Chapter 60: King of the Earth, Nether Ghost Tiger, Black Flash!
Soon, under the watchful eyes of Yan Shaozhe and Du Weiren, Lin Xuan and Ma Xiaotao left Shrek Academy and headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
Interestingly, a strange silence fell between the two of them after they set off.
Lin Xuan directly summoned his Shikigami, Nue, leaped lightly onto its broad back, found a comfortable position to sit, and closed his eyes to begin meditating and regulating his breath, showing no intention of initiating conversation.
He was well aware of Ma Xiaotao's personality; describing her as an active volcano would be a compliment to her temper. It was best to avoid any unnecessary involvement with her.
Ma Xiaotao, on the other hand, could only rely on her own Martial Soul to fly alongside him.
Watching Lin Xuan sitting comfortably on his flying summon while she felt the fierce airflow hitting her face—which she had to resist using Soul Power—she felt an inexplicable bitterness in her heart.
This guy certainly knows how to enjoy himself!
Several times she wanted to say something to break the awkward silence, or perhaps ask Lin Xuan about his thoughts on his fourth soul ring and his Martial Soul's characteristics to facilitate their future cooperation.
But seeing Lin Xuan's "do not disturb" expression, she swallowed her words back down.
Hmph, what's with the brooding act!
Ma Xiaotao grumbled inwardly, pursed her lips tightly, and stopped trying to strike up a conversation, simply flying ahead in silence.
At noon, the two arrived at a small town closest to the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"I've asked around. Sister Ruoruo and the others only left here for the Star Dou Great Forest this morning. If we follow them now, we should be able to catch up with them in the outer regions."
"Mm, then let's set out now."
Lin Xuan nodded. He had just asked Ma Xiaotao and learned that the previous group of Inner Court disciples heading to the Star Dou Great Forest was indeed led by Han Ruoruo.
This way, with Han Ruoruo's current strength as she was about to become a Soul Douluo, as long as they found them, there was a high probability he wouldn't even need to exert himself to hunt Soul Beasts... Two hours later, the two officially stepped into the territory of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Towering ancient trees blotted out the sun, and the air was filled with the scent of moist soil and the faint fragrance of vegetation.
They searched carefully along the route Han Ruoruo's team was likely to have taken, spreading out their mental force and leaving no trace unchecked.
However, as time ticked by—from afternoon to dusk, and then as the night grew darker—they crossed a fairly vast area of the outskirts, yet they failed to find any clear signs of Han Ruoruo's team, with even valuable clues being scarce.
As night fell, the Star Dou Great Forest became even more deep and unpredictable. Nocturnal Soul Beasts began to grow active, and the danger increased significantly.
"Searching blindly like this is too inefficient, and the risk of moving at night is high."
Lin Xuan stopped at a clearing backed by a rock wall and made a decision.
"We'll rest here for the night and continue the search at daybreak tomorrow."
Though Ma Xiaotao was unwilling, she understood that this was currently the safest choice.
The two quickly cleared a small area. Lin Xuan lit a campfire, its orange-red light dispelling some of the darkness and bringing a touch of warmth.
By the campfire, Lin Xuan remained seated cross-legged with his eyes closed, the firelight dancing on his calm face.
Ma Xiaotao sat opposite him, watching the flickering flames and glancing at Lin Xuan, who seemed isolated from the world. She couldn't help but purse her red lips.
Although her personality was fiery and straightforward and she disliked excessive pointless socializing, this stiff atmosphere of traveling together with near-zero communication still made her feel a strong sense of awkwardness and discomfort.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn't stand the silence anymore and spoke first.
"Hey, Lin Xuan."
"We are partners after all. You should at least tell me what specific requirements you have for your fourth soul ring. For example, attribute preference, age range, or specific types of Soul Beasts? Otherwise, if we encounter a suitable one, how am I supposed to coordinate with you?"
Hearing this, Lin Xuan's eyelashes twitched slightly. He slowly opened his eyes to look at Ma Xiaotao, but just as he was about to speak—
BOOM!!!
From deep within the distant forest, a violent explosion of Soul Power suddenly erupted, followed by the angry roar of some Soul Beast! It startled countless birds into flight!
The two instantly exchanged a look. Without needing any words, they both sprang up at the same time!
Lin Xuan and Ma Xiaotao moved like lightning, rushing toward the source of the sound and Soul Power fluctuations!
Soon, they passed through an exceptionally dense grove of ancient trees, and the view ahead suddenly opened up. The light and shadows of battle could be seen through the gaps in the trees.
Through the gaps in the forest, they saw three familiar figures in the center of a clearing, working together to besiege a massive creature!
It was Han Ruoruo and two other disciples wearing the red Inner Court uniforms!
The Soul Beast they were attacking was over ten meters long, its entire body a deep, dark blue. It had a heavy carapace and menacing joints, and its whole body emitted a thick, bloody killing intent!
Most striking was the long tail raised high behind it, composed of eight segments of hard tailbone. At the end was a barb glowing with fiery red light; its scorching heat could be felt even from a great distance!
"A King of the Earth with fifty thousand years of cultivation," Lin Xuan recognized the Soul Beast at a glance.
Han Ruoruo's trio coordinated perfectly, their attacks sharp and fierce, firmly holding the upper hand. The King of the Earth was covered in wounds and roaring repeatedly, but its ferocity remained undiminished.
"It's Sister Ruoruo and the others!" Ma Xiaotao's face immediately showed joy; they had found their target!
However, in the next moment, her and Lin Xuan's gazes bypassed the center of the intense battle at almost the same time, falling upon the even deeper darkness behind Han Ruoruo's trio.
There, two clusters of eerie green light, like ghost fires, lit up silently and were slowly moving, clearly locked onto the backs of Han Ruoruo's trio as they dealt with the King of the Earth!
A Soul Beast was lurking, preparing for a sneak attack!
"Not good!"
Ma Xiaotao's heart tightened. The Soul Power in her body surged instantly, and a scorching flame aura began to rise.
At the same time, she instinctively thought that she would strike boldly and resolve the threat of this lurking Soul Beast with thunderous force.
That way, she could not only resolve the crisis for Sister Ruoruo but perhaps also let this junior brother—who had been acting so arrogant—witness the strength of an Inner Court elite, making him drop his cold act and show a more respectful attitude.
Thinking of this, she instinctively turned her head slightly to look at Lin Xuan.
However, the place her gaze landed was already empty!
Lin Xuan had already shot forward like an arrow from a bow, heading toward the location of those two clusters of eerie green ghost fire!
His movement was so fast that he left only a faint afterimage behind!
"What?!" Ma Xiaotao's pupils constricted.
She saw Lin Xuan forming a hand seal in front of his chest while charging, his movements as smooth as flowing water.
"Divine Dog!"
He barked out. From the shadow beneath his feet that extended as he moved, two figures suddenly lunged out!
One black and one white, with smooth fur and eyes as sharp as blades, their agile bodies were full of power. They were the Shikigami, Divine Dog!
They didn't pause for a second after appearing, turning into two streaks of black and white light and pouncing toward the eerie green light in the darkness with low growls and incredible speed!
Simultaneously, Lin Xuan immediately summoned a Tu Tu next to the green light and activated his second Soul skills!
In the next instant, he appeared directly in front of those two clusters of ghost fire! Almost face-to-face!
Only then was the full appearance of the lurker clearly revealed.
It was a fierce tiger, entirely pitch-black like ink!
Its body lines were smooth and explosive, yet it seemed shrouded in a layer of constantly flowing black mist, giving it an ethereal and unpredictable feeling.
It stood about 1.3 meters tall at the shoulder and was nearly three meters long. Although its size wasn't as massive as the King of the Earth, the aura it emitted was that of a genuine ten-thousand-year Soul Beast!
A Nether Ghost Tiger with twelve thousand years of cultivation!
This Nether Ghost Tiger clearly hadn't expected someone to suddenly appear in front of it in such a manner. A human-like expression of shock appeared on its face.
No... way... where the hell did you come from?!
However, Lin Xuan gave it no chance to react or adjust.
The moment he appeared before the Nether Ghost Tiger and their eyes met.
There was no charging up, no warning.
Lin Xuan's right fist smashed out toward the center of the Nether Ghost Tiger's forehead!
ZZZT—CRACK!!!
Black and red electrical sparks suddenly exploded and spread!
Black Flash!