The First Law of Survival (Part Two)

Autumn in the Star Dou Great Forest is even more somber than in the Sunset Forest.

Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, their thick layer of withered yellow leaves rustling underfoot. From the depths of the forest came the occasional low growls of Soul Beast, and the wind swept through the treetops, carrying the damp scent of decaying leaves and a faint smell of blood.

"The outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest is mostly inhabited by hundred-year-old and Thousand-Year Soul Beast Soul Beast beasts become, and the more dangerous it is." Dugu Bo's voice was low, a slight smile playing on his lips, his steps unhurried. "This outer area isn't just home to Soul Beast; there are also quite a few filthy creatures."

"Dirty stuff?" Xiao Wu tilted her head.

"They're just some Evil Soul Master who rob and plunder," Dugu Bo said calmly. "They specifically target lone training teams and ordinary merchant caravans, robbing them of money and goods, and taking lives. You two remember this: in the forest, the most dangerous thing is never Soul Beast."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a whooshing sound came from the woods.

"Stop!"

Eight figures darted out from the bushes on both sides and blocked the road.

The leader was a burly man with a scarred face, one arm bare, a blood-red wolf's head tattooed on his chest, and his Soul Power fluctuations were at the forty-second level of the Soul Ancestor realm.

The seven men behind him all had fierce expressions, with ghost-head sabers at their waists. They were all at the Soul Elder realm, and they all carried a faint smell of blood, clearly indicating that they had taken many lives.

The eight men spread out in a fan shape, blocking the three men in the middle of the road. Their eyes were filled with undisguised greed, like hungry wolves eyeing a fat sheep.

"Hey, old man, going in to Soul Hunting with your grandchildren?" Scarface grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Since we've run into each other, let's do it the way we do. Five hundred Gold Soul Coin for the toll, pay up and you can pass."

Dugu Bo immediately shrank back, his back hunched, a fawning smile plastered on his face, his voice trembling slightly. "Heroes, we're just ordinary people, we don't have that much money... This is my child's first time in the forest, he just wants to hunt for a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, please be lenient..."

He looked exactly like a timid, ordinary old man.

"No money?" Scarface sneered, his gaze sweeping over Lin Chen before settling on Xiao Wu, his eyes instantly turning lewd. "No money is fine. We'll leave you here as a hostage, and you can go back and get the money. As for this little girl... she's quite pretty. Come with us, serve us a bit, and maybe we'll be in a good mood and let you off the hook."

Upon hearing this, the thugs behind her burst into laughter, their eyes brazenly sizing up Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu was so angry that she trembled all over and subconsciously tried to activate her Soul Power.

Lin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and his hands clenched tightly.

Before he could speak, Dugu Bo plopped down on the ground, his face contorted with grief as he begged for mercy, "No, no, no! My lords, the child is still young, let's talk this out... I'll find a way to get the money, I'll find a way..."

"Shut the fuck up!" Scarface snapped, drawing his sword and pointing it at Dugu Bo. "Old bastard, you're asking for it, aren't you? Brothers, get him! Chop the men down, take the women away!"

The eight people simultaneously activated their Soul Power, their Soul Ring lit up, and their blades, reflecting the sunlight, lunged towards the three.

Just then, Dugu Bo's hunched body suddenly straightened up.

He raised his head, a cold, emerald-green glint flashing in his eyes.

"Watch closely." He spoke softly, so softly that only Lin Chen and Xiao Wu behind him could hear him.

"Today, I will teach you a lesson."

"The old man still dares to make a move?"

The two Soul Elder bandits at the front had already rushed close, and their ghost-headed blades whistled as they slashed down at Dugu Bo's head.

Dugu Bo didn't even lift his eyelids.

A light flick of the fingertip.

Two thin, hair-like, emerald-green poison needles shot out instantly, accurately piercing the foreheads of the two men.

puff--

Before the two could even utter a scream, their bodies stiffened abruptly, their faces turning bluish-black, and they collapsed to the ground, their ghost-headed blades clattering to the ground. Their Soul Ring didn't even have time to ignite before they were dead.

The remaining six thugs stopped abruptly, their sinister smiles freezing on their faces.

"Who... who are you?!" Scarface's pupils contracted sharply, and he shouted in disbelief.

He could feel a sudden, chilling pressure emanating from the old man before him.

"Didn't you want to rob me?" Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, his gray robe billowing slightly in the wind. His face held no trace of obsequiousness, only cold arrogance. "The remaining six are yours to keep."

He turned to look at Lin Chen, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. "They are members of the Blood Shadow Society; there's no need to leave them alive."

"Blood Shadow Society?"

Lin Chen was taken aback.

He had heard of the name before, but only knew it was a sect hidden in the shadows. He never expected to actually encounter it today.

"It's a den of rats that can't stand the light of day," Dugu Bo said calmly. "They take money to solve problems for others. The sect has thieves, robbers, assassins—you name it. They specialize in bullying ordinary people, kidnapping women, and ambushing lone Soul Master. It's a complete mess inside; nobody cares if someone dies."

He glanced at the corpses on the ground, his tone as cold as ice. "If you let one of these people go back, they'll just bring more to retaliate. If you don't kill them today, you'll be the ones dying tomorrow, just like any ordinary merchant caravan on the road."

Before the words were even finished, the remaining six thugs had already reacted.

"This is a tough one! Let's catch the two smaller ones first!"

Scarface shouted sternly. He could tell that the old man was tough, but the two teenagers looked easy to bully. If he could capture the hostages, he could turn the tables and use them against the old man.

The six people split into two teams. Two stayed behind to hold Dugu Bo back, while the remaining four, including the Soul Ancestor, rushed directly towards Lin Chen and Xiao Wu.

"Little girl, come here!" The leader of the Soul Ancestor bandits grinned maliciously, his hand transforming into a claw as he reached out to grab Xiao Wu.

The Soul Ancestor's oppressive aura spread out, and in his eyes, the two little kids in their twenties could be easily crushed.

Just as Xiao Wu was about to activate her Soul Power, Lin Chen reached out and stopped her behind him.

"Don't get your hands dirty." Lin Chen's voice was soft, but steady.

He stood in front of Xiao Wu, his eyes turning cold beneath his bamboo hat.

He had won countless matches in the Great Soul Arena, but he had only ever stopped short of actually killing anyone.

He knew the world of Soul Master was cruel, but this was the first time he had faced such blatant malice—they wanted to kill him and take Xiao Wu away.

Those words were like a knife, tearing away the last layer of hesitation in his heart.

To be kind to such people is to be cruel to oneself and to all those they have harmed.

In particular, they dared to make a move on Xiao Wu.

"You have already chosen a path to your death."

Lin Chen uttered these words softly.

Buzz--

A gray-black domain instantly spread out, enveloping all four people who rushed over.

Chaos Prison Suppression!

The moment the domain expanded, the four people's movements suddenly froze.