Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Yu Xiaogang's theories were sound for most Spirit Masters, but they didn't apply equally to everyone. Take Zhu Zhuqing, for instance. After undergoing Lin Jie's body-tempering process and receiving the refinement of the supreme immortal herb Yearning Heartbroken Red, she had undergone a complete transformation. Lin Jie believed that even absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit beast now wouldn't pose any serious problem for her—perhaps only a slight risk at most.

"How about this," Lin Jie suggested. "Once we enter Sunset Forest, if we come across a suitable spirit beast, we subdue it and assess its age. If it's appropriate, then Zhu Zhuqing and the others can absorb it. If not, we release it."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Lin Jie's judgment had long since earned their trust—after all, he was the one who had led them to victory over the Emperor Team, and he also had experience navigating Sunset Forest.

Dai Mubai looked at Lin Jie and said, "In that case, let's have Lin Jie take command this time."

Tang San and the others considered it and nodded in approval.

Lin Jie was a little surprised by their decision, feeling a strange sense of unease—though he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

"In that case, let me lay out our plan," he said. "Once we're inside the forest, Xiao Ao, you'll prepare a batch of Flying Mushroom Sausages as a precaution. Rongrong, stay ready to support us with your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Zhuqing, assist with scouting. Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and I will focus on offense. Everyone clear?"

Tang San found that Lin Jie's plan was quite similar to what he would have suggested himself. He nodded.

"Clear," they all responded.

A short distance ahead, Flender and the other teachers were within earshot and had heard everything.

"This kid Lin Jie really isn't like a thirteen-year-old at all," Flender said with admiration. "He's meticulous, calm under pressure, and frighteningly gifted. I was stunned when I heard his Spirit Power had already reached Rank 44. Erlong, how did he end up as your younger brother, anyway?"

Yu Xiaogang was also curious and turned to look at Liu Erlong. He was starting to regret not having taken Lin Jie as a disciple when he'd had the chance.

Liu Erlong smiled slightly at the praise. She shared how she and Lin Jie had met, and how much he'd influenced her life in recent years.

Flender was quietly amazed—so it was Lin Jie who had brought about such a dramatic change in Erlong?

Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, felt an odd discomfort settle in his chest.

Sunset Forest was smaller than the Star Dou Forest and located in the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire. Due to its milder climate, the vegetation here was typical of a temperate zone. Unlike Star Dou, which was teeming with spirit beasts, Sunset Forest's spirit beasts were mostly under the ten-thousand-year threshold. Spirit beasts above that level were usually found only in the inner regions.

By now, Lin Jie's group had been in the forest for half a day. With their previous training and experience working together, they moved smoothly as a team.

Throughout the afternoon, they had encountered mostly low- to mid-thousand-year-level spirit beasts, all of which had been easily handled.

As the sky began to darken, Flender turned to the group and said, "We'll camp here for the night. We'll resume the search tomorrow."

Thanks to their storage soul tools, they were well-prepared. In no time, three tents had been pitched: one for Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji; one for Liu Erlong, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing; and the last for the boys—Lin Jie and the others.

Night watch duties, of course, were split among the eight Shrek students.

Because they had experience camping in the Star Dou Forest, their teamwork was efficient. Tang San scattered insect-repelling powders he'd prepared in advance, while the girls busied themselves preparing food. Lin Jie, Oscar, and the others handled the tents.

When Tang San returned and saw Ma Hongjun about to start a fire using his Phoenix Flame, he quickly stopped him. Later, they learned from Flender that unlike the Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest didn't have as many apex-level spirit beasts, so there was less danger in using fire.

After a short while, the girls called everyone over for dinner. The meal was surprisingly hearty, and everyone gathered around, enjoying themselves. Oscar couldn't stop praising how delicious the food was.

Once dinner was done, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji retired to their tent. Flender seemed to have something he wanted to discuss with Yu Xiaogang.

Liu Erlong took the three girls back into their tent.

The night watch was assigned to Lin Jie, Dai Mubai, and Tang San in shifts. Lin Jie had volunteered to take the difficult final shift. Dai Mubai originally wanted that slot himself, knowing it was the hardest, but Lin Jie insisted and he relented.

After finishing their meal, everyone turned in early. Normally, they might have used the night to cultivate, but doing so required deep focus and lowered their alertness. Better to rest while they could.

Time passed quickly. Lin Jie opened his eyes—his shift had arrived. He stepped out of the tent and exchanged a few words with Tang San, who gratefully went off to rest. Tang San didn't argue; he was indeed exhausted.

During the quiet of the final night watch, Lin Jie lay half-reclined on the forest floor, gazing up at the starry sky. It was beautiful, more breathtaking than anything he remembered from his previous life. Those nearly forgotten memories stirred again in his mind. A sky like this—he hadn't seen one in ages.

Though he seemed relaxed, Lin Jie had already spread his Mind Net. The electrical feedback confirmed no spirit beasts were nearby.

Just then, he sensed someone approaching. He looked up and saw the flap of the girls' tent lift. A petite figure in a soft pink dress stepped out—it was Xiao Wu. She walked straight over and sat down beside him.

Lin Jie turned his head slightly and said, "Can't sleep?"

Xiao Wu lay down beside him, mimicking his posture, and replied with a shake of her head. "I just couldn't fall asleep."

Lin Jie understood why. Ever since he'd confronted her about her identity, she had been conflicted. "Still worried about who you are? Not sure whether to stay or leave?"

"Yeah," Xiao Wu murmured. "I can't bear to leave everyone behind. I don't want to leave San-ge either. But if I don't go, once the Spirit Master Tournament starts, those Title Douluo are bound to recognize me for what I am…"

She turned her head to look at Lin Jie. Lately, she'd felt something special toward him—though she couldn't say exactly what.

She didn't know how Lin Jie had discovered that she was a 100,000-year transformed soul beast, but she was grateful he'd kept her secret.

"Lin Jie… what should I do?" she asked, her voice low.

Lin Jie sighed internally. If she didn't have a solution, what made her think he did?

Well… to be fair, he actually did have one.

But it involved expending a portion of the energy he and Zhu Zhuqing had painstakingly cultivated through dual cultivation—something he'd been reluctant to part with. Last time had been an emergency; he hadn't wanted Bone Douluo to discover Xiao Wu's secret, so he'd passed her a small amount of that energy to help suppress her aura.

After thinking for a while, Lin Jie hesitated, then said, "I do have a method… and yes, it should help conceal your true form."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? What is it?"