Another week passed, and at last, Ling Yuan returned. During those two weeks, everyone had trained diligently, devoting themselves to mastering the cultivation techniques Dave had provided. Each member of the group had achieved a solid foundational grasp of their respective methods, and their progress was clearly evident. They frequently sparred to test their growth, and their battle instincts had sharpened significantly—enhanced even further by the combat arts granted through their bonds with the Genshin Impact characters.
Dave, for instance, had unlocked a portion of the Kamisato Art thanks to his connection with Kamisato Ayato. Specifically, he had gained access to the first stage known as Murabashi, which comprised three key techniques—Five Rapid Strikes, an Iaido-style Slash, and a Jumping Plunging Strike.
Perhaps due to their current limitation at level 10, the others had similarly only unlocked the first stage of their linked characters' unique battle arts. Still, the difference it made in their performance was undeniable.
After Ling Yuan's return, Dave explained how to properly consume the two rare items they had obtained. With her assistance, they processed the whale gum and the ice crystal marrow, fusing them into a gelatinous, jelly-like substance. This combined form was essential—it was the only way to safely ingest the potent materials.
The whale gum on its own, while potent in mimicking the essence of a thousand-year-old spirit beast, carried a problematic aphrodisiac side effect. By fusing it with ice crystal marrow, the negative effect was neutralized, making the concoction safe to consume while retaining its full energy potential.
With Ling Yuan overseeing the process, each member took the essence mixture and began refining it within their bodies. Gradually, their skin began to alternate between flushes of red and blue—like fire and ice competing within their veins. Dark mist seeped from their pores as impurities were expelled. Despite the outward calm, Dave could sense the storm of energy inside them, though to an untrained eye, it looked subtle and controlled.
Their bodies trembled slightly under the internal strain, but they endured, channeling the energy and fortifying their foundations. After some time, the visible reaction diminished, and Dave silently checked on them, using spiritual sense to gauge their internal changes.
"They've progressed even more than I anticipated," he mused internally, though his gaze drifted back to Ling Yuan. There was still one crucial step ahead—obtaining their first spirit rings.
Ling Yuan reached out and gently took Dave's hand, closing her eyes to examine the state of his internal body condition. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration.
"Your body isn't yet as refined as a Four-Ring Spirit Master," she noted, "but it's already more robust than an average Spirit Master with three rings. You should be able to safely absorb a spirit ring up to 1,800 years old."
Dave gave a firm nod. "Perfect. Let's wash up and get ready—we'll head out to the Soul Hunting Forest in half an hour to begin the spirit ring hunt."
Everyone responded with eager nods. Even Meilin, who had taken the body-reinforcing mixture—casually nicknamed the Body Strengthening Gel by Dave—was now prepared to absorb a thousand-year-old spirit ring as her very first.
Once they were fully prepared, their energy still simmering beneath their skin, the group—led by Ling Yuan—set off toward the Soul Hunting Forest. This forest was a secondary-grade spirit beast habitat located beyond the reach of Spirit Hall's strict jurisdiction, making it a favored site for young Spirit Masters to obtain early-stage rings.
Unlike the infamous Star Dou Forest, which was home to monstrous spirit beasts nearing the 100,000-year mark, the Soul Hunting Forest was considerably milder in comparison. The strongest beasts in the area typically capped out around 5,000 years of age, making it ideal for their current strength level.
A thick mist wound through the ancient trees as they entered the outer edge of the forest. The air was heavy with spiritual energy, and distant cries of unseen creatures echoed through the dense foliage. The environment wasn't calm—it was teeming with life, raw and untamed.
Ling Yuan descended silently from the upper canopy, landing with quiet precision beside them.
"Stay close," she instructed sharply. "Most of the beasts in the outer region range between 500 and 1,000 years old, but don't be careless. Occasionally, older and more dangerous beasts wander into the border zones. Do not act recklessly."
"Yes, Sister Yuan," the group responded in unison, their voices firm.
Dave tapped the hilt of his Spirit Blade, feeling water energy gently coiling around his fingers. "We're not here to waste time. This is our first spirit ring—we choose carefully and with purpose."
Shuri's icy-blue gaze scanned the shadows between trees. "Each of us needs to find a beast that resonates with our Martial Spirit. A poor match could hinder our cultivation for years, or worse, cause future conflict in our soul pathways."
Steve glanced at Ling Yuan, his tone even. "If something goes wrong… will you intervene?"
She didn't hesitate. "Only if your life is in real danger. Otherwise, you're on your own. But know this—I'll be watching, closely."
That was all the reassurance they needed.
As the group moved deeper into the forest, their senses remained on high alert. Within the first hour, they encountered their first viable target: a Stormclaw Panther. The beast, with its sleek obsidian-black fur and flickering arcs of electricity, was estimated to be about 1,200 years old.
"Perfect fit for Clint," Tony murmured under his breath.
Clint stepped forward, nodding. "It complements my Storm Crossbow perfectly. I'll take it."
With the rest of the group pulling back to give him space, Clint waited for Ling Yuan's signal. When she nodded, he moved with swift determination. The battle was fierce—the panther was lightning-fast and aggressive, forcing Clint to stay light on his feet. But drawing on his newly refined cultivation technique and utilizing the precision attacks from his Spirit Art, he eventually managed to land a perfectly aimed bolt right between the creature's glowing eyes.
The beast collapsed in a surge of crackling energy, and Clint immediately dropped to the ground to begin the absorption process. The light purple spirit ring slowly rose from the beast's corpse and hovered, trembling, before settling onto Clint's body.
Ling Yuan's expression shifted as she observed the process. She had originally believed she would need to step in and personally subdue the beasts for them, but Dave had been confident—they could handle it themselves, even against 2,000-year-old spirit beasts. At first, she had thought he was overestimating them.
But watching Clint calmly sit and absorb his first spirit ring, while the rest of the group formed a vigilant perimeter to guard him, she realized something.
'Just where did these kids come from…?' she thought, narrowing her eyes.
Even their instinctive teamwork, honed without formal training in the Spirit Hall academies, surpassed the cooperation most Spirit Master squads could demonstrate at this level. It was subtle, but it was unmistakable—this group wasn't ordinary by any standard.
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