Word Count: 2,686 Words
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The Ice Blade Mantises moved with uncanny agility, slipping through the forest like phantoms. The four brothers shared a wordless bond, closing in on the Purple Shadow Lion from four directions.
Panicked and desperate, the Purple Shadow Lion barreled blindly through the undergrowth. Ice Blade Mantises were top-level insect-type spirit beasts with no obvious weaknesses in attack, defense, or speed, and they were known for their ruthless, bloodthirsty nature. Any prey caught in their claws met only one fate: dismemberment.
Driven by terror and the instinct to survive, the Purple Shadow Lion's paws seemed to gather the wind beneath them, yet its frantic flight sent it blundering straight into the hunting team's left flank, right where Ling Qiuxi stood.
"ROAR—"
The Purple Shadow Lion let loose an ear-splitting roar, hoping to intimidate Ling Qiuxi into retreat. Faced with the 20,000-year spirit beast, however, she advanced without hesitation, meeting its charge head-on as she drove her right fist forward in a straight punch.
The moment that fair, tender fist shot out, it transformed into a resplendent, glaze-like gold. A dragon's roar, far more majestic than any lion's cry, echoed through the Star Dou Forest.
In its twenty thousand years of life, the Purple Shadow Lion had grown accustomed to Spirit Masters fleeing at the sight of it. It never imagined someone would dare meet its charge with a punch. That dragon's roar pierced straight to its core, a terror born of bloodline and instinct that froze it for a single, fatal heartbeat.
BOOM—
Ling Qiuxi's fist landed mercilessly on its skull. The Purple Shadow Lion let out a miserable howl as the Golden Dragon's terrifying power sent it flying. It smashed through countless ancient trees before finally collapsing to the ground, spitting blood foam and barely clinging to life.
Li Yongyue rushed forward and cleanly ended the Purple Shadow Lion's suffering. A black 10,000-year spirit ring slowly rose from the fallen beast.
This was everyone's first time witnessing the legendary Golden Dragon in action. Its reputation was no empty boast. It was truly worthy of its place among the highest-ranking Ultimate Martial Spirits, the Ultimate Strength!
"Ling Qiuxi is so strong," Huo Yuhao clicked his tongue in amazement.
"How barbaric."
Wang Dong Er pouted. "The older sister's a violent brute, the younger brother's a scumbag. They're two of a kind."
The four Ice Blade Mantis brothers discovered their prey had been snatched away and immediately flew into a rage. They fixed their gazes on Ling Qiuxi and the Shrek party without the slightest intention of backing down as sharp killing intent radiated from their bodies.
"They intend to hunt us."
Zhang Lexuan calmly and clearly assigned tasks. "Spirit beasts that fight in groups usually have combination attack skills, so we need to split them up.
Mo Xuan, activate your halos. Ling Bai and I will each handle one Ice Blade Mantis. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong Er will take one. Ling Qiuxi and Li Yongyue, you have the last one. The Ice Blade Mantis has extremely powerful attacks, so everyone be careful!"
The team responded in unison. Zhang Lexuan's arrangement held a deeper meaning. While the two leaders could have easily defeated the four 35,000-year spirit beasts, hunting was a life-and-death trial. She didn't want the Spirit Kings and Spirit Emperors to miss this chance to hone themselves.
Rings of light blossomed from Mo Xuan's body as five spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—rose in sequence. His halos enveloped each member of the hunting team.
Ling Bai felt his strength, speed, and spiritual power simultaneously increase, though the enhancement was hardly impressive. It was less than a fifth of Ning Tian's effect.
Having grown accustomed to delicacies, this sudden meal of chaff was barely better than nothing.
Small-scale battles couldn't showcase Mo Xuan's true potential. His stage was the battlefield, where his halos could cover massive areas and amplify scores of Spirit Masters at once. The more people present, the more useful he became.
The Ice Blade Mantis nearest Ling Bai rotated its triangular head, its ice-blue eyes locking onto him. With a whir of its wings, it launched forward. Its twin ice blade scythes gleamed wickedly as an intense cold swept outward.
This was Blade of Cold Ice, one of the Ice Blade Mantis's innate spirit skills. Ice-attribute power stored within its body cooled the scythes to bone-chilling temperatures, dramatically increasing attack and penetration power.
The Ice Blade Mantis relied on this skill to dominate close combat, often ending a fight with a single strike.
Ling Bai couldn't muster much desire to fight a spirit beast whose attributes and cultivation were both utterly crushed by his own. He didn't even bother to summon his Angel Sword. His fourth spirit ring simply burst with intense light as streams of Holy Sword Energy descended from above.
Swish, swish, swish!
The Ten Thousand Blades Radiant Glory rained down, skewering the mantis until it resembled a porcupine. It froze in midair, its body immobilized, and its shrieks of agony echoed through the forest.
On the other side of the clearing, Ling Qiuxi completed her Golden Dragon Manifestation. Diamond-shaped golden scales covered her exposed fair skin, and though her movements seemed simple, the ground cracked in spiderweb patterns wherever her toes touched down.
