Early the next morning, the sky had only just begun to brighten.
Lin Kun got up early, changed into his most practical clothes, and packed the dry rations and water flask he had prepared a few days ago. Tang San was ready as well. The two met at the entrance to the Seventh Dormitory, exchanged a glance without speaking, and headed out in tacit understanding.
At the academy gates, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was already waiting. He still wore that simple fitted outfit, and beside him followed a strange creature covered in pale purple fur. It looked like a small dog, though plumper, somewhat like a pig and somewhat like a dog—his spirit, Three Beat Cannon.
When Three Beat Cannon saw them, it gave two "luoluo" cries. Its large eyes held a few traces of simple honesty and curiosity. When it saw Lin Kun in particular, its nose twitched several times, as though it sensed the faint aura of his Book Spirit.
"Teacher." "Grandmaster."
Tang San and Lin Kun bowed at the same time.
The Grandmaster nodded, his gaze sweeping over them before pausing briefly on Lin Kun. He seemed somewhat surprised by how full of energy Lin Kun was, nothing like a child with only three levels of Soul Power. "Are you both ready? Then let's go. Our destination is the Spirit Hunting Forest, four hundred li northeast of Nuoding City. The journey will take about two days. Remember, once we enter the forest, you follow my commands in everything. Do not act on your own."
"Yes!" they answered in unison.
Along the way, the Grandmaster did not speak much. Most of the time, he either rested with his eyes closed or pondered something. Tang San followed closely behind, quiet and watchful at all times.
Lin Kun did his best to keep up while constantly observing his surroundings, silently using his Book Spirit to record the plants he saw and the occasional small animal that appeared. He activated Insight Skill from time to time. It consumed mental energy, but it was absolutely necessary for completing his task and ensuring his own safety.
Wild rabbit, no Soul Power, ordinary animal. Crooked neck tree, ordinary plant, loose wood. Ten-year Blood-Stopping Grass, common medicinal herb, capable of mildly dispersing bruises and stopping bleeding...
Simple pieces of information were continuously recorded and analyzed. The light crystal of the Book Spirit flashed slowly but steadily, accumulating data.
Whenever they rested along the way, the Grandmaster would briefly explain wilderness survival skills: how to determine direction, how to find water sources, which plants were poisonous, and so on. Tang San listened carefully and asked questions from time to time. Lin Kun also focused on memorizing it all. This was knowledge that could save lives.
Two days later, an endless primeval forest of rolling hills appeared before them.
Towering trees blotted out the sky, vines tangled everywhere, and the air was filled with the damp scent of earth and decaying vegetation. From deep within came faint beast roars and insect cries that made their hearts tremble.
They had arrived at the Spirit Hunting Forest!
A massive iron fence had been erected around the forest's perimeter. It stood more than ten meters high and looked exceptionally sturdy. Outside the fence, large numbers of soldiers patrolled and stood guard, their armor gleaming, spears in hand, their ranks disciplined and radiating a chilling, murderous air.
At the entrance stood a huge archway, where personnel were assigned to verify identities and permits. The Grandmaster displayed the special pass issued by Spirit Hall. After inspecting it carefully, the soldiers respectfully let them through.
The moment they passed beneath the arch, it was as though they had entered another world. The light instantly dimmed, the air became even more humid and stifling, and the thick, soft layer of fallen leaves beneath their feet rustled with every step. The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet. Only the mournful wind through the leaves and the shrill cries of unknown insects could be heard, making the place feel even stranger and more oppressive.
"Stay close behind me." The Grandmaster lowered his voice, his expression turning grave. "Three Beat Cannon, lead the way."
"Luoluo!" Three Beat Cannon cried twice, then waddled to the front, constantly sniffing at the ground and the air.
Tang San immediately summoned his Blue Silver Grass Spirit. A faint blue glow lingered around his palm as his sharp gaze swept across the surroundings. Although he did not yet have a Spirit Ring, summoning his spirit still enhanced his senses to some extent.
