The carriages rattled down the path under the warm light of early afternoon. Inside them sat the members of the Azure Dragon Squad, calm and focused. Their destination: Sunset Forest—a place brimming with dense spiritual energy and teeming with powerful soul beasts. Though less vast than Star Dou, it was far more concentrated, making it ideal for efficient soul ring hunting.
Their mission this time was simple yet vital:
Ning Rongrong would acquire her third soul ring.
Bai Ling and Qiao Xuan would obtain their fourth.
Jiang Yun, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Feng Ming, and Hua Yue would guard and assist.
The group stepped out at the forest's edge. Vines curled around glowing trees, and faint roars echoed from within.
"Maintain formation," Jiang Yun instructed. "Don't let your guard down."
The squad moved through the underbrush, senses sharp. After nearly two hours of careful searching and rejecting incompatible beasts, they finally found a target: a 1,650-year-old Moonlight Stag. Its aura pulsed with rhythmic waves of soul power.
Jiang Yun's eyes glinted. "This stag radiates soul amplification. Perfect for Rongrong's support abilities."
"Control and suppress it. Leave the finishing blow to Rongrong," Jiang Yun said.
"It's beautiful," Bai Ling said softly.
"Not for long," muttered Zhu Zhuqing, already vanishing into the shadows.
The stag sensed danger, but it was too late.
Zhu Zhuqing, using her Hell Civet martial spirit's Shadow Phantom, disoriented the beast with mirror-like afterimages.
Jiang Yun, in Mighty Form, locked onto it with Crimson Lock, and unleashed a Mighty Kick to stagger it.
Feng Ming, with wings outstretched from his Phoenix Gale Falcon, soared and slashed with precise Storm Claws.
Hua Yue, now radiating power from her Blazing Flame Tiger, released a furious Inferno Charge, engulfing the beast in searing flame.
Bai Ling, glowing with her evolved Sacred Lotus, stayed central, casting Blessing Light to boost speed and power.
After a flurry of blows, the beast weakened, panting and barely standing.
"Now!" Jiang Yun shouted. "Make space!"
Seeing her moment, Ning Rongrong stepped forward with determination. She drew a ceremonial short sword, the same blade she'd always kept as backup but never used.
"Thank you," she whispered as she plunged the sword into the beast's chest.
The deer let out a faint whine and collapsed.
A slightly light purple third soul ring rose.
"Form a perimeter," Jiang Yun ordered.
Everyone moved into formation. Bai Ling gently placed a glowing palm on Rongrong's back, pouring in Radiant Bloom to stabilize her state and recover her stamina as the absorption began.
Half an hour passed.
Ning Rongrong exhaled softly. Her body shimmered with a radiant aura, and behind her, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda fully materialized, pulsing with divine brilliance.
Stunned silence followed.
"That's… the Nine Treasures Pagoda," whispered Bai Ling.
Qiao Xuan stared. "It evolved?"
Rongrong nodded. "It… changed during the absorption."
She clenched her fist. "My third soul skill is Soul Power Increase. It amplifies an ally's total soul power by 30%. Not their attack or defense—their soul power directly."
"Terrifying." Dugu Yan grinned. "And now you're even scarier."
Jiang Yun gave a nod of approval. "Next."
Everyone was also very thrilled as they knew what a nine treasures glazed tile pagoda meant , it increases the aspects relative with number of soul rings. As Ning Rongrong has now three soul rings she can increase strength, speed and soul power by 30% of her allies.
Next Feng Ming take off to the skies for further scouting and observation of their surroundings.
Soon they found a suitable soul beast for Bai Ling.
A 7,200-Year-Old Golden-Furred Jade Deer.
The deer stepped lightly through the trees, graceful yet glowing with pure life force—its presence exuding gentle vitality and spiritual radiance.
"This is it," Bai Ling said softly, her Sacred Lotus spirit emerging behind her, petals shimmering.
"It's a spiritual-type beast—perfect for healing and soul power recovery," Jiang Yun confirmed. "Squad, assist. Bai Ling will deliver the final blow."
"Jade Phosphor Mist." Dugu Yan blanketed the deer's path with soft green fog.
"Phoenix Gale Strike!" Feng Ming slashed the air with his wind-infused talons.
