Escape from Soul Hunting Forest

After confirming the sequence of events once more, Ye Han and the others searched the palace again. Finding nothing left behind, they reopened the path they had entered through and headed back out.

The moment they emerged, they saw Zhao Lei wearing an anxious expression.

"Xiao Han! It's great that you're all okay!" Zhao Lei said excitedly as he looked at those coming out.

Seeing Zhao Lei's concern, Ye Han felt warmth rise in his heart.

"Uncle Zhao, how did you get out? Where's Xiao Chenyu? Didn't he make it out?" Ye Han asked curiously.

"I was thrown out. As for that brat Xiao Chenyu, I sent him away as soon as I got out."

Ye Han froze at Zhao Lei's words, then mocked, "No way! That Evil Soul Master could throw you out?"

Now, not only Ye Han, but even Esdeath and the others looked at Zhao Lei as if asking whether he was joking.

Zhao Lei's face reddened. He then understood what Ye Han meant and said unhappily, "That old bastard is nothing! The palace itself kicked me out!"

"I don't believe you," Ye Han said calmly.

"I don't believe you either!" Todo declared.

"Ahem! Uncle Zhao should be telling the truth! Kui Si's memories said that he could control some of the palace's abilities and forcibly expel people whose souls contained impurities," Yoruichi explained.

Hearing someone finally speak up for him, Zhao Lei nearly wept with gratitude. Without an explanation, this sort of thing was impossible to clarify.

Honjou Kaede suddenly asked innocently, "If a soul has impurities, why don't they want it?"

Ye Han gave her a thumbs-up. "Sharp eyes—you found the key point!"

"No, are you determined to make things difficult for me?" Zhao Lei had realized that Ye Han was deliberately stirring things up.

"They don't want souls with impurities because of the Illusion Dream Silkworm's traits," Yoruichi explained again.

After giving Ye Han a good beating, Zhao Lei felt much better. Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Because of the palace earlier, the entire Soul Hunting Forest has been sealed off. No entry, no exit!"

"What? Then how did Xiao Chenyu get out?" Ye Han asked in disbelief.

"Maybe because of the aura that leaked from the palace earlier. Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire have searched this place many times already, and no one knows when it'll reopen. He was inspected, and it seemed that they kicked him out because his aptitude was too poor."

Zhao Lei was actually quite confused himself. After he and Xiao Chenyu were thrown out, they quickly received a broadcast from Spirit Hall telling everyone to undergo inspection.

But Ye Han and the others had not come out yet. How could he possibly go for inspection? That would have been ridiculous! So Zhao Lei took Xiao Chenyu to the inspection area.

Xiao Chenyu initially refused to leave no matter what, but Zhao Lei got angry later and directly unleashed nine Soul Rings, telling him that with him around, he would not let anything happen to Ye Han.

"When they passed through here, didn't they discover anything?" Yoruichi asked doubtfully.

"Apparently not. Several groups have already passed through here."

Ye Han had a headache. If they had emerged earlier and gone for inspection, it would have been fine.

But now, they had been absent during the inspection and had suddenly appeared. Even if they had nothing to do with the earlier fluctuations, they would still be suspected! Not to mention that they had quite a few secrets.

"Can we fly out?" Yoruichi looked at Zhao Lei. He shook his head and denied it. "They have Titled Douluo, and there are three of them! Two are Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo from the auction house."

Ye Han's pupils contracted as his mind raced, but the more he thought, the more chaotic it became. They could not just wait until the lockdown ended before leaving, could they?

If all three Titled Douluo entered by then, there was no way so many people could stay hidden.

"How about we create a fake that looks real?" Yoruichi suddenly said.

Everyone looked at Yoruichi. She pointed at the tree trunk and said, "There's still a lot of scattered Soul Power throughout the palace. We can go in and arrange things, turning this place into the inheritance site of the Soul God. Those recognized by it will receive the inheritance."

Esdeath did not think highly of the idea. "Wouldn't that still expose us?"

Lia also rarely agreed with Esdeath. "As long as we're connected to this place, we'll definitely be suspected."

Yoruichi grinned slyly. "We don't need to show ourselves. You all hide farther away first. I'll open the entrance directly and draw out the Soul Power inside. Then Uncle Zhao can take me to meet up with you. Their attention will be completely drawn here, and we can use the opportunity to leave!"

Hearing Yoruichi's plan, Ye Han felt that it was highly feasible. Gods existed in this world. Sea God Island had the Seagod Nine Trials—who knew whether other places had inheritances from other gods?

They only needed to disguise this place as the site of the Soul God.

They acted immediately. Everyone entered the space again, erased the traces of battle, and Yoruichi even left behind a sliver of a soul fragment.

When the time came, it would choose the nearest person and enter their body. It was basically useless, but others would not see it that way.

