Return to the Star Dou Great Forest

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

Two years was but an instant to the Douluo Continent, yet for the students of Spirit Academy, it had been two years spent beneath the shadow of the "Silver-Haired Great Demon King."

On the surface, the academy remained orderly, and the students treated one another like respectful brothers.

But in reality, a massive underground organization known as the "Peace and Mutual Aid Society" had quietly extended its reach into every corner of the academy.

And the president of this organization was none other than the legendary "Silver-Haired Great Demon King"—Xuan Hao.

Ever since Bibi Dong had put him under house arrest two years ago, Xuan Hao had indeed reined himself in quite a bit—at least openly.

He no longer collected fees publicly at the Grand Square, nor did he hang up that ostentatious sign.

Yet the underground operation had instead become even more meticulous and strict.

Every member who joined was personally "interviewed" by him.

The content of those interviews was simple—and brutal.

"I'm the Pope's personal disciple. Even if this blows up to the heavens, at worst I'll go back, get scolded, and spend a few days locked in a little dark room."

"But think it through. We'll still be seeing each other every day at the academy for years to come. I've got plenty of time and plenty of ways to have some deep exchanges with every one of you."

"Besides, with my talent, isn't it only natural that I become the Holy Son someday? Offending the future Holy Son, perhaps even the future Pope... you're all elites. I'm sure you can do the math."

That combination of threats, inducements, and promises for the future was simply a crushing blow from another level.

Who among those studying at Spirit Academy wasn't shrewd? Who would be willing to offend a ruthless prodigy with monstrous talent, towering backing, and a high chance of becoming their future superior, all for a few Gold Soul Coins?

Thus, a strange unspoken understanding formed within the academy.

The students paid their "tribute" on time, while Xuan Hao handled their "problems."

Even the teachers and the Education Committee had long since turned a blind eye.

For one thing, Xuan Hao truly had not done anything too excessive. At most, everyone ate a couple fewer good meals each month.

For another, the boy's future was limitless. No one wanted to offend a future giant of Spirit Hall at a time like this.

It was no exaggeration to say that at Spirit Academy now, a stomp of Xuan Hao's foot carried more weight than the words of the Education Committee.

Papal Palace, side hall cultivation chamber.

As the final surge of Soul Power came to an end, Bibi Dong withdrew her hand. Looking at the youth before her, who had grown noticeably taller and stood even straighter now, a hint of satisfaction flashed through her eyes.

"Level twenty Soul Power. Your physical strength is sufficient to withstand the impact of a Soul Ring of around four thousand years."

"Although this is only your Second Soul Ring, it is already the limit of an ordinary person's third, or even Fourth Soul Ring."

Xuan Hao's expression turned solemn. "It's all thanks to Elder Sister's excellent guidance, along with my diligent training over the past two years. I trained through the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer—"

"Stop talking nonsense." Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him, then her expression became slightly serious. "I won't be taking you to hunt a Soul Ring this time. I've gained some insights recently and need to enter seclusion for a while."

"Huh?" Xuan Hao froze. "Then what am I supposed to do? Elder Sister, are you abandoning me?"

"You're already this old, and you still expect me to worry about everything for you?" Bibi Dong said irritably. "I've already made the arrangements. You'll lead this Soul Ring hunting expedition, with Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan accompanying you."

"Yue Guan will follow in secret, but he will only handle unexpected situations you cannot resolve, such as Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beasts or uncontrollable crises. As for finding Soul Beasts, hunting them, and absorbing the Soul Rings, all of it will be completed by the four of you."

At this point, Bibi Dong gave him a deep look.

"The four of you are the most outstanding talents of Spirit Hall's generation. I do not want you to be reckless fools who only know how to fight alone. What I want to see is a team that understands cooperation and can entrust their backs to one another."

"Since you've spent the last two years bringing them all to heel in the academy, even beating Xie Yue and Yan into becoming your subordinates, then naturally, no one else is more suited than you to be captain."

"Lead the team well. Don't embarrass me."

Next morning, outside Spirit City's gates.

