Star Dou Great Forest, Martial Soul Hall's Golden Generation

"Uncle Jian, Uncle Bone," Ning Fengzhi called out, shaking his head at the two of them. He then stood up proactively and bowed to Ao Tian.

"Fellow Daoist, since you have come to my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you are a guest. Please have a seat."

After speaking, Ning Fengzhi turned to look at Chen Chu, who stood calmly beside him. A storm of shock arose within him. This kid was just a commoner three months ago, how could he suddenly have such a powerful protector?

Did he come from some major power? A mutated Mantis Martial Soul, I've never heard of such a thing. Could he be the successor of some hidden family?

Ning Fengzhi quickly came up with several likely possibilities within minutes.

"Young friend, is this senior the expert you mentioned you invited?"

"I never expected you to have such a background, it truly surprises this sect master."

Chen Chu nodded slightly and calmly replied, "Sect Master Ning has a discerning eye. This is indeed an elder from my household. With him here, does Sword Douluo have the courage to accompany us to hunt this forest overlord?"

Sword Douluo heard his taunting words and knitted his brows. He understood that Chen Chu was using provocation, but the words were truly grating. "Kid, there is nothing in this world that I, Chen Xin, fear. If you want to kill it, we can go now."

Ning Rongrong, who was playing nearby, heard them talking about hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Her eyes rolled, and she hopped to Chen Xin's side, linking her arm through his, her small eyes shining brightly. "Grandpa Jian~, Rongrong wants to go too! I've never seen a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast before, can I please go~"

"Rongrong, do not be presumptuous," Ning Fengzhi frowned, looking sternly at his youngest daughter. "Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are incredibly dangerous. Even I would avoid their sharp edge if I encountered one, let alone the Star Dou Great Forest, which is full of poisonous insects and wild beasts. You are too young now, you cannot go."

Ning Rongrong heard this and started her usual act again, looking at her Grandpa Jian with teary eyes. "No, I want to go! It will be fine with Grandpa Jian here. Besides, aren't this big brother and this old grandpa here too? Just let me go."

As she spoke, she started to cry, pointing at Chen Chu, who stood expressionless beside her, and declared with certainty.

"Absolutely not," Chen Chu frowned, looking displeasured at the troublesome little imp. "The Star Dou Great Forest is incredibly dangerous, and I don't have the energy to take care of a little child like you on this trip. If anything happens to you, Sect Master Ning would surely fight me to the death!"

Ning Rongrong was choked by Chen Chu's retort. Her tears immediately stopped, and she puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him and exclaiming, "Why are you so mean! I don't need you to take care of me, Grandpa Jian will protect me!"

Chen Xin looked at the tantrum-throwing Rongrong, his expression softening slightly, but he still shook his head. "Rongrong, this matter is not trivial. The ferocity of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is far beyond that of ordinary Soul Beasts. If I am distracted protecting you, I may not be able to protect everyone else."

Gu Rong also spoke at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of persuasion. "Little girl Rongrong, when you grow up a bit more, hmm... when your Soul Power breaks through level forty, Grandpa Bone will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest for a trip, how about that? This time is truly too dangerous."

Ning Rongrong bit her lip, her gaze swept across everyone in the hall, finally landing on Ning Fengzhi, with a hint of pleading. "Dad..."

Ning Fengzhi closed his eyes, his tone admitting no room for negotiation. "There is no room for discussion on this matter. You will obediently stay in the sect and complete the homework assigned by your teacher today."

Seeing that no one would budge, Ning Rongrong's spirit finally deflated. This was the first time she had encountered such a complete rejection from everyone. Helplessly, she could only stomp her foot and turn to run out of the hall, muttering, "You're all bullying me, you don't like Rongrong anymore, I'll never talk to you again!"

After she left, the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly. Ning Fengzhi looked at Chen Chu and Ao Tian and apologized, "My daughter is unruly, I apologize for the spectacle."

Ao Tian waved his hand indifferently. "It's nothing. Since there are no other issues, let's depart."

Ning Fengzhi added, "I will send five Soul Sages to accompany you, responsible for clearing obstacles on the periphery. The three of you will focus on dealing with the situation in the core area. If you encounter danger, there are signal flares in the Soul Tools, and disciples from the outer sect will immediately send reinforcements."

Chen Chu suddenly spoke, "There's no need to bring so many Soul Sages, three is enough. Too many people will only alert the Soul Beasts in the depths."

Ao Tian nodded. "This kid is right. The depths of the Star Dou Great Forest are full of variables, a streamlined team will be easier to handle unexpected situations."

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment. "Alright, we'll do as you say. The three Soul Sages are all veterans of the sect and are highly experienced. They will be of great help."

With that, the group immediately set off, heading towards the Star Dou Great Forest.

Meanwhile, at the Martial Soul Hall.

"Nana, Xie Yue, Yan, this time you will need to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for your third Soul Ring alone. I will have Elder Ju secretly protect you."

In the Pope's Hall, the Pope, who was elegant and noble with skin as white as snow, gave a few instructions before disappearing from his throne, leaving only the three below bowing in acknowledgment.

Several days later, in the Star Dou Great Forest, ancient trees were everywhere, with bushes and vines covering the ground. Coupled with poor visibility, walking was extremely difficult.

"Is this the largest Soul Beast habitat on the mainland? It is indeed a bit different. No wonder they all hide here."

This was Ao Tian's first time here. He had lived in the deep sea area before. Now, seeing the inland, he found it somewhat interesting.

"Oh, Daoist Ao Tian, are you not from the continent? Could you be from that place overseas?"

Ao Tian's casual remark allowed Chen Xin to capture a piece of useful information. This powerful expert was not from the Douluo Continent. Could this Chen Chu also be from an overseas family?

"Sword Douluo, it's best if we don't get sidetracked. Let's focus on the journey and enter the core area as soon as possible. After all, every extra day spent here is an extra day of risk."

Chen Chu interrupted Chen Xin's questioning and quickened his pace towards the core area.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky began to darken, and Chen Chu's group was still in the mixed zone. The reason was simple: they had searched all day without finding the two Soul Beasts.

Chen Chu felt some regret at this moment. If only he had brought that rabbit beforehand, they wouldn't have to expend so much effort searching; the target would have come to them.

"It's getting dark, and there are many poisonous insects and wild beasts nearby. Visibility is also poor. Why don't we rest for the night, conserve our energy, and search again tomorrow?"

Hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in this forest at night was not a wise decision.

Chen Chu nodded, started a fire, took out some insect repellent powder from his bag, and sprinkled it around. "Then let's rest for the night and search again early tomorrow morning."

Not far from them, Hu Liena and her group, who had come out for trials from the Martial Soul Hall, followed the path they had cleared and arrived here without any obstacles.

"Nana, there's a firelight ahead. Someone's there. They're probably the group that cleared the path during the day. Let's find another place to camp."