Into the Star Dou Great Forest!

Chen Xuanqing watched Stark put away the gold coins, then continued, "You have one year. Use this money to buy medicine and practice the cultivation art I gave you. After a year, go to Spirit City and find Golden Crocodile Douluo. Tell him I sent you to join the Big Dipper Divine Guard Army. In a year and a half, you will lead the Divine Guard Army under Yaoguang's command into Heaven Dou City in the Heaven Dou Empire."

Chen Xuanqing's words carried authority and resolve. Stark immediately nodded in assent, his heart filled with gratitude and awe.

Then, at Chen Xuanqing's signal, Governor silently drove the carriage away, while the group from Shrek Academy hurried after them.

Only Stark remained, still kneeling on the ground, frantically kowtowing in the direction Chen Xuanqing had gone.

Not until the carriage vanished completely from sight did Stark slowly rise.

Only then did Stark have time to examine the booklet Chen Xuanqing had tossed him. Five large characters graced its cover: "Dragon Elephant Heaven-Shaking Art."

Leaving the town's bustle behind, Governor gradually picked up speed, the carriage wheels kicking up clouds of dust along the dirt road.

Tang San and the others trailing Chen Xuanqing could only furrow their brows and struggle to keep pace, lest they lose him.

They all kept coughing, trying to clear the suffocating dust from their throats.

Xiao Wu, however, was unusually excited, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

To Xiao Wu, the Star Dou Great Forest was not some place whose very name struck terror into people's hearts. It was the home where she had once lived.

She excitedly tugged at Chen Xuanqing's sleeve and asked, "Brother Xuanqing, you still haven't told me why we're going to the Star Dou Great Forest! Did you come all this way just to take me home?"

Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly and affectionately pinched Xiao Wu's plump little cheek, then reached out to gently stroke Zhu Zhuqing's tail.

Then Chen Xuanqing said slowly, "That's part of it! For one thing, we're going to the Star Dou Great Forest to visit Da Ming and Er Ming with you. They're your family too, so of course we can't forget them."

"For another, this environment will help Zhu Zhuqing develop her Zoan Devil Fruit more effectively, allowing her strength to grow further. Besides, I also intend to recruit some followers here to bolster our strength."

Warmth welled up in both Xiao Wu's and Zhu Zhuqing's hearts at his words.

Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, had never expected Chen Xuanqing to consider her growth and needs so thoughtfully.

Unlike Dai Mubai, who had left the Star Luo Empire and abandoned her to face the pressure from Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun alone, the man before her had given her the strength to keep living.

The Star Dou Great Forest lay due south of the Heaven Dou Empire. Its vast expanse straddled two great empires, blurring the boundary between them.

"We've finally reached the Star Dou Great Forest." Chen Xuanqing gazed at the lush green forest before him, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

As one of the three great habitats of wild soul beasts, it was home to countless soul beasts and a sacred cultivation ground that soul masters dreamed of visiting.

The moment the three stepped into the forest, a cool breath of air greeted them, its fresh botanical fragrance soothing their hearts and clearing their minds.

Looking up, they saw towering trees reaching toward the sky, their interwoven branches and leaves forming a green canopy overhead.

"The air really is fresher in the forest. I already feel much more invigorated," Chen Xuanqing couldn't help praising.

"Of course! The Star Dou Great Forest is a great help to our cultivation," Xiao Wu agreed.

Zhu Zhuqing surveyed their surroundings warily. "We'd better not let our guard down."

As the three ventured deeper into the forest, the scenery around them grew increasingly mysterious and majestic.

Towering trees blotted out the sky and sun. Occasionally, the roars of soul beasts rang out from amid the dense foliage, sending chills down one's spine.

Meanwhile, the group from Shrek Academy also entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

Unlike the relaxed, carefree Chen Xuanqing and Xiao Wu, the Shrek Academy group was exceptionally vigilant.

Standing at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, Zhao Wuji swept his piercing gaze over the four students before him.

"Listen carefully, all of you!" His voice carried unquestionable authority. "The Star Dou Great Forest is no state-run preserve where soul beasts are kept in captivity. Every leaf, every breath of wind here conceals danger. Every soul beast here is a powerful creature tempered by the laws of nature. They're cunning and ferocious, and they could launch a fatal attack on you at any moment."

Zhao Wuji paused, his gaze passing over each student's face as though checking whether they had truly taken his words to heart.

"Especially you, Oscar." His gaze lingered on Oscar a little longer. "Your soul power is relatively weak, so you must stay right beside me. Here, one careless mistake could plunge you into eternal damnation."

Zhao Wuji took a deep breath and continued, "Once we enter the forest, none of you is to go more than twenty meters away from me. Remember, this is for your own safety. Without my orders, no one is to attack a soul beast rashly. We're here to cultivate and gain experience, not throw our lives away. Understood?"

The students nodded, their faces solemn and awed.

All four knew Zhao Wuji was not merely raising a false alarm. They had long heard of the Star Dou Great Forest's dangers.

Seeing how seriously the four were taking his warning, a trace of satisfaction flashed through Zhao Wuji's eyes.

Standing among the others, Oscar spoke with unmistakable nervousness. "Then should we first help me hunt a soul beast and obtain a soul ring, or should we start tracking that Chen Xuanqing right away?"

The question immediately cast a heavy pall over the group.

Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, and the others fell into thought, each weighing the pros and cons.

Just then, Tang San stepped forward. "Teacher Zhao, I think you can take Boss Dai and the other two to hunt a soul beast and obtain a soul ring. Leave the tracking to me."

At this, Zhao Wuji frowned and stared at Tang San with widened eyes, snapping, "Tang San! I know you have a few tricks up your sleeve, but don't underestimate the Star Dou Great Forest. Chen Xuanqing's strength is no small matter. He's heading deep into the forest this time, where soul beasts run rampant. You could easily encounter creatures over ten thousand years old, perhaps even packs of ten-thousand-year soul beasts. How could you handle that alone?"

Zhao Wuji's words made the atmosphere even tenser, and the others looked at Tang San with concern.

Tang San drew a deep breath, smiled faintly, and said, "Teacher Zhao, don't worry. I'll be careful. Besides, I have some special methods for dealing with unexpected situations. You can take them to hunt a soul beast while I track Chen Xuanqing. That way, neither task will be delayed."