At the main gate of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the first light of dawn glimmered through the mist.
An expedition made up of more than twenty core students and three Soul Emperor instructors had assembled, fully equipped and ready to depart.
Holding Su Qingyuan's hand, Lin Chen stood at the front of the group alongside Yue Huaxi. Dressed in simple, fitted combat clothes, he stood tall, his aura steady and restrained. Not a trace of his level thirty-two Soul Elder Soul Power leaked out. He appeared ordinary, yet the students around him instinctively kept their distance, their awe plain to see.
After several fierce battles, he had developed a powerful presence all his own. Even without making a move, he was not someone others dared underestimate.
The aura of Su Qingyuan's Azure Lotus Martial Soul was gentle and warm, while silver light flowed around Yue Huaxi. After days of cultivation, both had reached the peak of level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster and could break through to Soul Elder at any moment. Nourished by Lin Chen's life soul power, their foundations were exceptionally solid, far surpassing those of Soul Masters at the same rank.
On the other side of the group, the Shrek Seven Devils stood shoulder to shoulder. Tang San cast a furtive glance at Lin Chen, a hint of rivalry hidden in his eyes. Soul Power surged around Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others. All were eager to test themselves, filled with anticipation and nervousness about the coming expedition into the Star Dou Great Forest.
The academy's vice dean personally led this expedition, with three Soul Emperor instructors accompanying them to keep the students safe throughout the journey. Their destination was a hidden region on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Spirit Grass Valley.
Countless thousand-year spirit herbs grew there, and large numbers of Soul Beasts under a thousand years old inhabited it. It offered students both practical combat experience and opportunities for cultivation, while also being an ideal place for lower-ranked Soul Masters to obtain suitable Soul Rings.
"Everyone is assembled. We leave immediately! On this expedition, no one is to leave the group without permission. If you encounter danger, signal at once and let the instructors handle it. Is that clear?"
The vice dean wore a long robe, his hair and beard both white. A faint Soul Emperor pressure spread around him as he gave the order in a low voice, his tone exceptionally solemn.
Danger lurked on every side in the Star Dou Great Forest. Even the hidden regions along its outskirts concealed deadly threats. One careless moment could leave them dead in a Soul Beast's jaws.
"Yes!"
All the students answered in unison, their voices firm and ringing.
The group set off toward the Star Dou Great Forest beyond Heaven Dou City.
As they traveled farther from the city's clamor, the vegetation around them grew denser, and the Soul Power and vitality in the air grew richer. Beast roars occasionally drifted over from afar, reminding everyone that they were approaching the most famous sanctuary of Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent.
Walking at the head of the group, Lin Chen's brow stirred slightly as his life domain quietly spread out. Every rustle, fluctuation of Soul Power, and Soul Beast aura within a hundred meters entered his perception.
After his battle against a Soul Emperor, his life domain had become even more refined. It could not only suppress enemies but also sense the vitality around him and anticipate danger, making it an excellent scouting tool.
"Ten li ahead, a large number of hundred-year Soul Beasts have gathered. Their auras are agitated. They seem to be fighting over territory. Slow down and proceed carefully," Lin Chen said calmly, his voice reaching every student clearly.
Everyone immediately tensed. A flicker of surprise crossed the three instructors' eyes. They had yet to detect any danger, yet Lin Chen had discerned it in advance merely by sensing auras. Such perception truly defied reason.
The vice dean nodded slightly and immediately ordered, "Everyone, stay alert! Advance slowly, and do not disturb the Soul Beasts!"
The group slowed, carefully making their way through the thick forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches and leaves to scatter mottled spots of light below. A thick carpet of fallen leaves muffled their footsteps.
Just as the group reached a canyon, disaster struck!
"Roar!"
A deafening beast roar erupted, and the earth shook violently. Several enormous Ironclad Rhinoceroses charged out of the woods, their bodies covered in thick, jet-black armor and their horns razor-sharp. Soul Power fluctuations were clearly visible around them—three thousand-year Soul Beasts, accompanied by more than a dozen hundred-year Ironclad Rhinoceroses!
They had been fighting over territory when the expedition disturbed them, sending them into an instant frenzy. Their bloodshot eyes fixed on the group as they charged madly forward with a devastating presence!
Thousand-year Ironclad Rhinoceroses possessed formidable defenses and immense strength. Even a Soul Elder would suffer grave injuries from a head-on collision!
"Watch out! A frenzied herd of Ironclad Rhinoceroses!"
The vice dean's expression changed sharply. The three instructors darted forward at once, their Soul Rings rising as they prepared to intercept the beasts.
"Wait, instructors! Let us handle this!"
Lin Chen flashed forward, taking the initiative and shielding Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi behind him. His gaze remained calm, without the slightest fear before the thousand-year Soul Beasts.
The expedition was meant to hone their skills through real combat. This was the perfect opportunity to temper his newly mastered Myriad Spirit Vine Sea Soul Skill.
"Lin Chen, those are thousand-year Ironclad Rhinoceroses! Don't underestimate them!" the vice dean hurriedly warned, his heart full of concern.
