A Laugh in the Vast Sea

However, since he had arrived, he would take things as they came.

Xiao Lin put away the map and sensed the state of his inner Soul Power. After seven days of rushing, not only had his Soul Power not decreased, but it also faintly showed signs of a breakthrough.

The bottleneck of level twenty-nine had already loosened, leaving just a final step before level thirty.

"Just in time," Xiao Lin muttered to himself. "Since I've come to the Star Dou Great Forest, I might as well break through to level thirty right here and take my third soul ring by the way."

As for him now being only a step away from level thirty, if he could break through here and directly obtain his third soul ring, his strength would welcome a massive enhancement.

Thinking of this, Xiao Lin hesitated no longer, stepping into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Upon entering the forest, the air immediately turned humid and fresh, and a rich botanical fragrance rushed toward him.

The forest was very quiet, with only occasional bird chirps and the rustling of wind blowing through leaves.

He walked along a winding stream for about half an hour, and the view suddenly opened up. It was a small clearing by the riverbank where green grass grew lushly, wildflowers bloomed, and clear stream water flickered with shimmering light under the sunlight.

Several butterflies danced gracefully among the flowers, and a faint floral scent permeated the air.

Xiao Lin's mood suddenly became very good.

Perhaps it was the relief of shaking off his pursuers, perhaps it was the anticipation of an impending breakthrough, or perhaps it was simply because of this beautiful scenery. In short, he suddenly felt a strong urge to play a tune.

He walked over to the riverbank, sat down on a flat, smooth boulder, and drew the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute from his waist.

The flute tube cast a warm, cyan-green luster in the sunlight, and the nine phoenix patterns upon it were vivid and lifelike, as if they might spread their wings and fly out at any moment.

Xiao Lin brought the flute tube to his lips, took a deep breath, and slowly began to play.

The sound of the flute rang out.

It was a completely different melody, unlike the murderous intent of Guangling Melody, nor the gentle and lingering tenderness of Prelude to Water Melody.

This was a heroic, unrestrained, and magnificent piece of music. Every single note was like a mountain breeze or the waves upon a river, carrying a sense of open-minded calmness and ease as it smiled at the shifting winds and clouds.

A Laugh in the Vast Sea.

This was Xiao Lin's favorite tune from his past life. Every time he played it, it made him feel broad-minded and completely rid of all vexations.

At this moment, in this primeval forest and beside the clear stream, playing this tune carried an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

A laugh in the vast sea, the surging tides on both banks.

Floating and sinking with the waves, remembering only the present day.

The azure heavens laugh, the bustling tides of the mortal world.

Who loses and who wins, heaven alone knows.

The sound of the flute echoed through the forest, the melodious tune following the stream as it flowed into the distance.

Several small birds were attracted by the flute sound, landing on nearby tree branches and tilting their heads to listen quietly. A white rabbit poked its head out from the bushes, perking up its ears and looking around curiously.

Even the fish in the stream floated to the water's surface one after another, seeming to sway along with the melody.

Xiao Lin closed his eyes, completely immersed in the world of music.

He felt as if he had merged into this heaven and earth, becoming one with the mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees.

His inner Soul Power flowed naturally with the melody, smooth like stream water and light like the breeze. That feeling was simply marvelous, akin to his soul taking flight.

Meanwhile.

On the other side of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Two figures were speeding through the forest at an astonishing pace. Their forms shuttled between the trees like ghosts, not even crushing a single fallen leaf beneath their feet, displaying extremely terrifying control and cultivation.

Both of these men had white hair but youthful complexions, appearing spirited and vigorous, defying any estimation of their actual ages.

The man in front had a slender build, a refined and clear face, sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes. Dressed in afluttering white robe, he had an ancient, unadorned long sword suspended at his waist.

Standing there, his entire person resembled an unsheathed sharp sword, his edge fully exposed yet carrying an otherworldly, Taoist-immortal demeanor.

The man behind had a slightly hunched figure, a gloomy visage, withered hands like claws, and wore a dark gray robe.

His aura was not as sharp as the man in front, but rather deeper and more sinister, resembling a venomous snake hidden in the shadows, ready at any moment to deliver a fatal strike.

These two were precisely the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two Titled Douluos—Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

Not far ahead of them, a little girl of around twelve years old was skipping along the forest path, completely unaware that two supreme powerhouses were secretly guarding her from behind.

This little girl was none other than the apple of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master Ning Fengzhi's eye, the little demoness of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Ning Rongrong.

Taking advantage of lax sect guards, she had sneaked out, claiming she was going to venture into the world alone.

She thought she had acted flawlessly, little knowing that Ning Fengzhi had long since discovered her intentions and secretly dispatched the two Sword and Bone Titled Douluos to follow and protect her all the way.

Gu Rong was just about to continue chasing when he suddenly noticed Chen Xin's footsteps come to a halt.

"What is it?" Gu Rong stopped as well, asking in puzzlement.

Chen Xin did not answer, instead turning his head slightly as if listening to something.

Seeing this, Gu Rong also quieted down, concentrating his mind to listen.

Then, they heard it too.

A faint, lingering sound of a flute was drifting over from the depths of the forest, passing through layers of trees and foliage to drift into their ears.

The flute sound was melodious and winding, carrying an indescribable charm—at times like high mountains and flowing water, at times like a gentle breeze brushing the face, at times like a surging river, and at times like rolling white clouds.

The most peculiar thing was that the flute sound contained a heroic, unrestrained momentum, as if the person playing the flute were standing atop a high mountain, overlooking the boundless earth and smiling at the winds and clouds of the world.

"This is..." A trace of surprise flashed in Gu Rong's eyes. "Such a unique tune."

Chen Xin did not speak, but his eyes lit up.

As a swordsman, he possessed a sensitivity to artistic conception that surpassed ordinary people. The kind of open-mindedness, composure, and carefree attitude toward the world's shifting fortunes contained within this tune was precisely the realm he had been pursuing for many years without ever fully comprehending.

"Let's go take a look," Chen Xin said abruptly, his figure moving as he darted toward the direction from which the flute sound came.

"Hey, wait!" Gu Rong hurriedly followed. "What about that little girl?"

"She won't walk far; it won't be too late to catch up with her later," Chen Xin's voice came from ahead, carrying a rare trace of eagerness.

Gu Rong shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to follow.

Things that could make Sword Douluo Chen Xin lose his composure like this were exceedingly rare. He was also very curious about what kind of person could play such a moving tune.

Following the sound of the flute, the two of them sped rapidly through the forest. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the view in front of them suddenly widened.

A clear stream appeared ahead, its water babbling and shimmering under the sunlight. On the clearing by the stream, sitting atop a flat, smooth boulder, was a youth.