After Dugu Nan left.
Ye Xiaoyue arrived late, her expression tense and anxious.
She had just sensed a terrifying Sword Intent fluctuation here that made her soul tremble, so she hurried over immediately.
However, seeing that Ye Xiaofan was fine, she felt much relieved.
"You said you met Sword Saint Dugu Nan?"
Upon hearing this name, even Ye Xiaoyue gasped, her shock beyond measure.
Time was startled, and in a blink, the sunset spread across the sky.
As the setting sun's afterglow spilled over the barren outskirts.
Ye Xiaofan made a rational decision — he would train in the Soul Beast Forest.
Below the vast and majestic mountains, beyond the dense forest.
"Xiaofan, must you go in?" Ye Xiaoyue looked at her brother, whose expression was firm, her face full of worry.
Ye Xiaofan looked at Ye Xiaoyue's worried expression, tightly grasping his sister's hands to comfort her:
"Sister, don't worry, I'm no longer the helpless weakling. Only by entering the Soul Beast Forest for training can my strength truly improve."
"But..." Ye Xiaoyue still tried to persuade Ye Xiaofan.
"Sister." Ye Xiaofan looked into his sister's eyes resolutely and said, "Sister, it's not just me and Ye Xiaotian participating in the martial competition, but also those prodigies from Star Moon City. To stand out in the Star Moon City competition, simply training hard isn't enough. Only if I'm outstanding will those sects notice me."
This is currently his only chance to change his situation.
Seeing Ye Xiaoyue still uneasy, Ye Xiaofan could only patiently explain again: "Sister, Xiaofan has grown up. There are some things I must face. I can't let you and Aunt protect me forever. Relax, I won't go too deep, just train on the outskirts."
Regarding the Soul Beast Forest, Ye Xiaofan was determined.
While cultivation is important, practical experience is often more crucial. The Soul Beast Forest is the best training ground in Star Moon City, attracting many cultivators every year to fight soul beasts and improve their combat skills.
Moreover, Ye Xiaofan is now at the bottleneck of the Fifth Layer of Profound Spirit. Seeking a quick breakthrough makes practical battles the optimal choice.
Listening to her brother's words, Ye Xiaoyue finally stopped objecting and stuffed all their possessions into Ye Xiaofan's hands, including Soft Silk Armor and the Nine Spirits Great Returning Pill, among others.
Ye Xiaofan didn't refuse either. The Soul Beast Forest is fraught with danger; while it's a prime training ground, it's also synonymous with death. Having these items would provide him with life-saving options in critical moments.
Ye Xiaoyue watched Ye Xiaofan walk towards the Soul Beast Forest in the sunset, her heart a mix of emotions.
At the same time, entering the Soul Beast Forest was not just Ye Xiaofan, but scattered figures also marched forward in the sunset, most of whom were newly awakened Martial Soul prodigies.
After bidding farewell to Ye Xiaoyue, Ye Xiaofan entered the Soul Beast Forest alone, unaware that night was falling.
As he ventured deeper, the surrounding forest became more primitive, and in the distance, the faint roar of soul beasts could be heard, making Ye Xiaofan grip his sword tightly.
This was his first time entering the Soul Beast Forest and his first time facing danger.
The forest was fraught with peril, with lurking soul beasts potentially waiting to prey.
Initially, Ye Xiaofan was somewhat unaccustomed, but after two days of venturing deeper, he gradually clashed with some low-level soul beasts and handled evenly matched encounters with ease.
While accumulating battle experience, Ye Xiaofan didn't neglect his cultivation, practicing the Grass Cutting Sword Technique ten times each night and repeatedly observing Sword Break.
Two days passed swiftly.
The sword Dugu Nan left in his mind was too domineering and profound, but after two days of constant observation.
Ye Xiaofan could already mimic the form of this technique, though without any lethal power.
Clearly, he understood the superficial, not the essence, and hadn't truly grasped the technique.
However, Ye Xiaofan wasn't discouraged, but became more motivated, continuously using his Martial Soul to observe Sword Break, once, twice, a hundred times, two hundred times, even countless times.
