Sunset Forest.
After traveling at high speed, Long Yue and his two companions finally reached the depths of Sunset Forest.
Sunset Forest was one of the Heaven Dou Empire's major habitats for wild soul beasts. It was smaller than the Star Dou Great Forest, but it had no shortage of high-level soul beasts.
"Incredible. An actual wild soul beast forest!" Long Yue marveled after entering the forest. "It really is different from a man-made nature reserve."
"Outside the Divine Realm Imperial Capital, the Big Dipper Mountains and the Xiding Mountain Range are both wild soul beast forests too," Joander reminded him. "Don't tell me you've never been?"
"The forests on the Spirit Ice Continent aren't natural enough," Long Yue countered. "The Spirit Pagoda's mecha and the empire's army are in there wiping out species every day. Before long, they'll look like places humans have developed."
"You're an environmentalist too?" Joander was surprised that Long Yue's thinking was so progressive. "Unfortunately, soul beasts can't be allowed near the capital. They have to be cleared out completely."
"I'm not an environmentalist. I just like places with clear waters and beautiful mountains." Long Yue spread his arms and breathed in Sunset Forest's cold night breeze, feeling his heart open and his spirits lift. "Living in a city of steel is just too stifling."
"Then you definitely wouldn't get used to living in Mingdu," Joander said.
Long Yue did not answer. His nose twitched as he caught a trace of sulfur on the night breeze. "Smell that! Is there a hot spring nearby?"
"There is," Tong Yu said, catching the scent too. The three hurried in its direction.
After climbing the hill, they found an inverted-cone-shaped hollow before them. Thick steam rose from it, carrying sulfur's distinctive scent.
Just then, Tong Yu suddenly turned