11 Chapter 11

Star Dou Forest is one of the Douluo Continent's most famous great spirit beast habitats. It's located southeast of Balak Kingdom, with Suotou City lying less than five hundred kilometers near it.

Its area is huge, practically equal to Balak Kingdom's territory, spanning the border of Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, within it, two fifth's of the area is in Heaven Dou Empire while the other three fifths are in Star Luo Empire. It's an immense primeval forest, the forest's interior terrain is complicated, with wetlands, swamps and so on. The Spirit City where the spirit hall is located is in between these two empires so they are more closer to the star dou forest.

The spirit beasts there are known for their viciousness and killing intent. They are extremely terrifying and strong. As long as a spirit master has the right power and a bit of good luck, they can find the most suitable Spirit Ring for themselves. The closer to the center of the forest, the more powerful the spirit beasts. Stories even say that inside are even hundred thousand year spirit beasts.

Cai Wen, Hu Liena, and Ghost Douluo cautiously stepped into the Star Dou Forest. They knew they were in the outer area where most of the spirit beasts were between 10 and 9,999 years old. However, if they were unlucky, they might even encounter a formidable 10,000-year-old spirit beast.

"Listen carefully, you two. Although I can handle most of the spirit beasts here and in the inner area, there are some creatures that are sneaky or venomous, which I might miss, and they could harm either of you. So be vigilant and always pay attention to your surroundings," Ghost Douluo instructed with a solemn tone.

"Yes, Elder Ghost," the two of them replied in unison, their voices with respect.

Their group proceeded cautiously, for even with Ghost Douluo, a certified 95-rank spirit master, he wouldn't solve all their problems. Bibi Dong believed this was a valuable opportunity for them to develop their danger and combat senses.

As they continued, they encountered groups of 100 and 10-year-old spirit beasts, which Hu Liena easily subdued by charming them, causing them to fight each other until they were too weak to move.

They pressed on, overcoming more spirit beasts swiftly defeated by Hu Liena. Cai Wen didn't assist, not because he didn't want to, but because Hu Liena insisted on showing him how to fight and handle various situations while traversing the forest.

"So, remember to do this when…" She shared her knowledge as they walked. Cai Wen wasn't surprised by her expertise, as she was close to ten years old and had been taught by Bibi Dong and at the Spirit Hall Academy.

What did surprise Cai Wen and Hu Liena was Ghost Douluo's sudden decision to impart his wisdom.

"…so with this, you can evade stronger spirit beasts and tread more safely. Understood?" Ghost Douluo asked in his usual serious manner.

"Yes," both of them replied respectfully.

Ghost Douluo began to fill the gaps in Hu Liena's teachings, eventually deciding to provide complete instruction. The two young disciples were initially taken aback, but they listened to his words attentively. Despite Ghost Douluo's fearsome appearance and willingness to ruthlessly take lives for the benefit of Spirit Hall, he was fiercely loyal to the organization and more than willing to teach its future pillars.

They continued exploring the forest, searching for suitable spirit beasts to challenge.

Suddenly, they heard rustling from a nearby bush. Cai Wen and Hu Liena instantly became alert. The disturbance moved from one bush to another before suddenly a blue blur leaped toward them.

Hu Liena was caught off guard and thought to pull Cai Wen away, but he had already sprung into action. He grabbed her hand and leaped to safety, pulling her with him.

Cai Wen had detected the spirit beast with his senses and saw it clearly with his Six Eyes very earlier. Although not fully developed, they provided him with a clear vision of their surroundings, up to a hundred meters away with a super clarity.

The moment the spirit beast moved, Cai Wen's swift reaction enabled them to evade the creature cleanly.

Hu Liena looked surprised before regaining her composure and examining their attacker.

Once they had safely distanced themselves, they saw a blue tiger with a single horn on its forehead.

After they managed to create some distance, they saw that their attacker was a tiger with a single horn on its forehead and blue-colored skin.

"It's a 300-year-old Blue Horn Tiger. It is known for its incredible speed and ability to freeze anything it passes through," Hu Liena explained what she knew about the spirit beast.

"Let me deal with it, junior brother," Hu Liena said as she prepared to summon her martial spirit. However, she was suddenly interrupted.

