle wolves last time was an exception—it was a matter of self-defense. We only killed them because we had no other choice." Xiao Rou spoke with a serious tone as she explained this to Lin Yongming.
"That's right. Before we came, you mentioned wanting a spirit beast with lightning attributes, preferably one that's agile. Once we're inside, we'll focus our search on those types of spirit beasts." Even the Blue Silver Empress, who usually joked around with Lin Yongming, was solemn when it came to the topic of spirit beasts.
Over the years, the spirit master community had begun to notice that spirit beasts were becoming increasingly scarce. Some rare species had even gone extinct. The Spirit Hall, as the largest organization in the spirit master world, had publicly prohibited the indiscriminate killing of spirit beasts. Even hunters were not allowed to kill spirit beasts without reason—capturing them was preferred, and if they couldn't be found, they were to be left alone.
Despite these measures, the lifespan of a spirit master was only a few decades, while spirit beasts could live much longer. As a result, even with the Spirit Hall's restrictions, the number of spirit beasts continued to decline.
"Xiao Rou, Sister Ah Yin, don't worry. If I encounter a suitable spirit beast, I'll let you know. My target this time is a lightning-attribute, agile spirit beast with a cultivation level between two thousand and three thousand five hundred years." Lin Yongming didn't mind whether the two women were spirit beasts themselves. Even if they hadn't said anything, as a spirit master, he wouldn't have killed spirit beasts indiscriminately.
"Good. I was worried you might not understand. Since you've already narrowed down your target, we'll keep an eye out and consult with you before making any decisions." Xiao Rou nodded in approval.
After the three of them agreed on the plan, Xiao Rou and the Blue Silver Empress took the lead, with Lin Yongming following closely behind them in a triangular formation. They moved swiftly through the forest.
Since Lin Yongming needed a thousand-year spirit beast, the outermost areas of the forest were not their target.
Thanks to Xiao Rou's familiarity with the Star Dou Great Forest, they avoided many spirit beasts along the way. After two hours of rapid progress, they soon arrived at the territory where thousand-year spirit beasts roamed.
"We're close. Let's spread out a bit to search for a suitable spirit beast, but don't go too far. Hopefully, we can find Xiao Ming's spirit ring before nightfall. Otherwise, we'll have to spend the night in the forest." Xiao Rou surveyed their surroundings and made the suggestion.
"Xiao Ming, you're the weakest among us, and this area is filled with thousand-year spirit beasts. Are you sure you'll be okay?" The Blue Silver Empress looked at Lin Yongming with concern.
"Don't worry, Sisters. If anything happens, I'll call for you." Lin Yongming replied confidently before heading off in one direction.
The Blue Silver Empress and Xiao Rou exchanged a glance and then went their separate ways.
Once Lin Yongming left the group, he activated his Mind's Eye to its fullest extent, carefully observing his surroundings.
Since reaching the 30th level of spirit power, the range of his Mind's Eye had expanded to nearly ninety meters. He believed that after obtaining his third spirit ring, it would break through to a hundred meters.
In terms of area, a hundred-meter diameter around Lin Yongming covered over three thousand square meters. While this wasn't a small range, it also meant that Lin Yongming couldn't monitor everything at once. There were bound to be blind spots, especially in a complex environment like the Star Dou Great Forest. Lin Yongming had to stay alert at all times.
Whenever he encountered spirit beasts that weren't suitable, Lin Yongming avoided them in advance. After two or three hours of searching, the sun had already disappeared above the forest, leaving behind a faint afterglow.
"Xiao Ming! Blind boy! Come here!"
Just as Lin Yongming was carefully observing his surroundings, he heard the Blue Silver Empress calling for him.
"Sister Ah Yin!" Lin Yongming realized that she might have found a suitable spirit beast for him.
He quickly followed the sound, jogging toward her. Soon, he sensed the Blue Silver Empress's location—she was hiding behind a large tree.
Before Lin Yongming could reach her, he heard the sounds of a fierce battle and roars coming from ahead.
"Xiao Ming, you're here. Take a look—do you think the Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle up there is suitable for you? I estimate it's around three thousand years old." The Blue Silver Empress pulled Lin Yongming to her side and pointed out the spirit beast.
In front of them, two spirit beasts were locked in combat. One was the Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle that the Blue Silver Empress had mentioned, and the other was a Purple Flame Black-Striped Snake. Although the snake's cultivation level was higher than the eagle's, it was at a disadvantage against its natural predator.
The Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle used its aerial advantage to swoop down and attack the snake with its sharp talons. The Purple Flame Black-Striped Snake wasn't defenseless, though. It coiled around a giant tree and spat out bursts of purple-black venom at the eagle.
However, every time the snake attacked, the eagle blocked the venom with its massive wings.
"The Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle... Sister Ah Yin, I've made my decision. It's the one." Lin Yongming watched as the eagle fiercely hunted the snake and immediately chose it as his target for his third spirit ring.
Xiao Rou, who had heard the commotion and the Blue Silver Empress's call, quickly hopped over to join them.
"Two spirit beasts fighting, and one of them is a Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle. Have you made up your mind?" Xiao Rou asked, already guessing Lin Yongming's decision.
"Yes, Sister Xiao Rou. I've decided. I won't change my mind." Lin Yongming confirmed his choice to the two women.
"Alright. But I've observed this Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle, and its cultivation level is around three thousand three hundred years. You're only going for your third spirit ring—are you sure you can withstand the power of its spirit ring? The limit for a spirit master's third ring is only about two thousand years." Xiao Rou looked at Lin Yongming's frail body with doubt.
"Sister Xiao Rou, although absorbing it might be difficult, I have full confidence in myself." Lin Yongming replied with determination.
"Ah Yin..." Xiao Rou still wasn't convinced and turned to the Blue Silver Empress for reassurance.
"Sister Xiao Rou, don't worry. Xiao Ming's physique is special. His second spirit ring was already a thousand-year one, and he's been training his body ever since he became a spirit master. I believe he can handle it." The Blue Silver Empress had spent over a year with Lin Yongming and knew that while he was confident, he wasn't reckless.
"If even you say so, then I have nothing more to add. Let's prepare. The Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle is fast, Ah Yin. Wait for the right moment and use your spirit skill to restrain it. If it flies away, we'll have to find another spirit beast." Xiao Rou sighed and began giving instructions.
"The Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle and the Purple Flame Black-Striped Snake are too focused on their fight to notice us. Wait until the eagle descends a bit more, and then I'll make my move." The Blue Silver Empress nodded in agreement.
As the three of them finalized their plan, the Purple Flame Black-Striped Snake began to lose the battle. The Purple Lightning Thunder Eagle's aerial advantage was too great, and the snake's reactions couldn't keep up with the eagle's speed. After all, eagles were natural predators of snakes.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 110 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.