Five days later, in the square in front of the gate of Cloud Mist Mountain.
Two sturdy and spacious carriages were ready. Led by Sect Master Tang Xiao, a group of elders including Tang Lie, Yang Wudi, Dugu Bo, Ye Qingxin, Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Bai He, as well as Ning Fengzhi and others from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, were all there to see them off.
Tang Feng, Zhu Zhuqing, Tang Jian, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, Tai Long, Niu Zhen, and Bai Chenxiang —a group of ten, five men and five women—represent the most brilliant core of today's young generation.
They bowed to their elders in turn to say goodbye, and then boarded the carriage decisively.
Tang Feng originally intended to ride in the same carriage as Zhu Zhuqing, but as soon as he moved, a figure in emerald green nimbly cut in and unceremoniously took Zhu Zhuqing's arm.
"Hey, hey, stop!"
Dugu Yan raised her chin, glanced at Tang Feng sideways, and spoke with a hint of mockery.
"If some people keep hanging around like they did in the sect, how are we 'lone wolves' supposed to survive?"
Without a word, she pulled Zhu Zhuqing, who was slightly pursing her lips and looking shy, towards one of the carriages, while beckoning to Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, and Bai Chenxiang: "Sisters, we've booked this carriage! Let those stinky men stay here by themselves!"
Tang Jian laughed heartily, then put his arm around Tang Feng's shoulder and led him to another car. "Alright, alright, we brothers will share one car! Little Ao, Tai Long, Niu Zhen, get in!"
Tang Feng shook his head helplessly, watching Zhu Zhuqing being pulled into the carriage by Dugu Yan. The latter even turned back and winked at him at the carriage door, her eyes filled with an undisguised gentle smile.
He had no choice but to turn around and board another carriage with Tang Jian, Oscar, Tai Long, and Niu Zhen.
The wheels rolled, grinding over the bluestone road, and slowly drove away from Cloud Mist Mountain.
Leaving behind the tense and serious atmosphere of the sect, and temporarily setting aside the complex struggles and schemes on the continent, this journey to the Star Dou Great Forest will be a rare period of relaxation for the ten of them.
Two carriages traveled one after the other. The curtains of the carriage windows were often lifted, and bursts of laughter and chatter could be heard.
Dugu Yan is cheerful and has the air of a big sister, leading the conversation. Ye Lingling listens gently, Ning Rongrong is lively and mischievous, Zhu Zhuqing is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and Bai Chenxiang is the youngest and a little shy. The five have very different personalities, but they get along very well.
When camping at night, people sit around the campfire, sharing food, talking about their experiences, or quietly gazing at the stars.
They deliberately slowed down, avoiding some bustling big cities and choosing routes with better scenery.
Everyone treated this as a long-awaited trip together, enjoying the precious tranquility and warmth after the great battle.
Fifteen days later, the outline of the Star Dou Great Forest finally came into view.
The relaxed and cheerful atmosphere quietly dissipated. The ten people got off the bus one after another. Looking at the deep green sea, the leisure in their eyes faded, replaced by a familiar sharpness, vigilance, and hidden excitement.
Upon arriving at the Soul Hunting Town, after settling the carriage and having a short rest and resupply, the group immediately set off and entered the dense green forest.
Tang Feng had lost count of how many times he had visited the Star Dou Great Forest Star Dou Great Forest, he was still awestruck by its ancient and primal aura.
The branches and leaves of towering ancient trees, the damp soil, the fermenting decaying leaves, and the terrifying aura left behind by countless Soul Beast.
Tang Feng walked at the front of the group and said in a low voice, "We're not in a rush this time. We need to find the most suitable and oldest Soul Beast for each person. We'd rather have none than accept something of poor quality."
"Understood!" the crowd responded in hushed tones, eager to try.
In the perilous forest, the most effective are actually the two Agility Attack System Soul Master, Zhu Zhuqing and Bai Chenxiang.
One person conducted covert ground reconnaissance, another conducted high-speed aerial reconnaissance, and two others scouted ahead. This allowed the team to avoid some high-age Soul Beast and reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble. The group quickly arrived at the mixed area of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
On the seventh day after entering the forest, Zhu Zhuqing discovered a suitable target in a rocky forest area to the northeast.
It was a colossal beast nearly four meters tall, its entire body covered in jet-black, metallic-looking mane. The layers of fur on its shoulders and back formed hard, armor-like protrusions.
It was slamming its massive, millstone-sized hands against a boulder several people high, each blow causing the ground to tremble and sending fragments of rock flying.
