Dense Forest Soul Hunt, Undercurrents Lie in Wait

The morning mist in the Spirit Beast Forest gradually dissipated, and dappled sunlight pierced through the layers of the canopy, spilling onto the leaf-strewn ground. Lin Chen led the group at the very front, his ink-colored spirit power quietly swirling around him. While his steps seemed casual, he was actually perceiving every fluctuation of spirit power and every rustle of grass within a hundred-meter radius. His steady back built an invisible safety barrier for everyone behind him.

After the recent incident where the bandits launched a surprise attack and their conspiracy was exposed, the Shrek team's trust in Lin Chen had been carved into their hearts. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar consciously split to both sides of the formation, scanning the forest for movement with vigilance. They followed Lin Chen's instructions throughout without a single unnecessary action. Xiao Wu clung tightly to Lin Chen's left arm, her soft body pressed slightly against him. Her usually lively and restless nature was exceptionally well-behaved at this moment, though she would occasionally look up at Lin Chen's profile, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and reliance. Zhu Zhuqing followed half a step behind Lin Chen's side, her Hell Spirit Cat martial soul remaining in a semi-awakened state. Her cold gaze swept through the dark corners of the forest, yet she would inadvertently glance at Lin Chen; the previous distance between them had completely vanished, leaving only total devotion. Ning Rongrong held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its seven-colored light flowing gently as she stood ready to provide buffs to the group at any moment. Her former spoiled, young-miss temper was nowhere to be found, and her eyes were filled with peace as she looked at Lin Chen, as if as long as he was there, even the most dangerous dense forest would be as flat as a plain.

Only Tang San lagged at the very back of the team, his head bowed, his aura suppressed to the extreme.

His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his fingernails nearly digging into the flesh of his palms. The scene from just moments ago—being exposed in public and suffering the contempt and accusations of everyone—played over and over in his mind. Humiliation and hatred were like poisonous thorns, stabbing fiercely into his heart. He could not understand how his plan, which he thought was seamless and had suppressed his spirit power to the limit without leaving any tangible evidence, had been seen through by Lin Chen at a single glance, leading to such a miserable outcome.

Lin Chen... it's all because of you! Tang San growled through gritted teeth in his heart, a cold, venomous light surging in his eyes. If you hadn't appeared out of nowhere, stealing the attention that should have been mine and snatching away Xiao Wu's trust, I wouldn't have fallen to this point! I will settle this score with you sooner or later!

He calmly circulated his Purple Demon Eye, using the forest vegetation as cover to secretly observe every move Lin Chen made ahead. At the same time, his fingertips quietly brushed against the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist; inside, it held not only the crowd-control methods of his Blue Silver Grass martial soul but also several highly toxic hidden weapons he had prepared in advance. Zhao Wuji's warning still rang in his ears, so he dared not strike rashly. He could only forcibly suppress the malice in his heart, lying in wait silently for the perfect opportunity to strike a fatal blow and completely topple Lin Chen.

Lin Chen naturally sensed the undercurrents from Tang San behind him, but he didn't take them to heart at all.

With Tang San's current strength and methods, he was merely a mantis trying to block a chariot before him. His so-called schemes and tricks were utterly fragile in the face of absolute, crushing power. His focus at this moment was to lead the Shrek team to obtain suitable spirit rings and improve the team's overall strength; as for Tang San's petty actions, they were merely dust that could be wiped away at his leisure.

"Three hundred meters ahead, there is a Wind Blade Wolf around three hundred and fifty years old. It is fast and highly aggressive, suitable for you to practice on, Mubai, and to help refine the team's coordination." Lin Chen suddenly stopped, speaking in a calm tone. He accurately reported the spirit beast's age and characteristics, as if he had long since known this dense forest like the back of his hand.

Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. His White Tiger martial soul instantly possessed him, and golden spirit power surged forth. His figure became even more robust as he replied in a deep voice, "Understood!"

"Rongrong, apply attack and speed buffs to Mubai; Zhuqing, flank and wait for an opportunity to restrain it; Xiao Wu, move around the front and look for openings; Oscar, prepare recovery sausages; Fatty, be ready to provide fire support at any time." Lin Chen's speech was rapid, issuing clear instructions one after another without any hesitation. Everyone immediately performed their respective duties, quickly forming a battle formation with a tacit understanding as if they were one.

The light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's palm surged violently, and two brilliant seven-colored beams instantly landed on Dai Mubai. Dai Mubai felt his strength surge and his speed increase. With a roar, he lunged toward the Wind Blade Wolf!

Roar!

The Wind Blade Wolf sensed the hostility and suddenly darted out from the bushes. Its gray-black fur was taut, its wolf eyes filled with fierce light, and it condensed sharp wind blades in its mouth, slashing fiercely toward Dai Mubai!

