"Heart of the World: The Rise of the Eternal Guardian"

Xiao Tian gripped the basket tightly, his breaths steady as he ventured deeper into the Azure Spirit Forest. The quest bestowed by the Multi-Blessings System burned brightly in his mind. To obtain his first soul ring, he would need to find and defeat a soul beast—a task that, for someone like him, seemed nearly impossible.

The stories of soul rings were vivid in his memory. A soul ring wasn't just a simple prize; it was the essence of a defeated soul beast, crystallized into power. Each ring granted unique abilities, and the stronger the soul beast, the more powerful the ring. But Xiao Tian had no weapon, no training, and no experience with soul beasts. He had only his will and the mysterious system to guide him.

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The System's Guidance

As he walked, the system's voice echoed in his mind.

[Host is advised to target a soul beast between 100 and 200 years of cultivation for the first soul ring. Recommended: Green Scale Wolf or Misty Shadow Hare.]

Xiao Tian frowned. "A Green Scale Wolf? Isn't that too dangerous? Even the village hunters avoid them unless they're in groups."

[Host must rely on strategy. Assistance provided.]

The translucent panel shimmered, revealing a new tab labeled Soul Beast Analysis. Xiao Tian touched the tab, and a detailed breakdown appeared.

Green Scale Wolf:

Age Range: 100–300 years

Strengths: High agility, razor-sharp claws, and hardened scales.

Weaknesses: Vulnerable underbelly and poor endurance during prolonged battles.

Suggested Tactic: Lure the beast into overexertion, then strike its weak point.

Misty Shadow Hare:

Age Range: 100–200 years

Strengths: Exceptional speed and shadow-like evasion techniques.

Weaknesses: Fragile body and limited offensive power.

Suggested Tactic: Predict its movements and strike when it pauses.

Xiao Tian studied the information carefully. The Misty Shadow Hare seemed like a safer choice, but it would likely require sharp reflexes to catch. The Green Scale Wolf was more dangerous but had a clearer path to victory.

"I'll decide once I find one," Xiao Tian murmured, setting his focus on the task at hand.

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Encountering the Unknown

The forest grew darker as Xiao Tian ventured further, the dense canopy above blotting out most of the sunlight. Every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs made his heart race. He had never been this deep in the forest before.

Hours passed, and just as fatigue began to set in, Xiao Tian spotted movement ahead. He crouched low, peering through the thick underbrush. A shadow darted between the trees, its movements quick and fluid.

"It's fast… could it be the Misty Shadow Hare?" he wondered.

The shadow stopped, revealing a small, rabbit-like creature with silvery fur that seemed to shimmer in the faint light. Its eyes glowed faintly red, and its long ears twitched as if sensing the slightest disturbance.

Xiao Tian's heart leaped. It was the Misty Shadow Hare, just as the system had described.

[Soul Beast Identified: Misty Shadow Hare (150 years)]

The system's panel confirmed it, and a sense of both excitement and nervousness filled Xiao Tian. This was his chance. If he could defeat this soul beast, he would gain his first soul ring.

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The Chase

The Misty Shadow Hare turned its head, its glowing red eyes locking onto Xiao Tian's position. With a burst of speed, it darted away, leaving only a faint ripple in the grass behind it.

"Not so fast!" Xiao Tian shouted, springing to his feet and giving chase.

The hare's movements were erratic, zigzagging through the dense forest in unpredictable patterns. Xiao Tian pushed himself to keep up, his lungs burning and legs aching. The system's voice guided him.

[Observe its patterns. The Misty Shadow Hare pauses every few moments to recalibrate its trajectory. Use those pauses to close the distance.]

Focusing on the system's advice, Xiao Tian watched the hare closely. True to the system's words, the creature stopped briefly after every few leaps. Timing his movements, Xiao Tian began to close the gap, inching closer with every pause.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spotted an opportunity. The hare paused near a cluster of rocks, its back turned to him. Summoning every ounce of strength, Xiao Tian lunged forward, tackling the creature to the ground.

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The Struggle

The Misty Shadow Hare was deceptively strong. It thrashed wildly, its powerful hind legs kicking at Xiao Tian as it tried to escape. Its fur was slippery, almost like trying to hold onto flowing water.

Xiao Tian gritted his teeth, using his weight to pin the creature down. "I won't let you go!" he shouted, determination burning in his eyes.

The system chimed in. [Host must strike the creature's core to weaken it completely. Recommended: Deliver a blow to its chest area.]

Xiao Tian hesitated. He had no weapon, no blade to finish the job. But then he noticed a sharp rock nearby, its jagged edge glinting faintly. Reaching for it, he gripped it tightly and aimed for the hare's chest.

The creature screeched as the improvised weapon pierced its chest. A burst of energy erupted from the hare's body, and its struggles ceased. Xiao Tian stumbled back, his chest heaving as he stared at the now-lifeless form of the soul beast.

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The First Soul Ring

The hare's body began to glow, and a golden ring of light emerged, floating above it. Xiao Tian's breath caught in his throat. This was it—the soul ring he had fought for.

The system's voice guided him. [Host must meditate and absorb the soul ring to integrate its power. Caution: Absorption may be painful and require focus.]

Nodding, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged beside the glowing ring. He reached out, and the ring descended, wrapping around him like a warm embrace.

The moment the ring touched him, a searing pain shot through his body. It was as if every nerve was on fire, every muscle screaming in protest. Sweat poured down his face, and his hands clenched into fists.

"Stay… focused…" Xiao Tian muttered through gritted teeth.

Minutes felt like hours as the soul ring's energy coursed through him, merging with his body and soul. Slowly, the pain began to subside, replaced by a sense of warmth and power.

[Soul Ring Absorption Complete.]

[Congratulations, host. You have obtained your first soul ring: Misty Shadow Step.]

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A New Power

Xiao Tian opened his eyes, his body trembling with exhaustion but his heart filled with exhilaration. The system displayed his updated stats:

Name: Xiao Tian

Level: 1

Soul Rings: 1 (Misty Shadow Step)

Soul Bones: None

Blessings: Locked

"Misty Shadow Step?" Xiao Tian whispered.

[Skill Unlocked: Misty Shadow Step. Allows the host to move with extreme speed and agility, evading attacks and closing distances rapidly.]

A smile spread across Xiao Tian's face. This was the beginning of his journey—the first step toward becoming the strongest.

Rising to his feet, he looked back at the forest, his confidence renewed. He was no longer just a boy from Heavenly Sky Village. He was a spirit master in the making.

[End of Chapter 2]