Chapter 24: Return to the Academy
After the woman's sacrifice, Bibi Dong successfully attached the seventh spirit ring to her second martial soul, marking the end of this spirit hunt.
The group from Spirit Hall left the Star Dou Great Forest in grand fashion, leaving behind nothing but endless hatred.
When Xiao Wu returned to the Lake of Life, she lay on the ground and cried in grief. At this moment, Da Ming and Er Ming finally came back. Seeing Xiao Wu's state, they were utterly puzzled.
"Sister Xiao Wu, what happened to you? Why didn't we see Auntie?"
Da Ming's huge eyes stared at Xiao Wu, while Er Ming pounded his chest in confusion.
Seeing the two, a trace of joy flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes, but it was quickly covered by sorrow.
The poor little rabbit was so heartbroken she could barely speak in complete sentences.
"Da Ming… Er Ming… Mom… Mom was forced by bad people… to sacrifice herself."
"What?"
"Roar!"
After hearing this, Da Ming and Er Ming fell into rage. They had only been summoned to the core area for a short while, and upon returning, Auntie had been killed. This was something they could not accept.
"Damn it! Er Ming, come with me. We'll avenge Auntie!"
"Roar!!"
As they spoke, the two beasts prepared to leave the Star Dou Great Forest.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu quickly stopped them.
"No! Before Mom died, she told us not to avenge her. I guess it's because it's too dangerous. Thank you, Da Ming, Er Ming… From now on, I'll take revenge myself."
Da Ming looked anxiously at Xiao Wu.
"But, Sister Xiao Wu…"
The Titan Giant Ape didn't finish his sentence—how could he say, "With how weak you are, how could you take revenge?" That would have been far too hurtful.
Xiao Wu shook her head, indicating she had her own plan.
"I'm going to prepare for a while, then transform into human form and head to the human world. My hundred-thousand-year tribulation is coming soon, and I'm not sure I can survive it. I might as well take the risk."
Upon hearing this, Da Ming and Er Ming fell silent.
They didn't know whether to stop Xiao Wu or not. As she had said, being a Soft Bone Rabbit meant there was a high chance she would die during her hundred-thousand-year tribulation. Transforming into human form was at least another option.
The three beasts' silence made the atmosphere even more sorrowful. Noticing this, the two beasts quickly went to gather fresh red carrots to try to cheer Xiao Wu up.
But Xiao Wu, whose heart was wounded, couldn't even eat her favorite carrots.
Ning Bei brought Ning Tao back to the Heaven Dou Royal Junior Academy. After several months apart, Yu Tianheng's cultivation had reached level 23, and he once again wanted to challenge Ning Bei.
The nearby students eagerly gathered to watch.
"He's here, he's here! Yu Tianheng is challenging Ning Bei for the fifteenth time. Place your bets on who will win."
"I bet one gold soul coin Yu Tianheng won't last a minute."
"I bet five gold soul coins he can last two minutes. He's been training really hard lately."
Hearing the comments from those around him, Yu Tianheng's face immediately darkened.
It seemed no one thought he could win.
The two arrived at the Soul Battle Platform. Under the teacher's watchful eyes, Ning Bei summoned the Hurricane Falcon and the Golden Armored Battle Bear once more—one in the sky and one on the ground, charging at Yu Tianheng.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng didn't dare to be careless. He entered martial soul possession and immediately launched a Thunder Dragon Claw at the Golden Armored Battle Bear.
Following Ning Bei's command, the Golden Armored Battle Bear quickly released a golden barrier to block.
With a loud thud, the thunder claw struck the shield with a boom before dissipating into the air.
"Damn it, my soul power has clearly increased, so why can't I break through this bear's barrier? It even feels stronger than before."
Yu Tianheng thought gloomily to himself.
If Ning Bei had heard him, he would definitely tell him, You're overthinking, little brother. My bear's cultivation is already close to a thousand years. Of course the barrier is stronger.
As for whether others would notice the increase in his spirit beasts' cultivation…
That had been considered from the start when he chose the Hurricane Falcon and Golden Armored Battle Bear as pets. Both were species whose age was difficult to judge—the Hurricane Falcon's wings lengthened by only one centimeter every hundred years, and the Golden Armored Battle Bear's age was judged by the density of its fur.
Unless someone pinned them down and measured them, it was almost impossible to tell their age by eye.
And Ning Bei's spirit rings still appeared as two bright yellow hundred-year rings, so no one would suspect anything.
After blocking Yu Tianheng's attack, the Golden Armored Battle Bear swiped at him with a massive paw.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng quickly used his second soul skill.
"Thunderous Might!"
Electric power radiated outward from him as the center. The battle bear was struck by the lightning—though it wasn't hurt, it still winced and took several steps back.
At this moment, under Ning Bei's command, the Hurricane Falcon in the sky flapped its wings, sending fierce wind blades sweeping toward Yu Tianheng.
Before long, Yu Tianheng fell out of martial soul possession, collapsed to the ground bruised and battered, gasping for air.
"Perfect! Exactly one minute. Pay up."
"Damn it, can't Ning Bei go a little harder? Here."
With the fight over, the crowd dispersed. Ning Bei walked over to help Yu Tianheng up.
"Not bad, you've improved. Keep it up."
Yu Tianheng stood up with a bitter smile.
"What's the point of improving if I can still only last one minute?"
Seeing signs of discouragement in him, Ning Bei quickly encouraged him:
"You're just a Grandmaster now. Once you become a Soul Elder and gain partial dragon transformation, your strength will increase greatly. By then, I might not even be your match."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng felt it made sense and smiled, nodding.
"I'll work hard to reach level 30 as soon as possible."
"Good luck."
Ning Bei smiled inwardly. Little brother, by the time you reach level 30, I'll be close to level 50. Even if I only use three spirit beasts, beating you will still be easy.
Entering the classroom, a familiar face greeted him—Dugu Yan. Seeing Ning Bei, she smiled and waved.
"Ah Bei, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
She was probably asking about his third spirit ring. They had agreed after taking the immortal herbs not to reveal too much—having cultivation in the thirties at their age was far too eye-catching, and neither of them wanted to be treated like monkeys on display.
Leaning closer, Ning Bei whispered into her ear:
"I've already obtained my third spirit ring—a seven-thousand-year Gale Demon Wolf. My spirit power is now level 37."
Dugu Yan felt a bit shy with him so close, her ears turning red from the warm breath brushing past them.
But when she heard the age of his spirit ring and his spirit power level, her shyness was instantly replaced by shock.
"Seven thousand years? How could—"
Before she could finish, Ning Bei covered her mouth.
"Keep it down. Do you want to be surrounded like a monkey?"
When she nodded, he let go.
Dugu Yan then leaned in to whisper in his ear, nibbling at it lightly as she spoke. The faint fragrance of her body and her warm breath made Ning Bei's heart itch, reminding him that his earlier move might have been a little improper.
(END CHAPTER)
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