After trekking for two days through the eastern region of Star Dou Great Forest, the group had encountered many Thousand-year Soul Beasts but had yet to find one particularly suited to Osler's agility-based needs. Either the beasts' attributes were incompatible with the Nether Leopard Martial Soul, or their Innate Soul Skills leaned toward support or defense, offering limited enhancement to Osler's combat style. Osler, who had started out full of anticipation, gradually grew somewhat disheartened, yet he continued to follow the team closely without complaint.
Guided by the map, they finally arrived at the secluded valley near Jadeite Lake. The valley was lush with trees and brimming with spiritual energy, truly a treasure trove fit for spirit-type Soul Beasts. The group spread out, carefully searching for traces of the Thought Beast. However, after an entire day of scouring nearly every corner of the valley, they hadn't found a single white hair of the Thought Beast. Only faint remnants of spiritual fluctuations remained in the valley, indicating that the Thought Beast had once been active there but had since vanished without a trace.
"It seems the Thought Beast may have migrated or met with misfortune," Li Zhaoyan frowned slightly, a hint of regret in his tone. Qiu Yao's small face also showed clear disappointment; she hung her head, her small hands twisting anxiously.
Yang Wudi surveyed the surroundings and said gravely, "In that case, we shouldn't linger here. We need to find another suitable Soul Beast for Qiu Yao as soon as possible. It's not safe to stay deep in Star Dou Great Forest for long."
Just as the group was about to give up and leave the valley to search for alternative Soul Beasts for Qiu Yao in other areas, a muffled beast roar and intense Soul Power collision erupted from the northeast outside the valley! The roar was filled with brutality and mockery, while another, much weaker aura seemed panicked and was fleeing in disarray.
"Something's happening!" Marco's eyes sharpened, and his Observation Haki instantly expanded in that direction. He sensed two Soul Powers locked in fierce combat—one cold, violent, and oppressive, the other pure and agile but on the verge of collapse. "Let's check it out, but stay alert!"
The group immediately suppressed their auras and stealthily moved toward the source of the sound. Passing through a dense thicket, the scene before them made everyone freeze.
In a clearing among the trees, two Soul Beasts were locked in a standoff. One was pure white, shaped like a small deer with eyes as clear as glass—it was the very Thought Beast they had been desperately searching for! But now it was covered in wounds, its snowy fur stained with dust and blood, one hind leg seemingly injured, causing it to stumble as it moved. It gazed fearfully at its opponent, emitting helpless whimpers.
The other Soul Beast confronting it had a sleek build, fur as black as ink, with only its four paws and tail tip glowing with an eerie blue flame-like sheen. Its pupils were crimson, filled with brutality and mockery. It wasn't in a hurry to kill the Thought Beast; instead, it toyed with its prey like a cat with a mouse—lunging occasionally, teasing with claw strikes, reveling in the fear of its victim. The cold, dark aura emanating from it was heart-palpating.
Everyone's gaze immediately focused on the severely endangered Thought Beast, with Qiu Yao covering her mouth, her eyes filled with sympathy and tension. However, Osler beside them suddenly widened his eyes, staring intently at the black panther-type Soul Beast, his body trembling slightly with excitement. He grabbed Marco's arm beside him, his voice distorted by extreme exhilaration: "B-Boss! Nether Panther! It's the Nether Panther! The legendary Nether Panther!"
Marco was taken aback and looked at Osler. He saw Osler's eyes shining, breathing rapidly, pointing at the black Soul Beast while incoherently growling in a low voice: "Nether Panther! A Soul Beast that emerged from the Netherworld! Possessing the purest darkness and power attributes, it's the pinnacle of panther-type Soul Beasts! What Clairvoyant Panther, what Shadow Panther—they're all trash compared to it! I never thought... I never imagined I'd encounter one! Look at its profound patterns and the condensed dark flames at its tail tip... this... this definitely has about thirteen hundred years of cultivation! It's perfect! Boss, I want it! I must make it my third Soul Ring!"
Hearing this, everyone looked at Osler in surprise, then turned their attention to the imposing Nether Panther. They hadn't expected such a fortunate turn—not only had they found the Thought Beast, but they'd also encountered a top-tier Soul Beast even more suitable for Osler!
Just as the Nether Panther seemed to grow tired of playing and flashed a murderous gleam in its eyes, preparing to deliver the fatal blow to the Thought Beast, Li Zhaoyan moved. His figure vanished from his original position like a ghost, appearing the next moment between the two Soul Beasts. He didn't even release his Martial Soul, merely flicking his sleeve to send forth a vast yet condensed wave of Soul Power like an invisible wall.
