News of Hu Liena's breakthrough to Soul Power Level 30 reached Bibi Dong swiftly. One of the Spirit Hall officials, noticing the unusual surge of soul power emanating from Hu Liena's training area, had immediately reported it to the Pope. Bibi Dong, who had been observing Song Qing's rapid progress with a keen eye, was naturally intrigued by this development in her other promising disciple.
She summoned Hu Liena to her chambers, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as the young girl entered, her face radiant with excitement. "Liena, I hear you have some good news to share."
Hu Liena bowed respectfully, her beautiful brown eyes sparkling. "Yes, Teacher! I have finally reached Soul Power Level 30!" She couldn't contain her joy, her bushy tail swaying back and forth with enthusiasm.
Bibi Dong nodded, her smile widening slightly. "Indeed, this is excellent news, Liena. Congratulations." She genuinely felt pleased with Hu Liena's progress. The girl possessed remarkable talent, and her dedication to her training was commendable.
'According to my calculations,' Bibi Dong thought, her sharp mind quickly assessing the situation, 'Liena should have reached this milestone at least six months from now. Her recent spar with Song Qing must have provided the catalyst for this breakthrough.' She mused on the interaction between her two most promising disciples. It seemed their presence spurred each other on, a healthy rivalry fostering their growth.
"Your progress has been remarkable, Liena," Bibi Dong continued aloud. "To reach Soul Elder status at the age of twelve is a significant achievement. You have the potential for a truly bright future."
Hu Liena beamed at her teacher's praise. "Thank you, Teacher! I feel so much stronger now. I can't wait to acquire my third spirit ring!"
"And you shall," Bibi Dong affirmed, her gaze becoming more focused. "Now that you have reached Level 30, it is time to choose an appropriate spirit beast for your third spirit ring. This choice is crucial, as it will significantly impact your future abilities."
Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly, her expression serious. "I have been considering this for some time, Liena. Given your Charming Fox spirit and your control-type fighting style, we need to select a spirit beast that will complement your strengths and provide you with a diverse range of skills."
'Unlike Song Qing,' Bibi Dong mused internally, 'Liena's Charming Fox spirit, while potent in its own right, does not inherently enhance her physical body to the same extent as Song Qing's Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor. That dragon spirit is an anomaly, capable of withstanding the power of thousand-year soul rings even at such an early stage due to its overbearing nature and the immense physical strengthening it provides.'
She recalled the careful consideration she had given to Song Qing's spirit ring choices, ensuring that his body could handle the immense power of thousand-year beasts right from the start. The Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor was a rare and formidable spirit, capable of such feats.
'Liena's Charming Fox, however, is different,' Bibi Dong continued her thoughts. 'Its strengths lie in charm, illusion, and agility. While it enhances her senses and reflexes, it doesn't grant her the same level of physical resilience as Song Qing's dragon spirit.'
Therefore, Bibi Dong knew that choosing a spirit ring that was too powerful for Hu Liena's current physical capabilities could be detrimental, even dangerous. While she wanted to push her disciple to reach her full potential, she also needed to ensure her safety.
"For your third spirit ring, Liena," Bibi Dong said, her voice firm, "we will aim for a spirit beast in the range of 1500 to 1800 years old. This will provide you with a significant power boost without overwhelming your current physical limits."
Hu Liena listened intently, trusting her teacher's judgment implicitly. She knew Bibi Dong had her best interests at heart. "Yes, Teacher. I understand."
"The type of spirit beast we choose is also critical," Bibi Dong emphasized. "We need to find a beast that aligns with the nature of your Charming Fox spirit and provides you with abilities that will enhance your control and illusionary skills. A beast with strong mental or spiritual abilities would be ideal."
Bibi Dong began to elaborate on some potential options, drawing upon her vast knowledge of spirit beasts. She spoke of phantom-type beasts known for their illusions, agile beasts that could enhance Hu Liena's speed and reflexes, and even some rare spirit beasts with unique charm or mental manipulation abilities.
