In Jiang Xiaofeng's previous life, people like these were monsters, freakishly talented geniuses who were terrifying in their own right.
The fact that he managed to break through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage at such a young age wasn't because of his talent, but because he could endure hardship.
More importantly, it was due to the mysterious Immortal Body Technique.
Otherwise, given Jiang Xiaofeng's natural aptitude last time around, he likely wouldn't have reached the Tribulation Crossing Stage at that age.
Seriously, how else could someone in their early 30s reach that level?
It was precisely because of the Immortal Body Technique—its mysterious power—that in his past life, Jiang Xiaofeng became the number-one capture target of the major sects and ancient cultivators.
Of course, that was also because Jiang Xiaofeng had stolen all their rare and precious medicinal herbs in order to cultivate the Immortal Body Technique.
While others hoarded those herbs to preserve their lives, unwilling to refine them into pills, Jiang Xiaofeng used them like bath salts.
You think those ancient cultivators from the immortal sects were just gonna let that slide?
…
After several days of long-distance trekking, they finally arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Just like before, they handed over their entry tokens and proceeded into the forest.
There weren't any powerful soul beasts in the outer areas, so they didn't linger and kept heading deeper—their target was soul beasts around 5,000 years old.
Mo Bot held the map in his hand—this was a special Star Dou Great Forest Map issued by the Spirit Hall.
The map marked locations based on the ages of the soul beasts.
In the center, a big red circle was drawn.
It clearly stated: "Soul Masters below Title Douluo level are forbidden to enter."
Even Title Douluos didn't casually step into the forest's core—because that's where the kings of the Star Dou Great Forest resided: the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python.
Jiang Xiaofeng looked at the map's center and asked, "Everyone says 100,000-year-old soul rings are extremely rare, but if there are 100,000-year-old beasts in the forest's center, why hasn't anyone tried to hunt them?"
Mo Bot gave a bitter smile and shook his head:
"There are fewer than a handful of Soul Masters with a 100,000-year ninth soul ring in today's world, and most of them are in the Spirit Hall. Why? Because the kings of the forest—the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python—are too powerful. Even most Title Douluos would just be walking to their deaths if they tried to enter. And those two 100,000-year beasts live together. Try to fight one, and the other will definitely step in. You'd need a whole squad of Title Douluos just to stand a chance, and even then, some of them might not make it out. That's why almost no one tries it."
So that's why the map warned off anyone below Title Douluo level.
Even those who were Title Douluos probably wouldn't risk it. Facing two 100,000-year-old soul beasts… even elite Soul Masters wouldn't make it out unscathed.
Fortunately, their current destination was light-years away from the forest's center, so they didn't have to worry about running into those two monsters.
Jiang Xiaofeng's martial spirit was a sword. Sooner or later, he'd need a 100,000-year-old soul beast for a ring. The Titan Giant Ape was a power-type beast, while the Azure Bull Python was control-type.
The Titan Giant Ape barely suited him. The Azure Bull Python, not so much. But if there was no other option, he'd take it anyway—he just didn't know what kind of soul skill that 100,000-year ring would grant him.
In his mind, Jiang Xiaofeng had already decided: one of those 100,000-year soul beasts would be his.
How could he pass up something that valuable?
After traveling for about an hour, Jiang Xiaofeng and his crew finally encountered their first target—a soul beast they intended to kill. It was a tiger-type beast.
Perfect for Hu Laoda.
The group got into battle formation.
The tiger-type soul beast in front of them was around 4,000 years old.
"Everyone be careful, don't kill it by accident! Otherwise, Hu Laoda won't get his soul ring!" shouted Yan, rubbing his palms.
"Haven't had a good fight in days. I'm itching for one. Hands off—this one's mine!"
With that, Yan leapt into action.
A Soul Sect fighting a 4,000-year-old soul beast? Usually risky—but only for average Soul Sects.
This was a Level 46 Soul Sect, and a powerful assault-type one at that.
More importantly, Yan wasn't your average Soul Sect—his Flame Lord Martial Spirit was a top-tier variant.
It not only dealt intense flame damage but also granted him a protective armor layer.
So the tiger-type soul beast never stood a chance. The so-called king of beasts got thrashed from start to finish.
Once it was nearly dead, Yan finally backed off.
"Your turn, Hu Laoda! Man, that felt amazing!"
Hu Laoda grinned:
"Heh heh, 4,000-year-old soul beast? Big bro's on it!"
Back in the day, for someone like Hu Laoda to kill a 4,000-year-old soul beast, he'd have needed to hire an expert.
But hiring someone that strong? Way too expensive for him.
So for them, a 4,000-year-old soul beast was a dream target.
Now though? They could handle even 10,000-year beasts with ease. That's what true strength looked like.
As Hu Laoda absorbed the soul ring, the group sat around him, guarding silently.
Thanks to the spiritual herbs he had taken, Hu Laoda's innate talent had been purified to a degree.
He might've been just an average Soul Master before, but after taking those herbs, he could now be called a low-level genius.
Still, compared to Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, he had a long way to go.
About an hour later, Hu Laoda successfully absorbed the soul ring and gained his fourth soul skill.
Jiang Xiaofeng asked, "What's your fourth soul skill? Show us!"
Hu Laoda nodded and shouted:
"Fourth Soul Skill—Roaring Tiger's Might!"
His body immediately expanded to over three meters tall, cloaked in the aura of a massive tiger.
"Brother Feng, this fourth skill boosts both my defense and attack power, and even enhances my other three soul skills."
Jiang Xiaofeng nodded. That was a nice bonus.
Mo Bot added:
"Not bad. From now on, you're our frontliner."
Hu Laoda deflated like a popped balloon, shrinking back down.
"Mr. Mo Bot, are you trying to get me killed? My build's paper-thin compared to Brother Feng. I'd get skewered in seconds! Let me stick to protecting Sister Ling!"
"Hahaha! Good man! I've been waiting for someone to take over the frontlines!" Yan laughed heartily. Finally, someone to share the tanking burden.
(End of Chapter)