The morning mist over the Soul Beast Forest gradually dissipated. Dappled sunlight pierced the layers of treetops and spilled across the leaf-strewn ground. Lin Chen led the group at the very front, dark Soul Power quietly circling around him. He seemed to stroll at ease, but in truth he sensed every fluctuation of Soul Power and every stir of wind or grass within a hundred meters. His steady figure formed an invisible shield of safety for those behind him.
After the bandits' ambush and the exposure of the plot, the people of Shrek had already come to trust Lin Chen from the bottom of their hearts. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar took their places on either side of the group, alertly scanning the forest and following Lin Chen's instructions to the letter, without a single unnecessary move. Xiao Wu clung tightly to Lin Chen's left arm, her soft body pressed lightly against him. Normally lively and spirited, she was now especially docile, only occasionally glancing up at his profile, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and dependence. Zhu Zhuqing stayed half a step beside Lin Chen, her Nether Civet Martial Soul held in a state of partial awakening. Her cool gaze swept over the shadows in the forest, yet she would keep looking at Lin Chen when she thought no one noticed. Her former reserve had vanished, leaving only wholehearted devotion. Ning Rongrong held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hands, its seven-colored light flowing gently as she stood ready to cast boosts on the others. Her usual spoiled young-lady temper had disappeared without a trace. Her eyes were full of reassurance whenever she looked at Lin Chen, as if the most dangerous forest would become as easy to cross as level ground as long as he was there.
Only Tang San trailed at the very back, his head bowed and his presence oppressed to the extreme.
He kept both hands clenched in his pockets, his nails nearly digging into the flesh of his palms. The scene of his plot being exposed in front of everyone and of enduring their scorn and accusations played through his mind again and again. Humiliation and hatred pricked at his heart like poisonous thorns. He could not understand it. His plan had been flawless, his Soul Power concealed to the utmost, and he had left no tangible evidence. Why had Lin Chen still seen through him at a glance, leaving him in such a sorry state?
"Lin Chen... this is all because of you!" Tang San snarled inwardly, venomous cold light churning in his eyes. "If you hadn't appeared out of nowhere and stolen the attention that should have been mine, if you hadn't taken Xiao Wu's trust, how would I have ended up like this? I'll settle this score with you sooner or later!"
He quietly circulated his Purple Demon Eye and used the forest vegetation for cover as he secretly watched Lin Chen's every move. At the same time, his fingertips brushed the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist. Inside lay not only the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul's methods for controlling the battlefield, but also several poisoned Hidden Weapons he had prepared in advance. Zhao Wuji's warning still rang in his ears. Tang San did not dare act rashly, and could only force down the murderous rage in his heart, lying low as he waited for the perfect chance to strike once, fatally, and bring Lin Chen down for good.
Lin Chen had naturally sensed the undercurrents stirring behind him, but paid Tang San no mind.
With Tang San's current strength and methods, he was no more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot. His so-called schemes were utterly worthless against overwhelming power. Lin Chen's focus was on leading Shrek's people to obtain suitable Soul Rings and improve the team's overall strength. Tang San's petty tricks were nothing but specks of dust he could brush away in his spare time.
"There's a Wind Blade Wolf about three hundred and fifty years old, three hundred meters ahead. It's fast and aggressive, so it'll be good practice for you, Mubai, and a chance for the team to work on its coordination." Lin Chen suddenly stopped and spoke in an even tone, accurately stating the Soul Beast's age and traits as if he knew this forest like the back of his hand.
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. His White Tiger Martial Soul instantly possessed him, and golden Soul Power surged forth as his frame grew even more imposing. "Understood!" he replied in a deep voice.
"Rongrong, boost Mubai's attack and speed. Zhuqing, circle around the flank and look for a chance to restrain it. Xiao Wu, keep moving in front and find an opening. Oscar, get the Recovery Sausages ready. Fatty, stand by to support us with fire." Lin Chen issued one clear command after another at great speed, without a moment's hesitation. The others immediately took their positions, swiftly forming a battle formation and working together like a single unit.
Light flared from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's palm. Two dazzling beams of rainbow light fell on Dai Mubai. He felt his strength surge and his speed increase. With a roar, he sprang toward the Wind Blade Wolf!
Roar!
Sensing hostility, the Wind Blade Wolf shot out of the bushes. Its gray-black fur bristled, its eyes flashed with menace, and a sharp blade of wind gathered in its mouth before it slashed fiercely at Dai Mubai!
