System Mission: Obtain First Soul Ring

The heavy wooden doors of the Pope Palace main hall closed slowly behind him.

Su Chen stood alone atop the high white jade steps.

The morning sunlight spilled onto his black brocade robes.

Refracting a noble, dark-gold luster.

Just as he prepared to step down the stairs.

The mechanical voice that had been silent for two days rang out in his mind right on cue.

"Ding. Detected that the host is about to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain the first soul ring."

"Main quest updated."

"Quest Name: First Step of the God-Level Start."

A pale blue, translucent light screen that only Su Chen could see unfolded before his eyes.

The text on it rearranged itself rapidly.

"Quest Requirements: The host must hunt a top-bloodline soul beast with an age of no less than 1,500 years within the Star Dou Great Forest, either independently or with assistance, and successfully absorb it as the first soul ring. The soul beast's attribute must be highly compatible with Ultimate Light or Ultimate Darkness."

"Quest Duration: Fifteen days."

"Quest Rewards: Dark attribute affinity increased to 100%. The first soul skill will automatically evolve into a growth-type god-level skill with no upper limit. Soul Power Level increased by two levels directly."

"Special auxiliary item issued: One High-Rank Soul Beast Precision Radar for the Star Dou Great Forest. Valid for thirty days."

Su Chen finished reading the information on the light screen.

A satisfied arc curled at the corners of his mouth.

The quest requirements issued by the system perfectly aligned with his personal plans.

He had already intended to shatter the trash theory of four hundred and twenty-three years.

Now, with the system's rewards as a boost.

His first soul skill would become a terrifying killing move capable of evolving alongside his strength.

It would never become useless in the later stages due to a low initial age.

"Extract Precision Radar."

Su Chen issued the command in his heart.

A faint ripple spread through his Sea of Consciousness.

A detailed three-dimensional map instantly appeared in his consciousness.

The map was currently in a standby state.

As long as he entered the range of the Star Dou Great Forest.

He could activate the scan at any time.

Su Chen composed his mind.

He walked down the ninety-nine white jade steps toward the Pope Plaza.

At the edge of the plaza.

A luxurious carriage of the highest specifications had been waiting for a long time.

Pulling the carriage were four dragon horses covered in black scales.

These dragon horses possessed a thin trace of sub-dragon bloodline in their bodies.

They could travel a thousand miles a day and possessed astonishing stamina.

They were the highest-grade exclusive mounts of Martial Soul Hall.

On both sides of the carriage.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei had already changed into black, form-fitting attire suitable for movement.

They had not brought any attendants.

For two level-95 peak Douluos.

Bringing ordinary soul masters to the Star Dou Great Forest would be a complete burden.

Seeing Su Chen approach.

The two Title Douluos stepped forward in unison.

They bowed slightly.

Their attitude was extremely respectful.

"Your Highness Holy Son, the carriage is prepared. We can depart at any time."

Yue Guan spoke.

This was not only because of Bibi Dong's orders.

It was also because the terrifying strength Su Chen had displayed at the Martial Arts Arena had completely won them over.

On the Douluo Continent, the strong are respected.

Su Chen's talent destined him to become an existence that would one day tower above all others.

Su Chen nodded slightly.

"You have worked hard, Elders. Let us depart."

He stepped onto the footboard and climbed into the carriage.

The interior of the carriage was incredibly spacious.

The floor was covered in thick, plush Arctic Ermine fur.

In the center sat a small table made of rosewood.

Fresh spirit fruits and stamina-restoring potions were arranged on the table.

Su Chen walked to the innermost seat.

He sat down cross-legged.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei personally took the driver's seat of the carriage.

They acted as the coachmen.

If the outside world were to find out—

That two dignified Elders of Martial Soul Hall, two Title Douluo who shook the entire continent—

Were actually driving a carriage for a six-year-old child.

It would absolutely drop their jaws in shock.

"Hyah!"

Gui Mei flicked the reins.

The four Black Scaled Dragon Horses let out a low, resonant neigh.

The carriage rolled steadily out of Martial Soul City.

Following the wide imperial road, it galloped toward the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Inside the carriage, Su Chen did not waste time admiring the scenery along the way.

He closed his eyes and entered a state of deep meditation.

The Chaos God-Demon Art began to circulate quietly within his body.

The black and white vortex at his dantian started to rotate slowly.

The free-roaming spirit power in the surrounding air was drawn in, surging through the gaps of the carriage and into the cabin like a frenzy.

Finally, it transformed into tiny streams of energy that burrowed into Su Chen's pores.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei, sitting outside, immediately sensed the movement within the carriage.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

"This predatory speed of spirit power absorption... it's too exaggerated."

