"Xiao Tian, you've been searching for two days already. What kind of soul beast are you looking for?"
After wandering in the Sunset Forest for two days, Skydream Ice Silkworm was starting to get impatient. Now that it had become an intelligent soul ring, it no longer needed to worry about being discovered. It was eager to see the outside world of humans.
After all, despite its ancient age, it had spent tens of thousands of years either sleeping, running for its life, or being used as a power bank, with no real freedom to speak of.
"I'm looking for a water-element soul beast. The elemental forces in my Demon Sword are slightly imbalanced—its water attribute is too weak and needs strengthening. Also, my fifth soul skill requires the water attribute. It's tied to my future hundred-thousand-year soul ring," Tian Lin said with a smile.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring? You're still eyeing that Earth Behemoth, huh? But I am curious—what kind of fifth soul skill could help you hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?" Skydream Ice Silkworm, intrigued, stopped urging him to hurry.
Over the past few days, they had encountered many water-element soul beasts. However, none of them had a high enough age. The strongest one they had seen was barely over ten thousand years old. With Tian Lin's current physique, he could handle soul rings around forty to sixty thousand years old.
Unfortunately, the power of the Holy Spirit Domain had inexplicably weakened. It could no longer unleash the terrifying power it had displayed that night. If it could, Tian Lin would dare to absorb soul rings of any age.
Tian Lin remained puzzled by this, though Skydream Ice Silkworm knew the reason. That night, the Holy Spirit Pearl's power had been forcibly activated by a descendant of Nuwa. Otherwise, how could a mere soul king-in-training like Tian Lin wield such a powerful domain? However, Skydream Ice Silkworm couldn't reveal this to him yet. For now, it could only let Tian Lin remain confused.
"This isn't working. Oh, Xiao Tian, I know of a type of soul beast that would be perfect for you right now. Head to the lake where ten-thousand-year soul beasts gather and wait there until nightfall," Skydream Ice Silkworm suggested.
Tian Lin, having fully integrated with Skydream Ice Silkworm, trusted it completely. After sticking a concealment talisman onto himself, he ran to the lakeside and sat cross-legged, lightly meditating to cultivate his soul power.
Night fell, and the Sunset Forest became eerily silent. Tian Lin opened his eyes.
"Brother Skydream, it's nighttime. What's the ten-thousand-year soul beast you were talking about?"
"Look closely at the lake surface," Skydream Ice Silkworm reminded.
Tian Lin gazed at the lake and was surprised to notice that, after nightfall, several areas of the water glowed faintly.
"The soul beasts emitting that light are called Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish. They use moonlight to cultivate, and under its illumination, their scales radiate a dazzling glow. The brightness of the glow is a way to gauge their age," Skydream Ice Silkworm explained.
"Xiao Tian, look to your left. That spot has a Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish over forty-five thousand years old. Find a way to lure it out."
"That's simple. Since it cultivates using moonlight, I just need to stop it from cultivating." Tian Lin chuckled, raised his Demon Sword, and absorbed the moonlight in that small area.
Although the light element wasn't one of the Demon Sword's primary attributes and couldn't be used to strengthen it, absorbing it temporarily was no issue.
As the moonlight was drawn into the Demon Sword, the glow of the lake dimmed. Ripples began to spread across the water—clearly, the fish had noticed it couldn't cultivate there and was preparing to move elsewhere.
But no matter where it swam, Tian Lin immediately redirected the moonlight, interrupting its cultivation.
Even if the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish was slow to catch on, it eventually realized that someone was deliberately sabotaging it. Why else would only its cultivation be disrupted while the other fish were unaffected?
Splash!
The angry Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish leaped out of the water and spotted Tian Lin, standing by the lakeside with the Demon Sword. This was the person preventing it from cultivating.
In a world of fantasy, interrupting someone's cultivation was akin to cutting off someone's source of income in Tian Lin's previous life—it was an enmity that could only end in death.
Tian Lin finally caught a full view of the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish. Its elegant form and radiant scales were truly stunning.
"Wow, what a big and beautiful flying fish! This soul beast is perfect," Tian Lin praised.
"Don't underestimate it, Xiao Tian. Despite its beauty, this creature has formidable attack power and incredible speed. With forty-five thousand years of cultivation, its strength rivals that of high-level soul emperors or even soul sages among humans," Skydream Ice Silkworm warned.
"Don't worry, Brother Skydream. I won't let my guard down. But this isn't the right place to fight—we need a different battlefield." Tian Lin cast a spell, causing the Demon Sword to expand. He then leaped onto the sword and soared into the air.
Flying on a sword!
Having reached the soul king level, Tian Lin had finally begun to master the art of sword flight. Seeing him flee, the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish gave chase without hesitation. Though powerful, it wasn't as intelligent as the Purple Flame Golden-Eyed Beast and was easily provoked by Tian Lin's taunts.
As its name suggested, the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish could also fly. It pursued Tian Lin closely, firing water jets from its mouth as it attacked.
"Good, keep coming!" Tian Lin dodged an attack, then deliberately provoked it further. That area was a gathering place for ten-thousand-year soul beasts, and even if he defeated the fish, absorbing its soul ring without a guardian would be dangerous. Thus, he needed to lure it elsewhere.
Before long, Tian Lin led the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish to a mountain valley—the same place where he had previously absorbed the soul ring of the Gale Golden-Winged Eagle. The harsh environment ensured that no other soul beasts ventured there, making it relatively safe.
"You've chased me long enough. Now it's my turn to fight back. Today, I'll show you the power of a million-year soul bone." Tian Lin smiled confidently. "Mind Control!"
A flash of light shot from Tian Lin's forehead and struck the fish's mind. Instantly, the Luminous-Scaled Flying Fish froze, its soul under Tian Lin's control.
"Go harm yourself!" Tian Lin commanded. The fish obediently flew toward a cliff and repeatedly smashed its head against the rocks, disorienting itself.
After seven or eight collisions, the fish was badly injured. Tian Lin seized the opportunity, descended, and activated the fourth soul ring on his Demon Sword.
Glimmering Immortal-Slaying Slash!
A tri-elemental sword technique and Tian Lin's most powerful attack. A massive sword descended from the heavens, cleaving the weakened fish in two with a single strike.
"Amazing! So, Xiao Tian, how's that soul bone I provided? Strong enough for you?" Skydream Ice Silkworm said smugly.
"Absolutely. With my current spiritual power, soul emperors are no match for me. Even careless soul sages could have their souls obliterated. My strength today is all thanks to you, Brother Skydream," Tian Lin said sincerely.
His gratitude made Skydream Ice Silkworm feel a bit embarrassed. "No need to be so formal with me. We're one now. Hurry up and absorb the soul ring. With your current physique and spiritual power, a soul ring of over forty thousand years won't pose any threat to you."