First Steps into the Star Dou Great Forest

After persuading Yan Shaozhe, Mu En once again turned his gentle gaze toward Xia Ming and asked,

"Then, do you have any preferences regarding the specific type of soul beast?

There are countless kinds of soul beasts, each with different traits.

Choosing one highly compatible with your Martial Soul, one that can maximize the amplification effects you envision, is crucial."

For an ordinary six-year-old child who had only just awakened his Martial Soul, this should have been an extremely difficult question.

Not knowing was the norm.

Mu En and Yan Shaozhe had both prepared to explain everything to him in detail and offer him several options. They would never think less of him because of it.

However, Xia Ming was a transmigrator. After barely a pause, he answered clearly,

"My initial thought is to prioritize powerful canine or lion-type soul beasts.

Or top-tier bloodline soul beasts renowned for pure strength and defense, such as the Dark-Gold Terrorclaw Bear and the Titan Giant Ape."

His answer deepened the approval in Mu En's eyes. Even Yan Shaozhe raised his brows slightly, somewhat surprised.

"Your thinking is very clear." Mu En nodded.

"The Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff is considered the ancestor of canine and lion-type soul beasts.

Absorbing the Soul Ring of such a soul beast with a shared origin generally allows Soul Power to merge more smoothly. The resulting soul skill is also more likely to strengthen the body's innate traits, which aligns with your expectations."

"And if you do not choose lion or canine types, then the next best option would be

soul beasts with powerful bloodlines, whose strength and defense surpass all others of the same rank.

Their Soul Rings have a high chance of granting you pure and powerful attribute enhancements, greatly increasing your foundational combat strength.

Both paths are proper choices."

He turned toward Yan Shaozhe. "Shao Zhe, have you remembered everything?"

"Yes, Teacher.

Powerful thousand-year lion-type and canine soul beasts.

Or top-tier strength-type soul beasts such as the Dark-Gold Terrorclaw Bear and Titan Giant Ape. I will keep it firmly in mind."

Yan Shaozhe answered respectfully. His usual composure had already returned as he began considering the journey ahead.

"Mm." Mu En gave one final instruction.

"The core region of the Star Dou Great Forest is far too dangerous. Xia Ming currently lacks the ability to venture there.

Take Xia Ming and search carefully through the mixed region and outer region. Safety comes first.

You must find one with the most suitable bloodline and age. It is better to spend more time than to settle for something inferior."

"I understand, Teacher. Please rest assured." Yan Shaozhe promised solemnly.

Only then did Mu En look toward Xia Ming, his gaze full of expectation.

"Go. Remember, when absorbing the Soul Ring, guard your mind closely and guide your Soul Power. Your body is stronger than you imagine."

"Yes! Thank you, Teacher!" Xia Ming bowed deeply.

Yan Shaozhe bowed to Mu En once more, then turned to Xia Ming with a faint smile.

"Junior Brother, we'll set off now.

The Star Dou Great Forest isn't far. At my speed, we'll arrive very quickly."

"Mm!" Xia Ming nodded vigorously.

"Good, let's go!"

As soon as Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, he stepped forward and naturally, gently scooped Xia Ming into his arms.

Xia Ming felt himself instantly enveloped by warm, vast Soul Power. The next moment, they rose from the ground and shot into the sky!

Sea God Island rapidly shrank beneath them. Cool gale-force winds rushed toward them, only to be completely blocked by the invisible Soul Power barrier emanating from Yan Shaozhe.

"We'll make this a quick trip," Yan Shaozhe's steady voice clearly reached Xia Ming's ears through the howling wind.

Xia Ming looked down at the mountains and plains flashing past beneath him, sensing the abyssal, oceanic power of the Super Douluo beside him.

His anticipation for his first soul hunt reached its peak.

"We're here."

Before long, Yan Shaozhe landed once again and gently set Xia Ming down from his arms.

"This is the northwest side of the Star Dou Great Forest, directly facing our academy.

Generally speaking, the soul beasts in this direction are the strongest.

The academy also has a rule: no one below Soul King level may enter the Star Dou Great Forest head-on from this direction.

Even Soul Kings need to be led by a teacher before they are permitted to enter.

Of course, with me here, we can naturally enter from this direction.

Although it is somewhat more dangerous, the chances of encountering a suitable soul beast are also greater.

All right, follow behind me. Do not leave my sight."

"Mm." Xia Ming nodded lightly and followed Yan Shaozhe into the forest.

It was his first time entering the Star Dou Great Forest, and he was still somewhat nervous.

Yan Shaozhe was here, so they ordinarily would not encounter any danger. Besides, Yan Shaozhe was not someone completely unreliable like Xuan Zi.

But Xia Ming knew just how many dangers lurked within this forest.

To say nothing else, half of the Ten Great Beast Lords lived in this forest. Encountering even one of them was not something Yan Shaozhe could handle.

Of course, they generally remained within the Land of Great Calamity and would not emerge easily.

Xia Ming did not think his luck could possibly be bad enough for him to encounter a Beast Lord while hunting his first Soul Ring.

The two entered the dense forest one after the other in silence.

After traveling only a few hundred meters, they encountered their first soul beast.

"Whoosh—!"

A slightly shrill sound of something cutting through the air rang out.

Amid the violent shaking of branches and leaves, a dark figure sprang from the canopy ahead and to the side, blocking their path.

It was an agile baboon, its entire body covered in tawny fur. Its eyes were brown, its arms extraordinarily long, and sharp claws protruded from its hands. Its canine teeth showed beneath its lips, while savage light radiated from its eyes.

"A Wind Baboon. Judging by its size, its cultivation is around four hundred to five hundred years."

Yan Shaozhe slowed slightly, calmly sweeping his gaze over the soul beast as it bared its fangs and let out a threatening growl. His tone remained even as he made his assessment.

As expected of a God Slayer. It actually dared to provoke a Super Douluo accompanied by a monstrous Soul Scholar like Xia Ming.

Yan Shaozhe did not immediately drive away or kill the Wind Baboon.

Instead, he turned sideways to Xia Ming, his tone resolute. "You will deal with it."

Xia Ming instantly understood Yan Shaozhe's intention.

Yan Shaozhe wanted him to undergo his first real battle and gain experience fighting soul beasts.

He had no objection to that.

In terms of actual combat power, after the all-around strengthening brought by his Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff Martial Soul,

even as a Soul Scholar, he was already capable of matching ordinary low-to-mid-ranked Soul Ancestors. In theory, dealing with a century-old soul beast did not pose much risk.

But theory was only theory. In one's first real battle, any unexpected situation could arise.

With Yan Shaozhe standing guard beside him, his safety would be absolutely assured.

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Xia Ming took a deep breath. There was not the slightest fear in his eyes; instead, blazing fighting spirit surged within them.

The next moment,

pale golden light abruptly burst from his body. It was not dazzling, yet it carried an indescribable majesty.

His body swelled slightly, and the lines of his muscles became smoother and more defined beneath his clothes. A faint phantom of golden fur flashed across the surface of his body.

His eyes turned a brilliant gold, and within the depths of his pupils, the shadow of a lion seemed to rise and fall.

Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff, Martial Soul Possession!

Almost at the very instant of possession, Xia Ming released without hesitation the terrifying aura belonging to the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff—an aura from deep within its bloodline, sufficient to look down upon all beasts!

And not only that.

Domination Domain, activate!

After all, this was his first battle. Even against a century-old Wind Baboon, Xia Ming intended to go all out!