Jing Ling said, "My first soul ring comes from a 300-year-old Dark Mantis. Its soul skill is Bone-Transforming Blades. You've seen the effect. My second soul ring comes from a 600-year-old Devil Monkey. Its soul skill is Bone Demon Blessing. The effect is to increase my attack power."
Yu Tianyan's mouth twitched when he heard this, and he couldn't help but ask, "Brother, are you really a Spirit Master of the Agility Attack type? You don't even have a single spirit skill of the Agility Attack type."
Jing Ling immediately lowered his head. Huang Yuan laughed loudly, which made Jing Ling roll his eyes. Huang Yuan, who often sparred with Jing Ling, had long wanted to complain about him. Although Huang Yuan himself wasn't a pure offensive Spirit Master, his first spirit skill was displacement, and his second spirit skill was a long-range attack.
Pa, Pa!
Liu Erlong slapped both of them.
"Why are you talking nonsense? Think carefully about what kind of spirit ring is suitable for Jing Ling," she scolded.
Yu Tianyan rubbed his head and said, "The Skeleton Martial Spirit is too mysterious. Let me think about it. Let's go and look around first."
"Let's go. I'll lead the way," Huang Yuan said, his spirit ignited with enthusiasm. He couldn't wait to test his current strength.
Jing Ling walked at the back, feeling helpless. The teacher at the Junior Soul Master Academy had high hopes for his talent and had even asked the dean to help him hunt a 300-year-old Dark Mantis. Compared with the ten-year soul rings of other students, he felt like the dean's favored son. At level 20, he joined a hunting team and hunted the Devil Monkey based on the captain's advice. At that time, to thank the captain, he had spent all his gold soul coins.
The greatest ability of his Skeleton Martial Soul was its speed. When the martial soul attached to his body, his body became extremely light. Unfortunately, neither of his two soul rings enhanced this attribute. Instead, they increased his attack power. If his third soul ring still didn't boost his speed, he would definitely lose to other Agility Attack-type Spirit Masters of the same level.
This was the main reason Yu Tianyan was concerned. The new soul ring not only had to align with Jing Ling's martial soul attributes but also needed to increase his speed. Most of these soul beasts were dark-type, and finding one in the Sunset Forest would be no easy task.
The four of them wandered around until the sun began to set but still didn't encounter any suitable soul beasts. Left without a choice, they decided to find an open space to rest for the night.
Liu Erlong took out four tents—one for each of them—and set them up on dry ground.
Jing Ling conscientiously used his first soul skill to split dead branches into firewood. Liu Erlong pointed casually, igniting the pile. In the soul beast forest, lighting a fire could expose their location, but it also kept low-level soul beasts away, ensuring their safety through the night.
Huang Yuan returned triumphantly, holding two plump Soft-Bone Rabbits. Under the astonished gazes of the group, he pulled out two nearly one-meter-long iron skewers, pierced the rabbits through the head, and set them over the fire. He added seasonings, and the aroma soon filled the air. This had been his favorite pastime since childhood. Influenced by his father, he had learned the art of grilling Soft-Bone Rabbits to perfection.
The four of them sat around the fire as Huang Yuan expertly turned the meat. Liu Erlong began sharing her cultivation experience with Jing Ling.
Yu Tianyan, on the other hand, stared thoughtfully at the roasting rabbits. A fleeting thought crossed his mind—should he kill one and claim its soul bone?
Finally, the rabbit meat was roasted to perfection. Liu Erlong, unbothered by the heat, tore off a rabbit leg and handed it to Yu Tianyan.
"Have you thought of a suitable soul beast for Jing Ling?" she asked, her tone serious.
Jing Ling's gaze instantly locked on Yu Tianyan.
Huang Yuan, while gnawing on the rabbit's head, also turned his attention to him curiously.
Yu Tianyan replied calmly, "A speed-type soul beast with dark attributes, preferably a Black Demon. But those are incredibly rare."
Liu Erlong seemed to catch on to something but chose not to press further. She simply nodded.
Jing Ling didn't say much. Of course, he wanted to find a Black Demon, but he knew how difficult they were to locate.
After finishing their meal, Liu Erlong stood and said, "You all sleep. I'll keep watch tonight."
"No need, Dean. We can handle it. You should rest," Huang Yuan insisted.
Jing Ling nodded in agreement.
Liu Erlong waved them off. "Go to sleep. Stop arguing."
Seeing her determination, Huang Yuan opened his mouth awkwardly but decided not to argue further. He glanced at Yu Tianyan before disappearing into his tent.
Jing Ling followed Huang Yuan's example, diving into his tent without a word.
Yu Tianyan chuckled at their obedience, drawing Liu Erlong's attention.
"You think this is funny? Go to bed," she ordered.
"Sister, don't be so harsh. I'll keep watch with you," Yu Tianyan said softly.
Liu Erlong's eyes narrowed. "I suggest you go to sleep now. Don't make me drag you there."
But Yu Tianyan wasn't intimidated. Standing tall, almost matching her 1.8-meter height, he said gently, "Sister, it's been a while since we rested together. Let's spend some time alone."
Liu Erlong froze for a moment, unsure of his meaning. Then, as realization dawned, she lowered her head, emotions swirling.
Yu Tianyan smiled and took her hand, guiding her to a fallen tree trunk. She didn't resist, though the six-meter walk felt like an eternity.
Sitting beside her, Yu Tianyan leaned his head on her shoulder and whispered, "Sister, let me rest like this for a while, okay?"
Liu Erlong hesitated but eventually allowed it. Gradually, Yu Tianyan's breathing steadied as he fell asleep, a serene smile on his face.
Listening to his even breathing, Liu Erlong unconsciously leaned her head against his. Her heart felt heavy, as if she were expressing her true feelings.
Under the moonlight, they looked like a perfect couple leaning on each other.