"White Tiger Intense Light Wave!" Dai Mubai advanced instead of retreating. He condensed his golden spirit power into his palms and fired it out, colliding violently with the wind blades. An explosion erupted, and a shockwave swept through the surroundings.

Zhu Zhuqing transformed into a hellish afterimage, her speed reaching its limit. She instantly circled behind the Wind Blade Wolf, her claws gleaming with cold light as she lunged for the wolf's legs. Xiao Wu dodged nimbly, avoiding the Wind Blade Wolf's pounce, and charged her Soft Bone Technique, ready to attack at any moment. Ma Hongjun leaped into the air, his Phoenix Fire Line gushing forth, the raging flames sealing off the Wind Blade Wolf's retreat. Oscar quickly produced recovery sausages, placing them by his side for later use.

The rhythm of the entire battle was completely controlled by the Shrek team. Although the Wind Blade Wolf was fierce, it gradually fell into a disadvantage under their tacit cooperation. And the commander of all this, Lin Chen, stood in place the entire time with a calm expression. A single glance from him was enough to make everyone adjust their tactics, fully displaying the absolute aura of someone in total control.

Xiao Wu looked at Lin Chen from time to time while fighting. Seeing his composed and calm demeanor, her admiration grew even deeper, and her attacks became increasingly sharp. Finding the right moment, she leaped, and her Soft Bone Lock instantly clamped onto the Wind Blade Wolf's neck!

"Now!" Lin Chen said lightly.

Dai Mubai understood the cue, and his White Tiger claws slammed into the Wind Blade Wolf's head, instantly ending its life. A three-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring slowly rose from the Wind Blade Wolf's corpse, its pale white halo flowing gently.

"Mubai, absorb the spirit ring. I will guard you." Lin Chen walked to Dai Mubai's side, releasing his spirit power to form a solid defensive barrier, isolating all external interference.

The others gathered around, consciously standing guard in the surroundings. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong stayed close to Lin Chen, and seeing him guarding so earnestly, their trust in him grew even deeper.

"Brother Chen is truly amazing. Whether it's battle command or identifying spirit beasts, no one can compare to him." Ning Rongrong said softly, her tone full of admiration. She had been exposed to various spirit beasts since childhood in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but in front of Lin Chen, she felt that what she had learned was not worth mentioning.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, her cold voice rarely heard: "With him here, we are very safe." This short sentence expressed her total approval of Lin Chen.

Xiao Wu smiled with her eyes curved, hugging Lin Chen's arm tightly, and said softly, "Of course! Brother Chen is the best!"

The conversation of the three reached Tang San's ears behind them without missing a word. Tang San clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, and the jealousy and hatred in his heart grew even more intense. He looked at Lin Chen, who was surrounded like the moon among stars, and then at his own situation—being deliberately alienated and ignored by everyone—and his plan for retaliation became even more vicious.

He quietly circulated his Blue Silver Grass martial soul, and a strand of extremely thin Blue Silver Grass, devoid of any spirit power fluctuations, quietly drilled into the ground and extended toward a dense forest in the distance. There, he had sensed in advance a highly toxic Datura Snake with a thousand years of cultivation...

Dai Mubai's spirit ring absorption went very smoothly. With Lin Chen guarding him, there was no backlash. Half an hour later, he slowly opened his eyes, his spirit power aura significantly enhanced, and his face was full of joy: "It's done! The power of my second spirit ring has increased quite a bit!"

Everyone stepped forward to congratulate him, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Lin Chen nodded slightly and was about to lead the team to continue forward to find the next suitable spirit beast when he suddenly frowned. He sensed a strange fluctuation of spirit power coming from the ground in the distance, mixed with a faint scent of highly toxic poison.

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he instantly guessed that this was Tang San's doing. A hint of imperceptible mockery curled the corners of his mouth.

It seems someone still won't give up, Lin Chen sneered in his heart, but he remained calm and instead ordered, "Continue deeper, head toward the forest on the left."

He wanted to see what kind of tricks Tang San could play this time, and this time, he would not let him off easily!

Seeing Lin Chen lead the team toward the trap he had set, a vicious smile flashed in Tang San's lowered eyes. The malice he had suppressed for so long finally had a chance to vent. He followed closely behind the team, waiting for the moment the toxic Datura Snake would launch its surprise attack, wanting to see Lin Chen fall into a crisis and lose all face!

Deep in the dense forest, the cold, toxic aura slowly permeated. A crisis, meticulously planned by Tang San and far more dangerous than the bandit ambush, was quietly descending upon the Shrek team. But Lin Chen had already seen through everything, his spirit power quietly gathering, ready to completely crush Tang San's latest conspiracy!