Speedrunning the Core Zone

The Inner Court students recognized the thing Xuan Zi had taken from his Storage Soul Tool at a glance.

"An eighth-level Flying Soul Tool?" Zhang Lexuan was puzzled. Why had Xuan Zi brought that out? "Xuan Zi, what do you need it for? Isn't this usually only used for distant inspection missions?"

"To help you get your Soul Rings faster, of course," Xuan Zi said matter-of-factly. "If we dawdle our way in from the outskirts, when will we ever get there? I'm not letting A-Ren spend the night in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Everyone: Does that sound right?

The academy sent us into the Star Dou Great Forest to gain experience, not just to hunt Soul Rings!

Advancing gradually from the outskirts, encountering Soul Beasts along the way, dealing with unexpected situations—those are all valuable combat experience!

Xuan Zi: Experience, my ass! With A-Ren here, I have to watch him every second! And as if watching that brat weren't enough, I have to watch all twelve of you too. Are you trying to work an old man to death?!

Ten minutes later, Gao Ren and the others arrived at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest's core zone!

If Gao Ren had been able to withstand a higher speed, Xuan Zi could have gone much faster. They probably could have reached the core zone in under five minutes.

Once they entered the core zone, Xuan Zi immediately spread out his spiritual power and began searching for suitable Soul Beasts for the Inner Court students.

The Inner Court students on this trip had never received treatment like this before.

On previous trips to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Soul Beasts, they had simply pressed forward and waited for Soul Beasts to come to them.

A Super Douluo's spiritual perception reached at least ten thousand meters in every direction.

Even with the low density of Soul Beasts in the core zone, it did not take long for him to find some suitable for the Inner Court students on this trip.

As they approached a suitable Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, one of the teaching assistants spoke up by reflex.

"Prepare for battle!"

"No need for all that trouble." Xuan Zi shook his head and closed his hand toward the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

The next instant, earth elements bound the beast tight. It could not move a single inch.

"Xuan Zi, what are you—?!"

"Didn't I say before we left? I don't want A-Ren spending the night in the Star Dou Great Forest," Xuan Zi said impatiently. "You there, hurry up and kill it, then absorb its Soul Ring. Don't waste time."

"Yes, Xuan Zi!"

While the Inner Court student absorbed the Soul Ring, Xuan Zi was already using his spiritual power to pick out the next Soul Beast.

The Inner Court students exchanged looks. Reality had somehow taken on an indescribably absurd air...

You're even taking care of the Soul Beasts for us now?!

Didn't you used to make us handle them ourselves?!

Xuan Zi, you've changed!

For the rest of the trip, Taotie Douluo turned into a runaway truck, carrying the group as he rampaged through the core zone.

Not a single Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast lasted more than one exchange against him.

It made them seem less like they were hunting Soul Rings and more like they were out for a spring picnic.

Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts: Damn it! How can these humans go wherever they please? Isn't there a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast around to put them in their place?!

Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast: There is, brothers. There is!

By the time a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast appeared before Gao Ren and the others, Zhang Lexuan was the only Inner Court student still without a Soul Ring.

"Lexuan, our luck is excellent. There's actually a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast here that suits you. Do you think you can absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?"

Zhang Lexuan considered Xuan Zi's question for a moment, then nodded.

"Xuan Zi, I'd like to try."

"Good. I'll kill it for you."

Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast: ?

???

Don't I get any respect?!

Just as the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was about to roar, Xuan Zi moved first.

A deep, muffled boom rolled through the air as intense yellow light enveloped him.

The next instant, Xuan Zi completed his Martial Soul Possession.

One elbow strike later, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was unconscious before it could even react.

Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast: Children, do you think I'm going to survive this?

Zhang Lexuan: Absolutely not.

Compared with the Zhang Lexuan in the original story, who had needed half a year to recover after absorbing hers, this Zhang Lexuan was much luckier.

She did not have to fight the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and she was even in peak condition when she began the absorption.

Under those conditions, Zhang Lexuan absorbed the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring fairly smoothly.

When a blood-red Soul Ring appeared beneath her feet, everyone traveling with her let out a breath of relief.

Gao Ren relaxed and looked up at the sky. It was only noon... Xuan Zi's efficiency today was downright ridiculous.

Afterward, Gao Ren and the others used the lingering aura of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast as cover and had a picnic right there in the core zone.

"Teacher, aren't we being a little too reckless?"

Xuan Zi explained, "With that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's aura lingering here, there basically won't be any other Soul Beasts nearby.

"If another Soul Beast does show up, it'll be another Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

"You don't seriously think we'll run into a second Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in such a short time, do you?

"If they were that easy to encounter in the core zone, I wouldn't have only one Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

"Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are mostly found in the Great Ferocious Land..."

Xuan Zi stopped mid-sentence and turned his gaze toward the distance.

Gao Ren followed his line of sight and saw two figures slowly emerge from the trees.

The Soul Beast in front was brilliant gold from head to toe, more than three meters long and eight feet high at the shoulder.

Her body resembled translucent crystal, giving her a strange texture. She looked like a lion, but her four paws were dragon claws, each treading on a cluster of golden flames.

Her muzzle was longer than a lion-type Soul Beast's, and fine golden scales were faintly visible beneath her fur.

Most striking was the third eye on her forehead. An uncanny red light shone from its vertical pupil.

The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, the Emperor Auspicious Beast!

Following behind her was the Scarlet King, ranked eighth among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts!

At the sight of the small and large pair, Gao Ren felt his scalp prickle.

Were the strange rules surrounding Teacher taking effect after all...?

"Humans, you dare...!"

The Scarlet King had never imagined that following the smell of an Overlord Drumstick would lead him to discover a slain Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

He was so furious he could barely contain himself.

Then, in a fit of rage, he did nothing but rage.

He could not beat Xuan Zi, and the Auspicious Beast was beside him. All he could do was swallow his anger.

"Lexuan, take A-Ren and the others and go! I'll catch up!"

"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!"

Watching Xuan Zi activate his Martial Soul Avatar without a moment's hesitation, the Scarlet King broke out in a cold sweat.

Hold on, man!

I never said I wanted to fight you!