Moonflower Valley's Ancient Spirit Tree

Song Yunzhi turned from the workbench, holding a freshly prepared Calming Spirit Pill in her palm as she handed it to Huang Fei.

"The last Calming Spirit Pill. Keep it safe."

She then took out a dark green Storage Bracelet and personally fastened it around Huang Fei's wrist.

"It contains enough dry rations, clean water, medicine, a detailed map of Moonflower Valley, and a Concealment Soul Tool I used in my early years. It may save your life at a Critical Moment."

Warmth stirred in Huang Fei's heart. He said solemnly, "Thank you, Teacher."

Song Yunzhi looked at him. A rare trace of gentleness flashed deep in her eyes before they returned to calmness.

"This journey is dangerous. A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring is no trivial matter."

"In the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, even I may not be able to keep you completely safe."

"If you regret it now, you can still turn back."

Huang Fei shook his head, his gaze hard as iron. "This disciple has no regrets."

"Good."

Song Yunzhi said no more and turned to Tie Shan.

"Tie Shan, handle the leave request with the academy. Just say I'm taking Huang Fei out for a few days of training."

Tie Shan grinned. "Don't worry. If that Old Witch Zhou Yi asks, I'll say you took your disciple into secluded cultivation."

Song Yunzhi nodded, then said to Huang Fei, "Make your preparations. We leave in a quarter of an hour."

"Yes."

Huang Fei quickly organized his belongings, tucked the Calming Spirit Pill close to his body, and checked the supplies in the bracelet once more.

A quarter of an hour later, the two quietly left the Soul Tool Department, their figures vanishing into the night.

They alerted no one and did not even leave through the academy's main gate.

Song Yunzhi led Huang Fei over a secluded side wall, landing without a sound.

Under the moonlight, her green robe was as dark as ink. Her aura was completely concealed, as though she had merged with the night itself.

"Stay close."

The moment she spoke, she drifted forward. She was incredibly fast, yet did not stir the slightest sound of wind.

Huang Fei circulated his Soul Power and followed at full speed.

One before the other, they raced through the night toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Along the way, Song Yunzhi occasionally slowed down to offer quiet instructions.

"There is a Hidden Sentinel three li ahead. Go around."

"There is Toxic Mist in the swamp to the right. Hold your breath as you pass through."

"Watch your footing. Spike-Tailed Rats often dig burrows here."

Huang Fei remembered every word, secretly filled with admiration.

His teacher's understanding of the Outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest was practically exhaustive. She had clearly trained here often in her early years.

After racing on for two shi chen, dawn gradually broke.

The two had reached the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest's Mixed Zone.

Song Yunzhi stopped beneath an ancient tree and looked up at the sky.

"Rest here for half an hour and recover your Soul Power."

"Further in is the territory of Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts. We must remain in peak condition."

Huang Fei nodded, sat cross-legged, and began circulating the Wood Breathing Technique to quickly restore his spent energy.

Song Yunzhi stood atop the tree, her eyes sweeping the surroundings like an eagle's. Faint azure Soul Power flowed around her body as she remained ready to strike at any moment.

Half an hour later, they set out once more.

The deeper they went, the denser the forest trees became. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky and sun, leaving the forest dim. The air was thick with the damp scent of decaying leaves and a faint Animal Stench.

From time to time, low beastly roars drifted over from afar, along with the piercing cries of unknown soul birds, sending chills through the heart.

Song Yunzhi kept Huang Fei three meters behind her at all times. Whenever there was the slightest disturbance, she always noticed it first.

Along the way, they even encountered a six-thousand-year Iron Armored Earth Dragon. Song Yunzhi merely raised her hand and waved. A green Wind Blade swept past soundlessly, sending the earth dragon flying far away. It was clean and decisive, but she did not kill it.

After all, Soul Beasts were far too scarce now.

Huang Fei was deeply shaken by what he saw.

So this was the strength of a Super Douluo...

"Don't lose focus."

Song Yunzhi's voice reached him, and Huang Fei hurriedly calmed his mind.

After another shi chen of travel, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A Secluded Valley encircled by mountains came into view.

