Frost Forest
One year later, three hundred miles north of Cold Wind City lies the Frost Forest.
This is one of the five primary Soul Hunting Forest within the [Water Wood Duchy], which corresponds exactly to the Cold Wind Grand Camp of the Five Military Departments.
Or rather, the Cold Wind Grand Camp is stationed next to Cold Wind City to provide support to the forest rangers outside Frost Forest at any time.
After greeting Xiong Er and Li Ergou, who had been transferred here to guard the area six months ago, Ling Yi, surrounded by Long Yin, Qingqiu Li, and Zhang Mufeng, stepped into the snow-covered white forest.
As they walked, Zhang Mufeng glanced at the roadside. Occasionally, a small cluster of pale blue "tentacles" would emerge from under the snow. He used his Martial Soul "Mixed Iron Staff," which he had summoned earlier, to push aside the snow, examine it for a few moments, and then said to Ling Yi beside him:
"Brother Yi, it's still too cold here. It seems that not many of the ' Blue Silver Grass ' you planted before have survived, and they look listless."
Upon hearing this, Qingqiu Xin immediately nodded and said, "Yes, Brother Yi, why don't we apply to be transferred to the Azure Grand Camp in the south? The climate there is so much better, your ' Blue Silver Grass ' will definitely grow much better than here!"
"And it's close to the sea, so we can often eat fish, shrimp, and crab from the ocean..."
"Come on~" Before Qingqiu Xin could finish speaking, Long Yin retorted, "In the past year, Brother Yi spent more than a month in each of the other four military camps, but in the end he still came back to Cold Wind Grand Camp. Cold Wind Grand Camp is definitely better here!"
Right, Brother Yi?
Long Yin spoke, he looked at Ling Yi expectantly, his face full of hope for approval.
Ling Yi, who was being stared at by the three, rolled his eyes at them speechlessly. He didn't reply to their words, but said irritably, "Pay attention where you are, the Soul Beast Forest! You're being so careless, it's dangerous—"
"Hehe—" Long Yin grinned, scratched the back of his head, and replied, "We just got in, only a little over a hundred meters from Xiong Er's forest ranger post..."
"Don't be careless~" Ling Yi glanced at Long Yin and said calmly, "Back then, one of my teachers who taught me the basics of sword, spear, club, and axe techniques was attacked by a pack of ' Gray Shadow Wolf ' right here. He was close to the sentry post behind us, which is why he only lost a leg and didn't die like his teammates—"
"Well--"
Upon hearing this, Long Yin gave an awkward smile. He glanced at Zhang Mufeng and Qingqiu Xin, who were snickering to the side. When Ling Yi turned to look at them, he also looked over and glared at them.
Without saying much on the topic, Ling Yi focused his mind and his Martial Soul "Blue Silver Grass" appeared in his right palm. The pale blue grass leaves swayed gently, making it easier for Ling Yi to sense the "Blue Silver Grass" covered by snow all around him.
Indeed, as Zhang Mufeng said, due to the impact of the extreme cold weather, the number of "Blue Silver Grass" plants that are still alive is nearly 90% less than the number of seedlings planted before!
Compared to this ' Frost Forest,' in the ' Sea Breeze Rainforest ' far to the south of the duchy, due to the hot and humid climate there, the tens of thousands of ' Blue Silver Grass ' planted on the outer edge of the rainforest over half a year ago are probably already spreading into the interior of the rainforest.
Despite this, Ling Yi still did not choose to stay in the southern part of the duchy, which was more suitable for the growth of "Blue Silver Grass," but returned to the Cold Wind Grand Camp in the north.
This wasn't about seeking torture; rather, in the frigid weather here, Ling Yi discovered that his creation, "Beast Martial Soul: Xingyi Fist," was nearly 20% faster to cultivate than in the humid and hot southern environment!
Ling Yi has not yet figured out the specific principles, but he has a few general guesses in mind.
Of course, Ling Yi did not start another project to specifically study the impact of the climate and environment of the North and South on physical training.
His time is too limited. He just needs to know the result he wants. As for the reasons, he can explore them later when he becomes stronger.
After more than three years of management by Ling Yi, the area within dozens of miles centered on the Cold Wind Grand Camp is now covered with "Blue Silver Grass". Even in the coldest days of winter, when the grass leaves are covered by snow, they will not be easily frozen to death. They just have a restrained vitality and are temporarily dormant.
