Xiao Wu Joins the Journey, Entering the Star Dou Great Forest Again, Life Vine!

Seeing the excitement and curiosity flickering in Xiao Wu's eyes, Tang San's heart stirred slightly.

His original plan had been to go alone, or act together with his father, Tang Hao, but Xiao Wu's suggestion opened up new possibilities.

With her there, not only would they be familiar with the terrain of the Star Dou Great Forest, but more importantly, the "companions" she had mentioned...

They were very likely the undisputed rulers of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape! With their secret protection, the enormous risk of absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.

Of course, even without them, there would still be little problem with his father present.

"Alright." Tang San did not hesitate for long and nodded. "With you there, it will indeed be safer. But this must remain absolutely confidential, especially my plan to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."

"Don't worry!" Xiao Wu patted her chest in assurance, her Rabbit Ears swaying playfully. "I know what's important! But Tang San, are you really sure you want to try absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring? This isn't something to take lightly. The Soul Ring's spiritual shock is dangerous even with your powerful Spiritual Power. It's not too late to regret it now."

"I won't regret it. I have a reason I must try."

Tang San interrupted her, his gaze firm and deep. "My Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul needs stronger Life Energy. Wealth comes from danger. Since I have this opportunity, I don't want to miss it. Besides..."

He paused, sensing the surging Spiritual Power in his Sea of Consciousness and the Subtlety Stage insight in his eyes. "I'm not without confidence, either."

"Alright, since you've decided, when are we leaving?"

Looking into Tang San's eyes, which seemed clearer than before, as though they could see through people's hearts, Xiao Wu inexplicably felt a trace of reassurance.

"No time to waste. We leave now."

"Go make your preparations. I'll notify the academy and say... I'm taking you out for some training."

"Meet me at the inn across from the academy in a while."

Tang San had already prepared his explanation.

Given his current standing and strength at Nuoding Academy, taking a Work-Study Student out for "training" would not arouse much suspicion.

"Alright!" Xiao Wu cheered. She had indeed been feeling rather stifled staying at the academy.

The two split up.

Tang San found the Dean and briefly explained the situation.

Seeing that Tang San was personally leading the trip, the Dean readily approved the leave despite not knowing Tang San's true rank. Besides, he was going together with Xiao Wu, another Work-Study Student. These two were both geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power.

He merely reminded them to be careful and return soon.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, returned to the dormitory and packed a few things, mainly her favorite carrots and some snacks.

Outside the inn.

"If she's going with you, then it won't be convenient for me to show myself."

"It's better not to let her know my identity so soon."

"Otherwise, if she learns I'm a Titled Douluo, she definitely won't feel at ease."

"I'll follow in secret. You don't need to worry."

Tang Hao stood in the shadows nearby as he spoke.

More importantly, the Soul Beast had been found with Xiao Wu's help.

With Xiao Wu leading the way, they could avoid a great deal of trouble.

Besides, Tang San often cultivated alone and was quite lonely.

Now that Xiao Wu was accompanying him, that was also a good thing.

It would not be bad to let them nurture their feelings for each other.

"Mm." Tang San nodded.

He also did not want Xiao Wu and Tang Hao to come into contact so quickly.

No matter what, having a Titled Douluo constantly following beside her would definitely make her uneasy.

Soon, Xiao Wu arrived and the two met up. Without further delay, Tang San paid the Carriage Guild to rent its fastest carriage and most professional Coachman, then sped toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Along the way, Xiao Wu chattered nonstop, curious about everything around her, as though they were going on an outing rather than an adventure.

Tang San, on the other hand, remained relatively quiet. Most of the time, he silently circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill and adjusted his condition, striving to keep his body, mind, and spirit at their peak upon reaching the Star Dou Great Forest.

At the same time, he continuously pondered the Life Vine and the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Xiao Wu's description matched the records in the notes his mother had left behind. The Life Vine possessed no offensive ability whatsoever, and its locations were entirely random. The notes did not record anything specific, which was why he needed Xiao Wu's help in finding it.

The Life Vine's Life Energy was incomparably abundant. That was its core trait, and the main reason Tang San had set his sights on it.

