Shrek City was located in the center of the continent, while the Sunset Forest lay near the capital city of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Heaven Dou City, in the north-central region of the Douluo Continent.
For Xu Zihuang, this journey meant crossing nearly half the empire.
But with his current physique, traveling at full speed, he could reach it in less than three days.
From childhood, he had consumed countless heavenly treasures. Strengthened by his own soul power, three thousand-year rings, and the external soul bone—the Radiant Dragon Claw—his body had been enhanced to an astonishing degree.
Compared to his academy's physical training, this kind of long journey was many times easier.
Xu Zihuang's stride was steady, his breath calm, his incredible endurance leaving even the Skydream Iceworm astonished.
But soon, delight welled in the Iceworm's heart. The better Xu Zihuang performed, the more likely it was that he could follow him to reach that realm.
"Zihuang, even with the influence of your Ultimate martial soul, at this cultivation speed you should break through to level forty within a year. You'd better find something like ten-thousand-year whale glue to strengthen your body further. When I become your fourth soul ring, I'll be able to show even greater power."
"Skydream, I've always had a thought." As Xu Zihuang continued traveling, his consciousness sank into his spiritual sea to speak with the Skydream Iceworm.
"Since you can reside in my spiritual sea without becoming my ring, why not wait until my soul power reaches rank seventy and then become my seventh soul ring? A million-year martial soul true body."
"Hm? Zihuang, now that you mention it—that does make sense!" The Iceworm instantly understood, pride swelling in his voice.
"You soul masters' seventh soul skill, the martial soul true body, is directly tied to the age of the soul ring. If my million-year ring becomes your seventh ring, your martial soul true body would be unprecedentedly powerful. But that would mean wasting the four skills I gave you."
"Don't forget, I have twin martial souls." Xu Zihuang reminded him. "If both martial souls reach nine rings, I'll have at least eighteen skills—and that's not counting bones or hundred-thousand-year rings. What I've never lacked are skills. While you slept, I kept thinking about this. Your million-year ring as my seventh is the best choice."
The Iceworm was silent for a moment, then his voice returned to its usual lazy tone, tinged with self-satisfaction.
"That does make sense. Alright, Zihuang, let's do it your way."
Xu Zihuang's words made him feel deeply valued.
"Well then, I'll sleep. Getting old, my energy's not what it used to be." The Iceworm spoke with mock gravity, then happily drifted into slumber.
This time, his sleep was sweeter than ever before.
Without his chatter, Xu Zihuang focused on speeding up his journey.
Before leaving Shrek Academy, he had bought preserved foods, fresh water, and fruit from stalls by the eastern gate. He had no worries about supplies.
With a full month of vacation, he traveled only by day, resting and cultivating at night.
Even so, by the third evening, the outline of a vast forest appeared in the distance.
The slanting sunset was blocked by towering trees, red-gold light slipping through trunks and branches, casting a lonely, desolate glow.
At the forest's edge lay jagged terrain. Matching the landmarks to the map Senior Qin had given him, Xu Zihuang quickly found his position.
This was his first time in the Sunset Forest. Unfamiliar with its terrain, he had unknowingly strayed from his planned route, arriving at the forest's northeastern corner.
He climbed to a higher spot overlooking the forest. Early spring in this northern region left the air full of chill.
Though his body and spirit were in peak condition, he decided to rest for the night. The Sunset Forest was a soul beast domain, after all—best to enter at dawn in his best state.
Still, since the forest was right before him, he might as well hunt a soul beast in the outer region to improve his meal.
Xu Zihuang wasn't someone who feared hardship. He had sustained himself with jerky all along the road. But with better food now available, there was no need to deprive himself.
After a pause, he stepped into the forest.
Compared to Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest was sparser in vegetation, with different species. Geography was the main reason.
Star Dou was subtropical, while Sunset Forest, in the northern temperate zone, was mainly coniferous.
The plants here were far less dense than in Star Dou.
After only a few steps, Xu Zihuang sensed the presence of soul beasts. But they were pathetically weak. Just the pressure of his aura sent them fleeing in panic.
All of them were ten-year beasts.
He knew the Sunset Forest's poor soul beast resources came not only from human hunting, but more fundamentally from the miasma and poisonous Biling Seven Absolutes Flowers deeper inside.
With open terrain and thinner vegetation, his pace was swift.
His golden eyes scanned calmly. After about fifteen minutes, he finally found a suitable target.
Sensing his lock, the beast let out a shrill cry of alarm.
It was a bird-type soul beast with black wings, about half a meter tall, its feathers matching the wings, taloned feet covered in black scales, claws sharp as blades.
Its fluffy black tail feathers and blood-red eyes lent it an eerie appearance.
"A hundred-year Blackscale Fowl." Xu Zihuang recognized it at a glance.
The meat of this beast was fine and nourishing, valuable to both soul masters and ordinary humans.
Humans had once tried raising them, but their fierce nature and aggression made them impossible to tame, and the effort was abandoned.
Though unable to fly, its running speed was extremely fast.
But before Xu Zihuang, it had no chance to escape.
Dark red ripples surged outward. In an instant, the beast froze where it stood, its entire body encased in dark red crystal.
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