Journey to the Star Dou Great Forest Again

"Oh? Tell me about it, perhaps I've heard of it." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was intrigued.

Huo Yuhao nodded and began to explain.

"That soul beast is called the Seven-Colored Elk, and it possesses two extremely unique skills. One can amplify its own spiritual power, while the other allows it to ignore any spiritual attacks from those with lower spiritual power than itself."

"That skill is too overpowered, isn't it? How could it have gone extinct ten thousand years later?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm asked, puzzled.

"Because although this soul beast has strong spiritual defense, its physical body is incredibly fragile. Even a ten-thousand-year-old one is arguably on par with a hundred-year-old soul beast..."

"Furthermore, according to records, the Seven-Colored Elk is a treasure from head to toe; even its meat can increase spiritual power when consumed. This led countless soul masters to flock to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt them. Yet, despite being so valuable, this soul beast was rarely hunted before, only to go extinct rapidly within a few hundred years..."

Huo Yuhao recalled Wang Yan's words, listening as Tian Meng felt a sense of sympathy.

He, too, belonged to a race with no power to truss a chicken, forced to exist at the very bottom of the food chain. Even as a million-year-old entity, in the eyes of those fierce beasts, he was nothing more than a larger snack.

Ice Empress seemed to notice Tian Meng's dejection and walked silently to his side.

"The law of the jungle is the rule of the soul beasts. At the very least, you have already changed your own destiny."

"Mm, thank you, Bingbing. I knew you were the best to me. If I could just have a kiss, I'd definitely be back to full health."

"Get lost!"

"Right away..."

With a goal in mind, all that remained was to prepare and wait for the holiday.

The next morning, Xiao Wu looked at Huo Yuhao with anticipation.

"The holiday starts in two days. Do you have any plans this time?"

Last year, everyone was free and chose to stay at the academy. Huo Yuhao had gone back for two days to deliver the Soul Tool he made to old Jack, just to ensure he wouldn't run into any danger.

With a fourth-level soul barrier, a fourth-level sealed Milk Bottle, and other equipment, old Jack was armed to the teeth. With no more worries, Huo Yuhao didn't need to return every year.

"I plan to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain my third soul ring." Huo Yuhao smiled slightly.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened.

"When did you reach level thirty? You're moving too fast. I'll go with you."

"In these next few days. What about you, Tang San? What are your plans?" Huo Yuhao asked, looking at Tang San.

"I only just obtained my soul ring not long ago. You and Xiao Wu go ahead; I'll stay at the academy."

His only relative in the village had passed away, so Tang San naturally had no reason to return. He decided to stay at the academy and study knowledge under Grandmaster.

He looked at Huo Yuhao and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He had thought that by becoming a Soul Grand Master, he had narrowed the gap between them, but he hadn't expected it to grow even wider...

The interactions with Xiao Wu that Grandmaster had instructed him to pursue were also yielding no results. In the eyes of others, seeing the two of them acting intimate and playful, he felt like an outsider.

A few days later, the two arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest, only three years after their last visit.

The outskirts of the forest hadn't changed much; the familiar signboards made it feel as if nothing had changed at all.

"Xiao Wu, I have a favor to ask. Do you know of a species called the Seven-Colored Elk?" Huo Yuhao asked as they walked.

"Hmm... I think I have a vague impression. Why? Are you looking for them?"

Xiao Wu was curious, then added.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I can ask Da Ming and Er Ming."

"Oh? Who are they?"

"Two soul beasts raised by my mother; you could say they are my younger brothers. If we go a bit deeper, they'll be able to sense me."

Xiao Wu didn't hide anything. After their last conversation, she had completely trusted Huo Yuhao. When she said those words, she felt his sincerity.

The two continued deeper into the forest. Before long, the ground began to tremble, and the trees directly in front of them toppled to the sides. Some massive creature was approaching them at high speed!

Huo Yuhao's expression tightened. He immediately grabbed Xiao Wu's hand, his gaze fixed sternly ahead.

Seeing Huo Yuhao looking tense and ready to carry her away at a moment's notice, Xiao Wu's eyes curved into crescents.

She gently squeezed the hand Huo Yuhao was holding. "Don't worry, I can sense it. It's Er Ming."

Huo Yuhao felt a slight sense of relief, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. What did Xiao Wu's family look like?

When the massive commotion reached them, what Huo Yuhao saw was an ape as large as a mountain, its pitch-black fur radiating a metallic luster.

"Titan Giant Ape?"

"You actually know? Let me introduce you, this is Er Ming."

Xiao Wu was slightly surprised, then smiled as she introduced him to Huo Yuhao.

Upon seeing a human following Xiao Wu, the Titan Giant Ape let out a furious roar and slammed a fist toward Huo Yuhao.

Xiao Wu hurriedly shouted, "Er Ming, stop! This is my friend. If you do that again, I'll be angry."

The Titan Giant Ape spoke in a human voice, though it was intermittent.

"Xiao Wu... sister, humans... cannot be trusted."

"Trust your sister Xiao Wu's judgment."

Xiao Wu hugged Huo Yuhao's arm and said to the Titan Giant Ape.

"Human, what is your business?"

Although he had listened to Xiao Wu, the Titan Giant Ape still did not welcome him, his gaze revealing clear hostility.

Huo Yuhao stated his purpose directly; there was no need to beat around the bush with Soul Beasts.

"I wish to find the Seven-Colored Elk clan, preferably their king. I want to make a deal with them."

The Titan Giant Ape scratched his head, his eyes filled with confusion; he did not quite understand what a deal meant.

At this moment, another voice rang out.

"Human, I can help you with an introduction, but you must tell me the content of this deal. I must ensure it will not be detrimental to the Soul Beasts."

A flash of cyan light appeared beside the Titan Giant Ape, and a massive figure with the head of a bull and the body of a snake emerged. It was he who had just spoken.

Huo Yuhao's pupils constricted. The Sky Azure Bull Python? And a hundred-thousand-year one at that!

"Yuhao, this is Da Ming."

Nodding slightly in greeting, Huo Yuhao did not show any panic and slowly explained his purpose.

"I have reached level thirty and require a Soul Ring..."

Hearing only halfway, the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes were instantly filled with killing intent. As expected, he was still targeting Soul Beasts.

What deal could be more important than one's life? Big Sister Xiao Wu had truly been deceived by this human!

However, once Huo Yuhao finished explaining the effects of a Soul Spirit and finally proposed the terms of the deal, the atmosphere shifted.

He hoped to have those Soul Beasts that were crippled or nearing the end of their lifespans become his Soul Spirits. In return, the other party could extend their lives, with the potential to even ascend to godhood alongside him.

"Ridiculous! How can you prove you have such an ability? I have never heard of such a thing as a Soul Spirit."

The Sky Azure Bull Python's voice was full of mockery. He did not believe this crude lie and was about to refuse when his pupils shrank the next second.

His gaze fell upon the scorpion tattoo on Huo Yuhao's back and the Ice Empress's spiritual projection that had appeared beside him.

"I have already succeeded once..."

A faint smile appeared on Huo Yuhao's face. The facts were right before their eyes, more powerful than any explanation.