Entering Star Dou, Hunt for the Fourth Soul Ring

A trace of envy and loneliness flickered deep within Qian Renxue's eyes.

She quickly composed herself, returning to His Highness the Crown Prince's gentle yet distant demeanor.

Just then, a group of people hurried over from the other end of the Training Ground.

Leading them was Yu Tianheng, captain of the Heaven Dou Team and a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

At his side were Dugu Yan, who looked slightly worried, as well as Yu Feng, Osler, and the other teammates.

Over the past two years, Chen Fan had thoroughly beaten them into submission all by himself.

From their initial dissatisfaction, to Alternating Challenges, to eventually ganging up on him together, they had never gained even the slightest advantage against Chen Fan.

By now, they were completely convinced by this boy several years younger than themselves.

"Chen Fan."

Yu Tianheng spoke first, his voice clear and resounding. "We're preparing to Hunt for the Fourth Soul Ring. Yan and I have both reached level forty."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chen Fan as a flash of shock passed through his eyes.

"You're almost level forty too, aren't you? Want to come with us? More people means more support along the way."

The moment he said this, the teammates behind him looked at Chen Fan with even greater amazement.

Two years.

From level twenty, he had soared all the way to the Soul Ancestor Threshold of nearly level forty.

What terrifying Cultivation Speed!

They were all the Heaven Dou Empire's most outstanding geniuses, yet compared to this guy before them, they were Dimmed in Comparison.

Chen Fan smiled and agreed.

"Alright. Once I break through level forty in the next few days, I'll set off with you."

After saying that, he turned his gaze toward Dugu Yan, his voice softening slightly.

"Still no news from your grandfather?"

At the question, guilt immediately appeared on Dugu Yan's delicate face.

She gently shook her head, looking somewhat dejected. "Sorry, Chen Fan... I still haven't found him. Grandfather... he's still as elusive as ever."

Over the past two years, Chen Fan had asked her to find Dugu Bo for Na'er's condition, yet she had never managed to do so.

Moreover, Chen Fan was the "matchmaker" who had brought her and Yu Tianheng together, making her Feel Guilty all the more.

Seeing this, Chen Fan waved his hand and comforted her. "It's okay. If we can't find him, we won't look for him for now."

"Na'er's condition has already Stabilized. There's no need to rush."

He looked at Na'er with gentle eyes.

"Besides, I've had some new ideas lately. Other than Immortal Herbs, there may be something else on this continent that can help Na'er recover."

What Chen Fan had in mind was...

A Blue Silver Grass formed after an incredibly powerful Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast sacrificed itself.

It was a secret he knew from his memories of reading novels in his Previous Life.

However, he only knew the general area where that Blue Silver Emperor was located.

As for exactly where it was hidden, he would still need to spend time searching.

Over the next few days.

Chen Fan no longer underwent intense training.

He stayed in the small courtyard that belonged to him and Na'er, enjoying the rare peace.

He sat quietly and Regulated Breath, adjusting his condition as he made his final preparations to break through the level-forty bottleneck.

Na'er, meanwhile, quietly sat nearby, arranging his meditation cushion or brewing him a fragrant cup of Herbal Tea.

During breaks from cultivation, Chen Fan would also hold her hand and use his pure Candle Dragon Soul Power to carefully Comb Through the still somewhat mixed energies within her body, strengthening her Life Source.

The days were peaceful, yet warm.

Finally, on the third day's Early Morning.

A powerful Spirit Power Fluctuation Soared Upwards from Chen Fan's body.

The level-thirty-nine bottleneck Broke Instantly!

A fourth Soul Ring Slot Quietly Appeared above his Martial Soul.

Level forty, Soul Ancestor!

When he opened his eyes again, the members of the Heaven Dou Team were already waiting outside the courtyard.

After packing their belongings, the group did not delay any longer.

Facing the rising Morning Sun, they set off toward Douluo Continent's most renowned Soul Beast Settlement—the Star Dou Great Forest!

Star Dou Great Forest.

Ancient, dense canopies blotted out the sky, slicing the sunlight into mottled flecks of gold that scattered across the thick layer of fallen leaves.

The air was filled with the damp scent of earth.

As the group entered, the surroundings instantly fell silent, leaving only the rustling of their footsteps over dead branches and fallen leaves.

Chen Fan and Na'er walked at the very front of the group.

"Be careful."

Na'er's voice was Very light. She frowned slightly as she looked at a thorny vine beside the path, instinctively wrapping her arm around Chen Fan's. "The plants here all look so strange."

Her action was entirely natural, as though she had done it countless times before.

Chen Fan glanced at her from the side, a gentle smile resting at the corners of his lips.

"It's okay. I'm here."

He clasped Na'er's slightly cool little hand with his, their fingers interlacing as he kept her on his inner side.

They had not gone far before Chen Fan suddenly stopped.

His gaze fell upon an unremarkable clump of purple grass leaves by the roadside.

"Hm?"

He released Na'er's hand, crouched down, and carefully pulled the herb out by its roots, shaking off the dirt.

Na'er leaned closer curiously.

"What is this?"

"Purple Rhyme Saliva Grass."

Chen Fan held the herb out to her and patiently explained, "It isn't very old, probably only a little over two hundred years. But it has one benefit: it can neutralize the potent effects of many medicinal ingredients. If I add a little when I make soup for you after we return, your body will absorb the medicine more effectively without causing any heatiness."

Na'er accepted the herb and carefully put it away, gentle ripples spreading through her eyes.

The group took a brief rest in a clearing within the Forest.

Chen Fan raised his hand and, with complete naturalness, brushed away a dead leaf that had inadvertently fallen into Na'er's hair.

His fingertips were gentle, his gaze intent.

It was as though that fallen leaf were some priceless treasure requiring his utmost care.

Na'er tilted her head up and quietly looked at him, enjoying this tenderness that belonged to her alone.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, falling perfectly over the two of them and painting a tranquil, beautiful scene.

At the rear of the group.

Yu Tianheng looked away from the two of them, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He felt like his teeth were starting to itch.

He turned to look at Dugu Yan beside him.

The Maiden was vigilantly observing the surroundings, the lines of her profile appearing especially soft beneath the interplay of light and shadow.

Yu Tianheng's heart grew warm. Imitating Chen Fan, he also wanted to take Dugu Yan's hand.

His fingertips had just touched the Back of the Hand.

"!"

Like a startled deer, Dugu Yan abruptly pulled her hand back, two blushes instantly blooming across her cheeks.

She lowered her voice, sounding both shy and annoyed.

"What are you doing...?!"

Yu Tianheng's outstretched hand froze in midair, and a trace of helplessness flashed across his face.

He sighed and withdrew his hand.

Over the past two years, he and Chen Fan had gotten along quite well.

Though this boy's strength was absurdly powerful, he was not ostentatious and was generally easy to get along with.

But there was one thing.

Whenever he went out with Chen Fan and Na'er, he always felt especially miserable about his own life.

They were both couples.

So why could those two be so open and natural, as though there were no one else in heaven and earth but each other?

As for him, even holding hands felt like stealing, as though he were afraid someone might see.

This gap...

Wasn't it a little too huge?