"Sigh, this really is like having a great-grandson and forgetting the grandson. You never put this much effort into my training back then," Xu Fu sighed as he watched Xu Xiaoyun's figure gradually shrink into a black dot and disappear from sight. He couldn't help but shake his head, lamenting the unpredictability of life.
Among the current generation of spirit-type soul beasts, the most powerful are undoubtedly the Evil Eye clan from the Demonic Forest of the Sun Moon Empire, a prime treasure long coveted by all spirit-type soul masters. Yet, because of the presence of the Evil Emperor, few dare to enter that territory. Even Super Douluo-level warriors fear provoking the Evil Emperor's wrath.
For the first soul ring, the great-grandfather personally took action, showing how much he valued Xu Tianxi. With his high cultivation, capturing a century-old Evil Eye beast was as easy as grabbing something in his hand, and no danger was expected.
"However, with Tianxi's talent, all these efforts are worthwhile. The Evil Eye is reputed to be the strongest spirit-type soul beast today, perfectly matching Tianxi's martial soul."
"But spirit-type soul beasts are notoriously difficult to find. The first soul ring was from hunting an Evil Eye… what soul beasts to hunt for the subsequent rings will be a serious problem that requires careful planning."
Most soul beast clans rely on physical strength, and few have spirit-type aptitude; pure spirit-type soul beasts are extremely rare. How to coordinate soul skills with such soul beasts troubles Xu Fu greatly.
They can't keep going to the Demonic Forest every time to hunt Evil Eyes. While hunting century-old or millennium-old beasts is manageable, if they attract the attention of a ten-thousand-year Evil Eye sovereign with a distress signal, it could draw the Evil Emperor himself.
From what he knew about his great-grandfather, he would definitely pursue the strongest possible soul ring setup for Tianxi — at least aiming for a tenth-ring soul beast at the hundred-thousand-year level, and maybe even three such soul rings like Mu En and Du Busai.
There probably were some hundred-thousand-year Evil Eye sovereigns in the Demonic Forest, but killing one periodically risks provoking the Evil Emperor into launching a beast tide — a consequence they could not afford.
"Wait, the Evil Emperor's beast tide would first assault the Sun Moon Empire, so I may be worrying too much..."
"But the Evil Emperor's mental power is terrifying, with a vast attack range. Even the great-grandfather couldn't withstand it. It's best not to provoke him."
Xu Fu pondered as he descended the stairs, his mind filled with various ideas.
"In some books I read years ago, the weakest spirit-type soul beasts were the Ice Silkworms from the Extreme North and the Soft-Bone Rabbits from the Star Dou Great Forest — all at the bottom of the food chain."
"Stronger ones include the Silver Wolf, a specialty of the Sun Moon Empire; the main bodies of the Ten Thousand Demon King in Star Dou Forest such as the Demon Eye Tree, Purple Spirit Hyena, Silver Shadow Beast, and Fear Demon Dragon…"
"Ah no, I forgot the Fear Demon Dragon's clans were all wiped out by Shrek Academy. Even the top-tier ones are rare now — those bastards really have no sense of humanity!"
Thinking of the Fear Demon Dragon, Xu Fu was surprised to realize that over the past ten thousand years, Shrek Academy had decimated or crippled many soul beast clans in the Star Dou Forest. The goal was either to collect rare soul beast materials or conduct secret soul bone research.
"Damn it! Back when the Martial Soul Hall still existed, both empires regulated the Hunting Forest to prevent overhunting of soul beasts. And you guys…"
"Taking advantage of proximity to the Star Dou Forest, you've slaughtered countless soul beasts over thousands of years! You even constantly release missions for inner disciples to capture ten-thousand-year soul beasts!"
"The Core Sect fellows are really stupid too — they once killed seven hundred-thousand-year soul beasts at once, driving the fierce beasts mad; now Shrek is blamed for everything. What a bunch of reckless fools!"
From cursing Shrek to Core Sect, Xu Fu's anger finally eased as he continued reviewing spirit-type soul beast options.
"There aren't many beyond that. The top-tier soul beast species include the Three-Eyed Demon Fox, Twin Cyclops Giant, and Illusory Moon Goddess Butterfly of Star Dou Forest…"
"The Evil Eye Sovereign of the Demonic Forest, the Ice Sea Princess, and the three near-sea overlords: the Demon Soul Great White Shark, Demonic Orca, and Deep Sea Demon Whale — though not purely spirit-attribute, they aren't weak by any means…"
When counting to the Deep Sea Demon Whale, Xu Fu's eyes brightened as an interesting idea popped into his mind.
"Speaking of orcas and demon whales, the whale glue produced in their heads is a great product. Eating it not only boosts virility but greatly improves physical constitution."
"This isn't suitable for our Xuanyuan disciples before their second awakening, but for Tianxi, it might be worth trying as a way to temper his spirit power."
