Spirit Hunting Forest
As the group ventured deeper, the forest grew increasingly remote, and various strange Spirit Beasts gradually appeared.
There were ten-year Wind Baboons, thirty-year Shadow Leopards, fifty-year Gale Wolves, and hundred-year One-Eyed Owls. The Nuoding Academy Dean simply released his Spirit Ancestor aura, frightening them away instantly.
"Look over there!"
After nearly a full day of searching, the Dean finally discovered a Spirit Beast worth considering.
Beneath the shadow of a massive rock grew a cluster of small grasses emitting a pale blue glow. Wisps of mist curled around them, and the surrounding air felt exceptionally fresh, as though it could cleanse all impurities.
"This is Sweet Dew Grass, about one hundred and fifty years old," Yu Xiaogang said, only stating its name and age before falling silent.
"Sweet Dew Grass possesses healing abilities. Although its age is a bit low, it's still a decent Spirit Beast," the Dean said thoughtfully.
"Little Mu, do you want to choose this one?"
"No."
Bai Mu shook his head decisively.
"Although Sweet Dew Grass has healing effects, its abilities mainly focus on spirit power recovery and purification. If Zygarde absorbs it, the Spirit Ability gained will most likely be purification-based."
"Zygarde already has Safeguard. As a Divine Beast, it may naturally obtain purification abilities after evolving further, so there's no need to waste a Spirit Ability slot."
Seeing that Bai Mu could accurately judge such a rare Spirit Beast, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly but said nothing.
"Alright. Plant-type Spirit Beasts that are only a few hundred years old won't run away," the Dean said.
"Let's keep it as a backup and continue searching."
The group continued deeper into the forest.
As night fell, they found a clearing, scattered beast-repelling powder, and rested.
Three days passed quickly.
They encountered healing Spirit Beasts such as Healing Mushrooms and Jade Spirit Flowers, but either their age was under a hundred years or their abilities were unsuitable, forcing them to give up.
Without realizing it, they had already entered the deeper regions of the forest, where Spirit Beasts over five hundred years old could launch surprise attacks at any moment.
"Woof~"
Suddenly, Zygarde, walking beside Bai Mu, stopped and barked toward a certain direction.
"You sensed a pure life aura?"
Through telepathy, Bai Mu immediately understood its meaning.
As the guardian of ecosystems, Zygarde's ability to sense life energy was extremely powerful. For it to react like this, whatever lay ahead had to be extraordinary.
"Awoo~"
Zygarde let out a soft cry and stepped into the bushes first.
The others exchanged glances and followed. After pushing through dense undergrowth, their view suddenly opened up.
A swamp hidden deep within the forest appeared before them.
Mud and fallen leaves covered the ground, and corroded bones were scattered everywhere, clearly an ominous place.
Yet in the center of the swamp, atop a mound of accumulated silt, a blue-white lotus bloomed quietly, jade-like and flawless.
It had twenty-nine crystal-clear petals, each one seemingly flowing with light. A warm and pure life aura radiated outward, making anyone who felt it unconsciously intoxicated.
"It rises from the mud unstained,
Washed by clear ripples yet never tainted."
Tang San couldn't help but murmur.
"What kind of Spirit Beast is this?" Bai Mu asked.
The academy library held no records of such a Spirit Beast, so he turned his gaze to the Dean.
"Xiaogang, you're knowledgeable. Explain it," the Dean said.
"The Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus," Yu Xiaogang said with his hands behind his back.
"It is named for its resemblance to the epiphyllum and its lotus-like purity. It is inherently non-aggressive."
"It absorbs surrounding energy to release life aura that heals nearby creatures and accelerates the growth of Spirit Beasts. Because of this, it is often guarded by Spirit Beasts."
"It grows one jade-colored petal every ten years. With twenty-nine petals, it has cultivated for two hundred and ninety years. Killing it will almost certainly yield a healing-type Spirit Ability."
The Dean nodded.
"Although it hasn't reached four hundred years, its ability seems highly compatible. Bai Mu, what do you think?"
"A Spirit Beast this suitable is rare. This is the one."
Bai Mu stared at the jade lotus and nodded firmly.
Two hundred and ninety years wasn't particularly high, but it wasn't low either.
To him, as long as the Spirit Ability obtained was suitable and powerful, there was no reason to obsess over extreme age limits.
Yu Xiaogang looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he only pressed his lips together.
"There may be hidden Spirit Beasts nearby," the Dean said seriously.
"Little San, use Blue Silver Grass to retrieve the lotus. I'll stay alert."
Spirit power surged around him as he summoned his Wind-Fire Staff.
One white, two yellow, and one purple spirit ring rose beneath his feet.
"Blue Silver Grass Bind!"
Tang San waved his hand, and Blue Silver Grass shot forward toward the Spirit Epiphyllum Jade Lotus like a venomous snake.
Suddenly—
Splash!
Muddy water exploded as a massive figure burst out of the swamp, opening its jaws and spraying terrifying purple Poison Mist.
The Blue Silver Grass barely touched the mist before it was instantly corroded, its leaves withering away.
"Wind-Commanding Staff!"
The Dean's third spirit ring flashed as his aura surged. He swung his staff violently.
A powerful gust erupted, dispersing the Poison Mist completely.
"Hiss—!"
A massive snake appeared before them.
Its dark green scales were as thick as a washbasin, its head triangular, and its vertical pupils cold and dangerous. Coiled beside the jade lotus, it flicked its tongue, releasing more purple Poison Mist.
"This is a seven-hundred-year-old Poison Mist Snake," Yu Xiaogang said, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"It possesses exceptional endurance and specializes in spraying Poison Mist that slows enemies and rapidly drains spirit power."
"Although it's not the Ghost Vine we originally planned for, its poison and abilities are extremely compatible with Blue Silver Grass. It's also a snake-type Spirit Beast, similar to the Datura Snake from the first spirit ring."
He turned to Tang San.
"Little San, what do you think?"
"If Blue Silver Grass could spray Poison Mist, it would be very suitable as a second spirit ring," Tang San said with a faint smile.
"Not bad," Bai Mu said, smiling as well.
"Then we'll take them both down!"
The Dean's spirit ring ignited as flames surged along his staff. He leapt forward, striking toward the Poison Mist Snake.
"Hiss—!"
The Poison Mist Snake showed no fear, opening its massive jaws and lunging forward.
The swamp trembled violently as water splashed everywhere.
For a moment, both sides were evenly matched.
Just then…