Soon, they arrived at Sunset Forest and began setting up camp. Jiang Huai and Gu Yue went off to the side to pitch the tent they would share.
The others got on with their own tasks. Flender ordered Oscar and Ma Hongjun, the two lazybones, to gather some branches for the fire.
One was lazy through and through, and the other was fat. They really were impossible.
After Jiang Huai and Gu Yue finished setting up their tent, they went to look for water. The water they had brought was limited, so they had to find a nearby source. Maybe they could even catch a few fish to roast for dinner.
Before long, they found a river less than fifty meters from camp. Jiang Huai used his spiritual power to scout it and discovered fish in the water—which meant there was more than one.
Jiang Huai had Gu Yue catch the fish from the bank while he plunged into the water. He locked onto the school with his Soul Power, and soon Gu Yue was catching fish one after another.
One, two... ten, eleven, twelve. Fish kept flying out of the water, and Gu Yue caught them in the woven basket.
Soon, they had enough for two fish per person, so Gu Yue and Jiang Huai returned to camp.
The campfire was already lit. Dai Mubai and Tang San had hunted a Bloodthirsty Sharp-Toothed Pig, while Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong had gone to pick some fruit.
Before long, everyone started grilling. Jiang Huai and Liu Erlong took charge of cooking. Jiang Huai watched the heat as he roasted the meat and fish, while Liu Erlong sprinkled on cumin and chili powder.
Soon, the delicious smell of barbecue filled the entire campsite. Jiang Huai always carried cumin and chili powder with him.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar returned, each carrying a bundle of firewood. They tossed it onto the fire to keep the flames going.
Time passed quickly, and night fell. The grilled fish and meat were ready. Jiang Huai cut off a piece of pork with a knife and fork and handed it to Gu Yue. She opened her mouth, took a bite, and ate with satisfaction.
Everyone started helping themselves to the meat. Jiang Huai sat by the campfire, eating the fish he had grilled.
Before long, it was time to sleep. Flender and Qin Ming were assigned the night watch.
Jiang Huai and Gu Yue went into their tent, while Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong awkwardly entered the teachers' tent. The others went to sleep in the large tent.
Jiang Huai wrapped his arms around Gu Yue's waist from behind, and the two slowly drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the night, Flender and Qin Ming had just switched shifts with Tang San and Dai Mubai when an explosion rang out.
Jiang Huai stormed out, furious at being woken up. To his surprise, Liu Erlong also emerged from her tent, fuming.
Dai Mubai came running toward them, leading a scorpion. Jiang Huai and Liu Erlong exchanged a glance, then charged forward together.
The others were roused by the commotion and came out. They saw Jiang Huai wielding his sword and Liu Erlong using her Martial Soul Avatar to beat the Earth King mercilessly. Enraged, Jiang Huai cleaved off the Earth King's right scorpion claw.
Liu Erlong grabbed the Earth King by its tail and gave it a vicious throw over her shoulder. Everyone who saw it couldn't bear to watch and turned away.
Jiang Huai punched the Earth King in the jaw, then struck it in the abdomen with his sword. He was hitting it, not slashing it—he just wanted to beat it to his heart's content.
The forest echoed with the sound of impacts. Dai Mubai felt remorseful for leading the Earth King over.
Dai Mubai hadn't known Jiang Huai's morning temper was so terrifying. And Liu Erlong was even more violent than the tigress he'd imagined.
Suddenly, Tang San shouted, "Duck!" Everyone crouched—except Dai Mubai, who turned around. The result was that Dai Mubai's face turned black, and he gave a thumbs-up.
Liu Erlong angrily tore the Earth King limb from limb, while Jiang Huai used his sword to remove its legs and scorpion claws.
Then Liu Erlong threw the Earth King into the air, and Jiang Huai kicked it on its left side.
The Earth King slammed into the ground, rolled forward, and came to rest on the verge of death. Jiang Huai and Liu Erlong landed side by side. Jiang Huai said to Ma Hongjun, "Fatty, it's yours."
At that, Ma Hongjun felt a chill run down his back and looked up. But when he saw the terrifying expressions on Liu Erlong and Jiang Huai's faces, he quickly shrank back.
The Earth King then offered itself to Ma Hongjun. Startled, he nevertheless sat cross-legged on the ground.
Liu Erlong looked at Jiang Huai. "Xiao Huai, well done. You've got the makings of the young me. Looking at you reminds me of my childhood. How about you become my son?"
Jiang Huai shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested. I'm going back to sleep. You can keep watch here."
The night passed, and a new day arrived. Jiang Huai stepped out of the tent and yawned.
The others slowly woke up as well. After absorbing his Soul Ring and adjusting his Soul Power, Ma Hongjun went to wash up.
Jiang Huai took charge of cooking and made a hearty breakfast. He gave everyone one of each of the four kinds of burgers made with his Soul Skills.
They were for emergencies, since some people wouldn't use Oscar's skills.
Soon, everyone had finished breakfast, and they set off to look for the Soul Rings the others needed.
Flender, Liu Erlong, and Qin Ming led the way. Dai Mubai and Jiang Huai walked on either side of Yu Xiaogang, while Ning Rongrong and Oscar were protected in the middle.
Gu Yue walked behind Jiang Huai, occasionally tugging his hand and sometimes asking him to carry her.
Oscar asked Ma Hongjun what it felt like to absorb a fourth Soul Ring. Ma Hongjun told him to just absorb one, and that was all there was to it.
Oscar's face darkened. He slapped Ma Hongjun across the face and cursed him as a fat bastard.
Suddenly, red mist billowed around them, and everyone went on alert. Jiang Huai drew the Jinxu Longyuan Sword and warily scanned their surroundings.
Flender, Liu Erlong, and Qin Ming all summoned their Martial Souls. The others prepared themselves to repel any sudden attack.
Tang San activated his Purple Demon Eye and peered into the mist. He spotted the silhouettes of many Pink Ladies.
Tang San warned everyone, "They're Pink Ladies. Be careful."
Jiang Huai sneered. "They're just a few scorpions. Watch how Gu Yue and I wipe them out."
Gu Yue lifted her chin at Jiang Huai, and the two charged into the red mist to slaughter the Pink Ladies.
Liu Erlong was itching for a fight too and didn't want to stand by and watch. She activated her Martial Soul Avatar and charged into the mist as well.
The Pink Ladies' leader, Pink Lady, was shocked. Weren't humans supposed to be afraid to enter unknown places?
By then, Jiang Huai was already standing before Pink Lady. Gu Yue slowly appeared beside him.
The auras radiating from Jiang Huai and Gu Yue were terrifying. Ash Ruins Dragon Might emanated from Jiang Huai, while Silver Dragon Might radiated from Gu Yue.
Liu Erlong quickly killed the Pink Ladies that had been entangling her, then hurried over to Jiang Huai.
Before long, what had happened to the Earth King the previous night happened all over again. At least the Earth King had only been beaten by two people, while Pink Lady was being beaten by three.
Moreover, every one of Gu Yue's attacks was lethal. If Jiang Huai hadn't reminded her to leave Pink Lady alive for Oscar to absorb as a Soul Ring, she would have been dead already.
Before long, Pink Lady's scorpion claws and legs had all been cut off. Only her tail remained as Jiang Huai dragged her back for Oscar to deliver the finishing blow.
Before you continue