At that moment, a few miles away—
After arriving at Heaven Dou City and undergoing over half a year of cultivation, Dai Mubai had successfully advanced from Rank 38 Spirit Elder to Rank 40 Spirit Ancestor.
Led by Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang, Dai Mubai set out with Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Yu Tianheng toward the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for their fourth Spirit Rings.
As a member of a great Spirit Master family, the Evil Eyed White Tiger Family had long researched the optimal Spirit Ring combinations for the Evil Eyed White Tiger Martial Soul.
First Spirit Ability: White Tiger Body Barrier, from the Golden Armored Tiger
Second Spirit Ability: White Tiger Light Wave, from the Radiant White Tiger
Third Spirit Ability: White Tiger Vajra Transformation, from the Diamond Tiger
Fourth Spirit Ability: requires hunting the Golden Saint Tiger for a powerful AoE ability: White Tiger Meteor Shower
Thus, on the forest's outskirts, Liu Erlong, Flender, and Yu Xiaogang had led Dai Mubai and the others in a long search. After several days—
They finally found a Golden Saint Tiger with a cultivation of 4,600 years.
"Three and a half meters in length… That's a 4,600-year Golden Saint Tiger."
Recognizing the beast from afar, Yu Xiaogang used his raspy, scholarly voice to identify it based on the soul beast knowledge etched in his mind.
"4,600 years. According to your theory on Spirit Ring absorption limits, that's perfect for Mubai's fourth ring," Flender nodded.
"Then let's take this one!" Liu Erlong said impatiently.
Clad in a simple, elegant blue robe, her voluptuous and valiant figure radiated both femininity and dominance. Frustrated from the long search, she rolled up her sleeves with a fiery glint in her eyes.
"Fire Dragon, Possession!"
A fierce draconic roar echoed as her Martial Soul erupted behind her—a crimson-scaled Fire Dragon with wings unfurled, immediately merging with her.
With Martial Soul Possession complete, Liu Erlong's figure grew taller. Crimson scales surged across her body. Her eyes turned into golden slitted pupils, twin red dragon wings spread from her back, and dragon horns formed atop her head.
Beneath her feet, two yellow, two purple, and three black Spirit Rings rose in succession—seven in total.
An immense wave of Spirit Power and pressure exploded outward.
Roaring in fury, Liu Erlong soared through the air, charging straight at the Golden Saint Tiger.
"Erlong—!" Flender shouted, quickly releasing his Four-Eyed Owl Martial Soul and growing a pair of Spirit Power wings. He carried Yu Xiaogang and the others in pursuit.
At that moment, the Golden Saint Tiger, sensing its natural rival's aura vanish, had been cautiously emerging to expand its territory.
But as soon as it saw Liu Erlong's approach and felt her raging power, it instantly realized it wasn't a match.
Letting out a fearful roar, it turned and fled toward the forest.
"Trying to run?"
A sharp gleam flashed in Liu Erlong's golden eyes as she accelerated mid-air, conjuring explosive fireballs in her hands and hurling them down at the fleeing beast.
Because this tiger was intended for Dai Mubai's Spirit Ring, Liu Erlong, as a Spirit Sage, couldn't use high-tier Spirit Abilities for fear of killing it in one blow.
Instead, she converted her Spirit Power into elemental flames—hurling fireballs to hinder it.
Yet, the Golden Saint Tiger proved unusually agile, weaving through the trees and dodging all her attacks while continuing to flee.
Hunting for others is always tricky—you can't kill the soul beast, and you're limited in how much force you can use.
Even Dugu Bo and Meng Shu (the Dragon Duke), both Spirit Douluo, had trouble when chasing down spirit beasts like the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent or Man-Faced Demon Spider—allowing Tang San and Oscar to land the finishing blow.
Even though Liu Erlong had the advantage of flight and speed, the dense forest terrain still posed a challenge.
The pursuit continued.
The Golden Saint Tiger soon fled several li away...
Meanwhile, back on Ye Yu's side—
After Zhu Zhuqing successfully absorbed the Riftclaw Silver Tiger's Spirit Ring, nightfall began to approach.
The setting sun bathed the forest in golden light.
Ye Yu decided to make camp here for the night. He would bring Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing back to Heaven Dou City tomorrow.
As they finished setting up camp, a sudden tiger's roar echoed in the distance.
A moment later, a wounded Golden Saint Tiger, over three meters in length, its fur scorched black in many places, charged madly through the trees—rushing straight toward their clearing.
"ROAR!!"
Perhaps attracted by the open terrain, the bloodshot beast barreled forward, clearly intending to pass through—but ended up pouncing straight at them.
"Courting death."
Ye Yu's expression turned cold. Seeing that the tiger intended to attack, he made no attempt to spare it.
Vanishing with Triple Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Ye Yu instantly reappeared in its path.
He clenched his fist.
BOOM!
A strike like a cannon blast landed squarely on the tiger's skull.
Crack—!
The sound of bone shattering echoed through the air.
The Golden Saint Tiger let out a pained wail. Blood spurted from its eyes, nose, and mouth. Its massive body was sent flying, crashing into a tree and sliding for several meters before collapsing completely still.
"My Golden Saint Tiger!!"
A familiar, furious voice shrieked as Liu Erlong finally caught up.
Seeing her carefully hunted prey lying lifeless on the ground, she was enraged.
Landing with her flaming dragon wings folded behind her, she stomped up to Ye Yu, hands on her hips, golden slit pupils flashing with anger.
"That was MY prey! Who gave you permission to kill it?!"
"Your prey?" Ye Yu sneered.
"And so what if it was? You let your prey escape, and it charged at me. You think I'm going to just let it maul me? What should I do—invite it to dinner instead?"
Seeing her temper and lack of manners, Ye Yu's refined face flashed with cold disdain.
Just then—
"Erlong!!"
Flender's urgent voice rang out.
He arrived quickly with Yu Xiaogang, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others.
"Lord Ye Yu?!"
Flender froze in shock, staring at the young man before him.
He never expected to run into Ye Yu in this place.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and Tang San both noticed the two girls standing behind Ye Yu—Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.
Their expressions changed subtly.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin