Ols title: "The Soul Beast Forest"
Early the next morning, Chu Tianxiu and Sisi purchased provisions and a tent at the market before heading straight into the Soul Beast Forest. Their partnership had grown more comfortable after traveling together, built on a foundation of mutual benefit.
Dressed in a practical red outfit with a white trench coat, Sisi led the way, using her spirit energy to clear a path through the thick thorns.
"Little brother, with just the two of us—one Soul Master and one Soul Warrior—won't we be in danger?" she asked, a note of apprehension in her voice.
Chu Tianxiu walked with an easy confidence. "Do not worry, Sister Sisi. I lived here for over a year. The strongest beasts here are only seven or eight hundred years old. I could handle five-hundred-year soul beasts before my awakening. Now, they are no match for me."
Unlike the wary Sisi, Chu Tianxiu moved through the familiar terrain with the ease of someone returning home.
"Sisi, although your martial soul, the Thorned Datura, mutated from a common datura flower, it has one advantage: the sharpness of its thorns. Your first spirit ring is also a century old, which already surpasses most. Therefore, this time we will target soul beasts that possess both potent venom and sharp attributes."
Sisi looked puzzled. "But shouldn't a flower martial soul focus on support and bewilderment?"
Chu Tianxiu patiently explained, "Your martial soul's inherent characteristic is sharpness. Evolving that trait will strengthen you the fastest. Absorbing venomous attributes will give you a decisive edge in future battles."
Grateful for his guidance, Sisi smiled. "You are so knowledgeable, little brother. Thank you for helping me."
Chu Tianxiu simply nodded. He knew her loyalty was conditional on his continued strength and utility.
In truth, he had his own agenda. He knew that in the original story, Tang San's first spirit ring was from a 400-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider. By hunting these soul beasts first, he could severely weaken his future rival's early development.
Around noon, as they paused to eat dry rations, a Man-Faced Demon Spider dropped from a banyan tree behind them, its target Sisi.
Sensing the foul wind, Sisi turned and paled. She summoned her martial soul in a flash. "First Spirit Skill: Resilience!"
The Datura flower's branches rapidly grew and crystallized, forming a shield between her and the spider.
The spider's sharp fangs shattered the barrier effortlessly. As its fangs descended toward her neck, despair washed over Sisi's face.
At that critical moment, a small hand covered in black light shot out and gripped the spider's vital point. No matter how fiercely it struggled, it could not break free. The black light seeped into its body, suppressing its spirit power.
Two hours later, the emerald-green spider had faded to a dull earth tone, its toxins and soul power completely drained. Chu Tianxiu tossed the weakened beast aside. In his hand, a ball of black and green light coalesced, glowing with an eerie energy.
"Sister Sisi, this is the essence of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. We are fortunate—a suitable soul beast found us as soon as we entered. Judging by its segments, it is over six hundred years old."
"How can you tell?" Sisi asked, her voice still shaky from the encounter.
Chu Tianxiu pointed. "See the six segments from its heart to its tail? The sixth is smaller, meaning it recently broke through six hundred years. It might be challenging, but with me here, you will be fine."
Mustering her courage, Sisi nodded. She sat cross-legged and began circulating her soul power.
Seeing she was ready, Chu Tianxiu guided the shimmering essence into the Datura flower above her head. As the two energies merged, the flower began to undergo a dramatic transformation...
At the final moment, Sisi's face flushed red, and she spat out a mouthful of dark blood, her breath weakening. The spider's energy was too potent, causing an overflow that her body struggled to withstand.
Chu Tianxiu immediately placed his hand on her back, channeling his own stable soul power into her to help stabilize the chaotic energy. Once her breathing steadied, he withdrew his hand.
A long while later, Sisi finally finished absorbing the energy. The first thing she did upon standing was look at Chu Tianxiu with profound gratitude. "Thank you, little brother. I will remember this help."
"Now, show me your martial soul," he said.
Sisi summoned her spirit. The Thorned Datura had transformed dramatically. The white petals were now edged with a venomous green glow, and the crystalline branches had become six segments of dark green, thorn-covered spurs. It looked both alluring and deadly.
"First Spirit Skill: Resilience!"
This time, the Datura flower lashed out like a python, coiling around a nearby tree and constricting with immense force, shattering the trunk into splinters. A corrosive venom dripped from the broken ends.
Sisi was shocked. Her previously purely defensive skill now possessed formidable offensive power and venomous properties.
Overjoyed by her new strength, her respect for Chu Tianxiu deepened.
"Your martial soul has gained serpentine traits," he instructed. "You should utilize more strangulation and entanglement in your attacks."
"Okay, little brother. My soul power has reached level twenty. Let us find my second spirit ring before we leave."
Chu Tianxiu agreed, and together, they ventured deeper into the forest.