Forming the Third Soul Ring, Winning Xiao Wu's Heart

After dinner, the two arrived at the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest.

Lin Hao took out the Soul Hunting Token he had previously obtained from Spirit Hall in Suotuo City.

After inspecting the token, the captain of the soldiers guarding the entrance returned it to Lin Hao and offered a warning.

"It's nighttime. The Soul Hunting Forest gets even more dangerous after dark. I'd think this through if I were you two."

Lin Hao accepted the token and smiled at the captain.

"Thanks for the warning, but the Soul Beast we're hunting is a little unusual. It only appears at night, so..."

The captain said nothing more.

Once inside the Soul Hunting Forest, Lin Hao summoned three Clones. After some searching, they found a fairly open area.

Lin Hao led Xiao Wu there, then sent out five more Clones to stand guard nearby.

"Xiao Wu, go ahead and form your Soul Ring."

Xiao Wu nodded, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began releasing her essence to form her third Soul Ring.

Lin Hao watched closely throughout the process, aided by Exceptional Comprehension and I Reckon.

During the two hours it took Xiao Wu to form the ring, Lin Hao began to grasp how the process worked.

Two hours was still too short, though. In the end, he only understood how Soul Power was converted into a Soul Ring.

Even that understanding was incomplete. For now, Lin Hao could use his own Soul Power to form a ten-year Soul Ring.

But no one else could absorb the ten-year ring he formed, and it contained no soul skill. He also had to keep feeding it Soul Power to maintain its structure. The moment he let up, the white ring in his hand would dissipate.

Lin Hao was satisfied with that. If he could watch Xiao Wu form a Soul Ring three or four more times, it should be enough.

He would be able to work out the full method of forming one. Next time, he could ask Xiao Wu to take it more slowly.

When Xiao Wu opened her eyes after forming her third Soul Ring, she found Lin Hao quietly keeping watch beside her.

"Xiao Wu, how did your third soul skill turn out?"

"Is it Teleportation? How far can you teleport? Is there a limit to how many times you can use it?"

Xiao Wu stood up and smiled at his eagerness.

"My third soul skill is called Teleportation. I can teleport up to a hundred meters, ignoring terrain along the way. There's no limit on how many times I can use it."

"Well? Pretty amazing, aren't I?"

"Amazing, amazing!"

With Xiao Wu's third Soul Ring formed, Lin Hao led her out through another exit of the Soul Hunting Forest.

It was already one in the morning, but Spirit Hunting Town was still lively, with plenty of places selling late-night food.

Lin Hao and Xiao Wu stopped at a skewer shop. They ordered a pot of very mild sake and a pile of grilled skewers, then ate and chatted.

After the meal, both were a little tipsy. They booked a hotel room, took quick showers, and went to sleep.

The next morning.

For once, they stayed in bed late, not getting up until after ten.

After breakfast, they headed toward Shrek Academy. They took their time along the way, stopping in each city they passed to rest and look around.

During the journey, Lin Hao thought of a way to find the Ice and Fire Eyes: create a Clone using all his Soul Power, one that could last a month.

His second soul skill let him freely move his true body between Clones, which gave him an idea.

He would create a month-long Clone and send him to Heaven Dou City to arrange a chance meeting with Dugu Yan. After getting to know her, he could point out that her martial soul was poisoning her in turn.

Of course, a month might not be enough for all that. But Lin Hao could move his true body between Clones whenever he wished.

Once he moved his true body to the month-long Clone, he could expend all his Soul Power again to create another Clone that would last a month.

And even after exhausting all his Soul Power, he only needed half an hour to recover fully.

That was why Lin Hao now dared to raise the issue of Dugu Yan's poisoning directly and let Dugu Bo investigate.

If Poison Douluo Dugu Bo destroyed one of Lin Hao's Clones without asking a single question, there would be nothing more to say.

Then you deserve to lose your family line and see your household ruined, Dugu Bo.

That was the worst-case scenario, though. Judging by the original story, Dugu Bo cared deeply for those close to him and valued loyalty.

Besides, even the worst outcome would cost Lin Hao only one Clone.

So while Lin Hao accompanied Xiao Wu on their leisurely trip back to Shrek Academy in Suotuo City, he created a month-long Clone and sent him to Heaven Dou City.

Even running at full speed every day, it would take the Clone five days to reach the city.

Just before the Clone arrived, Lin Hao instantly moved his true body to him and began forming another month-long Clone.

The distance from Balak Kingdom to Heaven Dou City was simply too great. Having a few Clones ready couldn't hurt.

By the time Lin Hao and Xiao Wu returned to Suotuo City, evening had fallen, so they did not hurry back to Shrek Academy.

Instead, they went to the Suotuo Great Soul Arena. Xiao Wu wanted to try out her new skill.

After winning a one-on-one match, Xiao Wu teamed up with Lin Hao for a two-on-two match.

They called their team the Hao-Wu Combination.

In the next two-on-two match, Lin Hao stayed to the side as backup. With Teleportation, Xiao Wu handled both opponents with ease.

After a few matches to test her soul skill, Lin Hao took Xiao Wu out of the Suotuo Great Soul Arena.

They went from the arena to the Rose Hotel and booked a Rose Romantic King Room.

Xiao Wu went to shower first, with Lin Hao close behind. What followed came naturally.

Sitting on Lin Hao's lap, Xiao Wu wrapped both hands around his head.

"Brother Hao, you'll always love me, won't you?"

"Yes. I'll always love you, and I'll always protect you!"

The night passed quickly.

Xiao Wu's essence was abundant, and her body recovered remarkably well. She could endure a great deal.

Lin Hao also had a steady supply of vitality from his second martial soul, the Life Evergreen Vine.

The two had been evenly matched through much of the night.

In the end, Xiao Wu admitted defeat and let Lin Hao take the lead.

The next morning.

Lin Hao woke to find Xiao Wu lying against his chest, and desire stirred in him again.

He acted on it at once. Feeling him move, Xiao Wu woke after two hours of rest, her strength somewhat restored, and eagerly joined him.