Canglan Mountain Range Part 1

The Canglan Mountain Range was the Cangyun Empire's third-largest gathering place for soul beasts. In terms of sheer size, it ranked among the ten great mountain ranges of the Douluo Continent. In terms of the number of soul beasts living there, it could place among the top three soul beast habitats on the Douluo Continent. Thus, whether one came to the Canglan Mountain Range to hunt soul beasts for soul rings, search for rare medicinal herbs and timber, or explore for extinct mineral deposits, one would not be disappointed. Mercenary groups could often be found accepting missions around the outskirts, while mercenaries risking their lives for a living were frequently encountered deeper within the mountains.

"We're finally here. First, we'll prepare here and buy the supplies needed for a long stay in the mountains." Leng Xuewu looked at Hu Haoran and spoke leisurely. "I'll give you half a day."

Hu Haoran nodded in acknowledgment.

"Once we enter the mountains, I'll leave you to fend for yourself. I'll only help when you're in the greatest danger. You don't need to buy supplies for me—I prepared mine long ago." After saying that, Leng Xuewu casually handed him a Storage Ring, a list, and a pile of Gold Soul Coins.

The list contained everything needed to enter the mountains. Leng Xuewu appeared cold toward Hu Haoran, but in truth, she was helping him.

Hu Haoran could not help but feel moved. Half a day was more than enough for him to gather everything on the list.

"A tent, drinking water for more than twenty days, sulfur powder, tinder grass..." Hu Haoran continuously checked the supplies he had prepared. Entering the mountains was no joke; one careless mistake, and he could be eaten by a soul beast. After finishing his inspection, Hu Haoran said to Leng Xuewu, "Mother, I'll set off first."

"Mm. Go in first. I have my own way of finding you." Leng Xuewu was extremely confident in her tracking skills.

And so, Hu Haoran set out for the mountains. The outskirts of the Canglan Mountain Range were all mercenary settlements. Hu Haoran's seven-year-old face was full of childishness, and many mercenaries were betting on how many days it would take before he was eaten by a soul beast.

"Hahaha... I bet he'll be eaten twenty minutes after going in. What the hell do people from great families know about the dangers of the mountains?"

"Look how young he is. I bet he'll be scared stiff the moment he goes in. He might hide for a day or two. Hahaha... I bet he'll die within two days!"

"Maybe the little brat will get lucky! Hahaha... I'll bet on his luck. I say one week."

"..."

The mercenaries spoke loudly and without restraint, and naturally, Hu Haoran heard them. Though he heard them, there was nothing he could do. Who could blame him for being so weak right now? Still, the mercenaries only dared to talk here, because they knew that youths who came alone to the Canglan Mountain Range generally fell into one of two categories: those with absolutely no backing, who had to rely on themselves; and children from great families, who had someone protecting them from the shadows. Mercenaries had once tried robbing and killing people like this, only for powerful family members or forces behind them to wipe out even their entire mercenary groups. Since then, the mercenaries had become much more well-behaved.

Hu Haoran's seven-year-old face was a signal in itself. Anyone who came to the mountains at seven years old to hunt soul beasts for their first soul ring had to be a junior disciple from a great family or powerful faction. On the day of Martial Soul Awakening, some great families and powerful factions would send people to recruit martial soul masters with great potential. If they were unwilling to join, they could take the entrance examinations for academies. On the Douluo Continent, academies were also considered superpowers.

A vast sea of trees, filled with danger... How am I supposed to hunt the first soul ring that belongs to me? The moment Hu Haoran entered the mountains, he abruptly realized this fatal problem.

"Ding~ You may activate map mode, which will give you a general understanding of the Canglan Mountain Range and the approximate distribution of soul beasts." The Douluo System's voice arrived like timely rain, always appearing whenever Hu Haoran was troubled.

"Then I'll activate map mode."

The moment he finished speaking, a map instantly appeared in Hu Haoran's mind. Several locations were marked on it, each one a soul beast habitat. Their ages, strength, and weaknesses were all displayed as well. Hu Haoran thought, With this map, I can travel freely through most parts of the mountain range. As long as I don't run into any sudden crises, surviving and obtaining a soul ring won't be difficult at all.

"Based on my martial soul, what kind of soul ring can I equip? How should I choose?"

"Hello. According to previous standards, the age limit for your first soul ring should be 423 years. However, because the strength of your body and soul has reached the requirements for a thousand-year soul ring, your first soul ring may be as old as 1,269 years. The system has three recommendations for you. The first is the soul ring of the Thousand-Year Heavy Thunder Rhinoceros, which can grant the soul ring skill Vicious Thunder Stab. The second is the soul ring of the Thousand-Year Dark Swordtooth Leopard, which can grant the soul ring skill Shadow Stab."

"What is the difference between them?"

"The Thousand-Year Heavy Thunder Rhinoceros's Vicious Thunder Stab is a simple thrust unleashed through Purple Thunder Force. It consumes relatively little Soul Power while still possessing respectable might. In thunderstorms, this soul skill's power will be enhanced and its Soul Power consumption reduced. The Thousand-Year Dark Swordtooth Leopard's Shadow Stab is a sword strike from the darkness. Because the sword must be concealed, it consumes more Soul Power than Vicious Thunder Stab. However, its advantage lies in being impossible to guard against. Its power increases at night, while its Soul Power consumption decreases. It is suitable for sneak attacks and assassinations."

Hu Haoran thought for a moment before choosing the Thousand-Year Heavy Thunder Rhinoceros's Vicious Thunder Stab. His thinking was simple: since he wanted to become a powerful expert, the soul skill he chose should be open and aboveboard. Knocking someone flat on their back right in front of them—that was what felt good.

He found a tree hollow that was both safe and concealed, then studied the map provided by the system and planned out the most suitable route. He had no desire to become soul beast food before even reaching the halfway point. With his current little body, he probably would not even count as a soul beast's dessert.

The Thousand-Year Heavy Thunder Rhinoceros habitat was somewhat far from Hu Haoran's current location, with several soul beast habitats in between. He had to bypass them one by one; otherwise, he would have to fight his way through them one by one. Naturally, the current Hu Haoran did not possess such high-end strength. Once he bypassed all the soul beast habitats, he would come upon a massive swamp—and that swamp belonged not only to the Heavy Thunder Rhinoceroses, but also to other, even more terrifying soul beasts.