She explained the pros and cons of each type, carefully considering how each potential spirit ring skill would synergize with Hu Liena's existing abilities and her fighting style. She wanted Hu Liena to have a well-rounded skillset that would make her a formidable opponent in various situations.
"A thousand-year spirit ring will typically grant you two spirit skills, Liena," Bibi Dong explained. "We need to choose wisely to ensure that these skills provide you with the versatility and control you need as a Control Type Spirit Master."
Hu Liena absorbed all the information, her mind racing with possibilities. She trusted her teacher's guidance but also felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of gaining new and powerful abilities.
Bibi Dong spent a considerable amount of time discussing potential spirit beasts with Hu Liena, carefully considering her disciple's preferences and her own strategic vision for Hu Liena's future development. She wanted to ensure that Hu Liena's third spirit ring would be a perfect fit, propelling her further along the path to becoming a powerful Spirit Master.
~~
The very next morning, as the first rays of sunlight painted the sky, Bibi Dong gathered Hu Liena and, to Hu Liena's surprise and delight, Song Qing. "Today, Liena, we shall acquire your third spirit ring," Bibi Dong announced, her voice carrying a note of anticipation. "And Song Qing will accompany us to gain some firsthand experience observing different types of spirit beasts."
Hu Liena's face lit up. "Really, Teacher? Little Qing is coming too?" She glanced at Song Qing, who stood calmly beside Bibi Dong, his expression serene.
Song Qing nodded with a polite smile. "It will be a good learning opportunity for me, Senior Sister." He was indeed looking forward to observing different spirit beasts, though his primary motive was to ensure Hu Liena obtained a suitable spirit ring.
Bibi Dong nodded in approval at Song Qing's eagerness. "We will not venture into the Sunset Forest for this endeavor. We need to find a spirit beast with illusionary or spiritual power, one that also possesses a degree of offensive capability. For that, the Azure Spirit Woods will be more suitable."
The Azure Spirit Woods were located not too far from Martial Soul City, a smaller forest known for harboring a variety of spirit beasts, including some with unique spiritual attributes. It was a popular hunting ground for Spirit Masters seeking spirit rings in the thousand-year range.
The trio made their way to the Azure Spirit Woods swiftly. As they entered the dense foliage, Bibi Dong took the lead, her senses sharp and alert. Hu Liena followed closely, her excitement palpable. Song Qing trailed slightly behind, his senses subtly probing the surroundings.
They searched for quite some time, encountering several spirit beasts, but none that quite fit the criteria Bibi Dong had outlined. There were agile wind wolves, powerful earth bears, and even some venomous thorn vipers, but none seemed to possess the specific combination of spiritual and offensive power they were looking for.
'Hmm, that one is too weak,' Song Qing thought, sensing a faint aura of a seven-hundred-year-old phantom bat nearby. 'And that one is purely physical… not suitable for Senior Sister at all.' He discreetly used the passive sensing ability of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, which allowed him to perceive the life force and nature of all living beings in his vicinity, both plants and beasts. He silently dismissed several potential candidates, guiding them away from those that wouldn't be a good match for Hu Liena.
After what seemed like hours of searching, Song Qing suddenly sensed a unique aura in the distance. It was powerful, radiating both a strong physical presence and a distinct spiritual energy. 'That's it!' he thought, his mental senses locking onto the beast. 'A Silver Moon Demonic Wolf… around sixteen hundred years old. Its spiritual power is quite potent, and its claws and fangs are incredibly sharp. It's a perfect match for Senior Sister!'
He subtly tugged on the hem of Bibi Dong's robes, his innocent eyes looking up at her. "Teacher," he said in a soft voice, pointing towards a particular direction, "I think… I sensed a very interesting beast that way." He made sure to sound like a curious child who had stumbled upon something intriguing.
Bibi Dong looked down at him, her eyebrow slightly raised. "Interesting? What kind of beast, Song Qing?"
"It felt… different," Song Qing replied, trying to sound a little mysterious. "Like it had moonlight around it, even though it's daytime." He knew his description would pique their interest.
