Capable Assistant, Entering Sunset Forest Again

"Every word I said was sincere. If I lied, may I die a miserable death."

Lin Yin's tone was filled with sincerity.

"Good! Since you are so sincere, this old man will take you in. Rise!"

Jin Shan's hearty tone carried a hint of joy.

"Lin Yin thanks you for taking me in, Senior, but this junior has one small request."

Lin Yin remained on one knee and did not rise.

"A request? Let's hear it."

There was a trace of displeasure beneath Jin Shan's questioning tone.

"I beg you, sir, to grant that Datura Snake to your subordinate. My two companions are inside that beast's belly. I wish to give them a proper burial, and I hope you will grant my request."

Lin Yin's pleading voice was hoarse with grief.

"It is rare to find someone as loyal as you. This old man did not misjudge you. That Datura Snake is yours now."

Jin Shan reached out with his right hand and helped the kneeling Lin Yin to his feet.

"Thank you for granting my request, sir."

"May this subordinate know your name, sir?"

Lin Yin asked cautiously.

"This old man is Jin Shan, titled Golden Tiger. The young man beside me is my disciple, Huo Lei. From now on, simply follow him. Following him is no different from following this old man."

Jin Shan instructed.

When Lin Yin heard the words "titled," his heart shook violently. He knew the old man before him was powerful, but he had never imagined that he was actually a Titled Douluo. At the same time, he felt incomparably fortunate about his decision. With such a powerhouse as his backing, the road ahead would be much smoother. At the very least, he would no longer need to worry about soul rings.

Lin Yin immediately clasped his fists and bowed to Jin Shan. "Yes, sir."

Then he turned and bowed to Huo Lei in the same manner. "This subordinate greets Young Master Lei."

"Brother Lin Yin, there's no need for such formality. From now on, we're brothers. Just call me by my name."

Huo Lei responded warmly.

"This subordinate would not dare."

"Young Master Lei, just call this subordinate by my name. I dare not accept being called your elder brother."

Lin Yin hurriedly waved his hands, not daring to accept Huo Lei's goodwill.

"All right, then!"

Huo Lei said nothing more. After all, everyone had their own way of thinking, and there was no need to force it.

"Teacher, let's return to Heaven Dou City. We can come back to Sunset Forest another day."

Huo Lei glanced at the sun setting in the west, then looked toward Jin Shan.

"Fine. Let's return."

Jin Shan nodded in agreement.

Lin Yin waved his hand and stored away the Datura Snake's corpse before leaving with Huo Lei.

On the second day after Huo Lei's group of three returned to Heaven Dou City, Lin Yin left the city early in the morning. He found a scenic place in the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, buried his two companions there, and kept vigil for three days.

During those three days, Jin Shan had been continuously nurturing the External Soul Bone he had newly acquired—the Right Palm Bone.

Huo Lei cultivated in his room every day. At the same time, he coated the arrows in his hand with Datura Snake venom in preparation for any emergency.

As the sun set, Heaven Dou City gradually became shrouded in dusk.

Huo Lei, seated cross-legged in his room, slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself, "Tang San is getting closer and closer to leaving the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I hope everything goes smoothly."

At dawn, a carriage slowly departed through the eastern gate of Heaven Dou City. Three people sat inside: Jin Shan in yellow, Huo Lei in red, and Lin Yin in green.

"Lin Yin, let's tell each other about our martial souls' abilities. First, it'll help us better understand one another. Second, it'll allow us to coordinate more effectively. That way, we can make the best use of our strengths and unleash greater combat power."

It was Huo Lei, dressed in red with a smile on his face, who spoke.

"Yes, Young Master Lei."

"This subordinate's martial soul is the Illusionary Dragon. It excels at concealment and stealth. It can change according to the colors of its surroundings. Its spiritual power, perception, and defense are all fairly good."

"This subordinate's speed and attack were initially my weaknesses, but after obtaining my fourth soul skill, my speed was compensated for. The sixth soul ring I acquired a few days ago gave me a control-type soul skill, so I can now be considered a control-system soul master."

Lin Yin described his situation with some embarrassment.

"Very good. Your support and control abilities complement my assault system perfectly. We can make up for each other's shortcomings."

