Chapter 215: Heading to the Star Dou Great Forest

215. Chapter 212: Heading to the Star Dou Great Forest

After hearing Li Xuan's words, Tao Lin was instantly stunned.

He knew about his own family; in the past the clan actually had information of this sort, but after the clan's decline he was sold into slavery, and these things had long been destroyed by their enemies.

He wasn't clear either! "Hmm… Young master, our family's Wine Vat martial soul generally absorbs plant‑type soul beasts with water‑earth attributes, which makes the wine purer and more fragrant. However, our soul skill is usually fixed, so the type of soul ring absorbed doesn't matter much," Tao Lin scratched his head and said to Li Xuan.

Tao Lin was also helpless, and could only speak vaguely to Li Xuan.

"Alright, then focus on water‑attribute soul beasts, and after entering the Star Dou Great Forest, hunt water‑attribute soul beasts to obtain soul rings," Li Xuan decided.

As for how to locate water‑attribute soul beasts, that must be left to Bang Chui; after all, Bang Chui has lived in the Soul Beast Forest for a hundred thousand years and is intimately familiar with any soul beast.

How to find soul beasts, how to avoid other soul beasts—Bang Chui knows all that well. "Bai Chuan, Tao Lin, each check your luggage; we set out in half an hour!" Li Xuan waved his hand and said, then left the reception hall on his own.

"Yes, young master!" the several people replied in unison, then began checking their own luggage.

……

Half an hour later, everyone had packed their luggage and stood at the City Lord's Mansion gate, awaiting Li Xuan's departure order.

At this moment, Li Xuan drove a carriage with Bang Chui to the City Lord's Mansion gate.

Bai Chuan took over Li Xuan's sole carriage; Li Xuan squeezed into the carriage and sat together with Bang Chui.

Tao Lin glanced at Li Xuan's carriage, then fetched his own nearby carriage, took three members of the Tao Family, and followed Li Xuan's carriage out of the City Lord's Mansion.

Tao Lin knew his own status, so he did nothing out of line and did not let his child board Li Xuan's carriage.

The two carriages, one ahead of the other, left the City Lord's Mansion and headed toward Ladi Canyon, which itself is a natural barrier between the Star Luo Empire and the Star Dou Great Forest. However, later, because of Xuan Tan's heavy water, the area became unusually barren, the forest degraded, and the soul beasts all left.

After this place became Li Xuan's territory, the Yellow Turban Warrior built a massive wall nearly fifty meters tall near the Star Dou Great Forest, to prevent the forest's soul beasts from entering Ladi Canyon and causing casualties.

Of course, during construction some small gates were left for passage, and this time Li Xuan intends to go through a small gate into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Soon the two carriages arrived at the foot of the Ladi Canyon wall.

"Young master, we've reached the exit; we need to get off the carriage. The road outside isn't drivable," Bai Chuan said quietly to Li Xuan after stopping the carriage.

"Hmm." Li Xuan replied, then got down from the carriage with Bang Chui.

Just after alighting, Li Xuan was shocked by the scenery before him.

"So tall!" Li Xuan looked up, astonished at the towering wall before him.

Since Ladi Canyon's construction, Li Xuan had never been here before, so the massive wall startled him.

"Brother, this was personally designed by Uncle Yellow Turban Warrior. It's said that soul masters below Title Douluo cannot break this wall, while those above Title Douluo can fly, so they didn't make the defense that high," Bang Chui explained to Li Xuan.

"Indeed." Li Xuan smiled and nodded.

The wall is meant to fend off ordinary soul beasts; it's basically useless against those far stronger.

However, while the wall's defensive strength isn't maxed, the Heaven-Shaking Cannon's emplacements are fully stocked—over three hundred cannon positions along a few‑kilometer wall! Such a sturdy wall paired with a Fifth Rank Heaven-Shaking Cannon would hold even Di Tian.

Then Bang Chui led Bai Chuan to a mechanism in a corner of the wall; after activating it, a massive iron door slowly opened.

"Brother! Let's go!" Bang Chui waved to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan glanced at Tao Lin and the Tao Family members, waved, then entered the tunnel heading toward the outside of Ladi Canyon.

The tunnel is at least a dozen meters long, indicating the wall's thickness.

After exiting the tunnel, a faint scent of fresh grass drifted into Li Xuan's nose; birdsong and floral fragrance filled the surroundings, relaxed and pleasant.

