First Arrival in Star Dou, Ice and Fire Together

The Star Dou Great Forest, as the most renowned habitat of soul beasts on the Douluo Continent, possessed a vastness and danger that no written record or oral account could ever fully describe. It was like a massive emerald embedded in the heart of the continent—ancient, mysterious, and brimming with life, yet concealing countless deadly dangers.

When Qin Mo, led by his grandfather Qin Yuan, truly set foot upon this primordial land, even with the composure of someone who had lived two lives, he could not help but be slightly moved by the sight before him.

Towering ancient trees rose from the earth, their canopies blotting out the sky and sun. Thick vines coiled around them like giant pythons and hung down, forming natural green curtains. Beneath their feet lay a thick layer of humus accumulated over countless years, soft and springy underfoot, giving off a distinctive scent of soil and vegetation. The air was saturated with Life Energy so dense it seemed impossible to disperse, along with the faint stench and oppressive presence of powerful predators lurking everywhere.

Sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of leaves, casting scattered patches of light that danced within the faint mist drifting through the forest, adding even more mystery and depth. From afar came, at times, the deep, prolonged roars of unknown soul beasts, or sharp, brief screeches. Rising and falling in succession, they formed the eternal background melody of this forest, constantly reminding every visitor—this was the place where the law of the strong devouring the weak was laid bare most brutally.

Qin Yuan did not release the terrifying aura of a Level 99 Limit Douluo. The core purpose of this journey was not to clear the area or flaunt his strength, but to provide training. He merely cast a layer of Soul Power barrier so faint that it was almost imperceptible, gently enveloping the three children. This barrier was not intended for absolute defense. Its primary purpose was to ward off the prying and harassment of overly weak, unintelligent soul beasts acting on instinct, preventing needless trouble from interrupting Qin Mo's insight and attempts. As for those truly threatening beings, the barrier would instead become a kind of "bait" and trial.

Bing'er and Yan'er walked on either side of him, half a step behind Qin Mo. Both girls' delicate faces were taut, their clear eyes vigilantly sweeping every shadow and every patch of brush around them. Though they possessed Innate Full Soul Power and extraordinary talent, this was still the first time they had truly left the protection of their sect and entered this legendary dangerous land. The wild aura and faint sense of threat permeating the air made their hearts beat faster involuntarily, while a thin sheen of sweat formed in their palms.

Bing'er instinctively edged closer to Qin Mo. Her senses were sharper, allowing her to detect more hidden gazes. Yan'er, meanwhile, occasionally looked back toward the path they had taken, as though worried something might creep up on them soundlessly from behind.

"Don't be overly nervous." Qin Mo's voice rang out, as calm as ever, even carrying a hint of reassurance. Nourished by Innate Level 20 Soul Power, his Spiritual Power was far stronger and sharper than that of his peers, and even many high-ranking soul masters. Within his perception, the energy fluctuations within a hundred meters were like lights in the night, their strengths clearly distinguishable. "The outer regions are mostly inhabited by ten-year and hundred-year soul beasts. Their intelligence is low, and their threat is limited. With Grandpa here, we won't truly fall into a danger we can't handle. Relax. Being too tense will only waste unnecessary energy and affect your judgment."

His voice seemed to carry a peculiar magic. His composure and absolute confidence, far beyond his age, effectively influenced the two girls. Bing'er and Yan'er exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of embarrassment in the other's eyes. They then took deep breaths and tried to regulate their breathing. Their taut nerves gradually relaxed, though their necessary vigilance did not lessen—it merely became more orderly rather than panicked.

Walking ahead as though merely taking a leisurely stroll, Qin Yuan's lips lifted ever so slightly. His grandson's composure in the face of danger and ability to see ahead filled him with great comfort. This calm alone surpassed that of countless so-called geniuses.

After traveling for roughly half an hour, they began encountering more soul beasts. Hundred-year Mandala Snakes, brilliantly colored and fiercely venomous, hung from branches, their cold vertical pupils sweeping over the group before they quietly retreated into the leaves upon sensing the faint threat. Herds of bulky Tusked Boars with exposed tusks rooted through the soil in the distance, grunting without approaching them. A group of Lightning Rabbits also darted across a clearing like gusts of wind, leaving behind streaks of afterimages.

Qin Mo's gaze remained calm and his pace unhurried. Most of his attention was immersed in communicating with the "Nine-Story Demon Pagoda" within his body.

At last, Qin Yuan stopped in a relatively open woodland filled with low-growing ferns. He turned around, his gaze settling on Qin Mo. Gone was the grandfatherly affection in his eyes, replaced by the sternness of a sect elder assessing a junior.

"Mo'er," Qin Yuan said, his voice low and clear, overpowering the sound of wind and insects in the forest, "your Nine-Story Demon Pagoda Martial Soul is unprecedented, and its traits are unknown. When ordinary soul masters obtain soul rings, they either pursue compatible attributes, powerful skills, or the limit of the ring's age. But for you, the path may be entirely different."

