Lost Trace Canyon

On the training grounds, Tian Yao, Qian Han, Guang Yu, and the others were practicing their soul power control.

Qin Tian watched them quietly from the side, remaining silent.

Half an hour later, the group finished their training and gathered around upon seeing Qin Tian.

"Brother Tian, Xiao Sheng."

Hearing their voices, Qin Tian pulled himself from his thoughts and raised his eyes to look at them.

"Xiao Sheng has successfully obtained his third soul ring. According to Great Grandfather's training plan, our next phase is to head to the Lost Trace Canyon."

He paused here, his voice turning slightly solemn.

"You should all know what kind of place the Lost Trace Canyon is. It is the territory of soul beasts, filled with danger at every turn. If you let your guard down, you won't even know how you died."

"Although our strength is decent, compared to the soul beasts within the Lost Trace Canyon, we are still far behind."

"As far as I know, the deepest parts of the Lost Trace Canyon contain soul beasts over eighty thousand years old, and there are plenty of ten-thousand-year soul beasts as well. You should understand the perils involved."

Tian Yao and the others wore grave expressions as they listened to Qin Tian.

"The training Great Grandfather has set for us is to survive in the Lost Trace Canyon for one year, and we must also hunt down a ten-thousand-year soul beast."

After finishing, Qin Tian looked at them once more, then smiled calmly.

"Alright, with our strength, as long as we coordinate properly, killing a ten-thousand-year soul beast won't be difficult."

"Dismissed. Go back and prepare; we depart in three days."

Tian Yao and the others exchanged glances after hearing Qin Tian's words. Seeing that he had already left, they didn't linger and headed out of the training grounds.

Qin Tian returned to his small courtyard, sat on a lounge chair, and looked up at the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Xiao Tian, you're entering the Lost Trace Canyon for a year of training in three days. Why aren't you preparing?"

Hearing the voice beside him, a helpless smile appeared at the corner of Qin Tian's mouth.

"Sister Ling Yuan, I've long been prepared. Hemostatic powder, healing medicine, tents—everything is ready. Now, all that's left is to enter the Lost Trace Canyon and battle the soul beasts."

"I'm truly looking forward to it. I wonder what it feels like to fight to the death with soul beasts."

Qin Tian was very expectant about the training in the Lost Trace Canyon; he was genuinely excited about the prospect of fighting soul beasts.

Without experiencing slaughter, without the baptism of blood, how could one grow? Only by enduring the test of life and death could one become a true powerhouse.

Powerhouses are forged through battle after battle.

Qin Tian took a jade box from his storage soul tool and, wrapped in soul power, sent it toward Ling Yuan Douluo.

"Sister Ling Yuan, this is for you. After refining it, even if your martial soul doesn't evolve, the flames of your martial soul will be greatly enhanced."

Ling Yuan Douluo heard Qin Tian's words, looked at the jade box before her, and immediately took it.

After opening the box and seeing the herb inside—its leaves tipped like a cockscomb and its veins a crimson gold—Ling Yuan Douluo was slightly stunned.

"This is?"

Qin Tian spoke calmly, his tone very casual.

"An immortal herb, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."

"Its medicinal properties are fierce and scorching; it is a pure yang tonic, most compatible with avian-type martial souls."

"Swallow the whole plant and circulate your soul power to refine it. Do not stop halfway, or the medicinal effect will be greatly diminished."

The reason Qin Tian gave the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to Ling Yuan Douluo was that she would be his guardian in the future, and after more than half a year of getting along, he was certain of her character and integrity.

Ling Yuan Douluo closed the jade box, looked at Qin Tian, and a charming smile appeared on her face.

"Xiao Tian, this is too precious. You should take it back."

Qin Tian waved his hand, looking completely indifferent.

"Accept it. Only when you are strong can you better protect me. Besides, I still have more of this immortal herb; I'm not lacking this one."

Seeing this, Ling Yuan Douluo did not hesitate any longer and put the jade box away.

How could she not know about immortal herbs? Don't forget, she had been guarding Qin Tian in the shadows when they went to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Qian Renxue had consumed an immortal herb and her Six-Winged Angel evolved into an Eight-Winged Angel; Dugu Yan had consumed one, and her martial soul evolved from a snake to a dragon.

How could she not know the effects of an immortal herb? Although she had wanted one herself, she had only dared to dream, as she didn't know who held these herbs.

Don't forget, Qian Renxue had been traveling with Qin Tian at the time.

Ling Yuan Douluo did not linger any longer and returned to her room, preparing to refine the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

Qin Tian remained in the courtyard, gazing at the firmament, contemplating his next plans.

Time flew by, passing in the blink of an eye.

Three days—neither long nor short.

On the training grounds, Qin Tian and the others looked at Qian Daoliu with expressions of respect.

"You are now to head to the Lost Trace Canyon to begin your one-year training."

"During this trial, no one will protect you. Do not think that because you have protection, you can act recklessly. Whether you live or die on this journey depends entirely on yourselves."

Hearing the words of Qian Daoliu, the group exchanged glances, all of them seeing the fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

"Teacher, no need for more words; we shall meet again in a year."

After saying this, he took a letter from his storage soul tool ring and handed it to Qian Daoliu.

"Teacher, if Sister Xue returns, please help me pass this letter to her."

With that said, Qin Tian signaled for the others to depart.

Qian Daoliu watched them leave, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Big Brother, are you sure you don't want me to go with them?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo watched the departing group and spoke with some concern.

Qian Daoliu shook his head slightly, looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo, and spoke with a helpless expression.

"What would you go for? The fourth and fifth are already there, the third is guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the sixth and seventh have gone to the sea to hunt sea soul beasts for Whale Glue. If you go too, and something happens, are you expecting me to take action myself?"

Upon hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo said nothing more.

At the entrance of the Lost Trace Canyon, Qin Tian, Tian Yao, and the others stepped off their carriage.

"You all should head back."

As soon as Qin Tian finished speaking, he walked toward the Lost Trace Canyon.

Tian Yao and the others immediately followed, entering the Lost Trace Canyon together.

Upon entering the Lost Trace Canyon, they were met with an ancient and desolate atmosphere; towering trees reached for the sky, vegetation flourished, roots twisted together, and vines were densely packed.

Seeing this, Qin Tian became more vigilant.

"Form a combat formation!"

As the command fell, Tian Yao and the others immediately spread out, two in the front, three in the middle, and two in the back, ready to deal with any upcoming battles.

"Roar!"

"Awoo!"

The roars of soul beasts rang out from time to time, but they paid no mind, instead keeping their eyes on their surroundings with intense vigilance.

"Careful!"

Qin Tian, positioned in the center, saw a Gold-Silver Snake suddenly appear and, without the slightest hesitation, waved his hand to strike out with a burst of soul power.

The suddenly appearing Gold-Silver Snake was only a ten-year soul beast; how could it withstand Qin Tian's attack? It was severed in two on the spot.

Tian Yao and the others looked at the dead Gold-Silver Snake, their spirits, which had been slightly relaxed, becoming focused once again.

The group of seven walked for who knows how long, and the sky had already begun to darken.

Qin Tian glanced at the sky, frowned slightly, and immediately began looking for a suitable place to rest.

However, while searching for a place to rest, they encountered a pack of Nether Wolves.

Qin Tian looked at the pack of Nether Wolves, his brows furrowed.

"One three-thousand-year-old, two thousand-year-old, eight over five-hundred-year-old, twenty-two over one-hundred-year-old, and over a hundred that haven't reached a century. This is quite a bit of trouble."

Tian Yao and the others had high spirits, full of anticipation for the impending battle.