In the Forest

After a while, Ye Hongling and Tang Chenfeng gathered around as well. Some time later, the soldier returned with two other people: a tall man and another soldier. Judging by the man's uniform, he seemed to be the commander of those two soldiers.

The commander came before Village Chief Ye, gave him a standard military salute, and said respectfully, "Mr. Ye Jiulong, I'm here to inform you that your permit has been approved. You may enter now, but I still need to explain the rules. First, non-Soul Masters are not allowed inside. Second, once you enter the forest, you are responsible for all consequences. Third, and most importantly..."

"You must not hunt Soul Beasts that are ten thousand years old or above. I know the rules," Village Chief Ye said directly, finishing the final rule for him.

The officer said nothing more. He merely nodded and gestured for the three of them to enter, without asking why they had brought two children along.

The two children found it strange as well. Normally, the process before entering was rather complicated, yet theirs had taken less than twenty minutes. They could also clearly sense that the soldiers were being a little overly respectful toward Village Chief Ye. Still, they could not say much. After all, their goal was simply to enter the Sunset Great Forest.

As the gates opened and then closed behind them, the sounds from outside were shut out. The three of them had officially entered the world of Soul Beasts.

The three were fairly familiar with forests. Tianhun Town had actually been built right along the forest's border, and Tang Chenfeng had been found nearby. However, almost no Soul Beasts appeared in that area, so it was only surrounded by a wall less than ten meters high.

Village Chief Ye walked at the front, vigilantly observing their surroundings. "From this point on, we're in Soul Beast territory. You must stay close to me. Don't take even a single step away from my side."

"Okay, Grandpa."

Village Chief Ye no longer looked as relaxed as before. He straightened his back, and Soul Power visibly fluctuated around him. The surrounding plants seemed to sense something and appeared to resonate with his Soul Power.

Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling did not know much about Village Chief Ye's Martial Soul. They only knew it was likely a Martial Soul related to plants. At the moment, Village Chief Ye was using his Martial Soul to communicate with the surrounding vegetation and observe the area.

This was of little use to Tang Chenfeng. After all, his was a Body Martial Soul, and he could not resonate with plants. But it was different for Ye Hongling. Her Tree of Life Martial Soul was among the finest plant-type Martial Souls. She could try what Village Chief Ye could do, and it should help with her cultivation.

Ye Hongling released her Martial Soul as well and began spreading her life force into the surroundings, imitating Village Chief Ye as she tried to resonate with the plants.

But the moment she tried, something extraordinary happened. The previously quiet plants around them stirred after sensing her Soul Power, as though they were willing to do anything just to reach her side.

This naturally gave Tang Chenfeng and Village Chief Ye a fright. Ye Hongling noticed it too and hurriedly withdrew her Martial Soul.

"What happened? The plants around us suddenly became restless."

"Grandpa, I don't know what happened either. I only released my Martial Soul."

"Village Chief, I swear I saw everything. Ling'er really only released her Martial Soul."

That disturbance had directly severed Village Chief Ye's connection with the environment. Just as the two children thought they were about to be thoroughly scolded, Village Chief Ye instead said in delight,

"Just now, I could sense extremely intense emotional fluctuations from the surrounding plants. The strongest emotions were surprise and excitement. That means they like you very much, and it also means you have a special constitution that is attuned to nature."

"Um, Grandpa, could you say that in a way we can understand..." Ye Hongling could not help saying.

Village Chief Ye realized that he had been too hasty. He calmed himself and slowly explained, "It means you have a special ability to draw close to nature and life force. In the future, you can cultivate while communicating with nature, just like me. You'll get twice the result with half the effort."

Ye Hongling said in delight, "So that's what it means. That's great."

But Village Chief Ye did not tell Ye Hongling that her talent had already exceeded his expectations and imagination. And it was not just her—Tang Chenfeng had as well.

Deep within the Sunset Great Forest stood a gigantic blue-gold tree nearly a thousand meters tall. It seemed to have sensed something, for its trunk was trembling slightly. Soul Beasts had already gathered all around it, and among them stood a blue-gold humanoid figure that seemed to be speaking with it.

"Is it really so, Tree Ancestor...? I never expected the next inheritor of the Heart of Life to be a human."

The great tree's branches swayed slightly, as though responding.