Lin Kun took a deep breath and focused. The Book Spirit trembled faintly within his sea of consciousness, seemingly "excited" by the dense life energy around them and the hidden aura of spirit beasts. Without hesitation, he kept Insight Skill activated. Wherever his gaze fell, information continuously flowed back to him.
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Ten-year Solitary Bamboo, plant-type spirit beast, weak offensive ability, decent defense, slow movement. Twenty-year Nether Cat, lurking in the bushes to the left, agile, claws carry a weak paralytic toxin. Fifty-year Cave Spider, weaving traps underground fifty meters ahead, senses vibrations, spits sticky spiderwebs...
Most of them were low-year spirit beasts, but the Book Spirit's analytical ability gave Lin Kun far more detailed information than ordinary Insight Skill! He could even discover hidden spirit beasts and traps in advance!
He felt slightly relieved. This ability was truly too useful in the Spirit Hunting Forest!
The Grandmaster did not seem to have noticed the Nether Cat or Cave Spider. His attention was focused farther ahead. Three Beat Cannon suddenly began crying "luoluo" toward the right front, its voice carrying a warning.
"Something is approaching," the Grandmaster shouted in a low voice. "Stay on guard!"
Tang San immediately stepped in front of the Grandmaster, Blue Silver Grass poised in his hand.
Lin Kun grew nervous as well, but he could see more clearly through Insight Skill. "Grandmaster, thirty meters to the right front. It's a pack... around seven or eight ten-year Green Wolves. They're fast and have sharp teeth, but their defenses are weak."
The Grandmaster turned back and looked at Lin Kun in surprise. At a distance of thirty meters, with trees blocking the way, he had only judged that something was approaching through Three Beat Cannon's sense of smell and his own experience. Yet Lin Kun could report the spirit beasts' species, number, and general traits so clearly? Was it a coincidence? Or was it some special ability of his Book Spirit?
Tang San also glanced at Lin Kun in surprise.
Just then, seven or eight Green Wolves with green light glinting in their eyes sprang out from the undergrowth. Baring their fangs, they surrounded the group with low growls.
"Three Beat Cannon!" the Grandmaster barked.
Three Beat Cannon took a breath, its body swelling slightly. Then it let out a strange "luoluo" roar, and a faint yellow gas sprayed from its body toward the wolf pack.
The yellow gas did not seem harmful, but the moment the wolves came into contact with it, they reacted as though they had encountered something terrifying. Whimpering, they turned and fled, vanishing into the dense forest in an instant.
"My Three Beat Cannon Spirit mutated in the opposite direction. Its attack power is weak, but its aura has a powerful dispersing effect on low-level spirit beasts," the Grandmaster explained simply. Then his gaze returned to Lin Kun. "Lin Kun, how did you know so much?"
Here it comes! The test had arrived!
Lin Kun's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface. He had already prepared an excuse. "Reporting to the Grandmaster, my Book Spirit seems especially sensitive to the aura of spirit beasts. When they're close, I can vaguely sense their species and general strength. But if they're too far away, or if the spirit beasts are too strong, I can't do it." He spoke half-truthfully, concealing the analytical ability and claiming only vague perception.
Understanding and interest flashed through the Grandmaster's eyes. "A perception-type ability? That's quite practical, especially in the Spirit Hunting Forest. Very good. Stay alert, and tell me immediately if you discover anything."
"Yes!" Lin Kun let out a breath of relief. He had passed the first test. He had shown some value without exposing too many of his trump cards.
Tang San's gaze toward Lin Kun also held a little more regard. This kind of perception ability was indeed very useful in the wilderness.
The group continued deeper into the forest. With Lin Kun's "vague perception" and Three Beat Cannon's dispersal ability, they avoided some unnecessary trouble and made good progress.
Lin Kun constantly recorded information on all kinds of spirit beasts, and his task progress slowly increased. At the same time, he kept a close eye on the Grandmaster and Tang San. He knew that the Mandala Snake would soon appear.
The real danger and opportunity were about to arrive. He had to remain completely alert and deal with any unforeseen changes.
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