Target: Lava Lizard

As night gradually fell, the light in the forest grew dim. Teacher Chen chose a relatively open spot near a water source to set up camp.

The Team Members divided up the work. Some cleared the campsite, some stood watch, while others went to gather dry firewood. The two teachers set up several simple warning Soul Tools and scattered beast-repelling powder around the camp.

Zhang Bufan still did not lift a finger. He found a clean boulder and sat down, watching everyone bustle about with great interest. Huo Wu had wanted to help, but Huo Wushuang made her sit and rest. "Save your strength. You still have to absorb a Soul Ring tomorrow."

Huo Wu had no choice but to sit not far from Zhang Bufan. Watching him look around idly as if he had nothing to do, she could not help asking, "You... seem very familiar with this place?"

Zhang Bufan turned and smiled. "More or less. In theory, as long as there are mountains, water, and forests, I can get by anywhere." He was not boasting. The profound principles of heaven and earth contained within the Nine Cauldrons gave him an affinity and perception for natural environments far beyond ordinary people.

Huo Wu was skeptical.

Before long, the campfire was lit, driving away the chill and some of the darkness in the forest. Everyone sat around the fire and ate the dry rations they had brought. The mood was more solemn than it had been in the carriage during the day. After all, this was the Star Dou Great Forest, a place fraught with danger, and nighttime was often even more perilous.

Teacher Chen spread out the map and, by the firelight, confirmed the next day's plan once more.

"We are currently here." He pointed to a spot on the map. "According to the intelligence and the habits of Lava Lizards, they prefer areas with geothermal resources, near lava rivers or volcanic rock cliffs. Tomorrow, we will search upstream along this creek. There are several exposed volcanic rock formations in this area, making it the most likely habitat for Lava Lizards."

Teacher Li added, "The Lava Lizard is nearly five thousand years old. Everyone must remember that this Soul Beast is extremely troublesome. Its scales possess extremely high resistance to physical attacks and fire, so it will be difficult for our attacks to break through its defenses. Its main methods of attack are pouncing, biting, and tail swipes. It is immensely powerful and can also spit lava fireballs with adhesive, continuously burning properties. Most troublesome of all, it can trigger small-scale seismic waves to disrupt our movements."

The Team Members listened intently, their expressions grave. A five-thousand-year Soul Beast was already an incredibly powerful existence for Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors like them. Even for the two Soul Emperor teachers, killing a five-thousand-year Lava Lizard known for its defense and strength would be no easy task. It was bound to be a hard battle.

"Our tactic is this," Teacher Chen continued. "Teacher Li and I will restrain it from the front and draw its attention. Wushuang, your offensive power is the strongest. Look for opportunities to attack relatively vulnerable areas such as its eyes and mouth. The rest of you will use long-range Soul Skills to harass it and interfere with its movements. Be especially careful to avoid its lava fireballs and seismic waves. Huo Wu, wait for your chance. If your Fire Dance Sun can strike a vital point, it could play a decisive role."

It was a conventional but reliable tactic. Everyone nodded to show that they understood.

Just then, an ill-timed voice rang out.

"Um... Teacher Chen, Teacher Li, can we discuss something?" Zhang Bufan had somehow come over and spoke with a grin.

Everyone looked at him. Huo Wushuang frowned deeply, sensing that this guy was about to stir up trouble again.

"Student Zhang, please speak," Teacher Chen said politely.

"I think the plan is quite thorough," Zhang Bufan began with praise before changing tack. "It is just... a little too conservative. Look, the two teachers will have to work hard holding it off, while the Team Members risk themselves to harass it, and in the end, we still might not finish it quickly. If this drags on and attracts other powerful Soul Beasts, or if this big lizard goes berserk and makes too much noise, that would not be good, right?"

Teacher Li frowned. "What brilliant suggestion does Student Zhang have?"

"Brilliant is a bit much." Zhang Bufan waved a hand, looking as though he were being very modest. "I just think we can be more efficient. For example... I could lure it out, pin it down directly, then let Huo Wu go up and deliver the final blow. Done. Simple, quick, safe, and painless."

Everyone: "..."

Pin it down directly? Did he think it was some pet cat? That was a five-thousand-year Lava Lizard! Its defensive power rivaled that of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! And painless?

Huo Wushuang finally could not hold back any longer and sneered. "Zhang Bufan, who do you think you are? A Titled Douluo? Pin it down directly? Do you know how strong a five-thousand-year Lava Lizard is?"

Zhang Bufan blinked, looking innocent. "Is it that strong? I did not think so. Either way, it is just pinning it down. The only difference is whether I use one finger or two."

"You...!" Huo Wushuang was so angered by his casual tone that he nearly could not catch his breath.

The two teachers exchanged glances, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. They knew Zhang Bufan was strong, but strong enough to casually "pin to death" a top-tier five-thousand-year Soul Beast? That had already exceeded the limits of their understanding.

"Student Zhang, we naturally have faith in your strength," Teacher Chen said carefully. "However, hunting a Soul Ring is itself a form of training for a Soul Master. If everything is done by someone else, it may not be good for Huo Wu's future growth."

That made perfect sense. When Soul Masters absorbed Soul Rings, they did not merely gain Soul Skills. They also absorbed the residual source Soul Power and spiritual power left behind after the Soul Beast's death, a process that could temper both their will and body. If a Soul Beast was killed through absolute overpowering force, its remaining source and spiritual remnants might be greatly diminished.

Zhang Bufan rubbed his chin and revealed a thoughtful expression. "Mm... Teacher Chen is right. I did not think it through. I was only thinking about saving effort and forgot about that." He turned to Huo Wu. "Then let us stick to the original plan. You can fight it first, and I will watch from the side and learn something."

He made it sound as if Blazing Fire Academy's elite squad hunting a five-thousand-year Soul Beast was some instructional exhibition match worth observing.

Seeing how seriously he claimed that he wanted to "learn," Huo Wu almost laughed, but quickly held it in and nodded. "Mm, we will listen to the teachers."

Huo Wushuang snorted. At last, he felt that he had won back some ground.

Alas, I cannot even show off. Fine, I will treat it like watching a live-action monster movie. Hopefully this Lava Lizard puts on a good performance and does not get taken out too quickly. Otherwise, what would be the fun in that?

With that, the plan was settled. Everyone discussed a few more details, arranged the watch schedule, and prepared to rest.

Late at night, the only sounds were the crackling campfire and the distant howls of unknown Soul Beasts in the forest. Zhang Bufan leaned against his bedding with his hands behind his head, gazing at the fragmented starry sky cut apart by the leaves. His eyes were clear, without the slightest hint of sleepiness.

His Divine Sense had long since spread out like flowing mercury, covering several miles in every direction. Every movement around the camp, even an ant moving house, was clearly reflected in his mind.

Eight hundred meters ahead to the left, a nest of century-old Nether Cats... one kilometer behind to the right, two Thousand-Year Golden-backed Apes are fighting... Hmm? There seems to be something underground too. Its aura is rather concealed... Zhang Bufan's perception was so fine that he could even "see" a scorching, enormous mass of energy slowly flowing deep beneath the ground.

Looks like tomorrow will not be too boring. A meaningful smile curled across his lips. He closed his eyes and began to feign sleep.