"Just as expected of Heaven's Aspect—its intricate details are astounding. It seems to contain the laws governing the evolution of all things in heaven and earth..."
Lin Chen had finally brought an entire day of cultivation to a close!
Dawn was breaking. Through the misty windows of the guest room, faint light fell across Lin Chen, who sat cross-legged on the bed.
"Cough—cough!"
He had spent the entire night comprehending the first volume of Heaven's Aspect.
A clear, lively energy surrounded Lin Chen. Compared to before, it seemed to have gained an additional layer of vitality, as luminous as jade.
The aura around him had grown deeper and more mysterious. His previously sharp, forceful presence had been tempered, and now his entire being seemed to radiate an indescribable, profound clarity.
"My initial understanding of Heaven's Aspect has increased my cultivation speed by thirty percent."
"It's even enhanced my spiritual power quite a bit!"
Lin Chen rose to his feet, his movements as light as a swallow. In a flash, he appeared on the roof of the guesthouse.
He felt the pure, fresh energy of heaven and earth at dawn.
Lin Chen couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Downstairs, the members of the Imperial Star Team had already gathered.
Qin Ming stood at the front, his expression still warm and steady. Yu Xiaogang was chatting with Zhu Zhuqing, who stood alone among them. Both looked as composed as ever, and they headed over together.
Zhu Zhuqing was just as quiet as usual, greeting Lin Chen with a nod.
"Morning," Zhu Zhuqing said with a smile.
Her long, watery-blue hair swayed as she moved. Yet even her face, usually concealed beneath a mysterious veil, couldn't hide her naturally exquisite features.
"Morning, Zhuqing," Lin Chen replied with a faint smile.
After observing her for a moment, Lin Chen fell into thought.
"Zhu Zhuqing and Mi Ruoxi seem to have come together. They're probably among the six people who own diaries, and she's one of them..."
Lin Chen secretly sighed inwardly.
Still, that was a good thing. With another diary owner nearby, he could learn more about the people around him!
He was also a little curious. The new name mentioned last night—who did it actually belong to?
"It doesn't matter who it is..."
"Now that I know what's in the diary, I know we're heading to the Star Dou Forest today. There's no need to reveal myself too soon."
"I'll just observe for now."
He rubbed his chin, then gathered his thoughts.
Their first priority was entering the Star Dou Forest and finding the ten-thousand-year soul beast—the fourth soul ring he wanted.
"Let's set out!" Qin Ming gave the order, and the group immediately started moving.
After a short journey, they arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
The forest's usual mist drifted beneath the morning light, forming a thick, undulating haze. A figure descended into it like a ghost.
It was Snake Demon.
"Young master, why did you ask me to stay behind? Suiying Team has already entered the Star Dou Forest. With my strength, I could have joined them..."
Snake Demon hid his body, unable to conceal the confusion in his voice.
But this was Qian Ling'er's order.
He only needed to obey. And as for Suiying Team, he didn't need to worry about their safety. He only had to wait for them to make their move, and he would be able to work out which one of them Qian Ling'er wanted to find.
Who, exactly, was the person Qian Ling'er was looking for?
"That's..."
Just then, Snake Demon suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure. Though she passed by in a flash, he recognized her!
It was a woman with a striking figure and fiery-red hair.
"Jingling?"
"How did she end up here? Could it be..."
Snake Demon drew a sharp breath. Had Bi Biyao given her an order? Was Bi Biyao, like Qian Ling'er, searching for someone?
"Their mission is the same. They're definitely looking for the same person..."
In another corner of the forest, a group from the Shrek Academy had also just entered this ancient, primitive forest.
Zhao Wuji walked at the front, with Suiying Team following behind him.
"Hmph! I won't interfere. You'll have to rely on yourselves this time. Unless you run into a powerful soul beast, I won't make a move to help you."
Zhao Wuji called out loudly to the students.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing was at the back of Suiying Team. Her sharp eyes kept sweeping over the dense trees around them.
"Is he really here?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked in a quiet voice. According to the description in her diary, the person who held the key to her future fate was in this area.
And at that very moment, in another corner of the forest...
"I don't know if I'll run into him. I want to know what's going to happen in the future!"
Zhu Zhuqing said, her resolve clear.
Mi Ruoxi was also looking uneasy. She seemed to be waiting for the diary's owner to show up.
What had she done, exactly?
Could she really have made Lin Chen call her that?
The Imperial Star Team arrived at their destination.
"We're here. The Star Dou Forest lies ahead. This is where ten-thousand-year soul beasts are said to appear." Qin Ming stopped and looked solemn.
"Lin Chen, are you sure you want to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring?"
Qin Ming asked, still somewhat uncertain.
After all, he was Yu Xiaogang's trusted aide. A fourth soul ring should only come from a ten-thousand-year soul beast if the person could withstand it!
"Oh, I'm sure," Lin Chen replied calmly.
He looked at the ancient forest stretching out before them, and at the trees whose tremendous age and depth stirred an inexplicable awe in the heart.
"Teacher, ten-thousand-year soul beasts... Their soul power is enormous."
Yu Tianheng couldn't help speaking up, his voice full of concern.
"You're only at rank forty. That's too big a leap."
"I know what I'm doing. Don't worry."
Lin Chen's mouth curved slightly. A powerful aura gathered around him, its chill glinting like a blade. Yu Tianheng and the rest of the team couldn't help feeling uneasy.
"My fourth soul ring has to be a ten-thousand-year one—and it has to come from a Soul Eater with a lethal attribute!"
Lin Chen declared.
He had already decided what kind of fourth soul ring he wanted. With the Soul Eater's lethal attribute, it would be the perfect match for his overwhelming aura.
"What a bold kid..."
Even Qin Ming drew a sharp breath. A ten-thousand-year soul ring for the fourth ring—just absorbing one would be difficult enough for most people.
What more could be said about a soul beast with a lethal attribute? That was practically asking for trouble.
But seeing Lin Chen's confidence, Qin Ming was left at a loss.
"Fine. Then you can search for the ten-thousand-year soul beast yourself. Just be careful."
"I hope nothing goes wrong..."
Lin Chen smiled faintly. While the others searched for the Soul Eater, he quietly focused his spiritual power and began updating the diary in his mind.
"The diary has been updated again!"
Whether it was Qian Ling'er, who was currently in the Imperial Palace; the Azure Bull Python, who was curiously observing the Lake of Life; or Zhu Zhuqing and Mi Ruoxi, who were deep in the forest...
Even Bi Biyao, far away in the Martial Soul Hall, once again saw the diary's previously silent pages emit a faint glow.
The words began to dance across the page!
[Day three of keeping the diary... [I've finally entered the Star Dou Forest. My fourth soul ring will be a ten-thousand-year one, and it'll come from a Soul Eater with a lethal attribute!] [Finding a Soul Eater with a lethal attribute is a little difficult. I searched around the capital, but only found a few leads. The odds of encountering one are much higher in the Star Dou Forest, with Ling Tian and Xiong Jun's group of ferocious soul beasts around.] [I don't want to start by tearing the heavens apart and devouring the corpse of a fifty-thousand-year-old bear, either...]
The girl sighed and let out a breath.
"How many years old?!"
Before you continue