Chapter 53: The Power of a Sword, Sigh of the Ice Goddess

The next morning, Mu Chen, Zhao Wujin, and the Shrek Seven entered the famous Star Dou Forest, renowned across the Douluo Continent.

The Star Dou Forest was not comparable to the forests where countries kept their soul beasts. Even at the outskirts, they could encounter soul beasts that were a thousand years old, or even ten thousand years old.

This place was filled with danger but also abundant opportunities, waiting for adventurers to explore.

"We've entered the forest. Dai Mubai, clear the path ahead. Ning Rongrong and Oscar, you two will take the lead. You've both made some progress in your training. Unless we encounter danger, the rest of us should hold back," Mu Chen instructed.

"Got it."

"Sure thing."

Ning Rongrong and Oscar eagerly accepted the suggestion, excited to try their new skills. Since receiving the Eight Extremes Collapse from Mu Chen, they had yet to test their abilities in battle.

"Dai Mubai, wait!" 

Xiao Wu, walking beside Mu Chen, suddenly called out to Dai Mubai, who was using his White Tiger Transformation to forge ahead.

"What is it?" Dai Mubai asked.

"Can we avoid this area?" Xiao Wu said, crouching down to hold a small rabbit that had been injured by Dai Mubai's earlier actions.

"Why?" Dai Mubai inquired, puzzled.

"There are many young soul beasts here. What if you hurt them?" Xiao Wu replied.

"This..." Dai Mubai looked taken aback. He was surprised to see Xiao Wu showing compassion for the soul beasts.

"Xiao Wu is right. We should only hunt soul beasts suitable for our levels. If we continue to harm them recklessly, it won't be long before we face a shortage of soul rings. Dai Mubai, let's take another route," Mu Chen added.

"Alright, Boss Mu," Dai Mubai agreed. Having resolved things with Zhu Zhuqing, he wanted to ally with Mu Chen, seeing him as a potential aid on his return to the Star Luo Empire.

As they moved forward, Dai Mubai led the way, followed closely by Ning Rongrong and Oscar. Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Mu Chen followed behind. As for Zhao Wujin, he had stated that he wouldn't intervene unless danger arose.

*Ding Dong!*

"Congratulations! You have triggered an E-level hidden task: Fight for Oscar and defeat Meng Yiran, who wants to steal his soul ring."

"Meng Yiran?" 

Mu Chen paused, recalling the relevant storyline.

According to the plot, a Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake would soon appear. After a tough battle, the Shrek Seven would defeat it, only to find Meng Yiran and Chaotianxiang competing for the soul ring. In that situation, Tang San would fight on Oscar's behalf, ultimately safeguarding Oscar's third soul ring.

*Whoosh!*

Suddenly, the rustling of leaves announced the approach of something fast.

"Be careful, something is coming!" Zhao Wujin warned.

"I'll check from the treetops to see what it is," Zhu Zhuqing said.

Before Zhu Zhuqing could move, Mu Chen grabbed her hand.

"No need; I've already seen it. It's a flying Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake!" Mu Chen's eyes turned red as he focused on the distance.

In that direction, a snake was hovering a few meters above the ground. It had a red crown like a rooster on its head and a fan-shaped tail. It was indeed the Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake!

"This soul beast looks impressive, but I wonder how old it is!" Zhao Wujin remarked excitedly.

"The snake is about six to eight meters long, with light-red wings. Its age has reached between 1,300 to 1,800 years. Its attributes would match perfectly with you, Oscar. This soul beast is suitable for your martial spirit," Mu Chen said with enthusiasm.

"Great!" Oscar replied, also excited. "But how do we catch it?"

"Leave it to me," Mu Chen said calmly.

"Just you?" Oscar asked.

"Yeah," Mu Chen nodded.

"Boss Mu, can you handle it? The Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake has a straightforward attack pattern, but its speed is impressive. It's a thousand-year soul beast we're dealing with," Tang San questioned.

"Men have to make things happen, whether they can or not," Mu Chen replied with a confident smile.

*Boom!*

Three soul rings appeared around Mu Chen, colored purple, purple, and black. Pure white soul power surged from him, coalescing into a pitch-black longsword.

The sword was adorned with three gemstones—yellow, red, and blue—along with six irregular small black holes.

"Is this Boss Mu's martial spirit?" Oscar exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, it's called the Chaotic Sword," Xiao Wu answered.

*Whoosh!*

With a thought, Mu Chen leaped into the air.

**Eight Extremes Collapse**

**Wind God Leg**

The sounds of Mu Chen's voice and his attacks echoed through the forest.

Seeing it could not beat Mu Chen, the Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake's red crown illuminated, and its speed suddenly increased. With a high level of intelligence, it flapped its wings and soared into the sky.

"Trying to escape? Not so easily!" Mu Chen said coldly.

While the snake was fast, Mu Chen was faster.

"It's flying!"

"Is that... an external soul bone?!"

"Soul bone?!"

Zhao Wujin and the Shrek Seven stared in astonishment at the figure shooting up into the sky. Behind him emerged eight bone-like protrusions resembling spider legs. It was the external soul bone, Eight Spider Lances, that Mu Chen had obtained from his tasks!

**Third Soul Skill: Sigh of the Ice Goddess**

A surge of immense soul power flowed from Mu Chen into the Chaotic Sword. The blue gem on the sword glowed brilliantly, and the temperature around them plummeted, creating an extremely chilling atmosphere. Even from a distance, Zhao Wujin felt the coldness descending from the sky.

Near a large tree, frost began to accumulate on the branches.

*Boom!*

With a resounding crash, Mu Chen's sword struck the fleeing Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake, severing it cleanly. The snake fell directly in front of the Shrek Seven.

Mu Chen landed gracefully, retracting his martial spirit. He bounded over to the frozen snake, which lay motionless, and with a smirk said, "Done!"

*Huff...*

The battle was over, but the Shrek Seven, including Zhao Wujin, stared at Mu Chen in stunned silence.

**Soul Power +6,660**

Their astonishment allowed Mu Chen to harvest another 6,660 points of emotion value.

"Oscar, go get your soul ring. Tang San, what's wrong with you?" Zhao Wujin instructed Oscar while turning to the unusually silent Tang San.

"I... I just need a moment!" Tang San replied, still in shock.