Clouds and Mist curled through the valley, while spiritual springs trickled and strange flowers and exotic plants covered the ground. Moonlight streamed through gaps in the clouds, gathering into a pool of Silver Light at the spring's source.

They had arrived at Moonflower Valley.

Song Yunzhi stopped at the valley entrance, turned to Huang Fei, and spoke solemnly.

"Once you enter, everything depends on you."

"I will set up a Warning Barrier around the outskirts of the valley. Unless a Soul Beast of over one hundred thousand years or a Titled Douluo attacks, I will not disturb you."

She paused before adding,

"Remember, when absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, willpower comes first."

"When Soul Shock strikes, hold fast to your Original Mind. Silently circulate your Breathing Technique, and take the Calming Spirit Pill at the final moment."

Huang Fei nodded heavily. "This disciple understands."

"Go."

Song Yunzhi swept her sleeve. A pale azure membrane spread from her hand and enveloped the entire valley entrance.

Huang Fei took a deep breath and stepped into the valley.

Moonlight fell across his shoulders. The road ahead was clear, yet unknown.

The instant Huang Fei entered Moonflower Valley, he felt his entire body grow lighter.

It was as though he had been immersed in an ocean of spiritual energy.

This feels wonderful!

The spiritual energy within the valley was so dense it nearly liquefied.

Every breath felt like a clear spring flowing through his lungs.

His Soul Power circulated on its own, nearly three parts faster than it did outside.

What delighted him even more was that the Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy here was exceptionally pure. It resonated intensely with his Martial Soul, making his mind feel several parts clearer as well.

"What an excellent place for cultivation."

"If I could cultivate here forever, my breakthroughs would come even faster."

Huang Fei silently praised the place, but he did not stop. Following the markings on the map Song Yunzhi had given him, he headed toward the valley's depths.

The valley was tranquil, filled only with the murmuring of springwater and the chirping of insects.

Many rare plants grew along the way, some even emitting faint fluctuations of Soul Power. They were clearly Spiritual Medicine that had grown for many years.

Huang Fei did not pick any of them. His purpose here was clear, and it was unwise to create unnecessary complications.

After walking for the time it took an incense stick to burn, a Gentle Slope appeared ahead.

Forest trees were sparse on the slope, allowing the moonlight to shine down unobstructed and bathe its summit in silver-white radiance.

At the center of the hilltop stood a peculiar tree.

It was no more than three meters tall, yet its trunk was as thick as an adult's waist. Its entire body was a warm jade-white, its bark as smooth as a mirror, with faint pale gold patterns flowing across it.

Its branches and leaves were sparse. Every leaf was heart-shaped, jade green and translucent, with what seemed to be silver light flowing through the Leaf Veins, sparkling brilliantly beneath the moonlight.

Within three zhang of the tree, the grass and plants grew exceptionally lush and vibrant. Even the air carried a fresh, sweet fragrance.

It was the Ancient Spirit Tree.

Huang Fei held his breath and quietly approached.

From closer up, he could feel that vast yet gentle Life Energy even more clearly. It was like a spring breeze brushing over his face, soothing him to the core.

He stopped and did not move any farther.

Even without any aggression, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast possessed its own majesty.

If he rashly entered its territory, he might provoke an instinctive reaction.

Huang Fei sat cross-legged ten zhang away from the ancient tree and began adjusting his condition.

The Full Moon Night would be tomorrow evening. He still had an entire day to prepare.

He took out dry rations and clean water from the Storage Bracelet. After eating and drinking simply, Huang Fei closed his eyes and began circulating the Wood Breathing Technique.

Soul Power slowly flowed through his body, blending and resonating with the surrounding Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy.

His Spiritual Power quietly spread outward, sensing the life fluctuations emitted by the ancient tree. He gradually adjusted the frequency of his Soul Power, attempting to bring it in line with the tree's.

This was a method he had learned from an Ancient Book.

Before hunting a Soul Beast, one could use Soul Power to imitate its aura, lowering its vigilance and making the absorption of its Soul Ring smoother as well.

And so, time passed in silence.