Marvel: Beginning with the Collection of Shinra Tensei

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly at Han Yu without saying anything and led the Shrek Seven Devils to sit a bit farther away.

Ma Hongjun couldn't help but let his gaze wander over Erina again. Only after a sharp pinch from one of his companions did he reluctantly withdraw his eyes.

After all, this was someone who had defeated even their Teacher Zhao. It was better not to stare.

Tang San, on the other hand, occasionally glanced at Han Yu. He was undoubtedly curious about Han Yu's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Spirit but couldn't find a reason to ask.

The difference in their strength was too vast. Even if Han Yu had obtained the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Spirit through questionable means, Tang San wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

After all, he was only at level twenty-nine. Zhao Wuji, at level eighty, had been defeated, and if he acted recklessly, he would only add another corpse to the ground.

"Are you full? We should get going."

Han Yu glanced at his watch. This watch could display the date, time, and year in any world, always synchronized with the local time. It was now 7:00 AM.

Erina wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded.

Seeing this, Han Yu stood up, went to the front desk to check out, and the group left together.

As soon as they left the small town, Han Yu broke into a run. Ace and Xiao Yan easily kept up, while Erina lagged slightly behind.

Along the way, Han Yu and the other two maintained a steady pace—neither too fast nor too slow. This was to train and test Erina.

Compared to the long road of cultivation ahead of her, this simple run was probably the easiest training she would ever experience. Therefore, Erina didn't complain and focused on keeping up with Han Yu.

"Where are we going?"

Erina found a comfortable pace that didn't exhaust her while keeping her close to the group. She asked from just a few steps behind.

"A forest filled with soul beasts called the Star Dou Forest. There, we should be able to find a Martial Spirit suitable for you," Han Yu's voice floated back.

"Star Dou Forest? Is it a place where this country raises soul beasts?"

Xiao Yan asked. After all, soul masters needed soul rings, and raising soul beasts to avoid the hassle of searching for them wasn't unheard of.

"No, it's more like the Magical Beast Mountain Range in your country, Brother Yan. It's a gathering place for wild soul beasts."

"Don't underestimate the Star Dou Forest. Its size might even surpass the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and it contains soul beasts that have lived for tens of thousands of years!"

"Here, take this." Han Yu handed Erina a small deep-blue ring.

"This is..." Erina froze as she accepted the ring, a blush rising on her face. A boy giving a girl a ring—what did this mean?

Han Yu lightly knocked on her head and said, "What are you thinking? This is a storage ring. It's for holding items. Pour some soul power into it to create an imprint, and then you can access its contents with a thought."

Erina curiously examined the storage ring in her hand and asked, "How big is it inside?"

Han Yu glanced back at her and smiled. "It should be enough to store anything you want for the next hundred years."

Erina said nothing more. If Han Yu had given her this storage ring, it meant she would definitely need it. It would be foolish to refuse it now and regret it later when she might not have access to one.

Han Yu checked his watch again—it was exactly ten o'clock. "Let's set up camp here for a rest. Once we've recovered our strength, we'll head out to find your first soul ring."

Erina nodded in agreement, and the group rested on the spot. With Xiao Yan, a Dou Emperor, present, the invisible aura he released kept the surrounding soul beasts at bay.

"Wow, that's amazing. He scared away those beasts with just his aura. In our world, we call this kind of ability Conqueror's Haki."

Ace marveled at Xiao Yan's aura. Although Xiao Yan hadn't directed it at them, Ace could still faintly feel its pressure.

"Conqueror's Haki? That name sounds interesting. Can you use it?"

Xiao Yan smiled. For him, this small trick was nothing. If he exerted his full strength, these beasts wouldn't even be able to withstand his aura—they would simply burst apart.

Ace shook his head with a wry smile. "I can use it, but its range and power are pretty limited. It only works on weaker enemies. Against someone too strong, my Haki is basically useless."

"How do you improve it?" Xiao Yan asked.

"The only way is through self-growth. No external force can enhance Conqueror's Haki. It grows stronger as the user becomes stronger. I want to explore other worlds to grow faster. I have to become strong enough to protect others—at the very least, I need to see Luffy become the Pirate King!"

Ace's eyes shone with determination. Despite his Haki still being in its early stages, he wasn't discouraged. He was confident he would grow stronger and master it fully.

