The next morning arrived with the first rays of sunlight spilling over the edges of the Star Dou Forest. The air was crisp, heavy with the scent of dew-drenched earth and the faint hum of spirit beasts stirring within the deep canopies. A faint mist clung to the ground, rolling over grass and stone like a silent herald of the trials to come.
Max stood at the front gate of the temporary camp they'd made, clad in a dark combat robe lined with spirit-conductive thread. Behind him, Rize, Gwen, Malaika, Xu Lulu, Yang Min, Lan Hui, Li Tian, Jin Lian, Su Xulu, and Bai Chao had gathered—each of them in focused silence, prepared for the rite of passage that would bring them closer to the next threshold of power.
All seven had reached level 30. And unlike ordinary spirit masters who might rush their ring hunt, these students had cultivated steadily and compressed their spirit power to a near-perfect state. Though level 30 in name, their true power and stamina could match—if not overwhelm—Spirit Masters at level 40 or even 50. They weren't here to hunt weak prey; they were here to claim a ring that would elevate them far above their peers.
Max swept his gaze across them, his voice low but firm.
Max nodded, then turned toward the forest. "Let's go. We'll enter through the western ridge. I've marked the region—some spirit beasts within are nearing ten thousand years, but we'll stay within the ten-to-sixteen-thousand-year zones for now. Still dangerous… but manageable."
The group followed behind him, moving swiftly yet cautiously into the dense, ancient forest—where the sunlight was filtered through towering trees, and the deep growl of spirit beasts echoed faintly between trunks.
They moved through the forest with disciplined formation—Rize and Lan Hui leading the flanks, Gwen scouting ahead with silent footfalls, and Max walking calmly behind them all, his presence keeping even the bolder spirit beasts from attacking blindly.
The deeper they went into the western region of the Star Dou Forest, the more primal it became. Massive trees with roots like walls, vines thick as chains, and the ever-present scent of blood and wild energy painted the atmosphere into something ancient and predatory.
It wasn't long before they felt it.
A sudden spike in killing intent—sharp, dark, and suffocating.
Malaika froze, her eyes glowing faintly with her Martial Spirit, Dark Moon Empress, partially awakened. "It's near," she whispered.
"From the east," Gwen murmured, already drawing a thin black dagger.
Max, calm and unmoved, gestured with his hand. "Form up. But don't move. Let it come."
Within seconds, shadows surged between the trees, and then—out leapt a massive spirit beast.
A Dark Shadow Panther, its fur an unnatural black with faint purplish streaks gliding along its sleek muscles. Its eyes were an eerie glowing crimson, filled with awareness. It landed soundlessly, despite its massive size. Deadly. Graceful. Perfect.
Max's eyes narrowed slightly as he instantly assessed its strength.
[Spirit Beast Identified: Dark Shadow Panther]
Estimated Age: 13,900 years
Affinities: Darkness, Speed, Stealth, Illusion
Temperament: Territorial, Intelligent, Kill-Oriented
Compatibility: Perfect match with Martial Spirit "Dark Moon Empress"
Malaika's breath hitched. Her entire Martial Spirit surged as if drawn to the panther's very existence. "It's calling to me…"
"I know," Max said. "And it's perfect for you."
Before the others could even prepare for a battle, the panther leapt—so fast it looked like a flash of shadow.
But Max didn't move.
With one flick of his finger, space twisted. The panther froze midair—locked in place by sheer suppression of Max's aura and a Spirit Ability laced into spatial pressure.
The beast growled violently, resisting. But even at 13,900 years old, it couldn't move against Max's will.
Max's voice was calm, unwavering. "Malaika. Finish it. And claim your ring."
Malaika stepped forward, summoning her Dark Moon Empress. Behind her formed the shape of a regal woman wreathed in moonlit darkness—her spirit. A chilling black aura wrapped around her as she conjured her weapon: a curved glaive with a glowing midnight-blue edge.
Her eyes locked with the beast. "I won't let your strength go to waste."
She dashed forward, leaping high, slashing cleanly across its throat in one smooth, decisive motion.
The beast let out a low growl… and fell.
The air turned solemn as its corpse stilled. Moments later, a rich, deep purple-black spirit ring emerged, spinning slowly above the body.
The pressure it emitted was heavy. Unmistakably high-tier.
Malaika sat down cross-legged immediately. Max knelt beside her, placing a hand on her back and forming a protective barrier.
"Focus. Absorb it."
Minutes passed.
Then—
Boom.
A sharp ripple of spirit energy burst from her body. Her Martial Spirit's aura had grown fiercer, colder, more refined.
Malaika opened her eyes slowly. They were glowing silver-blue now, layered with a dark veil.
"Level 33," Malaika murmured.
Max nodded, satisfied. The group continued deeper into the forest. Over the course of the next month, each student successfully obtained their third spirit ring, gaining three to four levels in the process. The expedition had been fruitful—but not only for the students.
During their time in the Star Dou Forest, Max had been silently observing Tang San. Especially after Max himself killed the 2,000-year-old Human-Faced Demon Spider and took the external spirit bone that should have been Tang San's—the Eight Spider Lances. Tang San never even got the chance to absorb them.
But Tang San wasn't an ordinary prodigy—he was someone backed by two gods. Max knew that fate wouldn't let such a person go unrewarded. So he stayed alert, certain that destiny would eventually send another external spirit bone Tang San's way.
And Max was right.
Throughout the month, every time Tang San discovered a powerful spirit beast with bone-dropping potential, Max moved ahead silently—stealing the kill, taking the ring, and snatching the bone.
By the end of their hunt, Max had gained four more external spirit bones in addition to the Eight Spider Lances. A rare haul few in the entire continent could even dream of.
***
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