No Soul Ring? Then Don't Even Think About Leaving!

Qian Renyuan turned his head, his eyes filled with lofty mockery.

"This Soul Hunting Forest is now under Spirit Hall's control."

"If I want the soul beasts here to stay in the outer region, they stay in the outer region. If I want them to get lost into the inner region, they get lost into the inner region."

"As for you."

Qian Renyuan pointed at Tang San. "Allowing you to come in was already charity."

"You didn't really think I would prepare your first soul ring for you and personally deliver it to your doorstep, did you?"

Tang San's face turned green, then white.

Seeing the unwilling look on Tang San's face made Qian Renyuan feel even better.

"There's something else you seem to have forgotten."

Qian Renyuan's gaze gradually turned cold.

"Yesterday at Notting Academy, you ambushed me with hidden weapons. And now you're acting like the wronged party. Who are you putting on this show for?"

Tang San's body stiffened.

"Not killing you was already merciful enough."

Qian Renyuan smiled.

"Didn't you think you still had some skills? Then keep looking."

As his words fell, Jiangmo Douluo stepped forward, and the Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand slammed heavily into the ground.

Buzz!

A powerful aura surged into the sky, then spread toward the forest's outer region like a tide.

Panicked beast roars soon echoed from the depths of the forest.

Flocks of birds burst from the canopy, blackening the sky as they flew toward the inner region.

The bushes shook violently as soul beasts fled in panic. Whether ten-year soul beasts or hundred-year soul beasts, none dared linger before that aura. They scrambled deeper into the forest.

Tang San watched the scene, his face growing paler and paler.

Qian Renyuan admired Tang San's expression for a moment before walking past him with Xiao Wu.

As he passed Tang San, he stopped and glanced sideways at him.

"Go on. Keep looking."

Qian Renyuan's lips curled upward, his tone brimming with undisguised malice.

"I won't stop you."

Tang San clenched the hand hanging at his side.

Of course, he could hear the mockery in Qian Renyuan's words.

The soul beasts in the outer region had all been driven away, and the road to the inner region was blocked by Spirit Hall. Even if he stayed here, what could he possibly find?

Yet Tang San said nothing more. Continuing to argue would only make him look even more pathetic.

Tang San lowered his head, burying all the fury and killing intent in his eyes.

If he could not obtain a soul ring today, then he would come again next time.

This was not the only area of the Soul Hunting Forest. Once his injuries healed, he could find a way to obtain a new permit, or search for other soul beasts suitable for Blue Silver Grass.

As long as he was alive, he had not failed completely.

Qian Renyuan had already walked several steps when he seemed to remember something and stopped again.

"Jiang Mo."

"Your subordinate is here."

Jiangmo Douluo immediately put away the Coiling Dragon Staff and lowered his head to await orders.

"Tell the soul masters stationed here that until Tang San obtains his first soul ring, no one is allowed to let him leave the Soul Hunting Forest."

The anger Tang San had just suppressed exploded. He abruptly raised his head. "What did you say?"

Only then did Qian Renyuan turn around, a faint smile still on his lips.

"Didn't hear me clearly? Then have the guards here tell you again."

With that, he did not linger any longer and led Xiao Wu toward the forest exit.

Jiangmo Douluo remained where he was. After Qian Renyuan had gone far away, he coldly swept his gaze over Tang San.

"You heard His Highness's words."

Jiangmo Douluo slung the Coiling Dragon Staff over his shoulder.

"Look carefully."

As his words fell, his figure flashed toward the forest exit.

Soon, Tang San was the only one left in the surroundings.

Tang San sat amid the mess covering the ground, his chest heaving violently.

Only after Qian Renyuan and the others had completely disappeared did he punch the ground.

Bang!

Dirt flew everywhere. The wound on his fist split open again, and blood flowed through his fingers.

"Qian Renyuan..."

Tang San forced out the name through clenched teeth. He had never hated anyone so much.

Yet after the rage subsided, Tang San still braced himself against a nearby tree and slowly rose to his feet.

He no longer had the strength to continue searching for soul beasts, nor was he confident he could absorb a soul ring in this state.

He had to leave first. As long as he returned to Notting City and treated his injuries, he would eventually find another opportunity.

Tang San checked his direction and dragged his heavy body toward the forest exit.

Along the way, he saw countless traces left behind by fleeing soul beasts, but not a single soul beast that could still move. Even the most common ten-year Soft Bone Rabbits had vanished without a trace.

The farther Tang San walked, the heavier his heart became. By the time he reached the vicinity of the exit, the sky had gradually darkened.

Through the gaps between the trees, Tang San could already see the road outside, as well as the Spirit Hall soul masters guarding both sides of the passage.

He was only a few dozen steps away from leaving the forest. Tang San forced himself to quicken his pace.

But two long spears crossed in front of him, blocking the exit.

"Stop."

Tang San looked up and saw that the people blocking him were the two soul masters who had been guarding the entrance earlier.

"I'm leaving."

One of the guards looked him over and asked coldly, "Where is your soul ring?"

Tang San's face darkened. "I didn't find a suitable soul beast. I'll come back another time."

"Then you can't leave yet."

The guard's spear did not move an inch.

"The Holy Son has ordered that you are not to leave the Soul Hunting Forest until you obtain your first soul ring."

The last trace of hope in Tang San's heart shattered completely. He shouted, "I'm a student of Notting Academy! You have no right to keep me locked up here!"

"This Soul Hunting Forest is under Spirit Hall's jurisdiction."

The other guard raised the tip of his spear, pointing directly at the woods behind Tang San.

"The Holy Son told you to stay, so you stay. Want to leave? Simple. Get your soul ring, then come back."

Tang San stared at the exit just within reach. The bloodshot in his eyes grew thicker as the Mysterious Heaven Skill began circulating within him, and his feet shifted slightly.

But before he could make a move, Soul Power light flared from both guards at once, and soul rings rose beneath their feet.

Tang San bit his tongue, forcing himself to remain steady.

I can't fight. In my current condition, I might not even be able to defeat one of them. Forcing my way through the exit would only give these Spirit Hall soul masters a reason to attack me.

Tang San remained silent for a long time before finally turning around and walking back into the forest step by step.

Still unwilling to give up, Tang San searched the bushes and tree hollows along the way, hoping to find a soul beast that had not escaped in time.

But he found nothing. Apart from ordinary insects and ants, not even the weakest ten-year soul beast could be seen nearby.

The wound on Tang San's chest was still bleeding. The long walk slowed his steps more and more, and his vision even began going dark in waves.

He stopped against a tree trunk, and a metallic sweetness surged into his throat again.

At that moment, a faint ripple of Soul Power came from nearby.

Tang San abruptly turned his head. At the foot of a nearby slope stood a sparse bamboo grove.

Jiangmo Douluo's aura had frightened away every soul beast capable of moving, but it had not affected these plants rooted in the soil very much.

At the edge of the bamboo grove, a green bamboo swayed gently. An extremely faint Soul Power glow appeared along its stalk, while several pale markings lined its roots.

Tang San stared at the Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo, his breathing gradually growing heavier.