Douluo: I achieve godhood through System

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Back in the private room, Dugu Yan walked up to Wang Li and looped her arm through his, curiously asking,

"Who were those people just now?"

Wang Li smiled slightly and replied,

"They're classmates from the Junior Soul Master Academy. But after only a year, I transferred to the Intermediate Soul Master Academy, and then to the Advanced Soul Master Academy. That's how I ended up meeting you, Yan Yan Jie!"

Dugu Yan smiled at his words,

"That's what I like to hear. How about you come to my room tonight? I have a small reward for you."

Wang Li raised an eyebrow. He was now taller than Dugu Yan by at least a head, and leaning down, he whispered into her ear,

"I'd definitely love your reward, Yan Yan Jie. But we're heading into the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow. Could we maybe move the reward to when we return to Heaven Dou City?"

The warm breath from his whisper lingered in her ear, and Dugu Yan's eyes grew hazy.

"Just as you wish, just as you wish, all for you!"

Nearby, the others, who had been interested in hearing Wang Li talk about his past, suddenly witnessed the intimate exchange between him and Dugu Yan. Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Aosuo, and Yufeng quickly distanced themselves, while Ye Lingling's earlobes turned red, and Yu Tianheng's face went pale.

Soon after, Qin Ming returned, wearing a smile that suggested he had just enjoyed a pleasant conversation, but he didn't offer any explanations to the group.

After dinner, as the evening drew near, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. The night passed quietly, and soon the next day's sunrise arrived.

After having breakfast at the hotel, the group from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy checked out and boarded the carriages once more. The town they were in was over a hundred miles from the Star Dou Great Forest, so they knew it was best to conserve their energy and prepare themselves for the journey ahead.

After all, this was the wild Soul Beast Forest, the largest and most famous on the continent. Even on the outskirts, one could encounter century-old Soul Beasts, or even thousand-year-old ones.

As they neared the Star Dou Great Forest, with only ten miles left to go, Qin Ming instructed the coachman to stop the carriage and continue on foot.

Once everyone had disembarked, Qin Ming turned to the group with a serious expression,

"Alright, not far ahead is the Star Dou Great Forest, the largest and most famous wild Soul Beast forest on the continent. The terrain is complicated, and it's home to countless Soul Beasts."

"This place is both a treasure and a danger for Soul Masters—fraught with peril and hidden dangers. I won't say more, as you all know this already."

"From here on, we will form a combat formation. Only if an emergency arises should we immediately summon our martial souls to fight."

The group responded loudly in unison,

"Understood!"

Next, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, the brothers, took the lead, with Dugu Yan, a Control-type Soul Master, and Ye Lingling, a Healing-type Soul Master, following behind them. On their left and right were Yufeng and Aosuo, while Wang Li and Yu Tianheng brought up the rear. They were positioned this way to protect the back and to quickly provide support in case of an emergency.

Though Qin Ming wasn't part of the formation, he carefully observed the group. He wasn't entirely confident they would find the greedy root demon Wang Li needed, as it was a rare plant-type Soul Beast that could move on its own.

Therefore, he considered this mission more of a training exercise for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team, preparing them for the next continental Advanced Soul Master Competition.

As they continued forward at a steady pace, it didn't take long for them to actually reach the Star Dou Great Forest.

Towering trees, rolling mountains, and a wild, untamed energy hit them immediately. This place felt primal, untouched by human hands.

Qin Ming's expression grew serious, and he spoke in a low voice,

"Everyone, stay alert. We're entering the forest now, so keep your guard up at all times!"

The group responded promptly,

"Understood!"

As they entered the Star Dou Great Forest, they often encountered various Soul Beasts, mostly ten-year ones. However, these ten-year Soul Beasts weren't their target, and they paid them little attention, as ordinary ten-year Soul Beasts didn't have the courage to provoke them.

Wang Li's fourth Soul Ring required at least a 5,000-year-old Greedy Root Demon, so they needed to venture deeper into the forest.

As they journeyed on, they encountered more low-level Soul Beasts, including some hundred-year Soul Beasts, and occasionally, thousand-year Soul Beasts.

Thousand-year Soul Beasts were far bolder, often launching sudden attacks. This was the opportunity for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team to train and grow stronger.

After half a day of travel, they had ventured deep into the forest, where thousand-year Soul Beasts were becoming more common.

Qin Ming was about to instruct everyone to take a short break and begin exploring the nearby area when suddenly the ground began to shake. It felt as though a massive creature was passing by.

Many of the thousand-year Soul Beasts, whether resting, hunting, or being hunted, suddenly went wild and began fleeing in a panic.

Yufeng, being able to fly, saw the truth. A giant ape, as massive as a mountain, was walking through the forest. It was heading toward the forest's edge, and wherever it passed, the ground trembled. All the hundred-year and thousand-year Soul Beasts were fleeing in terror.

"A giant ape! It's a giant ape!" Yufeng shouted.

Qin Ming's expression changed. He swiftly jumped up into a tall tree. After a quick glance, he shouted,

"Everyone, retreat! That's the King of the Forest, the Titan Giant Ape. And this one could be a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast, or even a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast! Damn it, why would such a creature appear near the forest's edge?"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy all turned pale. Ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts and hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts were typically found only in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest. It was impossible for them to be in the outer regions.

Only Wang Li knew the truth. It was most likely the Titan Giant Ape named "Er Ming," who had sensed Xiao Wu's presence and hurriedly rushed toward them.

After the Titan Giant Ape, "Er Ming," took Xiao Wu away, Tang San had gone mad with rage and chased after it, eventually slaying a thousand-year-old Man-faced Demon Spider. He not only absorbed its Soul Ring but also obtained the external soul bone, the Eight Spider Lances.

It was undoubtedly a powerful and growth-oriented item, but Wang Li wasn't particularly interested in it.

The Eight Spider Lances, with their evil properties, didn't align with his life-based attribute. Wang Li envisioned a future where, with a clap of his hands, the Blue Silver Grass would spread across the heavens, and then, using his third Soul Skill, the Frenzied Dance, he would sweep the battlefield.

Wang Li intended to retreat with the group, leaving the area for now and returning after the Titan Giant Ape had passed.

However, just then, Yufeng, hovering in midair, rubbed his eyes in disbelief and said,

"You won't believe it, but I just saw a bunch of tree roots running on their own!"

At these words, Wang Li's eyes widened, and Qin Ming frowned in thought. After a moment, he called out,

"Yufeng, confirm the direction and distance. That group of running tree roots is most likely the Greedy Root Demon Wang Li needs. It seems the disturbance caused by the King of the Forest has had a massive impact on the other Soul Beasts in the forest. Even if we can't confirm its age, we need to intercept those roots first!"

(End of Chapter)