Chapter 9: Hunting the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf
On the first day in the Soul Hunting Forest, despite the trio's exploration, they failed to find a Spirit Beast suitable for Zhao Bufan.
After spending a rough night in the forest, it wasn't until the second day that the three of them encountered a Blazing Fire Azure Wolf that had separated from its pack.
This Blazing Fire Azure Wolf stood over a meter tall, its body comparable in size to a small calf.
Its frame was lean and powerful, with pale, dagger-like teeth so sharp that merely standing before it induced a suffocating pressure.
"Nephew, you really are in luck," Zhao Zhuo licked his lips, his eyes filled with envy.
Lin Yang also nodded at Zhao Bufan and said,
"Your luck is indeed good. Pay attention. This Blazing Fire Azure Wolf has a tear wound on its leg. It likely failed to compete for the position of Wolf King and was driven out of the pack."
"It has three red hairs on its body, indicating an age of around three hundred years. It's very suitable for you."
Zhao Zhuo glanced at Lin Yang in surprise, not expecting this kid to possess such knowledge.
However, upon remembering that the other party hailed from an academy, it was no longer so strange.
At this moment, Zhao Bufan was also extremely excited.
He had originally thought that obtaining a two-hundred-year spirit ring would satisfy him, but by sheer coincidence, they had run into this Blazing Fire Azure Wolf.
Both its species and its age were simply perfect for him.
At the thought of having a three-hundred-year spirit ring, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in Zhao Bufan's eyes.
"Let's go with it," Zhao Bufan said in a low voice.
"Good. In a moment, I'll go up to restrain that beast. The two of you find an opportunity to finish it off."
After speaking, Zhao Zhuo suddenly stood up, gave a low shout, and activated his Martial Soul.
"Wild Wolf, Possess Me."
A hazy gray halo burst forth from his body. His frame crackled and seemed to abruptly grow taller, stretching his clothes taut.
The nails on both hands grew sharp and curved, becoming like claws.
White, fierce-looking canine teeth were revealed between his lips, and faint, short, stiff gray-black hairs appeared on his cheeks and exposed skin.
His hair and beard bristled, making him resemble an upright-walking werewolf, exuding a wild and dangerous aura.
At his feet, two White Soul Rings silently materialized, gently undulating.
"They're only White Soul Rings," Lin Yang muttered to himself.
"Awooo—!"
A howl full of intimidation erupted from Zhao Zhuo's throat.
The next second, he pushed off with his legs and closed the distance in an instant, engaging the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf in close combat.
Following the prior plan, Lin Yang and Zhao Bufan quickly fanned out to the left and right, blocking the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf's escape route while also keeping watch to prevent sneak attacks from other Spirit Beasts.
Lin Yang silently observed the battle not far away.
In just this short while, Zhao Zhuo had already used both of his Martial Soul Abilities.
His First Soul Skill increased his strength, and his Second Soul Skill increased his speed.
With the two skills stacked, he successfully forced the lame Blazing Fire Azure Wolf to retreat step by step.
The howling wind from his claws left four or five gashes on the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf's body.
However, a Blazing Fire Azure Wolf capable of challenging the Wolf King position was clearly no ordinary creature.
Although at a disadvantage, it did not immediately show signs of collapse. Instead, it cleverly utilized the environment, constantly maneuvering and dodging.
As time passed, Zhao Zhuo's advantage gradually became more apparent.
The Blazing Fire Azure Wolf gained several more wounds, its blood flowed, and even its movements seemed to slow.
Yet, Lin Yang keenly sensed something was amiss.
While the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf appeared to be retreating in defeat, through the constant struggle and movement, the positions of the man and the beast were steadily drawing closer to his own direction.
This cunning beast, it's trying to escape!
Just as Lin Yang was about to open his mouth to warn them, a sudden change occurred.
The Blazing Fire Azure Wolf, which had seemed on the verge of collapse and was barely holding on, suddenly erupted with a fierce light in its eyes. With a low roar, a layer of not-too-intense crimson flames ignited around its body.