Bibi Dong exchanged a glance with Hu Liena, who looked equally curious. "Well, let's go and take a look," Bibi Dong decided, changing their course towards the direction Song Qing had indicated.
After a few more minutes of walking, they reached a small clearing bathed in an ethereal silver light, even though the sun was shining brightly overhead. In the center of the clearing stood a magnificent wolf, its fur the color of polished silver, shimmering with an almost otherworldly glow. Its eyes were like twin pools of liquid moonlight, radiating an intense spiritual energy. It was larger than an ordinary wolf, with powerful muscles rippling beneath its silvery coat. Sharp, black claws tipped its paws, and its fangs were long and wickedly sharp. A faint, almost visible aura of moonlight seemed to emanate from its body. This was the Silver Moon Demonic Wolf.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, a hint of excitement in her gaze. "Indeed… this is a fine specimen. Its spiritual power is quite strong, and its physical prowess is nothing to scoff at either." She could sense its age was around sixteen hundred years, a perfect fit for Hu Liena's third spirit ring.
Hu Liena gasped, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and a little bit of fear. The Silver Moon Demonic Wolf was a majestic creature, but its powerful aura was also quite intimidating.
"Are you ready, Liena?" Bibi Dong asked, her voice calm and reassuring.
Hu Liena took a deep breath and nodded, her initial apprehension replaced by determination. "Yes, Teacher."
Bibi Dong moved swiftly, her aura exploding outwards, instantly locking onto the Silver Moon Demonic Wolf. The beast let out a fierce growl, its silvery fur bristling as it sensed the immense power of the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
The fight was swift and decisive. Bibi Dong, a powerful Title Douluo, made quick work of the thousand-year spirit beast, showcasing her immense strength and control. She skillfully incapacitated the Silver Moon Demonic Wolf, ensuring it wasn't fatally wounded but was unable to resist.
"Now, Liena," Bibi Dong said, gesturing towards the subdued beast, "it's your turn. Focus your spirit energy and make the final blow."
Hu Liena nodded, her Charming Fox spirit materializing behind her. She channeled her soul power, her hands glowing with a soft yellow light as she approached the Silver Moon Demonic Wolf. With a determined cry, she struck the final blow, and the spirit beast let out a mournful howl before dissipating into motes of silver light. A purple spirit ring, shimmering with an ethereal glow, materialized where the beast had been.
Hu Liena knelt down, her focus entirely on absorbing the spirit ring. The process took some time, but with Bibi Dong's guidance and her own strong will, she successfully integrated the 1600-year-old spirit ring into her being.
When she finally opened her eyes, a third, vibrant purple spirit ring circled her body. She could feel the surge of new power within her, the two new abilities granted by the Silver Moon Demonic Wolf.
"Congratulations, Liena," Bibi Dong said, a proud smile on her face. "You are now a Soul Elder."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Hu Liena exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "I can feel so much stronger!"
"Tell me," Bibi Dong prompted, "what abilities have you gained?"
Hu Liena closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on her connection with her third spirit ring. "My third soul skill is called 'Lunar Illusion'," she began, her voice filled with excitement. "It allows me to create incredibly realistic illusions that are infused with spiritual power. They can not only deceive the senses but also exert mental pressure on my opponents, potentially causing them to experience fear, confusion, or even hallucinations."
She then focused again. "My fourth soul skill is 'Silver Moon Claw'. It allows me to infuse my claws with the power of moonlight, making them incredibly sharp and also imbued with a potent spiritual attack. Even a glancing blow can cause significant internal damage."
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent, Liena. These are powerful spiritual and offensive abilities that complement your Charming Fox spirit perfectly. You have made great progress." She glanced at Song Qing, who was observing the entire process with keen interest. "This has been a valuable experience for you as well, Song Qing. You have gained insight into the different types of spirit beasts, right?"
"Yes, Teacher. It was very informative," Song Qing replied politely, secretly pleased that Hu Liena had obtained such a powerful and suitable spirit ring. His subtle guidance had paid off.