39 Ch.38: To the Star Dou Forest

Soon, Ma Jun also woke up and began to jump around in happiness. "Boss Dugu is the best. I have broken through level 40!"

Everyone couldn't help but sigh in defeat at his behavior until Meng Shu went and punched Ma Jun in the head. "Keep quiet you idiot. Yao Chen and old demon Luo Tian haven't finished absorbing their immortal herbs."

Ma Jun held his head and apologized. At this time Luo Tian suddenly appeared behind Meng Shu and squeezed his head with him hand. "Who is a demon?" Asked Luo Tian with a friendly smile, but to Meng Shu it was the most dreadful experience ever.

"No one, you must have misheard it, haha"

Seeing Meng Shu's panicked expression Luo Tian couldn't help but burst into laughter. He put Meng Shu down, and headed towards Dugu Xin who was watching their interaction. "Thanks brat. Now I am fully healed."

Dugu Xin took this chance to annoy the old man even more. "Indeed, however it seems your talent was to low breakthrough Titled Douluo, sigh such a shame. Want me to give you another immortal herb top help you?" the more he spoke the slyer and more amused his tone became. His tone caused a vein to bulge on Luo Tian's forehead and was ready to teach his annoying disciple some manners.

Suddenly, a dense black energy started swirling around Yao Chen's body, as darkness elements spread around the area. Yao Chen's figure was surrounded by dense black energy, his nails became sharp claws, his muscles grew and became more defined, while a "King" character appears on his head. He opened his eyes, and released a powerful howl, as a black giant leopard, pure black all over, without a speck of other color appeared behind him. The 'king' mark on his forehead is also black, but a different shade of black from its fur, a black as gloomy as mist. Its red eyes brim with viciousness.

Dugu Xin was happily surprised to see that he was right about Yao Chen, and his martial soul managed to evolve. Yao Chen retreated his martial soul possession and returned to everyone, as they congratulated him managing to evolve his martial soul as did Li Jingling. At this time Luo Tian couldn't help but sigh at the talent and luck of these kids. But although he didn't manage to breakthrough Titled Douluo, with his internal and old wounds now healed, he was confident to make successful breakthrough in about 2 to 3 months. "Alright kids. Originally, I wanted to have you all fight against me without Dugu Xin's support for you all to graduate together, but now I have changed test. Now you must all go to the Star Dou Grand Forest and obtain your 4th spirit rings, and for you Jingling your 3rd."

Everyone nodded as they expected this. Seeing that nobody had anything to say he added. "Alright get ready we leave first thing tomorrow morning."

…

Next morning, everyone was gathered at the front gate of the Hollow Beast Academy, ready to head out to the Star Dou Great Forest. With Luo Tian's arrival, everyone entered the carriage rented for their journey.

Inside the carriage, on their way to the Star Dou Great Forest, the atmosphere was tense, heavy with the weight of Luo Tian's warning. The jostling of the carriage did little to distract from the gravity of his words. "Be on your guard once we arrive. Not just against the spirit beasts, but other spirit masters too. I warned Dugu Xin last time, and now I warn all of you. A war between the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empire is on the horizon. Spy spirit masters have already been dispatched. They'll try to eliminate you, the winners of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, at the first chance they get. So, stay vigilant."

Understanding the gravity of Luo Tian's words, everyone nodded in unison. For some, like Dugu Xin, Yao Chen, and Ma Jun, the impending war had more immediate consequences. Their families would be obligated to join the fight against the Star Luo Empire. Despite this, Dugu Xin harbored a sense of confidence. With his clan's poisons, they posed a formidable threat to any army. Additionally, his pill-making skills ensured that the Dugu Clan would prosper in the coming war.

Dugu Xin's mind wandered as he contemplated the possibilities. 'I wonder if I can claim the Sunset Forest as our clan's territory. Once I prove myself as the clan leader, I'll need to relocate everyone to the Hall of Souls. The Hollow Beasts Academy will also have to be integrated into the Hall of Souls. The spirit beasts there aren't too powerful, so Xiao Cai should ascend to rule the forest swiftly… Well, we'll have to see how it unfolds.'

