Chapter 126 - Day 1

The sun was high in the Sky as seven youths stood under a tree trying to come up with a plan of assault.

"We have five targets, The Scorpion wasp, Ice Wolf, Demon Devourer Tree, Sonic Rabbit, and Cane Toad. Out of those 5 even with it's ominous name the Tree Spirit beast sounds like the easiest target. What do you guys think?" -Shisui

"I agree, a tree is immobile while the other Spirit Beasts are not so we should head there first." -Tatsuki

Tatsuo looked on at this with Nel from high up in the trees.

"Truth is if I was them I would go for the Cane Toad first." -Tatsuo

"Why is that?"

"Well the Cane Toad does have annoying toxins however it is overall a very weak Spirit Beast while that Tree is actually the most terrifying on the list. What it lacks in mobility it makes up for in raw power and defense even the youngest tree is stronger than a 1,000 year old Cane Toad. It is also one of the few carnivorous Plant Spirit Beasts, it captures its prey by locking them down with its roots before using them as fertilizer after it strangles them to death and buries them under itself. technically it is not something a Rank 10 spirit Trainee can handle or even a rank 11 Spirit Master. It is advised to be at least a Spirit Ancestor to hunt one of these beasts and even then you aim for one less than 10,000 years old. The Older the tree the more powerful it's defense, on this Island there is one that is 3 million years old and even I am unable to easily penetrate it's defense."

"However Tatsuo, if they are somehow able to defeat it their team will have one of the most powerful Assault System masters in their age group."

The team made their way through the forest avoiding unnecessary battles between Spirit Beasts to get to the "Heart of The Forest" where the Demon Devourer Spirit Beasts make their habitat.

"It's eerily quiet around here." -Nelial

It was about 12 pm when they entered the forest, taking into account the planets longer day and night cycle of 36 hours and they have spent two hours walking through the forest there was about 5 more hours of sunlight. However in this section of the forest sunlight was barely able to shine through the thick foliage.

"We are already surrounded by Demon Devourer trees, I read that we should not attempt to kill one beyond 10 years at this point with our current level of strength. Besides that father can increase the age of our rings so there shouldn't be much of an issue." -Noaki

"I agree with Noaki, as soon as we entered this section of the forest all sounds of life stopped and only these trees remain. If we go too deep we may die, even 10,000 year old beasts walk around this portion of the forest." -Nelial

Ulquiorra surveyed their surroundings, From behind him a tree root headed for his wide open back like a spear. Feeling something was off he rotated his torso to the left side avoiding the root as a second attack came for his head.

Reaching out toward the ground with his left hand he performed a beautiful cartwheel into a back-flip to regain his footing.

"It would appear this Spirit Beast sees us as food."

Ulquiorra said this to the other that were trying to mentally prepare themselves. As four of them have never had an experience like this before they were all slightly nervous.

Tatsuki,Noaki,Nelial, and Little Bo were pampered since their birth, Little Bo aside Tatsuo was a very doting Father to his children. While he didn't over inflate their heads with praise, he made sure they were given the best because what parent wouldn't want their child to have the best.

While Little Bo was groomed from birth to be the next King of The Raising Dragon Kingdom, so he too never ate a loss. Yet, before their eyes they were put into a situation with no help and death was actually a possible outcome.

Shisui, Chiyoko, and Ulquiorra saw this as just another battle, even with a New addition who they were unfamiliar with the three combat veterans in Child form sprang into action.

Shisui used his short sword to check the defenses of these tree roots, as they came toward him he parried the attacks while landing a few blows of his own.

"They are pretty tough this common blade isn't able to hold up against their toughness."

From the 4 Blows Shisui parried his blade was beginning to dull as his hands were tingling from the strength behind the blows.

"Tatsuki use your first spirit ability to burn away the roots and other foliage to give us a clear foothold in the area. Naoki heal Shisui's hands, the more he defends the more stress is put on the bones, pretty soon his hands will break."

Ulquiorra stepped up to help get them out of this predicament by assuming the leaders position.

"Ulquiorra is right, If you four continue to stand there like deer in headlights we all will die."

Chioko said that as he assimilated with the Armored turtle to take some of the pressure off of Shisui. Using his hard shell he defended the group while the two confused children could complete their tasks.

Tatsuki used her spirit avatar to activate her first spirit ability.

""

The ground started to shake in the area around the Demon Devorer Tree as Magma began to ooze out the ground scorching the tree and burning away the roots. Taking this moment where the tree no longer had a means to attack Chiyoko used his sword in an attempt to chop the tree down.

The First strike sent a heavy vibration throughout his entire body like he hit a steel plate with a steel baseball bat.

"Even when it cannot attack it's defense in this terrifying I can see why His Majesty wants me to have this Beast Spirit Ring."

Yet he didn't give up, he continued to hack away at the tree for hours on end till his hands were bloody and his body drenched in sweat.

In the "Heart of The Forest" all that could be hurd was *Thunk* as blade met tree.

*Thunk*

*Thunk*

*Thunk*

Chiyoko looked like a mad man in the eyes of Tatsuki, Naoki,Nelial, and Little Bo as they had never seen someone go so far as to injure themselves over something.

"This is what being a Spirit Cultivator is, actually this is what the road to power is. You will go to any lengths to acquire more power even putting your life on the line. The Purpose of this is to not only get you familiar with working together but also to open your eyes to the truth and cruelty of the world. In order to get the Spirit Ring from the Demon Devourer Tree one must be prepared for the pain that comes along with killing it. If you don't have the resolve to do so then you are not worthy of acquiring it's Spirit Ring."

Tatsuo's Voice rang through the forest and made it's way into the ears of the children as they watched Chiyoko bloodied and tired, assimilate the Ring into his Spirit after 9 straight hours of attacking the tree trunk.