Core Area

Qian Renxue had already reached the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest. The Soul Beasts here were gradually becoming stronger.

Most of the Soul Beasts in the outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest were Ten-Year Soul Beasts.

Occasionally, one might encounter Hundred-Year Soul Beasts, but Ten-Year Soul Beasts still made up the majority.

After entering the inner region, most were Hundred-Year Soul Beasts, and ones that were five or six hundred years old or more.

Thousand-Year Soul Beasts often appeared as well.

A Soul Beast's combat power was related to its age, species, and bloodline.

Some top-tier Soul Beasts might not be very old, yet possessed exceptionally formidable combat power!

For example, the Titan Giant Ape and the Dark Gold Claw Bear.

After arriving in the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest, Qian Renxue slowed down considerably. She no longer charged recklessly ahead as before and now had to watch out for Soul Beasts that might ambush her at any moment.

Of course, she was not being overly cautious.

Ordinary Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were no match for her at all. Only Soul Beasts nearing ten thousand years could cause her a little trouble.

And only a little trouble.

The inner region was much darker than the outer region. Though it was clearly noon, the place felt terribly cold and gloomy, with extremely poor visibility.

The main reason was that the trees here were taller, their leaves blocking out the sky and sun. Very little light could pass through the layers of foliage and reach the ground.

Perhaps it was due to good fortune, but Qian Renxue traveled all the way to the core area without being ambushed by any Soul Beasts. Her path had been completely unobstructed.

"Soon. This Bright Tiger King that is nearly thirty thousand years old is perfectly suited to become my sixth soul ring."

Qian Renxue murmured before continuing toward her destination.

Like Soul Masters, Soul Beasts also possessed different attributes.

Most ordinary Soul Beasts had no attributes. Only certain elite ones possessed them.

Most had a single attribute, though there were also dual-attribute and even triple-attribute Soul Beasts.

Attributes were divided into basic attributes and elemental attributes. Basic attributes included strength, defense, Mental Power, and so on.

Elemental attributes included wind, fire, lightning, earth, water, light, darkness, space, and more.

From its name alone, one could tell that the Bright Tiger King possessed the light attribute.

Of course, as the king of beasts, its strength and other abilities would not be weak either.

It was exceptionally compatible with Qian Renxue's martial soul.

"Zhongli, it's so dark here. I-I think we should go back, okay?"

With one hand resting on Zhongli's shoulder, Paimon said in a trembling voice.

She was genuinely a little scared. Soul Beast forests were not fun at all!

Beast roars sounded from time to time around them, making Paimon's heart tremble with fear.

"Paimon, as long as you remain within five meters of me, no Soul Beast will be able to detect you."

"If you are certain you wish to return, then we shall return. This journey will end here."

Paimon froze upon hearing that, then blurted out, "We won't be discovered?"

"Indeed."

"Eh, why?"

Zhongli: "..."

With his strength, was it not effortless to keep these Soul Beasts from noticing them?

"Darn it, why didn't you say so earlier? You scared Paimon half to death."

If they would not be discovered, then although it was a little dark, it was no big deal. As long as they were careful, everything would be fine.

"You did not ask..."

Paimon: "..."

Was that the sort of thing she needed to ask about herself?

The two continued on their way, following in Qian Renxue's footsteps at an unhurried pace.

Once she learned that there would be no danger within five meters of Zhongli.

Paimon became bolder as well, looking here and there.

Snakes coiled around tree trunks, bears lying on small hillsides to rest...

There was no real distinction between day and night in this place. Only the lower temperatures at night differentiated it from daytime.

Thus, predators often appeared even during the day.

Along the way, Zhongli and Paimon had already witnessed several hunting scenes.

As time passed, nearly two hours went by. Zhongli and Paimon, who had been leisurely following behind Qian Renxue, suddenly saw a holy radiance.

"Uh..."

The moment he saw that light, Zhongli was utterly dumbfounded.

Was this really the young mistress of Spirit Hall?

The core area was like a pitch-black night. Such light held a fatal allure for Soul Beasts!

It might even draw some powerful Soul Beasts here.

After thinking for a moment, Zhongli shook his head.

Qian Renxue's martial soul was the Six-Winged Angel, with attributes such as light, fire, and purification.

It was only natural for such effects to appear whenever she released her martial soul.

"Hopefully, my worries are unnecessary."

Zhongli shook his head and continued walking toward the "battlefield" at an unhurried pace.

Roar!

With a tiger's roar shaking the forest, the Bright Tiger King launched an attack against Qian Renxue.

It could sense that this human before it possessed an exceptionally pure light attribute. If it devoured her, advancing further would be just around the corner.

This was an opportunity!

A mere human with five rings dared dream of challenging it!

The intelligence of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts was no weaker than that of humans. They knew how to think independently.

The Bright Tiger King was utterly enraged by Qian Renxue's sudden intrusion!

"Zhongli, Qinghe transformed!"

"No, that's Martial Soul Possession!"

"She even has wings! They're so pretty!"

Zhongli glanced sideways, the corner of his eye twitching. It seemed their agreement had been completely useless.

"Zhongli, can Qinghe defeat that big tiger?"

Paimon asked nervously. This Bright Tiger King was five or six meters long, snow-white all over, and its roar alone carried the imposing might of an army-blocking force.

"Xue Qinghe" looked so delicate and frail that she did not even seem large enough to fill the Bright Tiger King's teeth. Could she really defeat it?

"By universal rationality, this tiger king is no match for her."

Zhongli stroked his chin and spoke calmly.

An ordinary quasi Soul Emperor would naturally be no match for this Bright Tiger King, but Qian Renxue was no ordinary Soul Emperor!

As long as she was a little careful, dealing with the Bright Tiger King would be effortless.

"Ah?"

Paimon was thoroughly astonished. Pointing at Qian Renxue and then at the Bright Tiger King, she asked, "They're so different in size. Can Qinghe really defeat the big tiger?"

"Paimon, simply watch quietly."

Suddenly, as though he had sensed something, Zhongli frowned and instinctively looked toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Zhongli, what's wrong?"

"A somewhat more powerful Soul Beast is rapidly heading this way."

"What!"

Paimon cried out in alarm. More powerful?

"Zhongli, then let's run quickly!"

"Oh, right, we need to bring Qinghe with us!"

Though she had not yet sensed how powerful that Soul Beast was, Paimon did not doubt Zhongli's words.

"Xue Qinghe" was already struggling so much against this big tiger. If an even stronger one joined in, she feared they would both be left here today!

That would not do. "Xue Qinghe" had treated her to delicious food. She was a good person!

"There is no need. It is merely a..."