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**
Early the next morning.
The trio led by Xiao Lin had prepared their portable tools.
They did not put them into storage Soul Tools; "wealth invites greed," and both Xiao Lin and Tang San understood this truth well. On their persons, aside from leather water skins specifically designed for easy carrying, they had purchased some food supplies.
Tang San also carried an assortment of poisons and insect-repelling powders.
In this life, under Xiao Lin's influence, Tang San had also grown fond of reading, proactively learning about the flora, fauna, and toxins of this world.
Tang San did not want to put himself, Xiao Lin, or Xiao Wu in danger just because a medicinal herb looked identical to one from his previous world but possessed different properties.
The entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest was located 1,200 miles outside of Nuoding City (as mentioned before, the map was more than three times larger). Without a dedicated "airplane" like Tang Hao, Xiao Lin and the others had to take a carriage.
Fortunately, Brother Su Yuntao had already hired one.
Soon, the three boarded Su Yuntao's carriage, which had cost him fifteen Silver Spirit Coins.
Although Xiao Lin stated that the income from this hunt would cover the fare, Su Yuntao refused. In his heart, Xiao Lin's combat power was even more terrifying than his own; this was essentially a fee to hire a bodyguard.
Tang San was much the same.
Su Yuntao had been easily defeated by Tang San's techniques before, and since Tang San possessed healing abilities, the safety of the group during the hunt was greatly increased. As for Xiao Wu, she was just along for the ride.
The carriage set off toward the Soul Hunting Forest.
Inside, Su Yuntao wore a loose-fitting combat suit, designed to accommodate his body after his Martial Soul Possession. The journey was long; even by carriage, it would take more than three days.
Even before reaching the forest, they couldn't fully let down their guard—what if a Soul Beast had wandered out of the perimeter?
Su Yuntao began to explain the mission for this hunt.
"Speaking of which, it's all because of that paper by Grandmaster Lin Dong. By the way, have you guys read it? The one saying Soul Masters can achieve over-limit Soul Ring absorption."
"You three have such high talent; don't let your physical training go to waste." As he spoke, Su Yuntao flexed his arm muscles.
"I've started exercising recently. I hope that when I break through to Rank 30, I can absorb a slightly stronger Soul Ring."
Su Yuntao didn't dare claim he could achieve true over-limit absorption.
After Xiao Lin guaranteed that all three of them would be absorbing thousand-year second Soul Rings, Su Yuntao chose to end that topic and continued with the mission details.
"Because of the over-limit absorption craze, Wang Fugui from the Wang Family in Nuoding City has gotten picky. He's clamoring to absorb a seven-hundred-year second Soul Ring. But the stronger a Soul Beast's cultivation, the more they like to hide in the depths."
"This means our hunting party might have to go deep into the Soul Hunting Forest. We were short-handed, which is why I sought you guys out as reinforcements."
Su Yuntao stared intently at Xiao Lin and Tang San with a look of firm conviction.
These two genius youths possessed strength far exceeding his own; he was determined to succeed in this operation.
"What is Wang Fugui's Martial Soul, and what Soul Beast ring does he want?" Xiao Lin asked.
He needed to understand the Soul Beast data clearly.
Otherwise, if they encountered a "stat-monster" species—the kind that can challenge ten-thousand-year beasts while only being at the hundred-year level—they would be in grave danger. Though such beasts were unlikely to appear in the Soul Hunting Forest.
"Wang Fugui's Martial Soul is a Coin Box. When attacking, it can spray countless coins. However, the lethality of these coins isn't high, and they aren't real money, so they're only useful against greedy human Soul Masters."
"So, the Soul Beast he wants this time is a seven-hundred-year Bullet Bee."
"A Bullet Bee!? Is he crazy?" Xiao Lin shouted, his voice suddenly spiking in volume.
For a moment, everyone in the carriage turned to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Su Yuntao was puzzled.
A seven-hundred-year Bullet Bee likely couldn't even break through Xiao Lin's protective soul power. What was there to worry about?
"What's wrong? You have no idea what kind of Soul Beast the Bullet Bee is."
"Bullet Bees are social Soul Beasts. Generally speaking, once a Bullet Bee Queen exceeds five hundred years of cultivation, the swarm can occupy nearly half of the Soul Hunting Forest."
"In other words, if that guy wants a seven-hundred-year Bullet Bee, he will encounter a swarm of bees roughly that age. In such a situation, I wouldn't even suggest going without a Soul Elder who possesses a top-tier Fire attribute Martial Soul."
As Xiao Lin finished, the other three in the carriage were stunned.
Su Yuntao's mouth hung open, and he let out a sharp intake of breath.
"No way, Xiao Lin... Soul Beasts of that scale shouldn't exist in the Soul Hunting Forest. Spirit Hall wouldn't allow such an overpowered swarm to remain there." Su Yuntao shook his head unnaturally, still finding it hard to believe.
If it were as terrifying as Xiao Lin described, he should have encountered them during his many trips into the forest.
Xiao Lin frowned and continued, "True, a swarm of that size usually wouldn't appear in a small place like the Soul Hunting Forest. However, if there is no Queen and it's a solitary Bullet Bee, that's even worse."
"Because when a Bullet Bee is solitary, its body mutates. It develops a highly toxic organ. This toxin is so potent that even a slight scratch on the skin can cause a low-level Soul Master to have difficulty breathing, lose combat effectiveness, and eventually die of suffocation."
"One hit, one kill. That is the origin of the name 'Bullet Bee'."
"If Wang Fugui just wants a speed-type Soul Skill, I advise him to switch to a different Soul Beast."
After Xiao Lin finished, the three listeners reacted differently.
Su Yuntao frowned: "Although this beast might not break Xiao Lin's defense, for us ordinary Soul Masters, a single touch means death."
Tang San lowered his head: A toxin that powerful? I should try to collect some and see if it can be integrated with my hidden weapons.
Xiao Wu squeezed her legs together and hugged her shins, rubbing them as if feeling phantom pain: Brother Lin is right. Being stung by one of those Bullet Bees hurts like crazy.
Su Yuntao looked at Xiao Lin with a troubled expression.
"Xiao Lin, is there really no other way? Wang Fugui gave us each a hundred Gold Spirit Coins. If you guys join, you'll get that much too."
"Brother Tao, that's not much money. At the entrance of the forest, hunting parties charge at least 5 Gold Spirit Coins just for a ten-year Soul Beast." Xiao Lin shook his head.
He wasn't afraid, and Tang San likely wasn't either, but what about Xiao Wu?
What about Brother Tao? What about the rest of the party and Wang Fugui?
Could they just ignore the client once the mission was over?
The difficulty of this mission was already off the charts—specifically because they had to protect the "gold sponsor."
"Fine. When the time comes, I'll ask if we can switch. But you have to help me think of a suitable Soul Beast."
"Sure, but that's an extra fee. Tell Wang Fugui that if he pays up, I'll tell him the right one. This is called 'paying for knowledge'."
Xiao Lin nodded.
It was best that Brother Tao was willing to take his advice. After all, their trio hadn't come here to look for trouble, but to gain insight and experience.
**
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 10 free chapters available, plus early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!