Deep into the Mixed Zone

After resting, the group continued onward. After dealing with several Soul Beasts that had come looking for trouble, they had ventured deeper and deeper into the Mixed Zone.

Because they were searching laterally, they had always kept a sufficient distance from the Core Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Of the Star Dou Great Forest's four regions, the Outskirts Zone and the Mixed Zone were undoubtedly the largest. The Core Zone was much smaller. Of course, the Soul Beasts living within the Core Zone were also extremely terrifying. Without some real strength, what Soul Beast would dare live there?

Further inward from the Core Zone, at its very center, was the Great Danger Land. The Great Danger Land was a forbidden place that human Soul Masters did not dare enter lightly.

There was good reason for the Star Dou Great Forest's arrangement of being strong within and weak without. The farther inward they went, the more Wu Xuan could sense the dense life energy in the air. Such life energy was highly beneficial to any living creature. The Great Danger Land within the Core Zone must truly be a paradise, the place most suitable for Soul Beast cultivation.

By now, darkness had completely fallen, and night had arrived. The Mixed Zone took on an entirely different appearance at night. Soul Beast roars and howls rang out from time to time, while insects chirped and birds called around them, their cries long and distant.

"Third Soul Skill, Golden Crow True Fire Explosion!"

With a swing of Wu Ming's hand, blazing Golden Crow True Fire erupted and directly blasted away the Thousand Year Soul Beast Steel-Fanged Boar that had charged out to attack them.

"With that little ability, you dared sneak up on me? A pig is a pig. Even with a thousand years of cultivation, you've got no brains." Wu Ming planted her hands on her hips and stepped on the Steel-Fanged Boar's head as she cursed. Still seemingly dissatisfied, she viciously stomped on its head twice more.

Wu Ming's ferocious display completely overturned Wu Xuan's initial impression of her. At last, he understood what Chu Qingtian had meant. Now he knew what an Inner Court living volcano was. Along the way, whenever low-level Soul Beasts took the initiative to attack them, if their corpses were not particularly valuable, Golden Crow True Fire would come roaring down and roast them straight into charcoal. Some were even reduced to nothing. This Steel-Fanged Boar was considered lucky, at least it still had an intact corpse.

"See that, Junior Wu? That's her true face. Once you enter the Inner Court, don't let those senior sisters fool you with their act. You should know that on this continent, there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names," Chu Qingtian quietly explained from the side.

"Yes, yes, yes! Senior Student Chu, you really are a wonderful senior." Wu Xuan kept giving him a thumbs-up.

"Chu Qingtian, what are you talking about?!" Wu Ming raised her head and shot Chu Qingtian a sidelong glare.

"Ah! Nothing! Junior Wu and I were just chatting, haha!" Chu Qingtian hooked an arm around Wu Xuan's neck, looking perfectly composed.

Wu Xuan hurriedly nodded as well.

"If you've got nothing to do, get over here and deal with this Steel-Fanged Boar already." Wu Ming's face darkened.

"Yes, yes, yes. Coming right away." Chu Qingtian hurried over. With only a few slashes, the Steel-Fanged Boar was instantly cut into several pieces and stored in a Soul Tool.

Zhang Lexuan ignored the three who were fooling around. Looking through the patchy shadows of the trees at the sky, she said in a low voice, "We should have reached the middle of the Mixed Zone by now. Night is not suitable for traveling, so we'll rest here today. Ming'er, Junior Wu, go clear out this area."

Hearing Zhang Lexuan's instructions, Wu Ming did not continue arguing with Chu Qingtian. She headed in the direction Zhang Lexuan had indicated.

This was a relatively elevated earthen slope. Though thick shrubs surrounded it, it offered the best view of the area.

Once they had entered the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, being cautious and conserving their energy was the wisest choice. Hunting Soul Rings depended more often than not on luck, after all. No one knew where they might find the Soul Beast most suitable for them.

A torrent of Golden Crow True Fire surged out from Wu Ming, and the dense shrubs around them swiftly withered before turning into ash the next moment.

Seeing this, Wu Xuan stepped forward and waved one hand. A howling gale instantly scattered the ashes, revealing a large, relatively level clearing.

Zhang Lexuan placed two mats made from Soul Beast pelts on the clearing, and the four of them sat down separately.

Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming shared one, while Wu Xuan and Chu Qingtian shared the other. They sat facing each other.

Having ventured deep into the Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, they had no choice but to sleep rough. They had to remain ready for any sudden situation at all times, so sleeping in tents was absolutely impossible.

