Arrival at the Star Dou Great Forest, the Tang Sect Duo Appears!

Early the next morning, outside the gates of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

"Grandpa Old Jack, we're leaving!"

Lin Bai and Qian Renxue said their goodbyes to the gray-haired old man before them.

This ordinary-looking old man was Old Jack, the longtime steward of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

To Lin Bai and Qian Renxue, Old Jack was both an elder and family.

"Go on, go on, children!"

Old Jack waved with a smile, his cloudy old eyes full of warmth.

"You've grown up in the blink of an eye. How wonderful..."

"You three little ones take care of each other out there, and remember to eat your meals on time."

"If you run short of money, write home and Grandpa will send you some!"

"Don't worry, Grandpa Old Jack."

Qian Renxue smiled sweetly.

"Once Brother Xiao Bai and I have made something of our cultivation, we'll definitely come back and take care of you!"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Duke's Mansion, Huo Yun'er was holding Huo Yutong's hand and giving her quiet instructions.

The mother and daughter, who had depended on each other ever since Huo Yutong was little, were about to part, and Huo Yun'er's eyes were a little red.

She held Huo Yutong's hand and gave her instructions on everything from food and clothing to lodging and travel.

At last, Huo Yun'er hesitated for a moment before gently asking in a soft voice,

"Yutong, let me ask you something."

"What do you think of that boy Lin Bai?"

Huo Yutong's face turned red in an instant.

"Mom, why... why are you asking that..."

"Brother Xiao Bai, he's a very, very good person..."

Huo Yutong lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Seeing her daughter like this, how could Huo Yun'er not understand?

She gently stroked Huo Yutong's long, silky black hair, a trace of remembrance flashing in her eyes.

"Yutong, if you've set your heart on him, go after him boldly."

"Don't hesitate, and don't give up!"

"Don't... don't end up like me..."

At those words, tears burst from Huo Yutong's eyes, and she threw herself into Huo Yun'er's arms, sobbing.

"Mom..."

Mother and daughter held each other, both too choked with sobs to speak for a while.

Just then, Lin Bai pushed open the door and smiled at Huo Yun'er.

"Did I come at a bad time?"

"Aunt Huo, I've already had someone tidy up your old house back home. From now on, you shouldn't live at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion anymore."

"If that duchess starts making trouble again after we leave, Yutong won't have any peace of mind while she's away at school."

In truth, Huo Yun'er didn't want to leave the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

She still clung to the hope that the duke would return to the mansion and take her as his wife.

But when she heard that it would affect her daughter's studies, Huo Yun'er bit her lip and finally nodded.

"All right, I'll listen to you."

After they said goodbye to Huo Yun'er and came to the gates of the Duke's Mansion, Lin Bai whispered in Huo Yutong's ear,

"Yutong, don't worry. I've already arranged for eight matchmakers in the village."

"When the time comes, they'll bombard her in turn and wear her down with persuasion. They'll definitely help Aunt Huo get over that scumbag White Tiger Duke and start a new life!"

Huo Yutong froze for a moment at Lin Bai's words, then instantly burst out laughing through her tears.

"Brother Xiao Bai, only you could have come up with something like that."

"But thank you all the same."

Just then, Qian Renxue walked over too.

The three of them looked back at the White Tiger Duke's Mansion one last time, then walked out through the gates together, heading into the distance toward the rising sun.

Three days later, the golden sky screen appeared once more above the Douluo Continent.

Spirit City, Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong walked out of the Pope's Palace and stood in the square once again.

Behind her followed Yue Guan and Gui Mei, both sporting enormous dark circles under their eyes.

Over the past three days, the two of them could be said to have rounded up everyone named Tang San within a thousand li of Spirit City.

But among these Tang Sans, some were farmers and some sold fake medicine.

Two weren't even human—they were damn stray dogs from Spirit City!

The most suspicious of the lot was a rabbit seller, but the old man was nearly sixty, so he obviously didn't match either.

The nonstop interrogations had left Yue Guan and Gui Mei dizzy from staying up all night.

Fortunately, the sky screen had appeared again today. Perhaps they would be able to learn more.

But no sooner had the sky screen begun playing than Lin Bai's voice rang out from it.

"Xiao Xue, find me a chicken!"

Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance, shock flashing in both their eyes.

Damn, it's getting this explosive right from the start?

Lin Bai and his companions had traveled by carriage for three days and finally reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The Star Dou Great Forest was the largest Soul Beast habitat on the Douluo Continent, with the greatest number of Soul Beasts.

It could be said that anyone who dared enter the forest could obtain any kind of Soul Ring they wanted without coming away empty-handed.

But even in the outer region, ordinary low-level Soul Masters simply didn't dare venture deep in alone.

Danger lurked everywhere in the Star Dou Great Forest, and the Soul Masters who had lost their lives there were too numerous to count.

When the three entered the Star Dou Great Forest, they all happened to be hungry.

Fortunately, they had all brought Storage Soul Tools, fully stocked with everyday supplies and an assortment of seasonings.

So Qian Renxue went looking for pheasants while Lin Bai took charge of catching fish.

Huo Yutong, meanwhile, built a fire to prepare for an outdoor BBQ.

Qian Renxue was quick, returning in the blink of an eye with three plump pheasants in hand.

Lin Bai was no less impressive. He found a branch and jabbed it into the stream a few times, tossing three big, lively fish onto the bank.

Once they returned with their haul, Huo Yutong took out her own secret sauce and began roasting the chickens and fish.

Lin Bai, meanwhile, took juice and some fruit out of his Storage Soul Tool to give the two little girls some vitamins.

Huo Yutong's cooking skills went without saying.

Soon, the roast chickens took on an amber hue, and the grilled fish filled the air with fragrance.

Drops of fat fell onto the campfire below, making it crackle.

"Wow, that smells so good!"

Just then, a young man and woman came walking along a nearby path.

The girl looked about fifteen or sixteen. She wore a blue fitted outfit, and her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail.

Her expressive features held a hint of mischievous charm.

The boy behind her also looked fifteen or sixteen. He was tall and slender, with handsome features and a gentle bearing.

Beneath his short, dark blue hair, his brightly gleaming eyes looked exceptionally composed.

At their appearance, Lin Bai narrowed his eyes slightly.

Without a doubt, they were Tang Ya, the current sect master of the Tang Sect and a commander without troops,

and Bei Bei, the Tang Sect's senior brother and personal treasury, who lusted after the sect master's body.

Sure enough, these two had still come knocking according to the established script.

Tang Ya skipped over, gazing longingly at the roast chickens and fish on the grill. She couldn't help swallowing.

"Little brother, I'm so hungry. Could you let big sister have a chicken?"