After the meal, everyone moved to the study to discuss the Soul Hunting arrangements.
Sword Douluo spoke first. "Rongrong can take a Soul Ring of around four hundred years as her first Soul Ring. I'll just take her to the empire's Soul Hunting Forest to hunt for one."
As for which Soul Beast to hunt, Sword Douluo naturally knew. As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had conducted extensive research and practice on what Soul Rings to add to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and had long since reached a conclusion.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Then the Soul Hunting Forest it is. The Soul Beasts there are all kept in captivity, so there won't be any danger. It's close to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, too, so there's enough time."
"Yes, indeed. If we're quick, we can even make it back for mealtime," Bone Douluo said.
Ning Rongrong, however, was a little curious. Why was everyone talking about her? What about Jun Yi? Hadn't he reached level 10, too? Why weren't they taking him along to get a Soul Ring?
"Dad, Grandpa Sword, why aren't you taking Jun Yi along to get a Soul Ring?" Ning Rongrong asked.
"Xiao Yi's situation is a little special. We're planning to take him to the Sunset Forest to get his Soul Ring," Ning Fengzhi explained.
"Why?"
"Most of the Soul Beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest are less than seven hundred years old. With Jun Yi's current physique, he can easily absorb a Soul Ring over seven hundred years old, so going to the Soul Hunting Forest to get his Soul Ring should be the best choice," Ning Fengzhi said.
"Oh, so that's why," Ning Rongrong said, understanding dawning on her.
"Since it's all decided, let's leave it at that. Come on, Rongrong. Grandpa Sword will take you to get a Soul Ring."
Sword Douluo summoned the Seven Kill Sword and enlarged it several times over. Then, holding her in his arms, he stood on the Seven Kill Sword, just about to fly away on it.
Jun Yi suddenly spoke up. "Um, Your Eminence Sword Douluo, could you take me along, too? I'd like to tag along and broaden my horizons."
Sword Douluo paid Jun Yi no attention at all. He turned to Ning Rongrong and asked with a smile, "Rongrong, what do you think? Should we take Jun Yi along?"
"Yes! Yes!" Ning Rongrong clapped and cheered. Once she got her Soul Ring, she could show off to Jun Yi. How could she let an opportunity like this slip away?
Ning Fengzhi also broke into a gratified smile.
Helpless, Sword Douluo could only agree. He told Jun Yi, "Just don't cause us any trouble."
"Don't worry. I know what to do," Jun Yi replied.
"Heh, let's hope so. Let's go!" Sword Douluo chuckled softly, then soared into the air on the Seven Kill Sword, flying toward the Soul Hunting Forest.
"Holy crap, this speed is way too heaven-defying!"
Feeling the Seven Kill Sword's speed, as though it could cover ten thousand miles in an instant, Jun Yi nearly lost his balance. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, or he would certainly have fallen flat on his face, eating dirt.
The Seven Kill Sword became a streak of silver light, racing through the air. Ning Rongrong sat in Sword Douluo's arms, squealing with excitement, while Jun Yi clutched the hem of Sword Douluo's clothes, terrified of falling off.
The Soul Hunting Forest was a forest on the northeastern border of the Heaven Dou Empire. It did not cover a particularly large area, but its trees were verdant, their branches thick with leaves. As far as the eye could see, it was lush green and brimming with life.
Here, the hills were green and the waters clear, with birdsong and fragrant flowers creating a peaceful scene. A few Soul Beasts could occasionally be seen wandering around the forest's outskirts, but they were exceptionally docile and posed little threat.
Before long, Sword Douluo brought the two of them to the forest's edge, where a large cluster of houses-or rather, shops-had been built. Vendors' cries rose and fell, and simple, man-made paths crisscrossed between them. The bustling atmosphere here brimmed with life.
The three passed through the market and saw a ring of enormous steel fencing around the forest, with numerous spikes protruding toward the trees. The fence stood over ten meters tall and looked extremely sturdy.
Outside the fence, a hundred-man squad of soldiers patrolled. All wore full suits of refined iron armor and carried spears, their ranks disciplined and orderly. A hundred steel-clad warriors standing together gave off a grim, martial air.
"So this is the perimeter of the Soul Hunting Forest? It really is impressive," Jun Yi remarked.
"Those soldiers belong to the imperial army. They're responsible for guarding the Soul Hunting Forest and making sure the Soul Beasts inside don't escape and wreak havoc on the nearby villages and towns. If they broke through the cordon, it would certainly be bad news for ordinary people."
The way Ning Rongrong explained everything in detail surprised Jun Yi greatly. He had not expected her to know even this.
"What's with that look? I am the daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master, after all. Of course I know these things!" Ning Rongrong said, pouting.
Jun Yi shrugged, showing no sign of wanting to apologize. "Sorry. Seeing how lazy you usually are gave me the wrong impression."
Sword Douluo mused, "Come on. Let's go Soul Hunting."
As he spoke, Sword Douluo had already led them to the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest.
Sword Douluo took out a permit resembling an iron plaque. The moment the captain responsible for checking permits saw the three symbols on it, respect lit up his face. He hurriedly ordered the soldiers to clear a passage and invited the three into the forest.
Once they passed through the steel fence and entered the forest, all the clamor seemed to vanish. Even the air finally became so fresh, leaving them feeling refreshed in body and mind.
At this point, Sword Douluo also summoned his Martial Soul. The Seven Kill Sword appeared in his hand, followed by his Soul Rings. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black-nine Soul Rings rose from beneath Sword Douluo's feet, forming arcs as they slowly revolved around him.
The colors of the nine Soul Rings were sharply distinct, and the imposing presence of a level 96 Titled Douluo erupted without restraint. Powerful fluctuations of Soul Power made the air tremble.
All the surrounding Soul Beasts were cowed by this mighty presence. They scattered in every direction and fled far away, not daring to linger at all.
"Wow, that's amazing." Ning Rongrong's eyes shone, unable to take it all in.
"All right, Rongrong. Let's keep going," Sword Douluo said gently, smiling as he patted her head.
"Mm-hmm."
Normally, Sword Douluo would never release his Titled Douluo presence outright. But today, he was hunting a Soul Ring for Ning Rongrong, so naturally, he had no intention of concealing his strength. He released his entire presence at once, ensuring that no blind fool of a Soul Beast would come over to throw its life away.
"Phew..." Jun Yi drew a deep breath and thought, As expected of a level 96 Titled Douluo. His presence really is something.
Although Sword Douluo's presence was immense, it did not go so far as to constrain the other Soul Beasts' movements. It only covered a radius of several dozen meters. After all, other Soul Masters were here to hunt Soul Rings, too, and Sword Douluo was not the sort to leave others no way out.
Sword Douluo led the two farther into the forest, searching for a suitable Soul Beast to serve as Ning Rongrong's Soul Ring...
(End of chapter)