His gaze was deep as he guided Qin Mo's thoughts. "The essence of a soul ring is a condensation of a soul beast's soul energy and part of its origin after death. But the core of your demon pagoda seems not to be 'absorbing energy,' but rather... 'sealing' and 'containing' existence itself. You must calm your mind and focus your spirit, carefully comprehend your Martial Soul, and follow its most instinctive desire and guidance. Tell me, what kind of soul beast's aura can resonate with your pagoda? What sort of target does it truly 'desire' to seal?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Mo immediately closed his eyes and completely immersed his consciousness into the Soul Power vortex within his dantian, entering deep communication with the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda floating quietly there.

A moment later, he abruptly opened his eyes. A strange, bright gleam flashed through them, as though he had found a definite answer.

"Grandpa, I felt it." Qin Mo's tone carried certainty. "It doesn't desire a pure influx of energy. The feeling is more like an instinct to... 'fill a void' and 'enrich itself.' It seems to desire sealing some kind of 'specific' existence into the space within the pagoda and making it its own. As for the target..."

He tilted his head slightly, as though listening to the vague information conveyed by his Martial Soul. "Spider-type soul beasts... and agile, ferocious feline soul beasts such as tigers and leopards. Their soul fluctuations and their auras seem to cause the slightest tremor and... resonance in the pagoda. Especially spider-type soul beasts. That feeling is the clearest and strongest."

"Oh?" A sharp light flashed in Qin Yuan's eyes. Not only did he not doubt him, he showed immense interest and excitement instead. "Not hunting them, not absorbing their energy, but directly sealing soul beasts? Turning them into part of the pagoda itself? Interesting! Truly interesting! Hahaha! As expected of a mutation born beyond all conventional reasoning!"

With a sweep of his hand, his spirit surged. "In that case, there's no need to waste time in the outer regions! Let's head deeper into the forest's mixed zone. Thousand-year soul beasts appear there frequently, perfect for finding you a suitable and sufficiently powerful 'target'!"

The group's direction shifted slightly as they headed deeper into the forest, toward a region where the light grew dimmer and the atmosphere increasingly oppressive and dangerous.

The deeper they went, the taller and denser the trees became. Thorny vines grew in tangled profusion, leaving almost nowhere to set one's feet. With a slight flick of Qin Yuan's sleeve, invisible Soul Power silently cut open a path like a sharp blade. The concentration of Soul Power in the air had also increased noticeably, but the oppressive sensation that made one's heart tremble rose geometrically as well.

Bing'er and Yan'er's expressions turned grave once more. They could clearly feel that the gazes cast from the darkness had become more concealed and more dangerous. At one point, a thousand-year Thorn Iron Python disguised as a withered vine suddenly launched an attack, as swift as lightning. Its bloody maw was large enough to swallow a calf whole!

Yet before Bing'er and Yan'er could cry out, and without Qin Yuan making any visible movement, the vicious python seemed to slam into an invisible yet indestructible wall three feet away from the group. It let out a dull crash, several of its fangs breaking as it fell to the ground in a daze. It hissed in terror and fled into the depths of the forest, never daring to look back.

Such was the protection of a Limit Douluo—unobtrusive, yet absolutely reliable.

Qin Mo seemed entirely unaware of the dangers around him. All his focus was immersed in a peculiar state of "hunting." His Spiritual Power spread outward like an invisible spiderweb, carefully distinguishing the various soul beast auras flowing through the air and comparing them with the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda within him.

The Nine-Story Demon Pagoda trembled faintly, conveying an emotion that mixed desire with pickiness.

Suddenly, Qin Mo's steps came to an abrupt halt!

He sharply raised his head, his gaze as keen as a blade as it shot toward an exceptionally dense patch of dark brush ahead to the left, where the light could barely penetrate. There, an icy, violent aura filled with intense killing intent was clearly emanating!

That aura was not vast or overwhelming, but it was exceptionally sharp and condensed, brimming with a deadly sense of threat. More importantly, the moment Qin Mo sensed it, the Nine-Story Demon Pagoda within him shook violently, conveying an unprecedentedly clear feeling of "desire" and "lock-on"!

Like a hungry hunter finally discovering prey perfectly suited to his appetite!

"I found it." Qin Mo's voice was low and certain, carrying a trace of barely concealed excitement. "It's there. A... very suitable 'target.'"

Bing'er and Yan'er instantly entered Martial Soul Possession. Icy blue and fiery red Soul Power glowed and flowed around them. Though they tried their best to restrain their extreme auras, the surrounding air still distorted slightly. They stared tensely at the dark brush, which resembled the gaping maw of a giant beast, their entire bodies taut as they entered a state of battle readiness.

Qin Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze calm, though a faint smile rested on his lips.

The show was about to begin.