Chapter 36: A Flexible Combat Strategy is the Key to Survival

Chapter 36: A Flexible Combat Strategy is the Key to Survival

"You little brat, always so smooth tongued." Guang Ling shook his head but said nothing more.

Training was training, but he was here to provide backup. If Han Li stubbornly insisted on keeping watch himself, Guang Ling would let him it was his choice, after all. But since Han Li chose to rely on his teacher's strength, he had nothing to argue about. That was the privilege of having a teacher, after all.

"I'm getting my second soul ring tomorrow, setting a new record. I wouldn't risk my condition just for the sake of pride. Right, Teacher?" Han Li poured another bowl of soup and handed it to Guang Ling.

"Hah, I almost forgot you're about to absorb a soul ring three thousand years above your level."

In the glow of the campfire, Guang Ling's gaze turned unreadable. Ever since taking Han Li as a disciple, his understanding of what was "possible" had been completely shattered.

For example, he hadn't even thought about the fact that Han Li despite being this deep in the forest was still technically just a Grand Soulmaster without a second soul ring. He had already been treating him like a full fledged battle ready expert.

"You really are a monster, kid. Alright, I'll keep watch happily tonight."

Guang Ling chuckled, his youthful looking face showing an unexpectedly mature expression. No wonder people said taking in a disciple was like raising a son he had unknowingly reached that stage of life himself.

Luckily, it wasn't too late.

And he hadn't picked the wrong person.

Han Li said nothing, just grinned and handed over another freshly cooked dish. The two of them chatted casually as the night deepened.

Once he finished his daily training, Han Li greeted Guang Ling, relaxed into his blanket, and quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.

The Next Morning

Han Li woke up on schedule, thanks to his well trained sleeping habits.

Stretching lazily, he greeted Guang Ling, who despite staying up all night still looked as energetic as ever.

After a simple breakfast, Han Li packed up the camp and erased all traces of their presence. Under Guang Ling's watchful gaze, he reached peak alertness once more before setting off deeper into the forest.

However, unlike the day before, today's journey was much more challenging.

Even though Han Li's immense spiritual power allowed him to ward off many soul beasts, some less intelligent creatures still rushed to attack him on sight, significantly slowing his progress.

A Test of Real Combat

"Huff…"

Han Li exhaled sharply, his red blue mixed arrow piercing through the eye socket of a Gale Wolf. The wolf's head exploded, and a purple soul ring materialized above its corpse.

"Damn, that thing was fast. And that wind blade was so annoying."

Han Li muttered as he caught his breath.

"Aren't thousand year soul beasts supposed to be unintelligent? Why did this damn thing feel smarter than Feng Xiaotian?"

This wasn't even the first soul beast that had attacked him. He had been battling a Rock Armor Boar when this wolf had sensed the fight and snuck in.

But to Han Li's surprise, despite being only around 2,000 years old, the Gale Wolf didn't immediately join the battle. Instead, it circled around, repeatedly launching wind blades at both Han Li and the boar, deliberately stalling the fight.

It was almost as if it wanted them to weaken each other first, before swooping in to kill them both.

Without any defensive soul skills, Han Li had found himself momentarily on the back foot, unable to quickly eliminate both enemies at once.

Luckily, after taking repeated hits, the Rock Armor Boar entered a berserk state, allowing Han Li to snipe it in the mouth, freeing himself up to deal with the damn wolf.

The moment the boar died, the Gale Wolf sensed danger and immediately turned to flee.

It had even abandoned the fresh corpse, prioritizing its own survival.

But Han Li wasn't about to let it escape.

Using his Ice Arrows, he slowed it down, forcing it to turn and engage in a desperate last stand only to meet its inevitable death.

Of course, Han Li freely admitted he only had the confidence to pursue it because Guang Ling was watching his back.

Evaluating His Current Strength

After this unexpected battle, Han Li had gained a clearer understanding of his capabilities.

Thanks to his abnormal spiritual power, his external soul bone, and his dual element bow, he had an unfair advantage in ranged combat.At long range, he could reliably drag out fights and even wear down enemies close to 3,000 years old.However, at close range, he could only handle soul beasts around 1,500 years old.Despite his superior physical strength compared to most Beast Martial Soul users at his level, his Ice Fire Blades lacked the explosive power to overcome higher ranked opponents.His Blade Aura wasn't strong enough to fully compensate for the gap in levels, because soul beasts generally had tougher bodies than human soul masters.

But fortunately he was about to obtain his second soul ring.

If everything went well, his external soul bone might evolve again, which would greatly improve his elemental control.

And once that happened, many of his planned techniques would finally become viable.

Han Li searched the Gale Wolf's body for any valuable materials but found nothing worthwhile. A bit disappointed, he retraced his steps and continued toward his target location.

Target Acquired

By noon, Han Li finally reached the cliffside habitat of the Golden Scale Eagle, exactly as marked on the map.

After carefully observing the area, he immediately abandoned his plan to hunt alone.

Because there were two Golden Scale Eagles.

And from his mental scan, one of them was over 5,000 years old.

That was far beyond his limit.

So Han Li did what any rational person would do he called for backup.

"Teacher, this one's on you."

Han Li backed away to a safer distance before shouting.

"Not even gonna give it a try?" Guang Ling teased as he emerged from behind a tree.

"Nope. I'm here to get a soul ring, not show off in a fight.

Besides, I don't have a one shot kill move, and if we get caught in a prolonged battle, who knows what other soul beasts might be drawn in?

Better to let you handle it, Teacher."

Han Li's reasoning was flawless, and Guang Ling had to admit he made a fair point.

"Fine, I'll handle it."

Without another word, Guang Ling disappeared.

A moment later, he reappeared at the cliffside, his Titled Douluo level aura exploding outward.

Before the Golden Scale Eagles could even react, they were instantly knocked unconscious.

Guang Ling ignored the larger, older eagle, picking up the smaller one and bringing it back to Han Li.

"3,500 years old probably just under 3,600. Should be perfect for you."

"Even better than I expected!" Han Li's eyes gleamed with excitement.

It was 200 years below his maximum threshold, making it much safer to absorb.

"Satisfied? Then let's begin." Guang Ling nodded.

"Actually… Teacher, could we relocate to the outer forest first?"

Han Li gave an awkward smile.

"After all, you just unleashed your full aura… If my absorption takes too long, it might attract trouble."

Guang Ling was momentarily speechless.

Was his student doubting his strength?

But then, seeing Han Li's grinning yet cautious expression, he sighed.

Fine. If it made his disciple feel safer, he'd allow it.

"Alright, we'll move."

Without waiting for another word, Guang Ling grabbed the unconscious eagle in one hand Han Li in the other and shot toward the outer forest.

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