Within the Cold Wind Grand Camp, the activities of over 20,000 passionate men, while perhaps not comparable to the sweltering summer, still allow the "Blue Silver Grass" within the camp to maintain its vigorous vitality, much like in spring and autumn.
Therefore, Ling Yi's cultivation of Soul Power will not be affected at all by the cold weather in the North.
A year has passed, and Ling Yi, who is now fifteen years old and a month older, has increased his Soul Power to level nineteen at 56%. He is only about two months away from level twenty.
Similarly, as Ling Yi made progress this year, his three friends naturally didn't stand still either.
Long Yin is now fourteen years old and has grown to a towering 1.8 meters tall. He is currently a Two-Ring Grand Soul Master with two rings, making him the strongest member of the four-person team on the surface.
Qingqiu Xin is twelve years old and has Soul Power of level 19 at 85%. He is already preparing to return to his hometown, Azure City. His father, Qingqiu Li, an Agility Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor, will personally take him to hunt for his second Soul Ring, just like his First Soul Ring.
Ling Yi's junior nephew, Zhang Mufeng, the youngest son of his senior brother Zhang Tie, is thirteen years old. Due to his Innate Soul Power being inferior to the two beside him, coupled with his weak foundation, his Soul Power is the lowest. At this moment, his Soul Power is just over level eighteen, and there is still a distance to go before reaching level twenty.
However, this kid doesn't need to worry about his Second Soul Ring in the future. On the outskirts of this "Frost Forest", about seven or eight miles to the northwest of the entrance and outpost, there is a "Iron Birch Tree" that is fifteen meters tall.
According to the records Ling Yi learned at the Green Leaf Junior Soul Master Academy, "Iron Birch Tree" grow one meter every ten years for trees under one hundred years old, and one meter every hundred years for trees over one hundred years old.
In the Ling Yi's hometown, Mountain Sea Village, there is a 12-meter-tall "Iron Birch Tree" that has been growing for more than 300 years, while this 15-meter-tall one is 600 years old!
With a lifespan of six hundred years, combined with the inherent hardness and resilience of the "Iron Birch Tree," it is extremely suitable as Zhang Mufeng's Second Soul Ring.
During their routine patrol of the outer edge of the forest, under Zhang Mufeng's eager gaze, Ling Yi and the others took the lead and headed northwest, their first destination: the six-hundred-year-old "Iron Birch Tree".
Upon arriving at the location, Ling Yi led Long Yin and Qingqiu Xin to check the surroundings for any traces of Soul Beast passing by. Zhang Mufeng, on the other hand, went to the "Iron Birch Tree" and used his Martial Soul "Mixed Iron Staff" to tap on the metallic-looking tree trunk. Listening to the clanging sound, he couldn't help but squint his eyes comfortably.
When he was studying at the Wisteria Junior Soul Master Academy in Wood Plant City, the academy teachers suggested that his First Soul Ring and Second Soul Ring rings should be Soul Beast that increase strength and are more attack-oriented.
After listening to his teacher's words, his First Soul Ring was arranged by his Old Master Jin, and he was taken by a Soul Elder to hunt down a "Great Strength Ape" that was over 180 years old, thus obtaining his First Soul Skill, the Returning Wind Staff Dance, an offensive Soul Skill.
During that year at the Cold Wind Grand Camp, following her junior uncle Ling Yi, she not only learned the "Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique" and forging, but also practical skills related to staff techniques. Finally, at Ling Yi's suggestion, she changed her original desire to obtain a power-type Soul Beast Soul Ring to the "Iron Birch Tree," which could enhance the quality of her martial Martial Soul "Mixed Iron Staff Iron Birch Tree."
Most importantly, it's a six-hundred-year period!
If it weren't a tree, but some other powerful Soul Beast, it would probably have to go deep into the Soul Hunting Forest, or even the core area.
In that case, even a Soul Elder might not be able to guarantee safety.
Zhang Mufeng's father, Zhang Tie, was not Soul Ancestor like Long Ang or Qingqiu Li, but a powerful expert among Soul Ancestor.
Thank you to book friends [Cb, Lan Yan 11, Advancing with the Times, Wentian Jianfan] for your monthly votes, thank you to book friends [Dark★Silent UniverseО, Oni-chan is ALPEH, ALSJ Noblesse] for your rewards, thank you all for your recommendation votes and follow-up reading, thank you all! (*^▽^*)
The second chapter today might not be until the afternoon. I'm experiencing some writer's block and am struggling with the upcoming plot. Give me some time to sort things out.