Jade Mist Lake

Hu Haoran distributed the Golden Wound Pills among Zhou Wangchao and the other four Soul Ancestors, teaching them how to take them.

Though Zhou Wangchao and the others had received the Golden Wound Pills, none of them could bear to use them. Although the pills were only effective for Soul Ancestors and below, they were still precious treasures. If sold in trade, they would certainly fetch a considerable fortune. Even in ordinary battles, a single pill could save one's life. Unfortunately, they were currently within the Canglan Mountain Range, a paradise for soul beasts. If they rashly returned before recovering their strength, they would surely end up in the jaws of soul beasts along the way.

"Then we must thank you, Brother Hu!" Zhou Wangchao said, clasping his fists.

"It is only a small matter, hardly worth mentioning. Brother Zhou, just take the pills without worry. Brother Jiang and I will stand guard for you here," Hu Haoran said modestly.

"Good. With the two of you guarding us, I refuse to believe that any petty scoundrels would dare come disturb us." Without another word, Zhou Wangchao immediately swallowed the Golden Wound Pill, then sat cross-legged, demonstrating his trust in Hu Haoran and Jiang Jiayao.

Bai Feiyu, Bai Feiling, and Gao Zifeng also swallowed their Golden Wound Pills, each entering a healing state. Shi Zhenhe was no exception. Of the five, his injuries were the most severe. Moreover, he lacked any excellent healing medicine, so he could only seize every moment.

In the blink of an eye, six hours passed, and the five members of the Boulder Mercenary Group slowly awoke.

"Thank you, Brother Hu, for the miraculous healing medicine. I have already recovered eighty percent." Zhou Wangchao was extremely pleased with his recovery. "Third Leader, how much have you recovered? And the rest of you?"

"We have all recovered eighty percent," Bai Feiyu said happily.

Gao Zifeng merely nodded.

"I have recovered fifty percent. That is already the best I could manage. The road ahead will be difficult," Shi Zhenhe said with a bitter smile. "Wangchao, quickly kill that White Jade Mad Lion and absorb its soul ring. Our chances of leaving the mountain range alive will increase by several points. Brothers Jiang and Hu, please stand guard for us once more."

"It is no trouble at all. Third Leader Shi, continue healing without worry. Brother Zhou, hurry and absorb the White Jade Mad Lion's soul ring!" Hu Haoran said with a chuckle.

Zhou Wangchao did not stand on ceremony. He raised his axe and brought it down. The White Jade Mad Lion's head was severed, and a black soul ring slowly rose from its corpse.

Zhou Wangchao immediately used his martial soul to draw in the White Jade Mad Lion's soul ring. Then came the connection and absorption; the entire process proceeded in an orderly manner. Seeing Zhou Wangchao absorbing the soul ring, the others quickly entered a second round of healing, hoping to restore their combat strength to its fullest.

Zhou Wangchao's absorption process went very smoothly. Three hours later, he finished. The others also slowly awoke. Zhou Wangchao had officially become a level 51 Soul King. Aside from Shi Zhenhe, who had recovered seventy percent, everyone else had fully recovered. Barring any mishaps, they should all be able to leave the Canglan Mountain Range safely.

With that, Hu Haoran bid farewell to the Boulder Mercenary Group. He had no intention of asking Shi Zhenhe and the other five to help him hunt his second soul ring. Before leaving, the Boulder Mercenary Group gave Hu Haoran a token engraved with the Boulder mark. It was said that with this token, he could make one request of the Boulder Mercenary Group, no matter what it was.

Five days later...

"Brother Jiang, this is Jade Mist Lake?!" Hu Haoran was stunned by the sight before him.

Before Hu Haoran stretched a boundless expanse of dark green water, like an endless green sea. Small islands dotted Jade Mist Lake, each inhabited by all manner of soul beasts. The number of soul beasts here was no less than in the Thousand Spirit Marshland. It was said that at dusk, one could witness Jade Mist Lake's famed spectacle—Green Burning Clouds, also known by some as the Thousand Leaf Realm.

"This is my first time here as well. But this endless green sea before us matches the records in the books. This should indeed be Jade Mist Lake." Jiang Jiayao spoke leisurely. "What do you plan to do?"

"Uh... I have no idea for now. We can't exactly take a boat out onto the lake, can we? The water-attributed soul beasts here are no joke. If we rowed a boat out, we would become soul beast snacks before long. Neither you nor I can fly, so this is a little troublesome." Hu Haoran stared at the boundless green lake, completely out of ideas for the moment.

"Then let's wander around the lake's outskirts for now. Perhaps we can find a way to reach the center of the lake?" Jiang Jiayao was equally helpless.

Hu Haoran nodded, then split off a portion of his attention and entered the Douluo System.

"What method is there to enter the center of Jade Mist Lake?" Hu Haoran hurriedly asked.

"Hello! A level 95 Super Douluo may enter the center of Jade Mist Lake at will," the Douluo System replied.

"Damn it! If I were level 95, why would I still be asking you this crap?! Is there any other way to enter the center of Jade Mist Lake?" Hu Haoran was nearly angered to death by the Douluo System. He even stumbled as he walked.

"On the night of every full moon, a Rainbow Bridge appears over Jade Mist Lake, leading to the lake's center. The Rainbow Bridge was created by a heavenly god. Soul beasts do not dare approach it, but there are other dangers upon the bridge. There are also many soul beasts in the lake's center whose strength exceeds your level. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not take the risk." At last, the Douluo System gave Hu Haoran a useful method.

"How long until the next full moon?" Hu Haoran certainly would not heed the Douluo System's warning. He had already come to Jade Mist Lake. Was he supposed to turn back now and give up on his soul ring? That was obviously impossible!

"Hello, the Rainbow Bridge will appear in one day." Once again, the Douluo System's voice spoke words that delighted Hu Haoran.

Hu Haoran calculated the time. There were only eight or nine hours left.

"Brother Jiang, searching aimlessly like this is not the answer. How about we rest for now and come back tonight to see whether we find anything? At night, fish-type and bird-type soul beasts are especially active," Hu Haoran suggested, trying to persuade Jiang Jiayao.

"That makes sense. Then let's rest for now and try our luck again tonight." Jiang Jiayao immediately agreed. He could not stand this aimless search either, but his pride had kept him from saying so. Now that Hu Haoran had brought it up first, he naturally agreed at once.

Thus, Hu Haoran and Jiang Jiayao found a comfortable, safe spot and rested.