In the path of a Soul Master's growth, hunting for a soul ring is an indispensable step.
For most Soul Masters, it's virtually impossible to obtain a suitable soul ring through their own efforts alone.
They often require the assistance of an academy or a sect.
If they haven't joined any major power, they will call upon friends, or form a small team.
However, a temporary team formed by hastily gathered members is not very reliable.
Human hearts are unpredictable, and anything can happen in the Soul Hunting Forest.
A "temporary" team might not be temporary at all; there are many fraudsters, and murder and robbery happen frequently.
At this time, a mature, reliable, and reputable mercenary group becomes extremely important.
Just like—
The one in front of them right now.
Zhao Liuyun stood quietly beside his Martial Uncle, his gaze carefully sizing up the man in front.
Across from them, a burly man about six feet tall with a full beard leaned against the wall.
His face was weathered, covered in the marks of time.
Most strikingly, a deep scar ran across his face.
It stretched from his left forehead, over his left eyelid, across the bridge of his nose, and down to his right lower jaw, like a testament to a near-death experience.
The big man wore a crude leather armor stained with dark, mottled blood, exuding a wild, untamed aura.
His eyes fell upon Zhao Liuyun, and a flicker of surprise crossed them:
"This little fellow is your Martial Nephew?"
"He's already reached Rank 10 at such a young age?"
Huang Xin placed a hand on Zhao Liuyun's shoulder, saying with relief, "That's right, Brother Tian. I'll have to trouble you to put in some extra effort this time."
"Liuyun has exceptional talent, so please help him hunt for a truly outstanding soul ring."
As he spoke, he took out a heavy pouch of Gold Soul Coins and handed it to the man.
The bearded man, surnamed Tian, weighed the pouch in his hand, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes: "Five hundred?"
Normally, hunting for a decent ten-year soul ring costs about ten Gold Soul Coins.
A typical hundred-year soul ring is no more than a hundred, and these are the types of jobs they usually accept.
A large order like five hundred...
"You're really spending a fortune," the bearded man commented with emotion.
For a Great Soul Master who was past the age limit and could no longer receive subsidies from the Spirit Hall, five hundred Gold Soul Coins was by no means a small sum.
It was clearly aimed at a truly powerful hundred-year soul beast.
"Is that enough?" Huang Xin raised an eyebrow.
The bearded man didn't answer immediately. After careful consideration, he cautiously asked:
"What is the Spirit? What type of soul ring are you looking to hunt?"
There was no choice for one hundred Gold Soul Coins, but five hundred offered options.
Five hundred Gold Soul Coins were indeed tempting, but life was more important.
The reason he could walk on the edge of a knife for so many years and remain safe was never reckless bravery, but cautious planning at every step.
Of course, if the reward were doubled again, they might consider taking a gamble.
Huang Xin gestured for Zhao Liuyun to speak for himself.
Under the bearded man's scrutinizing gaze, Zhao Liuyun summoned his Spirit and said softly, "Moonlit Lotus, a Support-type Spirit that can soothe emotions."
The moment the Spirit emerged, a faint, soothing fragrance permeated the air, indeed bringing a sense of peace, just as he had described.
"A Support-type, huh~"
And one that wasn't seeking a soul ring for attack enhancement.
Subtly, Zhao Liuyun sensed that the bearded man seemed to relax slightly.
He continued:
"I need soul rings from soul beasts that can affect emotions, such as the Nightmare Spirit Monkey, the Illusory Scale Toad, the Seven-Colored Feathered Butterfly, or the Gluttonous Dream Chameleon."
These names were all collected by him from soul beast illustrated guides and character biographies in the library.
Judging purely by their abilities, they were mostly Spirit-type soul beasts.
Their frontal assault capabilities were essentially nonexistent.
"The danger isn't high..." Hearing the names, the bearded man scratched his head, a look of difficulty on his face. "But these soul beasts aren't common."
"If they aren't dangerous, and the Soul Hunting Forest is only so big, what are you hesitating for?" Huang Xin urged.
"Don't shout! They're hard to find! It takes a lot of time, got it!"
The bearded man shot him an annoyed look, then squatted down, looking earnestly at Zhao Liuyun:
"It just needs to have strong spiritual power, right?"
"Mhm, yes."
Being able to summarize the key point so quickly, Zhao Liuyun acknowledged him as a very perceptive person.
