Thinking of Xiao Wu...

Li Chang'an ultimately ate the shaobing stuffed full of braised meat. From the look in Muxi's eyes, he knew that if he did not eat it, she probably would not let the matter rest.

After eating the shaobing, Li Chang'an and Muxi comfortably drank a cup of fruit juice. Then Muxi sat cross-legged and began cultivating, while Li Chang'an gazed thoughtfully at the Star Dou Great Forest in the distance.

The Star Dou Great Forest held many secrets, and even more powerful beings. It could be said that the strongest experts on Douluo Continent were all within it, but unfortunately, they were all asleep.

However, Li Chang'an did not care much about those powerful beings. All he could think about now was the girl Xiao Wu.

Judging by their ages, he was four years younger than Hu Liena, while Hu Liena was around five years older than Tang San. Therefore, he should be about a year older than Tang San and the others.

And that one-year difference was crucial, because Xiao Wu had not yet left the Star Dou Great Forest. She should still be living happily within it.

So, if given the chance, Li Chang'an would not mind winning Xiao Wu over. After all, the grown-up Xiao Wu was simply too beautiful. He could not bear to see a girl like that sacrifice herself in the future.

But there was a major conflict if he wanted to win Xiao Wu over: Xiao Wu's mother had been killed by his teacher. That was an irresolvable knot...

Li Chang'an sighed softly. Sitting beside Muxi, yet thinking about other girls and wanting to save other girls... he really was such a good person...

Just as Li Chang'an was sighing to himself, Director Song had begun calling the group to attention.

"I'll take the lead, and the vice principal will follow behind us. Once we enter the Star Dou Great Forest, you must be extremely careful. If you spot a Soul Beast suitable for you, speak up. Form a single line now. Move out!"

As Director Song finished speaking, the group quickly formed a line. Li Chang'an stood in front of Muxi, though his hand still reached behind him to hold her little hand.

Muxi had already grown too lazy to resist Li Chang'an's actions and could only let him hold her hand. Still, her little head remained lowered shyly, and her palm even began to sweat.

As they drew closer, Li Chang'an vaguely sensed waves of clear air blowing toward them. The scent of plants was refreshing and soothing. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, it felt as though all thirty-six thousand pores across his body had opened up. The sensation was indescribably pleasant, a pleasure second only to physical intimacy...

Extending his faint Mental Power to probe ahead, Li Chang'an saw a sea of green. The boundless expanse of greenery before them was tremendously awe-inspiring, and that comfortable, clear air came from there.

At last, they entered the Star Dou Great Forest. Towering trees over twenty meters high and lush green grass filled their view. This was only the outermost region, yet even so, the dense forest seemed to have no proper paths at all.

Layers of shadows from the trees obscured the true scenery within. Once they entered the forest, the air became even more pleasant, as if the temperature had dropped by several degrees. The crisp sensation, carrying the fragrance of damp earth, continuously stimulated everyone's senses of smell.

This! Was the Star Dou Great Forest. This! Was the paradise of Soul Beasts on Douluo Continent. This! Was where Li Chang'an would pick up girls!

After entering the forest, Li Chang'an and the others noticeably slowed their advance, and everyone became alert. Even Muxi tightened her grip on Li Chang'an's hand.

"Don't worry. I'm here," Li Chang'an turned his head and whispered into Muxi's ear.

Strangely enough, as soon as Li Chang'an said that, Muxi immediately felt her nervousness ease somewhat. She looked up and gave Li Chang'an a smile.

Looking at Muxi's peach blossom eyes as she smiled, Li Chang'an felt that if the timing had not been wrong, he might have teased her properly. She was simply too irresistible.

Just then, the group ahead suddenly stopped, and Director Song's voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"A pack of Gale Wolves has been spotted ahead. They are all hundred-year Soul Beasts and extremely fast. Handle them yourselves."

Spirit Hall Academy would not raise decorative vases. Director Song and the others would not interfere in battles like this, precisely to temper Li Chang'an and the others.

Besides, Director Song and the others did not dare constantly release their auras in the Star Dou Great Forest. That would be no different from issuing a provocation!

At that moment, Li Chang'an noticed that Song Rentou, the prospective Soul King, also had his eyes closed, wearing an unconcerned expression as though the matter had nothing to do with him. It seemed he had no interest in making a move either.

Including Li Chang'an, there were seven students this time. Excluding Song Rentou, Muxi, as a support-type Soul Master, was not suited for combat either. That left only five actual fighters.

Among those five, aside from Li Chang'an, there were two advancing from two rings to three and two advancing from three rings to four. They were all combat-type Soul Masters, so they were not afraid of being unable to handle this pack of Gale Wolves.

Just as Li Chang'an's thoughts wandered, rustling sounds arose, and a pack of gray wolves, each around two meters long, slowly emerged.

Moreover, the wolves had formed a circular encirclement, quietly appearing from behind one tree after another.

"We'll each take one direction. Junior Li Chang'an, just protect the junior sister beside you!"

A Soul Master on the verge of becoming a Soul Ancestor spoke to Li Chang'an. At the same time, two yellow and one purple Soul Rings emerged around him, while a layer of black scales covered his body...

This was a black dragon-type martial soul!

Li Chang'an remembered that this man had held considerable authority in the carriage. His name was Jiang Yi. He was an upperclassman and seemed like a decent person.

Only now did Li Chang'an understand why everyone had looked at Jiang Yi differently when he introduced himself. So his martial soul was a dragon-type martial soul!

With a resounding dragon roar, Jiang Yi's left hand transformed directly into a black dragon claw, and he charged into the wolves at the front.

As Jiang Yi made his move, the other students acted in turn. The other prospective four-ring Soul Master took responsibility for the left side, where there were many wolves as well, while the two prospective three-ring Soul Masters handled the other two directions.

For a time, Soul Rings flickered all around them, and the sounds of various soul skills rang out, accompanied by wolf howls...

But Gale Wolves were known for their speed. Thus, aside from Jiang Yi's side being somewhat better off, the other three sides were each harassed by three or four Gale Wolves and fell into a stalemate.

Yet at that moment, one Gale Wolf broke through their assault and charged straight into the circle.

"Awoo!"

The gray wolf, around two meters long, leaped directly before Li Chang'an and Muxi. Then, after licking its claws, the Gale Wolf lunged straight at Li Chang'an.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself!" Li Chang'an pushed Muxi behind his back, and the Pangu Axe swiftly appeared in his hand. Without even using a soul skill, its terrifying blade struck directly against the wolf's claw.

"Awo..."