On the second day within the Star Dou Forest, the team entered the Mixed Zone.
Once inside, their pace noticeably slowed under Zhang Lexuan's direction. She proposed that they go even deeper, ideally approaching the Core Zone, since most of them required soul rings of at least ten thousand years. As the general rule went: the deeper into the forest, the stronger the soul beasts. No one objected—everyone raised their hands in agreement.
So, the group pressed onward with steady caution.
"Senior Sister, no soul beast activity nearby," reported Cheng Hui, leaping from the woods back to Zhang Lexuan's side.
"Understood," she nodded. "Rest for now, no more scouting for the time being."
"Yes," Cheng Hui complied.
Once they entered the Mixed Zone, Zhang Lexuan withdrew her pressure. Unlike the outer zones, the beasts here were stronger and far wilder. Displaying soul master aura could easily provoke large-scale retaliation, so the team now relied entirely on their scout's recon.
By midday, they had traveled nearly five kilometers deeper. Just as they were preparing to take a break, two soul beasts battling each other entered the group's alert range.
"It's a Fire Spirit Tiger and a Diamond-Armored Beast!" Zhu Ziyang called out.
Everyone turned to the outer court student in surprise. Zhang Lexuan eyed the two beasts while asking, "Ziyang, you know these two?"
"Yes. The bluish tiger is a Fire Spirit Tiger. Though it appears water-colored, it's a genuine fire-attribute beast—it breathes intense blue flames. The other, a four-legged beast with a horn, is a Diamond Rhino, also called Diamond-Armored Beast. Its body is incredibly tough, and the horn is its main weapon—capable of shattering mountains," he explained. "Both are around twenty thousand years in cultivation."
"He's right, Senior Sister," Zhu Lie immediately echoed. "That Diamond Rhino is exactly the one I was hoping for—what luck!"
Everyone instantly understood—there was no avoiding a fight now.
"Then based on Ziyang's words, the Fire Spirit Tiger would be perfect for me, wouldn't it?" Wu Ming said excitedly, eyes gleaming at the beast.
"No. It's more suitable for Sister Xiaotao," Zhu Ziyang corrected calmly.
"Huh?!" Wu Ming and Ma Xiaotao both exclaimed in surprise. Wu Ming glared at him. "Don't think just because you're close to Xiaotao you can say whatever you like!"
"Ziyang, there's no need to worry about me," Ma Xiaotao smiled gently, eyes showing a hint of gratitude. "I already have a soul beast in mind."
"Hmph! I don't speak nonsense," Zhu Ziyang said firmly. "The Fire Spirit Tiger's flames are soft and purifying. Wu Ming, your Golden Crow martial soul is explosive—this ring won't suit you and could even cause instability. But for Sister Xiaotao, who struggles with violent fire energy, this beast's flame would be perfect. Its purifying nature can ease the burden of her martial soul's flaw."
"Really?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up with hope. The others were surprised too—maybe this young outer court student really did know what he was talking about.
"I don't say what I can't prove," Zhu Ziyang replied evenly. "Believe it or don't—up to you."
Wu Ming looked at Ma Xiaotao with concern. It was clear Ma Xiaotao believed him. After all, her Fire Phoenix martial soul had a well-known flaw.
"I trust you, Ziyang," Ma Xiaotao said firmly. Her uncertainty vanished, replaced by resolve.
Zhu Ziyang nodded. "The Fire Spirit Tiger is about nineteen thousand years old. Can you handle it?"
"I can!" she answered without hesitation.
"Hmph," Wu Ming huffed. While soul masters can theoretically absorb fifth rings up to twenty thousand years, few dare to push that limit. It's too dangerous.
"All decided?" Zhang Lexuan approached with a smile. "Then go ahead and start absorbing."
"What?" Zhu Ziyang blinked—then noticed that both beasts had already been captured. Zhu Lie was walking over to the Diamond Rhino.
He stared in disbelief. "Already taken down?!"
They hadn't even been discussing for more than five minutes!
"I, Ruoruo, Shen Xu, and Zhang Weiwei—four soul masters above rank 70—took them down," Zhang Lexuan said with a light laugh. "Two under-20,000-year beasts stood no chance. Don't overestimate soul beasts or underestimate soul masters, Ziyang."
"Understood," Zhu Ziyang nodded, sincerely impressed.
"Xiaotao, it's your turn," Zhang Lexuan said gently. "No need to worry—Elder Xuan is watching."
"Yes, Senior Sister," Ma Xiaotao replied, gave Zhu Ziyang a look of thanks, and stepped toward the Fire Spirit Tiger.
She and Zhu Lie began their absorption while the others formed a protective ring around them. Han Ruoruo checked both carcasses for soul bones, but unfortunately, neither had one.
Everyone settled down to rest.
"Ziyang, where are you from?" Wu Ming asked, sitting beside him. Everyone perked up to listen.
"I'm from Anyang City, in the Tianhun Empire," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"Anyang? Never heard of it," Wu Ming frowned. The others also looked confused.
"It's just a small city. No surprise you haven't," he said with a chuckle.
"Anyang... Tianhun Empire's Northern Province, near the Extreme North, right?" said Luo Wei, smiling sweetly.
"Yes! Have you been there?" Zhu Ziyang asked, pleasantly surprised.
"No, but I heard about it from Luo Chen," she said. "She passed through there on her way to hunt a soul ring in the Extreme North."
So that explains it. Zhu Ziyang nodded, thinking back. Luo Chen was the blue-haired girl who had helped when Ma Xiaotao lost control. Her martial soul was an elemental-type Ice Soul—a rare one, and fitting for a journey to the frozen lands.
"Ziyang, are you from a hidden clan or sect?" Wu Ming asked, curiosity bubbling again.
"Why would you think that?" he smiled.
"Well, you reached Soul Ancestor at twelve! Aside from hidden sects raising children from birth, how else could someone do that?"
"Ah, so that's what you're thinking," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "Sorry to disappoint—I'm just from a normal family."
"No way!" Wu Ming gasped. Everyone else stopped pretending not to listen. A few looked at him with fresh admiration.
"You're incredible!" Wu Ming finally exclaimed. "I was just a Grandmaster at twelve… you make me feel like I've wasted my life!"
"Mm-hmm!" several others nodded in agreement.
"It's really not a big deal," Zhu Ziyang said modestly.
But to them, that was the ultimate flex.
Everyone except Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and Zhang Weiwei instantly fell into silent despair.
—
From a hidden corner nearby, Elder Xuan chewed his bun and muttered to himself:
"That little brat sure knows how to talk."