"The environment here is wonderful!" Li Xuan said with a delighted face, looking at the dense jungle before him.

"Brother, don't think so lightly; a moment's slip and even a hundred‑year soul beast could take our lives. This place isn't good at all," Bang Chui said irritably.

Li Xuan heard Bang Chui's words, but just smiled and shook his head.

"Bang Chui, look for the direction of nearby water sources," Li Xuan told Bang Chui.

"Got it, brother!" Bang Chui nodded, then twitched his nose, using scent to locate water.

Soon Bang Chui found the target!

"Brother, about ten kilometers east there's a small river; over there should be some hundred‑year water‑attribute soul beasts, perfect for the few of us," Bang Chui pointed the direction to Li Xuan.

"Alright, then we'll head that way!" Li Xuan placed unwavering trust in Bang Chui.

"Bai Chuan leads, I follow, you all just keep up with Bai Chuan," Li Xuan arranged immediately.

"Yes, young master!" the several people replied, then began moving toward the interior of the Star Dou Great Forest as Li Xuan instructed.

Watching the people ahead move, Li Xuan was just about to lift his leg and step forward.

"Xuan Ge'er, you're back in the Star Dou Great Forest again," Tian Meng Bing Can's petty voice suddenly echoed in Li Xuan's mind.

"Damn! Damn it! How could I have forgotten this guy!" Li Xuan slapped his forehead hard, muttering in annoyance.

Tian Meng Bing Can has his own Soul Mark; as soon as Li Xuan enters the Star Dou Great Forest's range, Tian Meng Bing Can can locate him instantly.

More importantly, he still didn't know how to sever this guy's link to him!

Bai Chuan looked back and saw Li Xuan still standing still.

"Young master, what's wrong?" Bai Chuan's gaze suddenly turned cold and vigilant as he looked around, quietly asking Li Xuan.

"It's nothing, just a small mishap. Let's head to the river first, we'll talk when we get there," Li Xuan said to Bai Chuan, ignoring Tian Meng Bing Can.

"Yes, young master!" Bai Chuan replied, then forged ahead. Li Xuan followed, and the party quickly walked toward the river.

Of course, Tian Meng Bing Can's mouth never stopped talking.

……

Half an hour later, the group arrived at the riverbank; Bai Chuan and Tao Lin began setting up tents, while Li Xuan went to the riverbank, found a relatively safe large tree, sat down under it, and slowly closed his eyes.

With a flicker of mind, Li Xuan entered Tian Meng Bing Can's Spiritual World.

"Tian Meng Ge! It's been half an hour since we entered the Star Dou Great Forest, and your mouth never stops. Aren't you tired?" Li Xuan said irritably to Tian Meng Bing Can.

This guy's mouth is too chatter‑filled; half an hour and not a single repeat.

"What's so tiring? You don't even know how long I've been cooped up here! Finally someone can chat with me! I'm so happy!" Tian Meng Bing Can, hearing Li Xuan's reply, cheerfully came to Li Xuan's side and said.

"You usually have nothing to pass the time, do you? Just stay like this?" Li Xuan scratched his head, asked Tian Meng Bing Can with a puzzled expression.

Tianmeng Bingcan is indeed a miserable fellow; after breaking through a million years he was imprisoned by several hundred‑thousand‑year soul beasts, which then absorbed his energy.

He wants to live but cannot, wants to die but cannot let death happen…

"No, nothing else but watching those guys absorb my power every day," Tianmeng Bingcan shrugged and laughed, saying to Li Xuan.

It seemed Tianmeng Bingcan had already adapted to such days; his expression was flat, and he didn't seem to mind the matter.

"When I later have the ability to take down Di Tian, I'll rescue you," Li Xuan sighed, then said to Tianmeng Bingcan.

"Ha ha, then I'll have to wait. But it's already good that you have that intention; Di Tian is just too powerful, I don't even want to resist. I think it would be nice if one day the soul could depart," Tianmeng Bingcan looked at Li Xuan and nodded approvingly.

"Hmm… alright, since you're so bored, I'll make you some books to read, just to pass the time!" Li Xuan suddenly thought of something and said to Tianmeng Bingcan.

Li Xuan has a strong memory; he still recalls most books he's read, so he can use split Soul Power to create book after book.

Of course, such "books" can only exist in the Spiritual World, since they are books formed from Soul Power.

