Although the Evil Demon Forest was smaller than the Star Dou Great Forest, it had no fewer soul beast resources.
Moreover, many soul beasts here were unique to the Sun Moon Empire and could not be found elsewhere.
As they walked deeper inside, the old man introduced Ye Luochen to the situation within the Evil Demon Forest.
"Do you have any thoughts or preferences regarding your Fourth Soul Ring?"
After listening to the old man, Ye Luochen pondered for a moment before answering.
"The first three soul rings I added to the Dark Iron Blade all possessed similar attributes. I have been following the path of sharpness.
"So for this fourth soul ring, I would like to continue choosing the same attribute."
The old man nodded at that.
"On the path of martial souls, greed is most taboo. Wanting every attribute and every direction.
"Too much is as bad as too little. Thinking too much often leaves one with nothing in the end."
"Choosing an attribute that suited one's martial soul and focusing on developing a single attribute was indeed a good choice.
"The only drawback was that one's methods might be somewhat limited."
Ye Luochen deeply agreed with the old man's analysis.
Although the other man was a Soul Engineer and specialized in soul tool technology.
Becoming a Rank 9 Soul Engineer also meant that his Soul Power Level had reached the Title Douluo tier.
At that level, even a newly advanced Rank 91 Title Douluo's understanding of martial souls absolutely could not be underestimated.
As the group ventured deeper, all sorts of sounds began to rise around them.
Pairs of eyes also began watching them from the bushes.
"Although I am leading this operation, I will not take action unless it is an emergency.
"For the most part, you will have to rely on yourselves."
The old man spoke slowly.
"Are we doing this again? Are you going to call it a trial again?"
Meng Hongchen muttered softly as she walked.
Her voice was quiet, but it did not escape the old man's ears, so he explained again.
"Not this time. Since this was the hall master's order, if we were anywhere else, this old man would naturally search for one personally.
"But have you forgotten where we are?"
"The Evil Eye Tyrant Sovereign resides in the Evil Demon Forest. Its spiritual power has reached an unfathomable realm, and rumor has it that the entire Evil Demon Forest lies within its perception."
"If this old man acted personally, I would likely draw its attention very quickly. That would be a major problem."
At those words, everyone's expressions changed slightly.
After all, the name Evil Eye Tyrant Sovereign was simply too oppressive.
It ranked second on the continent-wide list of ferocious beasts.
A terrifying existence rumored to have once gone to the Star Dou Great Forest to challenge the Beast King, Di Tian, and ultimately retreated unscathed.
If they were unlucky enough to be targeted by it, then even with a Rank 9 Soul Engineer leading them, their chances of survival would still be slim.
"But there is no need to worry too much. Although this forest was named after the Evil Eye Tyrant Sovereign, this continent ultimately belongs to the Sun Moon Empire.
"Some rules must still be obeyed, even by the existence ranked second among ferocious beasts.
"As long as no powerful expert interferes and disrupts the ecosystem, it is naturally fine for juniors like you to enter and hunt soul beasts normally."
The old man continued explaining.
The group kept moving deeper. After walking for about another quarter of an hour, they finally stopped.
Not far ahead, an enormous snake as thick as a bowl was coiled on the ground.
Its scales were pale pink, its triangular head held high, and its pair of ruby-like little eyes stared fixedly at the group.
"This is... a Mandala Snake?"
Ye Luochen raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I truly did not expect Mandala Snakes to live here as well.
"Judging from the color of its scales and its size, this Mandala Snake should have around three thousand years of cultivation."
Meng Hongchen looked at Ye Luochen curiously.
"You're that good? You can identify not only its species at a glance, but even its age?"
Ye Luochen nodded.
"After all, I previously specialized in martial souls. Identifying soul beasts was one of the courses.
"Besides, the Mandala Snake's characteristics are very obvious. As long as one knows a little about them, they are easy to identify."
"So that was the reason? I thought it was because..."
Meng Hongchen muttered softly again, but although her voice was low, it still reached Ye Luochen's ears.
"Because of what?"
"Hehe, aren't you from the Original Three Kingdoms? I remember that Tang San, the God King from your place ten thousand years ago, had a Mandala Snake as his first soul ring.
"I thought that was why you could recognize a Mandala Snake at a glance."
Meng Hongchen said with a grin.
"By the way, are Mandala Snakes something like totems or divine beasts where you come from?
"Do lots of people imitate him and choose Mandala Snakes as their soul rings?"
Hearing Meng Hongchen's absurd remarks, Xiao Hongchen could not help rolling his eyes.
What kind of nonsense was that? What sort of thought process was that?
Anyone could tell with their toes that it was impossible.
Yet, to his surprise, Ye Luochen actually nodded.
"It may sound ridiculous, but things really are exactly as you said.
"Because of that man's example, countless followers hunt Mandala Snakes every year to use as their soul rings."
"Mandala Snakes even became endangered because of it. If not for the major academies and the imperial family intervening, Mandala Snakes would likely have gone extinct in the Original Three Kingdoms."
Xiao Hongchen could no longer hold back after hearing Ye Luochen's words.
"No way, it was really that absurd? Did anyone ever successfully replicate it?"
Ye Luochen shook his head.
"Not that I know of. Mandala Snakes possess poison attributes, and only a small number of martial souls are compatible with them.
"Most people simply followed the trend blindly, without caring whether their martial soul attributes suited them."
"In that case, let alone replicating the path to godhood, whether they could even reach the level their martial souls were originally capable of became a problem."
As they spoke, perhaps feeling ignored and provoked, or perhaps seeing them as food delivered to its door.
The Mandala Snake in the distance moved.
Hiss!
Its tongue flicked out, and a sweet, fishy smell instantly spread through the surroundings.
At the same time, its tail lashed hard. Its enormous body shot forward in an instant, charging at them with incredible speed.
Faced with the Mandala Snake's sudden attack, the old man made no move.
Unless it was a critical moment, it was not convenient for him to act.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen did not move either. After exchanging a glance, they turned their attention to Ye Luochen beside them.
The siblings instantly reached an understanding.
They would hold back and leave it to Ye Luochen.
After all, they had yet to see Ye Luochen truly fight.
They were both extremely curious about the real strength of this new classmate, who had somehow entered Mingde Hall and earned their grandfather's high regard.
Seeing that everyone around him remained still, Ye Luochen did not mind.
This operation had originally been meant to obtain a soul ring for himself.
If he could handle anything they encountered along the way, there was naturally no need to trouble others.
Before you continue