Star Dou Great Forest

As Yang Wudi spoke of the great war between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect all those years ago, his brow furrowed deeply, his face filled with rage.

"The cause of that incident was that Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect at the time, killed Qian Xunji, the Pope of Spirit Hall."

(Content from the prologue)

"After leaving you those words, your mother left."

"After that, you slowly grew up until now."

As Yang Ming listened to his grandfather relay his mother's final words, a resolute light flickered in his eyes. His lips pressed tightly together as though he were desperately suppressing the emotions in his heart. Yet when he lowered his head, a tear still slipped quietly from the corner of his eye and fell soundlessly into his palm. He quickly wiped it away and looked out the carriage window, trying to hide the sorrow in his heart with a steadfast gaze. But his tears were like floodwaters after a broken dam, pouring endlessly from his eyes, streaming down his cheeks and soaking the fist he had clenched tight. No matter how hard he tried to control himself, the pain and grief within him could not be suppressed. His tears became the weakness he could not conceal.

Seeing his grandson cry, Yang Wudi felt an indescribable ache in his heart. His brows were tightly knit, and his eyes revealed deep concern and worry. Yang Wudi knew that Yang Ming's strength had been cultivated since childhood; he knew how to face hardship and setbacks. Yet seeing Yang Ming cry still struck Yang Wudi deeply. He understood that no matter how hard Yang Ming tried to control his emotions, the pain and sorrow in his heart could not be completely hidden. Yang Wudi silently sat beside Yang Ming, using his presence to tell him that no matter when or where, his grandfather would always remain by his side, giving him endless support and care.

Feeling his grandfather beside him, Yang Ming temporarily suppressed the grief in his heart and voiced the doubts that had arisen after hearing of the past.

"So, who was the one who killed my parents? Is he still alive? And back then, from the beginning to the end of that war, Tang Hao never showed himself? So many of our clansmen died, yet we do not even know why Tang Hao killed the Pope of Spirit Hall?!!"

Hearing his grandson mention the true culprit who had killed his daughter and son-in-law, Yang Wudi was filled with hatred yet helplessness. That man was not only immensely powerful, but also held a high position in Spirit Hall. Yang Wudi could not disregard the safety of the Breaking Clan just to seek revenge.

"He is still alive. That person is Gu Li, the current Deputy Head of the Hall of Papal Knights!"

"Ming Er! Remember this! Before you are absolutely certain you can protect yourself and the clan, never act rashly!!!" When speaking of that man, Yang Wudi solemnly warned Yang Ming.

After learning his enemy's identity, killing intent surged within Yang Ming's heart. But for now, there was nothing he could do except endure.

Seeing this, Yang Wudi continued answering Yang Ming's second question. Thinking of it, Yang Wudi revealed a bitter smile, his eyes filled with self-mockery.

"As for Tang Hao! The Clear Sky Sect never told us anything, and from beginning to end, we never saw Tang Hao either!"

After hearing his grandfather's answer, Yang Ming said nothing more. Yang Wudi was likewise immersed in his own emotions and fell silent. The carriage sank into an eerie stillness.

Yet beneath that surface calm, flames of anger raged within the depths of both grandfather and grandson's hearts. When those flames finally erupted, would they burn them to ashes, or sweep across all of Douluo Continent? No one knew.

After a long while, Yang Ming looked at his grandfather and spoke softly.

"Grandfather, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have forced you!"

"I know you don't want me getting involved in these matters too soon. But you know it too—I can't escape them! And I won't run from them! Right?!!"

"I promise you, I'll protect myself well. My own safety will come first, before seeking the truth and taking revenge!"

Hearing Yang Ming's words, Yang Wudi raised his head and looked into his eyes. Within them, Yang Wudi seemed to see flames spreading wildly. He did not know whether Yang Ming could truly do it, but for now, he could only believe in him. Yang Wudi silently replied.

"Good!"

Silver River City was not far from the Star Dou Great Forest, only a little over four hundred li away.

That evening, grandfather and grandson arrived at Soul Hunting Town, roughly a hundred kilometers from the Star Dou Great Forest. As its name suggested, Soul Hunting Town had formed around hunting Soul Beasts. It was a town where Soul Masters could rest and handle Soul Beast materials and other such matters.

The grandfather and grandson rested in the town for the night, then set out early the next morning and entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

The Star Dou Great Forest lay directly north of the Star Luo Empire, its territory spanning the Two Great Empires. It was the foremost of the three great wild Soul Beast gathering grounds of the present day. Not only did it contain the greatest number and variety of Soul Beasts, it also possessed the strongest overall power and the most formidable high-level combat strength.

