Entering the Soul Hunting Forest, Parting

The carriage traveled over mountains and ridges. After a day and a night, it finally reached its destination at noon on the second day—the Soul Hunting Forest! Though it was called a forest, when the carriage came to a stop, what appeared before Lin Ye was not an endless primeval forest, but a bustling little town.

"Get out!"

Upon reaching the town, Grandmaster was the first to step down from the carriage, followed by Lin Ye and Tang San.

"Strange, isn't it? This is clearly the Soul Hunting Forest, so why is this place still so prosperous?"

Seeing Lin Ye and Tang San looking all around them, their faces full of confusion and curiosity, Grandmaster smiled faintly and asked.

"Mm."

Both Lin Ye and Tang San nodded.

"The reason is actually quite simple. Do you know who the richest people in this world are?"

As he walked, Grandmaster asked with a hint of sentimentality.

"Soul Masters! Soul Masters are the wealthiest class on the Douluo Continent. And for Soul Masters, the most important thing is hunting Soul Beasts and obtaining Soul Rings. Thus, an enormous chain of interests has formed around helping Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts!"

Grandmaster explained to himself as he continued deeper into the town.

"You may find it strange. There are shops here, so why did I still buy everything in Nuoding City? That's because the goods here cost at least two or three times more than in Nuoding City. Although I'm not short of money, no one likes being taken for a fool!"

As they crossed a small road, Grandmaster looked at the various shops hawking their goods around them and spoke slowly.

Following the town's streets, the three continued toward its depths under Grandmaster's lead.

As they gradually ventured deeper into the town, groups of people began appearing by the roadside from time to time.

All of them wore leather armor and shouted incessantly by the roadside.

"Come on! Come on! The War Sky Soul Hunting Group only needs one more person! We hope for a Support System Soul Master to join us! Reward: ten Gold Soul Coins!"

"Don't miss out as you pass by! The Flame God Soul Hunting Group still needs two people! Preferably one Agility System Soul Master and one Support System Soul Master! Reward: fifteen Gold Soul Coins!"

"Come quickly! Come quickly! The Azure Wolf Soul Hunting Group only needs one more person! Preferably a Defense System Soul Master! We've already obtained a Pass Token and can depart immediately! Reward: twenty Gold Soul Coins!"

Listening to the shouts from the roadside, Lin Ye could not help but glance over.

Although this was his first time seeing them, Lin Ye quickly realized from their calls that these were probably the Soul Hunting Groups his father had mentioned.

But Soul Hunting Groups had always seemed very high-end in Lin Ye's mind. He had imagined them posting notices in luxurious halls, displaying their qualifications as they recruited members.

Why did these people seem like vendors selling vegetables at a market? Lin Ye felt somewhat upset inside.

"Teacher, what are these people shouting about? What exactly is a Soul Hunting Group?"

While Lin Ye was feeling troubled, Tang San had already asked Grandmaster beside him.

"A Soul Hunting Group consists of people who help Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts. Generally speaking, Soul Masters cultivate faster than Soul Beasts, but compared to Soul Masters, Soul Beasts possess greater combat strength. At the same level, Soul Masters are often no match for Soul Beasts, which is why Soul Hunting Groups came into being."

"Through cooperation, a Soul Hunting Group can hunt Soul Beasts stronger than every individual member of the group. And when we Soul Masters absorb Soul Rings, the Soul Rings most suitable for us often come from Soul Beasts far stronger than ourselves."

"The existence of Soul Hunting Groups allows every member of the group to obtain Soul Rings better suited to them."

"When Soul Hunting Groups first emerged, they were merely loose teams whose members worked together to hunt the Soul Beasts they wanted. But by now, Soul Hunting Groups have long become a profession through which Soul Masters earn enormous sums of money. Hunting Soul Beasts for employers and receiving payment—that is what Soul Hunting Groups do."

Grandmaster explained as he swept his gaze over the so-called Soul Hunting Groups around them.

"However, these Soul Hunting Groups are all low-class groups. True Soul Hunting Groups have strict requirements for their members. The most basic Soul Hunting Group consists of five people: an Agility System Soul Master must scout ahead, a Defense System Soul Master must block the Soul Beasts, an Assault System Soul Master must kill the Soul Beasts, a Support System Soul Master must restore everyone's condition, and a Food System Soul Master must handle supplies. But these people..."

A trace of disdain flashed through Grandmaster's eyes as he shook his head.

"So that's how it is..."

Listening to Grandmaster's explanation, Lin Ye fell into thought.

He had originally planned to join a Soul Hunting Group after graduating, gaining experience while earning money.

Now that he had heard Grandmaster's words, his understanding of Soul Hunting Groups had deepened even further.

However, from the recruitment calls he had heard, Lin Ye had also realized something.

Support System Soul Masters seemed to be the rarest.

Because among the Soul Hunting Groups recruiting Soul Masters, more than seventy percent wanted to recruit a Support System Soul Master.

Then a powerful Support System Soul Master like him would definitely be in high demand!

After passing through the town, a boundless, sprawling forest finally appeared before them.

Outside the forest stood tall iron fences. They were over ten meters high, nearly comparable to city walls.

Outside the iron fences, fully armed squads of soldiers continuously patrolled along them, creating an extremely tense atmosphere.

They made their way toward the iron gate at the entrance to the fence.

As they walked, Grandmaster explained the requirements for entering the Soul Hunting Forest and the consequences of being discovered entering it illegally. At last, they arrived before the iron gate.

Several soldiers holding long spears, clad in iron armor, and wearing helmets guarded the entrance.

Seeing the three of them, a soldier who appeared to be the captain stepped forward, extended his right hand, and said solemnly.

"Please show your travel permits!"

"This is our Pass Token!"

Grandmaster calmly took out a token and handed it to the captain as he spoke.

After receiving the token, the captain began examining it carefully.

"This is..."

Suddenly, as though he had seen something shocking, the captain's face became filled with astonishment. Then he turned extremely respectful and personally opened the iron gate for the three of them.

"Let's go in."

After taking back the Pass Token, Grandmaster put it away and led Lin Ye and Tang San into the Soul Hunting Forest.

But recalling the captain's respectful manner just now, Lin Ye fell into thought.

This Pass Token did not seem to be an ordinary Pass Token. Grandmaster's identity was probably not simple either! After passing through the iron gate, the three of them immediately seemed to have entered a primeval forest.

Towering trees and all manner of lush shrubs filled the surroundings. Layer upon layer of canopies overhead blocked out the sunlight, leaving the entire forest dim.

After following Grandmaster for some distance, Lin Ye suddenly stopped.

"Grandmaster, let's part ways here for now."

"Part ways?"

Hearing Lin Ye's words, Grandmaster and Tang San both turned to look at him, their eyes filled with bewilderment.