Calming the Mind and Regulating the Breath, Earnest Words of Caution

While they waited, Mo Yuan used the spare time to give Lin Chen a thorough introduction to the Star Dou Great Forest and the taboos of entering it.

"The Star Dou Great Forest far surpasses the ordinary Soul Hunting Forests you've encountered before. Its scale, spiritual energy, and the levels of its Soul Beasts are in an entirely different league.

"Even the outer region is teeming with hundred-year to thousand-year Soul Beasts. Most are fiercely territorial, savage, and highly aggressive.

"But compared to the high-level Ferocious Beasts in the middle and deeper regions, the risks are manageable. That's where we'll be operating this time."

"Once we enter the forest, follow all my instructions. Don't act on your own, venture deeper without permission, or provoke high-level Soul Beasts. There's no need to insist on a Soul Ring of the greatest possible age. Finding one that suits you and laying a firm foundation matters far more than blindly pursuing an older ring."

"The forest's abundant spiritual energy readily breeds miasma and poisonous things. There are also quite a few highly venomous Soul Beasts lurking out of sight.

"Keep your Soul Power at the ready throughout. Don't touch unfamiliar plants or water sources, and avoid coming into contact with toxins.

"If danger arises, get behind me immediately. There's no need to play the hero."

Clear and methodical, Mo Yuan covered every precaution for hunting Soul Beasts in the forest, every principle for choosing a Soul Ring, and every basic measure for avoiding danger. His words were earnest and backed by ample experience.

Lin Chen listened attentively, silently committing everything to memory. He nodded lightly from time to time in acknowledgment, making sure he remembered every key point.

Before long, their food arrived. The two ate quietly, with little idle conversation.

By the time they finished their simple meal, night had quietly fallen.

They bid each other good night and returned to their respective guest rooms to rest and gather their strength, awaiting tomorrow's Soul Hunting expedition.

Back in his room, Lin Chen summoned Liuli again.

After consuming that peculiar Fox-Faced Immortal Flower, Liuli's bloodline aura had become noticeably more concentrated and pure.

Liuli's lustrous white fur had taken on an even softer sheen, and the spiritual energy surrounding Liuli was clearer and purer as well.

The instant Lin Chen sank his awareness into his Martial Soul, information about a brand-new skill appeared clearly in his mind.

Charm, an innate skill exclusive to fox-type Martial Souls.

Its current effect could disrupt a target no more than twenty levels above his own with Charm, leaving them dazed for one second.

As the concentration of the Martial Soul's bloodline continued to rise, the maximum level of targets Charm could affect would keep increasing, and the duration of its dazing effect would grow as well. Its potential was immense.

Though it offered only a single second of control, it was remarkably subtle and practical.

Whether used for a surprise attack in battle, escaping danger, or disrupting an opponent's rhythm, it could produce unexpected wonders. It was especially well suited to the nimble, deceptive nature of a fox-type Martial Soul.

Once he understood the new skill's effects, Lin Chen knew where he stood and quietly tucked this hidden trump card away in his mind.

He drew a deep breath, fully reined in his scattered thoughts, and slowly closed his eyes. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he calmed his mind and regulated his breathing to consolidate his level-thirty Soul Power, bringing his body and mind to their peak as he quietly awaited tomorrow's entry into the Star Dou Great Forest.

At daybreak the next morning, faint light spread across the sky, and a thin veil of morning mist enveloped Star Dou Town.

A cool morning breeze threaded through the streets and alleys, carrying the crisp scent of woodland plants. Refreshing against the face, it swept away the lingering chill and drowsiness of early morning, utterly unlike the city's stifling air.

Two figures stepped out through the street-facing hotel's doorway on time, one after the other.

They were Mo Yuan and Lin Chen, fully rested.

After a night of quiet breathing and meditation, both were in peak condition.

Lin Chen's gaze was clear and focused, his level-thirty Soul Power steady and contained.

After last night's refinement by the immortal flower and a full night of consolidation, his reserves of Soul Power were richer and more substantial. His foundation could hardly have been firmer, and both his body and mind were at their best.

Beside him, Mo Yuan's aura was as calm as still water. The Soul Power he had expended flying the day before had long since been fully replenished.