The figure replied, "You're right. No matter who the inheritor is, since she has already been chosen, there is nothing we can change. I'll find a way to bring her here."

Meanwhile, after confirming that there was no danger nearby, the grandfather and two children began advancing deeper into the forest.

Village Chief Ye sensed the movements around them while searching for a suitable Soul Beast. Soon, the three of them stopped before a large tree.

"Village Chief, why did you suddenly stop?"

Village Chief Ye examined the tree. "No. This Tree Demon hasn't cultivated for ninety years yet. We'll keep it as a backup option."

"Huh? This is a Soul Beast? I couldn't tell at all." Ye Hongling said in surprise.

"Before plant-type Soul Beasts develop intelligence, they are almost no different from ordinary plants. But if you observe carefully, you can still spot certain unusual traits. It's not useful to you two yet, though."

"Come to think of it, Grandpa Village Chief, this Soul Beast doesn't seem very suitable for Ling'er either. Why choose it?" Tang Chenfeng asked.

Village Chief Ye said helplessly, "It's difficult to find a Soul Beast that perfectly suits someone. Most of the time, it depends on luck. Ling'er's Martial Soul is especially unique and needs a Soul Beast with an affinity for life, but those are very rare. If we truly cannot find one, we can only settle for the next best thing and see whether she can develop in the control or support direction."

Ye Hongling pulled a long face upon hearing that. "Is it really that difficult? Then how long are we going to search, Grandpa?"

"Let's search for two days first. We still have plenty of time."

The three continued through the forest. Most of the Soul Beasts they encountered were ten-year Soul Beasts, though they occasionally came across one or two Hundred-Year Soul Beasts. However, neither side had any intention of fighting.

They encountered quite a few Soul Beasts along the way, but Ye Hongling's Martial Soul was too special. Either their attributes did not match, or they were not compatible enough. As evening drew near, the three found a relatively flat area, took materials from their bracelets to set up a tent, lit a campfire, and brought out the dried rations they had prepared beforehand.

Ye Hongling sat beside the campfire, staring at the flames with some sadness. "We've been searching all day, and we still haven't found a Soul Beast suitable for me."

Tang Chenfeng comforted her, "Didn't Grandpa Ye say it already? Things like Soul Rings also depend on luck. Maybe our luck will improve tomorrow."

"Xiaofeng is right. Ling'er, don't be too anxious. Opportunities always exist. All we need to do is find them." Village Chief Ye stood nearby, comforting her as well, but then he suddenly sensed something and immediately became alert.

"Hmm... something is approaching. Xiaofeng, Ling'er, get ready!"

Hearing Village Chief Ye's warning, the two immediately activated their Martial Souls and warily looked around.

Night had already fallen. In the surrounding bushes, more than a dozen green points of light could vaguely be seen slowly approaching them.

"Judging by the feeling, they seem to be Wood Wolves," Village Chief Ye said softly, without the slightest hint of panic. "You two stay here. Don't move."

At that moment, blue light flickered in Tang Chenfeng's eyes. He was using his Spiritual Power to observe. Even objects hidden in the darkness were now clearly visible to him.

There were five wolf-like Soul Beasts in the darkness. Each was about one and a half meters long, but their entire bodies were covered in a layer of wood-like exoskeleton. Leaves replaced wolf fur, and their glowing green eyes were the source of those lights. They looked like a fusion of trees and wolves, which was why they were called Wood Wolves.

The four Wood Wolves had originally been searching for food when they happened upon the three resting travelers. They were now closing in around Village Chief Ye's group in an encirclement, only about five meters away.

Village Chief Ye snorted. "It seems they have ill intentions. But they're only a pack of ten-year Wood Wolves."

Village Chief Ye raised both hands. The yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring around him flashed, and he clenched his fists. Countless vines burst from the ground and coiled toward the Wood Wolves.

By the time the four Wood Wolves noticed, it was already too late. Even though they tried to retaliate immediately, the vines that had erupted from the ground tightly bound them, leaving them unable to move in the slightest. Village Chief Ye's second Soul Ring lit up as well, and the Wood Spirit Thorn Array burst from the earth like swords, directly turning the four Wood Wolves into four skewered wolves.

"No, there should be one more. Ling'er! Watch your back!"