Fox-Tail Flower (Part One)

Fortunately, their journey went smoothly, without any mishaps.

After repeated takeoffs, landings, and rests, the outline of an endless sea of dark green forest finally emerged on the distant horizon.

That vast forest stretched on and on, with clouds and mist winding through it and spiritual energy soaring skyward. Its vegetation was extraordinarily dense. Even from far away, they could feel its immense, primeval presence.

It was the forest of ten thousand beasts renowned throughout the Douluo Continent—the Star Dou Great Forest!

The closer they drew, the richer the spiritual energy became. The air was fresh, mild, and moist; merely breathing it in could nourish their meridians and nurture their soul power. It was utterly different from the air in Suotuo City.

Seen from afar, the forest was lush and boundless, its end nowhere in sight. Layer upon layer of ancient trees towered skyward, blotting out the sun and sky. Its immense aura of primal wilderness and mystery inspired awe from the depths of the heart.

Finally, after their fifth session of regulating their breathing and another short flight, the two reached the Forest Outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

At the forest's edge sat a large town bustling with life.

Compared with the rudimentary towns on the Forest Outskirts of ordinary, low-level Soul Hunting Forests, this town, which had grown around the Star Dou Great Forest, was several times larger. Its layout was orderly, its shops numerous, and its streets crowded and lively.

This was the Heaven Dou Empire's largest supply hub on the Forest Outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Soul masters, adventurers, and merchants from every direction gathered here year-round, filling it with an endless stream of people and the bustle of everyday life.

Mo Yuan slowly descended with Lin Chen, their feet touching down on the level Bluestone street.

The moment they entered the town, cries from vendors, laughter, conversation, and bargaining filled their ears. The lively clamor washed over them.

The shops lining both sides of the street offered a dazzling array of goods. Almost all catered to those venturing into the Star Dou Great Forest to explore and hunt souls.

Apothecaries selling healing pills, energy-storing potions, secret antidotes, beast-repelling powders, and scent-masking ointments were everywhere;

There were also all manner of tough, wear-resistant protective gear, lightweight, sharp soul-hunting blades, soul-binding implements, emergency rations, and waterproof packs.

There were even shops specializing in soul beast hides, bone fragments, and blood essence.

Every kind of supply a soul master might need for a forest expedition was available, in a rich assortment of types and grades that far surpassed the shops in Suotuo City.

The passersby were equally varied. Most were soul masters with steady auras and restrained soul power. Some traveled alone, while others belonged to adventuring teams.

Their cultivation levels and expressions varied. Some brimmed with confidence, while others remained cautious and alert. All had come for the opportunities within the Star Dou Great Forest.

"This is Star Dou Town, the largest supply town on the outskirts of the entire Star Dou Great Forest."

Mo Yuan walked slowly forward, explaining quietly to Lin Chen beside him:

"Fish and dragons mingle here. All sorts of factions gather, and the soul masters passing through range from good to bad. Remember to look after your own safety. Tomorrow morning, we'll officially enter the Forest Outskirts to hunt souls."

"I understand."

Lin Chen nodded slightly, his calm gaze sweeping across the noisy streets and alleys as understanding settled in his mind.

The crowds were complicated, the factions intermingled, and many unknown dangers lurked beneath the surface. Keeping a low profile and acting prudently would always be the safest choice.

Mo Yuan moved with practiced familiarity. Clearly, this was not his first visit to the Star Dou Great Forest, and he knew the town extremely well.

He led Lin Chen through the bustling streets, avoiding the dense crowds, and finally stopped before a tastefully decorated Hotel on a quiet stretch of the street.

Unlike the noisy shops along the road, this Hotel was quiet, tidy, clean, and elegant.

It catered specifically to soul masters who had come to hunt souls. Secure and private, it was a favored lodging for high-level soul masters passing through.

They entered a neat, quiet lobby with simple yet stately decor. Every guest coming and going was a soul master with a restrained aura. No one raised their voice, and the atmosphere was excellent.

Mo Yuan went straight to the front desk, presented his soul master identification token, and booked two adjoining private rooms. Quiet and secluded, they offered privacy and were well suited to peaceful rest.

