Chapter 15: First Soul Skill - Huangji Shocking Fist!

Passing through the market, the group finally arrived at the entrance of the Spirit Hunting Forest.

Surrounding the forest was a tall steel fence, towering over ten meters high. Outside the fence, squads of soldiers clad in iron armor and armed with long spears patrolled back and forth.

"These are soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire, tasked with preventing unauthorized entry," Yu Xiaogang explained in a low voice.

"Unauthorized entry?"

Tang San asked in confusion.

Seeing Tang San's puzzled expression, Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow and said, "Xiao San, if you built a pigsty and raised a few hundred pigs, would you be happy if someone came to slaughter them without paying?"

"Of course not... Oh, I get it," Tang San exclaimed, realization dawning upon him.

Hearing Zhou Chen's strange analogy, Yu Xiaogang and Max exchanged bewildered glances.

"That's right, only those with a warrant from the Spirit Hall are allowed into the Spirit Hunting Forest. Inside, there's also the Spirit Hall Enforcement Team, constantly monitoring all soul masters who enter."

As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang produced a token composed of the shapes of a sword, a hammer, and a dragon.

He showed the token to the soldiers at the entrance and led the group into the forest.

Once inside, Yu Xiaogang released his martial spirit, Luo San Pao. The cute, guinea pig-like creature bounced along, providing Zhou Chen with some amusement as he watched it.

Max also released his martial spirit. As a level 42 Tool Soul Elder, his martial spirit was the plant-based Ghost Vine.

In an instant, black vines with crimson patterns spread out, while four soul rings—white, yellow, purple, and purple—rose from his feet, gleaming brilliantly.

"Xiao San, we're about to enter the deeper part of the forest. Stay between me and the dean; it's safer there. As for Zhou Chen... do as you please."

Yu Xiaogang initially wanted to remind Zhou Chen, but recalling Zhou Chen's terrifying soul ring and skill, he closed his mouth reluctantly.

As they walked, Yu Xiaogang continued to chatter, "Xiao San, the limit for the first soul ring is 423 years..."

"As for me, due to the characteristics of our Blue Lightning... family, I need a dragon-type soul beast. The limit for the third soul ring is 2700 years. Max, do you think we can manage?"

He looked at his old friend.

Max's expression turned serious, "It's challenging; a soul beast over 2000 years old is already comparable to a Soul Elder."

"No worries, we also have Zhou Chen."

Yu Xiaogang turned to Zhou Chen, full of expectation, "You and Max can team up, right?"

"I think, Master, you and Dean Max teaming up would be sufficient. I'll support you from the side."

Zhou Chen smiled, deftly deflecting the responsibility. Expecting a six-year-old to be the main fighter? That was out of the question.

Besides, as the leader, it's the subordinates who should take action, not the leader!

"Alright," Yu Xiaogang said helplessly.

The group continued deeper into the forest. Although they encountered over a dozen soul beasts along the way, none were suitable, so they simply drove them away.

Whenever they encountered particularly troublesome beasts, Yu Xiaogang and Max would handle them.

Zhou Chen kept his hands in his pockets the whole time, occasionally munching on a piece of fruit, as if he were on a leisurely tour.

Soon, half the day had passed, and evening was approaching.

"Wait, there's something ahead."

Suddenly, Max signaled everyone to stop and used his Ghost Vine to scout ahead.

"Roar!"

The next moment, with a roar, the scouting vine was bitten off, revealing a soul beast about three meters long with four eyes on its head, resembling a crocodile. It crushed a patch of shrubs as it appeared before them.

The beast's limbs were as thick as barrels, its body covered in black scales, each scale as solid and durable as a knight's armor.

"It's a Linjia Beast."

With a glance, Yu Xiaogang accurately identified the soul beast, then sheepishly added, "Judging by its size, it's about 2500 years old and has a trace of dragon bloodline..."

Clearly, he wanted this soul beast.

"No problem, let's take it down. Dean Max and Master, you hold the front; I'll support from the side."

Zhou Chen spoke smoothly, arranging everyone's roles clearly, and assigning himself the easiest task.

"Max, the Linjia Beast is extremely powerful and has incredible defense. We must give it our all."

Yu Xiaogang reminded him and then turned to Zhou Chen, "If we can't handle it, we'll need your first soul skill."

"Alright."

Zhou Chen nodded. He wasn't here just to stand around; he would act when necessary.

"San Pao, get to work!"

The master's first soul ring lit up as he shouted, "Thunderous Flatulence, Luo San Pao!"

"Roar!"

Luo San Pao growled, its body expanding at an astonishing speed like an inflating ball.

Seeing this, Zhou Chen quickly pulled Tang San back several dozen meters. He wasn't about to stick around and get caught in that!

"Boom!"

Luo San Pao suddenly expanded to five meters in height. With a thunderous boom, a thick yellow gas erupted from its rear, blasting the Linjia Beast away!

Max seized the opportunity to strike, activating all four of his soul skills to heavily damage the Linjia Beast in one go!

In an instant, countless red-patterned black ghost vines elongated and thickened. Some quickly wrapped around the Linjia Beast's limbs and neck, while others transformed into sharp arrows aimed at the beast, and yet others contained paralyzing toxins intended to weaken it.

However, the Linjia Beast's scales were so thick and hard that most of the ghost vines were deflected with a series of "clang" sounds!

Only a few vines managed to wrap around the Linjia Beast, temporarily restraining it.

In the next second, the Linjia Beast broke free from the ghost vines and charged at Max like a tank!

Max's pupils shrank instantly; he hadn't expected his soul skills to be ineffective!

In desperation, he could only release his "Entangle" soul skill again, trying to impede the Linjia Beast's movements.

Yet, against the immensely powerful Linjia Beast, it remained ineffective!

And Yu Xiaogang's soul skill, aside from irritating the Linjia Beast into greater fury, proved even less useful.

"Xiaogang, we can't win this. Take the kids and run!"

Max retreated rapidly with a grim face.

However, Yu Xiaogang stood firm, turning to Zhou Chen, "If you would, please."

"No problem, all of you step back to avoid getting hurt."

Not far away, Zhou Chen spoke calmly as a resplendent golden soul ring rose from his feet!

The next second, the golden soul ring radiated intensely, enveloping him entirely and transforming him into a golden figure!

"First Soul Skill—Huangji Shocking Fist!"