After everything was arranged, everyone quickly retreated according to the plan to the location farthest from the three Titled Douluo. Ye Han then sent Yoruichi a signal through the Guild Chat.

Upon receiving the signal, Yoruichi directly stirred the Soul Power within. Since the door had remained open this time, the power continuously spilled outward.

Zhao Lei immediately carried Yoruichi and flew at top speed along the markers toward Ye Han and the others.

At that moment, the three Titled Douluo at the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest in the distance all sensed it and vanished from where they stood.

With the speed of Titled Douluo, the three quickly arrived at the spatial gate. Looking at the strange door, they tacitly chose not to act.

"It seems this is the site of the disturbance. Dugu Bo, you may leave. Spirit Hall is taking over here!" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan said with a seductive smile.

Dugu Bo and Yue Guan had never gotten along, and he was even less willing to leave now. He said disdainfully, "The Soul Hunting Forest does not belong to Spirit Hall alone! I represent the Heaven Dou Imperial Family this time. You can go to Heaven Dou Imperial City and discuss it with His Majesty, then we can talk."

The atmosphere instantly became tense, but Spirit Hall did not want to openly fall out with the Heaven Dou Empire right now. Ghost Douluo said hoarsely, "In that case, let's go in together. Whatever we find will be a matter between the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall. How about it?"

Dugu Bo considered it, then nodded.

To be safe, the three even caught a Soul Beast and threw it inside. After waiting for a while and finding no problems, they entered.

The moment they entered, they saw the Soul Beast from earlier trembling where it stood, while the three of them could also sense the ancient aura rushing toward them.

Both sides harbored ulterior motives and were deeply wary of each other, so they did not move very quickly.

Before long, the three saw a stone stele covered in writing. Yet they could only recognize the four words "Soul God"; they could not understand a single other character.

But those four words were enough. Once one reached the level of Titled Douluo, one had to know certain secrets, especially matters involving gods.

The atmosphere became subtle. Soon, the three arrived at the statue in the deepest part of the palace.

A Jade Box had appeared in the statue's hand, containing the surprise Yoruichi had prepared. To make the scene resemble the residence of the Soul God even more—

Ye Han and the others had also raised the concentration of souls within. As a result, the Titled Douluo could sense fluctuations from souls.

Sure enough, the instant the three entered, they felt a trace of pressure originating from their souls, though it quickly vanished.

Suddenly, the Jade Box atop the statue flew up and opened swiftly in midair. A streak of Golden Light shot into Dugu Bo's body.

The entire process happened too quickly, leaving even Dugu Bo stunned. But the next moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances and instantly attacked. Fortunately, Dugu Bo, who had already been on guard, dodged.

"Dugu Bo! It seems you have violated our original Rules! Hand over the item!" Chrysanthemum Douluo said with an ugly expression.

Dugu Bo had initially wondered whether he had been favored, but no matter how he sensed himself, he could detect nothing. He could only assume that because it was the Soul God, he needed to inspect himself carefully.

But never mind that Dugu Bo himself could not figure it out—he would not give up this opportunity even if he did.

"Chrysanthemum Pass, are you blind? Didn't you see it fly over by itself?" All nine Soul Rings around Dugu Bo erupted as he rushed toward the entrance.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had initially thought Dugu Bo was about to attack, but the next moment, they saw him directly flee and immediately rushed after him.

Dugu Bo also knew that fighting even one of them was difficult, let alone two. Leaving was the best option now. He would hide, figure out the Soul God's inheritance, and then return for revenge.

"Wisdom Skull Skill, Medusa's Gaze!"

The instant he rushed out, Dugu Bo turned back and activated his Soul Bone skill. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were caught off guard and hurriedly defended themselves.

With that brief delay, Dugu Bo widened the distance.

The furious Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo could only pursue him relentlessly.

"All Spirit Hall members, heed my command! Stop Dugu Bo at all costs!" Ghost Douluo's voice echoed throughout the Soul Hunting Forest.

Naturally, Dugu Bo would not sit still and await death. He was representing the Heaven Dou Empire this time as well, so he immediately shouted, "Spirit Hall is trying to murder and rob us! All Heaven Dou forces, stop Spirit Hall!"

The chaotic battle between both sides erupted because of Ye Han and the others' scheme.

Meanwhile, the instant Ye Han and the others sensed the auras of the three Titled Douluo disappear, they had Zhao Lei take to the air and flee.

"I didn't expect Poison Douluo Dugu Bo to be the unlucky one," Ye Han said with amusement.

"You're still laughing, brat? If I were Poison Douluo, I'd be furious to death. You little monsters really can't stay out of trouble!" Zhao Lei said speechlessly.

Ye Han could only say, What bad intentions could I possibly have? I just wanted to get out.