After bidding farewell to Huo Yuhao and the others, Wu Ming and his group departed first, heading straight for Shrek Academy.
Although they were still on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest's core area, even a Soul Saint like Wu Ming would find it challenging if they encountered an extremely ancient soul beast.
However, with Cai Mei'er escorting them, Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo had no reason to worry about the safety of the four.
Once they left the Star Dou Forest, the journey to Shrek Academy would be safe.
The surrounding territories were closely tied to Shrek Academy, so there was little danger. Moreover, Soul Masters of the Soul Saint level were already far ahead of 95% of the soul masters on the Douluo Continent.
After the three of them ate some dry rations, they discussed their next steps.
Zhang Lexuan turned to the other two and said, "Ruoruo, Yuhao, we can venture deeper into the core area later and help Yuhao find the 30,000-year-old Silverbrave Beast."
With Zhang Lexuan's strength, which was comparable to that of a Titled Douluo, exploring the core area was no cause for concern. As long as they didn't run into a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, there was nothing to fear.
"Thirty thousand years?!" Han Ruoruo looked at the two in shock, then turned to Huo Yuhao with concern. "Yuhao, are you sure about this?"
While it was rare for geniuses with Soul Ancestor cultivation to absorb ten-thousand-year soul rings, it wasn't impossible.
Han Ruoruo knew Huo Yuhao was such a genius, but she hadn't expected him to take such a massive leap—jumping from a thousand-year third ring to a thirty-thousand-year fourth ring. Wasn't that a bit too much?
Such a soul ring was typically only absorbed by genius Soul Emperors.
Although Huo Yuhao had entered the inner courtyard early and had been consuming the nutrient-rich meals provided there daily, significantly boosting his physical strength compared to his peers, less than a year had passed since he enrolled. Was he really ready for this?
Huo Yuhao responded with a determined look. "Sister Ruoruo, trust me."
Zhang Lexuan also reassured her, "It's fine, Ruoruo. This is the soul beast that Dean Yan and the others have carefully selected for Huo Yuhao. The age has been thoroughly considered."
Hearing this, Han Ruoruo felt somewhat relieved. "That's good."
As someone well-read, Han Ruoruo raised another point. "If I recall correctly, the Silverbrave Beast is rarely mentioned even in ancient texts. It's very similar to the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear in that its reproductive capacity is extremely poor. Because of this, historical records suggest that the Silverbrave Beast went extinct long ago."
Zhang Lexuan reminded her, "Ruoruo, it's better to trust the academy's findings than to rely solely on books. The academy has indeed discovered traces of the Silverbrave Beast in the core area."
Taking this opportunity, Zhang Lexuan also introduced the Silverbrave Beast to the two present.
"The Silverbrave Beast's innate soul skill is called Inscription. It's an incredibly powerful ability. The moment it uses this skill, it can copy and store the opponent's soul skills within its own body, then use them when needed."
"Moreover, the Silverbrave Beast's Inscriptioning is entirely done through mental power, so it isn't affected by its own attributes. When using the Inscription soul skills, the only limitation is the user's cultivation level, but the power of the soul skills can be displayed at 100%."
The Silverbrave Beast's physical body isn't particularly strong. Strictly speaking, it's only a third-tier soul beast. However, with its innate 'Inscription' skill, it can reach the second tier.
The so-called soul beast tiers aren't a particularly detailed classification—they're more of an evaluation of a soul beast's innate talent. For example, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear is undoubtedly a first-tier soul beast and one of the top existences within that tier.
Han Ruoruo added, "Of course, there are some limitations to the 'Inscription' skill. It can only store one soul skill at a time. In other words, after the Silverbrave Beast copies a soul skill, it must use that skill before it can use Inscription skill on another."
"Historical records also suggest that there's a daily limit to how many times the Silverbrave Beast can use 'Inscription,' though the exact number isn't specified. However, it's certain that the Silverbrave Beast can use 'Inscription' at least three times a day."
Han Ruoruo sighed. "Yuhao, although the 'Inscription' skill has its limitations, it's incredibly suited to you. And when you reach the Titled Douluo level, your 'Inscription' ability will also improve, allowing you to even Inscription hundred-thousand-year soul skills!"
"This soul skill is indeed very powerful," Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement.
Of course, if the opponent isn't strong enough, you won't be able to use Inscription skill for any powerful abilities, rendering the skill useless in battle. However, humans and soul beasts are different!
The Silverbrave Beast must fight other soul beasts to complete its Inscriptioning, but soul masters can communicate with their partners and have them use soul skills for Inscriptioning.
Moreover, with Skydream's help, Huo Yuhao's soul ring lifespan can continue to increase, further strengthening his 'Inscription' skill.
After the two explained the details, both Skydream and the hidden Xuan Zi understood the potential of this soul skill. Such a heaven-defying ability couldn't be missed!