The immense reserves of a level-seventy Soul Saint were entirely restored. His presence was restrained without a trace, making him seem utterly ordinary, though he concealed power capable of shaking heaven and earth.

Without wasting any time, the two went straight into the hotel lobby and helped themselves to the breakfast the proprietor had prepared.

Breakfast was plain and simple, nothing more than ordinary whole-grain buns and pastries to fill their stomachs, along with warm soup. They ate quickly, remaining silent throughout.

For the truly strong, the closer danger and opportunity drew, the more important it was to maintain a tranquil mind. Only by guarding against arrogance and impatience could they tread steadily and go far.

After a quick breakfast, they settled the bill, left the hotel, and walked out of Star Dou Town with steady steps.

The town's exit came into view in the distance. Behind them, the chatter, vendors' cries, and clamor of horses and carts gradually scattered in the morning breeze.

Ahead stretched a boundless sea of dark-green forest. A primitive, desolate, domineering air of wildness surged toward them, instantly enveloping them both.

"From here on, we'll enter the forest entirely on foot."

Mo Yuan briefly slowed his steps and offered a quiet reminder, his tone steady and serious.

"Walking this short distance will fully stir your blood and energy, loosen your meridians, and keep your combat readiness and perception at their best. It will also let you adapt to the environment and atmosphere of the Star Dou Great Forest beforehand, so your mind won't fall out of step with your surroundings when you suddenly enter.

"Keep your Soul Power contained the whole way, suppress your aura, and don't let any fluctuations escape. Just follow me at a steady pace."

"I understand, Master."

Lin Chen inclined his head slightly and complied.

He understood Mo Yuan's intention. Walking slowly and proceeding step by step was the safest way to gather momentum, as well as the disciplined method seasoned Soul Masters followed when hunting Soul Beasts.

Neither said anything more. They set off toward the Star Dou Great Forest at a steady pace.

Once they left the town behind, the level bluestone streets beneath their feet vanished entirely, replaced by a thick, soft path of humus-rich soil. Layers of dry fallen leaves and small dead twigs covered the ground, rustling faintly beneath their steps.

The vegetation around them grew increasingly dense, and the air became much more humid. The rich scent of plants mingled with the faintly raw smell of earth, forming the distinctive, primal scent of the Star Dou Great Forest.

As they traveled, Mo Yuan used the time to carefully reiterate the essential precautions for entering the forest. Every word carried precious experience accumulated in real combat. There were no empty lectures, only practical rules suited to the dangers of this secluded wilderness.

"The dangers of the Star Dou Great Forest are nothing like those of the low-level Soul Hunting Forests you've encountered before."

"The Soul Beasts here have lived, fought, and evolved for generations. Wildness is rooted in their marrow, and their territorial instincts are extremely strong. The moment you enter their range, they'll most likely attack on their own initiative, without the slightest hesitation."

"Once we enter the forest, follow my commands in everything you do. You are absolutely forbidden from leaving my side, investigating on your own, or touching unfamiliar plants and water sources."

"The outer region may look safe, but killing dangers lurk beneath the surface. Miasma, poisonous mist, hidden venomous insects, and ambushing Soul Beasts are everywhere. The slightest carelessness can leave you caught in their trap."

"If we encounter low-level Soul Beasts, you won't need to act. I'll subdue and drive them away or kill them outright. All you need to do is watch, learn, and accumulate experience."

"Your primary task is to conserve your stamina, keep yourself in good condition, and wait for a suitable Soul Beast to appear. Then focus entirely on absorbing your Soul Ring."

"Lastly, and most importantly."

Mo Yuan turned to glance at Lin Chen, his expression solemn and his tone gaining weight.

"No matter what unexpected situation or dangerous scene you encounter, you must stay calm. If your mind remains steady, your Soul Power will remain steady too. Only then will you have room to maneuver and survive."

"Once panic throws your mind into chaos, your techniques lose their form and your Soul Power grows sluggish. Even the smallest crisis can turn into a catastrophe."

"Remember, calm is a Soul Master's first trump card for surviving in the wild."

Every word rang firm and clear; every sentence was earnest.