# Chapter 8: The Hunt for First Spirit Ring
Two days had passed since Tang San became the Grand Master's disciple, and the morning found him in the Grand Master's private study, surrounded by ancient texts and detailed diagrams of spirit beasts.
"Your foundation is remarkably solid for someone so young," the Grand Master observed, setting down a worn leather tome. "Your spirit power has reached rank 10, which means it's time to acquire your first spirit ring."
Tang San straightened with anticipation. He had been eagerly awaiting this moment, knowing that his first spirit ring would be crucial for his future development.
"However," the Grand Master continued, his scholarly demeanor growing serious, "the choice of your first spirit beast will determine much of your martial soul's future potential. For Blue Silver Grass users, the conventional wisdom suggests plant-type spirit beasts, but I believe your situation is... unique."
Lin Feng knocked on the study door at that precise moment, having timed his arrival perfectly through careful observation of the Grand Master's schedule.
"Come in," the Grand Master called.
"Master, Tang San," Lin Feng greeted them politely, though his enhanced [Predator's Gaze] was already assessing the Grand Master for any signs of weakness or plunderable abilities. *Still too risky,* he concluded. *But the spirit ring hunt...*
"Lin Feng," Tang San said with genuine warmth, "the Grand Master says I'm ready for my first spirit ring."
"That's incredible, brother!" Lin Feng responded enthusiastically. "I was actually hoping I could ask a favor, Master."
The Grand Master raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I was wondering if I could accompany you on this spirit ring hunt," Lin Feng said, his tone respectful but determined. "My spirit power has also reached rank 10, and I'd be honored to learn from observing the process, even if I'm not ready for my own ring yet."
Tang San's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! Lin Feng, you could see how it's done for when your time comes."
The Grand Master studied Lin Feng carefully, his experienced gaze noting the boy's unusual composure and the subtle aura of power that seemed beyond his apparent age.
"Your spirit power is indeed at rank 10," he acknowledged slowly. "But accompanying a spirit ring hunt is dangerous, even for observation. Are you certain you're prepared for such risks?"
"I am," Lin Feng replied with quiet confidence that made the Grand Master pause.
After a moment's consideration, the Grand Master nodded. "Very well. But you will follow my instructions exactly, and you will not interfere with Tang San's hunt under any circumstances."
"Of course, Master. Thank you."
"What about Xiao Wu?" Tang San asked. "Should we invite her as well?"
When they approached their roommate with the invitation, Xiao Wu's reaction was immediate and negative.
"A spirit beast hunt?" she said, her rabbit-like features tensing with what appeared to be fear or distress. "No, I... I don't think that's something I should watch. You two go ahead."
Her refusal was so emphatic that neither boy pressed the issue, though Lin Feng filed away her reaction as another piece of evidence regarding her mysterious nature.
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The next morning, the Grand Master led Tang San and Lin Feng into the outskirts of the Sunset Forest, a sprawling wilderness known for its diverse population of spirit beasts.
"Remember," the Grand Master instructed as they walked deeper into the forest, "a spirit master's first ring is crucial. It sets the foundation for all future development. Tang San, we're looking for a Mandragora Snake - a plant-type spirit beast that will complement your Blue Silver Grass perfectly."
Lin Feng listened attentively while his enhanced senses cataloged every spirit beast presence in their vicinity. His [Predator's Gaze] was working overtime, identifying potential targets and assessing their threat levels.
*So many opportunities,* he thought, noting several promising spirit beasts within sensing range. *I just need to find the right moment to slip away.*
They had been tracking the Mandragora Snake for nearly two hours when they finally located their quarry - a serpentine creature with bark-like scales and vine appendages that blended perfectly with the forest undergrowth.
"A 422-year Romanti Snake," the Grand Master murmured approvingly. "Perfect for your first ring, Tang San. Remember everything I taught you about the absorption process."
As Tang San began his careful approach to the spirit beast, Lin Feng noticed his opportunity. During the intense focus required for the hunt, both the Grand Master and Tang San would be completely occupied.
"Master," Lin Feng said quietly, "I'm going to scout the perimeter to make sure we're not disturbed by other spirit beasts."
The Grand Master nodded absently, his attention focused on Tang San's technique. "Stay within earshot and avoid any confrontations."
Lin Feng slipped away into the forest, his enhanced agility from the [Rabbit Agility Technique] allowing him to move silently through the undergrowth. His [Predator's Gaze] had already identified his target - an Earth Savage Rhino, approximately 500 years old, grazing in a clearing roughly half a mile from Tang San's hunt.
*Perfect,* he thought, observing the massive creature from concealment. *Powerful enough to provide a significant boost, but not so ancient that I can't handle it.*
The Earth Savage Rhino was an impressive specimen - standing nearly eight feet tall at the shoulder, with armored hide that gleamed like polished stone and a single horn that could apparently pierce through solid rock. Its earth-attribute abilities would complement his martial souls perfectly.
