Activating my spiritual detection abilities despite the drain on my already depleted reserves, I began systematically scanning the creature's remains. Soul bones were among the rarest and most valuable treasures that could be obtained from powerful soul beasts, and a creature of this caliber was almost certain to have produced one during its death.
My spiritual sense swept across the massive corpse methodically, searching for the signature of crystallized soul power that characterized soul bone formation. The process was exhausting in my current state, but the potential reward justified the expenditure of precious energy.
There—a concentrated pulse of power emanating from the creature's left wing, precisely where I had driven the metal rod through its joint during our aerial battle. The spiritual signature was unmistakable: a left arm soul bone, likely containing wind-based abilities that would complement my existing arsenal perfectly.
"At least something good came from this ordeal," I muttered, carefully extracting the translucent bone-like structure from the creature's wing.
The soul bone was beautiful in its own alien way, appearing to be carved from crystallized emerald wind. Swirling patterns of compressed air were visible within its surface, and I could feel the raw power contained within its deceptively delicate form. Its still useless to me because of its age, so I will just straight up trade it or give it to someone whom I can trust in future.
I quickly stored the precious soul bone in my spatial bracelet, ensuring it was safely secured before beginning my retreat from the battlefield. The scent of blood and death would inevitably attract scavengers and other predators, making this location increasingly dangerous with each passing moment.
Moving slowly to avoid aggravating my injured arm, I made my way toward a more secluded area where I could establish a temporary camp. Every step sent jolts of pain through my fractured limb, and I found myself relying heavily on trees and rocks for support as I navigated the uneven forest terrain.
After what felt like an eternity of careful progress, I located a small clearing that offered both concealment and access to fresh water from a nearby stream. The location would serve adequately for the recovery period I desperately needed.
From my storage soul tool, I retrieved the specialized tent I had designed and crafted specifically for solo expeditions. The device was one of my prouder innovations—a compact shelter that could be deployed quickly using soul-powered mechanisms, requiring minimal physical effort to establish. In my current condition, such convenience was invaluable.
As the tent materialized around me with mechanical precision, a familiar notification chimed in my consciousness, accompanied by the distinctive blue glow of system interface.
[Miraculous rank achievement: It must be wind: Achieve Ultimate Wind Attribute || Claim: Soul Skill: Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.]
Despite my exhaustion and pain, I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at the achievement notification. The Ultimate Wind Attribute would grant me mastery over one of nature's most versatile and powerful elements, while the Sky Dragon Slayer Magic, even if it have lower attack power than other Dragon slayer magic, but it is still most versatile one among all. And the signature magic of Wendy Marvel. And most important factor it has dragon slaying attribute.
However, my moment of triumph was cut short by an unexpected and deeply unwelcome sensation. A strange tightness began developing in my lower abdomen, accompanied by a peculiar numbness that seemed to spread gradually through my pelvic region. At first, I attributed the discomfort to delayed effects from the battle or perhaps internal injuries I hadn't initially detected.
Then I felt something warm and wet between my legs, and my heart sank as understanding dawned.
"No," I groaned, looking down at the unmistakable crimson stains beginning to appear on my clothing. "Not now. Please, not now."
The timing couldn't have been worse. Injured, alone in a dangerous forest, with depleted soul power reserves, and now my body had chosen this moment to have my first period.
Xiao Wu's gentle mental voice provided confirmation of what I already knew. "I understand what's happening to you," she said with the wisdom of someone who had experienced similar transitions. "My mother explained this to me—it's something every female human experiences monthly after reaching maturity." Yeah, that's what a fucking period is.
Another system notification appeared, this one carrying a distinctly mocking tone:
[Bronze rank achievement: First Blood: You know what I mean || Claim: 99 x Tampon.]
"Even the system is making jokes," I said bitterly, accepting the offered supplies with as much dignity as I could muster. "This is absolutely perfect."
In this world, human development proceeded more rapidly than in my previous life, with hormonal changes beginning earlier as the body adapted to the enhanced physical capabilities that soul power cultivation provided. At nearly ten years old, I was actually within the normal range for such developments, though knowledge of the facts did nothing to improve my current situation.
The cramping in my abdomen intensified rapidly, adding another layer of discomfort to my already considerable list of injuries. My body temperature began fluctuating wildly, alternating between chills and fever-like heat that left me feeling dizzy and disoriented.
"I should never have come alone," I admitted to myself, the reality of my vulnerability finally sinking in completely. "This was arrogant and foolish choice."
