Douluo Forest

Of course, Du Cheng and Xiao Wu had no idea what the coachman was thinking. By then, their attention had long been captured by the scene around them.

"Looking for Soul Masters above level 15 to form a team. Must have long-range attack abilities."

"Looking for a Soul Master with healing abilities. No requirements regarding strength."

"A level 19 peak Soul Beast Master! For just 1 Gold Soul Coin, I'll protect you on a trip into Douluo Forest. At this price, no one can beat me!"

His gaze landing on a fat man holding up a sign and shouting loudly, Du Cheng's face showed a hint of curiosity.

"Big brother, do you really only charge 1 Gold Soul Coin?"

"That's right!"

Hearing that someone was interested in his business, the fat Soul Master's face brightened.

"Just 1 Gold Soul Coin. There definitely isn't a Soul Master around here more affordable than me, but..."

After patting his chest and assuring Du Cheng, the fat Soul Master looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Young Master, you may need to put up with my martial soul a little."

"Martial soul?"

Seeing the fat Soul Master's expression, Du Cheng grew even more curious.

"Let's hear it."

"My martial soul is a weasel. My First Soul Skill releases a stinking fart that makes opponents cry."

Before Du Cheng could speak, the fat Soul Master quickly began selling himself again.

"Although it doesn't sound very nice, there definitely aren't many soul beasts in this Douluo Forest that can withstand my First Soul Skill."

After finishing, the fat Soul Master looked at Du Cheng expectantly.

"Young Master, would you consider hiring me?"

"No, thanks."

The fat Soul Master was sincere, but Du Cheng still refused without hesitation.

Attacking with farts? Isn't that just a weakened version of Master?

After turning down the fat Soul Master, Du Cheng led Xiao Wu straight toward the entrance of Douluo Forest.

There were two ways to enter Douluo Forest.

One was to have a letter of introduction from Spirit Hall or a noble, while the other was to pay for an entry permit.

For Du Cheng, the second method was naturally more suitable.

"After entering, unless you encounter danger, you may only hunt soul beasts that are useful to you."

Handing the entry permit to Du Cheng, the soldier on guard offered a reminder.

"If you slaughter them recklessly, you'll be fined if you're caught."

Compared to other forests, Douluo Forest was more like a hunting ground operated by the Heaven Dou Empire.

There were many forests like this within the Heaven Dou Empire. Aside from providing low-level Soul Masters with places to obtain soul rings, they also brought in revenue for the empire.

That was precisely why wanton slaughter of soul beasts in Douluo Forest was absolutely forbidden.

"Thank you for the reminder."

Du Cheng cupped his hands toward the soldier before leading Xiao Wu into Douluo Forest.

"Cheng Gege, what kind of soul ring are you planning to obtain?"

The moment they entered Douluo Forest, Xiao Wu asked Du Cheng.

As a transformed soul beast, she naturally knew quite a bit about the environments soul beasts lived in.

As long as Du Cheng stated his requirements, she could help him find a suitable soul beast.

In many novels, people assumed that because Xiao Wu was a soul beast, she disliked seeing soul beasts killed. However, that was not actually accurate.

For soul beasts, survival of the fittest was a fundamental law of life. Not to mention, given the sizes of Da Ming and Er Ming, how many soul beasts would they eat in a single meal?

As long as they did not harm soul beasts close to Xiao Wu, the rest hardly mattered.

Just like now—wasn't Xiao Wu actively offering to help Du Cheng hunt soul beasts?

"Let me tell you a secret."

Looking at Xiao Wu, Du Cheng deliberately lowered his voice.

"I actually obtained my First Soul Ring a long time ago. I only came out this time to relax."

"Really?"

Hearing Du Cheng's words, Xiao Wu froze for a moment before letting out a cry of surprise.

"Then I'll tell Cheng Gege a secret too."

Slowly leaning close to Du Cheng's ear, Xiao Wu spoke.

"I actually have my First Soul Ring too."

As soon as she said it, Xiao Wu proudly waved her fist.

"When we get back, if that ugly Little San dares act arrogant, I'll help Cheng Gege teach him a proper lesson."

"No prob—"

"Roar!"

Before Du Cheng could finish, the roar of a beast came from nearby.

"What an ugly cat!"

Watching a dirt-gray soul beast chase a girl dressed in black leather out of the woods, Du Cheng and Xiao Wu could not help exclaiming at the same time.

Perhaps drawn by their voices, the girl turned to look at them.

"Run!"

When she saw Du Cheng and Xiao Wu, the girl immediately shouted a warning.

"It's a four-hundred-year soul beast, a Three-Tailed Cat. You can't handle it."

After speaking, she turned around at once. It seemed she intended to ignore her injuries and stop the Three-Tailed Cat.

"Why aren't you leaving?"

Seeing the two of them standing there dumbly, Zhu Zhuqing became furious.

Ever since escaping from the Star Luo Empire, she had cultivated while wandering aimlessly.

She had entered Douluo Forest this time to obtain her First Soul Ring, but unexpectedly, she had been ambushed by the Three-Tailed Cat and had no choice but to flee toward the exit.

Normally, she would be safe as long as she escaped to the outer area. However, Zhu Zhuqing could not bear to watch Du Cheng and Xiao Wu die because of her.

After warning them once more, Zhu Zhuqing pounced directly toward the Three-Tailed Cat.

Forget it. For me, Zhu Zhuqing, perhaps dying would be easier than living.

Bang!

A tremendous crash rang in her ears, yet Zhu Zhuqing found that the agonizing pain she had expected never came.

Opening her eyes amid a sensation of weightlessness, Zhu Zhuqing realized that the boy from before had held her and dodged the Three-Tailed Cat's attack.

"Has no one ever told you not to close your eyes when facing danger?"

"I..."

Before Zhu Zhuqing could speak, Du Cheng had already set her down.

"Forget it. Let's talk after I deal with this ugly thing."

Perhaps because he had spent too much time around Xiao Wu, Du Cheng realized that he, too, was becoming increasingly obsessed with looks.

"Awooo meow!"

When the Three-Tailed Cat looked at Du Cheng, anger appeared on its face.

This two-legged beast actually dared to snatch away my prey?

With a roar, the Three-Tailed Cat lunged fiercely at Du Cheng.

"Be careful."

Seeing the Three-Tailed Cat's movement, Zhu Zhuqing tensed up.

"The Three-Tailed Cat is very fast. You must be caref—"

Halfway through her warning, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly fell silent.

A flash of purple light passed by, and a pale yellow object suddenly appeared in the young man's hand.

Then, the Three-Tailed Cat that had just pounced was sent flying by a direct stab.

This boy seems stronger than I thought?