Several hundred miles wasn't too far. By the afternoon of the second day, Yang Yunhai finally arrived at the outskirts of the Primary Soul-Hunting Forest.
Looking ahead, large clusters of wooden shops lined both sides of the path.
"Looking for team members to hunt power-type soul beasts... agility-type soul beasts, need seven more people with permits..."
Cries and shouts rang out continuously.
"There are quite a lot of people," Yang Yunhai murmured to himself, slightly pressing down on the straw hat covering his head.
He dismounted and led the small yellow horse toward a nearby post station.
Traveling alone made him stand out too much. Since it was already late afternoon, he decided to have dinner first and wait until dusk before entering the forest.
Inside the post station, he ordered a few buns and a pot of tea for a simple meal.
Everything outside the Soul-Hunting Forest was expensive, even at official post stations. But the upside was that few people came in. As long as one bought something, they could stay for a long time, which was much better than lingering outside where the crowds were chaotic.
A boy traveling alone had to be cautious.
It was one thing when the roads were empty, but now that he was in a busy area filled with soul masters, it was best to stay alert.
Time passed quickly. About half an hour later, darkness began to fall.
Seeing this, Yang Yunhai got up and walked to the front desk.
After paying a few silver soul coins to board his small yellow horse, he turned and walked directly toward the forest entrance.
He showed his permit and, despite the surprised look from the guard, entered smoothly.
Following the directions the village chief had given him, he headed toward the patrol squad's camp. This time of day should be their break period.
Soon, he arrived not far from a brightly lit campfire area.
"Who goes there!?" A patrolling guard immediately noticed Yang Yunhai approaching and called out loudly.
"I'm here to see Chang Gong Ao, Uncle Ao," Yang Yunhai quickly replied.
Hearing it was someone familiar, the guard sized him up. The voice was still youthful, and he wasn't very tall. Instinctively, the guard guessed this must be a soul master-in-training from Gucao Village, likely here to ask their captain for help in obtaining a soul ring.
He turned his head toward a tent and shouted, "Captain, someone's here to see you!"
Thud, thud, thud, soon, a sturdy middle-aged man walked out of the tent.
"Uncle Ao!" Yang Yunhai had already removed his straw hat and waved in greeting.
"Xiaohai?" Chang Gong Ao was stunned for a moment. A flash of surprise passed through his eyes as he quickly stepped forward and asked,
"Xiaohai, you've reached level 10?"
"Yes," Yang Yunhai nodded slightly.
"Blue Silver Grass can cultivate this fast?" Chang Gong Ao was surprised, but the calm and decisive nature he'd developed over years of patrolling the forest quickly took over. He smiled and said, "I was just having dinner. Come, Xiaohai, join me."
He had always liked this sensible and clever boy.
It was just a pity that his martial soul was Blue Silver Grass... He couldn't help but feel regret.
Yang Yunhai nodded and was pulled through the fence into the tent.
Under the warm glow of candlelight, the tent was sparsely furnished, just a wooden bed, a few small chairs, and a long table with two small dishes on it. It was simple and bare.
"Sit." Chang Gong Ao led Yang Yunhai to the table and reached out to get a new bowl and chopsticks.
"No need, Uncle Ao. I already ate before I came," Yang Yunhai said quickly.
He then pulled out a letter from the village chief and handed it over. "Uncle Ao, this is a letter Grandpa Tai asked me to bring you."
"Oh?" Chang Gong Ao sat down and reached for the letter, ready to open it.
"No rush, Uncle Ao. Eat first, or the food will get cold," Yang Yunhai reminded him with a smile.
"Fair enough." Chang Gong Ao stopped and placed the letter on the table.
He picked up his bowl and chopsticks again and asked curiously, "Xiaohai, tell me about the academy. How did you manage to reach level 10 so quickly?"
Yang Yunhai didn't hide anything. He explained his hard training at the academy and his method of cultivating through lightning strikes.
"Xiaohai, you've had a tough time," Chang Gong Ao finally said, his voice full of emotion. "Uncle Ao is proud of you!"
"It's fine. I've gotten used to it," Yang Yunhai replied with a relaxed smile.
"No matter what, your safety is most important," Chang Gong Ao said with a serious tone. "Also, you must always be cautious. The power of heavenly lightning is no joke. Don't act recklessly!"
As he spoke, he picked up the letter and opened it.
"I understand," Yang Yunhai nodded.
Chang Gong Ao began reading the letter.
"???" With just a glance, his expression changed dramatically, first shock, then deep seriousness.
He slowly put the letter down, took a deep breath, and looked up at Yang Yunhai.
"Xiaohai, have you really thought this through?"
"Yes," Yang Yunhai replied with quiet determination.
Chang Gong Ao fell silent for a moment, then sighed heavily and said, "Xiaohai, let Uncle Ao examine your hand again."
"Okay." Yang Yunhai extended his right hand.
Chang Gong Ao took it and examined it carefully, kneading the joints. After a moment, he murmured, "The toughness is impressive."
He let go of the hand and looked up again, placing a firm hand on Yang Yunhai's shoulder. His voice was solemn, with a hint of respect.
"You're a real man. Uncle Ao is proud of you."
"Uncle Ao also believes you will succeed!"
If Yang Yunhai could truly absorb a soul ring beyond his level, it would shake the entire soul master world.
The Spirit Hall might try to keep it secret, but as supporters, their family would definitely benefit.
Perhaps his own limit was stuck at level 39, but with the ability to absorb advanced soul rings, his son or grandson could surely go further.
So, while Yang Yunhai's risk might be for his own advancement, the ones who would benefit were countless others, including his family. How could he not respect someone like that?
Judge actions, not intentions, no one is perfect. He understood that well.
Moreover, Yang Yunhai had always been respectful to his elders, and they'd watched him grow up.
How could he not help?
"Leave the matter of the soul ring to Uncle Ao," he said as he withdrew his hand.
"But..." his tone shifted slightly, "Xiaohai, Skyvine is among the top-tier plant-type soul beasts. Our Primary Soul-Hunting Forest is relatively small, so they're quite rare."
As he spoke, he walked to the bed, pulled a thick book from under the pillow, and returned to the table while flipping through it.
"Here, take a look." He handed the book to Yang Yunhai. "These are all the plant-type soul beasts with a hundred-year cultivation or more that the patrol squad has discovered and documented. You might also find some suitable candidates for your second soul ring later."
If he truly could absorb a soul ring beyond his level, Chang Gong Ao was sure Yang Yunhai could break through to level 20. As for level 30, he wasn't so certain.
"Thank you, Uncle Ao," Yang Yunhai said, carefully taking the book and beginning to read.
So few... He ran his fingers over the pages, silently grumbling.
But considering how remote Notting City was and the surrounding towns were all small, it made sense.
The Primary Soul-Hunting Forest was a controlled environment, meaning the soul beasts inside were treated as resources. Smaller territories received fewer allocations, especially rare ones like the Skyvine.
In such a large forest, there were only a dozen or so documented plant-type soul beasts with hundred-year cultivation levels, and not a single one over a thousand years.
Suddenly, he felt that Tang San's second soul ring being from a 600-year-old Ghost Vine wasn't so strange after all. It made a lot of sense.
It wasn't about not wanting to find the perfect age, it was that it simply didn't exist!
With that thought, and a slightly nervous heart, he continued flipping through the pages.
Soon, his fingers stopped.
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