Taking the room tokens, Mo Yuan turned to Lin Chen and casually reminded him:

"Flying while carrying you took a great deal out of me today. I need to seclude myself, regulate my breathing, and recover my soul power. You can do as you please. Feel free to look around town and familiarize yourself with the surroundings, but remember not to wander far or get into any conflicts. If you run into trouble you can't resolve, call me directly. I'll sense it immediately. At daybreak tomorrow, we'll enter the forest on schedule to hunt souls."

"Understood, Teacher."

Lin Chen nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

Mo Yuan said nothing more. He went straight into his room to seclude himself and regulate his breathing, focusing on replenishing the soul power he had spent during the flight.

Lin Chen turned and left the Hotel alone, stepping into the noisy streets. Compared with the orderly prosperity of the shops on the main road, the scene changed abruptly once he turned into a side street.

This street was packed with temporary stalls. There were no fine storefronts; most vendors had simply spread cloths on the ground to display their wares. Their goods were wildly varied, all wild finds gathered from deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.

Half a soul beast carcass, freshly picked wild spiritual herbs, unidentified mountain herbs, roughly polished soul beast bones, and underground ores of varying shades—the assortment was dazzling and diverse.

Countless soul masters crowded the street, bending down to choose goods and bargaining in low voices. With its jumble of voices and bustling activity, it felt far livelier than the main street.

Lin Chen had originally intended only to stroll around, but these curious objects, steeped in the wildness of the mountains, stirred his interest. He moved slowly among the stalls, stopping to inspect whatever caught his eye.

As he walked, his gaze passed over countless ores, bone fragments, and common spiritual herbs. They were all ordinary goods, with nothing particularly rare among them. Most were commonplace materials found throughout the forest's outer reaches, hardly worth mentioning.

Then, as he passed a secluded stall selling flowers and herbs, something suddenly stirred within him.

The martial soul hidden within his body conveyed an extraordinarily clear, intensely powerful yearning. Its will was stubborn and urgent, repeatedly pressing Lin Chen to stop.

Lin Chen halted and naturally lowered his head, his gaze settling on the stall.

A disorderly pile of wild flowers and herbs lay on display. Most were ordinary nourishing spiritual herbs with nothing special about them. Only an unusual white flowering plant lying quietly in the center stood out.

The entire plant had a simple elegance. It was about twenty centimeters tall, with a slender yet tough stem severed cleanly at the root.

Instead of the flat leaves of ordinary plants, it had only five uniquely shaped, fox-tail-like fronds. Fine strands formed soft, fluffy plumes that spread neatly along the stem.

Its flower was pure white and flawless, its petals translucent and lustrous, yet a cluster of emerald-green stamens grew at its heart.

On closer inspection, that cluster had an exquisitely delicate outline, complete with eyes, brows, a nose, and a mouth. Lifelike and wholly natural, it resembled a tiny, finely sculpted fox's face, both eerie and wondrous.

A gentle breeze carried a faint fragrance through the air. Neither strong nor pungent, it was delicate and lingering, yet possessed an invisible allure. Curling quietly around the nose, it stirred an instinctive sense of affinity.

With a slight stir of thought, Lin Chen tentatively extended a finger toward the strange flower.

The closer he drew, the stronger his martial soul's yearning became, and the more distinctly it stirred.

Had Lin Chen not been constantly suppressing its movements, the Two-Tailed Fox concealed within him would have nearly broken free of its restraints, manifested, and lunged at the plant.

"You have a good eye, young brother!"

Seeing Lin Chen stop for a closer look, the stall owner immediately sprang to his feet and began boasting enthusiastically, spittle flying:

"This is a genuine wild spiritual flower from the Star Dou Great Forest! It's brimming with spirituality and nourishes soul power. Ordinary people would struggle to buy one even if they had the money! Wear it regularly and breathe in its fragrance, and it'll nourish your meridians and nurture your martial soul. Its benefits are countless!"

Lin Chen remained calm, completely ignoring the owner's exaggerated sales pitch and refusing to be swayed.

He crouched down and quieted his mind, carefully sensing the fluctuations of intent coming from his martial soul. He clearly discerned its overwhelming longing and affinity.