Two days passed quickly.
It was finally time for Su Linfeng to depart for the Star Dou Great Forest.
The members of the Golden Generation all came to see him off.
Originally, Hu Liena wanted to escort him all the way beyond Spirit City, but her legs were still weak, so she could only watch him leave from the gates of the Spirit Hall itself.
"Brother Linfeng, the soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest are far more dangerous than those in the Death Canyon. You must be careful this time," Zhang Ping said worriedly. "I told you my uncle Luo'er could go with you. Why did you refuse?"
Luo'er Diala? Forget it.
He'd probably be more of a burden than a help.
Besides, to Su Linfeng, the Star Dou Great Forest wasn't dangerous—it was home.
It had been a long time since he'd last returned there. Even when Bibi Dong hunted the Soft-Boned Rabbit three years ago, he hadn't gone along. Sixteen years had already passed.
For a soul beast, sixteen years wasn't much. But for a human, even one with Su Linfeng's nature, it was a long time.
Truthfully, he was looking forward to it.
Seeing Zhang Ping's worried face, Su Linfeng smiled politely. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. You all should keep training. When I get back, I'll personally check your progress."
The moment they heard "personally check," the Golden Generation all grimaced.
Just the thought of being trained under his fire element again made them shiver.
After a few final words, Su Linfeng turned to glance at the absentminded Hu Liena. The corner of his lips lifted slightly before he turned and disappeared.
"Brother Su, be careful…"
Hu Liena finally spoke, but he was already gone.
She muttered softly to herself, still in a daze.
Then she remembered his words — personally check.
"Little sly fox," Zhang Ping suddenly whispered in her ear, making Hu Liena jump in surprise.
"Ah—uh…"
She almost lost her composure. "I—I wasn't doing anything! Just sending Brother Su off!"
Zhang Ping narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You're ridiculous. You didn't say anything while he was here, but now that he's gone, you suddenly want to talk? What were you thinking about just now?"
"Nothing… really nothing."
Hu Liena's eyes darted away nervously. "I'm just tired, I'm going back to rest."
Zhang Ping blinked. Everyone exchanged confused looks.
She was acting strange… it wasn't like her at all.
Nightfall
In the Balak Kingdom, near the border of the Star Dou Great Forest, there was a small town called Bark Town.
Because of its proximity to the forest, it was also known as Star Dou Town. The place was always bustling with soul masters preparing to enter the forest to hunt soul beasts. As a result, the town became a gathering point for independent and wandering soul masters.
The forest's soul beasts were notoriously vicious. Unlike clan or sect disciples who hunted with their elders' protection, freelance soul masters rarely entered alone. Instead, they formed temporary teams or went in groups for safety.
Just then, a streak of golden light descended from the sky outside the town—like a Titled Douluo descending through the air.
Could Su Linfeng fly?
Yes. His martial soul was the Golden Crow, which naturally granted flight. Combined with his mastery of the Golden Crow Rainbow Technique, a journey that would normally take several days took him less than half a day.
The town was small but lively. Shops lined both sides of the main street, and business was booming thanks to the constant flow of soul masters.
"Linfeng!"
A familiar, cheerful voice called out. Dugu Yan appeared from a side street, smiling brightly. "You're finally here!"
"Sister Yan," Su Linfeng greeted her with a smile. "You've been waiting long?"
"Not at all."
Dugu Yan's pretty face flushed slightly. "The Heaven Dou team left this afternoon. I just got here myself. So… shall we leave right now?"
"Now?"
Su Linfeng looked up at the darkening sky and gave a helpless smile. "Sister Yan, I know you're eager, but isn't that a bit too eager? The Star Dou Great Forest is even more dangerous at night—especially since we're going deep inside."
"Ah…"
Dugu Yan's cheeks turned red. "You're right. I was being impatient."
Su Linfeng shook his head, amused.
It was rare to see this side of her—the normally confident, venomous Dugu Yan now acting shy and gentle. Perhaps only in front of him did she lower her guard.
He explained, "The Red-Tailed Snake lives deep in the Star Dou Great Forest. This journey will take us several days. We should stock up on supplies first—just in case."
Dugu Yan nodded. "All right, let's look around town then."
She almost reached out to take his hand, but seeing that his attention was elsewhere, she awkwardly pulled back and tucked a strand of her greenish-purple hair behind her ear.
"What are you looking at?" she asked curiously.
Su Linfeng's gaze was fixed on a two-story building in the town center. It wasn't grand, but it stood out—and he could sense faint spiritual energy and the aura of rare materials emanating from it.
"That place—what is it?" he asked.
"That's the Soul Master Underground Exchange," Dugu Yan explained. "Many freelance soul masters sell weapons, materials, pills, and resources there. But I'd advise you not to go inside."
"Most of what's traded there has questionable origins. It's not like an official auction house—there's no imperial protection. The crowd is full of shady types. Someone might sell you something one minute and ambush you the next once you leave town."
Su Linfeng smiled faintly. Her warning only seemed to make him more curious.
"Let's go," he said. "I want to take a look."
"Linfeng…" Dugu Yan sighed softly but followed after him anyway.
Inside, the underground exchange was crowded. Stalls lined the area, with soul masters haggling and shouting to draw attention.
No one paid much attention to Su Linfeng and Dugu Yan as they entered—just another pair of travelers.
Linfeng preferred it that way. He walked slowly, scanning the stalls for anything valuable.
They sold everything—weapons, elixirs, spirit herbs, even low-level soul beasts kept in spirit cages.
Then, something in the corner caught his eye—a faintly glowing yellow stone.
It was whale resin.
Even in coastal cities or major auctions, such an item was rare. For it to appear in such a shabby underground market was astonishing.
Whale resin could greatly strengthen a soul master's body, toughening the muscles, bones, and meridians. It improved one's resistance to energy backlash and could even help increase the absorption limit of spirit rings.
At present, almost no one on the continent knows its true value. It wouldn't be recognized until thousands of years later.
But as a soul beast himself, Su Linfeng's instincts were sharp. He could tell instantly that this piece of whale resin was extraordinary.