Lin Feng took a deep breath and activated both of his martial souls simultaneously. His [Titan Black Bear] possessed his body first, causing his frame to grow larger and more muscular as overwhelming strength flowed through his limbs. Then his [Armored Wind-Steel Tiger] materialized beside him as a separate entity - a magnificent predator with metallic armor plating and razor-sharp claws that gleamed like polished steel.
The dual activation created his signature battle formation: Lin Feng himself enhanced by his bear martial soul's massive strength and defensive capabilities, while his tiger martial soul prowled beside him as an independent summon, ready to coordinate attacks.
*The system has been oddly quiet lately,* he noted as he prepared for battle, flexing his bear-enhanced muscles while his tiger companion let out a low, threatening growl. *No notifications, no prompts... maybe it only activates after victory? But with both martial souls active like this, this rhino is facing a two-on-one battle it can't possibly win.*
The Earth Savage Rhino sensed the dual threat and turned to face them, its small eyes widening as it registered not one, but two powerful martial soul presences. The sight of Lin Feng's bear-enhanced form standing alongside the prowling armored tiger caused the beast to take several steps back, its primitive instincts screaming warnings about facing two apex predators simultaneously.
It snorted nervously, pawing the ground with hooves that left deep gouges in the earth, but its earlier confidence was completely shattered by the overwhelming predatory aura emanating from both the boy and his summoned tiger.
Lin Feng smiled, his voice carrying the combined authority of both his martial souls. "Let's show it what real teamwork looks like," he said to his tiger companion, which responded with an eager snarl.
The rhino charged with devastating speed, its massive horn aimed directly at Lin Feng's chest. But the coordinated response was like watching a perfectly choreographed dance of destruction. Lin Feng, enhanced by his [Titan Black Bear], met the charge head-on with his overwhelming strength, grabbing the rhino's horn and redirecting its momentum. Simultaneously, his [Armored Wind-Steel Tiger] attacked from the side, its metallic claws raking deep gouges along the beast's flank while it was held in place.
The rhino's armored hide, which might have resisted a single attacker, was no match for the coordinated assault. Lin Feng's bear strength immobilized it while his tiger's speed and cutting power exploited every weakness.
*Perfect coordination,* Lin Feng noted with satisfaction, feeling the seamless teamwork between himself and his summoned martial soul. *The bear's strength controls the battlefield while the tiger delivers precision strikes. This is what dual martial soul mastery should look like.*
The rhino wheeled around for another charge, but this time Lin Feng was ready. Using his [Phantom Steps] technique, he created multiple afterimages that confused the beast's targeting. When it committed to attacking one of the false images, his summoned tiger struck from the side, its claws finding a gap between armor plates.
The battle continued for nearly ten minutes, but it was completely one-sided from the start. The rhino found itself facing an impossible tactical situation - every time it focused on Lin Feng's bear-enhanced strength, the summoned tiger would attack from its blind spots with devastating effect. When it tried to deal with the tiger's lightning-fast assaults, Lin Feng would use his overwhelming power to pin or redirect the massive creature.
The rhino's earth-based abilities proved utterly useless against the coordinated assault. When it created stone walls, Lin Feng would smash through them with his bear strength while his tiger would leap over them. When it generated earth spikes, the tiger's superior agility would dodge them while Lin Feng's enhanced durability let him ignore the attacks entirely.
The final sequence was a masterpiece of martial soul coordination. Lin Feng grabbed the rhino's horn with both hands, his bear strength anchoring the creature in place despite its desperate struggles. His summoned tiger then launched itself onto the rhino's back, its metallic claws finding the gaps in the beast's natural armor with surgical precision.
"This is the difference between normal spirit masters and true dual martial soul mastery," Lin Feng said as his tiger delivered the killing blow, its claws piercing deep into the creature's neck. "Sorry, big guy, but I need what you can give me - and my tiger needs it even more."
The Earth Savage Rhino collapsed with a final, earth-shaking roar, its 500-year life force beginning to coalesce into the familiar purple glow of a spirit ring.
But before Lin Feng could begin the absorption process, something unprecedented happened.
**[KING'S PLUNDER SYSTEM ACTIVATED]**
**[UNUSUAL TARGET DETECTED: SPIRIT BEAST]**
**[ANALYZING AVAILABLE PLUNDER OPTIONS...]**
**[PLUNDER OPPORTUNITY - EARTH SAVAGE RHINO (500 YEARS)]**
**Available Options:**
1. **[Savage Earth Armor]** - Passive defensive ability, increases physical resistance by 100%
2. **[Tremor Charge]** - Active ability, devastating charging attack that causes ground tremors
3. **[Rhino Bloodline - Diluted]** - Permanent physical enhancement, +50% base strength and endurance
4. **[Earth Manipulation - Basic]** - Ability to control and shape earth within limited range
Lin Feng stared at the options in amazement. *The system can plunder from spirit beasts too? And bloodlines? This changes everything!*
He could feel the spirit ring's energy beginning to dissipate, forcing him to make a quick decision. The bloodline option caught his attention - if he could integrate it with his tiger martial soul during the spirit ring absorption, it might trigger another mutation.
