Compared to the Star Dou Forest, the Sunset Forest differs in many ways beyond just its smaller size.
The Star Dou Forest lies in the heart of the continent and is the largest soul beast forest in the central region, covered with dense, humid tropical vegetation.
In contrast, the Sunset Forest is located in the central area of the Heaven Dou Empire. While not quite in the frigid zone, its climate is significantly cooler than that of the Star Dou Forest. As a result, its flora consists mainly of deciduous trees typical of northern regions.
Though the forest is still full of shrubs and thorns, the view is more open, and numerous narrow animal trails make traveling through the forest easier.
Due to its proximity to the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, and being in the heart of human civilization, most soul masters from nearby cities hunt for soul rings here. As a result, soul beasts over ten thousand years old are rare, and the overall beast density is relatively low.
Finding a suitable soul beast in the Sunset Forest requires more patience and luck.
Within the forest, Liu Erlong, well-acquainted with the terrain after living long in the Heaven Dou Empire, led the way. Yu Tianming stayed in the middle, using his second soul skill at full power to detect surrounding soul beasts. Yu Luomian brought up the rear, keeping everyone safe.
After a full day, they discovered traces of many lightning-attribute soul beasts, but none were suitable for Ah Zhi.
"Let's rest for tonight and continue searching tomorrow," Yu Luomian said, glancing at the darkening sky and the clearly exhausted Yu Tianming, halting the group.
The ring Ning Fengzhi had gifted could be resized somewhat by infusing it with soul power, like the tightening hoop on Sun Wukong's head.
Now worn on Yu Tianming's index finger, the ring was stuck between joints and could only be removed by infusing soul power.
Yu Tianming retrieved a pre-prepared tent from the ring and, with help from the others, quickly set up a large camp tent.
To better protect themselves in this soul beast forest, Yu Tianming had chosen a dome-shaped tent, much like a Mongolian yurt. It was stitched together from the hides of several ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts. Spacious enough for four people, it also served to intimidate surrounding beasts.
Despite being in her thirties or forties, Liu Erlong lacked the maturity expected of her age. Like a curious little girl, she looked around with wide eyes.
Yu Tianming opened the tent's skylight and lit a campfire in the center.
This was the Sunset Forest—there were no titanic beasts like the Titan Giant Ape, nor any high-level soul masters around. Most hunters here lit fires at night to keep warm.
In this area, where soul beasts rarely exceeded a thousand years in age, they could move freely without much fear.
White smoke rose through the mesh at the top of the tent, vanishing into the vast darkness of the night.
"Tianming, this tent is amazing. Being out here feels just like being at home," Liu Erlong said enviously.
"If Aunt likes it, I'll make one just for you next time."
"Oh, you don't have to go through the trouble…" Liu Erlong tried to decline, but her smiling face lit up like a child receiving a gift.
Yu Tianming replied meaningfully, "It's just a tent. Not worth much."
After all, ten years later in the same Sunset Forest, Liu Erlong would end up squeezed into one tent with Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Zhao Wuji. And despite two people lying beside them, she and Yu Xiaogang would nearly cross the line.
Even if it was just for Flender and Zhao Wuji's sake, he had to get her a proper large tent.
Outside, the occasional chirping of birds echoed through the night. Ah Zhi set up a pot over the fire to cook food, while the rest sipped wine and chatted warmly.
In this peaceful atmosphere, Liu Erlong leaned against Yu Luomian's chest like she did in childhood, reminiscing about old times.
Seeing this gentler side of Liu Erlong, Yu Tianming understood why Yu Luomian refused to approve of her and Yu Xiaogang. She was crazy, yes—but not evil. Sometimes, she was even kind of cute. She didn't deserve to be played by Yu Xiaogang.
After dinner, a thoroughly exhausted Yu Tianming crawled into his sleeping bag and drifted off. Ah Zhi, who wasn't needed for night watch due to her low soul power, also went to sleep nearby.
Liu Erlong and Yu Luomian took turns standing watch through the night to guard against any rogue soul beasts.
The night passed uneventfully.
At dawn the next morning, the group set off again in search of a soul beast.
Their luck seemed to turn. Before long, Yu Tianming discovered a Blue Crystal Dragon Lizard that had just surpassed 700 years of age.
This lizard-type soul beast had two small horns on its head and was covered in crystal-like blue scales. These not only offered formidable defense but could also store electric energy for attacks.
Ah Zhi's martial soul, the Thunder Eel, resembled an electric eel with a single horn and similarly stored electrical energy for offense—making it highly compatible with the Blue Crystal Dragon Lizard.
Yu Tianming led everyone to the creature's location, and Yu Luomian launched a Thunder Dragon Claw from over ten meters away.
This skill had always been a reliable beast-slayer, yet it failed to paralyze the Blue Crystal Dragon Lizard. After the attack, the beast's scales suddenly lit up, and it scrambled to escape on its four stubby legs.
But Yu Luomian was a Soul Sage. Seeing it still moving, he unleashed another Thunder Dragon Claw. This time, the scales didn't light up again—the creature collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Ah Zhi moved in to finish it off.
But Yu Tianming shouted, "Don't touch it yet!"
The Blue Crystal Dragon Lizard was still brimming with electricity. Even though Ah Zhi had decent resistance, touching it now would paralyze her at the very least.
Yu Tianming stepped forward, his martial soul fully activated. The twin dragon heads on his shoulders sank their teeth into the lizard. As golden light shimmered around him, the lizard's vibrant blue scales dulled to gray—its electrical energy had been completely drained.
"Now you can kill it."
At his words, Ah Zhi pulled out a dagger and stabbed it through the eye. A yellow soul ring slowly emerged.
The eye is the weak point for most soul beasts. Soul masters usually kill by damaging the brain through the eye socket.
Ah Zhi activated her martial soul and began to absorb the ring while sitting on the ground.
Unlike Ah Zhu's wine-red hair, Ah Zhi's was blue-black. When she activated her martial soul, her skin emitted a faint blue glow, and the single horn on her forehead shone bluish-purple.
An hour later, the absorption was complete.
Ah Zhi opened her eyes, gleaming with excitement. She ran over, wrapped her arms around Yu Tianming's arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and said joyfully:
"Young Master, this time I got a really great soul skill! I won't fall too far behind Big Sis anymore!"
All core members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—except Yu Xiaogang—were tall and strong. Though Yu Tianming was only nine, his martial soul-boosted form still stood taller than thirteen-year-old Ah Zhi.
He patted her on the shoulder. "Let's head back to the academy now. You can show me your soul skill another day."
It was just around noon. They would make it back to Blue Tyrant Academy before nightfall.
Though they'd only explored the parts of Sunset Forest inhabited by hundred-year to near-thousand-year beasts, and hadn't encountered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well or Dugu Bo's poison formations, Yu Tianming had made up his mind. As soon as they returned, he would set out to seize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
(End of Chapter)
---
Support me if you like this Fanfiction, and Read 20+ Chapters Ahead of Release plus 2 Chapters Ahead for Free Users.
Patreon,com/Devil_Satan_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.