Styx Death Scythe.
This was simply an extremely insidious and powerful Spirit Ability, especially terrifying when used in prolonged battles or against opponents with strong regenerative capabilities.
It is well known that most holders of Beast Spirit possess powerful physiques and self-healing abilities far surpassing other Soul Masters, and Castorice's Spirit Ability naturally countered Beast Spirit Soul Masters.
"It cannot be purified... truly an overbearing ability."
Fei Yan looked at the insignificant yet profoundly meaningful wound on her finger and sighed sincerely.
Her gaze toward Castorice became even more complex.
The potential and danger exhibited by this newly promoted Death Saintess refreshed her understanding again and again.
Their Holy Spirit Cult might truly have found a "monster" infant capable of overthrowing everything.
Fei Yan looked at the tiny bloodstain on her fingertip that stubbornly refused to heal, and a hint of confusion flashed in her crimson eyes.
Although she was not a scholar specializing in Martial Soul theory, she possessed basic common sense.
The Nether Howl Banshee is a Soul Beast with both death attributes and spiritual attack capabilities. Logically, the Spirit Ability gained from absorbing its spirit ring should lean towards abilities like spiritual shock, Soul wailing, or death curses.
Yet, Castorice's Styx Death Scythe, despite its bizarre and powerful effect, was a concrete weapon materialization and conceptual injury, which was diametrically opposed to the Nether Howl Banshee's abilities, showing almost no correlation.
"Strange... the characteristics of this Spirit Ability and the Soul Beast don't seem to match up..."
She muttered softly.
Castorice's heart tightened slightly, but her expression remained calm.
She naturally knew the reason—her Regent of Death Martial Soul was too high in rank; the spirit ring was merely a trigger and energy source, and the final Spirit Ability was entirely determined by the Martial Soul itself, having little connection to the type of Soul Beast.
But she could not explain it.
Fortunately, Fei Yan was not one to dwell on details. She only found it a little unusual and did not probe deeper.
After all, the Douluo Continent held countless wonders. While cases where Martial Soul mutation or special Legacy caused a Spirit Ability to mismatch the Soul Beast were rare, they were not unprecedented.
She shook her hand, temporarily putting the insignificant wound out of her mind. In any case, that bit of death energy would naturally dissipate after a while.
"Forget it. As long as the Spirit Ability is powerful and practical, that's enough. Little Holy Maiden, congratulations on successfully passing the Supreme Cult Master's test."
A smile reappeared on Fei Yan's face.
"It's time for us to go back. I imagine the Supreme Cult Master is getting impatient, and besides... there's a reward for passing the test."
She gave Castorice a meaningful look, then turned and left the secluded valley, heading back toward the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Following behind Fei Yan, Castorice's heart couldn't help but stir slightly.
A reward... Given the vast wealth and resources accumulated by the Holy Spirit Cult over the years, as long as it wasn't a rare treasure like an Immortal Herb, other top-tier Heaven And Earth Treasure were likely available for the taking.
Ye Xishui would certainly not be stingy with resources for the sake of cultivating a monster like her.
This would undoubtedly greatly accelerate her speed of Cultivation.
It was foreseeable that for a long period in the future, her cultivation would surpass that of her main body, Caelus.
This was unavoidable; it was the gap created by resources and foundation... Meanwhile, Caelus, far away on the other side of the Star Dou Great Forest, felt a complex emotion rise in his heart—satisfaction at Castorice's success, but more predominantly, a hint of irrepressible envy.
"A thousand-year first spirit ring..."
Castorice's body had too profound an Innate foundation, one that even his own body, strengthened after the Martial Soul Awakening, could not compare to.
He could only methodically absorb hundred-year spirit rings, unable to perform such a shocking leapfrog absorption.
Moreover, Castorice was in the Holy Spirit Cult, backed by the mighty Ye Xishui. Her resource supply was virtually top-tier; she had everything she needed.
In contrast, although Xu Jiujiu was the Star Luo Princess and held a respected position, meaning resources would not be scarce, the Star Luo Imperial Family surely had more rules and considerations. It was impossible for them to disregard costs like Ye Xishui just to Cultivate a single monster.
Furthermore, the Princess Your Highness beside him was exceptionally intelligent and not easily fooled completely.
To obtain the best resources from her, he had to continuously demonstrate corresponding value and potential, which required more effort and calculation.
"Alas, same Soul, different fates..."
Caelus secretly shook his head, suppressing the envy.
The road must be walked one step at a time, and what he needed to do now was seize the opportunity before him.
As if sensing his momentary distraction and complex gaze, Xu Jiujiu, who was attentively scanning her surroundings while enthusiastically introducing him to the details of a passing Soul Beast named the Sparkling Silver Fox, suddenly turned her head, her amethyst eyes looking at him with a hint of inquiry.
Caelus immediately composed himself, a natural smile belonging to a six-year-old child appearing on his face as he met her gaze.
"What is it, Caelus? Are you tired? Or are you interested in that Light Fox?"
Xu Jiujiu asked in a gentle tone.
"No, Your Highness, I was just listening carefully to what you were saying."
Caelus answered obediently, his eyes clear.
"Your Highness knows so much."
Hearing this, Xu Jiujiu showed a pleased smile and continued her Soul Beast popularization work, her favorable impression of Caelus increasing by a few points.
This child not only had extraordinary talent and a steady Mind and nature, but was also so eager to learn and diligent—the more she looked, the more she liked him.
Caelus maintained his smile, his gaze returning to the deep forest.
The three cautiously ventured deeper into the outer reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest's mixed zone. The trees here grew taller and thicker, the light was dimmer, and the aura of Soul Beast in the air was noticeably much stronger.
Nebula Douluo Man Yi's spiritual sense spread out like an invisible spiderweb, avoiding unnecessary trouble while searching for a suitable target.
After walking for about an hour, at the edge of a clearing where many glowing ferns grew, Man Yi suddenly stopped and whispered, "Found it."
Xu Jiujiu and Caelus followed her gaze. In the center of the clearing, an elegant Soul Beast was lowering its head to graze on glowing moss.
It resembled an elk, its body covered in greenish-blue scales. The antlers on its head were not solid but composed of highly condensed, constantly flowing pale-green wind elements, exuding a sharp aura.
Miniature whirlwinds subtly formed where its four hooves stepped on the ground.
"It's a Wind Spirit Deer."
Xu Jiujiu's eyes immediately burst with surprise, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.
"Caelus, your luck is truly good. This is one of the top Bloodlines among wind-attributed Soul Beasts. It's extremely fast and its offensive power is not weak. The energy contained in its spirit ring is exceptionally pure. Judging by its size and the solidification level of the wind elements in its antlers, its age should be around five hundred years."