Why Keep Kittens When I'm Here?

At dawn, while most of Notting Academy's teachers and students were still asleep, several people had already left the academy gates.

Besides Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, Starry Sky joined them as well.

Starry Sky's Soul Master certificate stated that he possessed level-five Innate Soul Power.

But Yu Xiaogang had a sharp eye. From the appearances and temperaments of Underworld, Raiden Shogun, and Raiden Mei, he could tell that their identities were far from ordinary.

He also guessed that Starry Sky came from a great clan. Perhaps he had secluded himself in Holy Soul Village to escape enemies or for some other reason.

Such great clans often possessed many treasures. He assumed Starry Sky had reached level ten so quickly and was ready to obtain a Soul Ring—

Because he had been fed medicinal supplements.

He held such people in contempt.

Giving a child such potent medicine from a young age would only lead to greater side effects once they grew up.

"Teacher, where are we going to find Soul Beasts?"

Tang San did not pay much attention to Starry Sky and the others. He merely asked Yu Xiaogang curiously.

"We're going to the Soul Hunting Forest, four hundred li northeast of Notting City. It's a place where the Empire raises Soul Beasts. We'll definitely find one suitable for you there."

Yu Xiaogang wore a fitted outfit today, which made him look somewhat more heroic. Yet his stiff face still gave off an incongruous impression.

"Raises them? Soul Beasts can be raised? Teacher, tell me about Soul Beasts."

As they walked, Yu Xiaogang explained Soul Rings and their ages.

They also went to the market and bought some dried provisions.

Yu Xiaogang directly bought more than twenty jin of carrots, making Starry Sky nearly laugh out loud.

Was he really planning to rely on that stuff to have Luo Sanpao kill a hundred-year Soul Beast?

That was a little too naive, wasn't it?

Because Raiden Mei had secretly cooked a great deal of food yesterday and taken it out to sell.

They had earned quite a bit of money, so Starry Sky finally had some to spend.

Still, he did not splurge. He only bought a few necessities.

Things like tents and other essential supplies for the wilderness.

The two groups took carriages to the Soul Hunting Forest.

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had only two people, so they took a small carriage.

Starry Sky's group had four people, and their carriage was larger—just right for the four of them.

Every time Starry Sky lowered his head, all he saw were legs; every time he looked up, all he saw were breasts.

He enjoyed it immensely.

The four-hundred-li journey was neither particularly long nor particularly short. It was not until noon the next day that they finally arrived at their destination, the Soul Hunting Forest.

When Starry Sky stepped down from the carriage, he took a deep breath.

The place was filled with the scent of nature—quiet, shadowy, and tranquil, with fresh air.

However, at least outside the forest, the Soul Hunting Forest before them felt more like a massive marketplace.

There were many shops outside the forest.

Shouts from vendors rose and fell one after another. Simple man-made paths crisscrossed the area, making it incredibly bustling.

"Got a permit! Forming a group to hunt Strength-type Soul Beasts, need two more!"

"Hunting Agility-type Soul Beasts! Seven people waiting for a permit holder! Ten Gold Soul Coins!"

Similar calls rang out continuously. Most of the shops sold weapons, armor, and all kinds of food and supplies.

"So expensive! Everything here costs twice as much as it does in Notting City."

Mei could not help but exclaim when she saw the prices.

With the manner of someone experienced, Yu Xiaogang said, "Where there are Soul Beasts, there are profits. This is especially true for forests like these, where the state specifically raises Soul Beasts. Soul Masters are a wealthy group, and too many people want to make money off them."

"So Soul Masters make that much money. Still, being a chef is pretty good too."

Mei did not feel disappointed because of it.

Beyond the bustling market lay the forest.

The trees here were tall and ancient-looking. Around the forest's perimeter stood a massive ring of iron fencing, with countless spikes pointing toward the forest.

The fence was over ten meters tall and looked exceptionally sturdy.

That was not all. Outside the fence, a hundred soldiers patrolled with spears in hand, their formation strict and orderly. A hundred soldiers clad in steel standing together gave off an air of grim killing intent.

Yu Xiaogang introduced it in a low voice, "Not just anyone can enter a regulated Soul Hunting Forest. Only Soul Masters with permits issued by Spirit Hall may enter the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt Soul Beasts."

As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang took out a token. The pitch-black token was made of some unknown material, and the design upon it consisted of three symbols combined together.

At its center was a sharp sword pointed downward. To either side of the sword were a hammer and a strange beast Tang San had never seen before.

Just as he was about to hand the token to the guarding soldier—

Starry Sky hurriedly said, "Uncle, are you really going in just like that? Aren't you going to find some help? Hundred-year Soul Beasts aren't that easy to kill."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I believe in my strength. I can help Little San find a suitable Soul Beast."

"Uncle, finding one and killing one are two different things. You should always leave yourself some room to fall back on. Don't wait until danger comes before realizing it's too late to regret it."

Starry Sky advised him earnestly.

"Starry Sky, I believe in Teacher's strength. There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters. Besides, I believe that if someone lacks the ability to hunt Soul Beasts and obtain Soul Rings on their own, then they cannot be considered a true powerhouse."

Tang San spoke with absolute conviction!

Why didn't Tang San say that to Support-type and Food-type Soul Masters?

Let's see whether they would acknowledge that reasoning.

But Starry Sky had done what he could. If Tang San refused to listen and died in the Soul Hunting Forest, then he would only have himself to blame.

Then, Starry Sky watched Tang San and Yu Xiaogang enter first.

He also took out the permit he had received from Su Yuntao and entered the Soul Hunting Forest.

Once they passed through the iron fence and entered the forest, all the clamor seemed to vanish. The air finally became as fresh as he had imagined.

It left them feeling refreshed and at ease.

"Soul Beasts... Is this a Soul Beast? It's kind of cute."

After the three women entered the Soul Hunting Forest, they headed directly inward.

They were all curious about the place, looking around in every direction.

Very soon, they spotted an animal that looked somewhat like a cat within their line of sight. It lay atop a tree, watching the four of them warily.

"That's a Mottled Cat. It's so small, so it should be a ten-year Soul Beast," Starry Sky explained.

"So cute! Can we take it back as a pet?" Raiden Mei's eyes sparkled.

"Soul Beasts are all very vicious. I think it's better not to do that." Starry Sky curled his lips. Am I not cute enough? Why do you need to raise kittens?

"Hey! Look, this bamboo can move! It even has feet."

Mei was cheerful and lively, unable to resist touching whatever she saw.

Starry Sky looked over and saw a Lone Bamboo. It did not look particularly remarkable, but because it stood amid towering trees rather than in a bamboo grove, it was easy to notice.

Its body swayed gently, its bamboo branches moving rhythmically in the breeze.

"That's a Plant-type Soul Beast. Just think of it as a plant gaining sentience. Tang San's Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, is a Plant-type Martial Soul, so it's very suitable for absorbing the Soul Ring of this kind of Plant-type Soul Beast."

"My Martial Soul would be better suited to a Lightning-type Soul Beast. Let's pick up the pace. The sooner we get deeper inside, the sooner we can find suitable Soul Rings."