"I have Twin Martial Souls: flame and lightning. I am currently cultivating the flame martial soul and following the assault-system path. Of course, I also possess some control and defensive abilities."

The moment Huo Lei began introducing himself, Lin Yin across from him was already dumbfounded. His gaping mouth looked wide enough to easily fit a duck egg inside.

"Twin... Martial Souls?"

Lin Yin asked in disbelief, "Young Master Lei, do you truly possess the rare Twin Martial Souls?"

"Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, look."

Huo Lei extended both hands and circulated his Soul Power. Flames immediately surged from his right hand, raising the temperature inside the carriage by several degrees. Then, a blue orb of lightning emerged in his left hand, electrical currents constantly racing over its surface with crackling roars.

After displaying them, Huo Lei instantly withdrew his martial souls.

"They truly are Twin Martial Souls. I never thought that in my lifetime, Lin Yin would get to see a soul master with Twin Martial Souls. I'm truly fortunate."

"This subordinate has always considered himself a genius, but today I learned that I was merely a frog at the bottom of a well."

"It is Lin Yin's honor to be able to follow you and Young Master Lei."

Lin Yin could not hide his excitement. His body even trembled unconsciously, while his gaze toward Huo Lei was filled with fervor and admiration.

Lin Yin's reaction was precisely what Huo Lei wanted.

In Huo Lei's view, Lin Yin had willingly submitted because of his teacher's strength and life-saving grace. As for Huo Lei himself, he was merely a Titled Douluo's disciple. Although Lin Yin, a Soul Emperor, was respectful on the surface, he might not truly be convinced in his heart. Taking advantage of their opportunity to get to know each other, Huo Lei naturally revealed that he possessed Twin Martial Souls, making Lin Yin truly submit so that he could work obediently in the future.

Jin Shan sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, resting quietly and remaining impassive, as though detached from worldly affairs.

Jin Shan's state allowed Lin Yin to relax considerably. The two sat facing each other, and if Jin Shan had not closed his eyes to rest, Lin Yin would not even have known where to look.

One hour later.

Huo Lei, his teacher, and Lin Yin had arrived at the outer edge of Sunset Forest.

"Teacher, could we travel a little slower when we enter Sunset Forest this time? Your disciple wishes to better understand the soul beasts along the way."

Huo Lei made up a flimsy excuse and looked at Jin Shan beside him. In truth, he only wanted to delay for time.

"As you wish. I do not care."

Jin Shan responded indifferently.

Having received his answer, Huo Lei secretly rejoiced, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted slightly.

Walking between the other two, he asked, "Lin Yin, how far can your perception reach now?"

"Young Master Lei, after this subordinate advanced to Soul Emperor, my perception doubled from before. Its range has reached around two hundred meters."

Lin Yin replied respectfully.

"Good! Once we enter Sunset Forest, we'll keep heading east without deviating from our direction."

"Lin Yin, take the lead."

Huo Lei instructed Lin Yin with a serious expression.

"Rest assured, Young Master Lei. We definitely will not deviate from our direction."

Lin Yin answered firmly before walking ahead.

Huo Lei had arranged things this way because he was certain that after Tang San and Dugu Bo left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they would head west, and they would travel in a straight line. After all, a straight line was the shortest route between two points. Dugu Bo was extremely familiar with Sunset Forest, and with the strength of a Titled Douluo, he would certainly not take a detour. Huo Lei's group, meanwhile, was traveling from west to east, so the chances of the two sides encountering each other were high.

Even if there was some deviation, Huo Lei was not worried. He had first arranged for Lin Yin to scout ahead. Once they reached the depths of Sunset Forest, the timing would be closer to when Tang San left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Based on the principle that the closer the distance, the smaller the search area at the same angle, he could simply have his teacher activate his Soul Power perception then. The perception of a level ninety-four Titled Douluo was no joke.

Several days passed in a flash. Despite Huo Lei's deliberate delays, the three still reached the area where thousand-year soul beasts were active in Sunset Forest. Most of the soul beasts that appeared there had cultivation levels between five and six thousand years.

"This can't go on. By then, Lin Yin and I may not only have to deal with Tang San, but we may also have to deal with thousand-year soul beasts. That would be troublesome."

Just as Huo Lei was about to suggest resting, Jin Shan beside him spoke first. "Stop moving! Something is happening ahead."