Manjusaka

"Once you return to Martial Soul Hall, you will naturally know."

Guang Ling Douluo snorted coldly as well, then turned and walked toward the cave entrance without looking back.

He left behind only a resentful Dugu Bo and a helpless Luo Chen.

However, the reality was not as dire as Dugu Bo imagined. Logically speaking, as a Title Douluo who had already joined Martial Soul Hall—and had been recruited by Luo Chen himself—Dugu Bo certainly had the qualifications to know the answer.

But that was precisely where the problem lay.

The answer? Even Guang Ling Douluo did not know.

Because as of now, Luo Chen did not actually have an official status within Martial Soul Hall.

Qian Daoliu had never discussed this matter with any of them.

At this moment, as Guang Ling Douluo departed, Luo Chen could only glance at Dugu Bo and shrug his shoulders at him.

"Let's go, Elder Dugu. This matter truly requires us to reach Martial Soul Hall before I can give you an answer."

With that, Luo Chen hesitated no longer, turning to stride after Guang Ling Douluo.

Clearly, he did not even know what his own status was supposed to be.

Left alone in place, Dugu Bo, still unaware of the truth, was completely bewildered.

Did he really have no right to know anything at all?

He was a Title Douluo, for heaven's sake; did they really have to treat him like this? Were they not afraid he would jump ship?

As expected, things obtained too easily were never cherished.

Yet, despite wanting to curse under his breath, Dugu Bo still hurried to catch up.

Soon, the group of three emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and stepped into the outside world.

Dugu Yan was sitting at the cave entrance, eating dry rations, and jumped in surprise when she saw the three of them, quickly scrambling to her feet.

"Grandfather, and... Luo Chen, and this senior."

Dugu Yan spoke with some awkwardness, but she felt a sense of relief seeing the three of them emerge on good terms.

From her perspective, the three had been down there for three days; if they hadn't appeared, she would have been tempted to sneak down to see if some accident had occurred.

"Ahem, Senior Dugu Bo, since you have joined Martial Soul Hall, then your granddaughter..."

Luo Chen cleared his throat, his meaning self-evident.

Dugu Bo's expression stiffened, but he eventually nodded.

"I know. Rest assured, from now on we are all people of Martial Soul Hall. If you want any guarantees or a pledge of loyalty, feel free to ask."

Dugu Yan, standing to the side: "???"

But before she could ask what was going on, the three had already vanished from the spot.

Only a voice transmission from Dugu Bo remained: "Yan Yan, I will explain everything clearly when I return. Stay here and don't wander off."

Although Dugu Yan was still confused, she nodded after hearing Dugu Bo's words.

She cupped her hands to her mouth:

"Don't worry, Grandfather!"

Meanwhile, the three had already traveled far away.

"What kind of soul beast are you looking for, and what is the specific age range?"

Flying in mid-air and scanning the forest below, Dugu Bo turned to ask the two of them.

Normally, for a Title Douluo of his standing, there would be no need to ask such low-level questions.

But alas, the person who needed to hunt for a soul ring this time was far too special.

Luo Chen's soul, which bore the name of a god, and his shocking first three rings—each one a bombshell that would stir the entire soul master world if revealed individually—meant he dared not be blindly confident.

It was better to leave the decision for Luo Chen's fourth soul ring to the boy himself; otherwise, if something went wrong, he would not have an easy time of it.

Upon hearing Dugu Bo's question, Luo Chen hesitated for a moment.

"I don't have any rigid requirements regarding the specific species."

"But as for the soul ring age, it must be at least ten thousand years, preferably over eleven thousand years."

Luo Chen nodded as he spoke.

Although he had anticipated this, Dugu Bo still fell silent.

"Do you know that the difference between a thousand-year soul ring and a ten-thousand-year soul ring is not merely in the age?"

After much thought, Dugu Bo still felt compelled to warn Luo Chen.

"I know, the soul shock, right? I am confident, Elder Dugu, so please don't worry."

"You just find the soul beast; leave the rest to me and Grandpa Guang Ling."

Luo Chen smiled as he spoke; he had known about this for a long time and was fully confident he could overcome it, so there was no need to worry at all.

Dugu Bo said nothing more to this and began to focus on searching for a ten-thousand-year soul beast.

During this time, Guang Ling Douluo, who was standing to the side, seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

In the end, however, he chose not to speak.

He chose to trust Luo Chen; this child always managed to bring their group of old fogies unexpected surprises and shocks.

At the same time, he felt in his heart that there shouldn't be any soul beast capable of exerting much influence on a martial soul with "God" as its suffix.

Time passed minute by minute; they searched from dusk until late into the night.

And from late night, they arrived at the next morning.

Finally, in the deepest core area of the Sunset Forest, Dugu Bo stopped, bringing Luo Chen and Guang Ling Douluo with him.

"How about it? Are you satisfied with the soul beast ahead?"

Stepping through the void and standing in mid-air, Dugu Bo pointed his gaze forward.

It was a soul beast wreathed in an aura of darkness.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to call it a flower.

"A plant-type soul beast, Mandala Flower."

Luo Chen recognized this plant-type soul beast, which was pure white in its entirety yet radiated black energy.

At the same time, a look of shock flashed through his eyes; if he remembered correctly, this type of soul beast was rare in the world, to the point of near extinction.

Were they really this lucky?

Dugu Bo, standing to the side, seemed to have read Luo Chen's thoughts, as he looked up and curled his lip.

"Heh, I encountered this when I came to the Sunset Forest some years ago. Back then, it was only a thousand-year soul beast. I don't know what kind of fortune it devoured, but it actually reached twelve thousand years in just over a decade."

"When I first saw it, I just felt that such a plant-type soul beast was too rare, and since I didn't need to absorb a soul ring, I didn't hunt it. I never expected it would end up being a bargain for you, kid!"

Hearing this, the look in Luo Chen's eyes as he gazed at Dugu Bo became even more shocked.

He was wondering whether Dugu Bo was divine or if the Sunset Forest itself was just too miraculous.

How did Dugu Bo manage to stumble upon all these rare plant-type treasures and soul beasts?

Could it be that he possessed some kind of special constitution?

Outwardly, however, he cupped his hands toward Dugu Bo.

"Many thanks, Elder Dugu."

Turning around, he looked at Guang Ling Douluo, who was standing with his hands behind his back, exuding the air of an expert.

"Grandpa Guang Ling, please do it."

Guang Ling Douluo did not dally upon hearing this; he raised his hand and summoned his martial soul, a crystal-clear ice bow.

This ten-thousand-year Manjusaka was indeed strong, but Guang Ling Douluo was stronger.

After a brief confirmation of the Manjusaka's core, Guang Ling Douluo raised his bow and arrow.

Charging up and taking aim, his third soul ring instantly lit up.

"Third soul skill, Frost Ice Wings!"