"Soul Master team, one short of a full squad. We need a support healer, lolis and mature beauties preferred!"
"Join for 100 Gold Soul Coins. We can help you obtain a Soul Elder Soul Ring. We have a Soul Ancestor leading the team, so your safety is guaranteed!"
The bluestone roads of Suotuo City led toward the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.
A glance around revealed that nearly everyone here was a Soul Master.
They were either Soul Master teams that hunted Soul Rings for others in exchange for payment, or lone wolves traveling alone.
Qin Jiuxiao arrived with his guards, and many people lowered their heads when they saw him.
In Suotuo City, the Qin Family's reputation was at its peak.
Not only was Qin Yuntian the city lord, but Qin Jiuxiao himself was also a genius. Not to mention the group of powerful Soul Kings following him.
"My lord, this is my pass for entering Star Dou Forest. These ten Gold Soul Coins are also your customary fee."
A Soul Elder who had just broken through level 30 wore an ingratiatingly humble expression as he spoke to the soldier guarding the gate.
The soldier accepted the pass but did not look at the pouch containing the Gold Soul Coins.
After a brief inspection, he looked solemnly at the Soul Elder.
"The pass is fine, but you still need to line up."
"You are currently number one hundred. Also, are you attempting to bribe a righteous imperial soldier?"
"We are official personnel. Please do not do anything that could cause misunderstandings."
The Soul Elder froze in disbelief. Who lined up at this entrance? Didn't people just enter directly as long as their passes were valid?
But he quickly understood the implication and slapped himself across the mouth.
"Oh, look at this stupid mouth of mine!"
"I remembered wrong. This is the money pouch you left at my home last time. I came to return it to you."
"Is that so? Then I must thank you for the trouble."
A smile finally appeared on the soldier's face as he naturally took the pouch and tucked it into his clothes.
"Number ninety-nine just went in. You are number one hundred, so you may enter now as well."
He waved his hand, and the Soul Elder bowed repeatedly before running gratefully into Star Dou Forest.
Everyone around them had long been accustomed to this scene. It was an unspoken rule understood by all.
Qin Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, human relationships and social maneuvering existed everywhere, even on Douluo Continent.
As their group approached, the soldiers stationed there noticed them.
In Suotuo City, almost no one failed to recognize Qin Jiuxiao.
The soldier who had just accepted the money put on a fawning smile and hurried over.
"Young Master Qin, are you planning to obtain a Soul Ring?"
"Yes. I have cultivated for so long, so naturally there should be some results."
Qin Jiuxiao did not put on much of an air. He took a token from his waist and handed it to the soldier. Two symbols gleamed on it: a sword and a hammer.
This was a level-two pass, allowing free entry into the inner regions of Star Dou Forest to hunt thousand-year Soul Beasts.
However, Qin Jiuxiao's Soul Rings could form on their own. He had only brought people in to deal with the Soul Masters from the Star Luo Empire pursuing Zhu Zhuqing.
[ Ding! Contacted a Heaven Dou Empire soldier. Obtained trait "Judges People by Their Status (Blue)": Allows you to see everyone's microexpressions. A great tool for dealing with superiors! ]
Sure enough, it was another trait that did not provide much of a combat boost. Still, the Soul Power within his body increased a little as well.
"Young Master Qin, there is certainly no problem with your pass. Your team may enter. I wish you a safe journey."
The soldier bowed slightly and respectfully returned the token, signaling for the people guarding the entrance to move aside.
His attitude was worlds apart from how he had treated the previous Soul Elder.
The trait Judging People by Their Status was indeed accurate.
After taking back his pass, Qin Jiuxiao and his group entered Star Dou Forest.
Star Dou Forest was the largest gathering place of Soul Beasts, spanning both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
For Zhu Zhuqing to travel from the Star Luo Empire to the Heaven Dou Empire, she would inevitably have to pass through here.
He only needed to wait along the way and search around.
As they walked.
Qin Jiuxiao turned to look at the guards. His father had prepared a total of five guards for him on this trip.
"What are your names, and what are your respective levels?"
He asked casually.
The burly man walking half a step behind him answered respectfully.
"In reply to Young Master, I am Yan Shi, captain of this team. My Martial Soul is the Blazing Mad Lion, and I am a level 58 assault-type battle Soul King!"
"The other four are Shi Kuang, Shi Wang, Liu Qing, and Wu Rong!"
"The Shi brothers both possess the Sacred Heart Shield Martial Soul. They are level 55 defense-type Soul Kings. Liu Qing is a level 54 control-type Soul King with the Ghostly Nether Thorns Martial Soul. Wu Rong is a level 50 healing-type Soul King with the White Lotus Martial Soul."
"We were all once saved by the city lord. We swore to devote the rest of our lives to the Qin Family."
Qin Jiuxiao nodded. These were probably his father's personal guards. The old man really had considered things for him and had sent people he could trust.
"Uncle Yan, I'll have to trouble all of you along the way."
"Young Master, please do not humble us like that. Ever since the city lord saved our lives, these lives of ours have belonged to the Qin Family."
Yan Shi was flattered by the words "Uncle Yan." He thumped his chest loudly and swore his oath, while the others' eyes shone with the same determination.
Over the next stretch of the journey, they encountered quite a few Soul Beasts, most of them hundred-year ones. They even came across a thousand-year Scale Armor Beast.
