The moment Song Qing was out of the Spirit Hall's vicinity, he didn't hesitate. He unfurled his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings, the silver catching the sunlight as he soared into the sky. The feeling of flight was exhilarating, a sense of freedom he hadn't experienced before. The wind rushed past him, and the world stretched out like a vast map below.
'This is so much faster than traveling by road,' he thought, marveling at the speed his wings afforded him. Heaven Dou City was a considerable distance away, but with his current pace, he estimated he could reach it within a single day.
He did have to stop and rest periodically, finding secluded spots in the forests or on hilltops to recover his soul power. Sustained flight, especially at high speeds, consumed a significant amount of energy. But even with these breaks, his aerial journey was far more efficient than any ground travel.
'I need to be careful though,' he reminded himself as he flew over a small town. His face, as one of Pope Bibi Dong's personal disciples, had become surprisingly well-known within the Martial Soul City and even in some of the surrounding areas.
He made sure to avoid main roads and heavily populated areas, choosing to fly through less frequented routes, often weaving through forests and over mountain ranges to remain unseen by the general populace.
He didn't want to risk being recognized and having his true destination discovered.
The sun began to dip towards the horizon as the towering walls of Heaven Dou City finally came into view. Song Qing descended gradually, landing in a secluded patch of woods just outside the city gates.
He retracted his wings, taking a moment to catch his breath before heading towards the entrance of the Sunset Forest, which was located on the outskirts of the city.
As he approached the familiar tree line, he scanned the area, and sure enough, he spotted a familiar figure leaning against a large oak tree. It was Dugu Bo, his green robes blending subtly with the surrounding foliage. And beside him, her green eyes shining with anticipation, was Dugu Yan.
"Senior Dugu Bo! Sister Yan!" Song Qing called out, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he hurried towards them.
Dugu Bo pushed himself off the tree, a rare smile gracing his lips. "Brat! You actually made it. I was starting to wonder if you'd gotten cold feet."
Dugu Yan squealed with delight and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Song Qing in a tight hug. "Little Qing! You're really here! I missed you so much!"
Song Qing chuckled, hugging her back. "I missed you too, Sister Yan! It's good to see you both again."
"Look how much you've grown, Little Qing!" Dugu Yan exclaimed, stepping back to get a better look at him. "And… are those wings?" Her eyes widened in amazement as she noticed the faint outline of his retracted Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings beneath his robes.
"Ah, yes," Song Qing said, a little sheepishly. "It's an external spirit bone I recently acquired."
Dugu Bo's green eyes narrowed, studying Song Qing with renewed interest. "An external spirit bone? And you seem to have grown quite a bit stronger as well. The Spirit Hall has certainly been treating you well."
"They have, Senior," Song Qing replied politely. "But now, I'm here for the Third Soul Ring for my second spirit."
"Right, the plant spirit," Dugu Bo said, nodding. "So, have you given any thought to what kind of spirit beast you're looking for?"
Song Qing shook his head. "Not specifically. I was hoping you might have some suggestions, Senior. Something around five thousand years old, preferably with some unique abilities that would complement my… plant spirit." He deliberately kept his description vague.
Dugu Bo stroked his beard, his gaze thoughtful. "A five-thousand-year plant-type beast… that's not something you find every day. We might have to venture a bit deeper into the Sunset Forest for that." He glanced at Dugu Yan. "Yan'er, you stay close to me this time. We might encounter some dangerous creatures."
"Don't worry, Grandpa! I'll be good," Dugu Yan promised, her excitement evident.
"So, brat," Dugu Bo said, turning back to Song Qing, "tell me more about this 'simple' plant spirit of yours. What kind of abilities does it currently possess?" He was genuinely curious to learn more about this mysterious second spirit that Song Qing had kept hidden from even Bibi Dong.
Song Qing hesitated for a moment, deciding how much to reveal. "It has the ability to understand and communicate with plants, Senior. And it can also absorb and purify various types of energies." He kept the healing and essence absorption abilities to himself for now.
