That trace of icy malice was like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, silently flicking its tongue, only to slowly withdraw a moment later.
Xiao Li took no action that night.
He simply kept watch quietly, as though that fleeting leak of killing intent had been nothing more than an illusion brought on by the forest at night.
But Ling Feng's Danger Sense could not be wrong.
He knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Xiao Li was waiting for a more suitable opportunity, one less likely to arouse suspicion.
The sky gradually brightened.
The morning mist in the forest had yet to fully disperse, and the damp air carried a chill.
The students woke one after another. After a night's rest, although they were still nervous about their unfamiliar surroundings, they had recovered much of their spirits.
Teacher Mo Hen gathered all the groups.
"Starting today, we will officially search for suitable target Soul Beasts for the students who need Soul Rings." His gaze swept over Ling Feng, Tang San, and several others. "Hundred-Year Soul Beasts already possess a certain degree of intelligence and are more aggressive. Everyone must be even more vigilant!"
"Now, spread out in your groups and search. Remember, when you find a target, signal first. Assess its strength before deciding whether to attack! Safety first!"
The party split up again.
Teacher Mo Hen led Ling Feng's group in a direction where the trees were relatively sparse and visibility was better.
System, check in at the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest.
As they walked, Ling Feng silently recited the words in his mind.
Previously, he had only checked in on the outskirts and had not truly entered the range of the forest's energy field.
[Ding! Host detected at a new location: Soul Hunting Forest (outskirts). Check in?]
Yes.
[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host, on receiving the reward: First Soul Ring (500 years, originating from the strength-type Soul Beast "Mountain-Shaking Baboon," Soul Skill: Earth-Shaking Blast)!]
Without warning, a surge of scorching energy, far more immense than the Soul Power he had obtained before, poured out of the void and into Ling Feng's body!
Wild and domineering, this energy instantly washed through his meridians, flesh, and bones!
But under the system's precise regulation, the energy of this five-hundred-year Soul Ring, originally enough to burst even an ordinary Soul Grandmaster apart, became docile and compliant, merging perfectly into his body without causing the slightest pain.
There was only an exquisite sense of comfort as his strength swelled sharply and his physique rapidly grew stronger!
Driven by this energy, his Soul Power Level instantly broke through the bottleneck and stabilized at the peak of level thirteen!
His physical strength rose another tier, and the contours of his muscles became smoother and more understated, holding explosive power.
More importantly, he clearly sensed that a yellow Soul Ring was already hovering above his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul.
Information about the Soul Ring's skill naturally surfaced in his mind-Earth-Shaking Blast: concentrate tremendous force in the Clear Sky Hammer and slam it into the ground, producing an area-of-effect concussive shock wave. Its power increased with the amount of Soul Power infused.
The entire process was silent.
To anyone else, Ling Feng had merely paused his steps slightly, and his eyes seemed a little brighter. Aside from that, there was nothing unusual.
Even Tang San and Teacher Mo Hen, who were right beside him, had not noticed at all that in that brief instant, Ling Feng had completed a process an ordinary Soul Master would need to risk battle, and perhaps even their life, to accomplish-obtaining his First Soul Ring.
And it was a five-hundred-year Soul Ring that far exceeded the theoretical limit!
Ling Feng slowly clenched his fists, feeling the new power surging through his body and that powerful Soul Skill. A faint, satisfied smile curved his lips.
The invincible-from-the-start check-in route was just that plain, unadorned, and dull.
However, the system's notifications were not over.
[Ding! Warning: a high-energy special check-in location has been detected deep within the forest, accompanied by unknown risks. Estimated rewards will far exceed those of ordinary check-in locations. Host, please decide for yourself whether to proceed.]
A special check-in location!
Ling Feng's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked deeper into the forest.
The woods there were darker and deeper, difficult for light to penetrate, and faint, muffled beast roars drifted out, making the heart tremble.
There really was something good!
This was one of his core objectives for this trip.
Crack.
Just then, a sharp snap suddenly came from the bushes a short distance ahead and to the side.
"On guard!" Teacher Mo Hen barked, instantly activating Martial Soul Possession. He lowered his body, sharp claws extending from both hands as he watched the source of the sound warily.
Tang San immediately pulled Xiao Wu behind him to one side. With a turn of his wrist, several Bone-Piercing Nails were already held between his fingers.
Wang Sheng and the others nervously revealed their Martial Souls as well. Although their Soul Rings were only white, they still took defensive stances.
With a thought from Ling Feng, the pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer, its head covered in mysterious dark patterns, silently appeared in his hand.
A yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet and circled his body.
"A... a Hundred-Year Soul Ring?!" Wang Sheng's eyes instantly went round, and he cried out involuntarily.
Teacher Mo Hen froze as well, looking at Ling Feng in surprise. This kid... when did he obtain a Soul Ring? How had the process been so smooth and quiet? And the color of this Soul Ring... it seemed deeper and more concentrated than an ordinary Hundred-Year Soul Ring?
Tang San's pupils also contracted slightly. Looking at the striking yellow ring of light around Ling Feng, then comparing it with his own white Ten-Year Soul Ring, a trace of complexity flashed through his eyes. The perilous process of obtaining his Mandala Snake Soul Ring was still vivid in his memory...
"Roar!"
A deep growl interrupted everyone's thoughts.
The bushes parted, and a huge, powerfully built wolf with grayish-brown fur and saliva dripping from its jaws sprang out.
Bloodthirsty light gleamed in its eyes as it fixed its stare on these humans who had intruded into its territory.
"It's a Netherworld Wolf! Judging by its size and presence, it has roughly a hundred and twenty or thirty years of cultivation!" Teacher Mo Hen quickly assessed it. "Just right for... hmm?" He had meant to say it was suitable for students who had just obtained their Soul Rings to practice on, but abruptly remembered Ling Feng's bizarre Hundred-Year Soul Ring and swallowed the words on his tongue.
"Ling Feng, you've just obtained your First Soul Ring. This Netherworld Wolf is perfect for you to practice on and familiarize yourself with your Soul Skill," Teacher Mo Hen said instead, keeping watch over their surroundings to guard against other Soul Beasts being drawn over.
"All right."
Ling Feng answered and stepped forward.
The Netherworld Wolf seemed to sense that this human before it was not to be trifled with. Growling, it dug its paws into the ground and shifted its body slightly backward, ready to pounce.
"Watch out for its pounce, claws, and fangs!" Mo Hen reminded him.
As though he had not heard, Ling Feng kept walking. He showed no intention of using a Soul Skill, merely dragging the Clear Sky Hammer casually as he approached the Netherworld Wolf.
Enraged by this provocative posture, the Netherworld Wolf roared and kicked hard against the ground with its hind legs. Turning into a gray blur, it lunged at Ling Feng with a rush of foul wind, its sharp claws reaching straight for his heart!
It was incredibly fast!
Wang Sheng and the others could not help crying out.
Xiao Wu held her breath as well.
Just as the wolf's claws were about to reach him!
Ling Feng moved!
His feet shifted, and he naturally executed the Improved Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Like a weightless phantom, he twisted aside and evaded the pounce by a hair's breadth.
At the same time, he swung the seemingly heavy Clear Sky Hammer in his right hand single-handedly, tracing a simple yet savage arc of black light!
He used no Soul Power, only pure physical strength combined with the force-generating techniques of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!
Bang!!!
A dull impact rang out!
The pitch-black hammerhead struck the side of the Netherworld Wolf's neck with perfect accuracy!
The momentum of its pounce stopped dead!
It did not even manage a scream!
Its neck twisted at a grotesque angle, and an irresistible force sent its massive body flying sideways. It smashed through several small trees before collapsing limply to the ground. Its limbs twitched a few times, then went still.
One strike!
An instant kill!
Everything fell silent in an instant.
There was only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Wang Sheng and the others gaped at the fallen Hundred-Year Soul Beast, then looked at Ling Feng, who had put away his Clear Sky Hammer and remained as calm as ever, as though they were looking at a monster.
No Soul Skill!
They had not even clearly seen how the attack had been made!
A Netherworld Wolf over a hundred years old... was just gone like that?
The corner of Teacher Mo Hen's eye twitched as well. This kid... his strength and actual combat techniques were far too outrageous! That strange hammer technique...
Tang San drew a deep breath, his gaze utterly grave as he looked at Ling Feng. The timing, angle, and force of that hammer strike had been nothing short of perfect! Had it been him, without using Hidden Weapons, there was no way he could have dealt with this Netherworld Wolf so effortlessly.
Xiao Wu blinked her large eyes and muttered, "He seems... just a tiny bit stronger than you, Da Sanzi..."
Ling Feng shook out his wrist, as though he had merely done something utterly insignificant.
His gaze turned toward the depths of the forest again.
That special check-in location the system had mentioned was like forbidden fruit giving off an enticing fragrance.
The risks were unknown.
But the rewards would surely be generous.