I had managed to regenerate a small portion of my soul power reserves, but every bit of recovered energy was being channeled into gradually healing my fractured arm. The process was slow and demanding, requiring constant concentration to maintain the delicate reconstruction of damaged bone and tissue.
Between the blood loss from my injuries, the onset of menstruation, the soul power depletion from extended combat, and now the additional strain of hormonal changes, my body was simply reaching its limits. The pain became a constant, overwhelming presence that made coherent thought increasingly difficult.
I tried to maintain my position, to stay conscious and alert for potential threats, but the combined physical and mental exhaustion proved insurmountable. Despite my best efforts to remain vigilant, darkness crept in around the edges of my vision, and consciousness gradually slipped away from me entirely.
<3rd person view>
The passage of time had done little to heal the wounds in Liu Erlong's heart. Years had passed since Yu Xiaogang's disappearance, and despite countless searches and inquiries, she had found no trace of the man who had once meant everything to her. The pain of his absence had gradually transformed from acute anguish into a dull, persistent ache that colored every aspect of her daily existence.
Eventually, she had made the difficult decision to stop actively searching, clinging to the hope that fate would someday bring him back to her. In the meantime, she had thrown herself into pursuing a different dream—the establishment of Blue Tyrant Academy, an institution dedicated to providing quality soul master education to commoners who might otherwise never have such opportunities.
The academy had become her life's work, a way to channel her passion for nurturing young talent while simultaneously honoring the ideals she had once shared with Xiaogang. Every student who graduated and went on to achieve greatness was a small victory against the despair that had once threatened to consume her entirely.
On this particular day, she had decided to personally accompany a group of her more advanced students on a soul beast hunting expedition. Such practical experience was invaluable for young soul masters, and her presence ensured their safety while they gained real-world combat experience.
The expedition had been proceeding smoothly until a tremendous sound erupted from deeper within the Star Dou Forest—a noise that spoke of violent conflict between powerful forces. The sound was unlike anything produced by the relatively weak soul beasts that inhabited the outer regions where they were hunting.
"Everyone halt," Liu Erlong commanded, her voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed without question. "Something significant is happening deeper in the forest."
Her students looked at her with mixtures of curiosity and concern, clearly wondering whether they should investigate or retreat to safety. As their teacher and protector, the decision was entirely hers to make.
"Teacher Zhang," she addressed her fellow instructor, "please escort the students back to our base camp immediately. I'm going to investigate the source of that disturbance."
"Dean Liu, is that wise?" Professor Zhang asked with evident concern. "Whatever could make such a sound might be beyond even your capabilities."
Liu Erlong's expression was resolute. "As a Soul Saint, I'm the only one here with sufficient power to investigate safely. The disturbance came from the outer circle's deeper regions—dangerous for the students, but manageable for someone of my level."
After ensuring her students were safely on their way back to camp, Liu Erlong ventured deeper into the forest alone. Her soul power flared around her like a protective aura, ready to respond instantly to any threat that might emerge from the shadowy undergrowth.
The forest seemed unusually quiet as she advanced, as if the local wildlife was hiding in response to whatever had caused the earlier commotion. This unnatural silence was often more ominous than obvious signs of danger, suggesting that something truly formidable had passed through the area recently.
After nearly an hour of careful navigation through increasingly dense vegetation, Liu Erlong discovered the source of the disturbance. In a small clearing ahead, the massive corpse of an Emerald Demon Bird lay sprawled across the forest floor, its once-magnificent plumage now stained with blood and dirt.
"Incredible," she breathed, moving closer to examine the fallen creature. "This is at least a twenty-thousand-year soul beast. What could have killed something this powerful?"
The wounds on the creature's body told a story of fierce combat. Ice crystals still clung to various parts of its form, while several of its flight feathers showed clear signs of having been severed by incredibly sharp implements. Most notably, a metal rod was still embedded in one wing joint, suggesting that whoever had fought this creature possessed both considerable ingenuity and remarkable courage.
As she continued her examination of the battlefield, Liu Erlong noticed scattered pieces of torn fabric and several dark stains on the ground that were unmistakably blood. The evidence suggested that while the unknown hunter had emerged victorious, they had not escaped unscathed.
"Whoever did this was seriously injured," she murmured, her concern growing as she followed the blood trail away from the corpse.
A sudden rustling in the nearby bushes put her instantly on guard, her martial soul partially manifesting as she prepared for potential combat. However, the creature that emerged from the undergrowth was not a soul beast at all, but rather a familiar yellow pig that made her heart skip a beat.
