Soul Hunting Forest

Over the following days, Ye Qin did not choose to continue cultivating his Soul Power.

Instead, he read books!

First, Ye Qin was someone who loved learning.

Second, books were the ladder of human progress.

The same was true on Douluo Continent. Only with a wealth of knowledge could he go far.

The book he read was none other than one his men had found for him, titled Compendium of Spirit Beasts. It recorded everything related to spirit beasts—their age, characteristics, and the types of spirit masters they suited.

So that he would know what kind of soul ring to choose.

Furthermore, Ye Qin possessed an exceptional memory, nearly to the point of never forgetting anything he saw!

The next morning.

As Ye Qin pushed open the doors, a Royal Guard was already lined up neatly outside his sleeping quarters.

At their head stood an elderly man with white hair at his temples.

He wore beast-hide armor, with fierce brows, glaring eyes, and a face full of flesh. At first glance, he looked utterly vicious.

This man was the "Uncle Yang" Ye Xuan had mentioned, whose real name was Yang Qitian!

He was the strongest expert in the Hagen Das Kingdom, the Captain of the Royal Guard, with Soul Power as high as Level 82!

He ranked among the top hundred in the Continental Spirit Master Ranking Tournament and was known as the Heaven-Battling Saint!

"Greetings, Your Highness!" At the sight of Ye Qin, every member of the Royal Guard dropped to one knee in unison.

"Monkey Yang, why did you bring so many people?" Ye Qin asked with a frown.

The name "Monkey Yang" had not been coined by Ye Qin, but by the real Ye Qin.

"Your Highness, this was personally ordered by His Majesty!" Yang Qitian replied with a smile.

"No need! You alone can come with me!" Ye Qin replied.

"But..." Yang Qitian said hesitantly.

"Don't worry. I'll explain things to my little aunt," Ye Qin said.

"Alright, then!" After a pause, Yang Qitian nodded.

Then, he cleared his throat and shouted at the Royal Guard, "All personnel, run back to the barracks!"

"Yes!"

Afterward, Ye Qin boarded the carriage, and with Yang Qitian driving, they sped toward the Soul Hunting Forest west of the city.

The Soul Hunting Forest was an artificial gathering ground for spirit beasts jointly constructed by Spirit Hall, the Two Great Empires, and the various Kingdoms and Duchies.

The spirit beasts within were all hundred-year and Thousand-Year Level spirit beasts, meant for low-level spirit masters to hunt for soul rings!

Its purpose was naturally to prevent low-level spirit masters from venturing into wild gathering grounds like the Star Dou Great Forest and throwing away their lives for nothing.

Of course, some powerful factions would bring their descendants to the wild instead. After all, that was where stronger spirit beasts with precious bloodlines could be found!

Ye Qin was not aiming too high. After all, his primary martial soul was the World-Destroying Ancestral Dragon, and its soul rings had to be obtained through the system.

Yang Qitian's carriage-driving skills were fairly decent.

The journey was not bumpy, allowing Ye Qin to enter meditation in peace.

About an hour later, the carriage came to a stop at the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest.

At the entrance stood an orderly group of kingdom soldiers and Spirit Hall inspectors.

Entering the Soul Hunting Forest required presenting a Spirit Hall Token!

However, Ye Qin and Yang Qitian naturally had nothing to worry about. Yang Qitian took out a token bearing four emblems, and they quickly passed the inspection.

"Your Highness, have you decided on your first soul ring?" Yang Qitian asked.

"I want poison," Ye Qin replied.

"Poison? Excellent! Your Highness's Dragon Scale Flower belongs to the strong attack and strong control types, so poison suits it perfectly!" After thinking for a moment, Yang Qitian asked, "Then what kind of poisonous plant do you need?"

Clearly, Ye Qin's seemingly casual answer had actually been carefully considered.

"Ghost Green Vine," Ye Qin replied again.

A spirit beast gathering ground lived up to its name, with spirit beasts as numerous as hairs on an ox.

Thus, a common spirit beast like the Ghost Green Vine was quickly found.

Under Yang Qitian's assault, the Ghost Green Vine was already at death's door. Ye Qin then stabbed it without hesitation!

Afterward, under Yang Qitian's guidance, Ye Qin began drawing the soul ring into his body.

The process of absorbing a soul ring was indeed rather dull and tedious.

About half an hour later, Ye Qin had completely absorbed the four-hundred-year Ghost Green Vine.

"Your Highness, do you feel any discomfort?" Yang Qitian asked.

"No!" Ye Qin shook his head.

"Four hundred years is already close to the limit for a first soul ring. Ordinary spirit masters simply cannot endure it. Your Highness truly deserves to be called one with Innate Full Soul Power. This subordinate is impressed!" Yang Qitian replied with a smile. "With that done, shall we return to the palace?"

"Monkey Yang, why don't you head back first?" Ye Qin said. "I'll look around a little longer."

"This..." Yang Qitian immediately looked troubled.

"It's fine. This is the Soul Hunting Forest, guarded by the Royal Guard and Spirit Hall spirit masters. Nothing will happen to me," Ye Qin replied. "Besides, I already have my first soul ring and can protect myself."

"Don't try using my little aunt to pressure me. This is an order!"

Seeing that Yang Qitian still wanted to speak, Ye Qin insisted.

"Alright, then." Yang Qitian sighed helplessly.

He then took out the token with four emblems. "Your Highness, this is a special Spirit Hall Token. It can mobilize every spirit master in this Soul Hunting Forest. Take it in case of emergency."

"Alright!" Ye Qin did not refuse and accepted the token.

"Also, Your Highness, your Soul Power is still low. Do not enter the central region!" Yang Qitian cautioned again.

"Is there anything else? Get it all out at once," Ye Qin said with a slight frown.

"No!" Yang Qitian shook his head. "Then, Your Highness, I'll wait outside the Soul Hunting Forest. If anything happens, ignite this Cloud-Piercing Arrow. I'll rush over immediately!"

As he spoke, Yang Qitian took a Cloud-Piercing Arrow from his robes.

"Got it, got it!" Ye Qin took the Cloud-Piercing Arrow and replied somewhat impatiently.

Only after finishing all this did Yang Qitian leave, looking back every few steps.

The moment Yang Qitian left, Ye Qin darted into the forest.

Ye Qin's reason for staying behind was simple: he wanted to see whether he could trigger one or two hidden quests in the Soul Hunting Forest.

With Mina protecting him, he had no need to worry about his safety anyway.

Along the way, Ye Qin saw quite a few spirit masters hunting soul rings. Unfortunately, there were no notable figures among them, and those women were all merely commonplace beauties, unable to stir his interest.

Just then, an exceptionally beautiful figure entered his sight.

She wore a fitted pink outfit that accentuated her enchanting figure. Behind her alluring body floated the shadow of a pink fox.

That person was none other than the Spirit Hall Saintess Candidate, Hu Liena.

"What a coincidence." Ye Qin stopped in his tracks and murmured.