Sunset Forest!

"Let's go. Don't worry about Tang Hao. He's a dead man."

After saying that, Ling Xuqing took Gu Yuena's soft, delicate hand and turned, setting off at an easy pace toward Sunset Forest.

In the darkness, Zi Ji followed respectfully behind them, her figure flickering in and out of sight.

Deep within Ling Xuqing's sea of consciousness, Xiao Wu and Ah Yin gradually calmed their restless hearts.

In the days that followed, Ling Xuqing didn't hurry. Instead, he took Gu Yuena on a trip devoted to enjoying the scenery.

The journey from Nuoding City to Sunset Forest wasn't especially long, but Ling Xuqing managed to stretch what should have taken only three to five days into more than ten.

They wandered and rested along the way, losing themselves completely in nature's embrace.

At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight pierced the mist and fell on dew-covered blades of grass, Ling Xuqing would lead Gu Yuena along forest paths carpeted with fallen leaves.

Gu Yuena was like a skylark freed from its cage, filled with boundless curiosity about everything in the world.

She would crouch by the roadside, carefully watching an ant carry food, or lift her face and reach out to catch the dappled light spilling through the leaves.

"Brother, look! This flower is so pretty!"

Every so often, Gu Yuena would hold up a wildflower she had just picked, her violet eyes gleaming brighter than the blossom itself.

"Mhm, it's beautiful. Just like you."

Ling Xuqing always smiled as he brushed her loose silver hair behind her ear.

At dusk, they would stop beside a clear stream.

With her formidable Soul Power, Zi Ji would silently catch several plump spirit fish from the water.

Ling Xuqing would build a bonfire on the bank, skewer the cleaned fish on branches, and sprinkle on spices they had bought in town.

As the grilled fish filled the air with an enticing, crisp aroma, Xiao Wu and Ah Yin's spirit forms would eagerly dart out.

"Xuqing, you're incredible at this! I wish we could eat this every day!" Xiao Wu would hover around the bonfire, swallowing hungrily.

Ah Yin would sit quietly nearby, watching Ling Xuqing expertly turn the fish over, her eyes full of tenderness.

During those more than ten days on the road, Ling Xuqing had not only helped Gu Yuena completely relax, but also let her experience the joy of being "human" again after so long.

More importantly, as they spent day and night together, their auras blending, the Silver Dragon King's source within Gu Yuena had been continually nourished by the Golden Dragon King's aura. Her injuries were healing much faster than expected.

Of course, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Ling Xuqing had put considerable thought into choosing their route.

They had given Heaven Dou City a wide berth.

The bustling capital of the Heaven Dou Empire was full of opportunities and prosperity, but it was also a vortex where the various factions were deeply entrenched and undercurrents ran rampant.

Ling Xuqing knew that with his current strength, getting caught up in Heaven Dou City's political and factional struggles too soon would be unwise.

Besides, his true goal on this journey was the treasure hidden deep within Sunset Forest.

So, after leaving behind the noise and bustle of Heaven Dou City, Ling Xuqing took Gu Yuena west, heading straight for Sunset Forest.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

By the time Ling Xuqing and Gu Yuena reached the outskirts of Sunset Forest, the surrounding scenery had changed beyond recognition.

If the forest outside Nuoding City was lush and full of life, Sunset Forest carried a primitive, wild air, tinged with mystery and danger.

The trees here were extraordinarily tall, their thick trunks wide enough to take a dozen people to encircle.

Their dense canopies blotted out the sky, shutting out most of the sunlight and shrouding the forest floor in dim light all year round.

The air was heavy with the stench of soil and rotting plants. Every now and then, the long, echoing howl of an unknown Soul Beast sent a chill down one's spine.

"Brother, is this Sunset Forest?"

Gu Yuena clutched Ling Xuqing's hand. Her violet eyes held a hint of curiosity, but also a trace of wariness toward the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Mhm, we're here."

Ling Xuqing nodded, his gaze fixed on the depths of the forest.

He drew a deep breath, sensing the Soul Power growing denser in the air.

"Zi Ji," Ling Xuqing called softly.

"Your subordinate is here." Zi Ji appeared from the shadows at once and stood respectfully beside Ling Xuqing.

"The road ahead may be troublesome. I'll have to rely on you."

Ling Xuqing spoke calmly.

"You honor me, young master. It is my duty to protect you and the mistress."

Zi Ji bowed slightly, her voice filled with absolute loyalty and confidence.

"Good." Ling Xuqing smiled. "Then let's go in."

Under the cover of Zi Ji's terrifying aura, the low-ranking Soul Beasts on the outskirts of Sunset Forest didn't dare make a move.

Before Ling Xuqing and the others even came near, the beasts scattered in terror, fleeing far from this road of death.

The group entered Sunset Forest without any obstruction.

The deeper they went, the harsher the forest grew.

The ground, once fairly level, gradually gave way to thick layers of rotting leaves and a tangle of roots.

A faint white mist began to drift through the air, carrying a sharp, sour stench. It was clearly a sign of poisonous miasma.

"Brother, the air here smells awful."

Gu Yuena furrowed her delicate brows, discomfort flashing across her little face.

"This is the poisonous miasma unique to Sunset Forest," Ling Xuqing explained patiently. "It's formed from the toxins of countless poisonous plants and insects mixed with rotting vegetation. An ordinary Soul Master who lacks antidote pills or special protection against poison will be poisoned and fall unconscious after breathing in too much. At worst, their meridians will rot away, and they'll die."

At his words, Gu Yuena instinctively moved closer to him.

"Rest assured, mistress. This little bit of miasma can't hurt you." Seeing this, Zi Ji immediately stepped forward.

She raised her hand, purple light swirling at her fingertips, and a faint purple barrier instantly enveloped Ling Xuqing and Gu Yuena.

The poisonous miasma that tried to approach vanished on contact with the purple barrier, melting away like snow in a flame.

Protected by Zi Ji, Ling Xuqing and Gu Yuena continued on safely.

They passed through a thicket of thorny vines and crossed a foul-smelling, muddy swamp.

Along the way, Zi Ji neutralized every danger hidden in the shadows, ensuring that Ling Xuqing and Gu Yuena were not disturbed.

After they had walked for who knew how long, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

"Stop."

Ling Xuqing halted and raised a hand, signaling everyone to do the same.

Not far ahead of them stood a natural barrier.

A vast expanse of poisonous miasma stretched across the depths of the forest like a gray-green wall.

It was so thick it seemed impossible to disperse. Bubbles rose and burst within it from time to time, releasing a sickeningly sweet, rancid stench.

Even birds dared not approach the miasma. Now and then, some foolish low-ranking Soul Beast would stray into it and dissolve into a puddle of pus before it could even scream.

"Brother..." Gu Yuena stared at the terrifying miasma, a hint of apprehension flashing in her violet eyes.

But Ling Xuqing's gaze was fixed on the depths of the miasma.

Beyond that poisonous fog, which even a Titled Douluo could scarcely cross, he sensed an extremely pure and immense aura of life.

That was the target of his journey!

"We're here." Ling Xuqing's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

He turned to Gu Yuena, Xiao Wu, Ah Yin, and Zi Ji and said softly, "This is the place."