Ye Xiaofan couldn't remember how many times he observed or how many swords he had thrust.
At a certain moment.
"I understand, Sword Intent, it's Sword Intent!"
You could feel Ye Xiaofan's excitement, uncertain if it's due to his Martial Soul's blessing, he fleetingly nabbed something, quickly thrusting a sword.
Buzz—!
This sword seemed to unleash some mystery, the sword hummed, and a terrifying power Ye Xiaofan had never felt before erupted.
Unfortunately, this sword didn't fully form, dissipating halfway into void.
Yet Ye Xiaofan didn't get discouraged; though this sword didn't manifest, he captured that terrifying wave, further verifying it was Sword Intent!
"The purpose of Senior Dugu teaching this sword is for me to comprehend Sword Intent."
Ye Xiaofan was ecstatic; having a direction meant he wouldn't be aimlessly fumbling like a headless fly, more like a vehicle charting its course, everything smooth following thereafter.
With this realization, Ye Xiaofan dedicated large amounts of time each day to observing Sword Break, thrusting the sword endlessly upon each insight, persisting tirelessly.
Time drifted by, and Ye Xiaofan's understanding of Sword Break covertly advanced.
Another two days had passed.
Now, it had been four days since Ye Xiaofan entered the Soul Beast Forest.
This night.
The breeze was high and refreshing, the stars and moon faint, in a sparsely populated primitive forest clearing.
Boom—!!!
The loud sound of a violent clash rang out, Ye Xiaofan retreated from a strike and saw the Tier Five Soul Leopard opposite also retreat repeatedly, sweating profusely: "Hahaha, again!"
This soul beast was equivalent to Tier Five peak strength, comparable to the Fifth Layer peak of Profound Spirit, the most formidable soul beast Ye Xiaofan had encountered since entering the Soul Beast Forest. The two had battled over a hundred rounds without prevailing over the other — an ideal whetstone for accumulating practical experience.
"Roar—!"
Facing Ye Xiaofan, the Soul Leopard roared and looked exceedingly angry; it was clear it realized this insignificant two-legged creature treated it as practice, feeling its dignity was severely challenged.
After a furious roar, the Soul Leopard went berserk, exposing its sharp claws and pouncing toward Ye Xiaofan, determined to tear him to pieces.
"Perfect timing!"
Seeing the Soul Leopard go berserk, Ye Xiaofan didn't dare underestimate it, instantly tensing up, his sword flashing.
"Grass Cutting Sword Technique's first move, Sword Qi Autumn Forest!"
"Roar!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!
Ye Xiaofan, holding the sword, charged and engaged the soul beast in battle, as Sword Qi flew across the forest, accompanied by continuous roars.
The terrifying Sword Qi sliced across the Soul Leopard's iron-like body, leaving sharp visible sword scars that only further enraged the soul beast, pushing the fight into fervor.
Ye Xiaofan was not feeling great either, battling this Tier Five peak soul beast, a seasoned combatant of Soul Beast Forest with exceptional practical experience.
But fortunately, Ye Xiaofan's combat encounters had escalated these days, and with the Grass Cutting Sword Technique, he managed to handle them, though he suffered several non-fatal hits.
Boom! Crash!
Another unavoidable collision, Ye Xiaofan was struck by the Soul Leopard's iron tail, sending him flying.
Unlike previous encounters, this time Ye Xiaofan utilized his accumulated experience these days, steadied himself mid-air, and flipped back to launch another attack at the Tier Five Soul Leopard.
"Second move, Sword Sweep Autumn Leaves!"
"Third move, Ten Leaves Slash!"
"Fourth move...!"
In the dim primitive forest, Sword Qi surged immensely, dazzlingly chaotic as furious roars echoed around.
Meanwhile, in the forest's secretive depths.
A mysterious figure stood silently in the shadows, watching the fierce struggle unfold.
The figure was a youth, his aura majestic, spiritual power surged within, vaguely indicating a breakthrough to the Sixth Layer of Profound Spirit was imminent.
Yet the mysterious youth's expression revealed utter disbelief, his astutely black eyes reflecting growing amazement.
"Turns out it's him?"