Setting Out for Star Dou

Ling Yu reached out and patted Yan twice on the shoulder, making the already dejected look in Yan's eyes grow even more despondent.

The force behind those pats made his shoulder feel incredibly heavy, as though he were carrying a massive boulder weighing a thousand jin.

"Don't lose heart. Your strength is actually quite good. Soul Masters of the same rank would have a hard time contending with you. As a Battle Soul Master, you're already outstanding!"

A pleasant smile spread across Ling Yu's lips as he comforted Yan. "All right, don't be so down. We'll be setting out for the Star Dou Great Forest soon. If you want to grow stronger, you can come spar with me often in the future. I'll be ready anytime!"

At that, the light in Yan's gloomy eyes instantly returned. That was right. Since Ling Yu was so strong, as long as he fought him regularly in the future, his own strength would surely improve faster.

Thinking this, Yan looked at the youth before him, who was a head shorter than himself, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

He would not become dispirited forever over the loss of a single battle. He still had his own dreams. He still wanted to become a Titled Douluo!

Seeing Yan recover, Xie Yue rarely showed a faint smile. "Ling Yu, you're really strong. You can actually control water and fire. Is that an ability of your Martial Soul?"

That's ninjutsu. It has nothing to do with my Martial Soul!

"More or less."

Ling Yu gave an ambiguous answer. "Just think of it as my Martial Soul being able to control elements."

Xie Yue looked at him in astonishment. "I never expected your Martial Soul to have such an ability. I thought it was merely a powerful spiritual-type Martial Soul, like my sister's. I didn't expect it to have this function too!"

Ling Yu could only shrug helplessly. Was he supposed to say that he knew ninjutsu, and that the energy he cultivated was not Soul Power like theirs? He was not that stupid.

Besides, the power of ninjutsu was bound to be exposed eventually. If it was exposed now, he could at least claim that his Martial Soul could control elements. Once he grew stronger in the future, it would be difficult to find a suitable excuse.

"Mm, that battle just now was quite good. Yan, you've grown much stronger since I last saw you. It seems you haven't let down your guard during this time at the academy."

As the three chatted, a familiar voice sounded from nearby. "And you, Xiao Yu, I'll be waiting for you to come back and explain everything to me properly!"

There was a hint of teasing in Bibi Dong's eyes. Her enchanting, seductive appearance made Ling Yu's heart itch.

"All right, it's getting late. By the time you reach the Star Dou Great Forest, it'll be dark. You should set out as soon as possible!"

As she spoke, Bibi Dong signaled Yue Guan behind her with her eyes. He promptly bowed respectfully and acknowledged her order.

Before leaving, Bibi Dong turned back once more and looked at Ling Yu with a smile in her eyes.

This little fellow really brings a new surprise every day!

"Cough, cough!"

Yue Guan coughed at them, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "For this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, you will travel by carriage from the foot of the mountain."

As he spoke, he took out four ordinary-looking tokens and said solemnly, "Each contains a trace of my Spiritual Power. Once you enter the Star Dou Great Forest, if you encounter a problem you cannot resolve, pour your Soul Power into the token, and I will arrive in time. At all other times, I will not intervene! Remember this well! That is all I have to say. Hurry down the mountain!"

The four of them stored the tokens in their respective Soul Tools, exchanged glances, and headed down the mountain.

What left Ling Yu somewhat puzzled was that his senior sister seemed to be looking at him strangely. She had been somewhat shy before, but today she was unexpectedly bold.

When the four reached the foot of the mountain, a golden carriage engraved with the emblem of Spirit Hall was already waiting there. Two Flame Steeds, each around two hundred years old, stood before it!

These Soul Beasts had exceptionally gentle temperaments and were easy to tame, so they had always been favored by nobles. They were one of the preferred mounts among the wealthy and distinguished.

Their endurance was formidable, allowing them to run continuously for six hours without rest. They were also fast and steady, making them the Bugattis and Ferraris of the Douluo world!

The four entered the carriage. The interior was extremely spacious, furnished with two huge sofas, soft cushions, and fruit platters in various colors on the nearby table. It was luxurious!

After greeting the coachman, the carriage began steadily making its way toward the Star Dou Great Forest amid two horse-like cries.

Inside the carriage, Yan had wanted to sit beside Hu Liena, the girl he loved. However, after being fiercely glared at by her for some reason, he could only dejectedly sit with Xie Yue, staring at the man and woman across from them and letting out a deep sigh.

Hu Liena sat beside Ling Yu with slight nervousness and restraint. Looking at her junior brother's youthful yet exceptionally handsome face, she wore a delighted smile.

"Junior Brother, are you thirsty? I have fresh fruit juice here!"

"I'm not thirsty. There's fruit here!"

"Then are you hungry? I have grilled Soul Beast meat I made yesterday!"

"I'm not very hungry! Uh... Senior Sister, do you need my help with something?"

Hu Liena shyly punched Ling Yu and said bashfully, "Oh, what are you talking about? Isn't it perfectly normal for a senior sister to care about her junior brother?"

Ling Yu looked at the shy girl beside him. Why is Senior Sister so gentle today? Just a few days ago, she was still coming to spar with me. Although she came back defeated every time, she was always full of fighting spirit and never got tired of it. Could she really have fallen for me?

I'm only six!

"Senior Sister, I want to cultivate for a while. I'll eat the grilled meat later!"

Ling Yu did not dare look at his pretty senior sister again. She was acting far too unusually today. No matter how he thought about it, he could not imagine that a girl almost twelve years old would fall for a six-year-old boy.

Hu Liena looked at Ling Yu, who began cultivating immediately after speaking, with a resentful expression.

"What an unromantic blockhead!"

Seeing his younger sister's expression, how could Xie Yue not understand what had happened? He cast a sympathetic glance at Yan beside him.

Yan happened to be looking at him with sorrowful eyes as well. In that moment, an inexplicable spark seemed to fly between the two men's gazes!

Spirit City was located at the border between the two great empires, and the Star Dou Great Forest also happened to border both empires, so the distance was not too great. Even so, traveling by carriage would take at least five hours.

Along the way, seeing how diligently Ling Yu cultivated, the other three in the carriage began cultivating as well. He had such high talent yet still worked so hard. If Soul Masters whose talent was inferior to his did not cultivate with even greater effort, they would never catch up to him in their lifetimes.