Dugu Xin's thoughts were interrupted by the excited Ma Jun, who turned to him with anticipation in his eyes. "Boss Dugu, are you going to help us hunt for our spirit rings this time?"

Dugu Xin nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, I will. Although I'm confident in your abilities, we are in the Star Dou Great Forest, and unexpected challenges may arise at any moment."

Luo Tian chimed in as their carriage came to a stop. "Alright, kids, we've arrived. Get ready."

As they disembarked from the carriage, a massive gate with numerous guards stood before them. Dugu Xin couldn't help but notice the increased security. "There are at least twice as many guards as last time, and there's even a Spirit Saint. It seems the outbreak of war is imminent."

Approaching the gate, the group of seven encountered the formidable Spirit Saint guard. He demanded, "Identification."

Luo Tian calmly presented the token of the Dean of Hollow Beast Academy, and the guard scrutinized it before granting them passage. "Finally, we're back."

Regrettably, the first day of their expedition yielded no suitable spirit beasts. Disheartened, they decided to set up camp in the middle area of the Star Dou Forest, home to 1,000-year-old spirit beasts and the occasional 10,000-year-old specimen. As they prepared to rest, they realized they had only one tent.

"Alright, kids, you've got this. I'll keep watch tonight," Luo Tian declared.

The group decided to segregate by gender, with the girls on one side and the boys on the other. Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang opted to sleep next to each other in the middle. But just as they were settling in for the night, Luo Tian's voice pierced the darkness. "Wake up, kiddos. You've got company."

Startled, everyone emerged from the tent to find a giant flaming scorpion charging toward them. Dugu Xin swiftly identified the spirit beast. "It's a Giant Earth King, with a cultivation level of 6,000 years. Ma Jun, it's perfect for your fourth spirit ring."

Dugu Xin unleashed his third spirit ring, summoning a venomous serpentine dragon that streamed towards the Giant Earth King. Despite its futile attempts to defend itself with fire, the poison hit it directly and began to corrode its body, causing it to howl in agony.

"Finish it quickly before the poison kills it," Dugu Xin advised.

Ma Jun nodded and moved in for the kill, the spirit ring of the Giant Earth King appeared above its corpse as Ma Jun began absorbing it. Observing Ma Jun's progress, Luo Tian offered. "I'll keep an eye on him. The rest of you, get some rest."

By morning, Ma Jun had successfully absorbed his new spirit ring and trained some time with it. As a level 41 Spirit Ancestor, he squared off against Dugu Xin, who activated his Real Guard and his first spirit skill, Cursed Shroud. "Here I come, Boss Dugu."

With a leap into the air, Ma Jun activated his fourth spirit skill, Hellflame Demon Strike. Darkened flames in the shape of a demon's head shot from his feet, aiming directly at Dugu Xin. As the flames engulfed their target, a massive explosion followed. Amidst the detonation, Dugu Xin emerged unscathed, his armor bearing only a few blackened blemishes. Impressed, he commended Ma Jun, "Well done. The power of this spirit skill rivals that of a Spirit King's fifth spirit skill."

"Hehe, thank you, Boss Dugu," Ma Jun replied with a satisfied grin.

Having successfully tested Ma Jun's new spirit skill, the group continued their journey deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest. This time, luck favored them as they soon stumbled upon a colossal creature, a giant ape standing at an astonishing height of four meters, dwarfing most other beings in its vicinity. Its fur gleamed with a radiant golden-red hue, shimmering under the sunlight. The creature boasted four powerful arms adorned with bulging muscles and hands equipped with razor-sharp claws.

"That's a Golden Red Mane Four-Handed Ape," remarked Ma Jun, his eyes fixed on the magnificent beast.

Meng Shu, noted. "It's nearly five meters tall, so its roughly 4,500 years old. It's the perfect for my fourth spirit ring."

Luo Tian, voiced his concerns. "Are you sure, kid? While you do have a tool spirit, it's also part dragon. It might be wise to find a more suitable spirit beast."

