"Innermost Court, Ma Xiaotao. Level sixty-seven, Assault System Spirit Emperor."
With a faint shrug, Ma Xiaotao introduced herself. Her long, narrow eyes curved with a mischievous smile as she spoke.
"Innermost Court, Wang Lang. Level fifty-seven, Assault System Spirit King."
Wang Lang followed right after.
Both were considered outstanding even within the Inner Court, their strength firmly among the best. Yet compared to someone like Neuvillette, whose existence seemed beyond reason, their light inevitably dimmed in contrast.
The two seemed fully aware of this fact—or perhaps they had long grown accustomed to it—so their introductions were brief. Afterward, the rest of the group also introduced themselves individually to get a general sense of each other.
"I'm Bai Song, level thirty-nine Food System Spirit Master. Martial Spirit: Iron Wok. Currently a year in the Outer Court. Hoping my fourth ring will…"
"I'm Wufeng, level twenty-nine Spirit Grandmaster. Martial Spirit: Fire Dragon. Hoping for a fire-attributed soul beast for my third ring, ideally between three thousand and thirty-five hundred years."
"I'm Ning Tian, level thirty-four Spirit Elder. Martial Spirit: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. This time, I'm accompanying Wufeng to help her obtain a spirit ring."
Neuvillette's gaze drifted over the group, pausing briefly on Ning Tian.
He remembered that, in the original timeline, Wufeng's third spirit ring was acquired with the help of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's experts. So why…
Forget it. It didn't matter—this wouldn't affect the larger picture.
Neuvillette's pale eyes moved past them indifferently.
After everyone had introduced themselves and shared the kind of spirit beast they hoped to obtain, the group set off together, making their way into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Traveling at full speed, they reached the outer region of the forest in just two days.
Even before they arrived, the air was already thick with the unique, primal scent of the forest.
Even Wang Dong'er, who had been in a low mood, perked up with visible excitement—skipping along happily, playing and bickering with Huo Yutong.
At the front of the group, Neuvillette walked calmly with his staff in hand, shoulder to shoulder with Ma Xiaotao as they cleared the way.
In the middle of the team—
"So why are you two here? Don't you have powerful elders in your clan to help you hunt spirit beasts?" Wang Dong asked curiously, glancing at Ning Tian beside her.
At the question, Huo Yutong also turned her attention toward Ning Tian.
Though she had never seen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect herself, the title of Number One Auxiliary Spirit Master Clan on the Continent was so well known that its weight spoke for itself.
"Hehe, the sect is tied up with other matters right now. And since the academy organized a beast-hunting expedition simultaneously, I came along."
Ning Tian smiled lightly as she spoke. Her beautiful eyes, however, flicked a warning glance at Wufeng, who looked like she was about to say something.
"I see… hahaha…"
Wang Dong forced a laugh. After half a year as classmates, she had long since seen through Ning Tian's little schemes.
A coincidence? Who would believe that…
Yet her mind suddenly wandered back to the villa two days ago—when she had stumbled into Neuvillette's embrace, her face lingering just inches from his.
A wave of shyness rushed in… mixed with a faint sense of pride.
If anyone were to say who was the first to "taste the forbidden fruit," it was she!
Beside her, Huo Yutong's beautiful eyes flickered with a strange light.
The number of girls surrounding His Highness the Holy Son kept expanding. A sense of danger quietly stirred in her chest.
Should she… perhaps consider a surprise visit at night?
No—absolutely not!
The thought had barely formed when her fair cheeks instantly blossomed red. She quickly glanced around to make sure no one had noticed, then patted her chest lightly to calm down.
Her gaze slipped to the front of the team, where Ma Xiaotao walked casually beside Neuvillette, chatting with him as though no one else existed.
That mature, voluptuous figure—ripened like a peach—was a devastating blow to her confidence. Whatever little pride she had left crumbled to dust.
"Speaking of which, Wang Dong, aren't you from the Clear Sky Sect? Don't you have powerful people in your clan to help you as well?" Ning Tian asked with a smile.
"I…"
The smile on Wang Dong's face froze. Her voice fell to a whisper.
"My clan… also ran into some trouble, so…"
Before she could finish, a sharp cry cut through the air.
"Spirit beast ahead! Prepare for battle!!"
The leading teacher's voice rang out, filled with tension as he stared into the distance with alarm.
From behind the massive, towering trees, the deep forest ahead seemed to stir ominously, as if something terrifying was about to emerge.
Even though he was a Spirit Sage, cold sweat streamed down his forehead uncontrollably.
This aura—it wasn't an ordinary beast!
He had seen ten-thousand-year soul beasts before; after all, the academy's Beast Arena was filled with them, captured from this very forest. They were fierce, dangerous predators.
But this… this suffocating pressure, this invisible dominance leaking faintly into the air… it was enough to make his heart pound in terror.
Could it be… a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!
His chest sank with dread. They had barely entered the forest, and already stumbled across something of this level?
"Your Highness, the Holy Son, should we—"
He turned toward Neuvillette—only to find the man's expression as calm and composed as ever.
"A hundred-thousand-year ring… seems unnecessary."
Neuvillette glanced around at the group—these were all still fledglings. With a soft sigh, a trace of regret flickered in his eyes.
It was a rare chance—a lone hundred-thousand-year beast. While it might not rank among the Ten Great Savage Beasts, it was still a supreme treasure.
But with no suitable candidates here to inherit such a ring, killing it would only be a waste.
The teacher: "…"
Everyone else: "…"
This was absurd, wasn't it?
Could it be that His Highness was actually considering slaying even this hundred-thousand-year beast… just to use it as a spirit ring?
(End of Chapter)