**[PLUNDER SELECTION: RHINO BLOODLINE - DILUTED]**
**[PLUNDER SUCCESSFUL]**
**[RHINO BLOODLINE - DILUTED ACQUIRED]**
**Enhancement: Bloodline enhanced to 2x original effectiveness**
**Effect: +100% base strength and endurance**
**Note: Bloodline will integrate with target martial soul during spirit ring absorption**
Lin Feng felt the bloodline energy settle into his consciousness, a powerful, primal sensation that seemed to resonate directly with his summoned tiger. The plundered bloodline would integrate with his tiger martial soul during the spirit ring absorption process, potentially triggering unprecedented evolution.
With the plundering complete, he quickly began the spirit ring absorption process. The purple ring of the 500-year Earth Savage Rhino descended toward his summoned [Armored Wind-Steel Tiger]. The tiger accepted the spirit ring's energy as Lin Feng maintained his bear possession to monitor and support the process through their martial soul connection.
The absorption was intense and unprecedented. As the yellow ring settled around the tiger's form, the plundered [Rhino Bloodline] began integrating simultaneously with the spirit ring energy. Lin Feng could feel through their connection how the combination was triggering something extraordinary - not just attribute integration, but actual bloodline mutation.
The tiger's body began to change dramatically. Its metallic armor plates expanded and thickened, taking on the massive, fortress-like quality of rhino hide. The tiger's frame grew larger and more muscular, gaining the overwhelming physical presence of its rhino bloodline. Most remarkably, its claws gained the crystalline hardness and earth-manipulation properties that could rival the rhino's legendary horn.
**[MARTIAL SOUL MUTATION DETECTED]**
**[BLOODLINE INTEGRATION SUCCESSFUL]**
**[ARMORED WIND-STEEL TIGER → TITAN ARMORED EARTH-STEEL TIGER]**
*Incredible,* Lin Feng realized as the energy flowed through their bond. *The bloodline didn't just enhance my tiger - it triggered a complete evolutionary mutation. This is now something that has never existed before.*
When the absorption and mutation finally completed, Lin Feng felt the fundamental transformation in his martial soul connection. The [Titan Armored Earth-Steel Tiger] now stood before him - a magnificent creature that combined the sleek predatory grace of a tiger with the overwhelming physical presence and earth mastery of an ancient rhino bloodline. The armored plates were now fortress-thick, the claws could manipulate earth and stone, and its overall size had increased by nearly 50%.
**[FIRST SOUL SKILL ACQUIRED: SEISMIC REND]**
**Skill Type:** Active Attack
**Effect:** Tiger's claw strikes generate localized earthquakes in a 5-meter radius
**Power:** Each claw strike creates ground tremors that can shatter stone and disorient enemies
**Duration:** Instantaneous impact with 3-second tremor aftereffect
**Cooldown:** 30 seconds between uses
**Spirit Power Cost:** 15% of current reserves
Lin Feng stood up, testing his new capabilities. His [Titan Armored Earth-Steel Tiger] materialized beside him, and the transformation was breathtaking. The tiger was now significantly larger and more imposing, with fortress-thick metallic armor plates that had crystalline earth veins running through them. When it moved, the ground trembled slightly under its increased weight and presence. The bloodline mutation had created something that transcended normal martial soul classification.
*The [Titan Black Bear] will have to wait for a 10,000-year spirit beast,* he decided, dismissing his bear possession as he admired his completely transformed tiger companion. *But when that time comes, the combination of a fully-powered bear and this bloodline-mutated titan tiger is going to be absolutely world-shaking.*
Making his way back to Tang San's location, Lin Feng found his friend in the final stages of his own spirit ring absorption. The Mandragora Snake's yellow ring was settling around Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul, and the Grand Master was monitoring the process with professional satisfaction.
"How did it go?" Lin Feng asked quietly as Tang San opened his eyes.
"Amazing," Tang San replied, flexing his fingers as blue-silver vines sprouted with noticeably enhanced strength and flexibility. "I can feel how much stronger my martial soul has become. The poison properties from the Mandragora Snake are perfectly integrated."
The Grand Master nodded approvingly. "A successful first spirit ring absorption. Your Blue Silver Grass now has paralytic toxin capabilities - a perfect complement to your existing binding techniques."
As they made their way back toward the academy, the Grand Master cast several thoughtful glances at Lin Feng. Something about the boy's demeanor had changed during their brief separation - there was a subtle confidence and depth of power that seemed beyond what a mere observer should possess.
*Interesting,* the Grand Master mused silently. *His spirit power aura feels... different. Almost as if he's had his own advancement. But that should be impossible without a spirit ring...*
For his part, Lin Feng reflected on his transformation with satisfaction. The combination of his dual martial souls, plundered abilities, and now his tiger's first spirit ring made him confident that he could face almost any challenge the academy might present.
*Day four of academy life,* he thought with satisfaction. *And I'm already breaking every rule of conventional spirit master development. The Grand Master suspects something, but he can't possibly imagine the truth.*
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