Caelus was very clear that the characteristic of his Martial Soul—that it wasn't picky about what it consumed and could forcibly convert Martial Soul Abilities into the time attribute—was too shocking, and must be concealed.
Moreover, he had not yet reached that level of trust with Xu Jiujiu and Man Yi. Furthermore, they truly were considering his well-being.
Therefore, he stopped insisting and nodded obediently:
"I understand. Thank you, Your Highness and Senior Man Yi, for considering me."
Seeing that Caelus understood, Man Yi waved her hand, and the starlight chains binding the Wind Wolf quietly dissolved.
The Wind Wolf, freed from its restraints, whimpered in terror, not daring to look back even once. It put force into its four limbs, transforming into a streak of green light, and plunged headlong into the dense thicket, disappearing without a trace after a few leaps.
This action did not surprise Caelus.
In this era, where the number of Soul Beasts has significantly decreased compared to ten thousand years ago, any Soul Master or power with foresight understands the principle of sustainable utilization.
Unless they genuinely need the spirit ring themselves, they will not easily slaughter Soul Beasts.
A practice like Man Yi's—releasing an aggressive Soul Beast after subduing it because its spirit ring did not meet the requirements—is already a relatively common and protective measure within the Spirit Master's world.
"Let us continue deeper,"
Man Yi said calmly, as if she had just casually shooed away an annoying mosquito.
"On the outskirts of the mixed zone, we should be able to find a more suitable target for you."
The three continued deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
Just as Caelus, Xu Jiujiu, and Nebula Douluo Man Yi continued searching for a suitable hundred-year Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest, far away on the other side, in the Evil Demon Forest of the Sun Moon Empire, Castorice was also about to obtain her first spirit ring.
Holy Spirit Cult Headquarters, Underground Nether City.
After Death God Douluo Ye Xishui personally examined Castorice's physical condition, a trace of satisfaction flashed in her deep eyes.
She could feel that Castorice's body, its resilience and vitality, were far beyond that of an ordinary human child. The flowing light-gold blood contained vast and unique energy.
"Your body is sufficient to withstand the impact of a thousand-year soul ring."
Ye Xishui's tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness.
"The first spirit ring will be thousand-year. Fei Yan."
"Subordinate is present."
Scarlet Douluo Fei Yan immediately bowed and responded.
"Take her to hunt a suitable thousand-year death-attribute Soul Beast,"
Ye Xishui commanded. Her gaze then fell upon Castorice, carrying a near-ruthless expectation.
"Remember, this is the first true test of your talent and Bloodline. If you can endure it, you will be qualified to inherit my mantle. If you cannot endure it... then you are trash, unworthy of living in this World. An early release would be better."
Her words lacked any warmth, perfectly illustrating the Law of the jungle.
In her opinion, possessing such innate advantages, if she couldn't even overcome the hurdle of a thousand-year first spirit ring, then her so-called potential was merely an illusion, unworthy of further investment.
Castorice felt a chill in her heart, but her face remained serene.
She knew very well that in a place like the Holy Spirit Cult, sympathy and tolerance were luxuries; strength and value were the only currency.
She did not refute, only respectfully replied: "Yes, Master."
Fei Yan accepted the order, taking Castorice away from the gloomy underground headquarters and stepping once again into the Evil Demon Forest, where light was distorted and the air was eerie.
Just after the two figures disappeared at the end of the tunnel leading to the surface, a blurry black shadow, as if merged with the darkness itself, appeared silently beside Ye Xishui.
The light and shadow condensed, forming an elder dressed in a plain black robe, with an antique face and eyes that held the gentle weariness of vast experience.
It was the Holy Spirit Cult's other colossal pillar, the Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao.
He looked in the direction where Castorice and Fei Yan had departed, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, his voice low and carrying a hint of disapproval:
"Xishui, setting the first spirit ring as thousand-year... isn't that too harsh? Although that child's Physique is special, she is still young, and her Soul Power Foundation is shallow. The risk of absorbing an over-leveled spirit ring is immense. The slightest mistake could result in shattered Meridians and a damaged Soul."
Ye Xishui did not turn around; her beautiful profile appeared especially cold in the dim light.
She scoffed, her tone carrying an icy, all-knowing coldness and... fanaticism:
"Harsh? Xiaoyao, you are mistaken. That girl is absolutely not as innocent as her appearance suggests. Her essence... I can smell it. It is an extremely dangerous aura, hidden beneath a delicate facade, like a demonic flower blooming on the edge of the abyss—beautiful, yet feeding on death."
She slowly turned around to look at Long Xiaoyao, a heart-stopping light flickering in her deep eyes:
"And I happen to like this danger. Precisely because of this, I must dedicate all my efforts to nurturing her. Do you understand? I am not cultivating a Genius Disciple; I am forging—forging an unprecedented monster, the most vicious, most evil, and strongest monster."
Her voice gradually rose, carrying a kind of obsessive excitement:
"To allow such a 'monster' to be born, how could conventional, lukewarm cultivation methods possibly succeed? We must use the most extreme methods, push her to the brink, squeeze out every ounce of her potential, and let her comprehend the essence of power on the edge of life and death. A thousand-year first spirit ring? Heh, that is merely the beginning, a trivial appetizer."
Long Xiaoyao looked at the familiar yet strange madness in Ye Xishui's eyes and fell silent.
How could he not see that the little girl named Castorice was extraordinary? The things hidden beneath her calm purple eyes made even him feel a trace of profound mystery.
He sighed inwardly, having a faint premonition that Ye Xishui might truly unleash a terrifying existence that even they could not fully control this time.
But in the end, he did not say anything more.
He had never, and was powerless to, oppose the things Ye Xishui decided.
The long years and complex emotional entanglement had long since led him to choose quiet protection.
He was old and tired. He didn't actually care much about what the future of this World would become, or what kind of "monster" would stir up the situation.
His only wish was to stay by her side during the time he had left, repaying the debt that could never be fully cleared.
"Have it your way..."
Long Xiaoyao finally shook his head helplessly, his figure slowly merging back into the surrounding shadows, leaving only an almost inaudible sigh echoing in the empty hall.
"I just hope you... don't play with fire and get burned."
Ye Xishui was not surprised by Long Xiaoyao's concession. She refocused her gaze toward the distance, as if she could pierce through the thick rock layers and see the ongoing Martial Soul hunt.
The corner of her mouth curled into an arc filled with anticipation and cruelty.
A monster? She looked forward to this monster shedding its disguise soon and revealing its ferocious claws to this World.