Chapitre 25: Inner Circle
Qian Renxue had already reached the inner region of the Star Dou Forest, where the spirit beasts were becoming increasingly powerful. In the outer region of the Star Dou Forest, most of the spirit beasts were ten-year-old beasts.
Occasionally, one might encounter a hundred-year-old spirit beast, but the majority were ten-year-old beasts.
Upon entering the inner region, most of the spirit beasts were at least a hundred years old, typically five or six hundred years and up.
Thousand-year-old spirit beasts frequently appeared.
The combat power of a spirit beast is related to its age, species, and bloodline.
Some top-tier spirit beasts, despite their relatively low age, possess very formidable combat power!
For instance, the Titan Giant Ape and the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.
After entering the inner region of the Star Dou Forest, Qian Renxue's pace slowed significantly. Unlike before, she couldn't afford to charge forward recklessly; she needed to be vigilant against possible spirit beast ambushes at any moment.
Of course, being overly cautious wasn't necessary.
Ordinary thousand-year-old spirit beasts weren't her match; only those close to ten thousand years old could pose a slight challenge to her.
And it was only a slight challenge.
The inner region was much darker than the outer region. Even though it was noon, it felt very gloomy here, with extremely low light levels.
This was mainly because the trees here were much taller, their leaves blocking out the sky. Very little light could penetrate the dense canopy.
Whether it was due to luck or something else, Qian Renxue had reached the core area without being ambushed by spirit beasts, moving forward smoothly.
"It's close now. This Light Tiger King, which is nearly thirty thousand years old, is perfect for my sixth spirit ring."
Qian Renxue murmured to herself as she continued toward her destination.
Just like spirit masters, spirit beasts also have attributes.
Most ordinary spirit beasts have no attributes, only some elite ones possess attributes.
These are mostly single attributes, but there are also dual or even triple attribute spirit beasts.
Attributes are divided into basic and elemental attributes. Basic attributes include strength, defense, mental power, etc.
Elemental attributes include wind, fire, lightning, earth, water, light, darkness, space, etc.
From its name, one can deduce that the Light Tiger King's attribute is light.
Of course, as the king of beasts, its strength and other attributes wouldn't be weak either.
For Qian Renxue, it was a perfect match for her martial spirit.
"Zhongli, it's so dark here. Can we go back?"
Paimon was trembling she placed a hand on Zhongli's shoulder.
She was really scared; the spirit beast forest was not fun at all!
Occasionally, beast roars would echo around them, making Paimon even more frightened.
"Paimon, stay within five meters of me. No spirit beast can detect you."
"If you really want to go back, then we'll end this journey and return."
Hearing this, Paimon was stunned and subconsciously asked, "We won't be detected?"
"Of course not!"
"Why?"
Zhongli: "..."
With his strength, avoiding detection by these spirit beasts was a simple matter.
"Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier? You scared me to death."
If they wouldn't be detected, it was just dark, but that wasn't a big deal as long as they were careful.
"You didn't ask..."
Paimon: "..."
Was this something one needed to ask proactively?
The two continued on their way, following Qian Renxue at a steady pace.
Since learning that there was no danger within five meters of Zhongli, Paimon became braver, looking around curiously.
Snakes coiled on trees, bears resting on small hills...
This place didn't distinguish between day and night; only the temperature drop at night indicated the transition.
So, predators were often active during the day too.
On their way, Zhongli and Paimon witnessed several hunting scenes.
Time passed, and after about an hour, Zhongli and Paimon, who were leisurely following Qian Renxue, suddenly saw a holy light.
"Uh..."
Seeing this light, Zhongli was confused.
Was this really the heir to the Spirit Hall?
The core area was like a dark night, and such a light was fatally attractive to spirit beasts!
It might attract some powerful spirit beasts.
After thinking for a moment, Zhongli shook his head.
Qian Renxue's martial spirit was the Six-Winged Angel, with attributes of light, fire, and purification.
If she released her martial spirit, such effects were normal.
"Hopefully, my worries are unnecessary."
Zhongli shook his head and continued heading toward the "battlefield" at his own pace.
"Roar～"
A tiger's roar shook the forest as the Light Tiger King launched an attack on Qian Renxue.
It could sense that this human before it possessed a very pure light attribute; devouring her would greatly enhance its power.
This was an opportunity!
How dare a mere five-ring spirit master challenge it!
Ten-thousand-year-old spirit beasts had intelligence not inferior to humans; they could think independently.
Facing Qian Renxue's sudden intrusion, the Light Tiger King was furious!
"Zhongli, Qinghe has transformed!"
"No, it's spirit possession!"
"She even has wings, so beautiful!"
Zhongli slightly turned his head, his eyes twitching, feeling that his agreement with Paimon seemed to be useless.
"Zhongli, can Qinghe defeat this big tiger?"
Paimon asked anxiously. The Light Tiger King, five or six meters long, was entirely snow-white, and its roar carried immense power.
"Xue Qinghe" looked so delicate, she seemed too weak to fight this big tiger.
"By general reasoning, this tiger king is not her opponent."
Zhongli calmly stroked his chin.
Ordinary spirit emperors indeed couldn't defeat this Light Tiger King, but Qian Renxue was no ordinary spirit emperor!
With caution, dealing with the Light Tiger King was a simple task for her.
"Huh?"
Paimon was surprised, pointing at Qian Renxue and then at the Light Tiger King, "Their sizes are so different, can Qinghe really beat the big tiger?"
"Paimon, just watch quietly."
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Zhongli frowned and instinctively looked toward the depths of the Star Dou Forest.
"Zhongli, what's wrong?"
"A slightly stronger spirit beast is heading this way rapidly."
"What!"
Paimon exclaimed, stronger?
"Zhongli, let's run quickly!"
"And take Qinghe with us!"
Although she hadn't felt the strength of that spirit beast, she didn't doubt Zhongli's words.
Dealing with this big tiger was already so tough for "Xue Qinghe." If a stronger one joined, she might not make it today!
That wouldn't do; "Xue Qinghe" was a good person who treated her to delicious food!
"No worries, it's just a..."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone