Three days later, early in the morning.
Xiao Lin's group arrived at Thunder Valley as a team.
Before they even got close to the entrance of Thunder Valley, they could already hear thunderous booms like the roar of the heavens.
The endless rumbling of lightning made Xiao Wu feel extremely frightened.
And to think she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, and already at the level of a Soul King.
Yes—just last night, Xiao Wu's soul power had already reached level 50, slightly faster than Xiao Lin's breakthrough.
However, Xiao Wu had not yet condensed her soul ring.
After all, this was unfamiliar territory, and she didn't dare to randomly condense a soul ring right away.
In truth, Xiao Wu not condensing a soul ring was exactly what Xiao Lin wanted.
Mainly because Xiao Lin wanted to see how Xiao Wu would condense a soul ring.
To see if the patterns of the soul ring could be copied.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck just outside Thunder Valley.
A massive blue lightning bolt, carrying an awe-inspiring heavenly might, instantly shattered the giant rocks at the entrance of Thunder Valley into countless fragments.
Xiao Wu was so scared she immediately clung to Tang San's arm.
Tang San and Xiao Lin exchanged helpless glances, silently heightening their alertness.
This place was even more dangerous than they had imagined.
Once they proceeded further, they wouldn't be as lucky as to only get scared.
According to what a local uncle had said last time, if someone tried to absorb a soul ring inside, there was a chance lightning could directly strike them.
Xiao Lin tensed up and began observing the sky.
But internally, he still mocked Xiao Wu's behavior.
She has so many life-saving skills, yet she's still so timid.
"Let's go."
A moment later, once Xiao Wu calmed down, Xiao Lin gave the command to move forward.
At the entrance of Thunder Valley, Xiao Lin discovered two guards stationed there.
Judging from their outfits, he immediately recognized them as members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, possibly even direct descendants.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Before Xiao Lin's group could even approach, one tall and lean yet muscular man blocked them and questioned them.
"We are here to obtain soul rings."
Xiao Lin did not mention they were here for their fifth soul rings, as they still looked too young.
When he spoke, the other guard—gentle-looking and refined—also stepped over to them.
"If you want to obtain soul rings, go somewhere else. This is not a place you should enter."
His tone was not condescending; rather, he genuinely seemed worried about their safety.
Xiao Lin quickly understood—they likely assumed they were here for their third soul rings.
Normally, a third soul ring could be easily obtained from a regular soul beast forest.
"Big brothers, we're here for our fourth soul rings," Xiao Lin said, simultaneously releasing his second soul ring.
A purple soul ring appeared, and the two guards instantly understood—they were geniuses.
However, the refined guard still shook his head with a smile.
"Sorry. Even if you're here for your fourth soul rings, you still cannot go in."
As soon as he said that, Xiao Wu got anxious and burst out angrily:
"Why?! Does your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan want to monopolize this place?!"
"No, no—we're just worried for your safety.
"The lightning here is extremely temperamental, as you've seen.
"Even outside Thunder Valley, you might still get struck. Going inside would be even more dangerous."
As they finished speaking, another bolt of lightning split the sky and lit up the entire valley.
The deafening roar rang in their ears, filling them with awe.
"Alright then."
Xiao Lin sighed helplessly and pretended to agree.
But in the next second—he made his move.
With a flash, he appeared behind one of the guards and chopped the back of his neck with a hand strike.
At the same time, Donnie (Tang Ni) erupted with golden light, matching Xiao Lin's speed, and mirrored his actions on the other guard.
After knocking the two kind-hearted guards unconscious, Xiao Lin and Tang San placed them in a completely safe area.
Soon after, a bunch of tall Blue Silver Grass rose at the entrance of Thunder Valley.
The Blue Silver Grass concealed the guards' presence and scent—no ordinary soul beast would find them.
As for whether they'd get struck by lightning… Xiao Lin couldn't worry that far.
Moments later, they fully entered Thunder Valley.
Inside Thunder Valley, the environment was filled with high-voltage energy.
Xiao Lin didn't even need to focus—he could feel the entire atmosphere charged with electricity.
At the same time, he sensed abundant vitality.
Breathing here made one feel their body become more active.
"The plants here have already adapted to the environment. They absorb the electricity or lightning and convert it into needed energy, even life force," Tang San observed, slightly frowning in disbelief at the strange plants.
"Isn't that Lightning Grass? It absorbs electrical charges, then emits special light to nourish nearby plants.
"In a way, Lightning Grass is actually suitable for your plant-type soul beasts, Xiao San. But these don't have high years."
"Because they're food for herbivorous soul beasts," Xiao Lin explained when he saw Tang San's confusion.
"Most soul beasts in Thunder Valley absorb lightning to rapidly grow stronger, but this method has side effects—they're prone to exploding.
"However, eating Lightning Grass reduces this risk significantly."
Every ecosystem has its own survival method.
Xiao Lin led them onward.
To prevent the group from absorbing too much electricity and getting struck, he activated his Chaos Domain to regulate the charge within their bodies.
The canyon floor was riddled with holes from lightning strikes, but stubborn plants still grew in the cracks of tough rocks.
"No wonder the fusion skill between Lin-ge and me worked. There truly is new life born beneath destruction in lightning," Tang San murmured, stunned by the fantastical environment.
"Lin-ge, where do we go now?" Xiao Wu asked curiously, unsure where to find a suitable soul beast.
"No rush. We'll find a quiet place first—you'll condense your soul ring there."
Xiao Lin glanced around. Thunder Valley was already sparsely populated, and currently no one was around—perfect for soul ring condensation.
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu agreed enthusiastically.
(End of this chapter)