Si Si and Su Yuntao came with a clear purpose: to personally escort Qi Lin and Xiao Wu to obtain their first spirit rings.
After all, hiring a professional spirit hunting team was not only expensive, but also came with safety risks. So, Si Si decided it would be best if she and Su Yuntao handled the task themselves.
Upon hearing this, Qi Tian and Xu Qian expressed their heartfelt gratitude, thanking them repeatedly.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was terrified. Her face instantly turned pale.
As a transformed soul beast, her spirit rings had always been self-condensed. If she went out to "hunt" for one, her identity would be exposed without a doubt.
And once that happened… her fate would be sealed!
'I need to find an excuse not to go!'
Her mind raced, but she couldn't figure out how to refuse without raising suspicion.
Just then, Qi Lin noticed her nervous expression and gently poked her waist.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Wu looked at him with tearful eyes and whispered, "Brother Lin, I don't want to go."
Qi Lin froze for a second, then suddenly remembered—Right, Xiao Wu is a transformed soul beast. If she goes with us, she'll be exposed!
Seeing how anxious she was, he quickly came up with an excuse on her behalf.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
The moment he said that, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up with realization.
'That's right! I can say I'm sick!'
She quickly nodded and looked at Qi Lin with a pitiful expression. "Mhm... I'm really not feeling well today."
When Qi Tian and Xu Qian heard this, they immediately stepped forward, worry written all over their faces.
"Xiao Wu, where do you feel unwell?"
"Yeah," Qi Lin followed up, "Is it your head? I told you not to insist on sleeping in the same bed as me last night—I always hog the blanket. Now you've caught a chill, haven't you?"
As he spoke, he gently touched her forehead.
"Good, no fever. You just need a few days of rest."
Qi Tian and Xu Qian were already used to Qi Lin's mature behavior. They didn't question it, only nodded and reminded her gently, "Xiao Wu, listen to your Brother Lin and rest well these next few days, alright?"
"Mhm! I will!" Xiao Wu nodded eagerly, looking sweet and obedient.
Qi Tian glanced at her, half-smiling.
'Xiao Wu's not usually this well-behaved... she must be genuinely scared.'
He then turned to Si Si.
"Sister Si Si, since Xiao Wu isn't feeling well, let's not trouble you to take her along. She might distract you."
Si Si was just about to say it wouldn't be a problem for her and Su Yuntao to take care of both kids. But after thinking for a moment, she realized they were only around level 25–26 Soul Masters. If they had to protect two children and fight spirit beasts, it might be more than they could handle.
She was planning to help Qi Lin obtain a spirit ring from a beast that was over 300 years old—a rare achievement for a first spirit ring. Most commoners didn't even dream of such a feat.
She and Su Yuntao had both received 10-year white spirit rings for their first ones. It was a major disadvantage, and she didn't want Qi Lin—whom she had grown quite fond of—to suffer the same fate.
So after thinking for a moment, she agreed.
Still, she walked over to Xiao Wu, crouched down, and said gently, "Then little sister, I'll come help you get your first spirit ring next time, alright?"
Xiao Wu nodded like a pecking chick, but inside she was screaming:
'Next time? You wish!'
Su Yuntao frowned slightly at the exchange. While he also liked Qi Lin, he wanted to say something to Si Si.
Helping once was already going above and beyond. There was no need to make promises to a girl they barely knew.
But seeing Si Si's gentle expression, he sighed and held back his words.
'Forget it. If she wants to help, then so be it. It's just helping two kids get their first spirit rings—what's the worst that could happen?'
With our strength, there's hardly any real danger in the forest. It's just a bit of extra effort.
After spending half the day at Qi Lin's home, Si Si and Su Yuntao finally set off with him.
The Spirit Hunting Forest was located about 200 kilometers (roughly 125 miles) northeast of Nuoding City—and even farther from Radish Village.
They had already rented a horse-drawn carriage in advance.
Since this spirit hunt could take ten days or more, Qi Lin brought two sets of spare clothes, along with some dried soul beast meat as travel snacks.
This meat wasn't ordinary—it came from a soul beast that was over 200 years old.
The meat had been delivered as a New Year's gift from the daughter of the Nuoding City Lord herself.
While the carriage moved steadily, Su Yuntao took the reins while Si Si and Qi Lin sat inside.
After hearing where the meat came from, Si Si playfully pinched Qi Lin's cheek.
"Little Qi Lin, I didn't know you were so popular with the girls!"
Up front, Su Yuntao added in a sour tone, "I've heard the City Lord dotes on his daughter like she's a precious jewel."
"At this rate, even if you don't make it as a Soul Master, you're set for life."
Si Si gave him a sidelong glance and replied coldly, "Su Yuntao, why do you sound so jealous of little Qi Lin?"
"Why don't you go charm a noble lady?"
Su Yuntao felt a chill run down his spine. Sweat broke out on his forehead.
He gave a nervous laugh and quickly said, "Si Si, you know you're the only one I love."
Si Si snorted softly and gave him a sideways glance.
"You'd better remember that."
Watching from the side, Qi Lin couldn't help but laugh.
'Interesting. So Brother Tao's scared of Si Si! She's got him completely under control.'
Time passed quickly, and soon they arrived at the outskirts of the Spirit Hunting Forest.
After getting out of the carriage, they saw a bustling marketplace.
Rows of shops and stalls lined both sides of the road, with vendors loudly hawking soul beast-related goods. Qi Lin even heard spirit hunting teams advertising themselves, hoping to recruit business.
After parking the carriage, Su Yuntao rejoined Si Si and Qi Lin. The three of them made their way through the crowd to the official entrance of the forest.
A towering metal fence over 10 meters high surrounded the area. Outside, a hundred fully armed soldiers in armor patrolled with long spears.
Su Yuntao and Si Si were clearly used to the sight. They walked up to the gate and presented a pitch-black command token.
The captain of the guards took one look at the token, raised his hand, and barked,
"Let them through!"