"White Tiger Intense Light Wave!" Dai Mubai pressed forward instead of retreating. Golden Soul Power gathered in his palm and blasted out, meeting the wind blade head-on. An explosion rang out, and waves of air swept through the surroundings.
Zhu Zhuqing turned into a Netherworld afterimage, moving at blinding speed as she circled behind the Wind Blade Wolf. Her claws flashed as she lunged for its legs. Xiao Wu dodged nimbly, avoiding its pounce, while gathering strength for her Soft Bone Technique and waiting for a chance to strike. Ma Hongjun leaped into the air and unleashed a Phoenix Fire Line, blazing flames sealing off the wolf's escape route. Oscar quickly made Recovery Sausages and set them aside within reach.
The people of Shrek had complete control of the battle's pace. The Wind Blade Wolf was ferocious, but their seamless teamwork gradually put it at a disadvantage. Lin Chen, the one directing it all, remained where he was, his expression calm. A single glance was enough to make the others adjust their tactics, displaying his absolute command of the whole field.
As Xiao Wu fought, she kept glancing at Lin Chen. Seeing how composed he was only made her admire him more, and she attacked with ever greater force. Finding her opening, she sprang forward and locked the Wind Blade Wolf's neck in a Soft Bone Lock!
"Now!" Lin Chen said evenly.
Dai Mubai understood at once. His White Tiger claws slammed into the Wind Blade Wolf's head, ending its life in an instant. A three-hundred-and-fifty-year Soul Ring slowly rose from its corpse, its pale glow flowing gently.
"Mubai, absorb the Soul Ring. I'll guard you." Lin Chen stepped over to Dai Mubai and released his Soul Power, forming a sturdy barrier that kept out all outside interference.
The others gathered around and took up watch around them. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong stood close to Lin Chen. Watching him keep guard so attentively, their trust in him grew even stronger.
"Brother Chen is truly incredible. Whether it's directing a battle or identifying Soul Beasts, no one can compare to him," Ning Rongrong said softly, her voice full of admiration. She had been exposed to all sorts of knowledge about Soul Beasts from a young age through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but beside Lin Chen, she felt that everything she had learned was insignificant.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, and her cool voice rang out—rare for her. "With him here, we're safe." Her brief words said everything about her wholehearted faith in Lin Chen.
Xiao Wu's eyes curved into a smile as she hugged Lin Chen's arm tightly and said sweetly, "Of course! Brother Chen is the best!"
Every word of their conversation reached Tang San at the back. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, and the jealousy and hatred in his heart grew ever more intense. Watching Lin Chen surrounded by admirers, then looking at himself, deliberately shunned and ignored by everyone, only made his plan to strike back grow more vicious.
He quietly circulated his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. A hair-thin strand of Blue Silver Grass, carrying no trace of Soul Power, slipped into the earth and extended toward a distant patch of dense forest. There, a poisonous Datura Snake with a thousand years of cultivation lurked—one he had sensed in advance...
Dai Mubai absorbed his Soul Ring without trouble. With Lin Chen guarding him, there was no backlash. Half an hour later, he slowly opened his eyes. His Soul Power had clearly grown stronger, and his face brimmed with delight. "It worked! My Second Soul Ring is much more powerful now!"
The others stepped forward to congratulate him, and the atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Lin Chen nodded slightly and was just about to lead the group onward in search of another suitable Soul Beast when his brows suddenly knitted together. He sensed a strange fluctuation of Soul Power rising from underground in the distance, accompanied by a faint trace of poison.
A flash of cold light crossed his eyes. He immediately guessed that Tang San was behind it, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, mocking smile.
"Looks like someone still hasn't given up." Lin Chen sneered inwardly, but gave nothing away. Instead, he ordered, "Let's keep going. Head into the forest on the left."
He wanted to see what trick Tang San would try this time. And this time, he would not let him off so easily!
Seeing Lin Chen lead the group toward the trap he had laid, Tang San's lowered eyes flashed with a vicious smile. The murderous rage he had suppressed for so long was finally on the verge of spilling out. He followed close behind the others, waiting for the poisonous Datura Snake to ambush them, eager to see Lin Chen fall into danger and lose face!
Deep in the forest, the cold, poisonous aura slowly spread. A crisis carefully planned by Tang San—far more dangerous than the bandits' ambush—was quietly bearing down on Shrek's people. Lin Chen had already seen through it all, and Soul Power was gathering around him as he prepared to crush Tang San's latest scheme to pieces!
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