The Xuanyuan Sect's method for the second awakening of the Black Tortoise Shield requires soul masters to remain a virgin before age fifteen. At the second awakening, using the Yin energy of a woman, the deepest potential of the martial soul is triggered for the second awakening.
As experts in water-attribute alchemy, they knew well the effects of whale glue. The reason it was not given to clan disciples was that it could hinder the martial soul evolution, causing a loss far greater than the gain.
But for Xu Tianxi, this problem was negligible. They could spend resources to help him fully awaken the Black Tortoise bloodline.
Moreover, since he first cultivated the Illusory Moon Spirit Eye, his spirit power would be strong, and his willpower would be even stronger. Suppressing desires while training was a good way to temper himself.
With these thoughts, Xu Fu touched the storage soul guide ring on his right index finger, and a translucent golden crystal steadily fell into his palm.
This was a top-grade thousand-year whale glue, prepared to nurture the bond between husband and wife.
Ten-thousand-year whale glue was far too precious and only stored in the Xuanyuan Sect's treasury. Even as clan leader, Xu Fu could not easily take it out without following procedures.
"Tianxi, my son, this time your father is giving up a precious treasure. You must train hard and not disappoint me and your great-grandfather's hopes..."
A hopeful smile rose on Xu Fu's face as he steadily approached Xu Tianxi's room.
Yue Lao stood guard at the door. Seeing Xu Fu, he stepped forward and saluted, calling out "Son-in-law."
Xu Fu smiled and waved, about to enter. Unexpectedly, Yue Lao did not step aside and remained standing firmly, his wrinkled face serious.
"Son-in-law, the young master's current condition is somewhat unusual. Please be careful not to disturb him."
"Hmm? Has Tianxi had some problem again?" Xu Fu's smile faded, his narrowed eyes immediately flashing sharp light.
Xu Tianxi's importance now surpassed that of him as the head of the Xu family; under no circumstances could anything happen to him!
Yue Lao shook his head and replied softly:
"Your old servant's cultivation is low, so I cannot clearly discern what's going on. But I vaguely sense that the young master seems to be absorbing moonlight to train, and his hibernation remains unaffected."
"You mean Tianxi is absorbing moonlight to cultivate, just like his mother did when she was alive?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Fu's expression instantly turned serious and then surprised, a series of question marks appearing on his forehead.
What is going on? How could a physical-type martial soul train by absorbing moonlight like a moon-type martial soul? That is a special trait unique to star-type martial souls!
Oh right, his great-grandfather once said that the current head of the Core Sect, Du Busai, has the life poison he cultivated within his physical-type martial soul; physical-type martial souls can also possess attribute traits depending on their martial soul characteristics and cultivation direction, though this is extremely rare.
Any physical-type martial soul with such abnormal traits is considered top-tier among physical-type martial souls — for example, Du Busai's martial soul is essentially himself.
Yue Lao's face turned sorrowful, and he nodded in affirmation.
Upon receiving Yue Lao's response, Xu Fu's hand holding the whale glue trembled slightly, while his other hand clenched tightly into a fist, his finger bones straining with visible veins as he hoarsely exclaimed:
"Good! Excellent! Tianxi truly is an unparalleled prodigy of our Xuanyuan Sect, living up to his mother's talents. When he goes to the Sun Moon Empire, he will definitely find a chance to seek revenge on Shrek Academy for his mother's great grudge!"
Yue Lao suddenly looked up, his expression excited as he asked, "Son-in-law, is what you just said true? You plan to send the young master to the Sun Moon Empire to avenge the young lady?"
Xu Fu smiled and responded with a firm "Yes," then patted Yue Lao on the shoulder warmly, saying:
"Speaking of which, it must be hard for a sixth-rank soul tutor like you to stay here. Tianxi will be going to the Sun Moon Empire in a few years, where he will definitely come into contact with soul guidance devices. How about you spend these years instructing him on soul guidance knowledge?"
Tears of excitement welled in Yue Lao's eyes, and he silently wiped them away, saying quietly, "Son-in-law's order is my command; your old servant would gladly give his life!"
"Nonsense, you've long been a part of our Xuanyuan Sect. You are Yue'er's senior, and thus also a senior to both Tianxi and me…"
Xu Fu comforted Yue Lao a few more words gently, handed him the whale glue, then pushed open the door to enter. A scene of great joy unfolded before him.
On the soft bed, Xu Tianxi lay quietly, the crescent mark on his forehead flickering softly as he absorbed the moonlight pouring in through the window. Streams of spirit power silently flowed and gathered mid-air into a small cluster of cold, pure white moonlight.
The shape seemed as if a new crescent moon was about to form.
"Absorbing the power of the moonlight to cultivate — Tianxi's Illusory Moon Spirit Eye truly has the characteristics of a star-type martial soul. The Xuanyuan Sect is truly blessed!"