"Wait, big sister Hu Liena. Let me fight it," Cai Wen interjected, stopping her from summoning her martial spirit.

"Eh, but that's a 300-year-old spirit beast. It's powerful, and you don't have a spirit ring ability to use yet. Moreover, isn't your martial spirit a pair of gloves? You'll need to get close to it before even landing a hit, and it has the ability to freeze anything it passes," Hu Liena expressed her concern for his well-being.

"Please let me fight it. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. If I'm in danger, Elder Ghost can save me. I just can't stand waiting on the sidelines any longer," Cai Wen asserted with determination, fully aware of the foolishness of his decision since he hadn't learned how to fight.

It wasn't that he didn't want to learn, but rather, there was no one to teach him. There were some spirit masters in the orphanage, but they didn't like fighting and knew almost nothing about proper combat techniques. They could only use their spirit ring abilities, and that was it.

Part of Cai Wen's motivation to fight stemmed from his inability to watch a girl, very younger than him in his previous life, battle while he just stood there watching because of his inexperience.

Ghost Douluo remained silent on the sidelines. As a Titled Douluo, he had noticed the Blue Horn Tiger much earlier and wanted Cai Wen and Hu Liena to gain experience in dealing with surprise attacks.

He had expected Hu Liena to notice the tiger first and protect Cai Wen, but to his surprise, it was the other way around. Cai Wen had detected the tiger even earlier than anticipated and had immediately reacted to its attack, pulling Hu Liena to safety.

This incident raised Ghost Douluo's opinion of the Pope's new disciple.

"Let him go, Hu Liena. I will protect him when he is in danger," Ghost Douluo said, his voice filled with reassurance.

Hu Liena, who had been hesitating to let Cai Wen fight, felt her worries dissipate. After all, why would she worry with a Titled Douluo by their side?

"Alright, but please be careful, okay?" Hu Liena's voice was laced with concern as she spoke to Cai Wen before stepping back.

"Don't worry, if I'm in danger, I'll just shout 'Big Sister Hu Liena, save me!'" Cai Wen joked, eliciting a gentle chuckle from her.

Cai Wen then focused his attention on the Blue Horn Tiger, which was slowly circling him, observing his every move. The creature was not intelligent—merely a beast guided by instinct. Thankfully, Ghost Douluo had restrained his aura since entering the forest to avoid scaring away the spirit beasts.

Cai Wen summoned his martial spirit, and as light enveloped his hands, a pair of dragon-marked gloves materialized. He then looked at the Blue horn tiger with nervousness and fear since this is his first fight both in previous and current life.

He looks at the Tiger and took a deep breath. Cai Wen then runs his cultivation technique, Resonance Heart Technique. It immediately took effect as he suddenly felt calm, every worry and anxiety disappears.

'Ha, so this is what it means to be in control of my emotions'

He looks calmly at the Blue Horn, he relaxed his hands at his sides letting his body be full of openings.

This action caused the two observers to raise their eyebrows, but they remained silent.

The Blue Horn Tiger, that was still circling Cai Wen, noticed his movements and perceived an opening.

"ROARR!"

It immediately pounced, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

Cai Wen remained motionless, calmly observing the rapidly approaching tiger. When the beast was just three meters away, it leaped into the air, its razor-sharp claws poised to strike.

"Roaarrr!"

Cai Wen, unfazed by the tiger's proximity. He just watch it calmly getting closer midair.

'So slow'

He effortlessly sidestepped, allowing the tiger to pass just inches from him. Seizing the opportunity, Cai Wen struck.

Chains materialized from his gloves and shot forward. Six chains rushed towards the tiger, binding its front and back legs. Robbed of its freedom, the Blue Horn Tiger crashed to the ground.

"Roarr!" The beast struggled to free itself, but the chains held firm, their strength unyielding to let it go.

As the tiger continued to struggle, Cai Wen acted quickly. Two chains shot from his fingertips, the sharp pointed blade on its ends pierce the beast's eyes and brain, killing it instantly.

As the tiger's spirit ring materialized, Cai Wen released the creature's lifeless body and turned to face his awestruck companions.

"How did I do?" Cai Wen asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.