Seeing that the wolf was trying to pull its claw free from the tree trunk, Xiao Chen did not hesitate. He swiftly twisted his body, dashed forward once more, and delivered a crushing blow straight to the wolf's head with his bare fist.
Boooooooooooom!
Not just once—Xiao Chen repeated the same action over and over again until the Blood-Fang Wolf's head was smashed into a disgusting pulp.
Feeling slightly nauseous, Xiao Chen was reminded by his master that brutality was something every cultivator had to face. As long as one hesitated, the one being killed could easily become oneself—just like the wolf he had just slain.
Those words hardened Xiao Chen's resolve. He began searching for the beast's soul pearl buried within the pool of dripping blood. After finding it, Xiao Chen continued hunting other demon beasts.
Seeing his disciple gradually grow accustomed to killing—and sensing that there were no powerful demon beasts in the forest capable of threatening Xiao Chen's life—the Star Soul began its own cultivation beneath Xiao Chen's subconscious.
"Xiao Chen, those three men are no longer in this forest," the Star Soul said. "And I also sense no tier-three demon beasts here. You can hunt without worry."
"Understood, Master."
Feeling at ease, Xiao Chen continued searching for demon beasts hiding around the area.
Days passed swiftly. Exactly one week later, after collecting more than three hundred soul pearls from tier-one and tier-two demon beasts, the Star Soul ended its own training and instructed Xiao Chen to begin increasing his cultivation.
"W-why didn't you put them into your spatial ring?" Seeing Xiao Chen carrying three hundred soul pearls in his arms, the Star Soul could only shake its head at his disciple's foolishness.
"A spatial ring? Master, I don't have one!" Xiao Chen protested.
"Aish… look at your ring finger."
"Isn't this just an ordinary ring my father gave me?"
"Ordinary, my foot! Drip your blood onto it—the ring will then acknowledge you as its master!"
Biting his finger, Xiao Chen smeared his blood onto the ring's surface. The ring trembled slightly, and in the next moment, Xiao Chen could miraculously see the interior of the spatial ring.
"The Immortal Phoenix Scripture?!"
Upon hearing this, the Star Soul's eyes widened in shock. To confirm it, it immediately emerged from Xiao Chen's body.
"Chen'er, take the scripture out."
Following his master's instruction, Xiao Chen produced the worn-looking tome. The Star Soul was utterly stunned—it was the possession of the ruler of the Sky Hall.
"S-so you truly are Xiao Lang's son…"
Xiao Chen simply nodded. He had already explained his identity during their first meeting.
"Child, study that scripture slowly," the Star Soul said solemnly. "In time, you will surely become an unrivaled cultivator. But before that, strengthen your cultivation first."
"Now use the Heaven-Devouring Dragon cultivation technique I taught you earlier. Absorb as much energy as you can from the soul pearls you hunted."
After saying this, the Star Soul returned to Xiao Chen's body.
Placing two hundred tier-one soul pearls and fifty tier-two soul pearls into the spatial ring, Xiao Chen left the rest outside and began using the cultivation technique his master had taught him.
Chen'er, you're far too greedy… Very well. Let this become a lesson, the Star Soul muttered inwardly as it continued to observe Xiao Chen, already anticipating what would happen.
As soon as the cultivation technique was activated, fifty soul pearls scattered on the ground instantly turned into dust. Their energy surged into Xiao Chen's body, flowing rapidly toward his meridians.
The energy was overwhelmingly powerful. Xiao Chen nearly lost focus as his body began to swell. Still, he grit his teeth and forced himself to absorb it, refining it into energy for his meridian pool.
Swuuuuuuuush!
Seeing his disciple struggling, the Star Soul secretly assisted, refining the soul pearl energy into purer meridian energy within Xiao Chen's body.
Xiao Chen vaguely sensed this help. Regaining his focus, he concentrated fully—causing a muffled explosion to echo inside his body.
Booooom!
Spirit Initiate, Two-Star!
Fifteen minutes later, the same explosion sounded twice more. This meant Xiao Chen's cultivation had reached Spirit Initiate, Four-Star.
After fully refining all the soul pearl energy and advancing his cultivation realm, Xiao Chen felt lighter and filled with strength. More importantly, his spiritual awareness had increased—he could now sense any energy or aura within a radius of thirty meters.
"Congratulations, my disciple. The road ahead is still long," the Star Soul said warmly. "Now, begin studying the Immortal Phoenix Scripture you possess."
When Xiao Chen took out the scripture, his soul was suddenly pulled into it. Upon opening his eyes again, a blinding light formed into a majestic phoenix before him.
Kyaaaaaaaaat! Kyaaaaaaaaat!
The phoenix let out an earth-shaking cry, its overwhelming aura spreading outward as its gaze locked onto Xiao Chen.
"My child, if you have opened the Immortal Phoenix Scripture," the phoenix spoke,"it means your father has either already passed on… or you have become a cultivator."
The phoenix then transformed into a handsome, charismatic middle-aged man.
"F-Father…"
"My child, my remaining spiritual consciousness is limited," the man said gently."No matter what happens, be a good person. I will await the day you become a phoenix soaring freely across the heavens. Forgive your father for making your life one of suffering… Now, walk your own path. My prayers will always follow your steps."
Swuuuuuuuuuuuush!
The man transformed into light and forcibly entered Xiao Chen's forehead. His vision blurred, and when he opened his eyes again, Xiao Chen could only cry out—
"Father!"
Swuuuuuuuung!
At the same time, Xiao Chen's bloodline suddenly awakened. His blood felt as though it were boiling, and a phoenix emblem appeared on his forehead.
Sensing the awakening of Xiao Chen's bloodline—and knowing how dangerous his disciple's identity was—the Star Soul immediately sealed it again.
"Child, calm yourself…"
"M-Master, I met my father! Where is he?!"
The Star Soul fell silent for a moment before replying,"Perhaps it was only the spiritual remnant your father left behind. He must have given you some advice, didn't he?"
"Yes, Master…"
"Then if it is good advice, follow it. Your master will support you."
"Thank you, Master…"
Opening the Immortal Phoenix Scripture once more, Xiao Chen carefully read the first page:
"Phoenix's Wrathful Cry."
Allowing his disciple to comprehend the innate technique left behind by his father, the Star Soul once again returned to Xiao Chen's body.
Ten minutes later, after grasping the basic principles of the technique, Xiao Chen opened his mouth. Though the sound was piercing, it only managed to shake the surrounding air.
Kyaaaaaaaaat! Kyaaaaaaaaat!
To master it this quickly… he truly is an unparalleled genius. I knew it—you will become the second Xiao Lang, soaring high and carrying everyone's hopes,the Star Soul murmured to itself.