Nearly two and a half years later, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.
Qian Renxue, Lin Feng, and Ling Yuan were steadily trekking through the woods.
Over the past few years, Qian Renxue had grown even more stunning.The experiences she gained from the outside world had significantly changed her temperament.
Her once youthful face had matured, now radiating a composed strength and grace. Between her elegant brows, an unmatched beauty shone through.
Her appearance seemed like a masterpiece of the heavens—flawlessly perfect. Her deep blue eyes gleamed with captivating brilliance.
Her slender waist hinted at strength and pride, and beneath her flawless curves were long, supple, snow-white legs. Her figure was graceful, ethereal, and extraordinary.
At this point, she could confidently be said to have far surpassed Ling Yuan in terms of beauty.
Of course, Ling Yuan still had qualities Qian Renxue couldn't compare to—namely the charm and warmth that only years of experience could bring.
This kind of elegance wasn't about outward appearance, but a soft gentleness borne from time itself.
Compared to a few years ago, Lin Feng had now grown to nearly 1.8 meters tall. His already handsome features had matured fully. With a strong, upright build, he now exuded an air of steadfast maturity.
Their goal on this journey was to obtain Lin Feng's fourth spirit ring.
After careful consideration, Lin Feng had set his sights on the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear as his chosen spirit beast.
This bear, with its near-extreme metallic attribute, possessed not only terrifying attack power but also incredible defense thanks to its dark golden fur.
The most powerful Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears had claws capable of contending with dragons.
Among soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest, it was a creature that walked unchallenged—even Lin Feng's ancestor, hiding deep within the Lake of Life, wouldn't face threats from other beasts.
Its strength was unmatched both offensively and defensively. Its melee power was overwhelming, and its long-range strikes had devastating burst damage. According to historical records, even Titled Douluo had trouble with ten-thousand-year-old versions of this beast.
The trio arrived at a secluded lakeside—one of the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear's territories.
Night fell. The forest gradually quieted down, leaving only the soft sounds of water and rustling leaves.
"It's coming," Ling Yuan transmitted mentally.
They all looked up. At the lakeshore, a giant bear slowly approached.
It was a massive creature covered in dark golden fur, over three meters tall. Its eyes were emotionless, filled only with coldness and cruelty.
Its entire body was coated in dark golden fur. Its arms were especially thick, and its broad shoulders were like a towering wall.
At the ends of its thick arms were razor-sharp claws, each over a meter long.
When it stretched out those arms, its claws sliced through the air with a faint hissing sound.
The bear's nose twitched as it sniffed the air, seemingly confirming there was no threat. It then approached the lake to drink.
"Xiaofeng, is the age suitable?" Ling Yuan asked.
Lin Feng nodded slowly. The bear was around 8,000 years old.
Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears that had reached 10,000 years were extremely rare—almost impossible to encounter.
Even this one had taken Lin Feng's group two months to locate.
And even for Titled Douluo, a 10,000-year-old Terrorclaw Bear was a formidable opponent.
Moreover, Lin Feng's spirit vein cultivation method didn't require exceedingly high-aged spirit rings.
As his spirit vein fused with him, it subtly grew stronger on its own.
Back when Lin Feng absorbed his third spirit ring, his first 300-year ring had already evolved into a thousand-year one due to the spirit vein.
As long as Lin Feng continued to grow, the quality of his spirit vein would continue to improve—and even more dramatically later on.
Thus, when Lin Feng eventually became a Titled Douluo, the growth would be on a completely different level compared to now, as a Spirit Ancestor.
There was no need to obsess over an extra 2,000–3,000 years in age. Not to mention, this bear was already hard to come by. Its 8,000-year cultivation was a perfect fit for Lin Feng.
"Ling Yuan-jie, I'll leave it to you."
"Mm."
Given the unusual strength of the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear—it was even more fearsome than the Titan Giant Ape species (which Tang San once said could defeat 10,000-year beasts even when only 100 years old)—Lin Feng and Qian Renxue didn't need to intervene. They simply weren't strong enough yet.
A crimson gleam flickered in Ling Yuan's eyes. Ever since absorbing the Phoenix-Tail Crest Chrysanthemum, her aptitude had transformed.
The evolution of her Martial Soul had significantly boosted her foundation—her cultivation speed and soul skill power had clearly increased.
After fusing with a soul bone, her soul power had reached level 86, and now she was at level 89.
The chrysanthemum's lingering effects were still active. Breaking through to Titled Douluo (level 90) was notoriously difficult, but at this rate, she would reach it soon.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!""Eighth Soul Skill: Blood Ignition!"
With a clear shout, crimson flames erupted. Ling Yuan transformed into a Fire Phoenix and instantly clashed with the bear.
"ROAR!!"
The Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear roared. Its claws slashed through the air, unleashing shockwaves.
Under the moonlight, the battle was ferocious. Each of Ling Yuan's swoops carried searing fire, attempting to scorch through the bear's defenses.
The bear retaliated with its terrifying claws—each swipe threatening to rip through the air and strike fatally.
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue stood aside, anxiously watching. Though Ling Yuan was strong, facing this bear was anything but easy.
She constantly shifted tactics—soaring high, diving low. Each move was a blend of power and precision.
The bear, relying on its immense defense and attack power, clashed with her again and again.
Finally, during a fierce clash, Ling Yuan found an opening. With a sharp cry, flames exploded outward, trapping the bear.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Scorching Fire!""Soul Bone Technique: Flaming Meteor!"
A massive fireball descended from the sky, radiating terrifying heat. The trees were instantly reduced to ash.
Ling Yuan reverted to her human form and landed between her two companions. A swirling flame vortex still surrounded the now near-death bear.
"This Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear really is tough. The legends saying a 10,000-year one can take on a Titled Douluo—it seems they weren't exaggerating."
Panting slightly, Ling Yuan was being gently healed by Lin Feng's Life Essence aura.
The bear gave Lin Feng a bitter look as he approached—like it had drawn the short straw for a company assignment, full of grievance and frustration.
Almost as if resigned to fate, it lowered its noble head.
With a swing of the flame blade, a deep purple spirit ring rose into the air. Lin Feng performed a hand seal, guiding the ring into his Innate Treasure Pearl.
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle