From Star Dou Town to the Star Dou Great Forest was still more than 100 kilometers of travel. This stretch of road gradually faded from the bustling world into the vast wilderness of the forest. The further Tang San's group walked toward the Star Dou Great Forest, the fewer people they saw, replaced instead by looming shadows of trees. By the time they had spent half a day's journey and finally arrived at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, their eyes fell upon towering ancient trees, each several dozen meters tall, leaving Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others who had never been here utterly stunned.
"Alright, let's go. This is just the outer edge—the real marvels lie deeper inside."
Seeing everyone halt in awe, Qian Jue urged them onward. No matter how beautiful the scenery was, once you had seen it hundreds of times, the novelty faded.
"Let me remind you all again—you must stay vigilant at all times and pay attention to safety. Especially, protect the two auxiliary-type Spirit Masters in your team."
As the group finally prepared to step into the forest, Grandmaster couldn't help but add another stern warning.
"Got it, Teacher!" Qian Jue, walking at the rear, waved his hand and disappeared into the dense trees, officially stepping into the range of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Even on the very outskirts, the forest's roots, vines, and thorns intertwined chaotically, leaving no path to walk. Even if Spirit Master teams cleared a way, within a few days the vegetation would grow back to its original state.
The self-recovery ability of this primeval forest was truly astonishing.
Dai Mubai released his White Tiger spirit, taking the lead at the front. His tiger claws swung continuously, slashing open the obstacles blocking their path. From time to time, strange insects disturbed by his movements buzzed out, causing Ning Rongrong behind him to let out small startled cries.
"Ah Jue, you've been here the most times. Is there anything we should pay special attention to?"
While clearing the way, Dai Mubai raised his voice to ask Qian Jue.
"Pay attention to what? Right now, we're still in the outskirts. Even 1.000 spirit beasts are rare here. We'll need to travel at least another hour before running into anything troublesome. There's no need to be so tense. Look at Xiao Wu—she's not worried at all."
Hearing Dai Mubai's question, Qian Jue chuckled, glancing at Xiao Wu skipping lightly in front of them.
Xiao Wu, hearing his teasing, turned back and made a face at him.
She was, after all, a 100,000-year spirit beast born of the Star Dou Great Forest. Returning here was like coming home. Excitement filled her heart, but tension? None at all.
"Fine then. By the way, Xiao Ao, Xiao Wu, Xiao San—what spirit beasts are you each aiming for your third spirit ring? Teacher Yu should have already discussed it with you. Hurry and tell us so we can plan accordingly."
"He already told us," Oscar quickly answered, glancing at Grandmaster and the other two teachers trailing far behind.
"Teacher Yu said my first two spirit skills were Recovery and Detoxification, both defensive. So my third should lean toward offense."
"Offense? With your Sausage Martial Spirit? What, are you going to get a spirit skill that hardens your sausages and throw them at people?" Ning Rongrong teased with a laugh.
"Of course not." Oscar rolled his eyes.
"Food-type spirits aren't only for recovery. Like you, I can also provide buffs. Teacher Yu said for my third ring, I could target a spirit beast called the Pink Queen Scorpion. If I absorb its ring, I might obtain an stimulation-type sausage—one that could temporarily boost all attributes of whoever eats it."
"All attributes?!" Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda didn't have such an ability.
"Of course. That's what Teacher Yu personally said." Oscar replied with pride.
"So Oscar's target is the Pink Queen Scorpion. What about you two—Xiao San, Xiao Wu?"
"My target is a millennium Lightning Rabbit—a rabbit-type beast that's extremely fast. Teacher said I lack close-range attack means, and the Lightning Rabbit might give me a surprise." Xiao Wu replied without much enthusiasm.
"As for me, it's more varied: the Datura Snake, Ghost Vine, Violet Blue Silver Grass Snake, Ground Phantom Blue Beetle, and the Human-Faced Demon Spider." Tang San spread his hands, listing the beasts Grandmaster had recommended.
Grandmaster had explained them in detail: the Datura Snake could enhance the toughness and paralyzing toxins of his Blue Silver Grass; the Ghost Vine could greatly increase its quantity; the Violet Blue Silver Grass Snake would strengthen its resistance against elemental attacks; the Ground Phantom Blue Beetle could give hallucinogenic toxins; and the Human-Faced Demon Spider—Grandmaster's top recommendation—could provide an additional control-type skill. After all, Tang San was a Control System Spirit Master.
Truth be told, despite studying under Grandmaster for so long, Tang San could never analyze the traits of spirit beasts and predict resulting spirit skills with such clarity. Grandmaster's deductions were nearly flawless.
"Alright, let's keep moving. But Xiao San, you take the lead. After all, I wouldn't recognize most of the beasts you just mentioned."
"That's because you never paid attention in spirit beast lessons, yet during combat training, you're always the most excited." Oscar muttered.
"Eh, that's fine. Whatever Xiao San knows, I know too. We're a team. Look—if I don't recognize it, he can." Dai Mubai patted Tang San's shoulder with a grin.
Oscar could only roll his eyes helplessly.
"Alright then. Fatty, Qian Jue—you two cover the rear. Let's move out!"
With renewed vigor, Dai Mubai roared and continued hacking away with his claws, carving a path forward. One hour passed.
During this time, their journey gradually shifted from the outskirts to deeper within the forest. The spirit beasts they encountered grew stronger—from ten-year, to hundred-year, and eventually, 1.000 spirit beasts appeared. Even Qian Jue no longer looked relaxed. He now kept his Wolf Spirit hovering above, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
Xiao Wu too had changed—from excitement at returning to the forest, to a growing sense of unease.
She didn't need to hunt spirit beasts for rings. When she broke through a major realm, she only needed to undergo special cultivation for her spirit rings to evolve naturally, perfectly suited in both age and ability. She couldn't, like Qian Jue and the others, absorb rings from external beasts.
So what if they really caught a Lightning Rabbit for her third ring? Wouldn't that expose her secret?
A 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone—who wouldn't covet such treasures?
Xiao San, Qian Jue, Boss Dai, even Oscar the Big Sausage Uncle, and the three teachers from the academy trailing behind… If they knew her true identity, how much of their affection would remain?
"What are you thinking about, Xiao Wu?"
Qian Jue, walking closest, noticed her troubled look and poked her lightly.
"Stop it, brother Jue, I'm thinking." Xiao Wu brushed him off irritably.
"Well, well, our Xiao Wu has grown up, already learning how to brood? Come on, tell me. Maybe I can help."
Xiao Wu shot him a glare and said nothing.
Qian Jue, of course, knew her worries—she was thinking about how to slip away and evolve her third spirit ring without being seen. In the original story, Xiao Wu had the Titan Giant Ape abduct her, giving her the chance to escape. How would it play out this time?
"Whew, it's been an hour already. Let's rest here for a while." Dai Mubai suddenly spoke, slashing away some thorns and revealing a clearing ahead.
The open ground was about a hundred square meters, of unknown origin, but with excellent terrain, perfect for a break.
Seeing no objections, Dai Mubai cleared some vines and sat against a tree.
The others also found spots nearby and rested.
Traveling in the Star Dou Great Forest was far more taxing than anywhere else. Nerves had to remain taut, soul power constantly ready, and attention unwavering. Compared to their run to Star Dou Town the day before, this was far more exhausting.
"Mubai, Xiao Ao, hurry and restore your soul power. The rest of you, get some rest. I'll stand guard." Qian Jue stood at the center, calling out.
His condition was the best—not only because he was the strongest, but also because over the past four years, every hunt for his Kindred Marks had been done alone. Flender might escort him into the forest, but never helped him kill spirit beasts. Qian Jue had long since developed his own ways of surviving here.
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