The outcome of the duel was clear.
Tang San stood still, slightly disheartened, gazing helplessly at Ye Chen.
"How could this happen? I've got way more talent than him. Why… why did I still lose?"
He was born with full innate soul power, while Ye Chen only had level 1. By all logic, his cultivation speed should far surpass Ye Chen's. But reality had given him a cruel slap in the face.
Back when they had parted six years ago, Tang San always thought that when they met again, he might have to go easy on Ye Chen to save face. But now… it was the exact opposite.
"You okay, big bro?" Xiao Wu walked up beside him, trying to console him. "This is just a small loss, not the final outcome. As long as you keep working hard, I know you'll surpass Ye Chen someday."
Tang San smiled, rubbing her head.
"When did you start comforting me, huh? I'm not upset—just… not satisfied. But I've got confidence in myself."
He flipped his left hand over slightly, revealing a hint of the second spirit—the legendary Hao Tian Hammer. That confidence wasn't unfounded. With just his Blue Silver Grass spirit, he had already come this far. If he could one day add spirit rings to the Hao Tian Hammer… then even Ye Chen wouldn't be a threat anymore.
But if he knew what was really going on with Ye Chen, he might feel very different.
So far, Ye Chen had only completed two sign-in tasks, and already gained a 200% cultivation speed bonus. If he continued, and stacked bonuses of 300%, 500%, or even 1000%… the future would be unimaginable.
"You better train harder, Little San," Ye Chen chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Next time we spar, I hope we can go all out."
Just then, Ye Chen noticed Dai Mubai training in the distance. He clenched his fists—his soul power was already at its limit and on the verge of overflowing. If he didn't break through soon, it would all be wasted.
His first two soul rings—1,000 and 2,000-year-old—came from beginner gifts. But now, he had to get the third one himself.
Though money didn't interest him, losing the bet did.
"Time to head for the Spirit Beast Forest. Hopefully, I'll find the right soul ring."
With that, Ye Chen found Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to let them know he was heading out.
"How long will you be gone? Can we come too?" Ning Rongrong asked with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Ye Chen flicked her forehead. "Why would you follow me? You need to focus on your training. Uncle Ning told me to keep an eye on you, remember? If your soul power hasn't improved by the time I get back, don't blame me for spanking you."
Ning Rongrong playfully stuck her butt out and swayed it provocatively.
"Then come and spank me, if you dare~"
Zhu Zhuqing, standing nearby, gave Ye Chen a rare gentle look. She had many things she wanted to say, but none came out.
"Take care of yourself," she said softly. "We'll wait for you here."
Ye Chen waved as he left.
"Don't miss me too much."
But he wasn't actually going to the Spirit Beast Forest. He was heading for something far more dangerous—the Star Dou Great Forest.
Three days later, Flender returned to Shrek Academy with a middle-aged man in tow.
Tang San immediately recognized him.
"Teacher!"
"Master!" Xiao Wu added with a sweet smile.
Yu Xiaogang only nodded before quickly scanning his surroundings. "Where is he?" he muttered.
"Where's Ye Chen?" Flender asked Zhao Wuji. "Is that kid sleeping again? Go call him out—I want my old friend here to see for himself."
Zhao Wuji scratched his head. "He left after dueling Tang San. Said he was going to the Spirit Beast Forest to get his third soul ring."
"No need to worry," he added. "With his strength, a thousand-year beast is nothing."
"You're wrong!" Yu Xiaogang's expression changed instantly.
"If what you said is true—that his first and second soul rings were already above a thousand years—do you really think his third would be anything less?"
This was the first time he had heard about Ye Chen's rings being that advanced, and even if it seemed unbelievable, now wasn't the time for doubt.
"Flender, gather your people. Head to the Star Dou Great Forest immediately. If you don't find Ye Chen in time, your so-called prodigy might vanish from this world."
Flender's face dropped.
"Damn it!"
He and Zhao Wuji immediately took off for the forest.
Once Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing heard the news, they rushed over in a panic. Yu Xiaogang eventually decided to bring Tang San, Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing with him as well.
The Star Dou Great Forest—one of the three major soul beast territories in the Douluo Continent. It was massive, stretching across both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. Unlike man-raised beasts in smaller forests, here there were 10,000-year, even 100,000-year soul beasts roaming free.
At this moment, Ye Chen had already passed through the outer edges and was headed deep inside. The deeper he went, the stronger the beasts became.
Suddenly, a 3,000-year-old Flame-Scaled Winged Serpent appeared, blocking his path.
The massive serpent was coiled on a tree branch, over 100 meters long with a wide, thick body. It had short wings that glowed with purple flames, comically small like a dinosaur's arms—but somehow radiated intense heat.
Its crimson tongue flickered out, and its vertical pupils locked onto Ye Chen. It clearly saw him as lunch.
Though it was noon, not a single ray of sunlight reached the forest floor. Towering trees blotted out the sky, and only glowing plants lit the eerie space.
Standing calmly on a branch, Ye Chen summoned his Seven-Star Demon Abyss Sword.
"This one came at the perfect time," he smirked. "I'm starving."
Before the serpent could strike, Ye Chen moved first. With a burst of soul power, he vanished from view and reappeared directly above the serpent's head. With a shout, he brought his sword down using "Heavy Sword Without Edge"—a powerful strike that unleashed six sharp sword energies shaped like the word "kill" in ancient script.
The blast struck the serpent's head, forcing it to rear back in pain.
But it wasn't down yet. With a furious roar, the serpent flapped its flame-covered wings and swelled its belly. It spewed out a wave of purple fire, lighting up the area.
Ye Chen didn't flinch. He raised his sword in a calm stance, then pulled it from its sheath. A black gale surrounded the blade.
"Wind Draw Slash!"
The instant the technique activated, the incoming flames were sliced in two, shooting past Ye Chen's body harmlessly. The wind blade surged forward, cutting through the serpent's neck cleanly—decapitating it in one strike.
Ye Chen landed gracefully on the ground and approached the corpse.
"Guess I'll roast some snake meat."
But before he could touch it, a giant claw dropped from above and snatched the serpent's body away.
Ye Chen's eyes widened.
"A soul beast over ten thousand years old?"
He quickly ducked behind a tree, observing.
It was a massive black-and-white Thunder Hawk, several hundred meters tall. Its body was cloaked in dark feathers, but its wings were pure white—now stained with blood. Its beak was cracked, bleeding steadily.
Then the ground began to shake violently.
From the distance, something massive was tearing through the soil like a moving mountain.
Moments later, a thousand-meter-long Poison Centipede erupted from underground. Without hesitation, it wrapped around the injured Thunder Hawk and sank its fangs toward the eagle's neck.
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