Lin Yu and Dugu Yan Both Break Through, Heading to the Star Dou Great Forest

"Forget it, withdraw the troops. Return and report to His Majesty first!" A deputy commander beside him hurriedly grabbed the leader.

The Spirit Hall Holy Temple was a branch hall of the highest rank. Not even an empire could casually surround it with troops, because that could be escalated into the empire declaring war on Spirit Hall.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! Spirit Hall!"

"Withdraw!"

The Star Luo Royal Knights withdrew in humiliation and immediately relayed the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall Holy Temple's response to the Star Luo Emperor.

Upon learning that Spirit Hall was determined to take Zhu Zhuqing away, Dai Mubai's heart turned ice-cold. He knew there was a high chance the Star Luo Emperor would not send anyone to the Papal Palace to demand Zhu Zhuqing from Qian Daoliu.

Sure enough, the Star Luo Emperor ultimately abandoned the matter.

"Don't leave me, Zhuqing!!"

Dai Mubai fell into complete despair. His face was filled with dejection, anguish, frustration, and regret as he let out a grief-stricken roar.

And the fate awaiting him was this: once Dai Weisi successfully secured his position as heir to the throne, Dai Mubai would either be killed or imprisoned.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing had already begun her new life, continuing on the road with Lin Yu and the others.

Freed from the shackles of the Marriage Contract, Zhu Zhuqing was visibly much more cheerful.

When talking and chatting with Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan, she often showed a sincere smile.

Her life would begin to change from this moment onward.

On the carriage, Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Um, where are we going now?"

"The Star Dou Great Forest."

Lin Yu was currently at level 39 and on the verge of breaking through to level 40.

Dugu Yan was also at level 29 and about to break through to level 30, so they planned to head straight for the Star Dou Great Forest. By the time they arrived, Lin Yu and Dugu Yan would likely both have broken through.

Lin Yu said, "Once Yanyan and I obtain our soul rings, we'll head directly into Heaven Dou territory to continue traveling. Zhu Zhuqing, for the time being, travel the continent with us."

"After we complete all the tasks of this training journey, we'll take you to Spirit City. From then on, you'll remain in the Papal Palace to cultivate as a Core Disciple of Spirit Hall."

"Mm-hmm! I understand." Zhu Zhuqing nodded heavily, looking forward to the coming journey through Heaven Dou with Lin Yu and the others.

After all, she had never truly traveled beyond home before.

What had originally been a journey for three now became a journey for Lin Yu, Qian Renxue, Dugu Yan, and Zhu Zhuqing, along with Lin Shuai as their coachman.

For the next stretch of time, they continued forward at their previous pace, traveling and stopping as they went. About a month later,

Lin Yu and the other four finally arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest.

Over that month, Lin Yu and Dugu Yan had also successfully broken through to the level where they could absorb soul rings.

At that moment, the carriage was parked at a resting point near the Star Dou Great Forest. Lin Shuai said, "Young Clan Leader, Young Master, we've arrived."

"Mm. Once we've stored the carriage, we'll go in together."

"Alright!"

A moment later, the five of them stepped into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Qian Renxue asked, "Lin Yu, how many ten-thousand years are you planning for your fourth soul ring this time? Should we call out the elders protecting us in secret to help?"

They knew Dugu Bo was certainly protecting them in the shadows, and Qian Daoliu might have also sent a Titled Douluo.

Lin Yu's third soul ring had already been fifteen thousand years old. The target for his fourth soul ring would only be stronger, and Qian Renxue was worried that juniors like them would not be able to handle it.

Lin Yu thought for a moment before saying, "During this training journey, we should rely on ourselves whenever possible. If we truly can't handle it, then we'll call them out to help. My fourth soul ring doesn't need to exceed fifty thousand years. Anything over forty thousand years should be enough."

"As long as it isn't a soul beast with an exceptionally powerful bloodline, the two of us should still be capable of killing one just over forty thousand years old together."

"Alright, then we'll hunt it ourselves. It'll also be an opponent to temper us." Qian Renxue nodded.

"A forty-thousand-year fourth soul ring... Lin Yu, you really are a freak." Zhu Zhuqing could not help but exclaim.

"Heh, alright. Let's move."

Lin Yu smiled and led the way forward.

"Let's settle Yanyan's third soul ring first. Yanyan has taken Thousand-Year Whale Gel before, so absorbing a three-thousand-year soul ring for your third one won't be a problem. We'll find you one over three thousand years old."

"Mm-hmm, I'll listen to Lin Yu." Dugu Yan smiled faintly.

The five of them ventured deeper, heading toward the Inner Area while searching for Dugu Yan's target.

About four hours later, Lin Yu and the others entered the territory of spider-type soul beasts.

Spider-type soul beasts were not very intelligent. Other than hunting to fill their stomachs, they did not casually kill living creatures.

Yet in this forest,

besides the webs characteristic of spider-type soul beasts covering the area, there were also large quantities of soul beast bones and remains. Plenty of dried blood lay nearby, and a faint scent of blood filled the air.

"There are so many soul beast bones and remains here. The spider-type soul beasts living here must be extremely bloodthirsty."

"Among spider-type soul beasts, the ones that enjoy slaughter are Man Faced Demon Spiders. Be careful, everyone. This is very likely their territory. Once we encounter them, they'll definitely attack us." Qian Renxue gave a warning.

The five immediately shifted their formation, with Lin Yu and Qian Renxue clearing the way at the front.

Lin Shuai took up the rear.

Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan stood in the middle as they prepared to pass directly through the forest.

Sure enough, they had not gone far when

a terrifying roar rang out from the forest!

A bizarre giant spider nearly two meters in diameter appeared ahead. Its eight spider legs were over three meters long, and its entire body was covered in black armor. White markings covered its lower abdomen, forming the shape of a vicious human face.

It looked incredibly evil and frightening!

"It really is a Man Faced Demon Spider!"

"Skreee~!"

After discovering Lin Yu and the others, the Man Faced Demon Spider immediately radiated intense killing intent before crazily scuttling toward them.

The strong preyed on the weak. Powerful carnivorous soul beasts hunted weaker soul beasts to fill their stomachs; this was the norm in the world of soul beasts.

But Man Faced Demon Spiders possessed an overly strong instinct for slaughter. They would casually kill other living creatures simply for the sake of killing, earning them the name of evil slaughterers.

Whether to humans or soul beasts, Man Faced Demon Spiders were pests that disrupted the ecosystem. Thus, whenever many powerful soul masters and soul beasts encountered one, they would kill it to prevent it from wantonly massacring other soul beasts.

"Courting death!"

Without hesitation, Qian Renxue summoned her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, intending to kill it.

But Lin Yu stopped Qian Renxue immediately. "Sister Xue'er! Wait!"

"A two-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider... could it be that one?"

Lin Yu's thoughts raced.

In the original story, when Tang San obtained his third soul ring, he killed a two-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider and accidentally obtained an External Soul Bone called the Eight Spider Lances!