"Luo Sanpao!" she exclaimed, recognizing Yu Xiaogang's martial soul immediately. "You're here! That means Xiaogang must be nearby!"
Lumine looked up at her with intelligent eyes that seemed to think of something. Without hesitation, Lumine grabbed the edge of her clothing with his teeth and began pulling her in a specific direction, clearly wanting her to follow.
Liu Erlong's heart raced with anticipation and hope as she allowed the spirit beast to guide her through the forest. After years of fruitless searching, could it be that she was finally about to be reunited with the man she had never stopped loving?
Lumine led her to a small clearing where a sophisticated tent had been erected near a quietly flowing stream. The structure was clearly of advanced design, suggesting that whoever had built it possessed considerable skill in soul tool creation.
"Xiaogang must be inside," Liu Erlong thought, her hands trembling slightly as she approached the tent. "After all this time..."
Without hesitation, she tore open the tent's entrance, expecting to find Yu Xiaogang resting inside. Instead, she discovered something entirely unexpected—a young girl with long red hair, lying unconscious on a simple bedroll. (A/n- In case, you forgot, she still have her disguise of red eyes and red hair.)
The girl appeared to be around nine or ten years old, with delicate features that would likely mature into considerable beauty. However, her current condition was alarming. Her right arm was clearly injured and had been crudely splinted with branches and cloth strips. Her clothing was torn and stained with blood, and her skin was flushed with fever.
Lumine approached Qingxue and gently licked her cheek before fading away, having apparently fulfilled whatever purpose had brought her to this place. Liu Erlong was too focused on the girl's condition to spend much time pondering the spirit beast's mysterious behavior.
"What happened to you, child?" she whispered, carefully examining the girl's injuries.
A quick assessment revealed multiple concerning issues. The girl's body temperature was dangerously elevated, suggesting either infection or some other serious medical condition. Her right arm was definitely fractured, though the makeshift splinting had been applied with surprising skill for emergency field medicine.
Most tellingly, Liu Erlong noticed that the girl's left hand was pressed protectively against her lower abdomen, and there were additional blood stains on her clothing that weren't related to her visible injuries. The pattern was familiar to any experienced woman—this child was experiencing her first menstrual cycle, adding another layer of physical stress to her already compromised condition.
"You poor thing," Liu Erlong murmured with genuine sympathy. "Injured and alone at such a dire situation. This must have been terrifying."
The girl's condition was serious but not immediately life-threatening. However, she needed proper medical attention and care that could only be provided in a more suitable environment. Liu Erlong quickly made the decision to bring the child back to her expedition's base camp.
First, she located the nearby stream and carefully collected fresh water in her storage container. Using her fire-based martial soul abilities, she heated the water to a comfortable temperature for cleaning purposes.
With gentle efficiency born of maternal instincts she hadn't known she possessed, Liu Erlong carefully removed the girl's torn and bloodied clothing and began cleaning her body with warm water and clean cloth. The process revealed the full extent of her injuries while also allowing for proper hygiene care that the girl desperately needed.
The girl's original clothes were too damaged and stained to be salvaged, so Liu Erlong wrapped her in a soft blanket from her own supplies before carefully lifting her for transport. Despite her petite frame, the girl was surprisingly dense with lean muscle, suggesting extensive physical training that was remarkable for someone so young.
The journey back to base camp was conducted with utmost care, as Liu Erlong wanted to avoid aggravating the girl's injuries through unnecessary jostling. Her soul power provided enhancement to her physical strength and endurance, allowing her to carry the unconscious child without difficulty.
Upon reaching the tavern where her expedition had established their temporary headquarters, Liu Erlong immediately sought assistance from one of her female students.
"Student Jiang Zhu," she called to a reliable student known for her practical nature, "I need to borrow some of your spare clothing. We have an injured child who needs proper attire."
The student responded without question, providing clean garments that would fit the mysterious girl reasonably well. Liu Erlong dressed the child with careful attention to her injured arm, ensuring that the clothing wouldn't interfere with the healing process.
As she worked, Liu Erlong found herself studying the girl's face more carefully. There was something intriguing about her features—a maturity in her expression even while unconscious that suggested intelligence and strength of character far beyond her apparent age. The quality of her makeshift medical treatment and the advanced tent she had been using indicated capabilities that were impressive for such a young soul master.
It made Liu Erlong to think of how she had to struggle to live alone after her mom died and she had no one to rely on. Seeing this young girl, Liu Erlong felt that she must have someone behind her helping her in dire situation like that emerald bird soul beast. As there's no way a kid could handle such stronger soul beast.
(A/n- Today only one chapter.)