Stepping out of the Lake of Life, Lin Chen's face instantly returned to a calm, undisturbed state, as if all the arguments, evolutions, and instructions from just moments ago had never happened.
His steps were steady and unhurried, and his blue-silver domain quietly spread out around him, completely concealing his aura, soul power fluctuations, and even the faint trace of the Thunder God's bloodline power beneath the life force of the forest.
But only Lin Chen himself knew that his heart was already in a state of panic.
He was not afraid of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger that had returned, nor was he afraid of the three brothers, the Thousand-Pound Ant King, who were eyeing him covetously. Although those ferocious beasts were powerful, they were not so powerful that he was powerless to fight back.
What truly sent chills down his spine and made him feel like he was walking on thin ice were the two terrifying beings lurking in the deepest part of the Lake of Life—the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena and her subordinate, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian.
Previously, in order to deal with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and the three brothers, the Thousand-Pound Ant King, Lin Chen used the divine ring and bloodline power inherited from the Thunder God. Although the fluctuation of that deity was weak, it was impossible for it to escape Gu Yuena's perception.
Even if the severely injured and sleeping remnant of the dragon god cannot take action himself, he will surely send his most trusted and powerful subordinates to monitor him.
And that subordinate is most likely the Beast God Di Tian.
The thought that the being standing at the top of the Star Dou Great Forest's combat power, a half-step God King level being, might be hiding in the shadows, watching his every move with those cold, golden vertical pupils, made Lin Chen dare not even breathe too heavily.
He didn't even dare to detour back to the cave where he had previously hidden to retrieve the spatial storage ring containing a treasure that could shock the entire continent—any unnecessary stop could expose his weakness and lead to his death.
And so, Lin Chen maintained his outward composure, keeping his mind on edge the whole way. Relying on the ultimate concealment of his Blue Silver Domain, he forced his way through the perilous middle-level area until he stepped out of the Star Dou Great Forest and into the territory of a human-inhabited town. Only then did the ever-present sense of oppression begin to fade.
The moment Lin Chen's figure completely disappeared at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, a jet-black dragon aura slowly receded from the depths of the dense forest.
The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, emerged from the shadows. His long black robe trailed to the ground, and the black dragon aura swirling around him seemed almost alive. His golden vertical pupils swept indifferently across the direction of the human world without a trace of lingering affection. With a flicker, he transformed into an invisible black ray, piercing straight through layers of lake water and returning to the Jade Dragon Palace of the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena.
The hall was as still as water. Gu Yuena lay on her side on the cold jade bed, her silver-purple eyes half-open and half-closed, her aura gentle yet overwhelming.
"My lord, the successor of the Thunder God has safely left the Star Dou Great Forest." Di Tian knelt on one knee, his voice low and respectful. "His purpose in coming here was to protect Xiao Wu, who had transformed from a 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit, and to stop Haotian Douluo Tang Hao's scheme. He was also searching for a treasure to conceal Xiao Wu's soul beast aura. He has now left."
Gu Yuena was slightly taken aback, a clear look of surprise flashing across her silver-purple eyes.
For the first time, her heart, which had been silent for millennia, stirred slightly.
"I never imagined... that there would be humans in this world who would take the initiative to protect soul beasts."
She murmured softly, her tone devoid of wariness or murderous intent, only a faint hint of surprise. After a moment, she gently waved her hand, her voice returning to its initial calm: "That's enough, this matter has nothing to do with us. Next time he comes, there's no need to monitor him or stop him; let him go."
Di Tian was slightly taken aback, then bowed and said, "Yes, sir."
"Now that you have ascertained his purpose, you may leave." Gu Yuena closed her eyes to rest, and calmly instructed, "Continue to absorb the power of that ice silkworm to increase your strength."
"yes."
Di Tian accepted the order, rose, and with a surge of black dragon energy, turned and left the Dragon Palace.
The hall fell silent once more. Gu Yuena slowly opened her eyes and looked towards the human world on the lake. Her silver-purple eyes darted about, as if she were pondering or playing with something.
The human who helped the soul beast... or the inheritor of the Thunder God.
interesting.
As she whispered, her long eyelashes drooped, and she fell into a deep sleep once more, her aura fading into nothingness.
Meanwhile, in the deep abyss space beneath the Star Dou Great Forest.
This is a forbidden land for ferocious beasts, and also a source of power. The sky is dark purple, and the earth is covered with reddish-gold magma patterns. In the center, a huge ice-blue cocoon of light floats. Inside the cocoon, there is a huge silkworm that is snow-white, round, and exudes an aura of extreme cold—the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm.
Its life essence was continuously dissipating, transforming into cool and vast spiritual energy and ice-elemental energy, which was being devoured by the terrifying figures lurking all around.
The moment Di Tian descended upon this place, all the ferocious beasts simultaneously concealed their auras and bowed their heads respectfully.
The first to bear the brunt was the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. It stood three zhang tall, its entire body covered in dark gold metallic fur. Its right claw was even larger than its body, its claw blade gleaming with a cold light that could tear through space. A violent, savage aura swept over you as it devoured the chilling air emanating from the Ice Silkworm.
Beside it, the Hell Dragon King spread its wings, covered in jet-black bone armor, its head as ferocious as a demon, its dark red dragon breath intertwined with icy energy, each breath causing the space to distort slightly.
On the other side, the jade swan spreads its jade-like, crystal-clear wings, its feathers shimmering with iridescent light, exuding a noble and healing aura. It is gracefully absorbing the spiritual power of the ice silkworm, its body surrounded by a warm and gentle radiance of life.
