Chapter Seventy-Six: Frequent Visitors to the Star Dou Forest

After returning to the Hall of Nine Stars, Ye Lingling kept Xiao Yu’s instructions firmly in mind. She did not rush to increase her soul power but instead continued to condense and stabilize it until her cultivation level was completely solidified before starting a new round of training.

Three months later, accompanied by a surge of soul power, Ye Lingling finally broke through the bottleneck of level fifty after arduous cultivation. She was now only a single soul ring away from becoming a true Soul King.

“Lingling, congratulations on your breakthrough!”

Xiao Yu, who had noticed Ye Lingling teetering on the edge of a breakthrough, had been closely monitoring her condition these past few days. Sensing her success, he was the first to arrive outside her courtyard.

“Brother Xiao Yu, thank you!”

Ye Lingling smiled sweetly, throwing herself into Xiao Yu’s arms like a fledgling bird returning to its nest, her gratitude for him shining in her eyes. If not for Xiao Yu, she might not even have broken through to Soul Sect by now.

Xiao Yu gently patted her slender back. “Silly girl, is there any need for thanks between us?”

At his words, a blush blossomed across Ye Lingling’s delicate cheeks; she buried her head in his chest without a word.

Seeing her shy and lovely appearance, Xiao Yu felt his heart itch. He forced himself to calm down. “Come, let’s get you your fifth soul ring.”

“Mm!” Ye Lingling replied in the softest whisper.

Since returning to the academy, Huo Wu, perhaps feeling challenged, had also gone into seclusion to pursue a breakthrough, so she did not accompany them this time.

Staring at the familiar expanse of the primeval forest before him, Xiao Yu sighed inwardly. Not long ago, he had hunted down the Titan Giant Ape, king of the forest, here. Now, just a few months later, he was back again—he was becoming a regular in the Star Dou Great Forest.

He had considered searching for Ye Lingling’s soul ring elsewhere, but besides the Star Dou Great Forest, nowhere else could provide such a vast array of soul beasts. In terms of both quality and quantity, Sunset Forest was far inferior. The Blue Silver Forest’s Blue Silver King did suit the Nine-Hearted Begonia martial soul, but that Blue Silver King’s cultivation was eighty-five thousand years. Not to mention the fifth soul ring—even a sixth would be wishful thinking. Xiao Yu planned to observe Ye Lingling’s physical strength later on before deciding whether to make that Blue Silver King her seventh or eighth soul ring.

He just hoped the Silver Dragon King and Ditian beneath the Lake of Life had no objections!

Hand in hand, Xiao Yu and Ye Lingling strolled through the forest. Since what she needed was her fifth soul ring, there were certainly no suitable soul beasts on the outskirts. Xiao Yu was in no hurry to search; they would press deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

With her hand in Xiao Yu’s, Ye Lingling followed closely, a look of contentment on her face. Without Huo Wu’s presence, she felt both body and mind at ease. Though she had convinced herself to accept Huo Wu, acceptance was one thing—her feelings were another.

How wonderful it would be if she could keep walking on with Brother Xiao Yu like this forever!

Suddenly, Xiao Yu stopped in his tracks.

“What is it, Brother Xiao Yu?”

Lost in happy reverie, Ye Lingling almost ran into Xiao Yu’s broad back and asked in surprise.

“There’s someone here,” Xiao Yu said in a low voice, shielding Ye Lingling behind him and adopting a defensive stance.

Swish, swish, swish!

No sooner had he spoken than three figures leapt from the dense forest, swiftly taking up positions to form a triangle, encircling Xiao Yu and Ye Lingling.

“Who are you? What business do you have here?” The one facing Xiao Yu barked harshly.

Xiao Yu replied coolly, “What does one do in the Star Dou Great Forest if not collect soul rings?”

After sizing up Xiao Yu and Ye Lingling and seeing that they did not appear to be stalking them, the man relaxed and waved dismissively, speaking with utmost arrogance, “This is our camp. Outsiders are not allowed near. Leave now, or don’t blame us for being rude!”

Had he spoken properly, Xiao Yu would have just gone another way. But that haughty, commanding tone immediately irked him.

“Oh? So the Star Dou Great Forest is now your private property?” Xiao Yu sneered. “I’ve been here countless times and never heard of such a rule. I like the look of this place myself—what if I want to rest here?”

“Boy, are you looking for death?”

Infuriated, the three men released their martial spirits, revealing themselves as one Soul King and two Soul Sects.

“Finish them!” the Soul King commanded his two subordinates. Two young people—at best, Soul Elders—weren’t worth his own effort.

The two Soul Sects grinned wickedly as they closed in. “Kid, keep your eyes open in your next life!”

Smack! Smack!

Before they could finish, Xiao Yu struck first. With two crisp slaps, both Soul Sects—lacking even optimal soul rings—were knocked to the ground, one side of their faces swelling high with bruises. Xiao Yu then flashed back in front of Ye Lingling.

Seeing his underlings so easily felled, the Soul King’s face darkened. He stretched, cracking his knuckles. “Boy, I underestimated you. Let me show you what I can do!”

“Stop!”

Just then, an irate voice rang out. At the sound, the Soul King instantly deflated like a withered gourd, all arrogance gone as he stood respectfully aside.

Xiao Yu looked toward the voice. He recognized the newcomer at once—it was none other than Qian Renxue, disguised as the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

At that moment, she appeared as Xue Qinghe, dressed in splendid robes, surrounded by several attendants as she approached.

What on earth was this silly girl doing in the Star Dou Great Forest?

Xiao Yu felt puzzled. He recalled that Qian Renxue had broken through to Soul Emperor two and a half years ago, and with her endless administrative duties, he simply couldn’t believe she’d reached Soul Sage in that short a time. Besides, if she were here for a soul ring, she’d appear as herself, not in Xue Qinghe’s guise.

“Greetings, Your Highness,”

As Xue Qinghe drew closer, Xiao Yu was momentarily lost in thought. Ye Lingling discreetly pinched his hand, snapping him back to attention; he bowed slightly in greeting.

“No need for formalities, Young Lord Xiao,” Xue Qinghe said with a wave, her tone mild, easing Xiao Yu’s doubts. “My royal sister, Princess Xue Ke, has just broken through to level twenty. By imperial decree, I have come to accompany her in hunting for a soul beast. I did not expect to meet you here, Young Lord Xiao.”

So that was it!

Princess Xue Ke… Xiao Yu recalled what intelligence he had on the imperial princess. She was about two years older than Tang San.

A fourteen- or fifteen-year-old about to become a Grand Soul Master—there was really not much to say about that.