Seeing Ace's expression, Xiao Yan was reminded of his younger self. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What is it?" Ace asked, feeling uneasy under Xiao Yan's gaze.

"I admire young people like you. You use fire too, right? If you get the chance, come to my Endless Flame Domain. You can train with my subordinates there. Maybe you'll even get a chance to learn Dou Qi. Follow me in the future."

After some thought, Xiao Yan smiled as he spoke.

Han Yu was visibly surprised upon hearing this. The Endless Flame Domain was one of the four great superpowers in the vast Great Thousand World, a realm far larger than Earth in the Marvel Universe.

For Xiao Yan, the domain's creator, to personally invite Ace was no small gesture. It was almost like an offer to become his disciple. Even Han Yu couldn't help but feel a hint of envy.

"Really? Can we go there after this adventure?"

Ace was thrilled. This was an incredible opportunity to grow stronger—something he couldn't pass up.

After chatting and resting for about half an hour, the group set off again.

Upon entering the Star Dou Forest, Han Yu ensured Erina wouldn't fall behind by wrapping a green energy tether around her waist, pulling her along.

After all, the Star Dou Forest was no ordinary place. Erina had no combat experience, and if she got separated, it would be difficult to ensure her safety.

"How much longer do we have to run? The soul beasts here don't seem weak either."

As they dashed through the forest, Erina spotted several seemingly powerful soul beasts, some with claws larger than her entire body. Yet Han Yu merely glanced at them and continued forward, showing no interest at all.

While running, Han Yu explained, "Those soul beasts are indeed decent, some even reaching four hundred years of cultivation. For an average soul master, they would be sufficient. But your Martial Spirit is the Six-Winged Angel, and your first soul ring cannot be mediocre."

Remembering the time Han Yu had explained Martial Spirits to her, Erina asked with some confusion, "Didn't you mention before that, theoretically, the highest age limit for a first soul ring is 423 years? Wouldn't those four-hundred-year-old beasts be enough?"

Han Yu pursed his lips and said, "That's true—for most soul masters. When they absorb their first soul ring, their soul power is fragile, and they have no one to guide them in controlling the influx of power. So, theoretically, a 423-year-old soul ring is their upper limit."

"But with me here, I can guide the soul power for you and prevent the soul ring's energy from overwhelming you. Therefore, we can push beyond that limit. At the very least, your first soul ring cannot be anything less than a thousand years old."

Hearing Han Yu's explanation, Erina firmly etched his words into her memory. At the same time, she felt immense gratitude. The moment she had awakened her Six-Winged Angel Martial Spirit, Han Yu's culinary duel agreement with her had technically been fulfilled.

He could have left everything else for her to figure out on her own. Yet Han Yu hadn't done that. Instead, he personally guided her to find her soul ring, carefully explaining every detail of soul ring compatibility along the way. Every word and action from him deeply touched her heart.

"Thank you," Erina whispered softly, her voice almost inaudible.

"Hm? What did you say?" Han Yu glanced back, noticing her lips moving. He thought she had spoken to him.

"It's nothing! Let's speed up!"

Erina flashed a rare, gentle smile. Seeing that expression, Han Yu couldn't deny that it stirred something within him.

Under Han Yu's lead, the group continued deeper into the Star Dou Forest.

Han Yu's flying speed was not slow. If not for his intention to let Erina observe the surrounding soul beasts along the way, he would have torn through space and moved via the void for even faster travel.

After half an hour, they entered the Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Forest. Here, most soul beasts were over five hundred years old, with a significant number surpassing a thousand years. Occasionally, even ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts could be spotted.

Flying onward, they arrived at an enormous lake. Its sheer size left Erina in awe. She marveled at the vast expanse of water, claiming she had never seen a lake so large that its far shore was entirely out of sight.

"This is the place," Han Yu said.

"But... where are the animals?"

Erina scanned the lake's surface. The tranquil water was still and undisturbed. There wasn't even a single water bird in sight. How could there be a soul beast here?

Han Yu chuckled lightly and said, "Sometimes, just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there."

He motioned toward the lake with his chin. Erina furrowed her brows, then her expression shifted to one of surprise.

"You mean... it's in the lake?"

Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon

https://patreon.com/Glimmer09