Soul-Hunting Town

After absorbing the Soul Ring, Lu Chen's Soul Power Level directly broke through level 30.

However, much of that came from the bonus provided by the Soul Bone. He estimated that his true Soul Power was around level 24.

That was the advantage of absorbing a Soul Ring beyond his level.

For an ordinary Soul Grandmaster, gaining four levels would take at least half a year.

Yet he only needed a high-year Soul Beast to accomplish it.

"Little Chen, there's still one here. Do you want to keep absorbing?"

Tang Ya pointed at the Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle beside them, which was still struggling furiously, and asked curiously.

Luo Wei briefly examined Lu Chen's body from the side, then nodded.

"Little Chen's Soul Power has already surged to level 30, and his physical strength can completely keep up. Absorbing another Soul Beast is entirely feasible."

"Damn! Brother Lu is about to break through three times in a row?"

Long Aotian's eyes widened round, his face full of disbelief. "With that kind of advancement speed, there's definitely never been anyone like him in all of Douluo Continent!"

However, Lu Chen glanced at the Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle inside the iron cage and shook his head.

"This Dragon Turtle is too low-year. It's no longer suitable for me.

"My next Soul Ring target is sixty thousand years."

"Sixty thousand years?!"

All three of their expressions changed at once.

That age was already comparable to the seventh or eighth Soul Ring of an ordinary Soul Master!

Long Aotian sucked in a breath.

"Damn... by that calculation, Brother Lu, won't you be absorbing a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast for your sixth Soul Ring?"

Lu Chen waved a hand and smiled faintly.

"There's no need to wait until the sixth Soul Ring. I'm planning to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for my fifth Soul Ring."

"That age is way too high!"

Tang Ya's face was filled with worry. "Little Chen, can your body withstand the energy impact of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"

Lu Chen smiled confidently. "Don't worry. By then, my Innate Secret Art might already have reached minor mastery.

"With the boost from my Second Awakening as well, there definitely won't be any problem with my physical body."

"But your spiritual power is a hidden danger."

Luo Wei looked at him, her tone grave. "Although your current spiritual power far surpasses ordinary people, it still hasn't reached the level of top Soul Masters.

"If you want to absorb a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring as your fifth, the next several Soul Rings would be best if they all enhance spiritual power.

"And they need to come from top-grade Soul Beasts, or the difficulty will be far too great."

Lu Chen nodded.

If his plan for a Second Martial Soul failed, he could only absorb an Evil Eye-type Soul Beast as a Soul Ring to increase his spiritual power.

Tang Ya's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard that, and she hurriedly said,

"I know a way to increase spiritual power! The Tang Sect's Purple Demon Eyes can strengthen spiritual power!"

She tugged on Lu Chen's arm, her eyes curving as she smiled. "Little Chen, I'll teach you when we get back!"

Lu Chen's heart stirred. Right! How had I forgotten about Purple Demon Eyes?

It was one of the techniques reputed to be among the finest methods for cultivating spiritual power.

Although the Mysterious Heaven Skill had been crippled, this technique remained complete.

If he could make a few adjustments based on it, perhaps he could enhance its effects even further.

In any case, he was going back this time to help the Tang Sect take revenge. Learning this technique as payment should not be a problem.

Putting those thoughts aside, Lu Chen looked at Tang Ya and smiled. "Then thank you, Sister Xiao Ya."

Tang Ya took the opportunity to wrap herself around his arm, giving him a coquettish look with her beautiful eyes.

"Why are you thanking me? What's mine isn't it yours?"

Lu Chen smiled, warmth filling his heart.

Luo Wei spoke at the right moment. "Since Little Chen isn't in a hurry for his third Soul Ring, we should get moving and return to the sect as soon as possible.

"Perhaps the sect master has already prepared the medicinal ingredients needed for the Second Awakening."

"What about this Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle? Are we releasing it?"

Long Aotian looked reluctant to part with the top-grade Soul Beast in the iron cage.

Lu Chen shot him an irritated glare.

"Release it for what? This is a top-grade Soul Beast with the Black Tortoise Bloodline. I may not need it, but don't you?

"Take it back. Won't that settle your fifth Soul Ring?"

In the original story, Long Aotian's fifth Soul Skill was Heaven and Earth Transformation.

Though it was also a boosting-type Soul Skill, how could its compatibility compare with this Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle?

With it, the defensive power of Long Aotian's Skin Martial Soul would definitely rise to another level.

The instant Long Aotian heard that, his eyes lit up.

