Sunset Forest
Ning Rongrong activated the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to amplify her power, Dai Mubai charged forward and tore through the defenses, Tang San Blue Silver Grass to control the entire field and lock down enemy movements, Zhu Zhuqing launched a flanking attack to cut through the back row, Ma Hongjun Evil Fire Phoenix for long-range bombardment, Tuo Mushuo poison mist to harass and compress space, and Oscar weaved through the crowd and threw out Recovery Sausage to sustain his health.
Although the seven-person teamwork wasn't perfect, it was well-structured and integrated in both offense and defense. Teams of the same level rarely lasted more than twenty breaths.
In just half a month, the Shrek Seven Devils achieved a seven-game winning streak in team competitions, and also achieved remarkable results in individual and doubles competitions, with their Bronze Soul Fighter points rising steadily.
The Soul Master of Suotuo City began to talk about this dark horse from Shrek Academy.
No one dared to treat them as mere frivolous noblemen anymore; everyone knew that these seven teenagers were all geniuses.
When the news reached Heaven Dou City, Lin Chen had just finished his twenty-third singles match, achieving a twenty-three-game winning streak.
In the waiting area, Qin Ming, holding the newly delivered intelligence, smiled and said, "Suotuo City has also produced a dark horse team called the Shrek Seven Devils, all of whom are old acquaintances of yours. That kid named Tang San is leading the team on a winning streak at the Soto Great Soul Arena, their momentum is quite strong."
Lin Chen took the intelligence report, glanced at it, and remained calm, showing no surprise whatsoever.
Just as the original story unfolded.
Tang San was steadily moving forward along the original route, with a solid foundation and steady momentum. His only uncertainty was whether Tang San still possessed the monstrous External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances.
He twirled the Silver Soul Badge between his fingers, his gaze falling on the words "Shrek Seven Devils" on the intelligence report, a faint smile playing on his lips.
No rush.
There will be plenty of opportunities to fight during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.
That's when the real show will begin.
At the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the plane trees beside the martial arts arena were covered with fallen golden leaves, the wind swirled the withered leaves, and the bluestone slabs, which had been baking in the sun all morning, still carried a lingering warmth.
The members of the Imperial Fighting Team were conducting their daily group practice when suddenly, a surge of emerald mist appeared on the west side of the arena, swirling and rising around a slender figure.
Dugu Yan stood in the formation, her serpentine eyes gleaming with an eerie green light. The fluctuations of her Soul Power grew stronger and stronger. The bottleneck that had been stuck at the peak of level 29 shattered with a single impact from the poison-type Soul Power surging through her meridians.
"It's open!"
She gave a low shout, and a phantom image of Jade Phosphorous Serpent flashed in her palm. The poisonous mist that filled the sky suddenly receded and sank back into her dantian.
His aura settled steadily at the level 30 threshold. Although he hadn't acquired Soul Ring, the refinement of his poison power was a notch higher than before.
"Congratulations, Sister Yanzi!" Shi Mo shouted in a deep, resonant voice.
Qin Ming walked over with a smile on his face, "With a solid foundation, breakthroughs will come naturally. Once you acquire your Third Soul Ring, your poison control range and level will reach another level."
Dugu Yan pursed her lips, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
She glanced subconsciously at Lin Chen, who was resting with his eyes closed on the sidelines. She wanted to go over and say a few words, but before she could take a step, the air in the martial arts arena suddenly became heavy.
Without warning, a chilling pressure emanated from the wall.
A thin, emerald-green mist drifted in along the base of the wall, carrying a few withered sycamore leaves. Wherever it passed, the tips of the grass along the roadside wilted slightly, and a very faint, sweet, fishy scent filled the air.
Everyone felt their breath catch in their throats and their hair stand on end, but no one showed any surprise—they were all too familiar with this poisonous aura.
Looking up, a tall, slender figure in a green robe stood atop the wall.
With a face as white as gold paper, vertical pupils gleaming with a phosphorescent green light, and a faint snake shadow swirling around him, it was none other than the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
"Senior Dugu."
Qin Ming strode forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "I thought you wouldn't be giving lectures until next month. What brings you here today?"
Dugu Bo green eyes swept over the crowd, finally landing on Dugu Yan. His expression softened slightly, and his voice became hoarse and cold, like sandpaper rubbing against withered wood. "I sensed that Yan'er has broken through to level 30, so I came here specifically to take her to the Sunset Forest to Soul Hunting ring. There is a three-thousand-year-old Jade Scale Illusion Serpent in the forest, which is very suitable for her Martial Soul."
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. She skipped over, grabbed his sleeve and shook it. All her previous arrogance vanished, and she became a spoiled little girl. "I was just about to ask someone to pass on a message to you after training, and here you are!"
"Of course, do you think your grandpa doesn't know what his granddaughter wants to do?" Dugu Bo snorted, but his tone was full of undisguised doting affection.
Lin Chen stood in the crowd, a sudden thought striking him.
Sunset Forest, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
He immediately thought of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well —a treasure land where the spiritual energy of ice and fire converges between heaven and earth, the best place to temper the physical body and nurture the Martial Soul.
There's also the medicinal herb garden that Dugu Bo has tended for decades, with its Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Infernal Delicate Apricot, and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass...
Each of these herbs is a rare and precious treasure that high-level Soul Master would fight over. Late autumn is the season for harvesting and storing medicinal herbs, and the spiritual herbs in the herb garden are ready to be picked, making it the perfect time.
This old fellow considered this place extremely important, not only because of its rare and precious materials, but more importantly because he needed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to harmonize the toxins in his body.
He thought this to himself, but showed no sign of it on his face. He simply stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "Senior Dugu, I have a presumptuous request."
Dugu Bo turned his head, his emerald eyes landing on him. "Oh? Young friend Lin Chen, please speak frankly."
"I have always admired your expertise in pharmacology and toxicology, senior," Lin Chen said frankly and neither humbly nor arrogantly. "I benefited greatly from your lecture on identifying poisonous plants last time. However, the specimens in class were all prepared, which can never compare to the real ones growing in the wild."
"This time, Senior is taking Senior Yan to the Sunset Forest to Soul Hunting Rings. I would like to go along. Firstly, I can learn to identify herbs and understand toxicology in person. Secondly, I can help out and provide support."
He paused, then added, "My Xiao Wu, who lives with me, is also quite interested in identifying herbs and would like to come along and broaden her horizons."
Xiao Wu nodded quickly, her eyes sparkling. "Yes, senior! I also want to learn skills from you!"
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
Ordinary juniors, upon seeing him, would either tremble with fear or yearn for Soul Skill or opportunities; he was the first to say he wanted to learn pharmacology and toxicology from him.
Lin Chen, oh Lin Chen, I'm becoming more and more interested.
"Hmph, pharmacology and toxicology aren't things you can memorize in class. Poisonous plants and beasts in the wild can kill you with a single bite."
Dugu Bo's tone was arrogant, but he didn't directly refuse, "You can go if you want. Once you're in the forest, stay close and don't touch or smell anything. If you get poisoned, I might not have the time to save you."
This was an answer.
"Thank you for your kindness, senior." Lin Chen bowed slightly. "I will remember it."
Qin Ming, standing nearby, also chuckled and smoothed things over, saying, "Lin Chen is quite talented in pharmacology, and following him will allow him to learn some real skills. He can also lend a hand when it comes to Soul Hunting rings, saving you from being distracted."