Heading to the Star Dou Great Forest

[Task completed: First time leading new students in a Soul Fighting mission. Reward: 1000 Star Jade.]

Late at night, Omphalos Academy.

Ye Qiong sat on the sofa, watching the task completion notification on the system interface before him, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

This system was truly generous.

Not only was the assigned task low in difficulty, but it also rewarded him with 1000 Star Jade in one go.

With another four thousand Star Jade, I'll be able to draw cards again. I wonder what the next task will be?

Thinking of this, Ye Qiong tapped open the task interface.

However, he was stunned when he saw the tasks listed above.

[Task 1: Lead disciples to the Star Dou Great Forest, participate in the main storyline, and seize the opportunity.]

[Task 2: Break through to Soul Saint.]

[Task 3: Obtain a soul ring for the disciple about to break through.]

[All three tasks must be completed to receive the reward. Reward: 4000 Star Jade, one special card.]

The sudden assignment of three tasks at once took Ye Qiong by surprise.

What a coincidence. Both Bai E and I happen to need a soul ring to break through.

Even without the tasks, Ye Qiong had intended to take Bai E to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow to obtain a soul ring.

However, looking at the content of these tasks, Ye Qiong's mind immediately began to race.

He rubbed his chin.

If I remember correctly, the next part of the plot is Tang San obtaining the Eight Spider Lances.

Seizing someone else's opportunity might sound a bit unscrupulous, but since the target was Tang San, he felt absolutely no guilt. In fact, he felt a faint sense of excitement.

Eight Spider Lances? No, no, that opportunity is a bit too small. If I'm going to take something, I'll go for something big.

Ye Qiong thought to himself as he summoned his baseball bat martial soul. Looking at the empty soul ring slot on it, a smile touched his lips.

The next morning, Ye Qiong had Jiang Zhu notify everyone to gather at the plaza.

Wang Sheng walked out of the dormitory building yawning, arriving at the plaza last with a look that suggested he hadn't fully woken up.

Jiang Zhu glared at him. "Hurry up, the teacher is waiting."

Hearing this, Wang Sheng immediately shook his head and trotted into the formation.

Ye Qiong swept his gaze over the group and announced that they were heading to the Star Dou Great Forest today.

Bai Chenxiang's eyes lit up instantly. "Teacher, are you going to help classmate Bai E obtain a soul ring?"

Ye Qiong nodded. "That's right. Bai E is currently at level thirty and is in need of his third soul ring."

Hearing this, a look of anticipation appeared on Bai E's face as well.

Ye Qiong pulled Ti Bao over and continued, "This time, your task isn't just to watch; you are to participate in the training."

"Teacher, are there many soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest?"

"Many, and they are all very dangerous."

The group felt a wave of nervousness upon hearing this. They had all heard that the Star Dou Great Forest was extremely dangerous, a forbidden zone for humanity.

Jiang Zhu clenched her fists. "Teacher, we will definitely do our best."

Ye Qiong said no more, instead raising his hand to signal Ti Bao.

Seeing this, Ti Bao nodded and raised her hand, summoning a golden triangular gate.

Seeing the gate, everyone's eyes widened.

"This... what is this?"

Ti Bao smiled slightly:

"This is the soul skill of my martial soul, the Gate of Ten Thousand Paths; it can take you directly to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Bai Chenxiang stared at the golden triangular gate, her eyes full of curiosity as she muttered under her breath:

"Directly there? If this were used to skip class, wouldn't you be home in the blink of an eye?"

Ti Bao's ears were sharp, and she glanced at her with a smile.

Bai Chenxiang immediately lowered her head, pretending she hadn't said anything.

Bai E also stared at the gate, though he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, but he didn't dwell on it.

Ye Qiong took the first step forward:

"Follow me, don't fall behind."

Passing through the portal, the surrounding scenery changed in an instant.

Dense woods, tree canopies that blotted out the sun, and thick layers of dead branches and leaves underfoot.

From the distance, the roars of beasts could be heard from time to time.

Wang Sheng looked around:

"We're here already? That was too fast."

Jiang Zhu looked at Ti Bao with stars in her eyes:

"Teacher Ti Bao, you are just too amazing."

Ti Bao looked at everyone's reactions and smiled gently, saying nothing.

Her martial soul was just like that; it could open a gate to teleport anywhere on the Douluo Continent at will.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention back:

"From now on, you must explore this forest on your own."

Wang Sheng was stunned:

"Explore on our own? Teacher, aren't you coming with us?"

Ye Qiong shook his head: "I have other important matters. Teacher Ti Bao will be watching you from the shadows, but unless you encounter danger you cannot handle, she will not intervene."

"But Teacher, we aren't familiar with this place."

Ye Qiong looked at Jiang Zhu, who had spoken:

"That is exactly why you need to explore it yourselves. Hunting soul beasts, finding targets suitable for yourselves—all of this must be done on your own. You must cooperate with one another and utilize the advantages of everyone's martial souls."

Bai E looked at Ye Qiong:

"Principal, let me lead the team."

Ye Qiong glanced at him and nodded:

"Very well, from this moment on, you are the captain."

Regarding Bai E becoming the captain, everyone expressed their agreement.

His strength was something everyone had witnessed.

With the leadership in his hands, everyone felt at ease.

Seeing that they had reached a consensus, Ye Qiong turned to look at Ti Bao.

Ti Bao nodded at him and followed him to the side.

"Principal, where are you going?"

Ye Qiong replied in a low voice:

"The core area; I need a new soul ring."

Ti Bao was taken aback:

"The core area? The soul beasts there are at least ten thousand years old."

Ye Qiong smiled:

"That is precisely why I must go."

Ti Bao wanted to say more, but Ye Qiong raised a hand to interrupt her.

"The children here are entrusted to you. You only need to keep an eye on them and ensure nothing happens to them."

Ti Bao looked into his eyes and finally nodded:

"Very well, I will take good care of them. Principal, you must be careful on this trip."

"Rest assured, wait for my return."

Facing the departure of the two teachers, Bai E took a deep breath.

Afterward, they began a simple distribution of everyone's positions and tasks.

Everyone cooperated obediently.

Bai Chenxiang spread her Sharp-Tailed Swift wings and flew above the canopy to scout.

Jing Ling moved rapidly between the tree trunks on the flank, Wang Sheng and Huang Yuan walked in front to clear the path, Jiang Zhu stayed in the center, and Bai E brought up the rear.

The group slowly ventured deep into the Star Dou Great Forest.

After walking for about an hour, Bai Chenxiang suddenly descended rapidly from the sky.

Her face was somewhat pale: "There are signs of a fight ahead, there is blood on the ground, and the corpses of soul beasts."

Bai E frowned:

"Take me to see."

Bai Chenxiang led the way, and the group soon arrived at an open clearing.

Three soul beast corpses lay on the ground, all killed with a single blow.

The wounds were very clean, as if sliced open by something sharp.

Wang Sheng squatted down to examine them: "These wounds... they don't look like they were made by soul beasts."

Jing Ling quickly checked the surrounding ground:

"There are claw prints, left by large soul beasts, at least two or three of them."

Bai E stared at the corpses, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter.

"A powerful soul beast has been here, and its strength is not weak."

Jiang Zhu was somewhat worried:

"Then what should we do?"

Bai E was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up and looked ahead:

"Continue forward, but be more careful. If we encounter that soul beast, do not engage; go around it."