The group soon arrived at the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Qin Ming raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"We've entered the forest area." He turned around. "From now on, everyone stay alert and no one is allowed to leave the group."
Yu Tianheng, as a Power Attack System Soul Master, led the way, while Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were protected in the center of the group.
The Shi Brothers flanked the group on either side, while Yu Feng and Osler guarded the left and right flanks respectively, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Lin Mo and Qin Ming were responsible for covering the rear.
Although everyone was somewhat puzzled by Lin Mo's decision not to summon the Charmeleon, no one asked him anything.
They assumed Lin Mo had kept this as a backup plan to deal with unforeseen circumstances.
Moreover, even without relying on his Martial Soul, Lin Mo's previous display of physical combat strength was already formidable enough, which gave everyone a greater sense of reassurance.
After all, everyone will soon be participating in the Soul Master Tournament, and the rules of the Soul Master Tournament limit each team to only seven people.
But Lin Mo's unique ability to possess both physical and External Martial Soul combat power is almost equivalent to giving the Heaven Dou Team an extra person on the field.
An eight-on-seven situation is undoubtedly an easy advantage.
The stronger Lin Mo is, the greater their chances of going further in the competition.
Lin Mo walked at the very end of the group, his expression calm, his gaze occasionally sweeping over his surroundings.
A faint golden light gleamed in his eyes as he meticulously perceived everything around him without attracting the attention of others.
The group cautiously advanced deeper into the forest.
They occasionally encountered some weak Soul Beast that were ten or a hundred years old along the way, but most of them would quickly flee as soon as Frisk the group's presence.
A few of the more ferocious ones were also easily driven away by Yu Tianheng, who was clearing the way.
Their goal was clear: to help Yu Tianheng and Lin Mo find a suitable Fourth Soul Ring.
According to Qin Ming's own estimation, the age of the Soul Beast required for Yu Tianheng and Lin Mo's Fourth Soul Ring would be no more than four or five thousand years, so there was no need for them to go too deep.
Two days later.
A giant python, over seven meters long and covered in deep purple scales, lay sprawled on the ground, lifeless.
It had a single horn on its head, and its body was faintly crackling with electricity. Even after it died, the remaining lightning energy still gave off a faint stench in the air.
It was a " Thunder Horn Python " with a cultivation level of about 4,500 years, a thunder-attribute sub- Subdragon Soul Beast with a rare dragon bloodline.
Yu Tianheng stood beside the giant python's corpse, his breathing slightly rapid. There were several charred marks on the dragon scales on his arms, injuries caused by the Thunder Shock he received during the Thunder Horn Python's final counterattack.
Fortunately, the injuries were not serious.
"Good luck." Qin Ming stepped forward and carefully examined the Thunder Horn Python's corpse, a satisfied look on his face. "This Thunder Horn Python's cultivation is close to 4,500 years. It's extremely compatible with your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, and should be able to provide a decent Soul Skill."
A look of joy flashed in Yu Tianheng's eyes, and he nodded emphatically.
This Thunder Horn Python was one of the candidates his family had planned for his Fourth Soul Ring. He never expected to encounter it so easily after only two days in the forest.
"Let it absorb quickly." Qin Ming gestured for everyone to disperse and be on guard. " Lengleng, help Tian Heng treat his wounds."
Ye Lingling stepped forward in response, the Nine Heart Begonia in her hand emitting a soft pink light, gently brushing across the scorch marks on Yu Tianheng's arm.
In just a few breaths, the injuries had healed completely.
Yu Tianheng sat down cross-legged, took a deep breath, and began to guide the Purple Soul Ring that appeared on the corpse of the Thunder Horn Python.
The group dispersed and took up positions around the open space.
Time passed little by little.
About an hour later, the purple light around Yu Tianheng suddenly subsided.
He opened his eyes, stood up, and a surge of Soul Power, much stronger than before, emanated from him.
Level 41!
He successfully broke through the bottleneck and officially became a Soul Ancestor.
"Congratulations."
Qin Ming stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, "How's your Soul Skill?"
Yu Tianheng could not hide his excitement, and blue-purple lightning crackled around his fist.
" Fourth Soul Skill, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Rush," he said in a deep voice, "A very powerful offensive Soul Skill."
Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Now that you have your Soul Ring, the next step is to help Lin Mo find it—"
Before the words were even finished, a sudden change occurred.
"Roar-!!!"
A deep, muffled roar echoed from the depths of the forest, its sound still making everyone's eardrums tremble, even from a great distance.
Immediately afterwards, the entire forest seemed to come alive.
Birds and beasts took flight in fright, and wild animals fled in terror.
Everyone could clearly feel the ground beneath their feet trembling slightly.
"What's going on?" Yu Feng's face turned pale, and he subconsciously looked in the direction from which the voice came.
Qin Ming's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply, "Everyone, move together! Maintain formation!"
He immediately released his Martial Soul, the Blazing Fire Wolf, and six Soul Ring— two yellow, three purple, and one black—below his feet shone brightly, attempting to deter Soul Beast that might approach.
However, the results were minimal.
Countless dark figures darted frantically through the surrounding Lin Mu, seemingly losing their minds and only caring about running wildly, completely ignoring the Soul Power pressure emanating from Qin Ming.
In a short while, several panicked Soul Beast nearly crashed into the group's formation, but were repelled by the combined efforts of the group.
Lin Mo frowned slightly. Although he couldn't see the source of the roar, there weren't many creatures in the Star Dou Great Forest that could possess such an aura.
"It really is Titan Giant Ape— " he realized.
Most of them live deep within the core area of Star Dou Great Forest. At this time, the only one that has come out to the outer perimeter and spread its aura is that Titan Giant Ape!
The oppressive aura emanating from Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast like the Titan Giant Ape is enough to cause most Soul Beast to instinctively flee their territory.
However, the only thing that made Lin Mo feel relieved was that, judging from the commotion caused by the eruption, the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming was quite far away from their current location.
This is the only good news right now.
Before long, while fighting off the fleeing horde of Soul Beast, the group gradually retreated towards the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
They quickly retreated to a place that was temporarily safe.
The surging tide of beasts lasted for about fifteen minutes before gradually subsiding, but a restless atmosphere still lingered in the air.
Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief, released his Martial Soul Possession, but his expression remained solemn.
"Something has probably happened in the Star Dou Great Forest that we're unaware of," he said in a deep voice. "That roar just now was most likely unleashed by some kind of top-tier Soul Beast. To cause such a disturbance, its cultivation level is definitely more than ten thousand years."
He looked at Lin Mo, his tone clearly worried. " Lin Mo, your Soul Ring —we'll probably have to adjust our plans."
"This wretched beast tide! Right now, the Soul Beast in this area are Astonish, and their movements are completely chaotic, making it much more difficult to find a suitable Soul Beast for you."
At this point, Qin Ming paused, his voice lowering even further, "My cultivation only recently broke through to the Soul Emperor; at most, I can only deal with Soul Beast that have just entered the ten-thousand-year stage."
Then, turning his gaze to Lin Mo beside him, he said, "We'd better help you find a suitable Soul Beast as soon as possible, obtain the Soul Ring, and leave immediately. It's not safe for us to stay here any longer!"
Lin Mo remained silent for a moment, without answering immediately.
However, before Lin Mo could consider it for long, the Charizard inside him sent him a message. Upon sensing this message, a look of joy appeared on Lin Mo's face.
His Fifth Soul Ring has been secured!
The Charizard sensed a Soul Beast with a very pure Fire-type, and its age was also quite suitable for Lin Mo.
However, due to the great distance, Charizard could not perceive anything more clearly.