Cang Hui Academy

Early morning.

Led by Liu Yi and Zhao Wuji, the group headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest. Oscar had now reached level thirty and had to hunt a soul beast to absorb a soul ring; otherwise, his cultivation would come to a complete halt.

After walking for roughly two hours, they entered a forest. Dai Mubai, who was leading the way, shouted, "Everyone, stay alert. Although this isn't the Star Dou Great Forest, there are still some ten-thousand-year soul beasts here. If we encounter any soul beasts, be careful and don't provoke them. Most soul beasts rarely attack humans on their own, unless they're powerful ones. Those feed on soul masters."

"We just need to get through here quickly."

Dai Mubai's voice was rather low at that moment.

If a ten-thousand-year soul beast truly appeared, it could very well devour all of them in an instant.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun nodded as well, spreading out in a fan formation to watch their surroundings.

This was nothing like the ordinary soul beasts raised by the Heaven Dou Empire. Among the soul beasts raised by the Heaven Dou Empire, even thousand-year ones were difficult to encounter.

But the Star Dou Forest was different. Danger lurked at every step within the Star Dou Forest, and traces of ten-thousand-year soul beasts could be found at any time.

"Alright, once we cross this forest, there'll be a town ahead. That town was built specifically for soul masters. Let's rest there, then head into the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow."

Liu Yi quietly appeared in front of them. This was merely a small forest on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest; the true great forest lay ahead.

Originally, they had planned to search for Oscar's soul ring here, but they had not found one suitable for him. Thus, they could only head to the real Star Dou Great Forest.

Night fell.

The group emerged safely from the small forest.

When they saw the brightly lit town in the distance, smiles appeared on their faces.

The forest on the outskirts was especially gloomy and damp. They truly disliked the place.

Liu Yi and the others arrived in front of an inn. The surrounding area was full of shops selling items related to soul masters, such as weapons, armor, antidotes, and the like.

For ordinary soul masters hunting soul beasts, such things were still quite useful.

The moment they entered the inn, the sight before them made Liu Yi frown. Though there were not many people inside, several spoiled young men could be seen drinking and boasting.

The inn was not large, merely a small ordinary restaurant, though the second floor also offered lodging.

Zhao Wuji rented a single room for himself and went upstairs, while the others sat at a table and waited for food.

As soon as they sat down, Ma Hongjun and Oscar picked up the menu and began ordering food like mad.

Dai Mubai's face darkened slightly as he hurriedly said, "Fatty, Oscar, order less. Where are we supposed to get the money?"

Ma Hongjun curled his lip. "Boss Dai, how can you say that? Everyone knows you've got money. Among us, you're the rich one."

Liu Yi smiled, took a sip of tea, and said, "Order whatever you want. I'll cover all the expenses."

"Long live Teacher Liu Yi!"

At that moment, the tavern doors were kicked open.

Several men walked in from outside, looking like academy students as well.

Leading them was a middle-aged man. He was neither tall nor handsome, and the two tufts of mustache on his face made him look particularly sleazy.

It was easy to see a circular emblem on their left shoulders. Two small characters were engraved on the emblem: Cang Hui.

There was no need to look twice to know that they were students of Cang Hui Academy.

Every student from Cang Hui Academy held their heads high, as though they could not see anyone around them, and walked straight toward the dining tables.

The restaurant owner immediately ran over when he saw them, bowing and scraping as he spoke.

"Hello, what would you like to eat?"

The middle-aged man at the front glanced at the owner, then turned and sat at the table beside Liu Yi's group. The other Cang Hui Academy students followed him over.

"Just bring us a few simple dishes, then get us a few rooms."

The man took a sip of tea and spoke indifferently.

At that moment, the owner said awkwardly, "Uh... honored soul masters, our little inn doesn't have any rooms left. The rooms were all just booked by the guests at that table, so would you—"

With a sharp bang, the middle-aged man slammed his palm onto the table. The table before him cracked, and the perfectly intact table was instantly shattered by the impact.

The owner jumped in fright and could not help taking a step back.

This small town survived by serving the soul masters who came for the Star Dou Great Forest. Simply put, these soul masters were all lords to them, and ordinary people like him did not dare slight them.

On one side were several children who were also soul masters; on the other were regular customers from Cang Hui Academy, also soul masters. He did not dare offend either side.

"B-but, sir, there really aren't any left. Why don't you try another place?"

The middle-aged man stood up and looked coldly at the owner beside him. He gave a disdainful snort, turned around, and prepared to leave.

But at that moment, the students behind him looked toward Liu Yi's table.

"Well, well, Teacher. These little ladies are quite pretty."

One of the men looked at Xiao Wu and the others, chuckled, and could not help walking over.

"Hey, pretty girl, how old are you this year? Come upstairs with your big brother. Your big brother has a huge treasure, you know~"

The man leaned his head close to Xiao Wu's face and spoke with a lecherous grin.

Just as he reached for Xiao Wu's hand, a large hand seized him by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

Liu Yi had somehow appeared behind the man, gripping his neck and holding him up.

"Hm?" The student frowned and turned his head toward Liu Yi, snapping angrily, "Where did this suicidal bastard come from? Put me down right now, or I'll beat the shit out of you."

The corners of Liu Yi's lips curled up slightly. He loosened his right hand, and the student dropped straight to the ground.

"Scared now? Hehe, what were you doing just—" The Cang Hui Academy student got to his feet and rubbed his neck, but before he could finish—

A fist slammed hard into his chest.

With a thunderous bang, the student's eyes widened. His body shot away like a rocket, while a series of crisp cracks rang out from his chest.

The students and teacher from Cang Hui Academy were all stunned. None of them had expected their student to be sent flying by a single punch.

And every bone in his chest had been shattered. They could tell from the cracking sounds just now.

Several other young men rushed over, staring fixedly at Liu Yi, who had just attacked.

"Which academy are you from? You actually dared to attack my student? Are you tired of living?"

At that moment, the teacher from Cang Hui Academy stepped out from behind them.

He had seen the student get sent flying. If he did nothing now, how could he answer to Cang Hui Academy?

"I'm not a student. I'm their teacher."