Chapter 13 – The Second Hunt Begins
Ryuga entered the Vice Deans' office and found the three elders seated together, deep in discussion over spirit beasts.
He lifted a hand casually.
"Hello, elders. You called for me?"
Meng Shenji looked up first, his expression brightening.
"Kid, just in time. We were talking about you."
Bai Baoshan leaned forward with a grin.
"We found the spirit beast you wanted for your second ring."
Ryuga's eyes sharpened with interest.
"Oh? Which one from the list?"
Zhi Lin answered with a hint of pride.
"The Abyssal Shadow Panther King. And not just any — a mutated specimen."
He paused before adding, "It has two heads."
Then his tone shifted, the excitement fading just slightly.
"But the age is higher than what you requested."
Ryuga crossed his arms thoughtfully.
A mutated Abyssal Shadow Panther King was an excellent match — powerful agility, darkness affinity, and spiritual pressure.
A perfect follow-up to Silent Reaper Crow.
"How much higher?" he asked.
Meng Shenji exhaled.
"Four hundred and fifty years over the limit. Its current age is five thousand four hundred and fifty."
Ryuga blinked once, then nodded.
"So it's only four-fifty over. That's fine. I can absorb it."
All three elders immediately straightened in alarm.
Bai Baoshan slammed the table.
"Don't joke like that! Absorbing a ring above your physical tolerance can make your body explode like an overstuffed frog!"
Zhi Lin added in a grave tone, "And it's mutated. With spiritual and shadow attributes. If you miscalculate, you won't just die — you'll collapse mentally."
Meng Shenji folded his arms.
"Just wait a little longer. We're already searching for alternatives from your list."
Ryuga waved his hand dismissively.
"No need. I set the four-to-five thousand range because I didn't feel like suffering unnecessary pain."
All three stared at him.
Ryuga cleared his throat.
"In reality, I can absorb up to six thousand years if needed. It'll just… hurt more."
Silence hit the room like a hammer.
The three Soul Douluo-level elders stared at him with an expression halfway between disbelief and existential crisis.
They had spent weeks mobilizing academy resources, sending hunters and scouts across regions, worrying about timing and compatibility — only to discover the brat had lied out of convenience.
Zhi Lin leaned forward slowly.
"…Are you absolutely sure, kid?"
Ryuga thumped his chest confidently.
"Trust me."
Whether they trusted him or simply surrendered mentally, none of the elders argued further.
Meng Shenji finally nodded.
"Fine. But listen carefully — if you show signs of losing control during absorption, we will intervene immediately."
Ryuga grinned wide.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get my second ring."
Bai Baoshan tapped his forehead as if warding off a headache.
"You're not going anywhere."
Ryuga froze mid-step.
"What?"
"You will wait here until we weaken the beast," Meng Shenji said firmly.
"It took five Soul Kings to subdue it the first time. We're not letting a seven-year-old fight it."
Ryuga opened his mouth to protest.
"No buts," Bai Baoshan said sharply.
"When it's half-dead, we'll call you."
Ryuga sulked but accepted reality and flopped into the principal's seat like a tiny emperor.
He crossed one leg over the other and tapped the armrest dramatically.
The elders exchanged looks, decided ignoring him was healthiest, and turned toward the exit.
As soon as they stepped outside, they encountered two familiar figures walking down the hall.
Meng Shenji stopped and smiled politely.
"Yan Yan. Ye Lingling. Do you need something?"
Yan Yan stiffened immediately, her face turning red the instant her eyes drifted toward Ryuga inside the room.
Lingling remained calm, though her eyes flicked toward him with quiet concern.
Before either girl could speak, Ryuga leaned back and scoffed.
"What would they need from three dusty old men?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"They clearly came to see me. Go on, shoo."
Yan Yan's face flared red like burning charcoal.
The elders' foreheads twitched, their expressions murderous — until Meng Shenji leaned toward them and whispered something.
In the next second, their murderous looks turned into delighted grins.
Bai Baoshan nearly shouted.
"Is that true—"
Zhi Lin immediately clamped a hand over his mouth and dragged him toward the training grounds before he embarrassed himself further.
Meng Shenji gave Ryuga a subtle thumbs-up — hidden from the girls' view — and followed after the others.
Ryuga blinked, mildly amused.
The principal had clearly guessed part of his intentions.
Not all — but enough.
Now alone with the girls, Ryuga turned his attention fully to them.
Lingling stepped forward slightly.
She studied him with quiet eyes.
"Why were you called here? Did you… cause trouble?"
Ryuga's smile softened.
"You were worried."
He sounded genuinely pleased.
"Nothing happened. The elders found the spirit beast I requested."
His voice carried excitement that he didn't bother to hide.
Lingling nodded slowly.
"So you're going to hunt?"
"No," Ryuga replied.
"They already brought it to the academy. A special one. After they weaken it, I'll kill it and absorb the ring."
Lingling absorbed the information quietly.
Yan Yan, still pink-faced and avoiding Ryuga's gaze, shifted awkwardly beside her.
Ryuga glanced between them, amused.
Then he stretched, relaxed against the desk, and smiled.
"Well," he said softly.
"It looks like today will be interesting."
Written by :- Ashborn_
Edited by :- Chat GPT