Chapter 54: Golden Iron Forest

Tie Li naturally knows Yu Shu, whom Mu Xin mentions, a Five Ring Soul King who works with Mu Xin in the Blacksmith Association.

"You go back and tidy up; we set out tomorrow."

"Alright."

With a Five Ring Soul King present, this millennium-level Third Soul Ring is by no means a problem.

As for choosing the Third Soul Ring, it depends on the circumstances.

For Tie Li, the higher‑tier Soul Beasts he can hunt, the better, but there aren't that many top‑tier Soul Beasts you happen to encounter that also match the millennium you need to absorb.

When he meets a decent one or one that fits his attribute needs, Tie Li will consider absorbing it.

Before departing the next day, Tie Li specially put on the Iron Inner Armor that his father had forged for him; after his own forging skill improved, Tie Li personally reinforced it, mainly boosting the armor's toughness and defensive effect.

Mu Xin's assessment is that it can easily fend off a Three Ring Soul Honorable's assault; whether it can stop a Four Ring Soul Ancestor depends on the opponent.

In addition, Tie Li forged a right‑arm gauntlet for himself, embedding a Thunder Stone he had bought on the underground market.

Forged with Thunder‑Attribute metal, it provides decent defense while amplifying the lightning released from his right arm by about three percent.

After all, among the forging materials only the Thunder Stone is a bit higher‑grade, and Tie Li has not yet mastered the Hundred‑Forge technique, so further tempering is impossible.

Unlike the blacksmith system twenty‑thousand years later, in this era anyone who has mastered the Hundred‑Forge skill is already a master‑level blacksmith.

As for the more advanced Spirit Forge, it has not yet appeared in this period.

Wearing the inner armor and gauntlet, the close‑fit feel of metal always puts you at ease.

Put on an outer garment, and the inner armor is concealed.

Seeing the ready‑to‑go Tie Li before him, Mu Xin nodded, led him out, and left the blacksmith shop to Mu Qianqian.

Tie Li can spot Yu Shu in a crowd at a glance; although Yu Shu is only in his early forties, he gives the impression of a dead‑weight old man, yet his upright posture stands like a straight pine, and his unique contrast makes him hard to ignore.

"Old Yu, over here," Mu Xin shouted loudly toward Yu Can.

"Yu Shu, hello," Tie Li quickly greeted.

Yu Can nodded, acknowledging the two.

Mu Xin, unconcerned, draped an arm over Yu Can's shoulder and chatted intermittently; Yu Can, accustomed to it, occasionally replied with a sentence or two.

Tie Li, long accustomed to their dynamic, silently followed behind them.

When the three were about to reach the Golden Iron Forest, Yu Can finally turned his head toward Tie Li.

"Da Li, keep close behind; although the Golden Iron Forest can't compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, it's still very dangerous for a Two Ring Great Soul Master like you."

"Understood, Yu Shu."

After the three entered the Golden Iron Forest, Mu Xin also became cautious.

The outer ring of the Golden Iron Forest is mostly populated by ten‑year and hundred‑year Soul Beasts; only by entering the inner ring can one encounter millennium Soul Beasts.

The three gradually penetrated deeper, and the metallic scent in the air grew noticeably stronger.

"Roar"

A howl caught their attention; a golden silhouette darted across their view.

"It's a Hundred-Year Golden Pattern Leopard," Yu Can immediately noted.

Three yellows and two purples, five Soul Rings manifested beneath Yu Can, and the aura of a Soul King instantly subdued the Golden Pattern Leopard.

A cruel gaze revealed a hint of dread; facing an unbeatable foe, it retreated without hesitation.

In the following period, several hundred‑year Soul Beasts and a millennium Soul Beast appeared, but Yu Can scared them away.

That millennium Soul Beast was a Ghost Cat, unsuitable as a Soul Ring for Tie Li.

All day long, none suitable for Tie Li were found.

"Don't rush; stay a few more days, and you'll eventually find a suitable one," Mu Xin comforted.

The three temporarily left the inner ring, found a spot in the outer ring to rest, and took dry food and water from their storage rings.

Yu Can and Mu Xin planned to take turns on watch; Tie Li also wanted to share the duty, but Mu Xin rejected him for his lack of experience.

At night, ten‑year Soul Beasts would occasionally harass them, so Mu Xin prepared a bow and arrow.

With their combined arm strength, they could easily shoot down a ten‑year Soul Beast.

One can't just flash a Soul Ring at every Soul Beast for intimidation.

The next day, Tie Li saw the corpse of a shot ten‑year Soul Beast and chose one for breakfast.

As the best‑rested person from last night, the task naturally fell to Tie Li.

After settling his stomach, he continued searching for a suitable Soul Beast.

Perhaps due to bad luck, three consecutive days passed without finding a suitable Soul Beast.

"Better go deeper," Yu Can suggested.

"Let's try another day; if nothing suitable shows up, we'll go deeper," Mu Xin said.

"Fine."

As the three advanced, faint cries for help and Soul Beast roars could be heard.

A succession of figures appeared in their sight, with several Soul Beasts chasing them from behind.

"It's Thousand‑Jin Ants; if there's a thousand‑year‑cultivated Thousand‑Jin Ant, Da Li's Soul Ring would have a match…" Yu Can narrowed his eyes, seemingly assessing the ants' cultivation.

Upon hearing "Thousand‑Jin Ant," a flash of light flickered in Tie Li's eyes.

Thousand‑Jin Ants can provide exceptionally strong power and defense, fitting Tie Li's needs.

But Thousand‑Jin Ants are social; if there's one thousand‑year‑old ant, it implies a second and third thousand‑year‑old as well.

Soul Masters chased by the ants are of average strength, evident from the Soul Rings they wear.

The strongest among them is only a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

For a Three Ring Soul Honorable to lead a team into the Golden Iron Forest's inner ring, is that ignorance or fearlessness?

"Help... help me, I am the steward of Viscount Feinuo."

Three Ring Soul Honorable saw Yu Can and the others unmoved, immediately revealed his identity, and wanted to seek help.

Viscount Fei Nuo is a noble of Geng Xin Cheng, but because of Geng Xin Cheng's special status, nobles in Geng Xin Cheng do not receive special treatment.

As for Viscount Fei Nuo's reputation in Geng Xin Cheng...... to be precise, the reputation of nobles in Geng Xin Cheng is all bad.

During the escape, another two Soul Masters were caught up by thousand-jin ants, which opened their ferocious huge mouths and bit off directly from the abdomen.

"Can't you hear me? I am Viscount Fei Nuo..."

Yu Can and the others' indifference made him angry with embarrassment, but when he saw Yu Can aim the bow and arrow in his hand at him, he had already been frightened silly, and dared not have the slightest dissatisfaction.

"Wait, I..."

"Whoosh"

The sound of tearing through the air, the arrowhead pointed directly at his brow.

The Soul Ring on his body lit up, using a soul skill to block the arrow, but it would delay the escape time.

(End of chapter)