On the ground, the three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff raised its three heads together, its crimson fur burning like flames, its six eyes revealing a fierce light, each head frantically devouring energy, and its violent aura soaring into the sky.
Further away, the Demon King's body coiled like a giant mountain, its entire body covered in a colorful, highly poisonous carapace. Countless tentacles danced in the air, each one greedily absorbing the Ice Silkworm's essence. The collision of the poison and the extreme cold created an eerie mist.
In the very center of all the ferocious beasts, closest to the ice cocoon, lay a small golden beast, about the size of a palm.
Its entire body is covered in golden fur like the rising sun, its eyes are bright and clear, and there is a faint royal mark on its forehead. It is the master of the destiny of the entire Star Dou Great Forest - the Emperor Auspicious Beast - Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
It didn't need to deliberately devour anything; it just lay there, and the purest primordial energy of the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm automatically flowed into its body, causing its body to radiate golden light, and the fortune of the entire abyss space to flow accordingly.
Di Tian stood in the void, his entire body enveloped in black dragon energy, his golden vertical pupils indifferently surveying this feast belonging to ferocious beasts.
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm trembled in despair, but it didn't even have the strength to struggle.
As night deepened, Lin Chen found an inconspicuous inn in the small town and simply asked for a room to stay in.
Without making any unnecessary movements, Lin Chen sat cross-legged, calming the restless soul power within his body while silently planning his next route.
Inside the guest rooms of the town's inn, wooden tables were illuminated by flickering candlelight.
Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, his brows furrowed, his fingertips lightly tapping the table as he rapidly rehearsed his next plan.
"If you want to conceal the aura of a soul beast, there is no other choice but the Acacia Heartbreak Red."
Lin Chen was resolute.
In the original story, it was this immortal herb from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire that allowed Xiao Wu to perfectly conceal her identity as a transformed soul beast, even managing to deceive a Title Douluo. He must obtain it; it is the most crucial step in protecting Xiao Wu.
But the problem is...
How do I take it?
The location of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye is clearly marked on the map provided by the system. It is located deep in the Sunset Forest and belongs to the territory of Poison Douluo - Dugu Bo.
That was a highly poisonous domain that even titled Douluo had to be wary of, and it was also Dugu Bo's absolute forbidden zone!
"If I were to force my way in," Lin Chen rubbed his temples, pondering to himself, "with my current strength, I might be able to hold my own against Poison Douluo, and even break the deadlock with the power of the Thunder God. But that would definitely alarm the entire Spirit Hall and attract unnecessary pursuit. Besides… I don't want to be branded as a 'womanizer,' after all, Poison Douluo didn't provoke me."
He didn't want to make enemies unnecessarily, nor did he want to cause any unnecessary trouble on his journey to find the immortal herb.
Outsmarting the opponent is the best solution.
But how can we outsmart them?
Lin Chen fell into deep thought.
Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a hollow sensation on his wrist, where it had previously been empty. He instinctively reached into his pocket and pulled out a few loose gold coins, only then realizing a serious problem—
I'm out of money.
Yes, we're out of money.
All his gold, silver, treasures, and valuables were locked in that spatial storage ring he had left behind in a cave in the Star Dou Great Forest. And he dared not go back to retrieve that ring!
"Misfortunes never come singly..."
Lin Chen sighed deeply, looking at the few gold soul coins in his hand with a helpless expression.
People need money to survive. In the world of Soul Masters, what kind of information, clues, or even inquiries about the defensive deployment of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well doesn't require money?
Now things are really messed up; the plan has just begun, and we're almost out of money.
"The most urgent task is not only to seize the immortal herb, but also to make some money." Lin Chen smiled bitterly, looking at the myriad lights of the town outside the window, and fell into a new predicament.
Inside the inn's guest room, candlelight flickered, casting a hazy glow. Lin Chen's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a thought became increasingly clear in his mind.
"Let's use the old method and participate in the Soul Fighting Competition."
His eyes lit up.
With the fusion of Thor's power and Thor's hammer, he has long surpassed other Soul Masters of the same level. On the open and legal arena of Soul Fighting, he can quickly earn a huge sum of money to solve his immediate problems, and also gain access to the core circle of Soto City—it's the best choice to kill two birds with one stone.
This plan happens to perfectly align with another objective of his trip.
Lin Chen's thoughts instantly drifted to that familiar name from the original work—Dugu Yan.
She is the granddaughter of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and also Tang San's classmate at Shrek Academy. In the original novel, after Tang San obtained his third spirit ring, he led his team to Soto City to engage in a fierce battle with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. Dugu Yan was one of the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team in that battle.
"I can go to Soto City ahead of time and take advantage of the Soul Battle Tournament to make contact with Poison Douluo Dugu Bo through Dugu Yan." A glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes as he quickly outlined his plan. "Firstly, through my interactions with Dugu Yan, I might be able to discreetly discover the true nature of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, paving the way for obtaining the Acacia Heartbreak Red; secondly, the prize money in the Soul Battle Arena is substantial, which can solve my immediate financial crisis. This step is a sure win."
Having made up his mind, Lin Chen no longer hesitated.
Instead of sleeping as usual, he sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the Northern Darkness Divine Art, using cultivation instead of rest. Purple-gold lightning slowly flowed around his body, absorbing all the weak spiritual energy in the inn and repairing the soul power he had consumed during his journey.
Nothing was said that night.
As the first rays of dawn broke through the window of the inn, illuminating Lin Chen's sharply defined blue hair, he slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.
"Let's go, Soto."
After quickly packing his belongings, Lin Chen, carrying only a few gold soul coins but harboring grand plans, pushed open the door of his inn room and, facing the rising sun, embarked on his journey to Soto City.
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