Arrival at the Soul Hunting Forest, Su Yuntao's Choice

The Soul Hunting Forest Tang Shan and the others headed for this time was not the one where the original story's protagonist had obtained his Mandala Snake.

That forest was a little too small. It might have contained some thousand-year soul beasts, but there was no guarantee of variety. If they failed to find something suitable, they would have to make another trip.

As for settling for something merely passable and absorbing it, even if Tang Shan agreed, Su Haichao would not.

Over the years, Tang Shan's theories had taught Su Haichao that every soul ring absorbed was an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen and transform a martial soul. He might settle for less himself, but he would never let either of his sons do so.

"This is the Soul Hunting Forest near Starlight City. We should be able to find the soul beasts we want here."

Looking at the town beside the forest a short distance away, Su Yuan could not help letting out a long sigh of relief.

Even as a Soul Ancestor, he felt a little tired after running so far. Su Haichao, who had carried Tang Shan along, was in even worse shape, his face already covered in sweat.

Of course, Su Yuntao had suffered the most. During the first stretch of their journey, he had kept his soul skill active almost constantly just to keep pace with the other three. Fortunately, Su Yuan and Su Haichao had shown some humanity and slowed down later, allowing Su Yuntao to keep up with his exceptional physique after his soul power had all but run dry.

Now that he had finally stopped, every pore on his body opened, sweat pouring out like water through floodgates.

Nuoding City sat on the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Were it not for the dense concentration of their border territories there, the city probably could not have enjoyed such peace.

Traveling several dozen li from Nuoding City toward the Star Luo Empire brought one to a Star Luo city much like Nuoding City: Starlight City.

Its name signified the outer edge of Star Luo's radiance—hence, Starlight.

The Soul Hunting Forest lay on the outskirts of the city, with a town nearby where visitors could buy all the supplies they needed before entering the forest.

The evening sunlight draped the town in a dazzling coat of crimson and gold. People came and went, their presence softening the forest's ominous, murderous air.

"It's getting late. Let's head into town and rest. We'll see how everyone feels tomorrow and enter the forest once we're back in peak condition."

None of the three objected to Su Haichao's arrangements, and they soon entered the town.

Unlike the bustling town beside Nuoding City's Soul Hunting Forest, this one was relatively quiet. That was probably thanks to the impeccably disciplined soldiers who regularly patrolled its streets.

The Star Luo Empire differed from the Heaven Dou Empire in that the vast majority of its power rested with the emperor. Combined with its rather outrageous method of selecting a crown prince, this had built up considerable national strength over the years.

They picked a hotel and booked two rooms, one for Su Haichao and Su Yuan, and the other for the brothers.

Once inside their room, Su Yuntao flopped straight onto the bed, exhaustion written all over his face.

Tang Shan understood. Running dozens of kilometers on foot was torture, even with soul power to help.

"Big brother, what are you planning to do after getting your second soul ring?"

Tang Shan sat on the edge of the bed, a little curious.

Pushing himself up with both hands, Su Yuntao's gaze flickered as he briefly sank into thought.

"Little brother, I want to compete at the Great Soul Arena. What do you think?"

Tang Shan froze for a moment. He genuinely had not expected that choice.

Su Yuntao raised his head, his eyes burning with passion.

"Little brother, I'm only eighteen. I'm still young. Until now, I've spent almost all my time around Nuoding City. I've never traveled far. Without you, that probably would have been my whole life. If I was lucky, I could have inherited Father's position. If not, I'd have become an ordinary deacon in Spirit Hall. But things are different now. Ever since you joined our family, everything about me has changed. My strength keeps soaring, and now I might even get a thousand-year second ring. I never would have dreamed of that before."

Tang Shan fell quiet. Only now did he truly feel how much he had changed this world. Someone who had merely performed martial soul awakenings in the original course of events was now about to reach a level that should have forever remained beyond him.

"I don't have your insight or talent, little brother. You've shown me a glimpse of a vast future, so how could I give up on myself? I have to climb higher. Besides, the world is so big. I want to see it."

A relieved smile suddenly appeared on Tang Shan's face, as though he had finally let something go.

When Su Yuntao had first mentioned going to the Great Soul Arena, Tang Shan had been fiercely opposed inside. True, there were regular soul fights as well as death matches, but no one had ever said people could not die in regular matches. Never mind the arena—the so-called Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament alone left countless competitors seriously injured. By the era of the Peerless Tang Sect, deaths had become commonplace even with powerful experts overseeing the matches.

How could he bear to let his big brother take such risks?

In Tang Shan's view, with his arrangements, his brother only needed to focus on diligent training. Reaching Soul Douluo at the very least should pose little problem, and he had a good chance of becoming a Titled Douluo too. There was really no need to take risks.

But his brother's words not only changed his mind, they stirred something in him as well. His brother was a person, not a machine that supplied him with affection and resources. Naturally, he had—and needed to have—his own ideas. Tang Shan wanted his brother to stay by his side forever. On the surface, that seemed like concern for his safety, but was it not also selfishness, a selfish desire to keep his loved ones bound to him?

