Chapter 64
The following morning, at Flender's invitation, Lin Bai set out with the Shrek team toward the Star Dou Forest, their goal clear — to hunt for spirit rings. They made swift progress, traveling hundreds of kilometers through a teleportation array located on the underground city's thirtieth floor, reaching a city near the forest by nightfall. From there, they transferred to a carriage headed for a modest town situated on the forest's outskirts.
As they drew nearer, Lin Bai immediately sensed the atmosphere shift. The oppressive tension in the air was unmistakable — this wasn't some ordinary town garrison. These soldiers had been through real battle.
Tang San, sharp as ever, caught on as well. He turned to Yu Xiaogang and Flender. "Teacher, should we take a different route? I'd rather avoid running into military forces if it can be helped."
He was cautious for good reason. Even powerful figures like the Tang Sect masters could be overwhelmed if caught in a coordinated attack. The unknown strength of any Soul Sage in the area only made it riskier.
But Flender waved the concern away. "No need. These are likely Tiandou Empire soldiers stationed here to deal with recent disturbances in the forest. We're just after a spirit ring. They won't bother us."
They were still a few miles out from the forest's edge, and Flender saw no reason to stop in town. He gave the order to press on.
However, as their carriages approached the town's main road, two soldiers stepped forward, halberds in hand, blocking their way. "Halt! All soul masters entering the Star Dou Forest must register first. Please disembark."
Though the soldiers spoke courteously, the tension in their posture betrayed their readiness for trouble. Soul masters were notoriously temperamental — it only took a spark for violence to erupt.
Flender frowned, his gaze narrowing. "Registration? That wasn't required last time."
Despite his irritation, he didn't argue and climbed down from the carriage, with the others following behind.
Seeing the group cooperate, the soldiers visibly relaxed. "It's a new regulation," one explained. "Some terrifying soul beasts have emerged in the forest recently, and beast tides have been breaking out elsewhere. To avoid disasters, all soul masters have to register. Capturing soul beast cubs and indiscriminate killing are also prohibited."
Lin Bai and the others exchanged a quick look. This clearly wasn't some routine safety measure. But the soldiers likely didn't know the full story either.
"What information do you need?" Flender asked flatly.
"Just your names and identification. If a beast tide is triggered by your actions, Spirit Hall and both empires will jointly issue warrants."
Flender's brow creased. While he wasn't particularly worried about the two empires, having Spirit Hall involved made matters more complicated. Still, it wasn't worth starting a conflict over.
"Fine. We'll register."
The group was led into town, where the process was handled quickly before they were cleared to continue.
On the road out of town, Yu Xiaogang muttered, "With this setup, Spirit Hall and the empire can track the movements of nearly every soul master. But it also raises the odds of conflict between soul masters in the forest. Whatever's happening in the Star Dou Forest must be serious."
"I don't remember it being like this last time," Flender admitted. "Something's definitely changed. Tiandou City's closer to Sunset Forest, so maybe they noticed something there first."
"That's part of why we came, isn't it?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded and let the matter drop. He wasn't here to fight; he intended to investigate the forest's changes personally, hoping to notice what others had missed.
As they neared the Star Dou Forest, both Lin Bai and Xiao Wu picked up on something strange. Even from several kilometers away, the forest appeared denser, but not in the usual sense. The trees themselves had thickened dramatically — as though they'd aged centuries overnight.
Xiao Wu leaned closer to Lin Bai, keeping her voice low. "Should we ask Er Ming what's happening?"
Lin Bai immediately shook his head. "No. We can't risk exposing you. There are two Soul Saints here — if Er Ming shows up, they'll sense him. We'll wait until we're inside."
He took her hand, and the two circulated their soul power quietly as they advanced.
For Lin Bai, this trip wasn't about simply tagging along. With Flender and Zhao Wuji nearby for support, he intended to aim higher than anyone expected — to claim a ten-thousand-year spirit ring for his third ring. To most, the idea bordered on suicidal. But Lin Bai was confident. His spiritual force alone rivaled that of a Soul Emperor, giving him the ability to resist the mental onslaught of such a beast. His physical strength, strengthened alongside Yingtian, was no weaker than a spirit beast of that level either.
But before making any move, he needed to reach the thirtieth level as soon as possible.
Moving quickly through the dense undergrowth, the group traveled without difficulty. Their physiques allowed them to traverse the difficult terrain effortlessly.
"Xiao San," Flender called out. "What kind of soul beast are you looking for this time?"
Tang San thought for a moment before answering. "Originally, my teacher and I planned on finding plant-type soul beasts — Ghost Vines, Mace Grass, or Red Thorns. Something to enhance Blue Silver Grass's toughness and poison. But after obtaining my adventurer class, my body's gotten much stronger. I think I can handle a more powerful soul ring."
Yu Xiaogang's expression immediately darkened. "Tang San, don't be reckless. Those limits weren't decided arbitrarily — they were set through generations of trial and tragedy. If you stay within known safe ranges, you reduce your risks."
"I understand, Teacher. But I'm not like other soul masters—"
"How different?" Yu Xiaogang cut him off sharply. "Do you have a reliable way to measure that difference? If you don't, then you're gambling with your life."
Tang San couldn't find a counterargument. He knew his teacher's concern was genuine, but he also felt like he was holding himself back by following the old standards too strictly.
Flender stepped in, breaking the tension. "Alright, enough. We'll deal with it when we find a suitable beast. That said," he added, smirking slightly, "I agree with Tang San, to a degree. An adventurer class really does enhance a soul master's physique. The old restrictions might not apply as rigidly anymore."
Yu Xiaogang frowned but didn't press further. He knew Flender had a point, but he couldn't bring himself to encourage recklessness. The bond between him and Tang San was forged through hardship — he didn't want to see it shattered by avoidable risks.
Leaving the debate unresolved, the group pressed on into the Star Dou Forest, the towering ancient trees throwing long, heavy shadows over their path.
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