Re-entering the Star Dou Forest

Three days later, Zhang Yang stood at the entrance of Martial Soul Hall Academy, arms crossed, waiting quietly alongside teacher Dewey for the arrival of the Xie Yue Squad.

Before long, the figures of the three members of the Xie Yue Squad appeared on the path.

Watching them approach from a distance, Zhang Yang's gaze couldn't help but drift toward Dewey beside him.

Yesterday, teacher Dewey had come to find him carrying a thick stack of documents.

This stack of documents was something Dewey had compiled after scouring the academy's archives.

It contained information on over a hundred Soul Masters above level 50 within the academy, covering nearly a thousand soul skills. It detailed which soul beasts produced which area-of-effect or splash-damage skills, and included the physical characteristics of these soul beasts at the roughly 1,500-year mark.

Its value was immeasurable.

After highlighting a few suitable soul beasts for Zhang Yang, Dewey changed the subject: "Zhang Yang, I suspect that the Pope intends for you to join the Xie Yue Squad."

"Me? Join the Xie Yue Squad?" Zhang Yang was stunned upon hearing this: "Teacher Dewey, what makes you say that?"

"Think about it. If this were merely a simple hunt for a soul ring, why send the Xie Yue Squad to accompany you? Talented as they are, they are currently only three Soul Elders."

"Even if the academy were busy, dispatching one or two squads of Soul Saints would not be an issue."

"Therefore, the Pope's true purpose is likely to let you all get familiar with one another, laying the foundation for you to join the Xie Yue Squad in the future."

"..." Dewey's analysis was logical and sound; Zhang Yang understood immediately.

"For a Soul Master squad, the most important thing is that the gap between members cannot be too large. This includes age and talent."

"If the squad members are of similar age, they can forge true bonds of life and death. If their talents are comparable, they can provide positive motivation and healthy competition; only by chasing each other can they go further."

"Looking at it this way, the Xie Yue Squad is indeed a perfect fit in every aspect."

"After entering the Star Dou Forest, try to integrate into the squad and adapt to their combat rhythm. A balanced Soul Master squad relies on everyone working together, each contributing their strengths to cover the others' weaknesses."

Listening to Dewey's earnest analysis, Zhang Yang nodded: "I understand, teacher Dewey."

Following behind Xie Yue as they reached Zhang Yang, Yan looked at the still-youthful face of Zhang Yang with an indescribably strange expression.

This kid was going to join their squad in the future?

Yesterday, when the squad met up, after Xie Yue checked Yan's supply reserves, he had shared the same suspicion with him.

"Yan, you need to adjust your mindset as soon as possible."

Yan fell silent.

The reason he found Zhang Yang so disagreeable, when it came down to it, was because Hu Liena's words had always hinted at an expectation for this Zhang Yang she had yet to meet.

Yan was 15, at an age where hormones were beginning to stir.

"Are your supplies ready?" Xie Yue looked at Zhang Yang, who was traveling light.

"Packed," Zhang Yang said, patting his chest with full confidence.

Naturally, Zhang Yang possessed a Soul Tool Ring.

"Gold, Soul Tool Ring"
"Value: 151564"
"Equip"
"0.016KG, one slot"
"Special storage equipment. After equipping, gain 9 slots of insurance space. Items drop after 3 deaths, but items in insurance space do not drop."

In the system, this ring was a nine-slot insurance space that gave Zhang Yang peace of mind.

Manifested in the real world, it was a precious storage soul tool with one cubic meter of storage space.

Xie Yue nodded: "Since everything is ready, let's set off."

With that, Xie Yue took the lead and dashed out.

Zhang Yang looked at the three of them, who were traveling light and empty-handed, but he didn't ask the obvious question.

As the personal disciple of the Pope Bibi Dong, it was perfectly normal for Hu Liena to have a storage soul tool.

"Teacher Dewey, we are heading out."

Having said that, Zhang Yang channeled his soul power and vanished from Dewey's sight in a few leaps.

Martial Soul Hall Academy was located 50 kilometers east of the Star Dou Forest, practically right on its doorstep.

At the pace of level 30 Soul Elders, they reached the Star Dou Forest in less than an hour.

Arriving at the edge of the Star Dou Forest, Xie Yue did not rush to lead the team inside, but instead found a sheltered spot to rest for an hour.

A campfire was lit, and the group sat in a circle, warming themselves by the fire while discussing their upcoming Action Plan.

"I will lead the way, Yan, you take the rear. Na Na, you and Zhang Yang stay in the center and watch the flanks to prevent any sneak attacks from soul beasts."

"Understood." Hu Liena and Yan nodded immediately.

Afterward, Xie Yue took out a stack of documents, and the group began to look through them together.

This was the information prepared by Teacher Dewey, provided not only to Zhang Yang but also to Xie Yue and the others, with everyone receiving a copy.

Gathered around the campfire, the group focused on identifying which soul beasts were present, deciding to locate them first before discussing their suitability.

Soon, the water on the rack began to boil.

Zhang Yang took a sip of the hot water, his gaze drifting toward the Star Dou Forest not far away: "It's the dead of winter, and while the leaves have fallen everywhere else, the Star Dou Forest remains lush and green."

Xie Yue nodded: "That is the unique nature of the Star Dou Forest. Legend has it that a deity attained godhood here, and their divine power blessed this land, keeping it verdant all year round."

"Ha, is that for real? Then this deity must have had a plant-type martial soul." Zhang Yang clicked his tongue in wonder.

"It's just a legend." Xie Yue shook his head. "Alright, it's about time. Let's rest up and then head out."

"Agreed." Zhang Yang nodded, flipping his palm to store his tiger-skin blanket into his storage Soul Tool. "Let's go."

Xie Yue and Yan handed their miscellaneous gear to Hu Liena, who made a quick gesture, and the items vanished into her storage Soul Tool.

Once packed, the four of them followed the formation Xie Yue had just arranged and cautiously stepped into the Star Dou Forest.

Inside the forest, Xie Yue held his martial soul, Moon Blade, to clear the path ahead, while Zhang Yang and Hu Liena trailed about ten meters behind him, keeping a steady distance.

Deep within the Star Dou Forest, buffeted by the biting cold wind, none of them had the heart for idle chatter.

They hadn't gone far when a grunting sound drifted over from nearby.

"That sound—it's a pig-type soul beast." Xie Yue paused his steps. "I recall there being a pig-type soul beast in the documents."

"Explosive Flame Mountain Boar. It has fiery red stripes on its back, with each stripe representing a thousand years," Yan's voice drifted lazily from behind.

"Hmm. Since it's there, let's move closer and take a look."

As Xie Yue spoke, he led the team, creeping cautiously toward the source of the sound.

After rounding a few thick trees, Xie Yue hid behind a trunk and peeked over.

A large, earthy-yellow wild boar with two sharp tusks and a body coated in resin and mud was greedily devouring a snake-type soul beast.

More than half of the snake-type soul beast had already been consumed, and it seemed to be very much to the boar's liking.

Xie Yue pushed his palm backward, and Yan and Hu Liena understood immediately, quietly retreating.

After pulling back nearly a hundred meters, Xie Yue spoke to the group: "It's a Mountain Wild Boar, not the target we're looking for. Let's keep moving."

The others nodded, reformed their formation, and continued their advance.