Dugu Bo's eyes gleamed with interest. "Understand plants, eh? That could be quite useful in the right circumstances. And absorb energies… interesting. We'll need to find a spirit beast that can enhance those abilities or provide you with some offensive capabilities."
"That would be ideal, Senior," Song Qing agreed.
"Alright then," Dugu Bo said, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "Let's not waste any time. The Sunset Forest holds many secrets, and I have a feeling we might just find what you're looking for." He gestured towards the dense foliage. "Follow me, brats. It's time for a little adventure."
Dugu Yan cheered, grabbing Song Qing's hand, and together they followed Dugu Bo into the depths of the Sunset Forest, the familiar, slightly toxic air filling their lungs. Song Qing felt a sense of excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness.
~~
As they ventured deeper into the Sunset Forest, Dugu Yan's curiosity about Song Qing's life in the Spirit Hall was insatiable. She peppered him with questions, her youthful enthusiasm bubbling over.
"Little Qing, tell me everything! Is it really true that you're the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall? What does that even mean?" Her green eyes were wide with wonder.
Song Qing chuckled, finding her inquisitiveness endearing. "Well, Senior Sister Yan, it means I'm considered to be a very important disciple within the Spirit Hall. It comes with certain responsibilities and… privileges, I suppose." He tried to explain it in a way a twelve-year-old would understand.
"And you're the personal disciple of the Pope herself! Bibi Dong! That's so amazing! Is she very strict?" Dugu Yan's voice was filled with awe.
"Teacher is indeed very powerful and expects a lot," Song Qing replied, a hint of respect in his tone. "But she is also very kind and has taught me a great deal." He made sure to emphasize the positive aspects.
Dugu Yan couldn't help herself. She reached out and squeezed Song Qing's hand. "You must be incredibly talented, Little Qing! I always knew you were special!" She then threw her arms around him in another hug, squeezing him tightly. "I'm so glad we met you!"
Song Qing hugged her back, a small smile playing on his lips. He did enjoy her affectionate nature. He could feel the soft curves of her developing body against him, a sensation that was becoming increasingly… noticeable. He subtly shifted his arms, enjoying the brief contact.
"Your hair has grown so long, Sister Yan," Song Qing whispered as they walked, his eyes admiring her flowing purple locks. "It's very beautiful."
Dugu Yan blushed, a wide smile gracing her face. "Really? You like it? Then I'll make sure to take good care of it!"
Dugu Bo, walking ahead and occasionally using his soul power to scan for suitable spirit beasts, couldn't help but notice the interactions between his granddaughter and the little boy. He didn't particularly mind their closeness. Song Qing had saved their lives, after all, and Yan'er seemed genuinely fond of him.
Dugu Bo's powerful senses picked up the auras of numerous spirit beasts – a pack of thousand-year-old shadow wolves, a lumbering two-thousand-year-old earth bear, and even the faint signature of a four-thousand-year-old venomous lizard. But none of them felt right for Song Qing's plant spirit. He needed something more… unique.
Meanwhile, Song Qing's Primordial Life Tree Spirit was casting its senses much further than Dugu Bo's. He suddenly paused, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes. He had detected a faint, elusive aura, one that seemed to phase in and out of his perception. It was like trying to catch a shadow in the wind.
'What is that?' he wondered, focusing his senses. He could faintly perceive the beast now, its energy signature spiking as it moved with surprising speed. It was currently engaged in a hunt, stalking a deer-like spirit beast.
Song Qing quickly realized the nature of its primary power: concealment. It wasn't just blending into the environment; it seemed to be partially masking its very existence, its soul power and aura fluctuating to give a false impression of weakness. He had sensed it briefly unleash its true power, a surge that easily overwhelmed its prey. And the age… his spirit sensed it to be around six thousand years old. A bit higher than his initial target, but he felt a strange pull towards it. 'My body should be able to handle it… and if not, Senior Dugu Bo is here.'
