Crisis from the Star Dou Forest

Even after they boarded the carriage back, the atmosphere remained deathly silent.

Even Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo had found Su Chen's display unbearable, let alone these young children.

A Thousand-Year Soul Ring and astonishing destructive power—every bit of it had brought them unprecedented shock.

After all, Su Chen was only six years old, just like them!

"Old Ghost, these kids haven't been crushed by the blow, have they?"

At the front of the carriage, Chrysanthemum Douluo raised his delicate brows as he looked at everyone except Su Chen, who were all shrouded in gloom.

Ever since witnessing Su Chen's nearly one-move victory, they had fallen into this dispirited state.

Yan in particular. When that child looked at Su Chen now, there was nothing in his eyes but fear. It seemed he had been left with a massive psychological scar.

Chrysanthemum Douluo understood. What was frightening was not having a gap between yourself and a genius, but being unable to see the end of that gap at all.

Still, he thought this was a good thing. Those who overestimated themselves often died young. At least this would let them understand the gap between themselves and others in advance.

As for whether it would leave them with psychological problems, that was none of his concern. If they could not even endure this small setback, then they should forget about becoming soul masters and go lie around at home.

"Forget about those boys for now. Don't you think there's something strange about the forest?"

Ghost Douluo shook his head and looked into the distance with concern.

"The Linwu Silkworm absolutely could not have been a soul beast that appeared on the outskirts, nor could that Thousand-Year Wolf."

Even though they had already traveled far away, the boundless sea of green still filled his entire field of vision.

This vast green ocean, nearly the size of an entire Balak Kingdom, sprawled across the heart of the continent, separating the Heaven Dou Empire from the Star Luo Empire.

To this day, the center of the great forest remained a human death zone, a forbidden region where even Titled Douluo could very well perish!

"Yes. Fortunately, we brought these little ones out safely."

Chrysanthemum Douluo deeply agreed.

The appearance of a soul beast like the Linwu Silkworm often signaled the coming of a great battle. If a battle of that level truly broke out, they would be fine, but they might not be able to protect these little ones.

"But it's fine now. By the way, that brat Su Chen... Hiss, this Linwu Silkworm—do you think I could ask for a little? I heard it's an excellent tonic, top-notch for beauty and skincare too."

Yue Guan cradled his bewitching face, his eyes glittering brightly.

If not for his prominent Adam's apple, anyone would have taken him for a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

"You really are..."

Ghost Douluo looked at his old friend speechlessly and ignored him. The worry between his brows remained unresolved.

The previous Pope had not been dead for long, and His Holiness the Pope had only recently taken office. Spirit Hall was already beset by internal turmoil, while the Three Upper Sects and the empires eyed them like tigers. Nothing else could be allowed to distract her.

Hopefully, nothing would happen in the Star Dou Forest.

Drip. Drip.

Blood trickled down as terrified whimpers echoed through the silence.

A wolf beast with a mangled body lay trembling in a pool of blood, while a massive black claw, as large as its entire body, pressed down on its head.

"Hah... You're saying your entire pack, along with that tonic, was wiped out by a little child?"

A thunderous roar exploded beside it. The wolf beast screamed as blood gushed from its ears, which drooped limply.

"What useless trash."

The black claw slammed down. The wolf beast did not even have time to cry out before its entire body was flattened into a thin sheet.

A colossal shadow rose before the corpse, blocking the huge hollow Su Chen had created and the sunlight pouring down upon it, plunging the area back into darkness.

"What do we do? That was a tonic for His Excellency. We raised it for so long, only for humans to take it away?"

A deep, muffled voice sounded out. Another shadow stood beside it. Drool fell from its mouth onto the ground, igniting sparks one after another as the earth was swiftly scorched into black crystalline material by the heat.

"Damn humans..."

BOOM!!!

A deafening explosion rang out. Countless birds took flight, while countless weak soul beasts wailed and collapsed screaming. Within a thousand meters of the enormous shadow, everything had become a shattered wasteland destroyed by sheer violence.

"I'LL EAT YOU!!"

The shadow threw back its head and roared, and countless soul beasts trembled in terror.

"Um, Su Chen, it's time to eat."

The girl cautiously knocked on the carriage window.

Almost the instant she spoke, Su Chen opened his eyes. A flash of blood-red and white vanished from the boy's gaze.

Outside, Hu Liena suddenly felt a chill run through her body and could not stop herself from shivering.

For that brief moment, she felt as though she had been seen through inside and out, then firmly locked onto by a wild beast.

"Mm, I know. Go on ahead."

The boy's indifferent voice came from inside. Though it carried no particular emotion, Hu Liena felt her entire body relax, and the warmth of sunlight returned to her.

Is that his power now?

The girl was somewhat dazed.

He had already become so strong.

Only a few days ago, they had all awakened together. Yet now, the distance between them had become so vast.

"Okay, then hurry up."

She sighed dejectedly and turned to leave.

Inside the carriage, Su Chen closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they had returned to their dark, bright appearance.

A feeling stirred within him as he looked toward the Star Dou Forest.

In his light sleep, Su Chen had vaguely sensed something powerful locking onto him. When he was awakened, he had been unable to fully control his strength.

"Have I been targeted? It looks like I can't go to the Star Dou Forest for a while."

The boy murmured.

He shifted his gaze to the Linwu Silkworm inside his Storage Soul Tool. "It seems you're quite an extraordinary soul beast."

Stepping down from the carriage and feeling the comfortable warmth of the sunlight, the boy could not help stretching lazily.

The weather was fair, the breeze gentle, and Spirit City was already close at hand.

Perhaps because they had been alarmed by the changes in the Star Dou Forest, their pace on the return journey had been even faster, cutting another day off the trip. They had handled nearly all their meals, sleep, and rest in the carriage.

Even Su Chen felt a faint weariness from such a rushed journey, which was why he had taken a brief nap earlier.

Now that Spirit City was right before them, the two Douluo finally let go of their worries. They had everyone get down to eat something good, wash up, and rest properly. After all, they still had to meet the Pope afterward; they could not go in looking so travel-worn.

After a lavish meal, all the little ones wore happy smiles.

Nothing soothed the heart more than delicious food after a long journey spent traveling and sleeping in the open.

"Alright. Go back and rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, meet at the usual place. His Holiness the Pope will receive you."

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo escorted them into the city, gave a few instructions, and told the guards to take them home before hurrying away.

Too many things had happened this time, and every one of them was important. They needed to report them as soon as possible.

The changes in the Star Dou Forest, the Linwu Silkworm, the boys' Soul Rings, and Su Chen!

His exquisite footwork, ingenious use of Soul Power, miraculous dart-throwing skill, a Thousand-Year first Soul Ring, and powerful soul skills above four!

A genius blessed by heaven, a monstrous talent—no adjective could fully capture that white-haired boy.

Within ten years, this child would surely become famous across the continent!

At the thought of it, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo could not help feeling excited.