No one knew how long the Star Dou Great Forest had existed, but after Yang Ming entered it and saw those Sky-Covering, Sun-Obscuring ancient trees, it was clear that it had been around for a very long time.

Upon entering the forest, Yang Ming saw that none of the trees were less than twenty meters tall, and this was only the outer region. The woods were dense and jaggedly interwoven, making it impossible to see what lay deeper within.

"Ming Er, remain vigilant at all times. Danger is everywhere in the Star Dou Great Forest. It isn't just Soul Beasts—there are also many poisonous herbs and flowers rarely found outside," Yang Wudi solemnly reminded Yang Ming.

"Yes, Grandfather!" Yang Ming answered seriously. As he spoke, he took out a Silver Spear from the Emerald Green Phoenix Cry Ring on his index finger. As for why he was not using the Atlas Spear, his little Soul Power was not enough to sustain it for long.

Seeing that Yang Ming was prepared, Yang Wudi waved his hand and shouted.

"Set off!"

Yang Ming led the way while Yang Wudi stayed behind him, keeping watch and protecting him. The two were separated by about half a body's length.

The trees in the Star Dou Great Forest grew luxuriantly, and there were no paths. Yang Ming could only use the Silver Spear in his hand to clear a way forward. Yang Wudi followed behind him, maintaining a high level of vigilance toward their surroundings.

Along the way, they encountered quite a few Soul Beasts: Rodent Weasels, Mottled Cats, Solitary Bamboo, Nightmare Rabbits, and more. Yang Wudi had Yang Ming fight these low-level Soul Beasts to hone his combat skills while teaching him about wild Soul Beasts, along with precautions and taboos for Soul Beast gathering grounds.

Beyond knowledge related to Soul Beasts, Yang Wudi also found quite a few poisonous herbs along the way. He introduced them to Yang Ming one by one, explaining their uses, when to use them, and how to cure their effects. Moreover, these poisonous herbs clearly excited Yang Wudi even more than Soul Beasts did.

"Ming Er, this is Three-Lobed Ragweed. Its pollen can easily trigger allergies. It can cause coughing, sneezing, asthma, and other problems, as well as stimulate tearing. It can even irritate exposed skin, causing redness, swelling, and itching. If you ever dislike someone and want to teach them a lesson, use this."

"Look, Ming Er, this is Poinsettia. The whole plant is poisonous, and its white sap can irritate the skin and cause redness and swelling. If its stems or leaves are eaten by mistake, there is a risk of poisoning and death. Essential for home and travel—an excellent poison for killing without a trace!"

"Ming Er, and this. Rosary Pea seeds contain a deadly poison known as Rosary Pea Poison. Eating them by mistake will result in death by poisoning."

"This is Datura. It has an anesthetic effect, though it is not particularly potent."

Yang Ming: "."

In just one day, Yang Ming's eyes had been opened to all kinds of poisonous herbs. Still, one small question arose in his mind. His grandfather Yang Wudi was an extreme devotee of offense, with Spirit Rings all focused on extreme attack types, so why was he so interested in something as unorthodox as poison? Yang Ming could not quite understand it.

Over the course of the day, Yang Ming defeated quite a few ten-year and hundred-year Soul Beasts. He only defeated them and did not kill them—not because he wanted to leave enough Soul Beast resources for future generations or anything like that, but simply because there was no need. After all, Yang Ming was not some bloodthirsty lunatic. Unfortunately, he did not encounter the Bewildering Light Beast or Illusion Scale Snake he wanted, nor even any lower-tier substitutes.

Seeing that it was getting late, Yang Wudi spoke.

"Ming Er, let's find a place to set up camp first. We still have time to look for suitable Soul Beasts!"

Yang Ming naturally had no objections. Before long, grandfather and grandson set up a tent beside a depression with complicated terrain and scattered insect- and snake-repelling powder all around it.

Night fell. Within the camp—

Yang Wudi built a campfire and began teaching Yang Ming the Breaking Clan's exclusive Meditation Method.

As for not being allowed to light fires in the Star Dou Great Forest at night? Yang Wudi's response was: So what if I light one out here in the outer region? If any blind Soul Beast dared to come over, it would make a perfect late-night meal to nourish his grandson!

P.S.: Please support with monthly tickets and recommendations.