Yue Guan lowered his voice.

"For an ordinary Soul Grand Master, it's good enough if they can absorb spirit power from two or three meters away. He is practically creating an energy vortex. The spirit power within ten meters of the carriage has been completely drained."

Gui Mei's voice was hoarse.

"His cultivation technique is unique; it is certainly not any of the meditation methods currently existing in Martial Soul Hall. The Pope has truly taken in an incredible monster."

Out of concern for Su Chen's safety, Yue Guan channeled a faint thread of spirit power, attempting to penetrate the carriage to check on Su Chen's physical condition, fearing that such rapid absorption might damage his meridians.

However, the moment his spirit power touched the surface of Su Chen's body, a formidable, materialized mental force instantly rebounded, shredding Yue Guan's thread of spirit power into nothingness.

Yue Guan's body jolted violently.

He pulled his hand back, his face turning pale.

"Such overbearing mental defense. It is practically a wall of copper and iron; not even a sliver of my probing could penetrate it."

Yue Guan exclaimed in wonder.

"Stop testing him. The Holy Son's mental power is naturally materialized. He knows his own physical limits better than we do."

Gui Mei reminded him.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye as they sped along.

The Black Scaled Dragon Horses ran without fatigue.

At noon on the third day.

The carriage finally slowed its pace.

They had arrived at the Soul Hunting Town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

This was the final supply station for soul masters before entering the forest.

The sides of the streets were lined with all manner of stalls.

They sold antidotes, dry rations, and crude defensive gear.

Everywhere were mercenaries reeking of alcohol and the scent of blood.

The air was thick with the smell of sweat and roasted meat.

When the Black Scaled Dragon Horses pulled the luxurious Martial Soul Hall carriage into the town streets.

The once-noisy town fell silent in an instant.

Those mercenaries who lived by the blade saw the emblem on the carriage that symbolized supreme power.

They retreated to the sides of the street like mice seeing a cat.

They cleared a wide path.

Everyone lowered their heads.

None dared to look directly at the carriage.

Fearing they might offend the big shots inside.

The carriage did not stop in the town at all.

It drove straight through the long street.

And headed into the boundless green sea of trees ahead.

Crossing the town's boundary.

The surrounding temperature plummeted.

Towering trees blotted out the sky and sun.

Dense branches and leaves blocked the sunlight completely.

Only a few specks of light could barely reach the moss-covered ground.

The air became humid and stifling.

Faint, low roars of beasts drifted from the depths of the forest.

The carriage could not continue through the dense forest.

Yue Guan stopped the carriage.

He walked to the front of the cabin and spoke respectfully.

"Holy Son, we have entered the territory of the Star Dou Great Forest. There is no road ahead; we must proceed on foot."

The carriage door was pushed open.

Su Chen stepped out from the cabin.

He took a breath of the air, which carried a faint scent of rotting leaves from the forest.

The blood in his veins began to boil faintly.

He unhitched the four Black Scaled Dragon Horses.

And left them to wait in place.

The Dragon Horses possessed sub-dragon bloodlines.

Ordinary low-level soul beasts in the outer perimeter would not dare to approach them.

Su Chen stepped into the leaf-strewn woodland.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei followed half a step behind him on his left and right.

The three of them restrained their auras.

Yet the invisible pressure still sent the surrounding snakes, insects, rats, and ants fleeing in a frenzy.

"Holy Son."

Yue Guan took out a parchment scroll.

It was marked with various complex symbols.

"This is the outermost perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest, primarily inhabited by ten-year and a small number of hundred-year soul beasts."

"According to intelligence from Martial Soul Hall scouts, if we head ten miles further east, there is a sun-drenched woodland where a pack of Light Shadow Leopards resides."

"Among them, one has just broken through to eight hundred years of cultivation."

Yue Guan pointed to a red circle on the map.

"The Light Shadow Leopard possesses a pure light attribute and a relatively docile temperament, resulting in minimal energy backlash. For a first soul ring, eight hundred years already breaks the limit and is the safest choice."

"Do you think we should go and take down this Light Shadow Leopard first?"

Yue Guan offered a conservative suggestion.

He still dared not let Su Chen attempt a soul beast over fifteen hundred years old.

Should anything go wrong, The Pope would absolutely skin them alive.

Su Chen stopped in his tracks.

He turned his head to look at Yue Guan.

His gaze was calm yet permeated with unquestionable resolve.

"Elder Ju, eight hundred years isn't even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth."

Su Chen extended his right hand.

