A true hero smiles without uttering a word.

Though it was a beast, its determination to protect its child moved them deeply. So Song Xiaoyu and Xie Wuji buried the great tiger, laying it to rest at the exit of the Lonely Souls Ridge. Perhaps one day, its child would return and find it there.

After burying the Scorpion-tailed Tiger, they saw that the two disciples were barely breathing, life already slipping away.

“How tragic, crushed into nothing but flesh,” Xie Wuji sighed.

“Heaven cherishes life. Let’s dig them a grave and bury them. Leaving their bodies exposed to the wilderness is not right,” Song Xiaoyu said.

“I’ll stand guard for you in a moment. Will you cultivate right away?” Xie Wuji asked.

She nodded, cradling the orb in her hands. “This beast soul was willingly given to me by the Scorpion-tailed Tiger, so its purity is exceptional. Such a beast soul is truly rare.”

Xie Wuji smiled. “How so?”

“Beasts are intelligent too. If a beast refuses to submit, it may take extreme measures—like destroying its own beast soul,” Song Xiaoyu explained.

“Heavens, would it rather perish than yield?” Xie Wuji exclaimed in awe.

“The world is vast and full of wonders. Some people keep beasts in captivity, but the souls of such beasts are of poor quality. Only those that roam wild, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, produce souls of true excellence. That’s why disciples from major sects venture out to seek suitable beast souls. The three disciples from Azure Cloud Sect today must have set their sights on the Scorpion-tailed Tiger’s soul and joined forces to attack it,” Song Xiaoyu said as she sat cross-legged atop a large stone, beginning to regulate her breath.

Xie Wuji watched from nearby, noticing how Song Xiaoyu suddenly held the beast soul in her hands. His own breath quickened, memories resurfacing of the hardship he endured when absorbing the Phoenix’s soul. He wondered what Song Xiaoyu might experience.

Then, astonishingly, the beast soul began to vaporize. What was once a sphere suddenly turned into a swirling mist, spinning rapidly like a vortex, making Xie Wuji widen his eyes and instinctively cover his rear.

He still vividly remembered the agony and strangeness of absorbing the Phoenix’s soul, and how he nearly became addicted to the sensation—a dangerous path for someone as straightforward as himself.

But now was not the time to reminisce. Xie Wuji kept a careful watch on Song Xiaoyu, anxious lest anything go wrong. If she too were affected by the Scorpion-tailed Tiger’s soul, things would become complicated, especially since she was still an innocent maiden.

Suddenly, the chaotic airflow calmed, forming a stream of earthen-yellow energy that slowly entered Song Xiaoyu’s nose.

This process lasted from morning until sunset. When Song Xiaoyu finally opened her eyes, she found Xie Wuji so close their faces nearly touched.

She gasped and pushed him away. “Brother Wuji, you startled me!”

Xie Wuji looked perplexed. “This isn’t right…”

“What is it?”

“I mean the beast soul. The way it entered your body was completely different from my experience. Why was it so gentle with you?” he asked.

Song Xiaoyu recalled how the Phoenix’s soul had resisted Xie Wuji, and replied without hesitation, “That’s because the Phoenix didn’t want to be absorbed by you. Beasts like the Phoenix are more intelligent than humans, and Brother Wuji, you can be a bit reckless at times. Why would the Phoenix let you succeed easily? I don’t know exactly how you managed to absorb it, but it was clearly unwilling—so it chose the most painful way to enter you.”

“Good heavens, is that how it is?” Xie Wuji grumbled, feeling put-upon.

At that moment, Song Xiaoyu experimented with her spiritual energy, channeling the beast soul’s power. Mist gathered around her hands, and with a wave toward the large stone, five neat claw marks appeared on its surface!

Amazed, Song Xiaoyu exclaimed, “Are these tiger claws?”

“Look closer!” Xie Wuji urged.

She peered at the marks and discovered they were already corroding. “Your claws are venomous,” Xie Wuji said. “Don’t ever scratch me with them…”

Song Xiaoyu was delighted. “I never expected to awaken the beast soul’s special trait. For most people, absorbing a beast soul merely increases their cultivation—very few can unlock a soul’s latent abilities.”

Xie Wuji realized Song Xiaoyu’s cultivation had now reached the Seventh Level of Spiritual Gathering—a tremendous leap.

Having gained new fortune and improved her cultivation, Song Xiaoyu was elated. On the road to Greenbark County, she skipped and hopped like a carefree white rabbit.

They hurried on, arriving just before the city gates closed. There, they found an inn and settled in for the night.

“The shops in town are still open. Why don’t we visit one of the Azure Cloud Sect’s stores?” Song Xiaoyu suggested.

“Stores?” Xie Wuji was puzzled. “But weren’t we…”

“You mean the three disciples? Accidents during training are common. Besides, you don’t have a suitable weapon right now, Brother Wuji. You should use your Phoenix Grip more sparingly—it’s too distinctive and memorable,” Song Xiaoyu advised.

Xie Wuji admitted she had a point. Others relied on weapons, but he always used his fists. While he could hold his own for now, as Song Xiaoyu pointed out, if someone wielded a superior weapon, his fists might be rendered useless.

It made sense to keep his strongest move as a hidden ace. By using weapons openly while secretly relying on his fists, he could catch enemies off guard.

With her reasoning, Xie Wuji agreed without protest.

Though the sun had just set, Greenbark County bustled with life. It was the New Year, and the streets were festively decorated, the entire town alight with celebration.

The lanterns were unique—pentagonal paper lanterns, unlike the oval ones in the real world. Instead of candles, they were filled with a special powder that made them shine brilliantly.

Shops lined the streets: tailor shops, blacksmiths, banks, grain stores, and more. Song Xiaoyu pointed out, “See those signs? If there’s a greenish-blue cloud at the front, it means the shop belongs to Azure Cloud Sect.”

“Is that so?” Xie Wuji chuckled. “So even sects are in business now?”

“What did you expect? With so many disciples, do you think money and clothing just fall from the sky? The stronger the sect, the more industries they control. In the heyday of the Undying Longevity Sect, we held half of Tea Province’s businesses in our hands…” Song Xiaoyu sighed.

“Half of Tea Province?” Xie Wuji took a deep breath. He understood—half the commercial affairs of Tea Province had been under the Undying Longevity Sect’s control.

As they walked, they arrived at a large storefront displaying many magical treasures and weapons. The shopkeeper, twirling two jade balls in his hands, looked quite pleased with himself.

Suddenly, the shopkeeper’s gaze locked onto the gem-encrusted shortsword at Song Xiaoyu’s side. He stood up, excitement in his eyes. “Welcome, honored guests! How may I assist you?”

Xie Wuji was taken aback by the sudden enthusiasm. The shopkeeper had barely glanced at them when they entered.

“I’m looking for a good weapon. Do you have anything suitable?” Xie Wuji asked.

“You’ve come at just the right time,” the shopkeeper replied, his eyes gleaming with greed as he glanced repeatedly at the gemmed shortsword. He led Xie Wuji upstairs.