Hot Springs Mountain Range

"Lord Feng Lin."

Yan's call finally snapped Feng Lin out of his daze. His eyes were filled with shock. Although he had taken part in and helped complete this entire series of events, he truly had not expected Yan to succeed.

"Yan, young master."

This time, Feng Lin lowered his stance considerably. Originally, Yan had merely been someone worth investing in to him, but after Yan demonstrated his worth and successfully accomplished the unprecedented feat of splitting his Martial Soul, Feng Lin was wholeheartedly convinced.

Over these past few days, he had come to understand Yan's talent and character, and he was certain Yan was no mere showpiece. Yan needed someone to lend him a hand right now, while Feng Lin needed to invest in a genius to leave himself a way out. Was there a better choice than this?

"Uncle Lin, we've stayed in the Silves Kingdom long enough. If I remember correctly, the Junior Soul Master Academy will be starting soon, won't it?"

Yan glanced at Feng Lin and gave a slight wave of his hand, naturally changing how he addressed him. "Please make the arrangements. We'll continue on our journey. Also, make some preparations. I need to obtain a suitable first Soul Ring."

Having already decided to invest in Yan, Feng Lin naturally intended to do everything in his power to handle matters well. Once Yan had finished speaking, he said, "Leave it to me, Young Master Yan."

"Mm."

Yan nodded at Feng Lin, then walked over to Liya and held out his hand. "It's all right now, Sister Liya. Let's go back."

Though Liya was filled with doubts, she knew this was not the time to ask about them. In the end, she took Yan's hand, and the two left the courtyard together.

After they left, Feng Lin silently studied the array patterns on the ground for a long time. At last, he lightly waved his hand. A powerful gust of wind swept through the courtyard, thoroughly erasing most traces of what had happened. After tidying up a little more, Feng Lin also departed from the deserted courtyard.

When the courtyard returned to silence, no one would have imagined that another possessor of Twin Martial Souls had been born on the Douluo Continent—and that he would bring a storm beyond ordinary imagination to the continent.

The Hot Springs Mountain Range lay in the southeast of the Silves Kingdom. Like the Star Dou Great Forest and Sunset Forest, it was a region where wild soul beasts gathered and reproduced.

The soul beasts here came in countless varieties, and quite a few ten-thousand-year soul beasts gathered in its inner core region. It was an excellent choice for many lower- and middle-tier soul masters seeking Soul Rings.

Across the Douluo Continent, the best choice for most low-level soul masters seeking Soul Rings was the Soul Hunting Forests maintained by the two great empires, Spirit Hall, and other top powers.

These Soul Hunting Forests were scattered throughout the territories of the two great empires and their various kingdoms. The soul beasts raised within them generally were not of very high rank, with only a small number reaching the thousand-year level at most.

Once soul beasts reached the ten-thousand-year level, they underwent an extremely terrifying transformation. They possessed great intelligence and formidable strength, making them difficult even for armies to resist. Thus, the soul beasts within the various Soul Hunting Forests received special attention after reaching the thousand-year level, and were basically never allowed to grow to the ten-thousand-year level.

The Hot Springs Mountain Range was famous for its abundant sulfur ore and hot springs. Its terrain was varied and its climate ever-changing. Snow covered the mountaintops, yet steaming hot springs along the mountainsides gave off waves of heat.

Lakes and waterfalls, forests and grasslands—every kind of terrain gathered within this mountain range, creating a diverse ecosystem and an exceptionally rich variety of soul beasts.

Hot Springs Town was a small town leading into the depths of the Hot Springs Mountain Range. Shops of every kind lined both sides of its streets, while the bustling crowds made the town especially lively. Amid the noisy flow of people, three carriages arrived and stopped at an inn near the entrance to the mountain range.

The carriage curtains were lifted. Two middle-aged men and a young girl led more than ten children out of the carriages and into the inn. At the back of the group was an unusual pair: an indifferent old man and a calm child.

After getting out of the carriage, Yan did not immediately enter the inn with Liya and the others. Instead, he looked into the distance and observed the surroundings.

Near the town's entrance into the mountain range stood rows of buildings, with every sort of shop available. Shouts and cries rose one after another, and simple manmade paths crisscrossed the area. The bustling atmosphere interested Yan somewhat.

"Forming a group to hunt Strength-type soul beasts! Need two more!"

"Hunting Agility-type soul beasts! Seven-person team, ten Gold Soul Coins!"

"Hunting team needs one more scout! Agility Attack-type soul masters or soul masters with flight abilities are welcome!"

All kinds of cries rang out one after another. Most were calls for people to form teams and hunt soul beasts to complete missions. The shops lining the streets mostly sold weapons, armor, and all kinds of food and supplies, at prices more than double those in other towns. They were taking advantage of those who came unprepared.

Feng Lin was naturally at Yan's side. At this moment, this Spirit Hall deacon and powerful five-ring Soul King was willingly serving as Yan's steward.

The reason this old man acted this way was to secure a good escape route for his family in the future. He even hoped that after Yan rose to prominence, Yan might give him a hand and allow him, though old, to continue advancing and growing stronger.

The Soul King followed Yan's gaze and glanced at several soul masters shouting nearby, a trace of disdain appearing in his eyes. He had no regard for these soul masters who chose to form temporary teams. Temporary groups lacked coordination—how much combat strength or usefulness could they possibly have?

At this moment, Feng Lin was like Yan's loyal steward. After Yan had watched for a while, he slightly lowered his head and reminded him, "Young Master Yan, it's getting late. You should rest early tonight. Leave tomorrow's arrangements to me."

"I'll trouble you, Uncle Lin."

After taking in the lively atmosphere for a while, Yan lost interest. As he spoke, he nodded at Feng Lin and then entered the inn.

This inn at the entrance leading from the town into the Hot Springs Mountain Range had only two floors. It was not that the owner lacked the funds to build higher, but rather that he feared attracting the attention of powerful soul beasts.

The Hot Springs Mountain Range was a gathering place for wild soul beasts, and there were quite a few ten-thousand-year soul beasts within it. Though these powerful soul beasts usually remained in the core region, they might occasionally wander to the outskirts. If the buildings were too tall, wouldn't they become conspicuous landmarks? That would make them especially likely to draw the attention of those powerful soul beasts.

"Little Yan."

After reaching the second floor, Yan entered a room. Liya was inside, spreading a blanket over the bed. She turned and smiled at him, though worry could not help appearing on her delicate face. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Little Yan, the wilderness is full of dangers. When we go obtain your Soul Ring tomorrow, you mustn't act impulsively."

Because Yan's talent was so outstanding, this older sister had always taken especially good care of him, making quite a few of the children traveling with them jealous. And ever since Yan had saved her in Maplewood Town, Sister Liya had become even more concerned about him.

The reason she warned him like this was entirely because Yan's frequent injuries lately had frightened her. She feared that his curiosity would get the better of him again, leaving him coughing up blood and seriously injured.