The morning sun barely pierced the dense clouds, casting a cold silver hue across the snow-laden forest. Mo Xuan adjusted the Spirit Spring against his chest, feeling the subtle pulse of energy that marked the first Soul Ring's full integration. Every movement felt sharper, faster, and more precise—an invisible weight lifted, replaced by a coiled power, ready to strike.
[Soul Power: 11.0]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 60/100]
[Soul Ring Progress: 0% (First Ring Activated)]
"Today," Mo Xuan murmured, voice low, "we hunt for the next ring. Control, precision, efficiency. No unnecessary risk."
Lin Yue, his twin martial souls shimmering faintly, nodded. "And if we fail?" His tone was calm, but a faint edge of curiosity threaded through.
Mo Xuan's cold eyes scanned the forest. "Failure is not an option. But we will learn even if we stumble. Stay alert."
The forest seemed unnaturally quiet. Even the wind hesitated, snowflakes drifting lazily, betraying no hint of the danger that lay ahead. A faint tremor ran through the ground—something large, something intelligent, and alive.
[Spirit Detection: Rank 5 Wild Beast, Type: Thunder Sabertooth Tiger]
Mo Xuan's lips twitched slightly. Rank 5. This was the first high-level beast he would attempt to hunt deliberately. Its Soul Ring, if claimed, could drastically accelerate his growth—but only if he survived.
"Stay close," he said, releasing a pulse of Spirit Spring. The snow around him rippled faintly, subtly altering pressure and density to give him advantage. Lin Yue mirrored the pulse with his supportive aura, reinforcing the spatial shifts.
The Thunder Sabertooth leapt from the trees, claws extended, fangs dripping with lethal energy. The forest exploded into chaos.
[Combat Initiation: Rank 5 Thunder Sabertooth Tiger]
Mo Xuan's Space Soul Ring flared as he moved, twisting a patch of snow beneath him to teleport a few meters ahead, dodging the massive claw strike. Lin Yue acted simultaneously, twin auras pulsing, striking the beast with a combination of attack and support energy. The tiger staggered, slightly disoriented by the manipulation of space and energy.
Good… the ancient beast purred inside his consciousness. Do not rely solely on strength. Use the Spring, use strategy, bend the battlefield to your will.
Mo Xuan smiled faintly, cold yet precise. A surge of energy pulsed from the Spring, warping space beneath the tiger's paws. Its charge twisted unpredictably, momentum misaligned just enough for a calculated strike. Mo Xuan's dagger grazed its flank, non-lethal but enough to assert dominance.
[Soul Power Growth: 11.0 → 11.2]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 60 → 65/100]
[Soul Ring Progress: 0% → 12%]
The beast snarled, eyes burning with intelligence and rage. Lightning crackled along its fur, surging outward in erratic arcs. Mo Xuan pivoted, releasing a pulse from the Space Soul Ring, teleporting the energy along with him, redirecting it harmlessly into the snow.
Lin Yue struck again, twin souls enhancing the precision of Mo Xuan's movements. The combined attacks forced the Thunder Sabertooth into defensive maneuvers—the first coordinated synergy in a life-or-death hunt.
The battle continued, snow and lightning clashing with golden arcs of Spirit Spring energy. Every move was precise, calculated, blending destructive force with strategic restraint. Mo Xuan could feel the threshold of the next Soul Ring approaching; energy coiled like a storm inside his chest, urging him forward.
Finally, a well-timed pulse of Spring energy warped the terrain beneath the tiger. Its momentum sent it skidding into a snowdrift, allowing Mo Xuan and Lin Yue to coordinate a dual strike—Space energy guiding Lin Yue's attack aura directly into the beast's flank.
[Soul Ring Progress: 12% → 25%]
The Thunder Sabertooth roared, struggling to rise, but it paused, calculating. Its amber eyes flicked to Mo Xuan, acknowledging the skill, the mastery of control and battlefield manipulation. It snarled once more, then retreated into the forest, leaving faint glowing pawprints where the Spirit Spring and Space Ring had interacted with its massive form.
Mo Xuan exhaled, heart steady, observing the subtle residual energy. Every pulse, every strike, every coordinated maneuver had been calculated, leaving him unharmed while asserting dominance.
[Soul Power: 11.2 → 11.4]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 65 → 70/100]
Lin Yue approached, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "That was… impressive. The tiger didn't just attack. It adapted. And you—used your Spring and space manipulation flawlessly."
Mo Xuan's expression remained cold, but a flicker of satisfaction passed through his eyes. "We adapt. We control. And we learn. No matter the opponent, no matter the rank. Efficiency is everything."
By nightfall, the snow had stopped. The village below was quiet, unaware of the high-level hunt occurring in the forest. Mo Xuan returned, Spirit Spring pulsing gently. He poured a vial into his mouth, feeling the golden warmth circulate. The ancient beast inside purred with amusement and approval.
Finally… you have begun hunting for true power, not just survival. Rank 5… soon you will taste Rank 6… and with synergy, even higher. But remember—growth comes with danger.
Mo Xuan closed his eyes, feeling the latent energy of his next Soul Ring stir. The Thunder Sabertooth's retreat was not a defeat but a lesson in strategy, patience, and teamwork. Lin Yue's presence was no longer optional—it was essential. Their synergy, subtle yet lethal, had ensured survival and growth.
[Soul Power: 11.4 → 11.6]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 70 → 75/100]
[Soul Ring Progress: 25% → 35%]
[Ancient Beast Status: Fully aware, guiding, strategic feedback provided]
[Team Formation: Mo Xuan & Lin Yue battle synergy strengthened]
Snow drifted silently outside his hut, covering tracks and faint energy trails. Inside, Mo Xuan allowed a rare moment of relaxation. He and Lin Yue sat quietly, observing the faint shimmer of Soul Energy lingering in the room.
A small, almost imperceptible connection had formed—a combination of trust, respect, and shared power. The first Soul Ring had been awakened, the first high-level hunt completed, and the path toward ancient beasts, flashy destructive abilities, and higher-ranked Soul Rings lay open before them.
Tomorrow, Mo Xuan thought, we hunt again. And next time… the stakes will be higher.