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Though the artificial Spirit Hunting Forest housed many soul beasts, there was only an extremely slim chance of secretly harboring undiscovered dragon-type soul beasts.
After all, even sub-dragon soul beasts were notorious for their immense strength. Moreover, these artificial forests had internal channels to ensure such valuable assets were prioritized for their own people—outsiders wouldn't casually stumble upon or hunt them.
Thus, after a few days, Ye Wen and his group set off once again for the Star Dou Great Forest.
However, this time, Huo Yu'er's parents did not join them.
It couldn't be helped. Though the Huo family loved to gather for events, Huo Rui's recent breakthrough had elevated the family's status, leaving many matters to attend to. They simply couldn't leave.
Still, Ye Wen appreciated their intentions.
And the feeling of having powerful allies was truly wonderful. What would have been a difficult task for a commoner—finding such a rare soul beast—was accomplished through Huo Rui's connections in just a couple of days. It left Ye Wen deeply impressed.
Additionally, while he was pleased with his martial soul's potential, Ye Wen couldn't shake the feeling that skipping the artificial Spirit Hunting Forest left something missing.
Perhaps this was what they called "asking for trouble"～
Although this soul-hunting trip consisted of only three people, Huo Rui's cultivation as a Soul Douluo provided ample security for the group.
However, the journey wasn't without its disturbances.
Because the location of the target soul beast clan was somewhat remote, Ye Wen's group had to take a detour, passing through a secluded city they hadn't visited before.
"Well, well, look at this beauty traveling with two kids. I see you're quite the catch. If you can make me happy, I might consider giving you the honor of becoming my third concubine. Let me tell you, I—"
A lavishly dressed young man, his eyes filled with lewd intent, ogled Huo Rui's stunning face and figure. But before he could finish his villainous monologue, Huo Rui slapped him flying with a single strike.
Ye Wen was speechless. Though the three of them were dressed modestly, their presence and aura were far from that of ordinary commoners. How could this spoiled brat dare to provoke them?
However, it was clear that Huo Rui had held back. Otherwise, this frail-looking young man's head would have exploded on the spot.
"You wretched woman! How dare you hit me? Do you know who my father is—the lord of this city! No matter what, you'll pay for this. Spirit Soul Attachment!"
At a glance, Ye Wen was surprised. This seemingly twenty-something-year-old youth was actually a Soul Ancestor at Level 40+, wielding an unknown sword as his martial soul. His four soul rings were perfectly proportioned, indicating significant talent. By the current standards of Douluo Continent, he was considered a genius.
But provoking the three of them meant he was in for a world of suffering.
Huo Rui had initially intended to lightly punish the presumptuous youth, but seeing him unharmed by her slap and growing bolder infuriated her.
Before acting, Huo Rui subtly glanced at Huo Yu'er.
This vile brat dared to spew filth in front of little Yu'er. Who knew if it might corrupt her? He couldn't be allowed to continue.
At this moment, the young man, seeing Huo Rui frozen in place, mistakenly believed his intimidating cultivation had frightened her. But no matter how beautiful she was, hitting him was a death sentence!
He was determined to make this woman pay!
Just as he unleashed all four of his soul rings, his martial soul radiating an oppressive aura, and raised his sword to strike, Huo Rui coldly muttered, "Noisy," before delivering a bare-handed attack infused with soul power.
She deemed touching such a despicable creature a reward in itself, so this time, she attacked directly with her soul power.
A towering, two-meter-high soul-powered hand formed abruptly and surged toward the youth with overwhelming force.
"Holy crap! What level is this woman at?!"
The disparity in their cultivation was immense. Even without going all out, Huo Rui's display was enough to instill raw fear in the young man.
Before absolute power, the youth was instantly defeated, sent flying backward and smashing through countless walls.
Though not including Huo Rui, the young man was still considered a minor powerhouse in this city. The commotion drew nearly all the skilled individuals in the vicinity, who gathered to witness the scene and fell into stunned silence.
Finally, a Soul King clad in sturdy armor arrived on the scene. After observing the now-unconscious, mangled youth, his expression darkened. Summoning his halberd-like martial soul, he sternly addressed Huo Rui:
"Don't move! Do you know who you've injured? He's the beloved son of this city's lord! Surrender immediately, and perhaps the lord will spare your life!"
Witnessing this blatant favoritism, though Ye Wen had anticipated it, he still felt a wave of disgust.
Unfortunately for them, they had picked the wrong person to provoke.
In the next second, a surge of overwhelming soul power enveloped the area, leaving everyone except Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er struggling to breathe.
The five-ring Soul King, likely the city's defense captain, stared in shock at Huo Rui's terrifying soul ring configuration—two yellow, two purple, and four black rings. He froze momentarily before uttering:
"A… Soul Douluo…"
After mouthing the title, the Soul King's face turned ashen. He hastily dismissed his martial soul and knelt, bowing deeply.
"I didn't realize it was a distinguished elder before us. Please forgive our earlier rudeness."
Huo Rui remained silent, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before delivering a chilling verdict that left all the soul masters trembling:
"Disgusting."
Though Huo Rui had once been a low-ranking soul master, escaping the indignity of being a commoner didn't mean everything she saw was bright. On the contrary, she had witnessed far too much darkness.
But Huo Rui knew she couldn't change the world. All she could do was protect those she cared about.
However, now that she was among the top-tier official forces of the Tian Dou Empire, her long-dormant sense of justice stirred within her.
Under Huo Rui's governance, Tianxin City had flourished. Its people were honest and hardworking; though not perfect, it was a place where one could live and work in peace, free from bureaucratic exploitation and oppression.
Looking at this revolting group of soul masters, a bold idea formed in Huo Rui's mind.
"Perhaps I should write a letter to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and let him deal with these parasites."
Though Huo Rui's relationship with the Tian Dou Imperial Family was lukewarm and she belonged to no faction, she was aware of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's reputation for wisdom and virtue.
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