The Fight Between Predator and Prey

 "Brother Jun, what kind of spirit beast are we looking for?" Ma Hongjun asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

"Ideally, we would want a bird-type spirit beast over 100 years old with a relatively pure bloodline" Sheng Jun replied thoughtfully. "After all, our parents martial soul is that of a chicken, so it's not difficult for it to evolve once it absorbs a spirit beast of a purer bloodline. But finding such creatures is rare in these mountains, especially the specific type we're seeking. However, given the quality of their martial soul, it's possible for it to evolve from other types of spirit beasts over 100 years old with any elemental attributes"

Ma Hongjun nodded in understanding as they ventured deeper into the mountains, encountering countless 10-year-old spirit beasts along the way. Suddenly, his keen eyes spotted a spirit beast by the lake, a deer-like creature with three horns protruding from its head, its eyes glowing red. Excitedly, he pointed it out to Sheng Jun, seeking his opinion.

Sheng Jun observed the creature and identified it as a Ferocious Mountain Deer. "This one seems to be at least 300-year-old" he remarked. "They grow additional horns every 100 years until the age of 1000, forming a crown-like structure atop their heads" Praising Ma Hongjun's find, Sheng Jun continued "This deer has wood attributes, meeting our parents requirement for their first spirit ring. Let's get ready to knock it out, but refrain from using your flames, lest you accidentally kill it"

Before they could act, a figure suddenly descended from the sky at incredible speed, aiming to attack the deer's neck. Reacting instinctively, the deer leaped away, narrowly avoiding the incoming assault. As the dust settled, a tiger with wings on its back emerged, growling menacingly at the deer.

"A Sky Battle Tiger?" Sheng Jun exclaimed, assessing the situation. "From its size, this one is likely close to four hundred years old! Hongjun, you take on the deer while I handle the tiger. But before that, let's allow them to fight among themselves first" With caution, they watched the unfolding battle, strategizing their approach as they prepared to intervene.

With a mighty roar that echoed across the landscape, the Sky Battle Tiger launched itself into the air, its massive wings beating with powerful strokes as it soared toward its opponent.

The Ferocious Mountain Deer braced itself for the onslaught, its three horns glinting ominously as it prepared to face the airborne predator. With lightning speed, the Sky Battle Tiger swooped down, its claws slashing through the air with unmatched strength and precision.

The Ferocious Mountain Deer fought valiantly, its hooves pounding against the earth as it attempted to evade the relentless attacks of its airborne foe. But the Sky Battle Tiger's strength was unmatched, its ferocity unyielding as it pressed its advantage with each successive strike.

With a mighty swipe of its claws, the Sky Battle Tiger landed a powerful blow on the Ferocious Mountain Deer, sending it staggering backward with a thunderous crash. Injured, the deer retaliated as the Sky Battle Tiger descended once again upon it with a fierce roar, the Ferocious Mountain Deer stood its ground, its three horns gleaming menacingly in the sunlight. With a swift movement, the deer lunged forward, its horns aimed squarely at the tiger's flank with lightning-quick reflexes and a keen sense of timing, the deer managed to land a powerful blow on the tiger as it swooped down for its attacks.

With a resounding thud, the deer's horns struck true, sending the Sky Battle Tiger reeling backward with a pained roar. Undeterred, the tiger quickly regained its footing but the Ferocious Mountain Deer wasn't finished yet. With a swift kick of its powerful hooves, it landed another blow on the Sky Battle Tiger's flank, sending the airborne predator spiraling off course.

With the tiger sent flying, Sheng Jun seized the opportunity. "NOW!" he commanded, gathering a large amount of soul power into his feet and bursting with speed towards the airborne tiger. In a flash, he appeared in front of the still-flying predator.

"Vajra Punch!" he bellowed, his fist enveloped in soul power in the shape of a bear's paw as he aimed for the tiger's already injured head. The force of his punch connected, sending the tiger hurtling backward towards the deer. It was Oscar's Vajra Punch, a technique Sheng Jun had learned with Ma Hongjun before setting off to find their first spirit ring.

Oscar had explained the basics of the technique to them before their departure, intending for them to learn the rest upon their return. However, unexpected circumstances kept them at Nuoding Academy for a year. Nonetheless, Oscar had continued teaching them through letters, and after six months of diligent analysis, they had managed to master it.

At that moment, the deer was startled by the sudden appearance of Sheng Jun and the tiger hurtling back towards it. Before it could comprehend what was happening, it sensed danger on top of its head. Though it attempted to dodge, it was too late; distracted by the sudden turn of events, it received the full force of Ma Hongjun's Vajra Punch on the back of its head, rendering it unconscious.

"Hongjun! The TIGER!" Sheng Jun shouted to Ma Hongjun, noticing the tiger hurtling towards him. Reacting swiftly, he kicked out with all his strength, propelling the tiger back towards Sheng Jun. But before the tiger could retaliate, it was struck in the head by another Vajra Punch, knocking it unconscious as well.

...

After Sheng Jun's legs healed from the sudden burst of soul power, they began dragging the two spirit beasts back toward the village. By the time they arrived, it was already nighttime. Seeing their worried parents waiting at the village gate, they smiled happily and waved as they walked towards them.

"We're back!" they exclaimed.

Seeing the two boys coming towards them, Sheng Yu worriedly walked over, checking all over their bodies for injuries. After finding none, she sighed in relief, while Sheng Fu just patted their shoulders proudly as he inquired about the spirit beasts behind them.

With an excited smile, they introduced their findings. "Both of these are at least 300-year-old spirit beasts, with the Ferocious Mountain Deer being wood attributes while the Sky Battle Tiger being wind attributes. It doesn't really matter which one you two pick as they are really just about the same, even though your martial soul evolution path might be different" Sheng Jun explained calmly, though excitement couldn't help but escape from his voice.

Not knowing which one to choose, they decided to draw lots made by Sheng Jun, with the shorter stick representing the tiger and the longer one representing the deer. In the end, his father got the deer while his mother got the tiger. Handing them the knife, he asked them to penetrate the hearts swiftly.

...

Looking at the yellow rings on top of the two spirit beasts, Sheng Fu and Sheng Yu couldn't help but be worried. "Don't worry, Mom, Dad. Their resentment is largely on me and Hongjun as we were the ones they last saw before they died. It shouldn't be a problem for you two to absorb it" Sheng Jun encouraged.

Hearing their son's encouraging words and looks, they took a deep breath as they sat cross-legged and started the absorption process.