Soul Hunting Squad Assembles

Second Day Early Morning, Prosperous Dragon Town was still shrouded in haze. A thin mist like gauze blanketed the streets and alleys, carrying a faint chill.

Fragments of dawn pierced through gaps in the branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows across the streets.

The shops along the streets had begun opening one after another, and the clamor rose one after another, creating a lively atmosphere.

The taverns, inns, and Blacksmith Shops were crowded with people, including many mercenaries, soul hunters, and merchants.

Liu Feng looked at the scene before him and could not help sighing at the prosperity of Prosperous Dragon Town as a transportation hub and commercial center.

He and his father, Liu Qing, had arrived early at the Town Center Square, the agreed gathering place for the Soul Hunting Squad. Beside the square stood a grand Martial Soul Hall Branch.

The branch was built from enormous white stone blocks, solemn and imposing. The Spirit Hall emblem atop its roof gleamed beneath the Morning Light, displaying Spirit Hall's lofty status in this land.

In the square, numerous Soul Masters and hunters were busily making preparations. Some were organizing their satchels, some were wiping down their weapons, while others gathered together to quietly discuss the day's mission.

Standing beside his father, Liu Feng's gaze was repeatedly drawn to the Martial Soul Hall Branch. He felt both excited and uneasy.

After all, this was his first official Soul Hunting operation, and the success or failure of this mission would directly determine whether he could obtain his first Soul Ring.

Before long, the brothers Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma appeared in the square.

The moment they appeared, they drew the attention of many People Around them.

The Two People were tall and carried the distinctive aura of battle-hardened veterans. One look was enough to tell they were experienced Soul Masters.

Zhang Niu stood in the center of the square, nearly two meters tall. His square face had hard lines, and his entire body was packed with tense muscles, radiating fierce strength.

He wore bracers on both arms and carried a long-handled Double-sided Axe on his back. The axe looked tremendously heavy, yet it seemed weightless on his back.

Zhang Niu's Martial Soul was the Azure Water Ox, and he was already a Level 34 Soul Elder.

"Liu Qing, you're here." When Zhang Niu saw Liu Qing and Liu Feng approaching, he Shouted loudly, his face full of smiles.

Liu Qing nodded in response. "Zhang Niu, we'll be fighting side by side again today. How are you prepared?"

Zhang Niu nodded confidently. "Don't worry, Liu Qing. My Double-sided Axe isn't just for show. Don't you know the strength of the Azure Water Ox Martial Soul?"

Liu Qing smiled faintly. "How could I not trust you? Your Azure Water Ox Martial Soul possesses immense strength. You're the backbone of our team."

Zhang Niu's Azure Water Ox Martial Soul dominated through strength. His First Soul Skill, Diamond Fist, could release a powerful Shockwave and instantly knock enemies back.

His Second Soul Skill, Mountain Charging Qi, allowed him to gain a Strength Boost like an enraged bull. It was an extremely practical Amplification Soul Skill.

His Third Soul Skill, Savage Bull Break, was an immensely powerful single-target Attack Soul Skill with astonishing destructive force.

His Soul Ring Configuration was ten years, hundred years, hundred years, making it highly suited for close-quarters combat.

Liu Qing carefully introduced Zhang Niu to Liu Feng. Zhang Niu and Liu Qing had a life-and-death friendship, and he did not mind his old friend introducing his Soul Skills to his son at all.

Zhang Ma stood beside Zhang Niu. He was also close to two meters tall, but much leaner than Zhang Niu.

Two Short Blades that gleamed coldly hung at his waist, and his eyes were as sharp as an Eagle's.

His Martial Soul was the Green Mane Horse, and he too was a Level 34 Soul Elder.

"Liu Qing, your son looks full of spirit. He'll definitely become an outstanding Soul Master someday." Zhang Ma looked at Liu Feng and said with a smile.

Liu Qing nodded, then continued introducing him to Liu Feng. "Your Uncle Ma's Martial Soul is the Green Mane Horse. His Speed is incredibly fast, and he's an Agility Attack System Soul Elder, mainly responsible for the team's Reconnaissance Mission. You brat, you haven't gotten lazy these past few years, have you? Don't let your Speed slow down."