Beside a luxurious carriage, Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena had already been waiting for quite some time.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan leaned against the carriage, idly playing with a vivid flower of unknown species. When he saw Xuan Hao strolling over at an unhurried pace, a teasing smile appeared on his enchanting face.

"Oh? Our little captain has finally arrived?"

"Good morning, Elder Yue Guan."

Xuan Hao greeted him with a smile, then turned his gaze toward his three teammates.

Two years had passed, and all of them had grown considerably taller.

Hu Liena had become even more delicate and beautiful, while the charm in her bearing had already begun to take shape.

Xie Yue stood tall and straight, his gaze sharper than before.

Yan, meanwhile, was built like a young bull, his entire body radiating a scorching aura.

However, the instant Xie Yue and Yan saw Xuan Hao, their bodies instinctively tensed. Their eyes carried the weathered look of people haunted by unbearable memories.

The past two years had been too hard.

Originally, as Spirit Academy's elite students, they had been exceptionally proud. Even after Xuan Hao had taken them in as subordinates, they had always wanted to turn things around in private.

Thus, every so often, either Xie Yue or Yan would feel that he had improved enough, that his strength had advanced again, and that he could challenge their boss's authority.

The result was—getting beaten up.

Beaten up in every imaginable way.

By the end, they had completely lost their tempers.

Subordinates it was, then. After all, more than half of Spirit Academy had become this guy's subordinates. It was no longer anything shameful.

"Everyone's here?"

Xuan Hao walked up to the three of them, habitually clasping his hands behind his back as his gaze swept over them. "I don't need to go over the rules for this operation again, do I?"

"All actions follow the commander's orders." Yan snapped to attention and answered by reflex, his voice loud and clear.

After saying that, even he froze for a moment. A trace of embarrassed redness then flashed across his face.

Damn it, getting beaten up for two years had turned it into muscle memory!

Xie Yue sighed helplessly. "Enough with the act. Nana told us already. You're the captain this time, so we'll listen to you."

"That's more like it." Xuan Hao nodded in satisfaction, then waved a hand grandly, carrying himself like a commander surveying the world.

"Move out! Our destination is the Star Dou Great Forest!"

Deep within the Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The hot, humid air was thick with the scent of rotting leaves. Massive canopies blotted out the sky, breaking the noon sunlight into scattered patches of shadow.

"How much longer do we have to walk?"

Yan, who was covering the rear, wiped the sweat from his forehead and kicked aside the thorns blocking the path. His tone was full of irritation. "It's been three days already. We've wandered around this area so much we're about to flatten the ground. Forget a top-tier Soul Beast around four thousand years old—we haven't even seen a single hair from one."

Although Xie Yue, who was walking at the front, said nothing, the frequency with which he swung his Moon Blades to clear the path had clearly slowed. His stamina and patience were obviously being worn away by this endless search.

Millennium Soul Beasts could be found everywhere in this region.

But that was precisely what made things so awkward.

Most of the ones found everywhere were common goods of one or two thousand years.

The occasional three- or four-thousand-year ones were either wind-attributed Magic Leopards or poison-attributed spiders. They had absolutely nothing to do with Xuan Hao's Golden Dragon Martial Soul, which pursued pure strength and defense.

"What are you so anxious about?"

Xuan Hao, walking in the middle of the group, still looked utterly relaxed. Holding a wild fruit he had picked from who knew where, he took a crisp bite and spoke calmly.

"What I'm looking for is a top-tier Soul Beast capable of serving as the Golden Dragon's Second Soul Ring. If I could just pick one up from the roadside, then what kind of genius would I be?"

"Besides, this is an all-expenses-paid trip. Elder Yue Guan is watching us from the shadows, so safety is guaranteed. No classes, no cultivation, and I'm leading the way for you. Isn't this life more comfortable than staying at the academy?"

Yan's mouth twitched. You're comfortable. We're the ones walking on eggshells.

This was deep within the Mixed Zone! A place where high-year millennium Soul Beasts roamed!

Only a freak like Xuan Hao would dare venture here at level twenty. If it were an ordinary Soul Master team, even one made entirely of Soul Elders, they would have to keep their tails tucked between their legs here.