Enchantment Forest, the Tangible Yet Intangible Netherworld Ghost Monkey

Xu Huxiao tried several more times. The activation of his Outer Force gradually became faster, until eventually, with a single thought, faint transparent ripples spread outward.

Xu Bayan, witnessing this, was completely stunned. Exceptional talent was understandable; after all, some people were born with different Martial Soul and physical conditions.

But this kind of technique, which depended on insight and practice, had been instantly mastered after merely two pointers. It was simply unbelievable!

Back then, he had spent two years studying it before he had barely grasped the fundamentals and become proficient in the use of "Force."

Could his son truly be a peerless genius?

He absolutely was!

"Father, does this count as mastering it? I feel like my 'Force' can only cover about ten meters around me. Within that range, it can slightly restrict an opponent's attack speed."

Xu Huxiao looked at Xu Bayan and asked.

Xu Bayan nodded, quickly reining in his shock.

"Worthy of being my son. You have a bit of your father's former bearing. That's right, this is Outer Force. With your current cultivation, being able to cover a range of ten meters is already quite good."

"As for the effect, it's not bad either. What each person comprehends is different. In Soul Master battles between those of the same rank, such weak Outer Force is basically incapable of producing a controlling effect. But if used against Soul Masters or soul beasts below your level, it should still be somewhat useful."

Xu Bayan waved his hand within the Outer Force Xu Huxiao had spread out and faintly sensed that the air resistance had increased by the tiniest amount.

Then Xu Bayan continued, "Although its use is limited, don't underestimate Outer Force. Not only does it have a weak controlling effect, it can also enhance your perception within its range."

"Just as I said, Outer Force is the best method for dealing with tangible yet immaterial soul beasts."

"Remember to practice more. Mastering 'Force' with ease will be of great benefit to you and will make it easier for you to seize the initiative in Soul Master battles."

Xu Huxiao withdrew his Outer Force. "Mm-hm, Father, I will."

At that moment, the ship docked at a barren island. They had arrived at their destination, the largest barren island: Enchantment Forest.

The Spirit Hall Martial Soul Battle Team's first group expedition officially began.

Orleans was the first to jump off the ship. Rubbing her fists together, she looked at the dense forest before her, her excitement impossible to conceal.

However, she still remembered that they were not here for sightseeing. They were here to hunt soul beasts as a team and obtain second Soul Rings for two members of the battle team.

Thus, Orleans suppressed her excitement. Her sense of responsibility as captain told her that she had to remain steady; hunting soul beasts was dangerous.

They absolutely could not treat it lightly!

As previously discussed, Xu Bayan and the two Soul Sages would serve as escorts, only acting when danger arose. They each concealed their Soul Power auras and remained behind the group.

"Everyone, don't rush into the forest yet. Listen to my arrangements. First, form up according to what we discussed before, then begin the exploration."

Orleans gathered the battle team members around her and began giving instructions.

"Xie Yue and Huxiao are both assault-types. One will lead at the front, while the other guards the rear against unexpected situations. Switch positions according to your stamina."

"Nana is a control-type. Stay behind Xie Yue and provide support at any time."

"Yun Ji and Jingjing, stay behind Nana. Your task is to watch your teammates' condition and protect yourselves."

"Ao Li'ao and I are both agility attack-types. We'll each stay on one side of the team and provide support as needed."

"No objections?"

Everyone answered in agreement.

Xie Yue took the initiative to walk to the very front of the group, raising the short blade in his hand toward Xu Huxiao to indicate that he would take the lead first and switch later.

Following Orleans's arrangement, the battle team formed up in a fairly proper formation, with Xu Huxiao guarding the rear.

Looking at the seven-person team, Xu Huxiao secretly nodded.

Theoretically, this was the most suitable arrangement. Orleans was only eight years old, yet she could restrain her spoiled temperament and organize the group so well. She truly had some leadership ability.

However, in Xu Huxiao's heart, individual combat ability was the only thing he truly trusted. Team combat was merely secondary.

Because he could never unreservedly entrust his back to so-called teammates. The only thing he firmly believed in was his own strength.

Enchantment Forest lay in the tropics and received abundant sunlight and rainfall year-round, making it lush and dense.

Towering trees, decaying fallen leaves, and wildly growing vines created the scenery of a primeval forest. Xu Huxiao's seven-person team did not move quickly.

Along the way, they encountered many soul beasts ranging from ten to two hundred years old, none of which met Bao Jingjing and Hu Liena's Soul Ring requirements.

After several encounters with soul beasts—whether killing them, driving them away, or going around them—the team gradually gained experience in cooperation. While their vigilance and focus increased, the nervousness from their first exploration of the forest slowly faded as well.

Yet they found nothing all the way until noon.

After simply eating some dry rations and resting briefly, the team continued deeper into the forest.

However, after traveling for less than half an hour that afternoon, the seven-person team encountered its first battle.

Aoo—screech—

Piercing shrieks rang out continuously from all directions as several shadowy phantoms flashed through the woods.

Xu Huxiao, who was clearing the way at the front, immediately raised his hand to signal the team to stop.

"Stay on guard. It seems we've been surrounded. There are eight of them in total—tangible yet immaterial Netherworld Ghost Monkeys. Judging by the length of their tails, the oldest should be around five hundred and sixty years old."

"This kind of soul beast deals little actual damage, but..."

Before Xu Huxiao could finish, his vision instantly went dark.

He had been hit!

It was the Netherworld Ghost Monkey's "Dark Howl," which could temporarily strip a Soul Master of their vision through its shrieking cries. Other than that, it had no other damaging effect.

