Chapter 55: The Star Dou Great Forest

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After leaving the Spirit Beast Town, the group quickened their pace and arrived at the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest just a few minutes later.

Among them, the most excited were naturally Oscar and Ning Rongrong, who were about to obtain their third soul rings.

The abilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda were fixed, so Ning Rongrong already knew the effect of her third soul skill. However, Oscar had no idea what his third soul skill would be. He was eager to find out how much of a boost it would provide and what kind of flavor his sausages would have. 

"Following Tianchen's arrangement, maintain your formation. The Star Dou Great Forest is the largest gathering place for spirit beasts on the continent. There are even ten-thousand-year spirit beasts here. Only by working together as a team can you survive entering and leaving this forest," Zhao Wuji reminded them as he stayed on the side of the group. 

"So this is the Star Dou Great Forest?" Ning Tianchen, walking at the back of the group, looked ahead. 

From afar, he could feel waves of fresh fragrance blowing toward him. The scent emitted by the primitive plants was refreshing and invigorating. 

On the way here, they occasionally spotted decade-level spirit beasts emerging from the forest and running into the human world. 

Ning Tianchen had been to the Sunset Forest before, but in comparison, the Star Dou Great Forest felt even more primitive and untamed. 

Once inside the forest, the path became incredibly difficult to traverse. A single misstep could send someone plummeting into an underground cave. 

At the front, clearing the path, Dai Mubai swung his tiger claws, easily cutting through the smaller plants.

Dai Mubai must have been thoroughly lectured by Zhao Wuji last night to show such discipline now.

Upon reaching a small clearing, Zhao Wuji stopped and turned to look at everyone. "The Star Dou Great Forest is not like the Spirit Hunting Forestes you've been to before. The spirit beasts here are not raised in captivity—they possess natural ferocity." 

"As we move forward, you might encounter attacks from century-level or thousand-year spirit beasts at any moment. There's even the possibility of encountering a ten-thousand-year spirit beast. For the rest of the journey, maintain your formation, and no one is allowed to stray more than twenty meters away from me." 

"Especially Ning Rongrong and Oscar—you two must stay directly behind me at all times." 

This twenty-meter range was the limit of Zhao Wuji's ability to provide immediate support. Of course, it was also an important measure of a soul master's attack range. 

If outsiders knew that they only needed to stay twenty meters away, it would be very difficult for Zhao Wuji to land a hit on them. 

"Oscar." Ning Tianchen gave him a meaningful glance. 

Oscar understood and began chanting incantations. Two types of sausages slowly materialized in his hands. 

"My sausages can last for twelve hours. Everyone take some now to replenish your strength whenever needed. After twelve hours, I'll make more for you all," Oscar said with a smile. 

In spirit hunting, food-type soul masters undoubtedly had the toughest job. 

Due to the nature of their martial souls, food-type soul masters had to constantly prepare food for their teammates. Unlike other auxiliary-type soul masters, they couldn't simply rely on activating their soul skills during battle.

Making sausages consumed a significant amount of Oscar's soul power, but since this was part of helping him hunt for his spirit ring, there was no reason to refuse.

And so, Oscar waited for his third soul ring amidst a mix of pain and joy.

… 

Tang San felt both anticipation and urgency for the upcoming spirit hunt. 

His soul power had reached level twenty-nine. If he didn't break through during this trip, he'd have to return to the Star Dou Great Forest again in the future. 

For Xiao Wu, the Star Dou Great Forest was like her home. Every plant and tree here made her feel deeply connected. 

If Tang San hadn't been holding her back, she might have already run to the front of the group to lead the way.

Half a day later, Zhu Zhuqing, who had been wandering around the edges of the group, discovered traces of the Crested Phoenix Serpent. 

As expected, Meng Yiran would soon appear. 

In spirit hunting, there was no rule that whoever spotted a spirit beast first owned it. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Ning Tianchen decided to find a way to conceal the wound on the serpent's abdomen. 

"Oscar, you're in luck. This Crested Phoenix Serpent is perfect for your third soul ring, and its age is just right," Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, surprised at how smoothly the spirit hunt was going. 

Oscar was initially delighted, but then he looked at Ning Tianchen and said solemnly, "Brother Tianchen, I'm counting on you." 

Tang San quickly made arrangements. "My teacher once said that the Crested Phoenix Serpent is extremely fast. I'll use my Blue Silver Grass to force it into a trap. Tianchen and Mubai, be ready to strike at any moment." 

Against agile spirit beasts, control-type soul masters could play a crucial role. 

Ning Tianchen didn't object, but Dai Mubai seemed reluctant. 

As the Crested Phoenix Serpent entered the range of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, the first soul ring beneath his feet lit up rapidly. 

"First Soul Skill: Entangle." 

The Blue Silver Grass consumed very little of Tang San's soul power. 

Or rather, even without the first soul ring, the inherent ability of his martial soul alone could achieve the entanglement. 

Under his skillful control, the Blue Silver Grass wove itself into a giant net. 

There was only one opening in the net, just large enough for the Crested Phoenix Serpent to pass through. 

Already in a state of panic, the Crested Phoenix Serpent didn't think twice and immediately darted through the opening. 

However, behind the net, Tang San had already prepared a cage. The Crested Phoenix Serpent's body was completely trapped inside. 

"My Blue Silver Grass can't withstand multiple impacts from it. Tianchen, Mubai, hurry!" Tang San shouted anxiously. 

"Seven treasures turn and emerge with glaze; among the seven treasures, one is named Strength, and another Speed." Ning Rongrong quickly provided support. 

Two beams of seven-colored light fell onto Ning Tianchen and Dai Mubai. 

Originally, she didn't want to give Dai Mubai any boosts, but recalling Zhao Wuji's earlier words, she reluctantly included him. 

Unfortunately, Dai Mubai had no intention of helping at all. 

Claiming that he was too far away and unable to fly, he stood still without making any moves.

"Third Soul Skill: Sword Wings Soaring." 

A purple soul ring beneath Ning Tianchen's feet shone brightly. The Seven Kill Sword hovered in front of him as he leapt lightly onto it and soared into the air. 

Thousand-year spirit beasts possessed a bit of intelligence. The Crested Phoenix Serpent, realizing it was trapped, began repeatedly ramming its body against one section of the Blue Silver Grass cage. 

"Tianchen, my Blue Silver Grass won't hold up against its next impact!" Tang San's voice rose sharply. 

Ning Tianchen nodded. 

He extended his right hand like a sword finger. At the instant the Blue Silver Grass cage shattered, he swiftly swung his sword finger. The Seven Kill Sword shot forward, releasing a streak of silvery-white sword qi. 

Without the support of the Seven Kill Sword, he couldn't fly and would fall from the air. 

Tang San reacted quickly, spreading out a platform of Blue Silver Grass to catch him. 

The sword qi struck like a rainbow, landing on the fleshy lump on the Crested Phoenix Serpent's forehead and slicing open a deep wound. 

Bright red blood oozed from the lump. The Crested Phoenix Serpent suddenly became enraged, charging wildly toward the group. 

"Has this guy gone mad?" Ning Tianchen was momentarily stunned but quickly steadied his resolve. 

So it ran, and he chased—it had no chance of escape. 

In the end, the Seven Kill Sword pierced through the Crested Phoenix Serpent's abdomen, severely injuring it and causing it to collapse unconscious on the spot. 

Ning Tianchen landed gracefully back on the ground, his sword sheathed at his side, exuding the presence of a true sword master.

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