Skydream jumped up excitedly. "Yuhao, you told me the Silverbrave Beast's soul skill would be this powerful when combined with you. Next, I'll definitely help you find it!"
"Then I'll leave it to you, Skydream," Huo Yuhao responded in his spiritual sea.
Xuan Zi, who had been quietly observing, spat out a chicken bone and took a swig of wine.
Indeed, the Silverbrave Beast was the most suitable soul beast for Huo Yuhao.
It was said to be extinct, yet here it was, perfectly matched in age. If they missed this opportunity, there might not be another.
Although finding the Silverbrave Beast in the vast Star Dou Forest was like searching for a needle in a haystack, it didn't matter—he would make sure Huo Yuhao turn it into his soul ring.
With that, Xuan Zi silently departed.
…
The three continued their exploration of the core area. Without the burden of a Soul Ancestor, they moved swiftly.
Zhang Lexuan initially planned to slow down, but seeing Huo Yuhao keeping up effortlessly, she quickened their pace.
Skydream's excited voice sounded in Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea once more. "Yuhao, head four kilometers northeast. There's a soul beast with spiritual attributes of the right age. Go check it out—it should be the Silverbrave Beast!"
Not long after, following Skydream's guidance, the three arrived at an open clearing. Relying on his powerful spiritual power, Huo Yuhao spotted a rather unimpressive-looking soul beast.
The creature resembled a dog, with a hideous face, a long and ugly snout, outward-curving fangs, and pale white eyes glowing faintly. Its limbs were thick, and its body was covered in scales rather than fur.
The scales were silver with hints of gold, and they reflected soul power fluctuations, allowing the Silverbrave Beast to conceal its presence.
When the beast's eyes met Huo Yuhao's, it didn't retreat. Instead, it charged straight at him.
"Be careful! This Silverbrave Beast might have mutated. Its age definitely isn't just thirty thousand years!" Huo Yuhao warned as his Ice Jade Scorpion Empress martial soul instantly enveloped him.
He pulled back his right arm, his soul power surging as he prepared to meet the Silverbrave Beast head-on.
Huo Yuhao didn't use his teleportation skill recklessly. If the Silverbrave Beast copied it, its mobility would become a significant threat.
'Third Level Strength Gu + Righteousness Gu!'
'Take this!'
Huo Yuhao's punch landed heavily on the Silverbrave Beast's waist and abdomen.
The moment his fist made contact, extreme cold surged into the beast's body, accompanied by a terrifying force capable of shattering boulders.
"Boom!"
With a heavy thud, the Silverbrave Beast was sent flying, crashing through several large trees before hitting the ground. It rolled and struggled to its feet, blood dripping from its mouth and nose, clearly injured.
Han Ruoruo, the most agile and control-oriented of the group, acted next.
As a Control System Soul Douluo, she was no joke. Golden halos descended from the sky, completely immobilizing the Silverbrave Beast, leaving it with no escape.
However, the Silverbrave Beast's eyes remained calm, even carrying a hint of cruelty.
As Huo Yuhao approached, a strange light suddenly emanated from the beast's body, and a faint shadow flickered behind it.
If Huo Yuhao and his team had looked closely, they would have seen that the shadow resembled a majestic and handsome lion.
Then, the Silverbrave Beast broke free from its restraints, and a surge of green water descended, attempting to intercept Huo Yuhao. But in the face of Huo Yuhao's extreme ice, such water-based soul skills were insignificant.
As the Northern Dark Ice Soul Domain unfolded, the green water froze, forming a cage that restricted the Silverbrave Beast's movements.
Zhang Lexuan seized the moment to attack. Her eyes glowed with silver light as her first, second, and third soul rings lit up simultaneously.
The full moon in the sky seemed to unleash a barrage of soul-guided rays, dealing a heavy blow to the Silverbrave Beast.
The rest of the battle was straightforward.
The injured Silverbrave Beast was no match for Huo Yuhao and his companions.
Although it attempted to copy their soul skills, Huo Yuhao refrained from using any, while Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo only employed low-level skills.
In less than a few minutes, with Huo Yuhao's Domain of Perpetual Ice (Permafrost Domain) fully activated, the Silverbrave Beast was completely frozen and restrained by the golden ropes.
"Yuhao, are you sure you want to absorb this Silverbrave Beast's soul ring? Based on my preliminary estimate, this soul ring is at least 45,000 years old," Zhang Lexuan asked, her usually gentle demeanor now serious.
"Yes, Yuhao. You have great talent, and there's no need to push the limits of the soul ring's age. This Silverbrave Beast is indeed very suitable for you, but you could take it back to the academy and keep it captive first. You can absorb its soul ring when you break through to the Soul King level," Han Ruoruo advised.
…
[I've just launched a new fanfiction project titled Protagonist's Mother Is My Wife.
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From chapters 31: Exclusive to Patreon paid members.]
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