What utterly stunned Yan Shi and the others was that the thousand-year Scale Armor Beast had its head smashed apart by a single punch from Qin Jiuxiao.
This was a thousand-year Soul Beast famed for its physical defenses.
Even a Soul Ancestor would not dare claim that he could accomplish such a feat.
Yet Qin Jiuxiao was only a one-ring Soul Master. What terrifying talent!
This only strengthened their resolve to protect Qin Jiuxiao well.
Perhaps one day, they really would witness the rise of a Title Douluo within the Qin Family.
Before coming to Star Dou Forest, Qin Jiuxiao had prepared a map in advance.
They were now heading toward the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Night gradually fell.
Yan Shi and the others surrounded Qin Jiuxiao, their bodies tense as they vigilantly watched their surroundings.
In Star Dou Forest, even a small hundred-year Soul Beast could not be underestimated.
If one were bitten by a Mandala Snake or a Man Faced Demon Spider, both renowned for stealth and venom, even a defense-type Soul Master would suffer badly.
"Old Liu, how is the scouting around us? Is there a suitable place nearby to rest and make camp?"
Yan Shi kept watch on their surroundings as he asked.
Liu Qing was a control-type Soul King with considerable spiritual power, and his Martial Soul could eliminate most dangers hidden in the dark.
Even Soul Beasts lurking in concealment found it difficult to escape his senses.
Liu Qing slowly withdrew his Martial Soul and relaxed, clearly pleased with the results.
"There are no large Soul Beasts nearby. The terrain is flat, and there is a river not far away. We can spend the night here."
"Young Master, what do you think?"
Qin Jiuxiao nodded. It was already late.
"Then we'll rest here for the night."
The Shi brothers began setting up the campfire and tents, while Yan Shi and Liu Qing kept watch from the trees.
After walking all day, Qin Jiuxiao wanted to wash his face at the nearby stream. After informing Yan Shi and the others, he got up.
"Young Master, would you like me to accompany you?"
Wu Rong walked over gracefully and spoke softly. Her faint fragrance drifted into Qin Jiuxiao's nose.
Qin Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow. He had not noticed during the day, but now that they had stopped, he realized this healing-type Soul King was a beautiful mature woman with a very impressive figure.
At the very least, she was a D-cup.
"Then shall we go together, Sister Wu?"
Qin Jiuxiao smiled at Wu Rong and did not refuse.
Wu Rong smiled knowingly, swaying her slender waist as she followed behind Qin Jiuxiao.
Splash!
The river was not far from their campsite, and they arrived in less than two minutes.
Qin Jiuxiao crouched down, scooped up a handful of cool river water, and splashed it over his face. More than half of the day's fatigue vanished at once.
"Sister Wu, the water here is nice and cool. Why don't you come wash your face too? We can help wipe each other's sweat."
He looked at Wu Rong with a smile. Wiping sweat was only an excuse; building rapport was the real goal.
Wu Rong was not coy either. After walking all day, she naturally felt sticky and wanted to wash up as well, helping Qin Jiuxiao wipe away his sweat.
She gracefully walked to Qin Jiuxiao's side, crouched down, and splashed a handful of water over her face.
Droplets slid down her snowy-white neck, leaving a trail of moisture along her collarbone.
Her green clothes became wet and clung tightly to her body, outlining her perfect curves and giving Qin Jiuxiao quite a view.
Wu Rong naturally noticed Qin Jiuxiao's gaze. Not only did she not stop him, she gently puffed out her chest.
This was the capital she was proud of. Why should she hide it?
Besides, the young master was handsome and came from an excellent background. No matter what, she had nothing to lose.
Qin Jiuxiao sighed inwardly. Sister Wu was truly a good person, practically Silverwing.
"Young Master, I think some sweat has run into my clothes. Come help me see if my clothes are wet."
Wu Rong spoke in a coquettish voice, taking one of Qin Jiuxiao's hands as she prepared to test his heartbeat.
Just as the atmosphere was growing more intimate.
His movements suddenly paused. He turned his head and sensed a figure hiding in the shadows nearby.
Wu Rong was a Soul King, so her spiritual power was naturally not weak. She discovered it as well.
Qin Jiuxiao exchanged a covert glance with her, putting away the flirtation. He circulated his Soul Power and flicked a stone toward the figure.
The figure was startled and swiftly dodged.
Then it transformed into a black shadow and charged at Qin Jiuxiao with incredible speed.
Qin Jiuxiao reacted just as quickly. He raised his fist and struck the black shadow with one punch, not holding back at all.
The black shadow flew backward and slammed into a tree. It seemed to struggle to get up and flee, but it was too weak and fainted immediately.
Qin Jiuxiao and Wu Rong slowly approached.
Under the cover of night, they finally saw the black shadow clearly.
She had a young, exquisite face. Her delicate brows were furrowed in pain, yet she looked pitiful and fragile.
Her fitted black leather outfit displayed her perfect figure to the fullest.
Her mature, full curves were astonishing for someone her age, while her long legs were straight and slender. With her curving waist and rounded hips, she was a textbook S-shaped beauty.
However, her tight leather outfit was covered in wounds and bloodstains. She was clearly badly injured.
This person was none other than Qin Jiuxiao's target for this journey.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had fled all the way from the Star Luo Empire.
[ Ding! Contacted target character Zhu Zhuqing. Obtained trait "Heaven-Defying Comprehension (Rainbow)": Countless supreme techniques can be mastered with ease! ]
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