Although the group encountered quite a few more Soul Beasts along the way, most were relatively docile.
Ten-year Mottled Cats, for instance, generally would not attack humans unless provoked.
There were also Plant-type Soul Beasts like Solitary Bamboo, which had little ability to attack.
After all, not every Soul Beast was as vicious as a Mandala Snake or a Man Faced Demon Spider.
As dusk approached, the three finally found a suitable place to camp.
It was a hollow surrounded by towering trees, with complex terrain all around.
It was worth mentioning that Li Kai had chosen their campsite.
Neither Tian Chen nor Zhang Ping had any experience living in the wilderness, but Li Kai had learned a few things while accompanying his father, Li Yuan, as a child.
He took a large glass bottle from the belt-shaped Soul Tool around his waist and sprinkled its contents evenly around the area.
After meticulously finishing the task, Li Kai wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained to Tian Chen and Zhang Ping.
"These medicines can mask our scent and repel creatures like snakes, insects, rats, and ants."
Of course, he also meant to show off a little in front of Tian Chen.
"Stop showing off and hurry up and help pitch the tents."
Watching Li Kai puff out his chest, Tian Chen gave him a light kick in the backside with a laughing rebuke, then turned toward Zhang Ping, who was covering her mouth as she giggled.
"Zhang Ping, gather some dry firewood nearby. Li Kai and I will pitch the tents."
"Yes."
Dressed in blue, Zhang Ping hurriedly answered, not daring to show the slightest delay.
If she had previously held Tian Chen in awe only because of his background and the rumors that he had defeated Hu Liena,
then now she was completely won over by his strength.
Easily taking care of seven Netherworld Wolves earlier was not something an ordinary Soul Master with only one ring could accomplish.
Each of the three took on their own duties, methodically preparing to make it safely through the night.
Half an hour later, the sky had grown completely dark.
The Soul Hunting Forest was not quiet at night. From time to time, chilling beast roars rang out.
Yet the three showed little fear.
They used the wood they had gathered to light a campfire, warmed some dry rations to fill their stomachs, then quickly extinguished the flames.
Although many Soul Beasts feared firelight, quite a few were also easily drawn to it.
Those Soul Beasts were undoubtedly powerful, and the three of them likely lacked the strength to handle them.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Tian Chen took three purple fruits from his Soul Tool and gave one each to Li Kai and Zhang Ping. He washed his own with clean water before slowly savoring it.
These fruits were called Purple Jade Fruits, and they were quite effective at improving a Soul Master's physique and accelerating cultivation.
Because they grew only within the Star Dou Great Forest and were difficult to obtain, demand had always outstripped supply in the Soul Master World.
Of course, none of that posed a problem for Tian Chen's grandfather, Golden Crocodile Douluo. With his status, obtaining them was not difficult.
Out of affection for Tian Chen, he had ensured that all manner of heavenly treasures and Soul Beast meat had never stopped coming throughout his childhood.
Li Kai clearly knew their value. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, he accepted his fruit, bit into it without hesitation, and polished it off in two or three bites.
With this Purple Jade Fruit, he was confident he could break through to rank ten in a short time.
He could not hide the delight on his face and licked the corners of his mouth, still wanting more.
Although Zhang Ping did not know the effects of Purple Jade Fruits, she had always been observant, and Li Kai's reaction told her how precious this fruit was.
Filled with delight, she began taking small bites as well. The fresh fragrance that filled her mouth immediately made her clear blue eyes narrow into crescents.
She stole an unobtrusive glance at Tian Chen. Only after finding that he had not noticed her embarrassment did she lower her head with some relief.
Leaning against a towering tree, Tian Chen cradled his head in both hands, his eyes shining like luminous pearls in the darkness as they constantly scanned their surroundings.
It was as though the darkness had little effect on his vision.
And that was indeed the case. His eyesight was unaffected by dark surroundings, and might even have been slightly sharper at night.
This was an innate ability of his Golden Crocodile King Martial Soul that he had only recently discovered.
Turning over, Tian Chen found the most comfortable position and spoke to Li Kai and Zhang Ping.
"Li Kai, Zhang Ping, go cultivate first. Li Kai, relieve me in the second half of the night."
"Yes, Young Master Tian," Li Kai said.
Li Kai nodded and answered without hesitation. He never questioned Tian Chen's instructions.
Zhang Ping, however, did not immediately return to her tent to rest. Instead, she looked toward Tian Chen beside her.
"Um... Young Master Tian, you don't need to make allowances for me... I can keep watch too."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Ping still decided to voice her thoughts.
Although she had been born a commoner, that did not mean she lacked backbone.
Besides, she felt that she had barely helped Tian Chen along the way and had instead received considerable kindness from him.
How could she have the nerve to seek special treatment now? She was no "fist feminist"; on the contrary, she was a young girl with a mind of her own.
A faint blush spread across her fair, pretty face, but her clear blue eyes met Tian Chen's without fear.
Thanks to the abilities of his Golden Crocodile King Martial Soul, Tian Chen could see every detail particularly clearly.
"In that case, keep watch with me, and we'll have Li Kai take over in the second half of the night."
After a little thought, Tian Chen nodded.
He did not want to destroy what little self-respect she had left, and he actually admired her quite a bit.
And so the two leaned against the tree trunk, keeping watch without a word.
Li Kai, meanwhile, had entered his tent early, preparing to make another push toward the Soul Master realm.