"Hm, Sacred and life type spirit beasts are very rare and will be hard to find. Maybe a general spirit beast with a support type ability would be better".

It had already been 3 weeks since the odd duo had entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

The Star Dou Forest is one of the Douluo Continent's most famous great spirit beast habitats. It's located southeast of Balak Kingdom, with Soutu City lying less than five hundred kilometres near it.

Its area is huge, practically equal to Balak Kingdom's territory, spanning the border of Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, within it, two fifths of the area is in Heaven Dou Empire while the other three-fifths are in Star Luo Empire. It's an immense primeval forest, whilst the forest's interior terrain is complicated, with wetlands, swamps and so on.

The spirit beasts there are known for their viciousness and killing intent. They are extremely terrifying and strong. As long as a spirit master has the right power and a bit of good luck, they can find the most suitable Spirit Ring for themselves. The closer to the centre of the forest, the more powerful the spirit beasts.

And of course Xander was aware that the so-called great beasts. Spirit beasts with cultivation levels beyond 100,000 year and they inhibited the centre of this forest.

Xander would have never dared to enter this forest alone, though glancing up at the reliable Deans back, he could at least have some confidence in being safe. Though the journey here had been restless with the elder charging ahead, giving Xander little time for a break.

"What would you recommend Dean?".

Xander was aware of the difficulty he faced in order to get the best type of spirit ring. For the best spirit ring, cultivation age was indeed an important factor, but more than that, his martial soul, the holy grail, possessed the ultimate sacred attribute and a very potent life attribute.

In order to get the best outcome from his martial soul, Xander would need to find a spirit beast with these attributes. However, these attributes were incredibly rare and to chance upon such would need the duo to enter deeper into the ravenous maw of this unforgiving forest.

Although the Dean was a spirit King and his power was indeed impressive which allowed him to be the dean of an Academy, he was far from the strongest. So far from the strongest that in fact, the Dean dared venture in deeper than the outskirts of the forest.

Xander couldn't blame the Dean. Having read the novel he was well aware of the monsters and beings who possessed powers which couldn't be explained. Simply one rank higher, such as a spirit emperor a rank 60 spirit level, could easily play with a spirit king and they were far from the power of Titled douluo and the spirit beast on that level.

"This elder must apologize, little Xan. It seems like we won't be able to find you the best spirit ring"

Stolen novel; please report.

Having been called by his name and even receiving an apology Xander knew the Dean was truly unhappy about this. Although they had only spent a year and met a few times it had been enough to win this elder over.

Add to the fact that they had spent the last 3 weeks travelling through this forest and Xander had done his best to accommodate the elder. He couldn't help with fighting of spirit beasts, but he knew how to cook and thus took it upon himself to help build the camp and make food. His effort had won over the elder and he began to address Xander as little Xan.

Xander had been known for his hardworking nature and his politeness, so it made sense that given such a talent was in his academy the Dean wanted the best for Xander. Afterall a max spirit level of 10 at awakening was far from commonplace and all the individuals who possessed such an ability were bound to become a hegemon of power.

"You don't have to apologize Dean. Thank you for trying your best".

Hearing the child response a smile emerged from the Deans face, and with more enthusiasm he continued.

"Don't worry little Xan. Although we can't find a sacred or life attribute, I believe a light attribute will be useful. And it just so happens this elder here knows of a location to find light type spirit beasts".

Xander had some idea of what the Dean was on about. A light type attribute could be used for the holy grail martial soul.

When reading the novel Xander was not informed about all the types of spirit beasts. However, since he came to this world, he had been studious over the last year in the Academy spending many nights learning about this world and the spirit beasts that inhabited it.

Xander had never been the studios type, however the one thing he could rely on was his intelligence. His intelligence and cunning in order to survive!

Changing their direction, the duo venture slightly deeper into the forest. Leaving the outer area which was abundant in 10-year spirit beasts, to the area with 100-year-old spirit beasts. They moved deeper to where even 1,000-year spirit beasts occasionally reared their heads.

Of course, the Dean only had to flex his spirit energy to chase these creatures away, but if they came across multiple 1,000-year-old spirit beasts even the Dean would have to move cautiously.

It wasn't long till the elder found a trail. A thick glob of old poop that illuminated with a transparent light. Kneeling the Dean poked at the dropping, though thankfully he covered his fingers in spirit energy. No smelly fingers today!

"Is that from the Shining tiger spirit beast?"

Hearing this the Dean was pleased.

"Indeed, you don't score the highest in your exams for no reason it seems".

A Shining Tiger was a light attributed soul beast. Its appearance was of a tiger with golden light covering its body. The shining tiger was a notorious hunter often able to kill older spirit beasts thanks to its impervious speed and stealth.

It was said that it possessed a diluted bloodline of the evil eye white tiger though it wasn't close to it in power nor ability.

It was said to be as fast as a blur, almost like a golden streak with equally impressive cloaking abilities, able to stay out of sight or detect almost as if phasing out of existence, making it an ambush predator. Its abilities were more akin to cloaking as it bent the light around it body to gain some level of invisibility. And it seemed they were in its territory. After all, like most Tiger spirit beasts they hunted in their own territory.

"The droppings are a few days old so it should be coming back here".

Tiger spirit beasts often left droppings to ward off other predators, but it was a delicacy for certain prey and now it would need to replace the droppings around its territory.

Standing back up the Dean pushed forward once more, travelling deeper through the thicket with clear vigilance in his eyes.

"Stay close little Xan, these cats are sneaky critters. Wouldn't want you to become its toothpick now would we".

Clearly satisfied with his own remark the Dean continued deeper whilst a small feeble child, chased behind him.