"That's right! I may not be able to absorb a thirty-thousand-year one for my fourth Soul Ring, but I absolutely can for my fifth! Thank you, Brother Lu!"

Lu Chen rolled his eyes and turned to Luo Wei. "Aunt Luo, I'll have to trouble you."

Luo Wei shook her head, her tone relaxed. "It's only a Soul Beast."

With that, her Soul Power swept out, lifting the iron cage containing the Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle into the air.

The four of them sprang into motion, speeding through the dense forest and along the official road.

With the cultivation of a Super Douluo, Luo Wei carried them in low flight.

The scenery below rapidly swept backward like afterimages, while the wind howled past their ears.

A short while later, the four arrived before a town on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.

Soul-Hunting Town!

Long Aotian stared at those four words, briefly lost in thought.

This was a place specifically meant to provide Soul Masters with rest and supplies.

The air was permeated by the faint scent of blood and cheap liquor.

Though the streets were nowhere near as clean and orderly as Heavenly Spirit City, the goods being sold here were all things rarely seen elsewhere.

There were spirit herbs with respectable ages, all manner of tough Soul Beast pelts, and even forbidden medicines that could enhance explosive power by burning Soul Power.

People streamed through the streets, and cries of vendors and bargaining never ceased, making the place exceptionally lively.

There were even beautiful women in scanty clothing posing seductively in front of small houses.

Every commodity here served only three purposes: increasing strength, venting pressure, and ensuring survival.

There were none of the flowery trappings of great cities here, only the simple brutality of taking up a weapon and charging into battle.

Luo Wei released her spiritual power and swept the area. After confirming there was no danger, she looked at Lu Chen.

"You rest here for a while. I'll take this Soul Beast back to the sect first, then come find you."

Lu Chen nodded.

They still had to go to Heaven Dou City afterward, so bringing a Soul Beast along truly would be inconvenient.

Luo Wei carefully gave them a few more instructions, then vanished from the roadside in a flash, taking the iron cage containing the Mystic-Armored Dragon Turtle with her.

Lu Chen turned toward the bustling street and smiled at Tang Ya and Long Aotian.

"Come on, let's go have a proper meal first! We've been eating roasted meat every day these past few days. I'm almost sick of it."

"Yay! I want wonton noodles!" Tang Ya rose onto her toes and flashed a radiant smile.

Without an elder like Luo Wei around, the steps of Lu Chen and the other two became much lighter as well.

"Whew, we can finally sit down and have something hot to eat."

Long Aotian swaggered into a tavern called Hunter's Rest.

He slapped the table with practiced ease and called out, "Waiter, bring out all the good wine and meat you have, and three big bowls of wonton noodles!"

Tang Ya sat beside Lu Chen, and the two of them curiously observed the bustling yet chaotic street outside the window.

All kinds of strange novelties and the imposing figures of Soul Masters made her eyes light up.

Suddenly, Lu Chen's gaze sharpened as he looked toward the street not far away.

Two Soul Masters were arguing fiercely, their spit flying everywhere.

After only a few words, the conflict completely erupted and directly turned into a fight.

Soul Power fluctuations suddenly exploded, while the light and shadows of Soul Skills flickered.

In less than a minute, one of them screamed and collapsed, his aura instantly extinguished.

The corpse was quickly dragged away by several men in black.

Only a patch of dark-red blood remained on the ground, soon covered by dust.

From beginning to end, the nearby shop owners and passing pedestrians merely watched coldly, their faces utterly unmoved.

Not one of them even considered stepping in to stop it.

"This place really is a chaotic mix. They'll kill over the slightest disagreement."

Lu Chen raised a brow and spoke quietly.

Long Aotian, however, seemed long accustomed to it. He picked up the coarse tea on the table, took a sip, and smiled.

"Brother Lu, don't mind them. At least a dozen people are killed or injured on this street every day.

"Most people who come here are Soul Masters, and this is a lawless area.

"Murder, robbery, theft, fraud, and swindling happen all the time.

"Here, strength is the only hard truth. The strong devouring the weak is normal."

"Then how can these shops survive in peace?"

Tang Ya asked, her face full of curiosity.

"Anyone who can open a shop here naturally has backing."

Long Aotian glanced at the crowded tavern and continued,

"Either they're attached to some major clan or noble family, or they have a powerful adventurer group supporting them.

"Don't be fooled by how rundown this place is. The daily revenue is considerable.

"Ordinary people wouldn't dare cause trouble here."

Lu Chen nodded, then turned to Long Aotian with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"You seem very familiar with this place. Have you been here before?"