Time slipped by, spring gave way to autumn, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.
Lin Yan had exhausted his supply of whale rubber. By now, its effects on his improvement had become negligible, and under this constant tempering and nourishment from its medicinal properties, his body had reached an astonishing level.
Not yet ten years old, he already stood nearly 1.6 meters tall, with a well-proportioned, sturdy build and smoothly defined muscles that held explosive strength. Years of exercise had given his skin a healthy wheat-colored tan. His face had shed its childishness, and calm composure rested between his brows. At times, when he opened his eyes, a keen light flashed within them, his spirit held deep inside. Anyone who saw him would have taken him for a handsome youth of fourteen or fifteen, never imagining that he was only ten.
He had also become thoroughly proficient in Tai Chi Fist and Tai Chi Sword. With a mere stir of intent, his fist movements and sword techniques flowed as naturally as if formed by heaven itself, his entire presence blending into a seamless whole. Ordinary burly men could not even get close to him. Although he lacked practical experience fighting Soul Masters, Lin Yan was confident that, with his current physique and martial skills alone, dealing with a two-ring Soul Grandmaster should pose no problem.
Over nearly two years, his Hundred Herbs Shop had also developed quite a few new medicines, including special remedies such as Bleeding-Staunching Powder and Foundation-Fortifying Essence-Nourishing Decoction. Their development naturally owed much to his study of Spirit Hall's collection of books. Their efficacy had already been verified, spreading the Hundred Herbs Shop's reputation throughout Nuoding City.
Coupled with its good working relationship with Spirit Hall, no one dared casually stir up trouble. Business flourished more and more, accumulating considerable wealth for Lin Yan.
That day, after finishing his morning training, Lin Yan felt the surging bloodline power within his body and the Soul Power he had compressed until it was as viscous as liquid. He understood.
The time has come.
Lin Yan murmured softly to himself. Under his current conditions, his body's potential had already been developed to its limit, while his Soul Power could not break through without a Soul Ring to guide it. Remaining in Nuoding City would no longer bring any substantial improvement.
"It's time to obtain my first Soul Ring."
Over those two years, he had read an enormous number of books. As for his first Soul Ring, he already had several Soul Beasts in mind as possible choices. Which one he ultimately chose would depend on the circumstances.
His destination: Star Dou Great Forest.
There were two main reasons he was passing over the nearby Soul Hunting Forest to seek somewhere farther away. First, Lin Yan's target was a thousand-year Soul Beast. As a place where the empire kept Soul Beasts in captivity, the Soul Hunting Forest mostly held ten-year and hundred-year Soul Beasts. Thousand-year Soul Beasts were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, and their varieties were limited. Second, according to Spirit Hall's books, the rare plant-type Soul Beasts he favored, those most compatible with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, had only ever been discovered in the vast primeval wilderness of Star Dou Great Forest.
Located roughly seven hundred li south of Nuoding City, Star Dou Great Forest was the largest and oldest gathering place for Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent. It held numerous thousand-year Soul Beasts in a full range of varieties, and legends even spoke of hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts dwelling in its depths. Opportunity and danger coexisted there. It was a treasure trove of Soul Masters' dreams, as well as a graveyard that had buried countless adventurers.
Star Dou Great Forest was by no means a safe place. Danger lurked on every side, and ample preparation was the only guarantee of survival and success.
Thus, before departing, Lin Yan still needed to purchase supplies.
Lin Yan headed to Nuoding City's largest trading market. Based on the wilderness survival shows he had watched back on Blue Star, he had a fairly clear idea of what he needed to prepare for the journey.
Lin Yan purchased a marching pack made of tough beast hide with a waterproof lining, enough high-calorie jerky to last over half a month, waterskins, and a lightweight suit of chain mail that could offer protection at critical moments, guarding vital areas such as his chest and joints. In addition, he specifically bought antidote pills of excellent quality, highly effective wound medicine, and a specially made medicinal powder whose pungent odor could repel most snakes, insects, rats, and ants.
Lin Yan even prepared an additional grappling hook and rope fashioned from refined steel, along with a sharp dagger, to handle difficult terrain and unexpected situations.
As he selected his supplies, Lin Yan was methodical and clear about his goals, thoroughly familiar with the uses, strengths, and weaknesses of the various kinds of adventuring equipment.
Once his purchases were complete, he returned to the Hundred Herbs Shop, found the assistant who had served him the longest and was the steadiest and most meticulous in his work, and called him into the rear courtyard.
"I need to travel far from home for a while. I can't say when I'll return," Lin Yan said calmly. "I'll leave all the shop's affairs in your hands for the time being. If anything happens, you can also go to Spirit Hall and ask Master Ma Xiunuo for help."
The assistant replied, "Of course, young proprietor. Rest assured, I'll do everything I can and await your return."
With the arrangements settled, Lin Yan felt somewhat more at ease. At dawn the following day, just as a fish-belly white began to spread across the horizon, he shouldered his pack, hung his sword at his waist, and quietly left through the southern gate. One man, one sword, he set out on the road to Star Dou Great Forest.
A journey of seven hundred li was not particularly difficult for Lin Yan.
Rather than hire a carriage, Lin Yan chose to travel on foot, taking the opportunity to experience the local customs and ways of life of the Douluo Continent.
Lin Yan headed south, observing his surroundings as he walked and gaining some acquaintance with this strange world.
The farther south he went, the heavier the moisture in the air seemed to grow. The vegetation became increasingly dense and primeval, and now and then, he could already sense a faint trace of the vast, ancient presence of that enormous forest in the distance.
Along the way, he also encountered several teams of Soul Masters heading toward Star Dou Great Forest. Most traveled in orderly formations with solemn expressions. When they saw Lin Yan traveling alone, their gazes inevitably carried a measure of surprise and scrutiny. Lin Yan did not interact with them and simply continued silently on his way.
He ate in the wind and slept beneath the dew, pressing onward by day and night. By a rough reckoning, about half a month passed.
One afternoon, after Lin Yan crossed a long ridge of hills, the view before him suddenly opened up.
Ahead lay no more rolling hills or plains, but an immense, boundless green ocean stretching beyond sight! Ancient trees towered from the earth, their canopies spreading like vast covers, rising and falling in unbroken waves to form a swath of dark green so dense it seemed impossible to dissolve, extending beyond the horizon.
That was Star Dou Great Forest!
At the edge of Star Dou Great Forest stood a sizable market town. From afar, people could be seen coming and going among a forest of buildings of every kind, with banners fluttering overhead. Even temporary tents were visible, and the clamor could be faintly heard from a great distance.
That was the last supply point for adventurers before entering Star Dou Great Forest, as well as a hub where information converged-Star Dou Town.
Lin Yan let out a long breath, as though the dust and hardship of half a month's travel had settled at that moment. He patted the dust from his robes, straightened his gear, and then strode toward the bustling town.