130: Searching for the fifth soul ring

In the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest, even the sunlight seemed heavy, filtered by layers of green.

The branches of towering ancient trees intertwined high above, weaving a nearly impenetrable, dark green canopy, through which only a few stingy golden threads of light occasionally pierced.

The air was thick as substance, a blend of the sweet, pungent smell of ancient humus, the musky odor left by some gigantic beast, and the ever-present, acrid scent of plant sap steeping in thestuffy heat.

Underfoot was a carpet-thick layer of moss and layers of fallen leaves, silent to walk upon, yet possessing a disquieting softness—no one knew if a swamp capable of swallowing an elephant lay dormant beneath.

Giant vines, like sleeping pythons, hung from canopies dozens of meters high,entanglementing thick tree trunks; some even bore vibrant flowers with a cloying sweetness, their centers subtly revealing fine, teeth-like structures.

Mo Yuhan walked ahead, his sturdy upper body bare, his new skin glowing with a beeswax-like sheen in the dim forest, subtly rippling with the movement of his muscles.

In his left hand, he held a makeshift hardwood spear, its tip sharpened on a stone, while his right hand rested lightly on his waist—there hung a simple beast-skin pouch containing several dark red herbs with a pungent smell, which they had discovered over the past few days to be effective in repelling low-level snakes and insects, known as “Crimson Stink Grass.”

His steps were exceptionally light and agile; each footfall landed precisely on exposed gnarled roots or firm stones, integrating the essence of Phoenix Flight Step into his daily walking to minimize leaving traces on the soft humus layer.

His obsidian-like eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s, constantly scanning the surrounding shadows, the gaps in the tree canopy, and the indiscernible, giant claw marks left on the moss.

Sweat trickled down his already chiseled jawline, dripping onto his chest, leaving a glistening trail.

Ruo Lin followed closely, the hem of her sky-blue mentor’s robe loosely tied up with tough vines, revealing her gracefully shaped calves, stained with a bit of mud.

She also held a similar hardwood spear, but her posture was more vigilant, her body slightly leaning forward, a nearly invisible, wave-like shimmer of sky-blue Soul Power forming a faint glow around her body, maximizing their aura and figures to blend into the ancient and dangerous backdrop of the forest.

Her gaze, more often than not, rested on the broad back of the young man in front, filled with an unresolvable worry.

The deeper they ventured, the heavier the “breathing” of the forest became. Traces not typically found in the outer regions began to appear: on the trunk of a giant tree that would require ten people to embrace, five terrifying claw marks, half a foot deep and emitting a burnt odor, were left, their edges instantly carbonized as if by high temperatures.

In a messy clearing, fragments of some large creature’s black, metallic-sheened carapace were scattered, and viscous green fluid permeated the soil.

In the air, the dry, hot smell of sulfur and lava grew increasingly potent, almost overpowering the natural earthy scent of the forest.

“This is it.” Mo Yuhan stopped at the edge of a muddy hollow filled with giant claw marks and disturbed earth, crouching down. He pinched a bit of dark red soil, brought it to his nose, and sniffed, his brows tightly furrowed.

“A strong smell of sulfur…and blood. The claw marks are very fresh, less than a day old. Judging by their depth and spacing…its size is at least over fifteen meters, and its strength is terrifying.”

He looked up, his gaze directed towards the end of the hollow, a violently collapsed thicket covered in charred scorch marks. “It went in that direction; over there…there seems to be a geothermal aura.”

Ruo Lin walked to his side, crouching down to carefully examine the giant claw marks, her sky-blue eyes deepening with gravity.

“There are dark purple crystalline fragments remaining at the front of the claw marks…and these unusual scorch marks…it’s not ordinary flame.”

She condensed a small, crystal-clear drop of water on her fingertip and let it fall onto the scorch mark at the edge of a claw print.

Hiss! The water drop instantly vaporized, producing a wisp of white smoke with a sulfurous smell. “High temperature, with extremely strong corrosiveness and earth vein energy…Yu Han, your judgment is correct. This is very likely a top-tier Spirit Beast possessing both powerful fire and earth attributes, and even dragon bloodline. Thirty thousand years…that might even be a conservative estimate.”

Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible surprise.

A thirty-thousand-year Spirit Beast’s strength is comparable to a human Spirit Saint or even a Spirit Douluo.

Even on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest’s core, it is a dominant existence. Asking a young man who has just recovered and whose Soul Power is only at level 50 to hunt such an existence is akin to striking a stone with an egg.

She subconsciously looked at Mo Yuhan, but her strength was not low, so she should be able to protect Mo Yuhan.

Mo Yuhan stood up, his gaze burning as he looked in the direction from which the sulfur smell emanated. The Xuan Huang Purple Flame within his dantian seemed to sense the provocation of a similar power, stirring slightly.

“Fire-earth dual attribute, dragon bloodline…This is exactly what I need!”

His tone was decisive, carrying an undeniable resolve. He turned his head, meeting Ruo Lin’s worried gaze, his dark, bright eyes exceptionally firm: “Teacher, I know the risks. But the Xuan Huang Purple Flame tells me this is the most suitable prey. If we miss it, it will be hard to find a better option in a short time. And…”

He pointed to the messy battlefield around them, “It just went through a fierce fight; although its aura is strong, it carries obvious fatigue and a bloody smell. This is our only chance.”

His eyes were sharp and clear, distinctly reflecting Ruo Lin’s figure. The longing contained in his gaze, and the deep-seated belief in becoming stronger to protect, struck Ruo Lin’s heart like a heavy hammer.

Protect…the person he wanted to protect…his previous words echoed in her ears again.

Looking at the still-stinging scar on his chest in the dim forest light, and the unyielding flame in his eyes, all of Ruo Lin’s words of dissuasion were stuck in her throat.

Finally, she took a deep breath, as if to inhale the thick air of the forest and all her anxieties into her lungs to crush them.

She stood up, walked in front of Mo Yuhan, and looked directly into his sky-blue eyes, all her struggles transforming into a resolute determination.

“Good.” A single word, heavy as a thousand pounds. She reached out, no longer resting her hand on his shoulder, but gently gripping Mo Yuhan’s wrist, which was tightly clutching the wooden spear.

The warmth from her palm and the slight tremor clearly conveyed her worry and resolve. “Remember your promise, safety above all else. Teacher…will cover you.”

Mo Yuhan felt the soft yet firm touch on his wrist, and his heart warmed instantly.

He squeezed Ruo Lin’s hand back firmly, conveying silent gratitude and assurance, then released it. “I will, Teacher, let’s go!”