If he used it as his Second Soul Ring, Blue Silver Grass would very likely undergo a second sublimation of its Life Rank.

He greatly anticipated what changes Blue Silver Grass would undergo after following the correct path of Extreme Life sublimation and absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring rich in Life Energy.

Time flew by.

Several days later, the familiar edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, carrying an aura of wilderness and danger, came into view.

The closer they drew to the forest, the more serious Xiao Wu became, no longer as playful as before.

She took a deep breath, her eyes revealing complicated emotions, as though she had returned home.

After leaving the carriage, the two quickly entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Follow me. This way."

After identifying the direction, Xiao Wu led Tang San around the usual entrance and chose a more concealed path with fewer traces of Soul Beasts.

With Xiao Wu leading the way, the two quickly entered the Mixed Zone. The journey went especially smoothly, and the path was easy to travel.

Here, the surrounding vegetation grew increasingly dense. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, while the air was filled with the rich fragrance of grass and trees and the faint scent of decaying leaves. From time to time, the distant growls of unknown Soul Beasts could be heard.

Xiao Wu seemed extremely familiar with this place. She lightly moved through the forest, avoiding potential danger zones and the territories of powerful Soul Beasts.

Tang San followed closely behind her. His Purple Demon Eye had silently entered the Mustard Seed Realm as he vigilantly observed the surroundings. At the same time, his First Soul Skill, Life Perception, had also been activated.

Combined with his Purple Demon Eye, it made his efforts twice as effective.

Within his field of vision, everything in the forest became incomparably clear. He could even sense in advance the cold gaze of venomous snakes hidden in the bushes, or the faint aura of predators lurking atop the canopy.

This ability to perceive danger in advance allowed them to avoid many unnecessary troubles.

"We're almost there."

Xiao Wu lowered her voice and pointed toward an area ahead that appeared exceptionally ancient, where vines were more densely Entangling. "That ruin is up ahead. The Life Vine lives in the ruins at its center. It is usually very quiet and almost blends into the surrounding plants. It's difficult to spot and easy to overlook because it looks too ordinary."

Hearing this, Tang San nodded and focused his gaze ahead, pushing his Purple Demon Eye to its limit.

Sure enough, amid those moss-covered Ruined Walls, he "saw" something unusual.

Some vines that appeared ordinary had incomparably vast and pure Life Energy flowing within them. Their toughness far exceeded that of the surrounding plants.

Furthermore, their aura had almost merged with the ancient trees throughout the entire ruin. If not for his Purple Demon Eye at the Mustard Seed Realm, he likely would not have noticed them even at close range.

"It really is well hidden. So ordinary. Without someone deeply versed in plants, no one would be able to tell this is a Ten Thousand Years old Life Vine." Tang San said quietly, "Xiao Wu, wait here. Don't come closer. The process of absorbing the Soul Ring cannot be disturbed in any way."

"Mm, be careful." Xiao Wu nodded, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes, though there was more trust than concern. "I'll stand guard here. If anything happens... I'll call my companions over."

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen. Trust me."

Tang San gave her a reassuring look, then took a deep breath and adjusted himself to his best condition. The Mysterious Heaven Skill flowed slowly through his body, and his Soul Power was ready to erupt.

He stepped forward and, like a ghost, silently slipped toward the ancient ruins.

At the same time, beneath a large tree near the Life Vine, Tang Hao, cloaked in a Black Robe, had already been silently watching from there.

"What vigorous Life Energy. So this is the Life Vine. It truly suits Little San's path of Extreme Life sublimation."

"Once Little San truly succeeds in absorbing it, we'll owe that rabbit a great favor."

"If not for her help as a native of this place, it would have been impossible to locate the target so accurately."

Tang Hao stared at the seemingly ordinary yet extraordinary Life Vine, thinking to himself.

Tang San had told him in advance about absorbing the Life Vine.

Unfortunately, no specific location had been marked.

Once they began searching for it, it would be extremely difficult, perhaps even impossible, to find.

Other Soul Rings might not be as suitable as this one.