Chapter 148: Cathead Night Eagle
After dealing with Ning Rongrong's fourth soul ring, only Ye Yin Zhu's soul ring remained to be obtained in the team.
The reason his soul ring was left for last was because mental-type soul beasts were exceedingly rare.
As expected, after Ning Rongrong obtained her soul ring, the group searched for nearly two days without encountering a mental-type soul beast that was suitable for Ye Yin Zhu.
That night, the little ones sat around the campfire, feeling somewhat disheartened.
"Why don't we ask Brother to help us? How much longer is this going to take?"
Ning Rongrong pouted and complained, occasionally poking the fire with a stick, venting her frustration. She just wanted to return to the sect and take a good bath.
However, as soon as she voiced her thoughts, all of the little companions, except Xiao Wu, immediately objected.
"No way, this is Young Master's test for us. If we can't overcome this small difficulty, how can we live up to his training?"
"That's right, let's keep searching."
Ning Rongrong pouted but didn't argue. She was just venting her frustration.
Just as the group was about to arrange the night watch, a long, eerie call echoed from the distance.
The sound had a magical effect, causing the group to momentarily lose focus.
"What is that sound?"
Everyone turned to Ye Yin Zhu, who was the most knowledgeable among them.
But he shook his head. Ye Yin Zhu hadn't been out of the sect much, and he wasn't able to identify the type of soul beast based only on the sound.
Xiao Wu, eager to investigate, suggested:
"Why don't we go take a look?"
Her suggestion quickly gained the approval of the group. That eerie sound seemed to have a mental influence, possibly something suitable for Ye Yin Zhu.
The group moved cautiously in the direction of the sound. Soon, more calls echoed through the air, and this time, they clearly recognized the sound as coming from bird-type soul beasts.
The calls carried an ominous warning, and their chilling effect amplified the group's fear and vigilance. The closer they got, the stronger the feeling became.
After some time, they reached the source of the sound.
There, perched on a towering tree, a bird-type soul beast was repeatedly calling out in warning to another beast below.
Ye Yin Zhu recognized the two soul beasts, and a joyful exclamation escaped him.
"It's the Clawed Long-Tailed Bear, and the bird on the tree is the Cathead Night Eagle. It's just the right type for mental-type soul beasts!"
"Why is it warning the raccoon? If it can't defeat it, can't it just fly away?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ye Yin Zhu, puzzled by the strange confrontation between the two beasts.
Ye Yin Zhu patiently explained.
"The Cathead Night Eagle is likely in a post-laying state, and the Clawed Long-Tailed Bear feeds on the eggs of bird-type soul beasts."
At that point, the group understood. It wasn't that the Cathead Night Eagle didn't want to fly away, but it couldn't, as it had to protect its eggs.
"Miss Zhuqing, could you help me check how many inverted triangle patterns are on the Cathead Night Eagle's abdomen?"
"Patterns?"
Zhu Zhuqing paused for a moment, not understanding why Ye Yin Zhu wanted her to do this.
"The Cathead Night Eagle is a rare mental-type soul beast. Its call amplifies the fear in its prey, immobilizing it. This makes it a perfect match for my musical ability."
"And from ten thousand years on, the Cathead Night Eagle develops an inverted triangle pattern on its abdomen. For every additional ten thousand years, an extra inverted triangle pattern appears."
"I see!"
After hearing Ye Yin Zhu's explanation, Zhu Zhuqing nodded in understanding and no longer asked further questions.
She summoned her Ghost Spirit Cat Martial Soul and quietly climbed another large tree to observe.
The Ghost Spirit Cat's movements were light, and Zhu Zhuqing didn't attract the attention of the two soul beasts below.
A few seconds later, the little cat returned to the group.
"There's just one inverted triangle pattern on its abdomen. I didn't see any signs of a second one."
"Great! This is a ten-thousand-year Cathead Night Eagle, perfect for me!"
Ye Yin Zhu clenched his fists in excitement. He was done with the wild life, and he couldn't wait to get this soul ring and end this soul hunting trip.
But Ning Rongrong stared at the Cathead Night Eagle on the tree with a confused expression and voiced her concern.
"But it's up in the tree. If we attack, won't it just fly away?"
"That..."
Ye Yin Zhu hadn't considered the logistics of actually capturing the soul beast. For a moment, he fell silent.
"Yin Zhu, Nian Bing, can you two restrain it for a while?"
After thinking for a moment, Ah Du turned to his companions.
"Mm? You mean..."
"Exactly. You two hold it down, and I'll sneak over, release my fourth soul skill, and enter its body. Once I absorb its soul power, I'll immediately attack its wings."
The group's eyes brightened. This was indeed a great plan.
"Then you'll need to act quickly. My Morning Dew Blade might not hold it for long."
"Don't worry. I'll take a Windrun Pill before I make my move."
Saying that, he took out a jade bottle from his soul guide.
"Alright, I'll boost your speed."
Ning Rongrong, seeing this, was about to release her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Xiao Wu quickly pulled her back, gesturing dramatically.
"Your little pagoda is so bright, when you bring it out, the soul beast will definitely notice us."
"Eh!"
Ning Rongrong paused, glancing at the dark sky above her, realizing that her Martial Soul was indeed quite conspicuous.
"No need, miss. The Windrun Pill is enough."
"Fine, I suppose it'll have to do."
Ning Rongrong nodded reluctantly, realizing that even the greatest assistant in the world could be tied down by the night, which was truly frustrating.
With the plan set, everyone began to execute it.
Ah Du, having taken the Windrun Pill, used his third soul skill to burrow into the ground and move towards the tree where the Cathead Night Eagle was perched.
Long Nian Bing gathered the Morning Dew Blade in his hand, waiting for Ah Du to get into position before launching the attack.
Seeing that Ah Du had silently reached the base of the tree, Long Nian Bing wasted no time.
"Morning Dew Blade: Ice Snow Sigh."
A blade formation of cold ice shot out, soon trapping the unprepared Cathead Night Eagle inside.
The Cathead Night Eagle screeched, flapping its wings in desperation.
"Not good, cover your ears!"
Seeing this, Ye Yin Zhu quickly summoned his ancient zither, and with his first soul ring glowing, he played to calm the rising fear in everyone's hearts.
Below, Ah Du began moving towards the tree where the Cathead Night Eagle perched.
The Clawed Long-Tailed Bear, seeing the setup, quickly tucked its tail and scurried off into the distance, not bothering to stay for the eggs.
Just as the Cathead Night Eagle was about to break free from the Morning Dew Blade formation, Ah Du's figure reached the tree.
"Fourth soul skill: Split Shadow."
Ah Du disappeared from everyone's sight, and above the prey, a massive scythe materialized.
(END CHAPTER)
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