Chapter 8: Devil Training
Ye Tianming led Long Chen and Ye Lingling through the forest. Their target was a soul beast with a cultivation base of 100 years.
As they walked, Ye Tianming suddenly stopped.
A lizard soul beast, about one meter in length and covered with green scales, appeared in front of them.
"It's a green-scaled lizard with a cultivation base of 300 years!" Ye Tianming whispered, his voice filled with surprise.
Lizard soul beasts had the ability to regenerate their tails after they were cut off, and their healing abilities were remarkable, making them an excellent choice for a healer's soul ring.
Although the green-scaled lizard wasn't particularly rare, its 300 years of cultivation made its soul ring very high-quality.
"Lingling, that green-scaled lizard has a good self-healing ability, making it very suitable for your soul ring," Ye Tianming said.
Ye Lingling nodded, feeling both nervous and excited.
Ye Tianming quickly moved, his figure flashing beside the soul beast like a shadow. The golden eagle's giant claws immediately grabbed the green-scaled lizard's vitals.
The green-scaled lizard, startled, thrashed wildly, trying to escape. But no matter how hard it struggled, it couldn't break free from Ye Tianming's hold.
"Lingling, get ready!" Ye Tianming called out.
"Okay!" Ye Lingling replied.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Lingling drew her sharp dagger, rushing toward the green-scaled lizard and stabbing it in the neck.
The lizard's body twitched violently a few times before collapsing to the ground.
Staring at the lifeless lizard, Ye Lingling felt a mix of emotions. Though she had imagined this moment countless times, she couldn't shake the complicated feelings that emerged after killing her first soul beast.
Noticing her hesitation, Long Chen gently patted her shoulder.
"Lingling, you did a good job. Take a moment to adjust and prepare to absorb the soul ring," Long Chen encouraged.
"Okay," Ye Lingling said, her spirits lifted by Long Chen's words.
Ye Lingling sat cross-legged, closing her eyes to focus on absorbing the soul ring.
A faint yellow mist rose from the green-scaled lizard's body, slowly condensing into a soul ring with a pale yellow glow.
Ye Lingling extended her right hand, and the soul ring was drawn toward her by an invisible force, floating beside her.
She began to absorb the energy from the soul ring.
Ye Tianming quietly watched from a distance, ensuring no outside distractions disturbed her concentration.
Meanwhile, Long Chen looked around the area, as though searching for something.
His eyes fell upon a plant in the distance.
Its leaves were slender and elegant, glowing with a faint green light in the dim light of the forest.
"It's the orchid spirit grass!" Long Chen exclaimed in excitement.
The orchid spirit grass was a rare medicinal herb that could only be found in the Soul Beast Forest. It grew in hidden, harsh environments, taking decades or even centuries to mature. It was a valuable ingredient for refining high-level spiritual pills.
Long Chen carefully approached the plant, dug it out along with the soil around its roots, and placed it in a special jade box to preserve its medicinal properties.
Ye Tianming smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, you seem really happy. Is this herb so valuable?"
"Yes, it's a crucial ingredient for refining spiritual pills. It only grows in places where soul beasts live," Long Chen explained as he carefully placed the plant into the box.
"I see. The Soul Beast Forest is full of rare plants and herbs not found anywhere else," Ye Tianming said. "But don't get too excited. In the next couple of years, we'll be spending a few days here every month."
Long Chen was initially confused, not fully understanding what Ye Tianming meant.
"Xiao Chen, your aunt Bai and I will take you to the Soul Beast Forest for training. We'll explain the details when we return," Ye Tianming added.
"Okay," Long Chen said, eagerly looking forward to the experience.
He had been studying medicinal herbs for over six months, but he knew that theoretical knowledge could only take him so far. He needed practical experience, whether it was dispensing medicine, refining pills, or learning directly from a professional pharmacist.
Tiandou City had several drug stores and clinics that could provide him with the opportunity to study. Some of the rare medicinal materials found only in the Soul Beast Forest could be traded for a significant amount of money.
Long Chen intended to use these resources to further his studies, while also earning some money.
After some time, Ye Lingling opened her eyes, having completed her soul ring absorption. She smiled slightly.
"How is it, Lingling? How much has your soul power increased?" Long Chen asked with concern.
"My soul power has increased by two levels," Ye Lingling replied, her voice full of satisfaction.
"That's great! You're now a level 12 soul master. You have a bright future ahead of you," Long Chen said, a proud smile spreading across his face.
Ye Tianming also nodded, clearly pleased.
The three of them packed their things and began their journey back. Ye Tianming and Long Chen escorted Ye Lingling to the Royal Academy, and afterward, they returned home to Tiandou City.
A Few Days Later
One evening, while Long Chen was practicing in his room, Ye Tianming came to find him.
"Xiao Chen, in addition to soul skills, physical combat and body movements are equally important for soul masters. Soul power is limited, and you can't rely solely on your soul skills during battle. Close combat is just as vital," Ye Tianming said.
"Your martial soul isn't suited for close combat, so it's essential for you to build up your physical strength and master close combat skills."
Long Chen was curious. "Uncle Ye, what will this training involve?"
"Every month, we'll spend a week in the Soul Beast Forest, either in the Sunset Forest or the Star Forest. First, you'll focus on building up your physical strength and endurance, then we'll have you fight soul beasts to improve your combat skills," Ye Tianming explained.
"That sounds great," Long Chen said, his excitement growing.
But Ye Tianming smiled knowingly. "Don't be too eager. This training will be just as tough as devil training. You'll learn why soon enough."
Long Chen was taken aback. If he couldn't use his soul skills, even soul masters would be vulnerable in front of powerful soul beasts, and he was still just a child. This training would be a significant challenge.
However, Long Chen understood that the more difficult it was, the more potential it would unlock in him.
"Uncle Ye, when do we start?"
"In a few days. We'll begin your physical training in the Soul Beast Forest then," Ye Tianming replied.
"Okay," Long Chen said eagerly. Although he knew the upcoming devil training would be tough, he couldn't help but look forward to it.
A few days later, Ye Tianming and his wife took Long Chen back to the Sunset Forest.
Under their supervision and protection, Long Chen underwent his first special training, which involved mountain climbing. Every day, Long Chen was exhausted, sometimes even falling. Fortunately, with Ye Susu's healing abilities, no matter how severe the injury, it could be fully healed.
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(End of this chapter)