" Iron-Backed Vajra Bear, aged between 17,000 and 19,000 years, a high-level Soul Beast of the strength and defense type." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her voice.
Tai Long stared at the giant bear, his eyes burning with intense fighting spirit.
His target for his Fifth Soul Ring was Soul Beast that possessed both extreme strength and defense. The one in front of him was practically tailor-made for him.
Tang Feng quickly assigned tasks. " Brother Jian, hold it off from the front; Sister Yan, use poison to weaken its defense and stamina; Ning Rongrong, provide buffs throughout. Tai Long, your task is to wait until it's exhausted to its limit and then deliver the final blow."
"Understood!" the four replied in unison.
The battle commenced instantly.
Tang Jian was the first to leap up, his Clear Sky Hammer carrying immense power. He unleashed the " Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer " with twenty-four strikes, slamming it solidly onto the Iron-Backed Vajra Bear's shoulder!
The giant bear roared in pain, turned its target, and slammed its two massive paws down on Tang Jian with Space Rending.
Tang Jian neither dodged nor evaded; his hammer and palm collided with a loud "clang," sending him flying back several feet. His feet dug two deep furrows in the ground, yet he managed to withstand the impact!
" The Seven Treasures Have Names for their First: Strength Second: Speed!" Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly, and the two amplification beams landed precisely on Tang Jian. Tang Jian felt his body lighten, his strength surged, and he pounced again to clash head-on with the giant bear!
At the same time, the phantom of Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon Martial Soul appeared. With a light flick of her jade hand, a stream of dark green venom accurately shot towards the eyelids and mouth of the Iron-Backed Vajra Bear.
The giant bear had thick hide and was difficult to harm with ordinary swords and knives, but its eyes and mouth were its weak points.
The moment the venom touched the skin, it immediately began to erode and spread like maggots clinging to bones, making a hissing, corrosive sound.
The giant bear roared in pain, its strength and speed noticeably diminishing.
Tai Long remained patient, his eyes fixed on the battlefield. He was waiting, waiting for an opportunity to strike a fatal blow.
Fifteen minutes later, the Iron-Backed Vajra Bear began to stagger, and its roar became weak with exhaustion.
Dugu Yan's poison had penetrated deep into its body, and Tang Jian's continuous bombardment caused spiderweb-like cracks to appear on the "armor" on its shoulders and back.
" Tai Long! Now!" Tang Feng shouted.
Like a tiger unleashed from its cage, Tai Long's muscles bulged to their limit, and the phantom of his Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul roared to the sky!
The Fourth Soul Ring shone brightly, and all the power that had been accumulated for a long time was concentrated into this punch that was as powerful as a Mountain Collapse!
"Roar!!"
The iron fist cleaved through the air, striking the spot where the cracks were most concentrated!
"Snap!!"
A crisp cracking sound—the sound of the Iron-Backed Vajra Bear's proud defenses shattering completely. The giant bear's massive body swayed twice, the ferocity in its eyes quickly dimmed, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The black, Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring slowly rose.
Oscar's Sausage were delivered to everyone at just the right time, replenishing their Soul Power and restoring their physical strength.
Tai Long and Tang Feng nodded in acknowledgment, took a deep breath, sat down cross-legged, and drew the Soul Ring to themselves.
The surge of Soul Power came like a tidal wave. One wave, two waves, three waves... Tai Long gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, enduring the domineering and surging energy infusion from the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.
For a full three hours.
When Tai Long opened his eyes again, he slowly stood up, clenched his fist, and felt the power within him surge more than twice as much.
"Level 52." He grinned, his voice a little hoarse but full of excitement, " My Soul Skill is ' Vajra Indestructibility,' which greatly enhances my body's defense for a short period of time!"
Tang Feng patted him on the shoulder, Tai Long nodded vigorously, silently retreating into the group, his eyes more determined than ever before.
The first Soul Ring was successfully obtained.
After obtaining the Soul Ring for Tai Long, the team did not rush deeper into the forest, but cautiously advanced towards the eastern part of the central section.
The Soul Beast Ye Lingling needs is extremely special; a healing-type Soul Master's Sixth Soul Ring requires finding a top-tier Soul Beast containing powerful life energy.
These types of Soul Beast are usually docile and dislike fighting, which is why they are rare and extremely difficult to find.
What's even more troublesome is that they are often guarded by other Soul Beast.
After all, in this jungle where the strong prey on the weak, a being that can radiate a healing aura is itself the most precious resource.