Soul Hunting Preparations

After Liu Feng broke through to level ten, obtaining his First Soul Ring became his most important task, because only after acquiring a soul ring could his Martial Soul cultivation continue to advance.

To ensure that this soul-hunting expedition went off without a hitch, his father, Liu Qing, decided to contact his old mercenary friends and ask for their help.

At the Same Time, Grandpa Liu Bai was also busily preparing the necessary Supplies for the soul-hunting expedition.

The next Early Morning, just as the sky began to pale with Fish Belly White, Liu Qing took Liu Feng and left Liu Family Village.

The two rode their sturdy Steeds down the road, hoofbeats ringing briskly along the country path as they galloped toward Prosperous Dragon Town.

Prosperous Dragon Town appeared to be an ordinary small town, but it was actually an important transportation hub between Longxing City and the Star Dou Great Forest, as well as a gathering place for nearby Soul Masters.

In the past, Prosperous Dragon Town had been nothing more than an ordinary little town. But with the steady influx of Soul Masters and common folk, it had grown rapidly over the past few years into the bustling place it was today.

Liu Qing had come to find Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma, two brothers who had once been his life-and-death companions in the mercenary corps.

Back then, the brothers and Liu Qing had made their living in the mercenary corps. The three had faced life and death together, survived countless deadly trials, and forged a bond as solid as rock.

About Half an Hour later, Liu Qing and Liu Feng Arrived at Prosperous Dragon Town.

Taverns and inns lined the town streets, and mercenaries and soul hunters could be seen everywhere.

They headed straight for the largest tavern in town—Longxing Tavern, a place where they had often gathered in their younger days.

The moment they pushed open the door, noisy chatter, the rich scent of liquor, and the aroma of Roasted Meat Rush Towards them.

Mercenaries sat in groups of three or five around wooden tables, laughing and talking loudly as the clinking of Wine Glasses rang without end.

Liu Qing swept his gaze through the Crowd and quickly spotted Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma at a table in the corner.

He strode over with a broad smile and Called Out warmly, "Old Zhang, long time no see!"

Hearing him, Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma looked up. The instant they saw Liu Qing, their delight was impossible to hide, and they immediately Stood Up. "Old Liu! What brings you here? Sit down, have a drink with us!"

With a smile, Liu Qing turned sideways and pulled Liu Feng from behind him to the front. "Let me introduce you. This is my son, Liu Feng."

Then he pointed at Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma and said to Liu Feng, "These are Uncle Niu and Uncle Ma. Back when we were in the mercenary corps, we shared the kind of friendship forged in life and death."

Liu Feng promptly greeted them respectfully. "Hello, Uncle Niu. Hello, Uncle Ma."

Zhang Niu laughed heartily and patted Liu Feng on the shoulder. "You've grown so much! Last time I saw you, you were still just a little kid."

Zhang Ma nodded with a smile. "Yeah. In the blink of an eye, you've become a fine young man."

The four sat around the table, which was piled with fragrant Roasted Meat and liquor.

Liu Qing ordered another jug of wine and several plates of Bar Snacks. As they enjoyed the food, they reminisced about the past.

The four sat around the table, which was piled with fragrant Roasted Meat and liquor.

"Do you remember when we formed a team in the Sunset Forest to hunt that Thousand-Year Soul Beast—the Thousand Year Vine? We nearly lost our lives!" Zhang Niu recalled with a smile, his eyes full of nostalgia.

"Haha, that really was dangerous! If Old Liu hadn't reacted so quickly, we probably would've all died there." Zhang Ma patted Liu Qing on the shoulder, his gratitude plain to see.

Liu Qing smiled. "It was nothing. We were young back then, bold enough to follow behind the captain and lend a hand."

"If it were now, the moment I saw a Thousand-Year Soul Beast, I'd run."

"Hahahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter.

Liu Qing raised his Wine Glass with a smile. "Come, a toast to our friendship!"

The four clinked glasses and drained them in one go, their laughter echoing through the tavern corner.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew even livelier.

Liu Qing set down his Wine Glass, his expression turning serious as he finally got to the point. "Old Zhang, I actually came this time to ask for a favor."

Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma exchanged a glance. Zhang Niu said boldly, "What is it? Just say the word. As long as we can help, we won't hesitate!"

Liu Qing nodded. "My son, Liu Feng, recently broke through to level ten and is preparing to obtain his First Soul Ring."

"The soul beast he chose is the Earth Net Spirit Root. It isn't very strong offensively, but it's quite troublesome to capture."

"I'd like to ask you two to help me enter the forest and hunt it."

After hearing this, Zhang Ma thumped his chest in assurance. "Old Liu, your son's business is our business!"

"I know the Earth Net Spirit Root. Its attack power really isn't much, but finding its hiding place is a bit of a hassle."

"But don't worry. My brother and I have plenty of experience. We'll definitely help you get it done!"