The Golden Dragon's fighting style relied on brute strength rather than spirit skills. Her Golden Dragon's Fist met the mantis's ice blade scythe head-on in a ferocious collision.
A piercing crack rang out. The mantis's scythe snapped backward, but only half of it remained. Its prized close-combat weapon had been broken as if it were nothing. It was powerless to retaliate before Ling Qiuxi pinned it underfoot.
Li Yongyue, who had been poised for a sneak attack, silently lowered his Moon Blade and turned his attention to the other battles.
Zhang Lexuan had already captured a mantis alive with her moonlight. Huo Yuhao, with the Ultimate Ice of his Ice Jade Scorpion, naturally suppressed all ice-attribute spirit beasts; working with Wang Dong Er, handling a mantis was no trouble at all.
Within moments, all four Ice Blade Mantises were subdued. Having contributed nothing to the entire team fight, Li Yongyue scratched his head in embarrassment, thanked Ling Qiuxi, and jogged back to absorb the Purple Shadow Lion's spirit ring.
A spirit ring from a slain beast only lasted for an hour. Huo Yuhao didn't possess Tang San's strength, so he could only kill and absorb the Ice Blade Mantis rings one by one. The first was the porcupine, which was barely breathing. Ling Bai had shown mercy, leaving it with a single breath of life.
Since Huo Yuhao chose to add 10,000-year spirit rings, Ling Bai of course supported him wholeheartedly, as it would only widen the gap between them in the future.
In truth, most users of Twin Martial Spirits absorbed 10,000-year rings for their second Martial Spirit. Under normal circumstances, possessing one to three 100,000-year spirit rings was already exceptional. This was one of the reasons Shrek Academy and Skydream had allowed Huo Yuhao to add rings to his Ice Jade Scorpion so early.
Another point was that his Spirit Eyes had lost the power of destiny and the second Spiritual Sea opened by the Life Gold. Since it also had not undergone the Body Martial Spirit Second Awakening, a huge gap had formed between it and the Ice Jade Scorpion. Huo Yuhao even considered making the Ice Jade Scorpion his primary Martial Spirit after he broke through to the Spirit Saint rank.
Because Huo Yuhao would be absorbing four spirit rings in succession, Zhang Lexuan decided they would rest on the spot for the night. It just so happened they were at the border between the Hybrid Region and the Core Region, making it a relatively suitable place to camp.
The sky had completely darkened. As night fell, the roars of spirit beasts echoed from time to time. The hunting team split up to work: Zhang Lexuan set up the tents and sprinkled insect-repelling powder, Wang Dong Er stood guard for Huo Yuhao, Ling Bai and Ling Qiuxi patrolled the area to drive away nearby spirit beasts, and Mo Xuan and Li Yongyue cleared the surrounding bushes.
Once all preparations were complete, Zhang Lexuan glanced at the sky. "We'll take turns on watch tonight, one hour each. I'll take the first shift. Li Yongyue and Mo Xuan, the second. Ling Bai and Ling Qiuxi, the third. Wang Dong Er, you focus on protecting Huo Yuhao; you're excused from duty tonight."
No one objected. Many spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest were attracted to light and fire, so lighting a bonfire was out of the question. Everyone simply chewed on some dry rations, took a few sips from their waterskins, and entered their tents to meditate and restore their energy.
It seemed they were blessed by the heavens; two hours passed without a single spirit beast attack.
Ling Bai and Ling Qiuxi opened their eyes. A glow flowed within their two pairs of similar, yet distinctly different, golden eyes, signifying their spirit power and spiritual power had returned to their peak.
"Go back and rest," Ling Bai said to the others. "We'll take over."
"Thanks for your hard work."
After Mo Xuan and Li Yongyue returned to their tent, only the two of them remained at the campsite. They stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the layered forest in the distance.
The Star Dou Forest at night was not pitch-black. Moonlight filtered through the shifting leaves, casting silver patterns across the earth and making it just possible to see.
Ling Qiuxi turned slightly to study Ling Bai's profile. She openly admired this person she hadn't seen in over three years, and found herself unable to suppress a smile. To her, every aspect of him was perfect.
Ling Bai felt that burning gaze and turned helplessly. "Can you tone it down a little? I'm afraid you'll devour me in one bite."
"I like what I see, so I'm going to keep looking."
Ling Qiuxi folded her arms across her chest, her stunning face full of challenge, as if to say, 'What are you going to do about it?'
"Fine."
Ling Bai arched an eyebrow. With his Spider Emperor Sense active, he had no worries. The night stretched long and guard duty had grown dull, so he retrieved a piece of beef he had grilled that afternoon from his Storage Spirit Guidance Device.
The Seraphim's fire-attribute spirit power excelled at reheating. Within moments, the beef in his hand turned warm and fragrant. He sprinkled some chili powder over it, then deliberately fanned the aroma toward Ling Qiuxi.
