After repelling the three Azure-Eyed Wolves, the group didn't linger. They maintained their vigilance as they ventured deeper into the denser regions of the Sunset Forest. Li Zhaoyan continued to suppress his powerful Soul Douluo aura, acting like an experienced hunter who carefully controlled his presence—not so overwhelming as to scare away all Soul Beasts, yet sufficient to deter weaker or worthless nuisances, thereby creating a relatively safe hunting environment where the two children could encounter suitable targets.
Having gained practical combat experience, Marco's gaze grew sharper and his perception of the surroundings became more acute. He proactively took on some of the sentry duties, his ice-blue eyes constantly scanning the depths of the forest, behind bushes, and the canopy above. Any unusual movement would immediately catch his attention. Ye Lingling stayed close to her mother, her small hand unconsciously clutching the hem of her mother's clothes. She was both nervous and full of anticipation, her large eyes blinking as she tried to imitate her brother by observing their surroundings, though she could hardly discern anything meaningful.
Along the way, they encountered several more instances of Soul Beasts either spying on them or launching tentative attacks. Once, a few ten-year "Iron Hedgehogs" covered in sharp spines tried to roll into them, but Marco easily repelled them with fists wreathed in azure flames. Another time, a swarm of buzzing, fist-sized "Poison Needle Bees" attempted to attack with their stingers, but Li Zhaoyan merely waved his hand gently, dispersing them with a soft pulse of Soul Power without harming them. The strongest of these Soul Beasts had cultivation levels of only about fifty or sixty years, posing no real threat. Instead, they served as sparring partners for Marco to familiarize himself with the practical application of his Martial Soul. His control over the azure flames became increasingly proficient—when attacking, the flames condensed without scattering, with controllable burning power; when defending, they could swiftly cover vital areas.
At one point, they even encountered a "Azure Shadow Wolf" with a cultivation level close to a hundred years. It was more cunning and agile than the previous Azure-Eyed Wolves, using the shadows of the trees to launch sudden assaults. Marco engaged with it for a slightly longer period, ultimately relying on the sustained burning effect of his azure flames and his superior physical prowess to deliver a heavy punch to its weak spot in the abdomen. The azure flames erupted, severely injuring and repelling the wolf. This battle gave him a preliminary understanding of the strength of hundred-year Soul Beasts.
Time passed amid cautious progress and occasional minor skirmishes, and the sun gradually dipped westward. Just as Ye Wantang suggested whether they should first find a suitable spot to set up camp and rest, continuing the search the next day, Li Zhaoyan, who was walking at the front, suddenly halted. He sniffed the air slightly, as if carefully discerning a particular scent.
"Hmm? This fragrance..." A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly turning into intense delight. "Wantang, take a whiff. Is that the scent?"
Hearing this, Ye Wantang also focused on sniffing. Amid the fresh aroma of plants in the air, there was a faint, elegant, and refreshing fragrance, so subtle it was almost elusive. Inhaling it seemed to invigorate the spirit and bring a sense of tranquility. Her expression instantly became excited, her voice trembling slightly. "This... this fragrance... ethereal and lingering, calming the mind and soothing the heart... There's no mistake! Zhaoyan, it's the 'Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid'! The rare flower recorded in our family's ancient texts!"
She turned excitedly to the still somewhat bewildered children, especially Ye Lingling, and quickly explained, "Lingling! Your opportunity has arrived! 'Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid'! This is an extremely rare and special plant-type Soul Beast! One of our ancestors happened to absorb its Spirit Ring a hundred years ago, and the records clearly mention that it not only highly aligns with the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit's attributes, greatly enhancing the purity and durability of healing effects, but due to its unique characteristics, it can also grant the Soul Master an additional peculiar effect of nourishing the spirit and calming the mind! This is highly beneficial for support-type Soul Masters in maintaining focus and resisting interference! Moreover, it's said that after obtaining its Spirit Ring, the residual roots or flowers of its main body can be specially processed into sachets, which also possess a powerful calming and soothing effect!"
She described the form of this Soul Beast: "According to the records, its appearance is peculiar, as if a fusion of a giant epiphyllum and lily of the valley, with a stamen resembling a crystal-carved lantern. It usually blooms at night, releasing a dreamlike, glowing blue spore radiance. The ends of its vines also bear berries that can resonate slightly and emit a soft light. Its core ability isn't attack, but guiding deep consciousness for self-repair, purifying trauma and fatigue at the spiritual level!"
Listening to her mother's description, Ye Lingling's little face instantly flushed with disbelief, excitement, and ecstasy. Her eyes widened, and her breathing quickened: "R-really? Mother! Is there really such a suitable Soul Beast for me?"
"Absolutely no mistake!" Ye Wantang nodded firmly, her face beaming with the excitement of finding the perfect target. "Follow the fragrance—it must be nearby! And judging by the intensity of this fragrance, its age is likely around four hundred years, just approaching the theoretical limit for the first Spirit Ring! Lingling, if you can successfully absorb it, it will bring immense benefits to your future!"
Marco was also genuinely happy for his sister and looked at his father: "Father, let's hurry and find it!"
Li Zhaoyan laughed heartily, in excellent spirits: "Of course! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Come on, the fragrance is coming from this way!" He led the way, following the wisp of subtle fragrance, and everyone quickly followed.
The further they went, the clearer the elegant fragrance became, calming their minds. Soon, in a small forest clearing where moonlight could penetrate the gaps in the trees, they spotted their target.