Zhang Niu nodded in agreement. "That's right. We've hunted an Earth Net Spirit Root before, so we know its habits fairly well."

"Just put your mind at ease. We'll definitely help Xiao Feng obtain his soul ring smoothly!"

"I'll go ask around about the Earth Net Spirit Root's location first. If we get any news today, we'll set out tomorrow. How does that sound?" Liu Qing asked, a hint of urgency in his voice.

Zhang Niu readily agreed. "Alright. We'll also ask the Soul Hunting Squads nearby. This kind of soul beast may be uncommon, but it always leaves some traces behind."

Liu Qing looked gratefully at his two old friends and raised his Wine Glass again. "Thank you both! Come, let's have another toast!"

After arranging the soul-hunting matters with Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma, Liu Qing hurried Without Pause through the soul-hunting circles of Prosperous Dragon Town, asking around for information on the Earth Net Spirit Root.

He went to the town's Soul Hunting Guild. Though it was called a guild, it was actually just a simple site enclosed by wooden fences.

Even so, it was an important gathering point where Soul Hunting Squads and mercenaries exchanged information.

Liu Qing entered the guild hall and saw that its wooden walls were covered with all kinds of mission notices and soul beast information.

He walked up to the counter and politely asked the staff member, "Excuse me, have there been any recent reports about the Earth Net Spirit Root?"

The staff member flipped through the record book and replied, "Earth Net Spirit Root? That kind of soul beast is relatively rare, but a Soul Hunting Squad spotted traces of one a few days ago in the outer Forest Area southeast of Prosperous Dragon Town and northeast of the Star Dou Great Forest. You can try your luck there."

Liu Qing thanked him, nodded, and firmly committed the information to memory.

Afterward, he continued asking around the Hunter Guild hall, inquiring with several familiar Soul Hunting Squad captains.

One of the captains told him, "Earth Net Spirit Roots like to grow in places with fertile soil and ample water, especially areas rich in underground energy."

"You could try looking in the marshlands on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. The environment there is quite suitable for its survival."

Liu Qing thanked him, now with a clear direction in mind.

He decided that early the next morning, he would take Liu Feng, Zhang Niu, and Zhang Ma to the area he had learned about to search for the Earth Net Spirit Root.

After leaving the Hunter Guild, Liu Qing took Liu Feng to the town's blacksmith shop and picked out a set of leather armor for him.

The leather armor was tough in texture. Though simple in design, its protective capabilities were excellent.

Liu Qing picked up the leather armor and handed it to Liu Feng. "Xiao Feng, this leather armor may not be fancy, but it's practical. It can give you some protection when you Hunt Soul Beasts and keep you safer."

Liu Feng accepted the leather armor. After putting it on, he found it a little too large, but since he was still growing, it would probably fit him in a few years.

He said with a smile, "Dad, this leather armor is great. I really like it."

After finishing everything in town, Liu Qing took Liu Feng home to wait for the next day's soul hunting operation.

After returning home, Liu Feng continued preparing supplies for tomorrow's soul hunting operation with his grandfather, Liu Bai.

Hunting soul beasts in the forest required not only great strength, but also thorough preparation.

Liu Bai took a short bow and a quiver of arrows from the warehouse and said, "This is the bow and arrow your father used before. Take it with you. You can attack soul beasts from a distance and try to avoid the danger of close contact."

Liu Feng accepted the bow and arrow and tested how they felt. The bowstring was taut, and the arrows remained sharp.

He nodded in satisfaction and slung the bow and arrow over his back.

Liu Bai then took out a short spear and handed it to Liu Feng. "This is a short spear I had specially made for you. It's suitable for mid-range throwing and close-quarters combat."

"I specifically hired a blacksmith from the city's Blacksmith Guild and added some special metals to improve its armor-piercing ability. Take it with you in case you need it."

Liu Feng accepted the short spear and felt its weight. He found it very easy to handle.

He believed that this short spear would become a capable assistant in the forest.

Besides weapons and armor, Liu Bai also prepared dry rations, water, flint, hemostatic powder, and antidote.

He packed everything into a satchel and handed it to Liu Feng. "Xiao Feng, these dry rations and water should be enough for you to last seven or eight days in the forest."

"The flint can be used to make fires for warmth and to drive away wild beasts. The hemostatic powder can stop bleeding in time, while the antidote can deal with injuries from poisonous insects and poisonous plants."

Liu Feng accepted the backpack and said gratefully, "Grandpa, you've thought of everything. Don't worry, I'll definitely be careful."

Liu Bai patted his grandson's shoulder, his eyes full of affection and concern. "Xiao Feng, although this soul hunting operation will take place on the outer edges of the forest, danger lurks everywhere within it."

"You must listen to your father, Zhang Niu, and Zhang Ma. Do not act rashly."

Liu Feng nodded solemnly. "Grandpa, don't worry. I'm not a reckless person. I'll definitely return safely."

As night fell, Liu Feng lay on his bed, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, feeling both tense and uneasy.