第23章 猎魂通行证｜前往猎魂森林(感谢推荐票和月票支援,求追读)

Nuoding City.

The Spirit Branch Hall was located at the end of the busiest street in Nuoding City.

Passersby would subconsciously soften their footsteps or even detour around it.

Lin Jing stood before the main gate of the branch hall, having changed back into his coarse linen clothes.

There were still a few unpressed creases on the hem of his garment, making him look exactly like a child from a farming family in the village.

The two guards standing in front of the Spirit Branch Hall were looking around with bored expressions.

One of them caught sight of Lin Jing approaching out of the corner of his eye and immediately stepped forward.

"Stop!"

The other guard followed suit, blocking the path completely.

"Where did this brat come from? Look closely, this is the Spirit Hall, not a place you can just wander in and out of."

The first guard waved his hand, his tone filled with impatience.

"Get lost, get lost."

Lin Jing looked up.

The sunlight hit his face, revealing clean lines and features that were perhaps a bit too exquisite.

Although this "S-tier" face had not yet reached the level of a succubus descending upon the world, causing both men and women to swoon, it was enough to make anyone subconsciously suppress their anger and feel a sense of goodwill the moment they met his gaze.

Seeing a face that so starkly contrasted with his attire, the two guards paused in their dismissive movements.

Lin Jing seized the opportunity, blinked his eyes, and spoke with an innocent and naive expression:

"Big brother, I'm here to apply for a permit to enter the Soul Hunting Forest."

"A permit?"

The guard was stunned and looked Lin Jing up and down. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden voice interrupted him.

"What's going on?"

The voice came from behind Lin Jing.

Upon hearing it, the two guards instantly put on fawning smiles, their waists bending halfway down.

"Grandmaster, you're back!"

Their attitude was like night and day compared to a moment ago.

Grandmaster?

Lin Jing's expression froze.

It couldn't be that "Grandmaster" who was full of stolen spirit theories...

He turned around and glanced behind him.

His mind instantly relaxed.

The person approaching was a young man wearing the uniform of the Spirit Hall, with a slender build.

It was Su Yuntao, the Great Soul Master who had helped him awaken his spirit a few days ago.

Su Yuntao gave a lukewarm "Hmm."

His gaze swept over the two guards and then landed on Lin Jing.

He quickly found the memory of Lin Jing in his mind.

Because of Lin Jing's outstanding appearance and his innate full Spirit Power, despite having a trash spirit like Blue Silver Grass, Su Yuntao had a very deep impression of him.

"It's you."

Lin Jing turned around completely, looking up with his large, beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.

"Master Su Yuntao, I heard that one can come to the Spirit Hall to obtain a permit to enter the Soul Hunting Forest."

"A permit, huh..."

"Come inside with me."

Su Yuntao strode toward the Spirit Hall.

Lin Jing followed obediently.

This time, the guards did not stop him.

Passing through the gate, the light dimmed.

The corridor was very quiet, with only the sound of two people walking one after the other.

Su Yuntao led Lin Jing deep inside, turned two corners, and pushed open a heavy wooden door.

Inside was a small lounge.

The furnishings were simple: a few sofas, a wooden table, and a kettle and cups in the corner.

"Sit."

Su Yuntao pointed to the sofa and walked to the wooden table, pouring two cups of water.

He pushed one cup toward Lin Jing and sat down opposite him with the other.

Su Yuntao took a sip of water and said, "I was the one who performed your spirit awakening, so I am aware of your innate Spirit Power."

"We can skip the test."

He set down his cup, his tone becoming slightly more serious.

"However, for your safety, I still need to ask you a few questions."

"Only if your answers satisfy me will I give you the permit to enter the Soul Hunting Forest."

Lin Jing nodded earnestly.

Su Yuntao sat up straight and asked the first question.

"Is there a Soul Master taking you to hunt for a spirit ring?"

Lin Jing was unhurried and recited the script he had prepared.

"The uncles in the village pooled some Gold Soul Coins together to hire a Soul Master for me."

"That Soul Master has agreed to take me to hunt for a spirit ring."

Su Yuntao nodded.

This answer was within his expectations.

Innate full Spirit Power—even if the spirit was trash—was only one spirit ring away from becoming a Soul Master.

It was normal for a village to pool money to hire a Soul Master to help hunt a spirit ring.

"Second question."

Su Yuntao continued.

"What is the age of the spirit ring you are targeting?"

A hint of nervousness and embarrassment immediately appeared in Lin Jing's eyes.

He lowered his head.

"The Soul Master said... finding a ten-year spirit ring for me..."

"Would be safer."

After speaking, he secretly glanced at Su Yuntao.

Lin Jing's answer passed muster with Su Yuntao.

He didn't ask any more questions.

He took a blank permit from his pocket, pulled out a pen, and began to write.

The tip of the pen scratched across the paper with a rustling sound.

Lin Jing sat opposite him, quiet on the surface.

Before long, Su Yuntao handed over the completed permit.

"This is your Soul Hunting Pass, valid for one month."

"You can throw it away after you use it; there is no need to return it."

Lin Jing took it with both hands, looked at the handwriting carefully, and then solemnly tucked it into his clothes.

"Thank you, Master Su Yuntao."

He thanked him sincerely.

Su Yuntao looked at him, thinking that this child was good-looking and polite; it was truly hard not to like him.

He hesitated for a moment, then added one more piece of advice.

"Child, you must always be on guard against others. Stay safe on the road."

Although it was probably useless.

If that Soul Master truly had ulterior motives, with Lin Jing's current strength—lacking even a single spirit ring—being vigilant wouldn't help.

The gap between a Soul Master and a Spirit Scholar was a vast chasm.

Su Yuntao sighed inwardly but didn't voice these discouraging thoughts.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master. I will be careful."

Lin Jing stood up and thanked him again.

Then he turned, pushed open the lounge door, and walked out.

He walked through the corridor and out the main gate of the Spirit Branch Hall.

The sunlight outside was a bit blinding.

Lin Jing squinted slightly and headed toward the city gate leading out of Nuoding City.

He wasn't worried that his lies would be exposed after today.

Because after obtaining his spirit ring, he had no intention of registering at the Spirit Hall.

He still had one hundred Gold Soul Coins on him, which was enough for his expenses for the time being; he didn't care about the meager monthly subsidy the Spirit Hall provided to Soul Masters.

He walked out of the gates of Nuoding City.

The scene before him opened up.

Two dirt roads wound into the distance; one led toward Holy Soul Village, and the other toward the Soul Hunting Forest.

Lin Jing stepped onto the dirt road on the right, leading to the Soul Hunting Forest.

Second spirit ring.

Here I come!

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

His figure gradually disappeared along the dirt road leading to the forest.

Behind him, the silhouette of Nuoding City grew smaller and smaller.

Ahead, the silhouette of the Soul Hunting Forest grew larger and larger.