The Corner of Zhang Ma's mouth lifted as he said confidently, "Don't worry, Liu Qing. Though I haven't fought in some time, my Speed hasn't diminished in the slightest. Whether it's reconnaissance or pursuit, I can handle it all."

Zhang Ma's Green Mane Horse Martial Soul excelled at charging.

His First Soul Skill and Second Soul Skill were both Galloping Horse, allowing him to instantly increase his Speed and rapidly close in on enemies.

His Third Soul Skill, Galloping Charge, allowed him to launch consecutive attacks within a short period, catching enemies off guard.

His Soul Ring Configuration was the same as Zhang Niu's—ten years, hundred years, hundred years—and he held obvious advantages in speed- and agility-based combat.

As Zhang Ma listened to Liu Qing introduce him to Liu Feng, he smiled and said to Liu Feng, "Xiao Feng, don't worry. With us here, we'll definitely help you secure the Earth Net Spirit Root!"

"Thank you, Uncle Niu and Uncle Ma." Liu Feng hurriedly thanked them.

As everyone talked, a short, middle-aged man with a somewhat wretched-looking face approached them.

He wore battered Leather Armor, with a string of strange tools hanging from his waist, and held a long, slender metal rod in his hand.

Though the man's eyes were small, they held a shrewd gleam.

"Old Liu, this is Sun Lao San, a reconnaissance Soul Master I found at the last minute," Zhang Niu introduced. "He has hunted a Drill Mouse Soul Ring before and knows quite a bit about the habits of the Earth Net Spirit Root."

"The Earth Net Spirit Root is one of the Drill Mouse's primary foods. There might be Earth Net Spirit Roots where he previously hunted Drill Mice," Zhang Ma added.

Sun Lao San grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. "Hello, everyone. I'm Sun Lao San. My Martial Soul is the Gold Devouring Rat, and I'm a Level 32 Soul Elder. I'm helping you find the Earth Net Spirit Root this time, right?"

Liu Qing nodded politely. "Brother Sun, we'll have to trouble you this time."

Sun Lao San waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "No trouble, no trouble. As long as the payment is enough, anything can be discussed."

Zhang Niu continued the introduction. "Sun Lao San is a Gold Devouring Rat Soul Elder. His senses are sharp, and his digging ability is exceptional. His First Soul Skill, Gold Devouring Excavation, lets him rapidly dig tunnels underground to search for targets."

He then turned to Liu Qing and said, "Don't judge him by his appearance. His reputation is quite good. We worked with him plenty of times a few years ago."

Sun Lao San smiled. "My Gold Devouring Rat Martial Soul makes me especially sensitive to underground environments. Finding Soul Beasts like the Earth Net Spirit Root is what I do best. I'll definitely provide everyone with the most reliable reconnaissance support. You'll get your money's worth!"

Liu Feng curiously examined Sun Lao San, having developed a strong interest in his Martial Soul.

As a Beast Martial Soul skilled in excavation and reconnaissance, the Gold Devouring Rat could weave through the underground at tremendous speed and was extremely sensitive to metal and Energy Fluctuations. It was especially useful during Soul Hunting operations when searching for Soul Beasts skilled at hiding, such as the Earth Net Spirit Root.

After learning about the team members' Martial Souls, Liu Feng gained a clearer understanding of this Soul Hunting operation.

For this hunt, Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma were the team's core fighting force, Sun Lao San was the key to locating the Soul Beast, while his father Liu Qing was responsible for support and logistics.

During this Period, Liu Feng's gaze drifted toward the Martial Soul Hall Branch beside the square several times without him realizing it. He secretly wondered whether, after obtaining a Soul Ring and growing stronger, he would form more connections with this mysterious and powerful organization.

Liu Qing looked up at the sky and said to everyone, "It's getting late. Let's set out. Brother Sun, lead the way."

Sun Lao San nodded, pulled out a map, and pointed at an area on it. "The Earth Net Spirit Root prefers places with fertile soil, abundant water, and rich underground energy. Let's first head southeast of Prosperous Dragon Town. There's a marshland there, and we might find traces of the Earth Net Spirit Root. When I hunted Drill Mice before, it was near a lake. We'll search there first, and if there's nothing, we'll try another direction."

Everyone nodded and followed Sun Lao San toward the Star Dou Great Forest.