"Senior Dugu Bo, I think I've found one!" Song Qing called out, pointing towards the direction where he had sensed the elusive beast. "My plant spirit… it's sensing something unique over there."
Dugu Bo stopped, a hint of surprise on his face. "Unique? What kind of beast?" He hadn't sensed anything of significant age in that direction.
"It feels… like a serpent, but… almost invisible at times," Song Qing explained, trying to convey the essence of what he had sensed. "And it seems to be very clever."
Dugu Bo frowned, his curiosity piqued. For a six-year-old to sense a beast that eluded even his senses… it was certainly unusual. But then again, Song Qing's plant spirit had already proven to be full of surprises. "Alright, brat. Lead the way."
They followed Song Qing, who guided them through the dense undergrowth. Soon, they reached a more open area where they spotted the serpent – the Phantom Vine Serpent. Its body was a dark green, almost black, and it seemed to shimmer and distort the light around it, making it appear to vanish and reappear intermittently.
Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed. "A Phantom Vine Serpent… around six thousand years, I'd say. A tricky opponent." He unleashed his powerful Titled Douluo aura, instantly suppressing the beast, its movements becoming sluggish. "Alright, brat. Finish it off!"
Song Qing nodded, focusing his Primordial Life Tree Spirit. Vines erupted from the ground, lashing out and striking the serpent squarely on its head. The Phantom Vine Serpent let out a final hiss before its life force faded, and a deep purple soul ring rose from its body.
As they examined the fallen beast, they noticed something else – a dark, intricately patterned skull bone lying near its head.
"A spirit bone!" Dugu Bo exclaimed, surprised. "And it looks like a skull bone."
Song Qing picked it up, examining it briefly. "Senior Dugu Bo, Sister Yan, I don't really need this. Perhaps it would be more useful to Sister Yan?" He offered the skull bone to Dugu Yan with a sweet smile.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan exchanged astonished glances. A spirit bone, especially a skull bone, was incredibly valuable. "Little Qing… are you sure?" Dugu Bo asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, Senior. I think it would suit Sister Yan better," Song Qing said innocently.
Dugu Yan's eyes welled up with gratitude. "Little Qing… you're too kind!" She threw herself at him, showering his face with kisses. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is amazing!"
Dugu Bo, touched by Song Qing's thoughtfulness, carefully stored the skull bone. "We'll have it properly integrated after we return to Heaven Dou City, Yan'er. This is a valuable gift, brat. Thank you."
Song Qing smiled, pleased that he could help them. He then turned his attention to the purple soul ring, sitting down cross-legged to begin the absorption process. The energy from the six-thousand-year beast was potent, but Song Qing's connection to his Primordial Life Tree Spirit felt stronger than ever.
After a while, he opened his eyes, a third purple soul ring now circling his plant spirit. "My third soul skill is 'Phantom Bind'," he announced. "It allows me to create incredibly strong and illusionary vines that can ensnare and constrict my opponents, making them believe they are trapped even if they aren't entirely."
He then focused, a subtle energy flowing through him. "And my third soul ring has also granted me another active ability: 'Veiled Aura'. I can now partially conceal my soul power. Watch." He focused, and his aura subtly shifted. He consciously lowered his perceived soul power to Level 31.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in surprise. He focused his own powerful senses on Song Qing but could only detect the fluctuations of a Soul Grandmaster at around Level 31. "Incredible! I can barely sense anything beyond that! Your plant spirit is truly… extraordinary."
Song Qing smiled inwardly. And that wasn't all. He sensed a new ability awakening within his first soul ring, Verdant Embrace. Its active healing ability remained, and its passive physique adaptation continued.
But now… he could also subtly manipulate the flow of time for any plant life within the range of his Verdant Embrace, accelerating their growth and even increasing their age. It was a power that held immense potential, and Song Qing decided to keep this particular secret to himself for now.