Hurricane Wood Mountain Range

After entering the forest, the team advanced according to the arrangements made by Qing Zhengyue.

Qing Hongyuan led the way, his long blade cleaving through the vines and shrubs blocking their path, his footsteps steady and firm.

Spirit King-level spirit power circulated within him, ready to erupt at any moment.

Shen Wanqing followed behind her husband, her Jade Orchid martial soul already released; a translucent, emerald-green orchid hovered above her head, emitting a faint green halo.

This orchid continuously diffused tiny specks of light that settled upon Qing Hongyuan in front, and upon Liu Yunlan and Qing Mufeng behind.

The Jade Orchid's support effect increased the speed of spirit power recovery and slowed the depletion of physical stamina.

Liu Yunlan walked in the middle of the team, holding her grandson's hand. The old woman's right hand remained gripped around a poison-tipped dagger, her gaze sweeping across the thickets on either side; no rustle of wind or movement of grass could escape her eyes.

Qing Zhengyue walked at the rear, his long blade held horizontally before him, his Spirit Emperor-level spiritual power spreading outward to cover a radius of a hundred zhang.

Any spirit beast that entered this range would be detected by him instantly.

The five of them moved at a steady, measured pace, their coordination seamless, without a single wasted movement.

Qing Zhengyue had not been researching the Wind Wood Dragon for just a day or two.

Ever since he decided three months ago to hunt a third spirit ring for his grandson, he had scoured every book regarding dragon-type spirit beasts in the Qing Clan Library.

The Wind Wood Dragon was the optimal choice he had finalized after screening over a dozen targets.

It cultivated both wood and wind attributes, possessing a high compatibility with the Azure Dragon.

At five to eight thousand years, it was exactly within his grandson's capacity to withstand.

Its habitat was fixed within the Hurricane Wood Mountain Range in the southern and northern regions of the Star Dou Forest, meaning they did not need to venture deep into the core area, keeping the safety factor relatively high.

The five of them trekked through the forest for about two hours, and though the sky had turned completely dark, Qing Zhengyue showed no intention of stopping.

"We are almost there," the old man said from the back of the team. "The entrance to the Hurricane Wood Mountain Range is five miles ahead."

The five-mile journey took nearly half an hour to traverse within the forest.

When they passed through a dense thicket and the view suddenly opened up, Qing Mufeng finally saw the full scope of the Hurricane Wood Mountain Range.

It was a region of rolling hills; the terrain was not particularly steep, but the vegetation was incredibly dense. The mountains were covered in vast stretches of broad-leaved forests with towering trees whose canopies blotted out the sky, preventing even the moonlight from filtering through.

The air was filled with a rich scent of vegetation, several times thicker than in the outer reaches of the forest.

"This is the Hurricane Wood Mountain Range."

Qing Zhengyue said in a low voice, "The Wind Wood Dragon likes to stay in places with such dense wood-attribute energy. We will find a spot with a wide field of vision on the outskirts of the mountain range and wait for our prey."

The five of them found a high ground on the outskirts of the mountain range.

The high ground was surrounded by mountains on three sides and open on one, offering an excellent view.

Standing here, one could see a low-lying valley below, filled with waist-high wild grass and several massive ancient trees in the center, their crowns spreading like umbrellas.

Qing Zhengyue judged that this terrain was the most common haunt for the Wind Wood Dragon.

It provided enough open space for it to move about, while the ancient trees offered cover.

The five of them dispersed, hiding behind rocks and shrubs at the edge of the high ground, restraining their aura and waiting patiently.

Time ticked away, second by second.

Half an hour.

One hour.

Two hours.

Qing Mufeng lay behind a rock, his body motionless, his eyes fixed intently on the valley below.

His Azure Dragon Pupil was already activated, his irises glowing with a faint golden light, and every inch of the land below was within his field of vision.

He possessed great patience.

The twenty-plus years of brutal social tempering in his past life had taught him one truth.

Panic solves nothing.

Finally, after waiting for nearly four hours, the target appeared.

From the woods on the east side of the valley came a dull sound of footsteps, accompanied by the snapping of branches.

Qing Mufeng's Azure Dragon Pupil captured the figure the instant it emerged.

Stepping out of the woods was a massive, lizard-like spirit beast.

Its body length exceeded five meters, its shoulder height was about one and a half meters, and its four limbs were thick and powerful, with claws as sharp as hooks.

