The Zhu Family, Zhuyun, and Zhuqing

Cheng Xiao looked up and saw the group rushing toward him at incredible speed. In just a few flashes, they had arrived before him, leaving him no chance to hide.

Agility Attack System?

Cheng Xiao was somewhat surprised. They were fast.

His Shadow Domain covered a hundred-meter radius. Only a few breaths had passed since he dismissed it and stepped out, yet this group had already arrived. Their speed was far beyond that of ordinary Soul Masters. They were either powerful experts or Agility Attack System Soul Masters.

But there were two young girls among them, clearly not powerful experts. That meant they could only be Agility Attack System Soul Masters...

"Alright, she's your younger sister. We're helping you obtain a Soul Ring this time, so let her observe... Hm? Someone's there? Stop!"

The man at the front noticed Cheng Xiao and immediately raised a hand, coming to a halt.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

The others stopped as well, their wary gazes falling upon Cheng Xiao.

This was the Star Dou Great Forest. One had to beware not only of sudden Soul Beast attacks, but even more so of ambushes from unfamiliar Soul Masters!

Every Soul Master was taught this by their elders before entering the Star Dou Great Forest. Naturally, they were no exception.

Although Cheng Xiao looked to be about the same age as the second young lady, a child so young could never have entered the Star Dou Great Forest alone. There had to be elders watching over him. Since those people had yet to reveal themselves, how could they not be wary?

While they watched Cheng Xiao cautiously, Cheng Xiao was also assessing them.

The leader was a middle-aged man dressed quite extravagantly, his clothes trimmed with golden patterns. He was clearly no ordinary person. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he showed no defensive posture, yet his aura was imposing. He likely had great confidence in his own strength and did not fear surprises such as an ambush.

Two girls stood beside the man, dressed similarly. One was rather tall, while the other was much shorter—about half a head shorter than Cheng Xiao. They were likely sisters.

Cheng Xiao's gaze lingered on them a little longer, though he could not estimate their ages. Their figures were simply too voluptuous, their curving waists and hips drawing the eye. In particular, the tall girl had her arms folded over her chest, pressing the soft, fair curves there so tightly that they seemed ready to spill over.

Before Cheng Xiao could shift his gaze to inspect the others, the tall girl seemed to notice his barely perceptible stare. Her face turned cold as she snapped, "What are you looking at? Keep staring, and I'll gouge your eyes out!"

Cheng Xiao narrowed his eyes, but he was not angry. His gaze had indeed been somewhat rude just now. Besides, they outnumbered him, and this was the Star Dou Great Forest—a place where no one would bury you if you died. If he could avoid conflict, he would.

"My apologies. I was discourteous." Cheng Xiao cupped his hands and lowered his gaze, no longer probing them.

"Hmph!" The girl did not make things difficult for him. She merely snorted and said nothing more. She likely understood that this was not the place for conflict, especially when the other party's elders had yet to appear.

"Are you hiding here as well, little brother? Are your elders inside?"

The leading man studied Cheng Xiao sharply. His eyes paused briefly on Cheng Xiao's bloodstained left arm, but most of his attention remained on the hiding place behind Cheng Xiao.

Cheng Xiao cupped his hands humbly. "Greetings, Senior. My elder has gone ahead to scout the path and told me to follow later. If you wish to use this place, please do as you please. I'll vacate it immediately."

Cheng Xiao lied without even blushing. People's hearts were hidden behind their ribs; he could not guarantee the other party's character. He could only invent an elder to make them somewhat wary.

"Scouting the path?"

The man murmured, his eyes returning to the natural shelter formed by the pile of huge rocks behind Cheng Xiao. Perhaps he feared someone was hiding inside, or perhaps he doubted Cheng Xiao's words.

"If there is nothing else, Senior, this junior will take his leave first. I won't disturb your rest."

Cheng Xiao slowly walked around them. The group made way for him and headed toward the hiding place.

"I'm exhausted! Hah! Hurry up and set things up..." The tall girl was the first to rush inside.

"Zhuyun! Stop!" the man shouted, stopping her. "Have you forgotten what I told you before we left?"

"Hmph! Hurry up, then!" Zhuyun pouted and stopped moving.

The others then surged forward and began searching the area, clearing out any possible danger.

Zhuyun?

Cheng Xiao, who had just passed by them, slowed slightly. He suddenly thought of a pair of voluptuous sisters. Could it be them?

Then didn't that mean the shorter girl was Zhu Zhuqing? He had focused his attention on her sister just now and had not gotten a good look at her!

Cheng Xiao forcefully restrained the urge to look back. This was not a place to linger. He needed to leave quickly!

The man stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. Suddenly, his eyes settled on a massive crystal tree not far from the hiding place. The tree towered into the sky, seeming to stretch beyond sight, refracting brilliant rainbow light.

"Hm?"

Countless thoughts flashed through the man's mind in an instant. He suddenly turned and shouted at Cheng Xiao's rapidly retreating back, "Stop!"

Stop my ass!

Cheng Xiao cursed inwardly. He was not an idiot. Why would he stop just because the man told him to?

As though a Dreadclaw Bear were chasing him, Cheng Xiao lowered his head and sprinted forward without looking back.

"Hmph!"

Yet the one behind him was not a Soul Beast, and he was nowhere near as clumsy as a Dreadclaw Bear. The man snorted coldly, and eight Soul Rings immediately rose beneath his feet—two yellow, two purple, and four black. He was actually a Soul Douluo!

Then, one purple Soul Ring lit up. An identical clone immediately appeared beside the man and turned into a blur as it chased after Cheng Xiao.

"Damn it!"

Feeling the sharp rush of wind behind him, Cheng Xiao could not help cursing aloud. He was not an Agility Attack System Soul Master. No matter how desperately he trained, there was still a limit to his speed.

But the man behind him was an Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master. Empowered by his Martial Soul, he was several times faster than Cheng Xiao.

In an instant, the figure had caught up behind Cheng Xiao, reaching for the back of his neck.

First Soul Skill: Touch of Soul Binding!

Just as Cheng Xiao was about to be caught, the man's shadow seemed to come alive. It surged out and transformed into several tentacles, tearing off the man's outstretched arm. The remaining tentacles bound his legs, pinning him firmly in place.

"Huh?"

The man immediately noticed Cheng Xiao's Soul Rings and let out a sound of startled disbelief. The next moment, his true body vanished amid a burst of laughter.

"Good lad!"

Touch of Soul Binding only trapped him for an instant before a powerful force shattered it. Still, it delayed him slightly. Cheng Xiao took the chance to slip free of the capture closing in behind him, rolled across the ground, then sprang forward, ready to flee with his head down.

But when Cheng Xiao saw what lay ahead, he stopped helplessly.

"Why aren't you running?" The man raised an eyebrow, amusement in his eyes.

"You jest, Senior."

When Cheng Xiao saw the eight Soul Rings pulsing beneath the man's feet, he knew escape would likely be impossible. Who could outrun an eight-ring Agility Attack System Soul Douluo? At least, he certainly could not.

Cheng Xiao shrugged, then cupped his hands. "What is the meaning of this, Senior? My elder is still waiting for me. If there is something you need, how about waiting until I catch up with my elder, then speaking with him?"