Chapter 28: Six years have passed

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In the midday forest, a figure agilely moved through the trees. It was Zeng Yi.

It had been over half a year since Zeng Yi came out of the cave on the precipice. During this time, he successfully acquired his third soul ring and became an esteemed three-ring Soul Ancestor. It was truly something to be celebrated!

However, he still hadn't managed to leave this Sunset Forest. Reliant on his joyful first soul skill, Forward Steps Slash, he wandered aimlessly in the forest every day, hoping to encounter some Soul Masters who could lead him out of this cursed place.

As Zeng Yi dashed forward, he sensed the movements and the subtle sounds in the surroundings.

"This soul ring is suitable for me, so it should be mine..."

"Stop talking nonsense! I want this soul ring for myself..."

...

The voices carried by the wind made Zeng Yi halt his steps. His face filled with delight, and even his eyes turned slightly moist. Finally, after six years, I have encountered living people! I can finally leave this forest! Hahaha~

The voices carried by the wind were faint, but Zeng Yi still caught them. Although he hadn't seen people in a long time, he could still hear what they said clearly.

"It seems they are in some kind of trouble. I should help them," Zeng Yi said with a smile. He swiftly headed in the direction where the voices were coming from.

Zeng Yi soon arrived at the scene, but he didn't show himself immediately. Instead, he observed secretly from nearby. After all, it was not just soul beasts that posed a danger, but humans too.

In front of Zeng Yi, there were five people who seemed to be a team. Four men and one woman, all of them looked quite old, probably in their twenties or older.

Zeng Yi used his detection ability to check their cultivation levels: one Soul Ancestor at level 42, one Soul Elder at level 35, two Soul Elder at level 30, and one Soul GrandMaster at level 26.

Hmm, their strength is not strong enough to threaten me. I can safely engage in conversation with them, Zeng Yi thought.

Although he was only at the 33rd level of Soul Power, he believed he could match the strength of a four-ringed Soul Ancestor, and even defeat them.

Of course, this was Zeng Yi's own speculation. After all, he had never fought against a Soul Ancestor, so he didn't know their true strength. But he had confidence in his own abilities. Moreover, in the Sunset Forest, no soul beasts below ten thousand years old could pose a threat to him.

Besides, with my escape skills, any speed-type Soul Masters below a Soul Emperor level cannot catch up to me.

Zeng Yi was quite proud of this fact.

Looking at the area where these people were, there was a miserable-looking bear-type soul beast lying there, seemingly on the verge of death. It was a thousand-year-old soul beast.

Two of them were at the 30th level of soul power, so they must both want this soul ring. They both seem suitable for it, and that's why they are arguing and not giving in to each other.

Zeng Yi quickly understood the current situation.

"Who's there?"

The Soul Ancestor among them sensed movement nearby and shouted. He observed the surroundings, becoming more alert, while the others stopped arguing and adopted defensive stances.

"Hehe, everyone, don't be nervous. I mean no harm," a light laughter echoed.

Rustle...

The nearby weeds moved, and a figure emerged in front of them.

Seeing a person instead of a dangerous soul beast, the tension left these people. The person in front of them seemed like a young Soul Master, as it was unlikely for an ordinary person to have the ability to appear in the Sunset Forest. Judging by his appearance, he was around twenty years old and about 1.8 meters tall. His strength seemed to be that of a second-ringed Soul Grand Master, which was not enough to impress them.

"Hahaha, turns out to be a young man. We thought it was some soul beast attacking," a tall and strong man with the self-proclaimed name Xiong Da (Big Bear) laughed heartily, breaking the silence.

"Brother, you're quite brave to come here alone. This place is dangerous, and it's easy to lose one's life," the only woman in the group spoke with a smile.

"Hehe, I just heard some commotion nearby, so I came to take a look," Zeng Yi chuckled.

But, you can only notice my presence when I make some noise. Your vigilance is truly weak!

Zeng Yi silently mocked in his mind.

"Why did you come looking for us?" a thin man asked Zeng Yi with a hint of caution in his voice.

"Uh..."

Embarrassed by the question, Zeng Yi replied hesitantly, "Hehe...Actually, I got lost in this forest and hope you can take me out with you."

"Lost?"

Hearing this, the group became a bit bewildered. What kind of person was he? Getting lost in the Sunset Forest...such a directionally challenged person dared to come to this dangerous place. They were amazed at his audacity.

"Hehe, that's right..."

"So, you're alone?"

"Yes! What's the matter?"

Everyone: ...

He dares to come alone to this dangerous soul beast forest? Does he think he has an extra-long lifespan? Or does he think he's very powerful, a seventh-ringed Soul Sage who dares to venture into the Sunset Forest? The probability of the first situation seemed higher.

"Hahaha, young man, you're quite bold to enter this Sunset Forest alone. I, Xiong Da, toast to you as a true man! Hahaha~" the muscular man, self-proclaimed Xiong Da, laughed heartily, breaking the silence again.

"You really are courageous, daring to come here alone. It's quite easy to meet your end in this place!" the woman said with a slight smile.

"Hehe, yeah, I was a bit impulsive at the time, and that's how I ended up here...hehe," Zeng Yi awkwardly rubbed his head.

I've been living here for almost six years. Is it of any use to tell me this now?

"But then, it seems you're quite interested in this little brother. Why don't we let him join us and go together? What do you think, Uncle Zong?" the woman said to the oldest member of the group. She seemed to find this handsome young man quite pleasing.

This Uncle Zong was the 42nd-level Soul Ancestor, a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his fifties.

Hearing his teammates' words, Uncle Zong frowned, considering the matter.

"Indeed, Boss, since I find this young man quite agreeable, why don't we bring him along? It won't hurt to have one more person," Xiong Da, the tall and sturdy man, spoke in a deep voice, persuading Uncle Zong.

"Yes! It won't hurt to have one more person," another tall and sturdy man said. Zeng Yi noticed that he looked quite similar to the person called Xiong Da. It seemed he was Xiong Er (Bear Cub).

"No, what if he only drags us down? This is the Sunset Forest, and with just a small misstep, we could lose our lives," the thin man objected.

"Hey, Monkey, what's the big deal with bringing him along? How do you know this young man will drag us down?" The woman didn't like it when she heard this.

"That's right, Monkey, you're just too cautious. Where's the danger? This is only the outer region of the Sunset Forest, with Uncle Zong what danger could there be?"

"Shut up, you dumb Bear. You know nothing. I'm thinking about our safety. And Kali, are you into this pretty face here?"

"I'm attracted to his face. So what? I think you're just jealous because he's more handsome than you!" Kali, the woman, confronted Monkey with her hands on her hips.

Seeing these people arguing because of him, Zeng Yi could only stand there awkwardly, smiling bitterly.

But I'm already at the outer region of the Sunset Forest. Maybe I should just walk out on my own.

Such thoughts crossed Zeng Yi's mind.

Forget it, I'll join them after all! I'm afraid I'll end up walking into the inner region of the Sunset Forest again.

After thinking it over, Zeng Yi abandoned the idea. He lacked confidence in his sense of direction.

...