Ye Tianming led the two into the forest in search.
Their target was a Spirit Beast with a hundred years of cultivation.
As they were walking, Ye Tianming suddenly stopped.
A lizard-type Spirit Beast, about one meter long and covered in emerald green scales, entered his sight.
"It's a three-hundred-year-old Green-Scaled Lizard!"
Ye Tianming whispered, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Lizard-type Spirit Beasts have the ability to regrow their tails, possessing good healing capabilities, which makes them very suitable for a healer's spirit ring.
Although the Green-Scaled Lizard is not rare, its three-hundred-year cultivation gives it a good spirit ring quality.
"Lingling, that Green-Scaled Lizard has excellent self-healing ability, making it very suitable for your spirit ring."
Ye Lingling nodded, feeling both nervous and expectant.
Ye Tianming moved swiftly, his figure flashing like Gui Mei beside the Spirit Beast, and his Golden Eagle Giant Claws instantly locked onto the vital points of the Green-Scaled Lizard.
The Green-Scaled Lizard immediately became enraged, its tail sweeping violently, attempting to break free.
However, Ye Tianming's strength was far superior to its own, and no matter how it struggled, it could not escape.
"Lingling, prepare!"
"Okay!"
Ye Lingling took a deep breath, drew out the sharp dagger, approached the Green-Scaled Lizard, and plunged the knife into its neck.
The Green-Scaled Lizard's body trembled violently a few times, then it fell limply to the ground.
Looking at the motionless lizard corpse, Ye Lingling was somewhat dazed.
Although she had imagined it countless times in her mind, this was her first time actually killing a Spirit Beast, and she felt an indescribable complex emotion.
Seeing this, Long Chen gently patted her shoulder.
"Lingling, you did well. Adjust your state and prepare to absorb the spirit ring."
"Okay."
Long Chen's encouragement dispelled the gloom in Ye Lingling's heart.
Afterward, Ye Lingling sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and focused her mind, preparing to absorb the spirit ring.
Wisps of yellow mist slowly rose from the Green-Scaled Lizard's corpse, gradually condensing into a spirit ring emitting a faint yellow light.
Ye Lingling slowly extended her right hand, and the yellow spirit ring was drawn by an invisible force, slowly coming to her side.
Then, she began to absorb the spirit ring's energy.
Ye Tianming quietly stood guard nearby, preventing external factors from disturbing Ye Lingling's absorption of the spirit ring.
Long Chen looked around, seemingly searching for something.
Suddenly, a plant entered his sight.
Its leaves were slender and elegant, emitting a faint green glow under the dim light.
"It's Youlan Spiritual Grass!"
Long Chen's gaze was instantly drawn to that spiritual grass.
Youlan Spiritual Grass is a rare medicinal herb that only appears in the Spirit Beast Forest.
It grows in extremely secluded and harsh environments, usually taking decades or even centuries to mature, making it an invaluable treasure for refining high-grade elixirs.
Long Chen slowly approached, carefully dug out the spiritual grass, and placed it along with the soil from its roots into a specially made jade box to ensure its medicinal properties were not lost.
Seeing this, Ye Tianming smiled and said:
"Xiao Chen, seeing you so happy, is this some precious medicinal herb?"
"Yes. It's one of the medicinal ingredients for refining Spirit pills, and it only grows in places frequently visited by Spirit Beasts."
"I see. There are indeed many unique flowers and plants in the Spirit Beast Forest that are not found elsewhere, but you don't need to be so happy, because for the next two or three years, we will be staying in the Spirit Beast Forest for a few days every month."
Hearing this, Long Chen was stunned, not understanding Ye Tianming's meaning.
"Xiao Chen, your Aunt Bai and I will take you to train in the Spirit Beast Forest. We'll talk about the specific plan slowly when we get back."
"Okay."
Long Chen carefully placed the jade box containing the spiritual grass into his storage device.
He didn't know what Ye Tianming's special training plan for him was, but he was looking forward to it.
Being able to frequently visit the Sunset Forest was a good thing for him.
He had been studying herbal knowledge for over half a year, and once he mastered more knowledge, he would be able to implement his next plan.
Although the knowledge in books was abundant, it was limited to theory and lacked practical experience.
Long Chen wanted to create opportunities for himself to practice, such as compounding medicines and refining elixirs.
This was a job that combined theory with skill, and he needed to learn from professional pharmacists.
There were many pharmacies and medical halls in Heaven Dou City.
Some medicinal ingredients were only found in the Spirit Beast Forest, making them rare and expensive.
Additionally, the skin and bones of some Spirit Beasts were also medicinal ingredients.
Long Chen planned to use these resources to exchange for learning opportunities with pharmacies, and also to earn some small money in the process.
Time passed by minute by minute.
Ye Lingling awoke from absorbing the spirit ring, slowly opening her eyes.
Seeing this, Long Chen asked with concern:
"Lingling, how are you? How much did your spirit power increase?"
Ye Lingling smiled slightly and replied:
"My spirit power increased by two levels."
"Very good. Lingling, you are now a Level 12 Spirit Master, and your future is promising."
Ye Tianming also nodded with satisfaction, very pleased.
The three of them tidied their belongings and then set off on their way back.
Ye Tianming and Long Chen escorted Ye Lingling back to Royal Academy.
Afterward, the two returned to their home in Heaven Dou City.
~~~~~~
A few nights later, Long Chen was cultivating in his room when Ye Tianming came to find him.
"Xiao Chen, besides Spirit Abilities, combat skills and movement techniques are also very important for a Spirit Master, because spirit power is limited, and it's impossible to constantly use Spirit Abilities during combat. Sometimes, close-quarters combat will also be necessary.
Your Spirit is not suitable for close combat, so having a strong body and rich close-combat skills is even more important.
In a few days, I will start taking you to train to help you improve your overall strength."
Hearing this news, Long Chen was a little excited and quickly asked:
"Uncle Ye, what is the content of the training?"
"Every month, we will stay in the Spirit Beast Forest for a week, either the Sunset Forest or the Star Dou Great Forest. First, we will train your physical strength and endurance, and then you will fight Spirit Beasts to improve your combat skills."
"That's good."
Ye Tianming smiled.
"Don't be happy too soon. The training I'm talking about is comparable to devil training. You are not allowed to use your first Spirit Ability's devouring power during your fights with Spirit Beasts. You'll understand why later."
Long Chen was startled.
If he couldn't use Spirit Abilities, even a Spirit Master would be vulnerable in front of powerful Spirit Beasts, let alone him, who was still a child.
For him, this was indeed a huge challenge.
However, the more challenging it was, the more it could stimulate his potential.
"Uncle Ye, when do we start?"
"In a few days. We will take you to the Spirit Beast Forest then, and begin with physical training."
"Okay."
Cultivating at home, while it could bring progress, became somewhat monotonous over time.
Long Chen knew that the upcoming devil training would be very tough, but he was looking forward to it.
A few days later, Ye Tianming and his wife took Long Chen to the Sunset Forest again.
Under the supervision and protection of the two, Long Chen completed his first special training.
This special training involved mountain climbing, and Long Chen was exhausted every day, even falling and getting injured several times.
Fortunately, with Ye Susu, a powerful healer, even serious injuries could be completely healed.