"Boom!"
The Nether Panther's determined strike was easily neutralized. Its massive body was shaken back several steps, and for the first time, a look of terror appeared in its crimson pupils. Meanwhile, the severely injured Thought Beast was pushed away by a gentle force, avoiding having its heart meridians shattered by the residual shockwaves.
Yang Wudi acted almost simultaneously. Without using his Soul Piercing Lance, he simply pointed his fingers like swords, shooting several sharp gusts of wind through the air that precisely sealed the Nether Panther's vital joints and Soul Power nodes around its body. The Nether Panther roared in anger, still trying to struggle, but with its joints restrained and Soul Power circulation impeded, its massive body instantly stiffened in place, only able to emit unwilling roars. As for the Thought Beast, already severely injured and exhausted, it completely collapsed under Yang Wudi's imposing aura, losing all ability to resist.
In the blink of an eye, two powerful Thousand-year Soul Beasts were subdued. Osler was so excited he nearly jumped up. He quickly ran to the restrained Nether Panther, circling around it with shining eyes, constantly muttering: "It really is the Nether Panther! Excellent! This dark aura, this sense of power... it's so suitable for my Nether Leopard Martial Soul!"
On the other side, Yang Wudi examined the collapsed Thought Beast and said to Li Zhaoyan and Marco: "It's indeed a Thought Beast, with cultivation around five hundred years. The injuries are serious, but its life isn't in danger. However... five hundred years might be somewhat high for this young lady's first Soul Ring?" He looked at Qiu Yao with a questioning gaze. Typically, the limit for a Soul Master's first Soul Ring is around four hundred years.
Qiu Yao looked nervously at Marco. Marco pondered for a moment, then walked to Qiu Yao's side and gently patted her shoulder. He said to Yang Wudi and Li Zhaoyan: "Father, Uncle Yang, Qiu Yao's Martial Soul is special—it's a Brain Soul Spirit, with exceptional Mental Power..."
Far surpassing ordinary people. During this period, she has also consumed Whale Jelly, which has gently nourished and strengthened her meridians and Sea of Consciousness. A five-hundred-year Thought Beast, with attributes perfectly compatible with hers and relatively gentle energy—I believe she can attempt to absorb it. I will stay by her side to protect her and ensure nothing goes wrong."
Li Zhaoyan looked at Marco's determined eyes, then at Qiu Yao's small face, which, though nervous, was filled with longing, and finally nodded. "Since you're confident, we'll follow your plan. But be extremely careful. If anything unusual happens, stop immediately."
At that moment, Marco had an idea and retrieved two jade boxes from his Storage Soul Tool, "Star Orbit." He opened one, revealing a flower with dark purple petals and an eerie shape, emitting a faint illusory aura. The other jade box contained a small plant with crystal-clear leaves, radiating a tranquil presence.
Marco handed the dark purple flower to Osler, who was still excitedly circling the Nether Panther. "Osler, this is a 'Mandala Flower' that I obtained by chance. It should have grown in an extremely yin environment, containing dense dark energy and bloodline power. However, due to its unusual growth conditions, its essence has dissipated, and its medicinal potency has greatly diminished, making it unsuitable for directly enhancing cultivation. But I think if you absorb and refine this flower while absorbing the Nether Panther's Soul Ring, you might be able to use its residual dark essence to better draw out the power within the Nether Panther's bloodline. There's even a slight chance it could promote the evolution of your Ghost Panther Martial Soul."
Osler took the Mandala Flower, feeling its pure dark energy, and his hands trembled slightly. He looked up at Marco, his eyes filled with disbelief, excitement, and gratitude. "Boss! Really? This... this is too precious!"
Marco smiled faintly. "It's just an idea of mine. Whether it succeeds and how effective it will be depends on your luck and perseverance." He then handed the other crystal-clear plant to Qiu Yao. "Qiu Yao, this is 'Mind Calming Grass.' It can soothe the spirit and stabilize the mind. Hold it in your mouth when absorbing the Thought Beast's Soul Ring. It will help you maintain mental clarity and better guide the pure spiritual energy."
Osler tightly gripped the Mandala Flower, looked at Marco, and nodded firmly. "Boss, don't worry! I won't let you down!" Qiu Yao carefully took the Mind Calming Grass, feeling its calming aura, and her tension eased considerably. She nodded vigorously at Marco.
Now, the most important task was to protect the two as they absorbed their Soul Rings. Li Zhao and Yang Wudi were responsible for guarding the perimeter, while Marco focused on Qiu Yao's situation. In the forest clearing, a baptism crucial to the foundation of their future martial paths was about to begin.