It opened its maw wide and spat out a blazing fireball the size of a human head. Like a meteor, it shot straight toward Zhao Zhuo's face.
The fireball was extremely fast, and the distance to Zhao Zhuo was very close. He had no time to react and could only instinctively cross his arms in front of his face.
Boom!
The fireball exploded, a wave of flame swept out, instantly engulfing Zhao Zhuo's figure.
Simultaneously, the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf, having gathered momentum in its hind legs for a long time, erupted with force. Its powerful, calf-like body transformed into a crimson-gray blur, charging directly toward Lin Yang's position.
In its perception, this human before it had the weakest aura, making him the perfect breakthrough point.
"Boss, watch out!"
From another direction, Zhao Bufan's eyes widened in fury as he urgently shouted.
However, facing the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf charging toward him, Lin Yang was not angry but instead smiled. It actually saw him as an easy target.
Lin Yang took a step forward, his "Scarlet Edge" instantly slashing horizontally at an extremely fast speed, cutting across the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf's chest.
Schlick—!
Accompanied by a graceful arc, the sound of a sharp blade cutting through flesh was exceptionally clear.
Blood spurted. Through the wound, Lin Yang could even glimpse the faintly pulsating heart beneath the flesh and skin.
Thud!
A cloud of dust rose as the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf crashed to the ground, its blood staining the earth beneath it red, flowing from the wound.
"Boss... are you... alright?"
When Zhao Bufan ran over, he found the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf already lying on the ground, breathing its last. He was instantly stunned.
The Blazing Fire Azure Wolf that his paternal cousin's husband couldn't subdue after all that time was actually taken care of by Lin Yang with a single slash?
Lin Yang smiled and said,
"What are you standing there for? It's yours now."
Only then did Zhao Bufan belatedly realize. A fiery gleam appeared in his eyes.
Without another word, he pulled a dagger from his waist and viciously stabbed it into the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf's heart.
Schick!
A soft sound, accompanied by the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf's feeble death wail, and its life force rapidly vanished.
In its place, a bright yellow Soul Ring slowly rose from its corpse, emitting a gentle yet powerful energy fluctuation.
A hundred-year spirit ring, right within reach.
Zhao Bufan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement in his heart. Then, facing the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf, he sat down cross-legged, assuming a cultivation posture.
Just as he was about to draw in the Soul Ring, from his current angle, he suddenly noticed a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of light flash at the wound on the corpse.
Almost instantly, an unbelievable thought exploded in his mind.
Zhao Bufan's body trembled slightly. He quickly glanced at Lin Yang.
Finding that Lin Yang hadn't noticed anything over here, Zhao Bufan forcefully pressed down the wild joy in his heart, adjusted his position slightly, and nonchalantly summoned his Martial Soul.
As his Soul Power stirred, the Soul Ring "whooshed" and directly settled around Zhao Bufan.
While Lin Yang was guarding Zhao Bufan during his absorption, Zhao Zhuo, who had been blasted away by the Blazing Fire Azure Wolf earlier, also walked over. However, he looked somewhat disheveled at the moment.
The area from his forearms to the back of his hands was bright red and covered in blisters.
The most severe spots were already charred black, indicating his injuries were not light.
Seeing the corpse of the now-dead Blazing Fire Azure Wolf and Zhao Bufan already in the process of absorbing the soul ring, no matter how much resentment he felt in his heart, he could only swallow it.
Time passed bit by bit. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Zhao Bufan's forehead, and his skin surface took on a slight reddish hue, clearly indicating he was under considerable pressure.
However, the advantage of a Beast Spirit was its ability to passively enhance a Soul Master's physical constitution.
It was only a three-hundred-year spirit ring; the probability of failure was very small.
As expected, after about half an hour had passed,
Zhao Bufan's breathing began to steady, and his previously fluctuating Soul Power gradually calmed down.
Soul ring absorption, successful!
Zhao Bufan opened his eyes, revealing a hint of joy within them.
Now, he had officially become a One-Ring Soul Master.