An Opportunity to Make Money

Six hours later, Xue Wu emerged from absorbing the Soul Ring.

A faint icy-blue mist swirled around her, the energy fluctuations brought by her newly acquired Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

"Xue Wu, how do you feel?"

Shui Bing'er immediately asked with concern, her face bright with a smile of happiness for her friend.

Xue Wu smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with joy.

"It feels amazing. Like you, my Soul Power has increased by nearly two levels. It feels as though my strength has crossed into a whole new realm."

Hearing this, Lin Zhiruo's eyes were filled with satisfaction as well.

"Very good. It seems this was an excellent choice. What kind of Soul Skill did you gain?"

"This is the Soul Skill I've always dreamed of. It can control the weather and bring ice and snow."

As Xue Wu spoke, the Soul Power around her began to gather.

As she danced gracefully, the previously calm sky abruptly filled with dark clouds. Then, crystalline snowflakes began drifting down from above.

Every falling snowflake contained a bone-chilling cold.

The surrounding temperature plummeted, and even the air seemed to freeze solid.

"This is my Third Soul Skill—Ice and Snow."

Xue Wu explained:

"Once this Soul Skill is activated, it cannot be stopped. It continuously drains the opponent's Soul Power, forcing them to keep their bodies covered in Soul Power to resist the cold."

A trace of approval flashed through Xiao Han's eyes.

Xue Wu's Soul Skill was just as he had imagined.

A Soul Skill capable of continuously draining an opponent's Soul Power was undoubtedly formidable in team battles.

With the ability to control ice and snow, Xue Wu could now join forces with Shui Bing'er to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Afterward, the group of four left the Ice Sealed Forest.

On the way back to Skywater City, Shui Bing'er successfully broke through to level thirty-two.

Not long after returning to the academy, Xue Wu also broke through to level thirty-two.

After obtaining the "Immortal Herb Compendium," Xiao Han spent considerable effort studying it, which affected his cultivation somewhat.

Once he had learned all the knowledge about Immortal Herbs, Xiao Han devoted himself fully to cultivation as well.

Three months later, his Soul Power rose another level, reaching level thirty-four.

At that time, another member of the team, Yu Hairou, happened to break through level thirty.

Yu Hairou was the oldest member of the team, three years older than Xiao Han.

Her Martial Soul was the Coral Barracuda. There were many Soul Beasts suitable for her in the Star Dou Great Forest, so there was no need to visit the Ice Sealed Forest.

That day, Lin Zhiruo gathered all eight members of the team.

"Children, our team has been established for nearly a year. Although you've trained together many times, you've yet to experienced a true team battle. Xiao Han, Bing'er, and Xue Wu have hunted Soul Beasts together in the Ice Sealed Forest, and their coordination is fairly solid. But we are a whole, and we need to work with every member of the team. From now on, I'll take you into more real combat to improve your overall teamwork and practical battle experience."

Everyone was excited upon hearing the news.

"Great! We can finally take part in real combat together."

Lin Zhiruo continued:

"There are many ways to gain practical combat experience. For example, you can challenge other teams in the Soul Fighting Arena, exchange pointers with teams from other academies, hunt Soul Beasts together, and so on. Your chance to prove yourselves has come. We'll soon head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable Thousand-Year Soul Beast for Hairou's Third Soul Ring. This time, from finding the Soul Beast to hunting it, you will complete everything yourselves. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Alright, go back and prepare. We leave tomorrow."

"Okay."

With their impending journey to the Star Dou Great Forest, everyone was full of anticipation.

After the group dispersed, Lin Zhiruo kept Xiao Han behind alone.

"Xiao Han, when we get to the Star Dou Great Forest, try not to show off too much."

Xiao Han joked:

"Mom, what do you mean? Are you treating me differently just because I'm a Substitute?"

"You little brat, what nonsense are you talking about? With your current strength, you can hunt Thousand-Year Soul Beasts alone. Leave the opportunities to them."

"Alright, I understand. But I can still use my strengths to help find Soul Beasts, right?"

"You can."

Xiao Han grinned.

"Mom, after we hunt the Soul Beast, are we returning to the academy or going to the Soul Fighting Arena?"

"We're going to the Soul Fighting Arena. I'll let you see what it's like."

"Awesome! Maybe I can make a fortune at the Soul Fighting Arena."

Lin Zhiruo frowned.

"What fortune? What are you thinking?"

"Mom, I heard you can place bets in the Soul Fighting Arena. You spent a lot of money on Whale Rubber for me, so I want to earn some back and repay you."

"What nonsense? I'm taking you there to improve your practical combat experience, not so you can think about that ridiculous stuff. Go pack your things!"

"Mom, I'm already grown up. There are some things I can decide for myself."

"You little brat, itching for a beating?"

Lin Zhiruo kicked at him. Xiao Han dodged to the side, then vanished in a puff of smoke.

The next day, Xiao Han's group of ten set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.

The Star Dou Great Forest was filled with Soul Beasts.

For the children's safety, Lin Zhiruo brought another Teacher along.

The Teacher's name was Liu Yan, and her Soul Power had reached level sixty-two.

Half a month later, the group of ten arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest.

Lin Zhiruo said:

"Children, from this moment on, you'll have to rely on yourselves to find and hunt Soul Beasts."

As the team captain, Shui Bing'er stepped forward and replied:

"Dean Lin, don't worry. We'll definitely complete the mission."

"Mm, I believe in you. Set off."

The group headed deeper into the forest.

This was Xiao Han's first time in the Star Dou Great Forest.

It was not just him. Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er had never been here before either.

Shui Yue'er's Martial Soul was the Jade Dolphin. Soul Beasts with ice and water attributes suited her, while cold-attributed Soul Beasts could increase her attack power, so she had obtained both of her first two Soul Rings in the Ice Sealed Forest.

The Star Dou Great Forest was completely different from the quiet chill of the Ice Sealed Forest. It displayed a primal, majestic vitality.

Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, spilling over the ground in dappled patches.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of earth, flowers, and grass, occasionally mixed with the distant growls of unknown beasts.

The trees here grew exceptionally tall, their trunks covered in moss and vines, bearing the marks of time.

The forest paths twisted and turned, blanketed in fallen leaves and dead branches.

Yet beneath this harmony, all manner of dangers lay hidden.

As the group ventured deeper, the sounds around them gradually became more abundant.

From time to time, enormous Soul Beasts darted through the undergrowth. Wildness and wariness glinted in their eyes as they remained highly alert toward these uninvited visitors.

Xiao Han looked around, sensing the Soul Power fluctuations permeating the air.

The other members of the team were also on guard, ready at all times to deal with any danger that might appear.

Lin Zhiruo and Liu Yan walked on either side of the group, providing the necessary protection for these young students.

As they walked, Xiao Han suddenly said to his teammates:

"This forest is too large. We won't get anywhere searching like this. I'll fly up and see where there might be a river or a lake."

"Mm, be careful."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

After speaking, Xiao Han released his Ice Wings and shot into the sky, disappearing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.