Star Dou Forest

Three days later.

At the east gate of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan stood beside a luxurious, pitch-black carriage bearing the Xiao Clan crest, carrying a simple travel pack on his back.

The carriage was two stories high and pulled by six snow-white, thousand-year soul beasts known as Cloud-Treading Colts. Each one was incredibly majestic, and soul-guided lamps hung on both sides of the carriage, emitting a faint, soft glow. The sheer luxury of the carriage forced Xiao Yan to marvel at the vast wealth and influence of the Xiao Clan.

What the...

Xiao Yan looked at the recommendation letter in his hand, then back at the carriage that clearly exceeded all expectations, his mouth twitching slightly.

Even though Xiao Family Village was a branch of the Xiao Clan, it was far poorer and more desolate. He had assumed the Xiao Clan was just a small local family, but he never imagined they possessed such scale.

It looked exactly like the kind of grand procession one would see when nobles from Western fantasy worlds went out for a hunt.

However, he was just a poor kid with no background; why would the Xiao Clan mobilize such a force just to send him to school?

"Xiao Yan, is it? Get on."

The old man driving the carriage lifted the curtain with an expressionless face, his tone cold. Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered to waste words with him, so he lifted his foot and stepped onto the carriage.

However, when he passed through the thick velvet curtains and saw the scene inside, his footsteps faltered.

The interior of the carriage was incredibly spacious, covered with soft animal-hide rugs. Red mahogany chairs were placed on both sides, and in the center, there was even a small round table laden with tea sets and snacks.

At this moment, seven or eight people were already seated inside, both men and women, ranging from teenagers to those in their thirties. Every single one of them exuded fluctuations of soul power.

Xiao Yan sensed them briefly; the lowest soul power fluctuation among these people was at the Soul Grand Master level, meaning at least level 20.

Sitting in the very center was a familiar figure: Xiao Yan's rival, Xiao Yulü.

Compared to a few days ago, Xiao Yulü had changed into a brand-new black martial outfit, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, looking full of vigor.

"Yo, Xiao Yan, you're here!"

Xiao Yulü looked up, saw Xiao Yan, and grinned. He patted the empty seat beside him and said, "Come, come, come, sit here!"

Xiao Yan glanced casually at the others in the carriage. A few young people looked at him with hostility, while some of the older ones remained expressionless, though they betrayed a hint of wariness.

"Yo, Xiao Yulü, going to such lengths to send me to school?"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, only to see Xiao Yulü slap his forehead in realization. "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce everyone."

"These are all experts from the clan. Since you are heading to Shrek Academy and must pass through the Star Dou Forest, it just so happens that I am going there to hunt soul beasts. These are the clan soul masters escorting me."

"Star Dou Forest?"

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered. After sitting down, he watched Xiao Yulü stretch his back, his tone relaxed.

"That's right."

"Didn't I say? I want to enter Shrek Academy with my head held high, so I need to quickly increase my soul power."

"Since I'm at level ten now, I need to hunt a soul ring to break through to level eleven."

Xiao Yulü spoke with such nonchalance that Xiao Yan was stunned.

That's right. Although his level was tied to the Little Fire Dragon, he still needed a soul ring to continue leveling up.

Even though he had Innate Full Soul Power and had possessed a first soul ring early on, as his soul power dropped, the ring had gradually dissipated and merged with the spirit egg.

Ever since the duel three days ago, no matter how he cultivated, there was no sign of his soul power increasing. Xiao Yan had assumed it was like a game, where he needed the Little Fire Dragon to fight monsters and gain experience points to level up.

It seemed now that he needed to obtain a first soul ring all over again.

"So, I'm just catching a free ride on your coattails, then?"

"You could put it that way."

Xiao Yan was lost in thought. Xiao Yulü nodded, then changed the subject.

"But, speaking of which, Xiao Yan, your first soul ring seems to have dissipated. You don't have one right now, do you?"

Xiao Yan was startled. He hadn't expected this guy to be so observant in his daily life that he even knew his first soul ring had vanished.

"Well, that's perfect!"

Xiao Yulü's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh. "Since we both have fire-attribute martial souls, we can look for soul beasts together and hunt for rings. We can look out for each other."

"Oh? Are you sure?"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, only to see Xiao Yulü pat his own chest and say loudly:

"Nonsense, I, the great Xiao Yulü, keep my word. Besides, the Star Dou Forest isn't safe. With your strength, it's just an extra layer of security."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan didn't say anything more, but the atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became somewhat subtle.

The few young people exchanged glances. One of them, a short-haired youth with a rebellious look, couldn't help but speak up:

"Young Master Yulü, this... isn't quite appropriate, is it?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Xiao Yulü shot him a sideways glance.

"This escort mission was arranged by the clan specifically to ensure your safety," the short-haired youth said, lowering his voice. "Bringing an outsider along now..."

"An outsider?" Xiao Yulü sneered. "Xiao Yan is a direct descendant of the Xiao Clan; how could he possibly be an outsider?"

The short-haired youth's tone faltered, yet he steeled himself and pressed on:

"But... but the admission interview slot was originally yours, and yet..."

"And yet I lost, so the slot is his."

Xiao Yulü cut him off, his tone calm yet brooking no argument:

"Do you have a problem with that?"

The short-haired youth opened his mouth, but ultimately lowered his head in silence.

The carriage interior fell back into silence.

Xiao Yan leaned against his seat, eyes closed to rest, appearing completely indifferent to everything around him.

Yet, inside, he was venting furiously.

Xiao Yulü really is the eldest young master of the Xiao Clan; he brings eight or ten bodyguards just for a single soul beast hunt. With their strength, they could probably clear out an entire small-scale soul beast forest.

Still, looking at the way these people are eyeing me...

Tsk, as expected, there are those who aren't convinced.

But that's normal; after all, that recommendation letter was meant for Xiao Yulü, and I ended up snatching it away. Anyone would feel stifled by that.

"Alright, stop pulling such long faces."

Xiao Yulü waved his hand:

"Let's move out."

As soon as the words fell, the carriage began to move slowly.

The Cloud-Treading Colts let out a long neigh, and as the six soul beasts stepped forward in unison, the carriage rolled smoothly out of the Xiao Clan gates.

Inside the carriage, several older soul masters began to whisper, discussing the route and precautions for this hunt.

As for the younger ones, they would steal glances at Xiao Yan from time to time, their expressions complex.

Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered with their moods and simply kept his eyes closed to rest.

The carriage picked up speed, kicking up a cloud of dust, and the soul masters on board ceased their chatter, gradually falling into silence.

None of them could have imagined what kind of danger they would soon encounter within the Star Dou Forest.