A peculiarly shaped plant grew there. Its main body resembled an enlarged epiphyllum, with petals pure white and translucent, edged with a faint glowing blue halo, while the central stamen hung like crystal lily of the valley, seemingly shimmering with flowing light. Several emerald-green vines twined around its stem, their ends bearing berries the size of longans that emitted a soft white light. As they swayed gently, they seemed to produce an extremely faint resonance. Although it wasn't nighttime and they couldn't witness the wondrous spectacle of its dreamlike spores, they could already sense its extraordinary spirituality and serene, peaceful aura. Judging by the Soul Power fluctuations it emitted, its age was just over four hundred years!
"That's it! Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid!" Ye Wantang exclaimed in excitement.
However, just as Ye Lingling, her face full of excitement, was about to step forward, Li Zhaoyan's eyes suddenly sharpened. Without immediately releasing the pressure lock on the Dream-luring Orchid (to prevent it from panicking and using any special means), he instead swung his hand backward without turning his head, aiming at a dense patch of grass to his side and rear!
A highly condensed cyan spear light shot out from his hand, swift as lightning, and accurately vanished into the grass!
"Hiss—!" A sharp, pained hiss rang out as the grass shook violently. A black shadow abruptly burst forth, fleeing in panic into the distance, leaving behind a few drops of dark red blood on the ground. It was a venomous snake, pitch-black all over, its scales reflecting a cold gleam. Its aura was sinister and cold, clearly adept at lurking and ambushing.
"It's a roughly hundred-year-old Black Water Snake—the most cunning kind. They love to lurk near precious plants and ambush Soul Masters or Soul Beasts coming to acquire Spirit Rings," Li Zhaoyan snorted coldly, withdrawing his hand as if he had merely swatted away a fly. If not for ensuring a perfect absorption environment for his daughter, his earlier strike would have been enough to take the creature's life.
This minor incident gave Ye Lingling a fright, leaving her even more apprehensive in hindsight. Her gaze toward her father was filled with reliance.
With the potential threat eliminated, Li Zhaoyan finally turned his full attention to the Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid. He took a deep breath and no longer held back. The immense pressure unique to a Soul Douluo descended like a mountain, precisely enveloping the plant-type Soul Beast. The Dream-luring Orchid's halo flickered intensely, its vines twisting restlessly as if under tremendous pressure. However, it lacked strong offensive or mobility capabilities and was utterly incapable of resistance.
"Lingling, now!" Li Zhaoyan said gravely.
Ye Lingling took a deep breath, striving to suppress her excitement and a trace of nervousness. Marco promptly handed her a sharp small knife. Ye Wantang reminded her from the side, "Lingling, aim for its main root system and cut it completely. Be careful."
Ye Lingling nodded, gripped the knife tightly, and stepped forward. Looking at the beautiful plant trembling slightly under her father's pressure, its radiance somewhat dimmed, a flicker of reluctance passed through her eyes. But remembering that this was an inevitable part of a Soul Master's growth, she resolutely fixed her eyes on the thick main root and swung the knife down with force.
The blade sliced through, and the main root severed cleanly. The Dream-luring Orchid's glow rapidly faded, and tiny specks of shimmering blue light began to drift from its form. Simultaneously, a deep Spirit Ring, shimmering with a blend of glowing blue and white halos, slowly coalesced above it, emitting a pure and gentle energy wave.
"Four hundred years," Li Zhaoyan confirmed after careful perception, then withdrew his pressure.
Ye Lingling looked at the beautiful Spirit Ring, her face full of joy. Marco thoughtfully retrieved a soft cushion from their luggage and laid it on a clean, flat patch of ground nearby. "Lingling, absorb it here."
"Thank you, brother!" Ye Lingling gave her brother a grateful glance, walked to the cushion, sat down, and focused her mind, preparing to guide the Spirit Ring.
Ye Wantang and Li Zhaoyan, observing the Spirit Ring's age of just over four hundred years, both showed a flicker of hesitation and concern on their faces. After all, this was very close to, or possibly even slightly exceeded, the widely accepted limit for a first Spirit Ring. Ye Wantang couldn't help but speak up, "Lingling, isn't this year too high? Should we look for something a bit lower?"
Ye Lingling displayed unprecedented determination as she raised her head, her small face filled with seriousness and longing. "Father, Mother, I believe I can do it! This is the most suitable Spirit Ring for me—I don't want to miss it! I will definitely succeed!" Her stubborn yet confident gaze finally dispelled her parents' doubts.
Li Zhaoyan nodded firmly. "Good! Since you have such resolve, go ahead and do it! I will protect you!"
Ye Lingling closed her eyes and fully released her Nine Heart Begonia Spirit. A phantom of pink begonia flowers materialized in her palm, emitting a gentle aura of life. Following the method her mother had taught her, she began guiding the shimmering blue four-hundred-year Spirit Ring to slowly approach her.
As the Spirit Ring settled over her, the energy infusion began! A flicker of pain instantly crossed Ye Lingling's small face, and her body trembled slightly. Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang immediately watched with tense concern, while Marco clenched his fists.
Time passed bit by bit. The fading glow of the sunset filtered through the forest gaps, casting light upon Ye Lingling, who was quietly absorbing the Spirit Ring. Her expression gradually shifted from pain to tranquility, enveloped in an interplay of shimmering blue and pink halos that rendered her sacred and serene. The faint, lingering fragrance of the Heart Epiphyllum Dream-luring Orchid wafted around her, seemingly aiding in soothing the surging energy.
Nearby, Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang chose a slightly elevated, open spot to set up camp. They erected a simple tent and arranged a few small warning mechanisms. Meanwhile, Marco gathered dry firewood in preparation for lighting a campfire. Throughout the process, a part of everyone's attention remained fixed on Ye Lingling as she absorbed the Spirit Ring.