Heaven Dou Empire's royal hunting grounds were less a hunting ground than a war fortress forged from steel.
The sky gradually darkened.
The scent in the air changed.
The fresh fragrance of grass and trees that had belonged to the forest vanished completely, replaced by a pungent mix of horse manure, rust, and sweat.
It was the scent of an army.
Han Yuchen looked outside through a gap in the carriage window.
The mountains and plains were covered in silver.
It was the standard armor of the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Knights, gleaming beneath the sunlight so fiercely it hurt the eyes.
"If everyone gave me one Gold Soul Coin, I could buy all of Suotuo City."
"What a pathetic ambition."
Dai Mubai shot him a look and straightened his collar.
"This is a show of force."
"They're displaying the Heaven Dou Royal Family's strength to the Two Great Empires and Spirit Hall."
Han Yuchen said nothing.
Wrapped in a thick coat, he looked like an old man afraid of the cold.
Yet his fingers lightly tapped against his knee.
He was counting.
"One, two, three..."
He was not counting people.
He was counting the Soul Power fluctuations hidden in the shadows.
This place concealed at least ten Soul Sages, perhaps even a Soul Douluo-level expert standing guard.
It seems Xue Ye is afraid someone might try an assassination during the competition.
Han Yuchen chuckled inwardly.
Unfortunately, he could guard against outsiders, but not thieves from within.
The greatest danger was right inside the royal family.
They arrived at the camp specially prepared for the participating academies.
The soldier responsible for receiving them wore a stiff expression like a wooden post, with only the warning in his eyes saying, "Don't cause trouble."
"This is our barracks?"
Ma Hongjun pointed