In the past two years, Yan's attitude toward Hu Liena had changed — something Bibi Dong could clearly see.
She was genuinely pleased about this.
Hu Liena had long been regarded by her as the successor to the Pope's Hall, and Bibi Dong did not wish for her to waste too much time or energy on matters of personal affection.
Compared to before, Yan was no longer obsessed with Hu Liena. Once he began to focus in earnest, he gradually started to live up to his natural talent.
Two years ago, Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena had possessed roughly the same level of soul power.
Yet in just two short years, Yan had pulled far ahead — now a full two levels above both Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
Bibi Dong was also aware that Yan had spent these past two years studying botany under Yue Guan.
As long as it didn't interfere with his cultivation, she did not interfere.
She also knew that this time, Yan had invited Elder Ju to accompany him to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt a spirit beast — partly as a chance to observe and study rare plants firsthand.
"There are no major affairs within Spirit Hall at the moment," Bibi Dong said calmly. "You may go with Elder Ju. But do not linger too long in the Star Dou Forest."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Your Holiness."
"Mm. If there's nothing else, you may withdraw. Tell Xie Yue and Na'er to come see me."
"Yes."
Yan bowed and exited the Pope's Hall.
He then returned to the Academy and found Xie Yue and Hu Liena at the training grounds.
Yan knew that Bibi Dong likely wished to speak with the two siblings to motivate them toward breaking through level fifty as soon as possible.
Xie Yue stepped forward and asked,
"Brother Yan, why are you here so late today?"
"I just came back from the Pope's Hall. The Pope wants you and Na'er to go see her."
"Right now?"
"Yes."
From Yan's expression, Xie Yue sensed something unusual.
"You went to the Pope's Hall alone?"
"Yes. To be honest with you, I've broken through level fifty. I'm preparing to head to the Star Dou Great Forest with Elder Ju to hunt for my next spirit ring."
Upon hearing this, Hu Liena and the other teammates quickly gathered around.
"Brother Yan, you've already broken through level fifty? That's amazing!"
"You're not planning to take us with you to hunt your spirit beast?"
Yan smiled faintly.
"The Star Dou Great Forest is quite far from Spirit City. There's no need to mobilize everyone just to help me hunt a single beast. Besides, I also intend to study the rare flora there — I can't let that delay everyone's training. It won't be long before both Xie Yue and Na'er reach level fifty. When that time comes, we can go together."
"Alright, we'll go together then."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
A complicated look flickered across Hu Liena's face.
The gap between them and Yan was growing larger and larger. She no longer dared to casually boast about surpassing him.
Afterward, Yan parted ways with the siblings and went to find Yue Guan, preparing to depart that very day.
After a brief round of preparations, the two set out together.
Several days later, they arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest.
They didn't linger — after a short rest, they continued deeper toward the forest's central region.
Along the way, they encountered more than a few soul beasts with cultivation levels exceeding ten thousand years. These creatures were formidable, yet none matched the elemental attributes Yan required.
What he sought was a beast aligned with his own Martial Soul — one of fire or earth affinity — so that he could absorb its energy to the fullest.
Naturally, fire-type soul beasts were his first choice.
After several days of searching, none had proven suitable.
As they pressed closer to the forest's core, one evening, while Yan was scouting from above with his fiery wings spread wide, he suddenly noticed a faint crimson glow flickering within the shadowed woods below.
Startled, he immediately dove down.
Upon closer inspection, he saw it — a lone wolf.
The creature's body was massive and powerfully built, its entire coat a blazing scarlet hue. Its eyes gleamed with savage crimson light — clearly, this was no ordinary soul beast.
"The Flame Azure Wolf!"
Yue Guan's voice rang with surprise and delight.
Sensing carefully, he judged the beast's cultivation to be around twenty thousand years.
Yan could feel it too.
The Flame Azure Wolf possessed incredible speed and ferocious strength, embodying both offense and defense — a perfect match for Yan's needs.
"Teacher, this is the one!"
"Yan, that Flame Azure Wolf has a cultivation of about twenty thousand years. Are you certain you wish to use it as your fifth spirit ring?"
"Yes. Don't worry — I have confidence I can withstand it!"
No sooner had Yan spoken than he charged straight toward the Flame Azure Wolf.
To him, this was a rare and precious opportunity.
Although a twenty-thousand-year beast exceeded the typical limit for a fifth spirit ring, Yan had long ago ingested three immortal herbs — the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, the Fiery Apricot of Inferno, and the Autumn Water Dew.
He believed that both his physique and spiritual power were now more than sufficient to endure the shock of a twenty-thousand-year spirit ring.
Yue Guan followed, but did not intervene — he intended for Yan to face this trial alone.
For Yan, battling a beast of this level single-handedly would be a true test of strength.
As Yan drew closer, the Flame Azure Wolf sensed his approach.
It let out a low, thunderous growl as its aura exploded outward. Its entire body blazed like a living inferno, a crimson beacon amidst the dark forest.
Those enormous eyes locked onto Yan, burning with a savage, feral gleam.
Feeling the scorching heat radiating from the beast, Yan's fighting spirit ignited.
He released his Martial Soul — the Flame Lord — and his body was instantly engulfed in fire.
The air around them seemed to combust under the pressure of their clashing heat, forming a seething field of fiery energy.
The Flame Azure Wolf struck first, lunging at Yan with astonishing speed, its claws wreathed in devastating flames.
Yan knew that his own fire-based attacks would be ineffective — the creature itself was born of fire and would not fear its element.
Thus, he had already planned his strategy — to use his second soul skill, Granite Shield, to counter its ferocity.
But now was not yet the time.
He moved with agility, darting in and out, taunting the wolf and provoking it into ever-fiercer assaults, wearing down its stamina.
Each time the wolf pounced, Yan unfurled his fiery wings and deftly evaded those deadly claws.
The pattern repeated again and again. Though the Flame Azure Wolf was immensely strong, its attacks grew increasingly wild and uncoordinated under Yan's steady provocation.
Yan remained calm, observing and waiting — for the perfect moment to strike.
At last, after several fruitless attacks, the wolf's speed slowed; its breathing grew heavy and ragged.
Yan knew — this was it!
He unleashed his second soul skill, Granite Shield/Crush.
In an instant, countless massive boulders materialized in the air and rained down like a storm of meteors, smashing onto the Flame Azure Wolf's body.
Under the relentless barrage, the beast was soon buried beneath a cascade of stone.
As the wolf thrashed furiously within the pile of rocks, Yan seized the opening — and hurled his steel blade with all his strength.
The blade sliced through the air, gleaming with fierce brilliance — and drove straight for the Flame Azure Wolf's throat.
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