"That works too; can you bring the books into the spiritual realm?" Tianmeng Bingcan suddenly frowned and said to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan said nothing; a thought flickered, and a mass of Soul Power was split off, then slowly decomposed into countless tiny white light specks.

Before Tianmeng Bingcan could understand, those specks turned into volumes of books, floating in Tianmeng Bingcan's spiritual realm.

"You're insane! This consumes your spiritual energy!" Tianmeng Bingcan's eyes widened, incredulously saying to Li Xuan.

After speaking, Tianmeng Bingcan immediately split off a portion of his own spiritual energy and injected it into Li Xuan's spiritual body.

"Why are you nervous? I absorbed two fellows' spiritual energy; my body stores so much spiritual energy that it can't convert all of it into my own soul, so cutting some off is no big deal," Li Xuan said irritably to Tianmeng Bingcan.

Although Tianmeng Bingcan is quite naggy, he's still rather righteous.

"Indeed, you entered my spiritual realm because your spiritual energy is strong enough," Tianmeng Bingcan said after hearing Li Xuan, suddenly enlightened.

Earlier Tianmeng Bingcan was so hurried that he gave his Soul Power to Li Xuan without thinking.

"There are a few hundred books here, enough for you to read for a while; I'll make more later," Li Xuan said with a smile, waving his hand.

"Thanks, thanks! By the way, why did you come to the Star Dou Great Forest this time?" Tianmeng Bingcan suddenly asked Li Xuan.

"One of my subordinates has broken through a soul power level; help my subordinate hunt soul beasts," Li Xuan said to Tianmeng Bingcan.

"What kind of soul beast do you need? I'll find it. My Spiritual Domain can cover the entire Star Dou Great Forest, and within my Spiritual Domain all soul beasts are under my surveillance," Tianmeng Bingcan showed a proud, haughty expression as he looked at Li Xuan.

"You have that ability too!" Li Xuan's eyes lit up upon hearing Tianmeng Bingcan.

"Of course, the whole Star Dou Great Forest is within my Spiritual Domain; otherwise how could I find you?" Tianmeng Bingcan said proudly to Li Xuan.

Seeing Tianmeng Bingcan's solemn promise, Li Xuan's eyes brightened; with Tianmeng Bingcan's assistance, hunting soul beasts himself would be much easier.

"Hmm… do you have any soul rings related to wine?" Li Xuan thought for a moment and said to Tianmeng Bingcan.

"Wine? Fine, wait a moment, I'll look for it!" Tianmeng Bingcan nodded, then closed his eyes and truly began searching for Li Xuan.

Li Xuan stared dumbfounded at Tianmeng Bingcan's actions.

I have to admit, great Spiritual Power really lets one act recklessly! After only a few minutes, Tianmeng Bingcan opened his eyes.

"Xuan Ge'er, I've already found a few for you; take a look!" Tianmeng Bingcan said to Li Xuan with a delighted face.

Then, Tianmeng Bingcan grabbed Li Xuan's arm.

The moment Tianmeng Bingcan touched Li Xuan, the scenery before Li Xuan changed; the pure white space instantly became the Star Dou Great Forest.

Moreover, the surrounding smells, scenery, and light were indistinguishable from a real forest, as if truly standing inside the Soul Beast Forest.

"That thing is called the Drunken Python; it naturally possesses a toxin that makes people drowsy, perfect for the wine‑related soul master you mentioned," Tianmeng Bingcan pointed at a pale‑green, three‑meter‑long python on the tree and introduced it to Li Xuan.

"I'm going!" Li Xuan, hearing Tianmeng Bingcan's words, finally noticed the snake on the tree and instinctively used flame.

"Xuan Ge'er, no need to be nervous, this is just a spiritual illusion; what you see is also something I simulated with spiritual energy, not real." Tianmeng Bingcan hurriedly grabbed Li Xuan, adding that the Burning Heart Divine Flame can indeed harm the spiritual realm! "I see…" Li Xuan finally exhaled in relief.

But Tianmeng Bingcan's trick was truly impressive; the simulated thing was almost indistinguishable from the real one.

After calming down, Li Xuan looked at the python and gave a brief analysis.

The Drunken Python is indeed well suited for a wine‑type martial soul; it can grant a soul master a paralysis‑and‑sleep soul skill, but the Tao Family's members have the Wine Vat as their martial soul! They are merely lifestyle soul masters and can't make use of such a fine soul ring.

(End of chapter)