The road to Thunder Canyon was long—at least a month's journey.
During these days, Xiao Lin and the others cultivated tirelessly on the carriage, only stopping in cities to find a hotel to sleep in and to change for a new carriage.
Now, they were about to board the final carriage bound for Dragon City.
This carriage belonged to a merchant caravan, and the reason Xiao Lin's group was allowed to ride along was partly because they had agreed to help protect it.
Otherwise, the caravan's leader would never have let them aboard—they would rather hire a few soul masters as guards.
For the remaining half month of the trip, they would stay on the carriage until they crossed the Northwind Plains and reached Dragon City.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Wu curiously lifted the curtain and peered outside.
The next moment, the beautiful scenery of the Northwind Plains spread before her eyes, making her bright gaze shimmer with wonder.
"Wow! Third Brother, this place is so beautiful!"
Hearing Xiao Wu's excited cry, Tang San also turned his head curiously to look outside.
Beyond the ancient road worn smooth by countless wagons stretched a boundless sea of grass.
From time to time, fierce northern winds swept across the endless plain.
Here, aside from the grass, the true protagonist was the wind itself.
"Indeed… but it wouldn't be surprising if there were soul beasts around here," Tang San said calmly, even as he admired the beauty.
"The Northwind Plains often gather winds from every direction," Xiao Lin explained from within the carriage. "Winds from the Extreme North, from Thunder Canyon, even from the Wilder Plateau. That's why this region has the second-largest population of wind-type soul beasts—only surpassed by the Great Western Desert."
If they had needed wind-type soul beasts, Xiao Lin would have gladly given them a lecture about the local species.
"Don't let this wide-open plain fool you into lowering your guard," he continued. "There are still plenty of soul beasts here. The most dangerous aren't the lone carnivores—but the herds of herbivorous beasts."
He then explained the terrifying destructive power of these herd beasts.
When startled, they would stampede in one direction, fearless of death. The sheer impact could crush even a typical Soul King.
That was simply because humans had too many weaknesses compared to soul beasts—sometimes a small injury could be fatal.
Even a thousand-year soul beast's charge carried devastating force.
Xiao Lin wasn't warning them without reason. His real point was:
If they encountered an unbeatable soul beast horde, they should abandon the caravan and travel on foot to Dragon City instead.
It wasn't that Xiao Lin was cold-blooded—it was simply that he valued his own life more than others'.
In this world, anyone who brought up a "trolley problem" would just be laughed at.
Here, people always saved the noble soul masters first… or the promising children.
Fortunately, Tang San, being from the Tang Sect, fully agreed with Xiao Lin's reasoning. Xiao Wu and Tang Ni, both soul beasts in human form, shared the same mindset.
They all aspired to become gods one day. Having grand ideals for upgrading the Douluo Continent didn't mean they'd sacrifice themselves for others.
"Brother Lin, something's not right," Tang San suddenly frowned, staring at the soul-gathering device on the carriage roof.
"What is it?"
"Didn't you sense it? The wind outside is from the Extreme North—but the spirit energy in the gathering formation is suddenly much denser."
Tang San was highly sensitive to spirit energy because his Blue Silver Emperor was a plant-type spirit, and his third soul skill came from the Soul-Gathering Pumpkin, allowing him to absorb life force and energy directly.
His senses couldn't be wrong.
"Brother Lin, does that mean the Extreme North has more abundant spirit energy than the Wilder Plateau?"
"Yes," Xiao Lin nodded. "And the soul beasts there are second only to those in the Star Dou Great Forest. There might be incredible treasures hidden there."
"Generally, the larger a region, the stronger the soul beasts that are born there. And where strong beasts dwell, the spirit energy is always rich."
"The same goes for treasures."
"Honestly, I've even considered using a soul-gathering array to locate hidden treasures," Xiao Lin admitted with a smirk.
He still remembered how he hadn't managed to find that treasure during his last trip to the Extreme North. One day, he'd go back and finish that business.
Hearing his unorthodox idea, Tang San looked at him with open admiration.
Brother Lin always managed to find strange, ingenious ways to use things.
Just then, Xiao Wu blinked and joined in the conversation.
"So Brother Lin, are you saying that the strongest soul beasts are actually sea soul beasts?"
"Of course. The ocean likely harbors soul beasts over a million years old. If we could ever get a million-year soul ring, becoming gods would be inevitable."
Xiao Lin nodded firmly, sharing some of the information he knew.
The other three gasped almost simultaneously at the mention of "million-year soul beasts."
"A million-year soul beast? Even that can't ascend to godhood?" Tang Ni asked curiously. She was secretly grateful to have taken human form—otherwise, how could a soul beast ever become a god?
Although it was said that soul beasts couldn't become gods, if even a million-year one wasn't allowed, wasn't that far too unfair?
"Not sure," Xiao Lin replied. "Maybe soul beasts have to face a million-year heavenly tribulation to ascend—but I don't think any could survive that."
Though he said "not sure," his tone already revealed that he believed it impossible.
"For us, a million-year soul beast is far too distant," Tang San said. "Only Brother Lin could possibly defeat one and absorb its ring."
He didn't realize what Xiao Wu and Tang Ni were thinking; to him, such a creature was still far beyond reach.
He figured beasts around two or three hundred thousand years old would suit him better—and maybe his second martial soul could handle one above three hundred thousand.
"You're thinking too highly of me," Xiao Lin said humbly, though inwardly he thought maybe if both Dragon Kings helped, it could be done.
"Still, this soul-gathering array can also be used to find powerful soul beasts. The denser the spirit energy, the stronger the beast nearby."
Once again, Tang San was amazed by Xiao Lin's intellect.
As expected of Brother Lin… he thought with admiration.
Just then, the spirit energy inside the carriage surged again—this time far denser than before.
The wind outside had changed—it was now blowing from the direction of Thunder Canyon.
Feeling the wave of spiritual power, nearly twice as strong as that from the Extreme North, Xiao Lin and Tang San exchanged a knowing glance.
Thunder Canyon was no ordinary place!
It was normal for the Extreme North, home to three mighty kings, to have strong spirit winds—but for Thunder Canyon to surpass it? That was unbelievable.
Even if it was closer, the difference shouldn't be this great.
"Thunder Canyon… there really is a divine inheritance there!"
Almost in unison, Xiao Lin and Tang San exclaimed.