Its entire body was covered in blue-green scales that shimmered with a moist luster under the sunlight.

A row of fine, dense spines ran along its back, extending from the base of its neck to the tip of its tail.

Its neck was slender, and its head resembled a lizard's, but there were two short, small horns on its forehead, the tips of which glowed with a faint cyan hue.

The most striking feature was its eyes.

Vertical pupils, golden in color, identical to the eyes Qing Mufeng revealed when activating the Azure Dragon Pupil.

Wind Wood Dragon.

It walked slowly, each step carrying a lazy composure, as if this valley were its own domain and nothing could make it nervous.

Qing Zhengyue lay prone behind the foremost rock, his gaze locked onto the Wind Wood Dragon, his pupils slightly constricted.

"Five thousand nine hundred years." The old man silently mouthed these words, his lips barely moving.

Liu Yunlan, behind him, heard the number, and the old lady's eyes brightened.

Five thousand nine hundred years—nearing six thousand—was four hundred years higher than their target, but still within an acceptable range.

This is the one.

Qing Zhengyue raised his right hand and made several gestures.

These were the tactical signals agreed upon within the Qing Clan.

Hongyuan on the left flank, Wanqing on the right, Yunlan at the rear, Mufeng in the center.

I will take the front.

The four of them nodded in unison and began their movements without a sound.

Qing Hongyuan circled out from the bushes on the left, his footsteps as light as a civet cat, making no noise whatsoever.

Shen Wanqing circled out from the right, the phantom of the Jade Orchid above her head having dimmed its light to avoid exposure.

Liu Yunlan held Qing Mufeng's hand, approaching slowly from the rear; the old lady's pace was slow and steady, each step landing in the blind spot of the Wind Wood Dragon's vision.

Qing Zhengyue remained in place, waiting for everyone to reach their positions.

Once all four had arrived at their designated spots, the old man took a deep breath and stood up.

The aura of a Soul Emperor was released without reservation, pressing down upon the Wind Wood Dragon like a massive mountain.

The Wind Wood Dragon jerked its head up, its golden vertical pupils instantly locking onto Qing Zhengyue.

It sensed a threat.

A threat from a high-level soul master.

But it did not flee.

A five-thousand-nine-hundred-year-old soul beast already possessed considerable intelligence and pride.

In its perception, this Hurricane Wood Mountain Range was its territory, and no existence could force it to flee without a fight.

It opened its mouth and let out a low roar.

The roar echoed through the valley, causing the leaves to rustle.

Qing Zhengyue did not give it any more time.

"Attack!"

The moment the words fell, five figures moved simultaneously.

Qing Hongyuan charged from the left flank, four soul rings.

Two yellow, two purple.

Lit up around him.

His martial soul, Azure Snake, possessed him; his arms were covered in a layer of azure snake scales, and his hands transformed into sharp claws.

As he unleashed his fourth soul skill, an azure snake-shaped phantom flew from his body, heading straight for the Wind Wood Dragon's left flank.

Shen Wanqing charged from the right flank, four soul rings.

Two yellow, two purple.

Also lit up.

Her martial soul, Jade Orchid, was released at full power; three emerald-green orchid phantoms bloomed above her head, and three beams of light fell upon Qing Hongyuan, Qing Zhengyue, and Qing Mufeng respectively.

Third Soul Skill: Jade Blessing.

Attack power increased, defense increased, soul power recovery speed increased.

Second Soul Skill: Jade Protection.

Formed a pale green light shield on her teammates, capable of blocking one fatal attack.

Liu Yunlan charged from the rear, five soul rings.

Two yellow, two purple, and one black lit up.

Her martial soul was the Emerald Jade Snake, a mutation of the Azure Snake, leaning toward healing and poison arts.

At this moment, she released her fourth soul skill; a cloud of emerald-green poisonous mist sprayed from her sleeves, transforming into a venomous snake that bit toward the Wind Wood Dragon's hind leg.

Qing Zhengyue charged from the front, six soul rings.

Two yellow, two purple, and two black rings lit up.

As the sixth soul skill was unleashed, a layer of black radiance coated the long blade, causing the air around it to distort.

Qing Mufeng stood behind his grandmother, in no rush to charge forward.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then snapped them open.

Azure Dragon Armor!