Lin Chen did not turn around. He merely raised a hand slightly, and three deep-green Soul Rings surged up around him. The heaven-defying combination of a thirty-eight-hundred-year ring and two five-thousand-year rings shone with dazzling brilliance, instantly stunning everyone present!
Sensing the Soul Ring pressure that far exceeded anything normal, even the frenzied Ironclad Rhinoceroses faltered in their charge, instinctive fear flashing through their eyes.
"Life Domain, full release!"
A pale-green halo instantly spread out, enveloping the entire canyon. The utmost life force became an invisible pressure bearing down on every Ironclad Rhinoceros!
[Life domain triggered: Soul Beast Soul Power suppressed by 45%, speed reduced by 50%, strength reduced by 40%!]
The once-menacing herd instantly slowed, the force of their charge plummeting. Even their thick iron armor seemed to lose some of its vigor.
"Is this the power of a domain? It can even suppress Soul Beasts to such an extent!" The Shrek Seven Devils stared wide-eyed, shaken to the core. Tang San clenched his fists even tighter, the jealousy and resentment in his eyes growing stronger.
Lin Chen's gaze turned icy. Without the slightest hesitation, he bellowed, "Myriad Spirit Vine Sea!"
Boom!
Drawing on the vast life spiritual energy between heaven and earth, countless emerald strands of life Blue Silver Grass burst wildly from the ground. No longer isolated vines as before, they formed a boundless green sea, densely packed and blotting out the sky. Like an enraged green dragon, they swept toward the herd of Ironclad Rhinoceroses!
The vine sea completely covered the ground wherever it passed. The dozen-plus hundred-year Ironclad Rhinoceroses at the front were instantly bound tight by Blue Silver Grass, their limbs and bodies firmly restrained. Unable to break free, they lost all ability to fight and collapsed to the ground.
The three thousand-year Ironclad Rhinoceroses roared as they charged, driving their sharp horns viciously into the Blue Silver Grass. But under the combined force of the domain's suppression and Myriad Spirit Vine Sea, their attacks amounted to nothing.
The incredibly tough Blue Silver Grass wrapped tightly around their limbs and horns, drawing ever tighter. Vast power from Life Suppression poured down, forcibly pinning the three enormous beasts in place, unable to move!
From the Soul Beasts' ambush to Lin Chen's intervention and the complete subjugation of the herd, barely ten breaths had passed!
With effortless ease, he had crushed them all!
Every student and instructor stood frozen, staring at the green figure in utter disbelief.
A level thirty-two Soul Elder had so easily overwhelmed three thousand-year Soul Beasts and more than a dozen hundred-year Soul Beasts. Such combat strength was simply inconceivable!
"He's too strong... Lin Chen has become even stronger!"
"Is this the power of a top-tier Soul Skill combined with a domain? No one at his rank could possibly stand against him!"
Gasps of admiration rose one after another. The looks directed at Lin Chen had changed from awe to outright adoration.
The three instructors exchanged glances, each seeing shock and gratification in the others' eyes. With a prodigious student like Lin Chen among them, this expedition would surely go much more smoothly.
With a thought from Lin Chen, the binding Blue Silver Grass slowly loosened. He did not kill the Ironclad Rhinoceroses, merely driving them deeper into the forest.
These Ironclad Rhinoceroses were not evil Soul Beasts. They had simply been disturbed and driven into a frenzy, so there was no need to exterminate them. Besides, his goal was the opportunities in the Spirit Grass Valley; there was no reason to waste time here.
"Thank you for resolving the danger, Lin Chen. Your strength far exceeds this academy's expectations." The vice dean strode forward, his voice filled with praise.
Lin Chen nodded slightly and withdrew his Soul Rings and Martial Soul, his expression calm. "It was no trouble. Let's keep moving before we attract more Soul Beasts."
Everyone came back to their senses, and the group set off again. After this incident, they placed even greater trust in Lin Chen and proceeded more cautiously.
At the rear of the group, Tang San stared fixedly at Lin Chen's back, his nails digging deep into his palms.
The strength Lin Chen had displayed had once again left him far behind. Catching up would be as difficult as climbing to heaven. Yet the wider the gap became, the deeper his obsession grew. He silently resolved to find an opportunity of his own in the Star Dou Great Forest and surpass Lin Chen once and for all.
The group continued onward, gradually venturing deeper into the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. The auras of Soul Beasts grew ever stronger, rare spirit herbs appeared everywhere, and danger crept closer in silence.
Lin Chen walked at the front, keeping his life domain spread out. As he sensed the increasingly rich, pure vitality ahead, understanding settled in his heart.
The Spirit Grass Valley was close!
What he did not know was that several black-robed figures were quietly following them through the shadows deep in the forest. The Spirit Hall's agents had already infiltrated the Star Dou Great Forest, and a plot against him was quietly taking shape in the darkness.
In the Spirit Grass Valley ahead, not only heaven-defying opportunities but also unprecedented danger awaited Lin Chen and his companions!
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