If big brother wants to venture out, let him. Besides, the real Douluo Continent is so vast. How pathetic would it be to focus only on the small area mapped out by the original story? Why couldn't I travel across this continent myself someday?

With that realization, the world seemed to open up.

"You go ahead, big brother. Once I'm old enough, I'll travel the continent too."

Su Yuntao had not expected such support from his little brother, and delight showed on his face. He was confident he could persuade his father, but his little brother was another matter. Tang Shan usually seemed easygoing, yet both father and son had sensed the firm will he sometimes revealed without meaning to.

"That's easily arranged. Wasn't there a group a few years back called the Golden Iron Triangle? I'll make a name for myself first."

Su Yuntao patted his chest, but Tang Shan quickly cut through his confidence.

"Big brother, what about Sister Sisi?"

Su Yuntao abruptly fell silent. Clearly, he had not considered that at all.

Tang Shan patted his shoulder.

"Big brother, I'm going up to the roof to cultivate for a while. Give it some thought. You'd better tell her sooner rather than later and let her make her own choice."

With that, Tang Shan opened the door and left.

Early the next morning, the fully equipped group gathered at the town's entrance.

Tang Shan studied Su Yuntao's face. He looked energetic and had a healthy flush, though Tang Shan could not tell whether he had worked things out or simply had yet to decide. Still, as long as he was in good condition now, that was enough. They were entering the Soul Hunting Forest, after all, and being in good shape was essential.

Passing the other hunting parties, the three gradually approached the entrance.

Su Haichao took a permit from inside his clothes. Only after the soldiers guarding the entrance verified it did they let them through.

The moment they entered the forest, Tang Shan instinctively raised his guard. This was no civilized place; all it held were dangers lurking in the shadows.

Their formation changed. Su Haichao led the way, Dean Su Yuan brought up the rear, and Tang Shan and Su Yuntao stayed in the middle.

"Whose soul ring should we hunt first?"

At Su Yuan's question from behind, Su Haichao and Su Yuntao instinctively looked at Tang Shan, meaning that they should get his first.

Tang Shan, however, misunderstood their intent and thought they were asking him to decide.

After considering it briefly, he spoke.

"Let's head deeper into the forest first and find the area where thousand-year soul beasts roam. Big brother's martial soul is Lone Wolf, so a thousand-year wolf-type soul beast would definitely be best. But wolves are pack animals, and they aren't easy to encounter in a Soul Hunting Forest. As for me, any thousand-year strength-type soul beast will do. A body martial soul doesn't have to worry about compatibility of origin. As long as its attributes lean toward strength, that's enough."

So this is what a Grandmaster's disciple can do? His analysis is sound and well reasoned, and his thinking is clear. Truly extraordinary.

Su Yuan marveled inwardly from the rear.

Su Haichao and Su Yuntao exchanged helpless glances.

"Then let's do as Shanzi says."

With the decision made, the party stopped lingering around the forest's outskirts and headed straight toward its core.

Hounds appeared one after another, tongues lolling, their wary eyes filled with greed.

As soul beasts gradually surrounded them from all directions, Tang Shan stepped forward.

"Dad, Dean Su, I'd like to give this a try."

"Me too."

Su Yuntao was excited as well. This was not his first fight, but it would be his first time facing soul beasts head-on, and he was already itching to begin.

After assessing the enemy's numbers, Su Haichao and Su Yuan exchanged a glance and reached an understanding.

"All right. We'll leave these little pups to you two. Don't get careless."

"Don't worry. They're just a pack of ten-year soul beasts."

With that, Tang Shan charged first.

"Little brother, let's see who can kill more!"

Excitement shone in Su Yuntao's eyes as he immediately activated his martial soul possession.

Tang Shan's body martial soul merged with him, his frame rapidly swelling and his muscles becoming sharply defined.

In the blink of an eye, the still somewhat childish-looking Tang Shan became a lean, muscular young man.

Woof! Woof!

Amid the overlapping barks, the hounds lunged at Tang Shan one after another. One even deliberately circled behind him, trying to tear into his rear.

His qi and blood surged through his body, waves of strength rushing through every limb. Torrents of soul power reinforced his arm, adding even more force to an already crushing punch.

Bang! Crack!

The air exploded as his heavy fist slammed into the side of a hound's face just as it opened its jaws to bite. Its neck and skull could not withstand the tremendous force and shattered outright.

Blood and white matter spattered Tang Shan's fist, but he paid them no mind.

Human Fist: Cart-Pulling Style.

Tang Shan tried putting the fist techniques he had gleaned from ordinary people's lives and work into practice. These enemies were weak, and two Soul Ancestors were watching over him. Even if something went wrong, he would suffer only minor injuries at worst. If he did not experiment now and instead waited until he faced a powerful enemy, would that not be asking for death?

His hands naturally caught the two forelegs of the hound leaping at him from behind, just like a carter gripping the shafts of his cart.

A simple lift and shake dispersed the force behind the hound's attack.

Power erupted from Tang Shan's shoulders as he slammed backward.

With a series of brittle cracks, another hound's chest caved in.

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