The deer shimmered in defense, bounding between trees—but Zhu Zhuqing's Shadow Phantom caught it in a pincer attack. Blades struck; blood bloomed.
Finally, Hua Yue burst forth. "Crimson Roar!" Fire and sound collided into the deer's flank.
Wounded and staggering, it tried to escape—only to be locked down by Jiang Yun's Crimson Lock. "Now, Bai Ling."
Ning Rongrong uses her third ability soul power amplification and with it's help Bai Ling attacked.
The healer took a breath and stepped forward, her hands forming a golden blade of lotus light. "Radiant Bloom Slash."
It was a self created soul skill and now that her martial spirit has evolved in sacred lotus it had gained an additional light attribute that can be utilised for attacking, which she had learned with the help of Jiang Yun. Now amplified by another 30% it was very strong.
She cut through the deer's chest cleanly. It collapsed.
And soon a purple soul ring floated from it's body.
While others spread into a tight defensive circle, Bai Ling began absorption.
Five hours later, a deep purple ring floated behind her.
She rose slowly. "My fourth soul skill: Lotus Tranquility. It heals mental fatigue and slowly recovers soul power over time."
Jiang Yun nodded. "Excellent support. Let's continue."
....
Next they found A 8,600-Year-Old Armored Stoneback Beast.
Massive and gray, like a walking fortress, the Armored Stoneback Beast had rough skin plated with rock scales and deep burrowing claws.
The beast noticed them and charged. The forest shook.
Ning Rongrong quickly applied her amplification of strength, speed, and soul power to everyone which increases by 30%.
"Crimson Inferno Claws!" Hua Yue leapt in, flaming claws raking across stone, slowing it.
"Storm Claws!" Feng Ming's wind talons struck from above.
"Earthbind!" Qiao Xuan launched stone chains, slowing the beast just as Dugu Yan unleashed Earthquake Fang, rocking its footing.
"Dragon Form." Jiang Yun's blue Kuuga form dashed in, lashing at the beast's eyes with a flexible staff.
After an extended battle, the beast lay half-buried, dazed and defeated.
Qiao Xuan leapt onto it, his spirit surging. "Quake Strike."
The beast groaned, then fell still. A deep purple soul ring began to materialize from its body.
Qiao Xuan sat cross-legged. Bai Ling supported him with Radiant Bloom, maintaining his energy and mental focus during absorption.
Hours passed. Finally, the deep purple ring settled behind him.
"My fourth soul skill: Seismic Maw. It tears open the earth and swallows targets, locking them with chains underground."
"Good control ability," Jiang Yun praised. "It fits your style."
....
The group camped near a quiet clearing as the moonlight filtered through the trees, casting gentle silver across their worn faces. A fire crackled softly in the center of their encampment. No one spoke for a while—exhausted, reflective. Three individuals were in meditation state while other five girls and boys were maintaining their vigilance and guarding them. These were Jiang Yun and his team who were resting after intense fighting. And Ning Rongrong, Bai Ling and Qiao Xuan were meditating to stabilize their soul power.
Bai Ling was the first to rise from meditation. The glow around her had softened, but her aura was noticeably purer and more refined.
"My soul power has rose to level 42 ,it seems that my further cultivation will be smooth till level 70." she said gently, hands cupped before her Sacred Lotus spirit. "The Sacred Lotus resonates deeply with the Jade Deer's essence. I can feel its calm vitality within me."
Qiao Xuan opened his eyes next, fists tightening slightly as his Rockscale Earth Python slithered in a protective spiral behind him.
"I reached level 43. The Earth-type affinity in the Armored Stoneback Beast really enhanced my martial spirit. My defense and control have both improved," he said with quiet satisfaction.
Ning Rongrong was last to stir. Her Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda gleamed faintly with three soul rings rotating slowly—yellow, yellow, and slightly light purple.
"I'm now at level 35," she said, her voice composed but proud.
The soul power level of Ning Rongrong was increased most in comparison to others as Beautiful Silk Tulip resonates with her soul martial in comparison to others who had taken the immortal herbs. Also now she had Nine treasures glazed tile pagoda she doesn't have the short comings of stuck on level 79.