Zhang Lexuan looked at everyone and pondered for a moment. "Soul Beasts are very active in the Mixed Zone, but judging from our journey here, there should be no powerful Soul Beast that has claimed this place as its territory. Ming'er and I will take turns keeping watch tonight. Ming'er, you take the first half of the night. I'll take the second half. As for Junior Chu and Junior Wu, you two can rest easy."

"Does anyone have any objections?"

"Senior Disciple Sister, I have no problem with that." Wu Ming stood up and nodded readily.

"Junior Wu, come sit over here with me." Zhang Lexuan's gentle voice suddenly rang out after Wu Ming had only walked a few steps away.

Wu Xuan had just been about to speak when Zhang Lexuan's words left him stunned. He thought he had misheard. But when he met Zhang Lexuan's graceful, clear eyes, he knew he had heard correctly.

This time, Chu Qingtian did not make faces at Wu Xuan. If it had been any other Inner Court senior sister, he might have teased them, but before Senior Disciple Sister, he could not say such things.

There was no other reason. Zhang Lexuan's image in the hearts of the Inner Court students was simply too perfect—so perfect that no one dared harbor improper thoughts or tease her verbally.

Zhang Lexuan smiled and explained, "Before we left, Dean Yan instructed me to take better care of you along the way. At night in the Star Dou Great Forest, any unexpected situation could arise. You'll be safer sitting between us."

"That's right, Junior Wu! Senior Disciple Sister only wants you to come over for your safety. What, are you afraid Senior Disciple Sister will eat you? You're good-looking and talented, but you're too young. You're not our type," Wu Ming teased with a mischievous grin when she saw Wu Xuan's dazed expression.

"Well, Senior Disciple Sister, Senior Sister Wu Ming, there's actually no need to trouble yourselves like this. We might not even need anyone to keep watch." Wu Xuan's cheeks heated at Wu Ming's teasing. He rubbed his nose as he spoke.

"?" The three of them looked at Wu Xuan with surprise.

Seeing this, Wu Xuan no longer hid it. "My martial soul is Wind Element Control, so I'm especially sensitive to the movement of the surrounding air currents. You could say that I have a certain degree of perception within a radius of nearly one thousand meters. If there are any major disturbances in their aura, I can detect them in time. So there's no need for you to take turns keeping watch."

"Hiss!" The three looked at Wu Xuan in utter disbelief.

"An innate ability of your martial soul?" Zhang Lexuan asked after recovering from her shock.

Wu Xuan nodded slightly.

"Great! Then we won't need to keep watch at all during this hunt. Junior Wu, you're amazing." Wu Ming cheered, then took another mat from her Soul Tool and lay down flat on her back.

Zhang Lexuan raised her eyes to look at Wu Xuan, then smiled gently. "In that case, everyone should rest early." As she spoke, she took out another mat and handed it to Wu Xuan.

"Thank you, Senior Disciple Sister." Wu Xuan accepted the mat and thanked her.

Not long after he lay down, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's lazy voice sounded in the Sea of Consciousness. "Little Wu Xuan, your Senior Disciple Sister's Spiritual Power is at a very high level. It can actually cover such a vast range."

"Hmph! That woman really doesn't know what's good for her. Little Wu Xuan already told her she could rest without worry, yet she still insisted on doing something unnecessary." Ice Empress's voice sounded at the right moment as well.

"Alright, let's get to the point first." Wu Xuan smiled helplessly. He could understand Zhang Lexuan's actions. After all, this concerned the entire team's safety. There was nothing wrong with Senior Disciple Sister being cautious.

"Tian Meng, what is the limit of the Soul Ring my current physique can withstand?" Wu Xuan asked curiously.

"Hmm! Considering that your Spiritual Power rivals that of a Soul Douluo and your physical strength rivals that of a Soul Sage, absorbing a Soul Ring below fifty thousand years should not be a problem. Besides, didn't I tell you before? I can help you seal part of a Soul Ring's energy. Once your physique is strong enough to bear it, you can simply lift the seal." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm smiled smugly at the end.

"Hmph, you useless thing are finally somewhat useful now," Ice Empress said arrogantly.

"Hehe!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm chuckled.

"Tian Meng! Do you remember the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger you saw in my memories?" Wu Xuan asked coldly.

"I remember. Little Wu Xuan, don't tell me you want to...?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's smile vanished, and his expression became serious.

"This time, Shrek Academy's powerful experts are accompanying us. There won't be a better opportunity than this. I want to slaughter that beast and avenge my parents. If possible, I'll choose it for my Fourth Soul Ring." Wu Xuan gritted his teeth.

"Tian Meng, don't fall asleep over the next few days. I'll lead them around the Mixed Zone a few more times. If you sense that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, remember to remind me."

"Hmph, don't worry! Am I the kind of person who likes slacking off?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm huffed.

"..."