Wang Li returned to the student group, greeted by envy, jealousy, and hatred in the eyes of others. A hundred-year spirit ring, that was a hundred-year spirit ring! Why could he have a hundred-year spirit ring?
Wang Li didn't care about this at all; he had already absorbed the spirit ring. No matter how these people looked at him, he couldn't spit it back out.
At this moment, Su Mo loudly called out to everyone:
"Pack up your things. We'll set off again immediately. It's getting late, and we must find an open area to camp before it gets truly dark. The Hunting Soul Forest at night is even more dangerous than during the day."
Both teachers and students immediately responded upon hearing this:
"Yes!"
Soon, everyone set off again, this time not to search for Spirit Beasts, but to find a camping spot. After some effort, they finally found an open area.
The terrain was high, the visibility was good, and there were no tall trees around. Even if a Spirit Beast wanted to launch a surprise attack under the cover of night, it would be detected in time.
The teachers each performed their duties: some set up camp, some chopped wood and started fires, and some sprinkled a circle of powder around to repel snakes, insects, rats, and ants... Clearly, they had extremely rich wilderness survival experience.
As night deepened, everyone gathered around the bonfire, eating the food they had brought. Wang Li ate steamed buns with plain water. The steamed buns, which were cold and hard, became golden and crispy after being roasted over the fire. Paired with some dried meat, they were extremely satisfying.
Beside Wang Li, only Wang Sheng accompanied him. The other senior students were probably somewhat resentful of him, so they deliberately ostracized him.
Wang Li, of course, disdained these childish antics. Anyway, once they returned from this trip, they wouldn't have any further interaction.
Just then, Dean Zhang washed his hands with water, then, while wiping off the moisture, he called out to Su Mo:
"Su Mo, arrange the night watch duty for tonight."
Upon hearing this, Su Mo immediately responded respectfully:
"Yes, Dean!"
After speaking, Su Mo turned to look at everyone, his expression becoming serious, and he said solemnly:
"Night is the time when many fierce Spirit Beasts hunt in the Hunting Soul Forest, so a night watch is essential."
"As the strongest among us, the Dean must have ample rest. Fiona is a support Spirit Master and cannot react in time in an emergency. Therefore, tonight, I, Gou An, Yuan Fu, Bao Tong, Fergus, and Eureka, six teachers, will take turns on night watch."
At this point, Su Mo's gaze swept across the faces of the many students. Although so far, only Sheng Kai and Wang Li had obtained spirit rings, those without spirit rings could still participate in the night watch:
"You are no exception. What you haven't learned in the academy before, this Spirit Beast hunt is your final lesson. All students will form groups of two and participate in the night watch with a teacher."
"Once you have a spirit ring, you are a Spirit Master. After you leave the academy, you must also know how to protect yourselves."
These students had no objections, and were even quite excited. They probably hadn't encountered real danger before. Everyone responded in unison:
"Yes!"
As expected, Wang Li and Wang Sheng were grouped together. They would accompany Teacher Yuan Fu for the third shift of the night watch.
Now, if they wanted to move around, they could, otherwise, they could already go back to their tents to rest.
Wang Li lay down in his tent. Beside him, Wang Sheng spoke with some apprehension:
"Wang Li, I really envy you. You already have a hundred-year spirit ring. I wonder what kind of spirit ring I'll get."
Wang Li couldn't offer words of comfort. In his opinion, the academy seemed to only help students hunt a suitable Spirit Beast, regardless of its age. Those with good luck got a hundred-year spirit ring, while those with bad luck only got a ten-year spirit ring.
He could only say:
"Sleep. Perhaps when you wake up, you'll encounter a Spirit Beast suitable for you."
Wang Sheng gave a wry smile. How could it be that easy? But since Wang Li said so, he didn't press the issue further.
He woke up—no, not woke up from sleep, but was woken up by Yuan Fu. It was their turn for the night watch.
Stepping out of the tent, it was already late autumn, and the remote Hunting Soul Forest felt even more eerie at night.
Yuan Fu said to the two:
"Fire can keep many Spirit Beasts from approaching, but there are also some fierce and cunning Spirit Beasts that are not afraid of fire. Once they sense their prey is relaxed, they will immediately attack."
"Wang Li, even if you have a spirit ring, you cannot act on your own. Wang Sheng, you don't have a spirit ring yet, so you must be even more careful. When patrolling around the camp, if there's any rustle, notify me immediately."
Wang Li and Wang Sheng said one after another:
"Understood, Teacher."
"Yes, Teacher."
Yuan Fu nodded upon seeing this and said:
"I'll go check the front, and you two check the back. Move together so you can look out for each other. Call me if anything happens."
After speaking, he walked towards the front of the camp, while Wang Li and Wang Sheng turned and walked towards the back of the camp.
Wang Sheng hadn't obtained a spirit ring yet, and looking at the dark outer edge of the forest, an inexplicable chill arose in his heart. He glanced at Wang Li beside him, and seeing his calm expression, his nervous mind relaxed slightly.
Wang Li noticed something was wrong; it was too quiet. Even if the night was completely silent, this was clearly unusual.
The two arrived at the back of the camp and looked around. Wang Sheng said:
"It seems there's no danger. With so many of us, and a Spirit Ancestor-level Dean, what Spirit Beast would be so foolish as to come and cause trouble?"
Wang Li's eyes, however, widened. He saw it: right behind Wang Sheng, a black shadow, without making a sound, suddenly launched an attack.
Wang Li shouted:
"Wang Sheng, squat down!"
Wang Sheng was startled, but out of trust in Wang Li, he immediately squatted down.
Wang Li's foot pressed against the ground, and like a spring, he instantly shot out, moving so fast that Wang Sheng couldn't even see him clearly.
Instant Step!
Wang Li finally saw clearly. It was a tiger-like figure. Although not as large as a tiger, the crimson beast eyes emitted a chilling killing intent.
Its speed was fast, but Wang Li's speed was faster. He moved after it but arrived first, launching a kick, dodging its claws, and striking its chin, directly sending it flying.
"Roar!"
It finally let out a mournful cry of pain.
And Wang Li's figure, still in mid-air, without landing to gain leverage, incredibly shot out again, catching up to the Spirit Beast he had kicked away at an even faster speed.
Explosive Feet!
Immediately, Wang Li delivered another heavy kick to its soft abdomen. Feline animals like tigers and leopards could forcefully regain balance in mid-air, but Wang Li's kick made it completely lose balance, causing it to fall like a broken rag sack.
"Roar!"
The sound was full of anguish.