The party left Nuoding City, heading northeast along the packed-earth road.
At first, the students were still brimming with enthusiasm, chattering along the way and finding everything in the wilderness new and fascinating.
But as the journey stretched on and they left human habitation behind, the scenery around them gradually grew primeval and secluded.
Towering ancient trees began to replace farmland, the calls of birds and beasts replaced human voices, and the air filled with the distinctive smell of rotting vegetation and damp earth.
An invisible pressure quietly settled over them.
Excitement gradually gave way to tension and solemnity.
Fewer and fewer people spoke, until only footsteps and the occasional birdcall accompanied the party's advance.
Ling Feng walked among them, still looking the most relaxed of all.
His gaze swept over the increasingly dense forest on either side as he took in the natural atmosphere, so different from the academy's artificial landscaping and brimming with wild vitality.
Danger and opportunity coexisted.
This was the true underlying color of the world of Soul Masters.
After roughly half a day, the teacher leading the way raised a hand, signaling the party to stop.
"The outer security zone of the Soul Hunting Forest is just ahead! Everyone, stay alert! Stick close to your assigned teachers, and do not act on your own!"
The teachers barked orders, bringing the somewhat lax party back into line.
Ling Feng looked up.
Ahead stood a crude but enormous wooden fence that stretched in both directions, seemingly enclosing the entire forest.
Beyond the fence lay an even deeper expanse of dense woodland, almost impenetrable to light.
Faint, heart-jolting roars could be heard coming from its depths.
A small imperial military post stood at the entrance, where several uniformed soldiers lounged on guard, checking the written permit issued by the academy.
System, check in at the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest.
Ling Feng recited the words silently.
[Ding! Host detected at a new location: Soul Hunting Forest entrance. Proceed with check-in?]
Yes.
[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host, on receiving the reward: "Beginner Danger Sense" (passive skill, provides a faint warning of malice directed at the host and the killing intent of Soul Beasts)!]
A cool, indescribable perception spread like ripples, merging into his mind.
The world seemed to grow a little clearer.
He could faintly sense the vague "emotions" in his surroundings-the soldiers' languor, the teachers' vigilance, the students' tension and fear...
He could even pick up a gaze as cold and sinister as a venomous snake, resting on his back from behind and to one side.
It was Xiao Li.
Through the feedback from Danger Sense, the malice within that gaze became particularly clear and glaring.
The corner of Ling Feng's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
Good stuff.
The party passed the inspection and officially entered the Soul Hunting Forest.
The light dimmed instantly.
Layer upon layer of towering tree crowns all but blotted out the sky, allowing only scattered, broken flecks of light through.
The soil beneath their feet became soft and damp, carpeted in thick fallen leaves that made almost no sound underfoot.
Strange flowers and plants grew everywhere, tangled with vines, and the primeval, wild scent in the air grew stronger.
"Everyone, stay close! Watch your footing and your surroundings!" Mo Hen commanded in a low voice. His Mountain Leopard Martial Soul had already possessed him, his body slightly hunched as his sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. He looked extremely professional.
The nervous students huddled together, sticking closely to their respective teachers.
"Based on past experience, most of the beasts in the outer region are ten-year Soul Beasts, with the occasional hundred-year Soul Beast. We'll need to go a little deeper to find suitable hundred-year Soul Rings for you." Mo Hen led the way cautiously as he explained in a low voice. "Now, spread out some distance in your groups and advance slowly in a fan formation to scout ahead! If you find a suitable Soul Beast, signal us. Do not attack on your own!"
Under their teachers' direction, the groups began spreading out, cautiously exploring ahead.
Ling Feng, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others followed Mo Hen in one direction.
They had not gone far.
"Teacher Mo." A voice came from beside them.
Xiao Li approached with his fifth group.
He wore a seemingly sincere expression. "Teacher Mo, the students in your group are stronger. Why not explore the area to the left, where the terrain is more complicated? They say hundred-year Soul Beasts appear more often over there. Our group can handle the relatively level area on the right. What do you think?"
Mo Hen immediately frowned at his words and looked in the direction Xiao Li indicated.
The trees there were denser, jagged rocks jutted everywhere, and vines obscured their view like a vast net. The terrain was indeed complicated, making it easier for danger to hide.
Send a bunch of students who had only just acquired Soul Rings, or had yet to acquire one, over there?
The proposal sounded reasonable, but it concealed evil intentions.
Mo Hen was just about to refuse.
Ling Feng's Danger Sense stirred faintly, its source pointing straight at Xiao Li.
Just as expected.
"That won't be necessary," Mo Hen refused firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "All groups will proceed according to the original plan. No one is to change areas without authorization. I will personally lead a team to investigate the difficult terrain later. Teacher Xiao Li, keep your group in order."
Xiao Li was registered with Spirit Hall, but although he was an assistant teacher, Mo Hen was the one in charge.
A barely perceptible trace of venom flashed through Xiao Li's eyes, but an apologetic smile immediately appeared on his face. "I didn't think it through. You've considered things thoroughly, Teacher Mo."
He gave Ling Feng a long look before leading his group off to the right.
Mo Hen had rebuffed the first probe, which had appeared to be nothing more than official business.
But Ling Feng knew this would by no means be the last.
The party continued its slow advance.
Along the way, they encountered several ten-year Soul Beasts, such as Dappled Cats and Lone Bamboo. The teachers easily drove them away, or the students worked together to repel them. There were scares, but no real danger.
Tang San and Xiao Wu demonstrated good coordination, while Wang Sheng and the others gradually steadied themselves through actual combat.
Ling Feng rarely acted. Most of the time, he simply observed quietly. Only when his teammates encountered trouble would he occasionally shift position with seeming casualness, placing himself precisely in a Soul Beast's path of attack and making it retreat in the face of difficulty.
He behaved like a seasoned hunter who did not readily reveal his strength.
Night soon fell.
Night came especially early in the forest, and it was especially dark.
All manner of strange cries rose and fell, far more active than during the day, and far more dangerous.
The teachers selected a relatively open patch of ground backed by a massive rock face and ordered the students to make camp, rest, and light a bonfire.
The firelight drove back a small patch of darkness, yet made the forest farther away seem even deeper and more unfathomable.
The students sat around the bonfire, chewing dry rations, their faces showing exhaustion and the easing of tension.
When they arranged the night watch, Xiao Li volunteered again. "Teacher Mo, leave the second half of the night to me. I'm young and have plenty of stamina. You and the other teachers can get more rest."
Mo Hen glanced at him, considered briefly, then nodded. "All right. Signal immediately if anything happens."
The night deepened.
Most of the students and teachers had fallen asleep. Only the crackling bonfire and the long howls of unidentified Soul Beasts in the distance remained.
Mo Hen, who had taken the first half of the night watch, had also gone to rest.
Xiao Li and another assistant teacher took over the watch.
Ling Feng leaned against a rock, his eyes closed as he feigned sleep.
The cool sensation of Danger Sense lingered, faint but persistent.
Suddenly.
That cool sensation wavered slightly.
An extremely subtle trace of malice, yet one with a clear target, seeped toward him from a certain direction like an undercurrent.
It was not the wild, direct killing intent of a Soul Beast.
Instead... it was the cold, calculating malice of a human.
Its source was precisely the direction where the teachers on watch were stationed.
Xiao Li.
He had indeed been unable to hold back.
Ling Feng maintained his even breathing, as though deeply asleep.
But deep within, a cold sneer slowly arose.
Finally...
Was it about to begin?