Yu Xiaowei easily invited Ning Rongrong for a walk in the Sunset Forest.
Originally, there was no path here like in the Great Star Dou Forest, but Yu Xiaowei often came to this place to battle soul beasts, and over time, he had trampled out a path.
Ning Rongrong looked around curiously. It was her first time in such a wild soul beast forest.
However, she didn't run around out of curiosity; instead, she kept Yu Xiaowei's words in mind and held onto his arm tightly.
She had obtained her previous two soul rings in her clan's own soul beast forest.
Not only was it a small territory, but the soul beasts kept there were very tame and non-aggressive—very different from the wild soul beasts here.
Walking ahead, Yu Xiaowei tried his best to restrain his aura. Ever since Yue Guan fully stimulated the residual medicinal power of the Qirong Tongtianju in his body, the Godzilla-like aura he emitted had become even more intense.
Ning Rongrong, whose martial soul was auxiliary in nature, couldn't sense it, but other soul masters with beast-type martial souls would subconsciously feel immense pressure in front of Yu Xiaowei.
Even Dugu Bo, whose martial soul had evolved into a dragon, couldn't avoid this feeling.
If he were in the spirit battle arena now, Yu Xiaowei would definitely hope for his aura to be as strong as possible.
But here in the Sunset Forest, his aura only caused weaker soul beasts to scatter like frightened birds.
"Brother Xiaowei, is that big guy a thousand-year soul beast?"
Ning Rongrong asked, pointing at a large rhinoceros fleeing in panic.
Following her finger, Yu Xiaowei carefully identified the beast and shook his head.
"That's an iron-armored rhino. Look at its horn—it has eight rings, which means it's only 800 years old. This one's not good, let it go."
As a regular who grew up around the Sunset Forest, identifying soul beast ages was a basic skill.
As one of the top three sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex clan had a long history of soul beast research, so it was natural that they were well-versed in such matters.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaowei curled his lips.
Most of Yu Xiaogang's ten great theories were derived from his own family's research, with the rest taken from Spirit Hall, which he then compiled into his own theory.
And then he published it.
Ah—
That was exactly why Yu Luomian, who had always cared about him, got so angry. Every time he mentioned Yu Xiaogang, he'd call him "trash."
You see, research on martial souls and soul beasts was considered confidential in major clans. Each clan guarded their data closely for fear of leaks.
But in the end, Yu Xiaogang leaked everything.
That incident caused a huge uproar within the family.
Eventually, under family pressure, Yu Yuanzhen had to publicly declare Yu Xiaogang's expulsion from the clan.
"Brother Xiaowei, we've been walking for a while. When will we find a suitable soul beast?"
Ning Rongrong's gentle voice interrupted Yu Xiaowei's chaotic thoughts.
He pinched Ning Rongrong's delicate little face affectionately and said,
"Are you tired?"
"Come, I'll carry you."
As he spoke, he bent down and half-squatted.
They had played together since childhood, and whenever Ning Rongrong acted like this, he knew what she meant.
"Yes~"
Ning Rongrong cheered, lay on Yu Xiaowei's back, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her long hair fell, brushing against Yu Xiaowei's ears as he walked, making him feel ticklish.
The faint scent of her body entered his nose, making him feel slightly intoxicated.
In the quiet forest, sunlight poured through the dense leaves like strands of golden sand, shining down upon the boy and girl.
But that warm atmosphere didn't last long—it was soon broken by the arrival of an uninvited guest.
A tall, thin old man with a ruddy face appeared. Though his hair was white, his energy did not match his age. He wore a bright red robe and a five-pointed golden crown on his head.
Yu Xiaowei put Ning Rongrong down, shielded her behind him, and looked at the old man with a serious face.
The old man kept his eyes closed and said nothing.
His tall figure stood like a spear, radiating an awe-inspiring aura, as if he had become one with the world.
If Yu Xiaowei hadn't seen him with his own eyes, he wouldn't have sensed his presence at all.
Not as powerful as Dugu Bo, but close.
A peak-level Contra!
Why would such a strong man suddenly appear at the edge of the Sunset Forest, seemingly with the intention of blocking their way?
Yu Xiaowei cautiously examined the situation.
"I didn't know you were training here. I'll leave immediately."
The old man slowly opened his eyes and looked at Yu Xiaowei with a kind expression.
"I am Salas, Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City."
"Youth, your cultivation talent is excellent. If you don't have a teacher, you may come with me to Spirit Hall and cultivate."
Spirit Hall!
Yu Xiaowei was shocked. Yes, the five-pointed platinum crown was the unmistakable symbol of a Platinum Bishop—it couldn't be faked.
Under Pope Bibi Dong, there were only four such bishops, and Salas was one of them.
Why did he come to me?
Yu Xiaowei wanted to open his mouth to refuse, but he found himself unable to speak.
Not only that—his body was locked by an oppressive aura, rendering him immobile.
"Since you didn't say anything, I'll take that as a yes."
"I didn't expect to find such a talented young man on my outing. May the heavens bless our Spirit Hall's prosperity."
Salas smiled and slowly approached Yu Xiaowei.
"Damn it, you're trying to force me into Spirit Hall!"
Yu Xiaowei couldn't move or speak, and could only glare at Salas with angry eyes.
Ning Rongrong, sensing something was wrong with him, grabbed his hand tightly, stood in front of him—completely unlike her usual demeanor—and said firmly,
"Brother Xiaowei is currently the core disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan and its future sect leader."
"He is also my fiancé and the future son-in-law of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Lord Salas, are you sure you can withstand the wrath of both our families?"
"Or is Spirit Hall preparing to wage war on the three upper sects?"
Yu Xiaowei looked at Ning Rongrong with admiration.
Is this really her?
That fierce aura—
This is how a princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect should be.
But Salas remained unmoved, continuing his approach with a calm expression.
Ning Rongrong's expression changed, and just as she was about to speak again, she too realized she couldn't say a word.
Suddenly, a loud explosion sounded not far from them, followed by the unique roar of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex martial soul echoing through the forest.
Salas stood in front of Yu Xiaowei and patted him a few times. His ruddy old face became even friendlier.
"Very good, very good. You are indeed talented. Heaven truly favors our Spirit Hall."
He smiled at Ning Rongrong and said,
"That little girl is not bad either. Come with me to Spirit Hall."
"With your talents, both of you are more than qualified to become Holy Son and Holy Daughter."
"I won't harm or mistreat you. I'll allow you to become Holy Son and Holy Daughter. I believe the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will have no objections."
The dragon's roar gradually faded, and Yu Xiaowei's heart sank. He knew his clan had sent people to protect him from the shadows.
But he didn't expect that Salas had made such thorough preparations to recruit him into Spirit Hall.
Just as Salas was about to reach for him—
A chilling voice rang out from behind.
"I was wondering who the shameless old man bullying children was."
"So it's you, Salas."