Upon hearing this, the bearded man immediately tucked the money pouch into his bosom, flashing a satisfied smile:
"Alright then, little fellow, you come with me. About a month ago, we encountered a two or three-hundred-year-old Red Mirage Wolf. That thing can make people mentally confused; it's the soul beast you need."
"I still remember the general area it was active in. With luck, it won't take too much time."
"Let's go." He gave a shout to Huang Xin, then led Zhao Liuyun away to gather his people.
After returning from the Soul Hunting Forest, the mercenary group had been resting and relaxing across various locations in the Soul Hunting Town, drinking and unwinding their tense nerves.
But when it was time for a mission, they assembled very quickly.
This team, including the bearded man, had five members: four men and one woman, with ages ranging from twenty to forty.
Rather than a mercenary group, they were more like a mercenary squad.
They had three Power Attack System Soul Masters and two Agility Attack System Soul Masters, and the bearded man, the leader, was an impressive Soul Elder himself.
The team had no Support-type Soul Master, but a small mercenary group like this didn't really need one; their current lineup was more than enough for hunting hundred-year soul beasts.
The bearded man spoke first: "My name is Tian Wenlong. You're Huang Xin's Martial Nephew, so you can call me Uncle Tian."
"Uncle Tian." Zhao Liuyun feigned a shy demeanor.
"Do you have a warrant?"
"Martial Uncle said Uncle Tian would take care of it."
Tian Wenlong couldn't help but widen his eyes, cursing with a laugh, "That dog bastard, freeloading again!"
To enter the fenced Soul Hunting Forest to hunt for soul rings, aside from the permanent warrants held by major powers, temporary warrants must be applied for at the Spirit Hall.
But—
That either requires sufficient status or money.
Many who can't afford it will piggyback on others' warrants, which is one of the reasons temporary teams are so prevalent.
Tian Wenlong had another solution.
Arriving at the gate of the Soul Hunting Forest, he flashed a flattering smile to the captain of the iron-armored guards, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity:
"Big Brother, give me some face. I need to take someone in to hunt for a soul ring."
That's right, it was about using his connections.
Outsiders were one thing, but why would one of their own need a warrant?
The water that is too clear has no fish; even the strictest rules must ultimately be enforced by people.
Tian Wenlong had been traversing this area for years and was acquainted with every high-ranking military officer stationed here, as well as the Soul Masters of the Spirit Hall.
The guard captain frowned the moment he heard his voice, full of impatience: "Scram, scram, scram! You're doing this again!"
"Don't be like that, brother, you're my own brother!" Tian Wenlong tugged at his arm, smiling apologetically, "Your little brother relies on this for a living..."
"You're a lonely bachelor with no parents above and no wife or children below! What family do you have to support!" The guard captain gave up and waved his hand inward, "Last time!"
"Thank you, Big Brother. I'll buy you a drink next time." Tian Wenlong gave a sheepish smile, then quickly turned and waved to the five people behind him, "Go, go, hurry and keep up."
Finally, they smoothly entered the Soul Hunting Forest.
The noise instantly faded, and fresh air rushed toward them, seemingly cleansing the mind and invigorating the spirit.
Tian Wenlong observed briefly, then decisively pointed to a spot: "Go this way."
The team's route of travel remained almost constantly straight.
Occasional detours were only made to avoid complicated terrain.
The five people were all experienced mercenaries who hunted here year-round, not Soul Masters like the "Grandmaster" who only understood theory but were poor in actual combat.
With such a lineup, they would encounter virtually no danger.
Of course, caution was still necessary, and the pace would not be too fast.
No one wanted to inadvertently step on an unknown landmine due to a moment of carelessness, causing unnecessary casualties.
As they ventured deeper, the vegetation became denser, and the team's pace gradually slowed.
Tian Wenlong, the veteran mercenary leader, often stopped, bent down, and checked the residual traces of soul beasts, inferring their type and movement from paw prints and hair.
It wasn't until dusk began to stain the treetops that he led everyone to the edge of a secluded pool.
A skinned carcass lay by the water, bloody and gruesome to behold.
"Red hair, wolf carcass..."
Tian Wenlong bent down for a closer look, his brows gradually furrowing. Finally, he shook his head and sighed:
"The Red Mirage Wolf was taken by someone else. We were too slow... Let's look for another target."
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