[Soul Beast]: Netherworld Ghost Monkey

[Age]: 564 years

[Innate Abilities]: First, Dark Howl; Second, Leaping Strike

[Path to Death]: This ghost monkey is brimming with sinister yin energy. It is undoubtedly an evil soul beast. There is no longer any place for this creature in the six paths of reincarnation; it can only be sent down the Path to Death!

Although the visual-stripping control duration of Dark Howl was short—just over one second, less than two—it was one ghost monkey, and now there was a whole group of them.

That was enough to create continuous control!

"What ability is this?! Why can't I see? Is it a God illusion? Huxiao, Sis, what do we do?"

After his vision was stripped away, Ao Li'ao immediately possessed his Martial Soul, his heart filled with anxiety.

Orleans's vision had likewise fallen into darkness. Although she did not know what kind of soul beast this was, she remained fairly calm.

"Everyone, don't move around. We encountered this kind of soul beast this morning too. Their abilities may be strange, but their actual damage should be limited. Since Huxiao knows this kind of soul beast, listen to Huxiao's arrangements."

The team had indeed encountered this type of tangible yet immaterial soul beast that morning. It had been an illusory Blue Butterfly Flower. Smelling its fragrance could make people lose their sense of direction.

They had wandered through the flower patch several times before finally passing through it. Fortunately, the patch of Blue Butterfly Flowers was not large, and its effect was limited. It had not trapped them for long.

They had already discovered that the most important thing when dealing with this kind of soul beast was not to panic. Once the effect passed, they would naturally escape their predicament.

Xu Huxiao thought so as well.

But this was a group of ghost monkeys that stripped away vision. In a forest full of unknowns and dangers, losing one's vision was dangerous even for a short time.

And since the ghost monkeys were tangible yet immaterial soul beasts, covering one's ears would not eliminate the effects of their shrieks.

The sound waves of the Netherworld Ghost Monkey's Dark Howl affected a Soul Master's God's level.

Thus, the instant his vision darkened, Xu Huxiao entered the Martial Dao Essence Realm.

With Inner Force breaking the illusion, the Netherworld Ghost Monkey's effect vanished, and his vision returned to normal.

Stripping away vision was essentially a form of God control that confused a Soul Master's senses, while the enhancement of Inner Force was precisely the nemesis of such God illusions.

The ghost monkeys in the forest were still leaping about and shrieking, but they could no longer affect Xu Huxiao in the slightest.

Once his vision cleared, Xu Huxiao said, "This is a God illusion inflicted by the Netherworld Ghost Monkey through the sound waves of its shrieks. It can temporarily strip a Soul Master of their vision. This ability affects the God's level."

"So, Nana, covering your ears is useless."

Hu Liena awkwardly lowered the hands covering her ears as Xu Huxiao continued.

"My Twin Arms Martial Soul is special, and I've already broken free from the ghost monkeys' effect. Now, form a single-file line. Each person should grab the back hem of the person in front of them."

"I'll handle anything that happens. As long as we leave the ghost monkeys' territory, the effect will naturally disappear."

The team members all agreed, and the group immediately formed a line.

Hu Liena grabbed the back hem of Xu Huxiao's clothes. After hearing his explanation of this kind of soul beast, she suddenly thought that she herself followed the path of God control. Although this Netherworld Ghost Monkey had not reached the seven-hundred-and-sixty-four-year limit, its controlling effect seemed very suitable for her.

"Senior Brother, I think this Netherworld Ghost Monkey suits me very well. What do you think about choosing it for my second Soul Ring?"

Ever since entering Enchantment Forest, whenever they encountered an unfamiliar soul beast, Xu Huxiao had explained it to them. Thus, Hu Liena habitually wanted to ask for his opinion.

Orleans also said, "This visual-stripping ability truly is terrifying. If Nana can obtain it, it'll become an incredibly powerful group-control skill."

"It is indeed good, but other than Huxiao, none of us can see right now. Should we just call Uncle Xu and the others to kill it?" Ao Li'ao said.

"No, this ghost monkey is not suitable for Nana. Its Dark Howl, an innate ability that affects the God's level, is limited to itself because it is a special tangible yet immaterial soul beast. That is why it can produce such an unavoidable control effect."

"If Nana absorbs it, she should also gain the ability to strip away vision. But because her Martial Soul is a physical beast Martial Soul, it would be impossible for her to strip an opponent's vision through sound waves on the God's level."

"And if it merely achieves God control through sound, then its flaws are far too great. An opponent would only need to block their hearing to become immune."

"Therefore, I do not recommend that Nana absorb this Netherworld Ghost Monkey as her second Soul Ring."

As he watched the surroundings while moving forward, Xu Huxiao spoke.

The information he had obtained was not a deduction, but came from the Eye of Omniscience.

[Dark Howl]: The Netherworld Ghost Monkey can plunge its prey's vision into darkness through shrieking. Because it is itself a special tangible yet immaterial illusory soul beast, this innate ability acts directly on the God's level and cannot be defended against.

"Oh, then I'll listen to Senior Brother." After hearing Xu Huxiao carefully consider her Soul Skill for her, Hu Liena inexplicably felt a warm current flow through her heart.

Her Martial Soul had been able to evolve, and her Soul Power had risen so quickly, all because of the special heavenly treasures Senior Brother had given her to eat.

As fellow disciples of His Holiness the Pope, Hu Liena felt that aside from her eldest brother, Senior Brother Xu Huxiao treated her the best.

He even treated her a little better than her eldest brother.

"Wait, something's wrong." Xu Huxiao stopped, then felt a soft body bump into his back.

It was Hu Liena.

"Ah, sorry, I didn't notice." Hu Liena hurriedly stepped back.

Xu Huxiao did not mind. They had yet to leave the ghost monkeys' encirclement, and he had called for them to stop because another soul beast had set its sights on them.

This time, it was not a group, but a thousand-year soul beast!