Douluo Dalu: Stealing Through The Heavens

Blanklin led Zuzong into the depths of the forest, remaining vigilant. Although the Soul Hunting Forest wasn't particularly dangerous for someone of Blanklin's rank as a Soul Elder, he couldn't afford to be careless while accompanied by the still "weak" Zuzong.

Zuzong casually pulled out a kunai and summoned his martial spirit, the Blue Silver Emperor. A peculiar plant with unique patterns, different from other blue silver grass, appeared in his right hand.

He released the Blue Silver Domain and sensed everything around him through the blue silver grass scattered throughout the forest. He detected solitary beasts like the Spotted Cat and pack animals such as the Ghost Wolves, but they were all either ten-year soul beasts or the occasional plant-type soul beasts with little use to him.

After half an hour, Zuzong shook his head. "Is my luck really that bad? I haven't seen a single hundred-year soul beast around. Seems like we'll have to go deeper."

Zuzong wasn't confused about his choice for the first soul ring. Thanks to his foreknowledge, he could avoid many problems. Instead of relying on luck, he preferred a more targeted approach. For example, the nearly 400-year-old Mandala Snake from the original story seemed like a suitable choice.

Blanklin's face was stiff as he sensed the sudden and intense burst of life energy around them. He couldn't help but grow nervous. Glancing at the Blue Silver Emperor in Zuzong's hand, he was clearly shocked. "The quality of your mutated 'Blue Silver Grass' is quite extraordinary."

"Though I'm not a plant-type soul master, I do know that the stronger the life energy, the more remarkable the martial spirit is. This is the most intense life energy I've ever felt from a plant-type martial spirit."

"Soul masters cannot replace their soul rings once absorbed, so they must be chosen carefully. For your first ring, a soul beast with a cultivation of around 400 years would be your limit. Do you have any ideas?"

Zuzong smiled and replied, "Maybe my mutated 'Blue Silver Grass' is the king of blue silver grass! As for the soul ring, let's look for a snake-type soul beast with a cultivation of around 400 years, preferably venomous."

Blanklin was shocked to hear that Zuzong, a plant-type soul master, wanted to absorb the ring of an animal-type soul beast. "Did you meet with the 'Grandmaster' again?"

Zuzong feigned confusion and asked, "Who's the 'Grandmaster'?"—Ha! I don't know that fraud!

"Ah, nothing! If you ever hear someone call themselves the 'Grandmaster,' just stay away from them; it'll do you no harm."

Hearing that Zuzong didn't know the "Grandmaster," Blanklin sighed in relief. Good thing he hadn't been poisoned by his nonsense.

He continued, "It's good to choose a soul beast close to your limit for your first ring, but why choose a snake-type soul beast?"

"Isn't it obvious? When a soul master kills a soul beast and absorbs its ring, there's a high chance of gaining a skill that has the soul beast's characteristics."

"My 'Blue Silver Grass,' even if it's ten or dozens of times tougher than ordinary blue silver grass due to its mutation, is still limited by its nature."

"But snake-type soul beasts are different. They are not only incredibly tough but also very agile and often venomous. If my 'Blue Silver Grass' becomes tougher, stretches faster, and is supplemented with venom, it would be a lethal weapon against soul masters of the same rank."

Zuzong: Hmm! That should be right; it's more or less the same as in the original story.

Blanklin was left in awe. Was this a child's thinking? This kid was a genius—much stronger than that so-called "Grandmaster" who always boasted about his "invincible theories" without anyone knowing what was so invincible about them.

He asked in a trembling voice, "Kid, you just came to Nuoding Academy yesterday. Who told you this?"

"It was an old grandpa named Tom," Zuzong replied, not blushing at all.

Zuzong: Should I tell you that I traveled here from another world?

Tom? Never heard of him. If he was a powerful soul master, he wouldn't be unknown! Could he be a scammer like that "Grandmaster"?

But out of politeness, Blanklin asked, "Elder Tom must be a very powerful soul master!"

"Tom Elder," Blanklin said with utmost respect.

Zuzong waved his hand, answering, "I don't know. I just saw six circles revolving around him—the first two were yellow, like the two yellow rings on you, Headmaster. The middle two were purple, and the last two were black."

[Old Tom: So, I'm the Soul Emperor of Emperor Spirit Village?]

Blanklin exclaimed, "Oh my! He's a Soul Emperor, and with the best soul ring configuration!"

The principal of Nuoding Academy was a Soul Elder, and the Nuoding City Spirit Hall Master was probably just a Soul King! Elder Tom was indeed a big shot. How come I can't meet such powerful people!

Blanklin asked again, "Where did the elder go?"

Deciding to lie through his teeth, Zuzong said, "I don't know. After drinking some water at my house, he spread his massive wings and flew away. Is the Soul Emperor very strong?"

"Strong, of course! Even our principal is no match for Elder Tom! It seems that this elder possesses a rare flying martial spirit."

Zuzong's pupils shifted, and the corners of his mouth curved into a cunning smile.

"But you were bragging about being the strongest this morning!"

[Blanklin: I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it!]

The two continued deeper into the forest. Though they came across some hundred-year-old soul beasts, none of them suited Zuzong.

Night fell, and the moonlight replaced the sunset, illuminating the earth.

Unable to find a suitable beast, they set up camp for the night. Blanklin sprinkled medicinal powder around the tent for protection.

"Alright, I'll keep watch tonight. You should rest," Blanklin said.

Zuzong nodded and didn't refuse. Instead of sleeping, he entered a semi-meditative state and activated the Blue Silver Domain every hour to scan the surroundings for soul beasts.

Having lived two lives, Zuzong would never entrust his life entirely to another person.

Around three or four in the morning, just a couple of hours before dawn, Blanklin, who was keeping watch, was already drowsy.

Zuzong activated the Blue Silver Domain once more. Suddenly, the forest within his range fell silent. Through the blue silver grass, he sensed a faint rustling sound at the edge of his perception. The air seemed to carry a faintly sweet and fishy scent.

"It seems like a venomous snake. Could it be the Mandala Snake from the original story?"

Zuzong stepped out of the tent and glanced at the drowsy Blanklin before quietly leaving the camp. He jumped onto a tree branch and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Man and snake were both hunters, each considering the other as prey.

Half a stick of incense later, they finally met.

A giant snake with black scales glowing in the moonlight appeared before Zuzong.

"Why does it look different from the one described in the original?" Zuzong wondered. "System, show me this snake's attributes."

[Ding! It's been four chapters since you remembered me!]

"Less talking, more checking!"

[Ding! Opening the soul beast panel...]

[Soul Beast: Mandala Snake

Cultivation: 560 years

Characteristics: Strength, Speed, Toughness, Venom, Defense

Soul Skill: Venomous Dragon Bind—Wraps around its prey, releasing corrosive venom through its skin.]

Looking at the soul beast panel, Zuzong exclaimed, "Finally found it."