"Pat."
The Grand Elder's palm lightly pressed on Chen Yi's shoulder, a pure soul power flowing in like a warm current, instantly smoothing out the previously sluggish soul power circulation. Looking at the youth meditating and adjusting his breath, a trace of satisfaction flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes.
For an ordinary Soul Grandmaster to challenge a 1,500-year Wind Baboon in their first battle was already far beyond the norm. But Chen Yi was different: god-level martial soul, innate level 20 soul power, a millennium first soul ring—he had maxed out the stats for a soul master's starting point. With such foundation, battling a millennium soul beast should be evenly matched.
Yet Chen Yi had defeated the Wind Baboon without using his innate domain, which still exceeded the Grand Elder's expectations. After all, it was his first real combat; even with rich sparring experience in the sect, staying composed against a live, ferocious soul beast showed excellent mentality. However, compared to Chen Zhen and others who had rolled in the outside world since childhood, Chen Yi ultimately lacked some ruthlessness—growing up in the sect's comfort had left him short on the desperate edge of those from "humble origins."
But this wasn't a big issue; the Great Fighting Soul Arena wasn't just for show—fighting a few life-and-death matches there would do, or at worst, the non-humans in the Yun Tian Mountains were there for today's use.
After a while, Chen Yi, having adjusted his breath, slowly stood and said to the Grand Elder: "Next time before starting a fight, could you pick a different spot? We searched a long time for this campsite."
The Grand Elder casually replied: "In a place like this, killing a millennium soul beast is impossible for you right now—your cultivation is what it is. Defeating it is fine, but killing it? No way."
The Grand Elder's meaning was clear: since you can't kill it anyway, why worry? So he had let the Wind Baboon escape. Though soul beasts in this mixed zone had average cultivation, many top bloodline soul beasts gathered here; a slight mishap could still be troublesome.
Watching the rising bonfire, Chen Yi stepped forward to add some dry branches, then took out pre-made dishes from his soul tool, carefully placing them by the fire to heat. The orange firelight reflected on his slightly helpless profile, easing some of the tension from the earlier battle.
"Your foundation is solid, soul skill operation smooth, and everything looks flawless," the Grand Elder's voice was gentle like a forest breeze, yet carried undeniable seriousness.
"But you're missing that decide not just superiority, but life and death ruthlessness. In sect spars, you handle things with ease, but in real life-or-death fights against enemies, this habit of holding back will eventually be your fatal flaw."
Chen Yi took the black steamed bun, feeling its rough texture on his fingertips. He looked down at the fine patterns on the bun's surface, pursing his lips noncommittally. How could he not understand his own flaw? No one in the world is born cold-blooded and murderous; those who later treat lives like grass are mostly forged in blood and fire, grinding away all hesitation and weakness by reality.
It's like how many say, "Give me a gun, and I'd take out so-and-so,"—anyone can brag, but actually doing it is another story.
Of course, some might be restricted by rules, and in a different environment, they'd be overlords. But such people are rare. Though Chen Yi had received corresponding education on Douluo Continent, his previous life's mindset was still deeply rooted in his heart.
However, this issue didn't discourage Chen Yi too much; instead, it made him more clear-headed. Looking at the crackling bonfire, he recalled what his father had once said: Compared to the grandfather and father generations born during the Body Sect's low point, their generation's life was practically comfortable.
These new generations had sect powerhouses protecting them from birth, elders guiding soul skills, and the sect supplying resources as needed—they had never truly experienced loss.
"Your inherited soul skills are better practiced than mine back then," his father had patted his shoulder, his tone gratified but with a hint of worry.
"But if we sparred at my age before awakening my martial soul, you might win; but in a life-and-death battle, you'd definitely lose."
It wasn't just Chen Yi; this was a common flaw among the Body Sect's new generation: growing up in a greenhouse without the baptism of blood and fire, they had high realms but always fell short in actual combat ability.
That's why sect youngsters, upon obtaining their first soul ring, were thrown into the Great Fighting Soul Arena by the sect, grinding away their pampered air through real fights and forcing out the ruthlessness in their bones.
He suddenly recalled a scene from two years ago: Third Uncle's eldest daughter, upon getting her first soul ring, excitedly showed off to their peers, faint soul ring glow condensing at her fingertips, smiling with curved eyes.
But not even a day later, she mysteriously disappeared, and no one in the sect said where she went. It wasn't until three months later that the cousin reappeared. By then, she had shed her former delicacy, her eyes sharp as knives, carrying a faint aura of killing intent even when standing casually—her entire temperament was like a different person.
Lost in thought, the Grand Elder beside him had already opened the pre-made food box, a rich meat aroma instantly spreading. He picked up a black steamed bun, took a big bite, and mumbled while chewing: "In the coming days, as long as we haven't found a suitable soul beast for you, you must go deep into the forest every day and defeat or even kill three millennium soul beasts."
"Remember two points: First, no using your domain; second, end the battle within a hundred moves—the fewer moves, the better."
At this, the Grand Elder stopped chewing, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he looked straight at Chen Yi: "I hope that before we leave the Star Dou Great Forest, you can compress that time to within fifty moves."
Chen Yi's heart tightened; he naturally understood the Grand Elder's intent. In his earlier fight with the Wind Baboon, it seemed he won in just a few moves, but he knew the luck involved. First, the Wind Baboon sensed he was only a Soul Grandmaster and underestimated him; second, with the Grand Elder pressuring it nearby, the Wind Baboon was wary and had no heart to fight, instinctively wanting to flee.
If the scenario changed, without the Grand Elder, and the Wind Baboon fought all out, even if he could win, it wouldn't be within a hundred moves, let alone killing it.
Gripping the black steamed bun tightly, Chen Yi took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Disciple understands!"
The forest wind brushed his hair, carrying the wild scent unique to the soul beast forest, as if foreshadowing that in the coming days, a series of blood-and-fire temperings was about to begin.