Exploding Demon Bear

Left with no other choice, the group headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

The Star Dou Great Forest was at least two days away, and along the way, he could broaden their horizons.

After leaving the Heaven Dou Empire, Liu Yi and his group arrived at a tavern to rest.

After a simple meal, they set out once more.

The Empire had originally decreed that soul masters could only hunt soul beasts to obtain soul rings after reaching the required level.

This time, however, Liu Yi had broken that rule because unnecessary trouble was inevitable within the Star Dou Great Forest.

In this dog-eat-dog world, it was either kill or be killed.

After traveling for an entire day, the group arrived at a small town twenty li from the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Ah, I'm exhausted." Niu Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Teacher, there's a tavern ahead. Let's rest for the night before continuing," Lin Mengyao said softly.

"Alright. It's getting late. We'll set out again tomorrow."

The group pushed open the tavern doors, and everyone inside turned to look at Liu Yi.

"Hello, sir. Are you staying the night or having a meal?"

Liu Yi narrowed his eyes and led his students to a quiet corner.

"Bring us a few dishes, then reserve eight rooms for us."

The waiter nodded. "Certainly, please wait a moment."

As he spoke, he brought over a pot of tea and set it on the table.

Lin Mengyao stood up, picked up the teapot, and personally poured Liu Yi a steaming cup of tea.

"Teacher, please have some tea."

Liu Yi picked up the teacup and sniffed it. Finding nothing wrong, he drank it in one gulp.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Yang Tianlong asked in confusion.

He had the feeling that there was something in his teacher's eyes.

"Nothing. After dinner, all of you should rest early. No matter what sounds you hear, you're not allowed to come out."

The others were utterly puzzled. What was wrong with their teacher?

Soon, the waiter approached carrying several house specialties.

Just as he was about to set them down, a small stone suddenly shot over from the distance and struck his wrist.

A sharp pain shot through his wrist. The waiter lost his grip, and the dishes in his hands flew straight at Liu Yi's face.

Almost instantly, Liu Yi snorted coldly and waved his right hand. The spilled food was flung away.

It landed squarely on the head of the person who had thrown the stone.

Bang! The bald man slapped the table apart and glared furiously at Liu Yi.

"Kid, you're playing with fire!"

Liu Yi took a sip of tea and said indifferently, "Oh? Is that so? I don't see it that way."

The bald man's face darkened. Drawing his longsword, he charged forward.

"A Great Soul Master in his twenties dares to cause trouble here?"

Yang Tianlong stepped forward and waved his right hand. A Soul Breaking Spear appeared in his palm.

"Teacher, leave this to me."

Liu Yi became interested. "Alright. Go easy on them. They're all children."

The corners of Yang Tianlong's lips curled upward as he took a step forward.

The Soul Breaking Spear in his hand smashed fiercely into the ground, and his aura suddenly burst forth.

Three optimal soul rings appeared in an orderly formation around Yang Tianlong's Soul Breaking Spear.

Wherever their pressure reached, the entire space seemed to grow oppressive.

"A Soul Elder? Hmph, I thought you were someone formidable. Brothers!"

At the bald man's shout, everyone around him stood up. Every one of them was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with biceps larger than Lin Mengyao's head. They each carried a battle axe, clearly intending to overwhelm them with numbers.

"Alright, all seven of you, go together. Let me see how well you work together."

The seven nodded and stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Yang Tianlong.

"Today is our first real combat exercise. Partners, we have to win this one!"

With Long Yin's loud shout, the others released their Martial Souls and tangled with the bald man's group.

Liu Yi carefully observed their movements and actual strength.

Ten minutes later.

The bald man's group had basically all been knocked down, while Yang Tianlong and the others had also suffered a few minor injuries.

Fortunately, Lin Mengyao had protected their vital parts; otherwise, it would have left lasting damage.

"Teacher, we won~"

Liu Yi shook his head and looked at the waiter. "Clean this place up. Put the bill on my tab."

With that, he headed upstairs alone, leaving only Yang Tianlong and the others behind.

The next morning, they set out early. They were getting closer and closer to the Star Dou Great Forest, and from time to time, they could hear the roars of soul beasts coming from within it.

They finally stopped at the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Teacher... can we... not go in?"

Liu Yi said, "Sure. It's not too late to back out now. But then you'll have to leave my class, which will save me quite a bit of trouble."

Hearing that, they all showed conflicted expressions. Liu Yi possessed such terrifying strength at such a young age; he was bound to become a powerhouse in the future.

"From this point on, I won't make a move. If you can't hold on, you may leave on your own."

With that, Liu Yi gave a light leap and vanished into the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Long Yin took a deep breath and charged into the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. "Let's do this!"

As Long Yin entered, the others hurriedly followed after him.

The dark, damp Star Dou Great Forest was filled with danger. A thousand-year soul beast could jump out at any moment.

Thus, they all stayed close together, afraid of being ambushed by a soul beast.

Sitting in a tree, Liu Yi shook his head helplessly. "You'd better spread out. If you bunch together, you'll die even faster."

After hearing Liu Yi's words, they spread out in a fan formation and headed deeper inside.

After walking for who knew how long, they were getting tired and sat down on the ground to rest.

"This godforsaken place is driving me insane."

"Can't be helped. If we fail to complete the mission, we'll all die in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Hearing them talk, Liu Yi felt helpless. These spoiled young masters were not what he wanted at all.

Just as Liu Yi was considering whether to disband them, a rustling sound came from deep within the distant forest.

Captain Long Yin immediately stood up and watched the forest ahead vigilantly.

At that moment, it was not just Long Yin. The others also rose to their feet, and some directly summoned their Martial Souls.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Liu Yi narrowed his eyes. With his strength, seeing the soul beast hidden in the grass was effortless.

"Interesting."

"Roar~"

A thunderous roar suddenly rang out from the forest, startling everyone. Some of their legs even went weak.

Slowly, a black bear as large as a hill emerged from within.

Its crimson-black fur was as hard as steel needles, while its red eyes shone like huge lanterns in the night, terrifying beyond measure.

"This... this is..."

"An Exploding Demon Bear!"

Yang Tianlong shouted, "This is a soul beast that's at least three thousand years old. From the looks of it, it's already infinitely close to four thousand years!"

"Right. Lin Mengyao, take the others and leave this place first!"

Long Yin stood in front of them and spoke in a deep voice.