Her nostrils flared delicately. The familiar meat scent instantly awakened the glutton in her stomach. After rushing through the Star Dou Forest for half a day and eating only water-soaked dry rations for dinner, how could she possibly resist this late-night temptation?
Her pale throat bobbed as she swallowed. Shamelessly transforming into a hungry dragon, she reached for the grilled meat.
"Whoa, what are you doing?"
Ling Bai stepped back, grinning as she grasped at empty air.
"I want some too!"
Ling Qiuxi lifted her chin proudly, extending a fair, delicate hand.
"Oh?"
Ling Bai shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Nope. Not for you."
Then, under her gaze that was practically shooting fire, he took a large bite of beef and declared with satisfaction, "Delicious."
"You... you! Do you only know how to bully me?!"
Ling Qiuxi nearly ground her silver teeth to powder. She had overcome countless obstacles to enter the human world, and this bastard had recognized her only to openly bully her!
"I'm teaching you about the cruelty of the human world."
Ling Bai poked her forehead, then reheated an even larger piece of beef and handed it to her. "I know you're picky. I saved this specially for you at noon."
"That's more like it."
Ling Qiuxi snorted softly, then sat down and began devouring the thick cut of beef with gusto.
Ling Bai settled beside her, glancing first at the bright moonlight, then at her exquisite face—so like his own—and smiled. "It's a beautiful night. Perfect for stories, but sadly I don't have any grilled meat tales. We'll have to make do without."
Ling Qiuxi paused her midnight snack and spoke with unusual seriousness. "Stories need people. From now on, we'll write the chapters we want."
"Since when did you become so literary?"
Ling Bai looked astonished. Ling Qiuxi shot him an indignant glare. At Star Dou Spirit Beast Culture Co., Ltd., she had been a top student!
"What do you think of this world? Has it disappointed you?"
Ling Qiuxi's expression grew complicated. "Since I left Star—left home—do you have any idea how many people hit on me every day?
Men and women both, using every dirty, despicable trick!
It's all your fault for having this face!"
"Wait, how is that my fault?"
Ling Bai was stunned. The blame had come out of nowhere. Besides, being a killer for both men and women was clearly an honor!
Ling Qiuxi saw his speechless expression and ate with even more relish.
"Do the uncles and aunties at home know you're out here?" Ling Bai asked.
"Mm... I think so."
Ling Qiuxi touched the black pendant at her chest. The Black Dragon's Reverse Scale never left her side. If she ever faced real danger, Di Tian could tear open space and descend in an instant. That was why her solo departure from the Star Dou Forest had been tacitly allowed.
"Once my Inner Courtyard friends finish their graduation examinations, you're coming home with me. Shrek Academy doesn't suit you."
Ling Bai paused, then jerked his chin toward Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong Er. "Most importantly, stay far away from those two. They might covet what you were born with."
"I understand."
His concern warmed her heart. Ling Qiuxi suddenly grabbed his hand, placed it on her thigh, and leaned so close her face was almost touching his. "You used to love petting me. How does it feel now, hmm?"
"Those are two completely different concepts..."
Petting a cat ≠ touching thighs!
Ling Bai could only complain inwardly. Sure, her skin was warm and elastic, and sure, she was beautiful with a knockout figure, and sure, she was actively teasing him in the middle of the night, but a person couldn't—at least, shouldn't…
Damn, it really does feel amazing!
His hand honestly remained where it was. Ling Qiuxi's tilted posture and upturned lips had already betrayed her intentions. She whispered in his ear, her voice audible only to them:
"Among spirit beasts, if you like someone, you conquer them openly. Only the victor earns the sole mating rights!
You can only be mine!"
"Fine then. Let's see what you're capable of."
Ling Bai's lips slowly curved. He didn't mind her wildness or possessiveness. Without human memories this time, she retained a spirit beast's cognition. In the beast world, might made right; whoever won had the right to claim the other.
Their eyes locked, barely an inch apart. Ling Qiuxi pursed her lips, seemingly considering whether to taste a little appetizer in advance, but then she saw Ling Bai's gaze focus as he looked past her.
"Spirit beast attack."
He patted her rounded, delicate shoulder.
The flirtatious atmosphere was shattered. Ling Qiuxi stood up with a blank expression, a Golden Dragon Spear now in her hand.
She was angry.
A troop of ape-type spirit beasts crept from the shadows. Their eyes glowed blood-red in the darkness, and their hulking bodies moved in utter silence. Like ghosts in the night, they drifted closer to the Shrek camp.
Bloody Baboons.
Ling Bai sent a gentle pulse of spirit power to wake the meditating team, then suddenly remembered something:
"Are you interested in Bloody Baboons?"
"Are you insulting me?" Ling Qiuxi's delicate body trembled as she asked coldly.
"I meant for your sixth spirit ring."
"Use a trash bloodline like the Bloody Baboon for the Golden Dragon's sixth ring? Do I look like an idiot to you?"
"...Fair enough."