Deep within the valley, the sound of skittering stones echoed faintly.
One by one, the Swordtail Scorpions retreated in fear.
Shadows appeared on the cliff walls before the beasts themselves—three menacing, sword-like tails clashing with metallic clangs that resonated through the valley.
The sound of metal striking metal grew closer and louder. The shadow on the rock wall expanded until the creature finally emerged.
A massive scorpion, its bronze-colored carapace gleaming with a cold, deadly shine. From its tail segments extended three long, sword-like blades.
As the scorpion moved, the three blades struck one another, sparks flying with every collision. A wave of extreme cutting energy spread freely throughout the valley.
The other Swordtail Scorpions immediately lowered themselves to the ground, their tails pressed tightly against the earth in submission.
Huddled behind a boulder, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in disbelief, her delicate face pale.
"Retreat… we need to plan carefully," she whispered.
Aoi Kenshin's gaze stayed fixed on the three-tailed Scorpion King, voice low and measured. "Let's move out quietly."
They tiptoed from the valley, keeping their distance.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, her voice tense. "What… what kind of soul beast is that?"
"Three-tailed Swordtail Scorpion?!"
Aoi Kenshin downed a gulp of wine, wiping the corner of his mouth. "Just as humans can have Martial Soul mutations, soul beasts can evolve too."
"This one with three tails… maybe we can call it the Tri-Tailed Scorpion King."
He paused for a moment, then continued, admiration in his tone:
"Even regular Swordtail Scorpions are terrifying within their tier. But this Tri-Tailed Scorpion King… it's undoubtedly far more deadly."
Zhu Zhuqing's face still bore traces of shock. The sight of the Scorpion King appearing, with all the other Swordtail Scorpions bowing in submission, had been overwhelmingly intense.
"Too bad there's a Tri-Tailed Scorpion King here," she said reluctantly.
"Aoi Kenshin, I don't think you'll be able to get a soul ring from a Swordtail Scorpion now. Maybe we should… look elsewhere."
Suddenly, Aoi Kenshin interrupted, calm but firm:
"Zhu Zhuqing… thank you."
"Go ahead, leave."
"Huh?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, noticing that while he gulped down wine, his eyes never wavered from the valley entrance.
After a long silence, her usually cold voice trembled with disbelief.
"Aoi Kenshin… don't tell me you're actually thinking of challenging that Tri-Tailed Scorpion King?!"
Aoi Kenshin turned to her, a faint, knowing curve tugging at his lips.
"Not possible?"
"You really are insane!"
Zhu Zhuqing's tone was incredulous.
"Never mind how strong that Tri-Tailed Scorpion King is—those Swordtail Scorpions aren't exactly two people's opponents either!"
"Be rational. We can definitely find other suitable soul beasts for you!"
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, her voice sharp with worry.
"Aoi Kenshin! For a soul ring… are you not even valuing your own life?!"
He let out a quiet, ambiguous laugh.
"Zhu Zhuqing…"
"If you spent six years without improving your soul power," he continued, voice light as a drifting cloud, "those who once expected much of you, cared for you, admired you… they'd leave, unable to endure mediocrity."
"Only then would you truly understand how precious and rare it is to grow stronger."
He turned his back to her, his tone soft, almost ethereal:
"To know the way in the morning and die by evening… is enough."
Silence fell over the forest. Only the wind whispered through the trees.
In Zhu Zhuqing's trembling eyes, Aoi Kenshin's back reflected, solitary yet upright like a bamboo shoot.
So this was the boy whose first soul ring had been a millennium in age. Behind him lay untold stories, sacrifices, and relentless determination.
"To know the way in the morning… and die by evening…"
She began to understand.
Why could Aoi Kenshin achieve a millennium-level first soul ring? His unwavering determination to become stronger… it was awe-inspiring.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing felt her own heart calm, clarity returning to her thoughts. She exhaled slowly, pressing her lips together.
"Do you have a plan?"
"Hm?"
Aoi Kenshin turned, his gaze lingering on her composed, beautiful face. Zhu Zhuqing felt suddenly embarrassed, cheeks warming.
"What are you staring at?!"
"I told you, Zhu Zhuqing, a promise is a promise. If I said I'd help you get the soul ring, I'll do it!"
Aoi Kenshin, never one to overthink, immediately gave her a thumbs-up.
"You really are reliable, Bamboo-Qing Sis. Always someone you can count on."
Hearing the words "Bamboo-Qing Sis," Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed crimson, and she spat lightly in annoyance.
"What kind of title is that?!"
Aoi Kenshin just smiled. He appreciated her spirit and reliability. That would be enough for now; the rest would unfold in time.
Seeing the sun dip lower, he wasted no time.
"This valley," he began, "the Swordtail Scorpions have already formed a complete social system. Think of it like an ant colony. Ants have their roles, and so do these scorpions."
"Notice those four particularly large millennium-level Swordtail Scorpions? They're the workers—they leave the nest to forage. When they do, that's our best opportunity."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked rapidly, her mind reeling, but admiration for this boy, so close to her age yet so knowledgeable, shone through.
"Hey, Bamboo-Qing Sis, are you listening?"
"Hm? Yes, yes, I'm listening. Go on…"
Aoi Kenshin's expression turned serious.
"Next, it's your move. A clan's king never acts first when facing intruders. I need you to lure the remaining Swordtail Scorpions out. Even though the four millennium-level scorpions are foraging, it's still extremely dangerous. Can you do it?"
Zhu Zhuqing's face tensed, but she nodded slowly.
"My Martial Soul specializes in speed. It should be fine."
Aoi Kenshin nodded.
"Just one minute… I only need one minute. You distract them for a single minute, that's all I ask."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at the intensity in his eyes. "One minute… isn't that too short?"
"Enough."
With a sharp clap of his palm, Aoi Kenshin snapped a nearby bamboo stalk.
He fashioned a simple bamboo cup from it, filling it with the clear, cold wine from his flask. He handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Scorpions move fast on flat ground. Dive into the undergrowth more often. And… drink this while running."
Zhu Zhuqing took the bamboo cup, nodding firmly. "Got it!"
The sun bled red on the horizon.
Aoi Kenshin and Zhu Zhuqing hid in the bushes tens of meters from the valley.
When the four millennium-level Swordtail Scorpions emerged to forage, Aoi Kenshin's eyes lit up.
"Move!"