This was Li Xun's second visit to the Star Dou Great Forest. The outer regions remained unchanged as usual, and the scars left by the Thunder Hell Vine were gradually being covered by greenery.
Due to the potential risks, Li Xun chose not to fly this time and instead stood on Sword Douluo's Flying Sword.
"Sword Grandpa, should we descend when we reach the inner circle, or should we directly charge into the mixed zone near the core area?" Li Xun asked, somewhat puzzled, as he wasn't fully aware of Sword Douluo's ability to conceal his aura.
"Let's head straight into the mixed zone," Sword Douluo pondered for a moment before replying. "But isn't the core area only inhabited by the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python? Are you sure the Soul Beast you're looking for can survive there?"
Li Xun gazed at the vast expanse of jungle ahead and said with a hint of emotion, "Sword Grandpa, what if I told you that the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape are merely the gatekeepers of the core area? Would you believe me?"
"Are you serious?" Sword Douluo was taken aback and looked at Li Xun with surprise. "Then why has there never been any information about other Ferocious Beasts all these years?"
"Sword Grandpa, in truth, our exploration of the continent is far from complete. Not to mention the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, how much have we truly explored of the Far North Land?"
"According to the information I've obtained, someone once saw a Soul Beast other than the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape at the central lake of the Star Dou Great Forest, but it only lingered for a moment before sinking back into the lake."
Li Xun carefully chose his words, "So I suspect that there might be another world beneath the lake, possibly inhabited by beings far stronger than the current two rulers of the Star Dou Great Forest."
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo's expression turned grave. Having lived together for so many years, he didn't doubt Li Xun's words, but precisely because they were likely true, he found the situation troublesome.
"Xiao Xun, is your target the existence beneath the lake?"
Li Xun nodded, "Sword Grandpa, I still have thirteen Spirit Rings to obtain. The known 100,000 Year Soul Beasts alone cannot fully meet my needs. It's better to plan ahead."
"You greedy little rascal," Sword Douluo chuckled and patted Li Xun's shoulder firmly. "A Soul Master with just one 100,000 Year Spirit Ring can dominate the entire continent. You've already secured two, and now you want to replace all your remaining Spirit Rings with 100,000 Year ones?"
"Sword Grandpa, your information is outdated. Nowadays, relying on just one or two 100,000 Year Spirit Rings only makes you slightly stronger than an average Title Douluo."
Li Xun narrowed his eyes, "I won't even mention the three Limit Douluos, but Pope Bibi Dong alone is far beyond the reach of ordinary people."
"Not to mention Qian Renxue, who possesses a God-level Spirit."
Sword Douluo's interest was piqued, "It seems you've gathered some new information from somewhere! Tell me more."
"Sword Grandpa, you might not know this, but the current Pope, Bibi Dong, is like me—a Twin Spirits possessor. Moreover, her Soul Power has likely reached level 99. Do you think the Spirit Rings she attaches to her second Spirit would be of low quality?"
Li Xun's expression grew slightly more serious as he thought of Bibi Dong's somewhat crazed personality.
Bibi Dong had once declared her intention to destroy the entire continent. While it might have been just a moment of bravado, it was still something to be wary of. The key point was that he didn't want to leave his life in someone else's hands.
Sword Douluo's expression gradually turned serious. "This is indeed not good news!"
They had now entered the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, and Sword Douluo slowly descended with his Flying Sword.
"Sword Grandpa, there's even worse news," Li Xun said, glancing around to confirm their current location. "You must have heard about the Godhood Inheritance, right? I believe the rumors are true. Moreover, there's news that Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect disappeared while searching for the Godhood Inheritance."
"Think about it, someone like Tang Chen, who has reached the pinnacle of Soul Master cultivation, sought higher realms and methods. Why hasn't the Spirit Hall made any moves?"
Sword Douluo had just chosen a direction to proceed when he paused, turning back to Li Xun in surprise. "Are you suggesting that the Spirit Hall might possess the Godhood Inheritance?"
"The Angel God, worshipped by the Spirit Hall, has left legends across the continent," Li Xun nodded. "Do you think a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring would be of any use in such a situation?"
"And it's not just the Angel God. What if they've already found other Godhood Inheritances?"
Hearing this, Sword Douluo fell into deep thought, his brows tightly knit.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had joined the Spirit Hall, they were merely latecomers, which meant they were never truly integrated into the core circle of the Spirit Hall.
This kind of alliance was inherently unstable, and they could easily be discarded. Throughout history, after achieving unity and dominance, the victors often turned on their allies.
"We should indeed prepare more Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings. After all, even Tang Hao was once chased like a stray dog," Sword Douluo exhaled deeply. "It's better to keep power firmly in our own hands. I don't want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to end up the same way."
They continued their slow journey through the mixed zone in silence.
They had now reached the truly perilous part of the Star Dou Great Forest, where even Sword Douluo had to tread carefully.
However, for Li Xun, the pressure wasn't as great. Stealth and assassination were skills etched into his memory, though someone as powerful as Hashirama Senju rarely needed to use them.
After three days of traveling towards the central region, Sword Douluo gestured to Li Xun, using his Soul Power to compress his voice into a thin line that reached Li Xun's ears.
"Xiao Xun, we're approaching the core area. I'm not sure how sensitive the perception of a 100,000 Year Soul Beast is, but based on my past encounters with the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python, we might be detected if we go further."
Li Xun calculated the distance in his mind and nodded. Although they were still quite far, he could manage to get closer with some effort.
"Sword Grandpa, if anything happens later, don't rush. If necessary, you can leave this place without worrying about me. We can regroup later."
Without waiting for Sword Douluo's response, Li Xun activated his Soul Power, slamming his hands on the ground. The seeds beneath the soil, nourished by his Soul Power, instantly sprang to life.
Under Li Xun's control, a vine slowly extended from the ground, slanting towards the Lake of Life.
There were many obstacles underground, and even with the toughness and strength of his vines, he had to avoid the hard ores. Fortunately, his third Spirit Ring was absorbed from the Azure Vine. As long as it was powered by Soul Power, this plant could theoretically extend indefinitely in length.
One thousand meters, two thousand meters, five thousand meters—eventually, Li Xun couldn't even calculate how far he had extended the vine.
Just then, he suddenly felt the resistance against the vine lighten, and a look of joy appeared on his face as he received the feedback.
He had found the true core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The bottom of the Lake of Life.
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