Meng Shu, ever the scholar, replied confidently. "Don't worry. I came across this in an old book in the Academy's library. Legend has it that a Red Mane Four-Handed Ape King devoured the body of a Golden Dragon, transforming into the Golden Red Mane Four-Handed Ape and infusing its bloodline with dragon essence. This particular one likely has a diluted bloodline, as evidenced by its golden fur without the characteristic dragon horns or scales."

The group watched as Luo Tian took the lead, facing the Golden Red Mane Four-Handed Ape. He exerted his spirit power, immobilizing the spirit beast with sheer pressure. It stood frozen, not out of fear but due to the oppressive aura unleashed by him. Luo Tian then summoned his martial soul and entered the martial soul possession state, launching a powerful strike at the ape. Surprisingly, the ape's defense proved sturdier than expected, but with a series of relentless strikes enhanced by his dark flames, Luo Tian managed to incapacitate the beast. Despite the ape's efforts to resist, it succumbed to its injuries.

As the Golden Red Mane Four-Handed Ape lay defeated, Luo Tian signaled to Meng Shu. "Alright, kid. Deliver the finishing blow and absorb its spirit ring."

Meng Shu complied, approaching the fallen beast with confidence. He used his living dragon to bite its head, causing a purple spirit ring to emerge above the corpse. Meng Shu assumed a meditative posture and began the process of absorbing the spirit ring. As the group patiently waited for Meng Shu's absorption to conclude, Dugu Xin sensed an unsettling presence in the surroundings. His instincts warned him that they were being watched, and, right on cue, a massive five-meter-long silver snake with metallic scales and crimson eyes lunged from the nearby bushes toward Meng Shu, its intent clear – to devour him.

Initially, the snake had its sights set on the Golden Red Mane Four-Handed Ape, but it was thwarted by the group. However, it sensed an opportunity with Meng Shu absorbed in his spirit ring absorption process, making him an easy target. The snake's intention was to strike and escape before anyone could react. The sudden turn of events left everyone, except Dugu Xin and Luo Tian, in shock. Luo Tian readied himself to activate one of his spirit rings should the need arise. But, just as it closed in on its prey, Dugu Xin unleashed his fourth spirit skill, "Stopped World," freezing the snake in mid-air.

Dugu Xin advanced toward the suspended snake, ready to make the kill. "This appears to be an Iron Armored Snake, hmm… roughly five meters, silver scales, it reached 5,000 years. It's ideal for Tianxiang's fourth spirit ring."

Dugu Xin summoned the Monochrome Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, and his right hand, coated in its venom, pierced the snake's underbelly and he cancelled his spirit skill. The poison took effect swiftly, causing the snake to writhe in agony as black blood oozed from its armored scales. Dugu Xin called Chao Tianxiang to deal the final blow. "Tianxiang, come and finish it off. It's an Iron Armored Snake, roughly 5,000 years old."

Tianxiang, determined to protect her boyfriend, promptly stepped forward with a knife and delivered a precise strike, penetrating the snake's brain and ending its life. She then proceeded to absorb its spirit ring, and began to also absort her 4th spirit ring.

This time, the group was spared from any further unexpected attacks. Both Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang successfully absorbed their respective spirit rings. Ma Jun, always enthusiastic, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Meng Shu, Tianxiang, what are your spirit skills? Are they as impressive and powerful as mine?"

Meng Shu smiled and began to describe his newly acquired abilities. "My fourth spirit skill is known as 'Angry Dragon Onslaught,' and it consists of two parts. When applied to my Staff, it enhances the power of the next four strikes by 20%, 50%, 80%, and 125%, respectively. When used on my Living Dragon, its size increases by 100%, and its physical attributes receive a 100% boost."

Luo Tian and Dugu Xin nodded in approval. "Useful" they both agreed.

Next, Chao Tianxiang shared her spirit skill. "My spirit skill is called 'Snake Effect.' Those struck by my Serpent Cane experience a significant decrease in speed and strength. It disrupts both their blood flow and soul power, rendering them sluggish and vulnerable. This effect is virtually impossible to counter unless their strength utterly suppresses mine."