He gripped the air toward a thick vine hanging from a nearby tree with great force.

Bang.

That tough vine, thicker than a human thigh, Was crushed into a pile of debris by sheer physical strength alone.

Green sap splattered everywhere.

"My body has been reshaped; its strength is sufficient to tear apart ordinary hundred-year soul beasts with one hand. You do not need to use Yu Xiaogang's foolish theories to measure me."

Su Chen withdrew his hand.

"The Light Shadow Leopard's bloodline is too inferior; it is unworthy of my Judgment Holy Sword. Do not mention any targets below fifteen hundred years again, or this trip will have been a waste."

Yue Guan swallowed hard.

He stared at the crushed vine.

The last shred of his desire to persuade him vanished.

"This subordinate understands. We shall proceed deeper."

Yue Guan put away the parchment map.

"System, activate High-Rank Soul Beast Precision Radar."

Su Chen issued the command in his heart.

"Ding. Radar enabled. Commencing scan of the Star Dou Great Forest region."

A translucent, circular radar interface immediately appeared at the edge of Su Chen's vision.

Countless dense light dots lit up on the radar.

Most were white and yellow, Representing low-rank ten-year and hundred-year soul beasts.

"Filter out all targets below fifteen hundred years."

"Filter out targets that are not of extreme light or extreme dark attributes."

"Filter out targets with ordinary bloodlines."

Su Chen issued three consecutive filtering commands.

The light dots on the radar interface vanished by ninety-nine percent in an instant.

The once-crowded screen became empty, Leaving only a few faint purple dots flickering at the extreme edge.

"As expected, there is nothing good to be found in the outer perimeter."

Su Chen was not discouraged.

"Continue moving inward; the soul beast years here are too low."

Su Chen issued the order to the two people behind him.

The trio quickened their pace.

They wove through the towering trees.

The further they went, The trees grew increasingly towering.

The light became dimmer and dimmer.

The oppressive sensation in the surrounding air intensified significantly.

Occasionally, a few short-sighted, century-old soul beasts attempted to attack them.

Before Su Chen could even make a move.

Gui Mei merely cast a cold glance at them.

Releasing a mere sliver of his immense Title Douluo pressure.

Those soul beasts were directly crushed until their bodies exploded.

Turning into a sky full of blood mist.

A full half-day passed.

They had penetrated nearly forty miles into the forest.

This area was already considered the deep periphery of the Star Dou Great Forest.

They were nearing the Mixed Zone.

Powerful soul beasts of the thousand-year level or higher could appear at any moment.

Just then.

The radar interface at the edge of Su Chen's vision suddenly emitted an invisible, sharp alarm.

A light dot, glowing a deep, purplish red.

Burst into the radar's scanning range without any warning.

And began to flash violently in the top right corner of the light screen.

Su Chen stopped in his tracks.

He immediately focused his intent on that light dot.

The system's detailed information unfolded accordingly.

"Ding. Extremely compatible target detected."

"Species: Dark Nightmare Demon Tiger."

"Age: 2,500 years."

"Bloodline: Extremely rare mutation. Possesses a faint atavistic bloodline of the Ancient Evil Dark God Tiger. Attacks carry powerful soul-shaking and physical-corrosion effects."

"Attribute Compatibility: Ultimate Darkness. Compatible with the God-Slaying Magic Spear."

Su Chen's eyes snapped open.

A flash of fanatical battle intent crossed his pupils.

A rare mutated bloodline of 2,500 years.

The true combat power of this soul beast.

Was absolutely no less than an ordinary 3,500-year-old soul beast.

Once successfully absorbed.

Not only would it perfectly activate his First Soul Skill.

It might even significantly enhance the origin power of the God-Slaying Magic Spear.

This was simply a top-tier soul ring tailor-made for him.

"Found it."

Su Chen turned to look at Yue Guan and Gui Mei.

His tone carried an undeniable command.

"Southeast direction, fifteen miles away."

"There is a mutated thousand-year soul beast. Its age is over 2,500 years."

"Advance at full speed. We must not let it escape."

Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance.

Both of them saw a trace of shock in the other's eyes.

As Title Douluos.

Even their vast spiritual perception had not detected the presence of a thousand-year soul beast fifteen miles away.

Yet Su Chen could report the location and age with such precision.

This could only be attributed to his monstrous, materialized spiritual power.

"As you command."

The two elders did not dare to hesitate.

Gui Mei directly released a mass of black mist.

Enveloping Su Chen within it.

The three of them transformed into three streaks of light.

Galloping toward the target location at a terrifying speed through the dense forest.