Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Crisis in the Star Forest
The atmosphere remained heavy with silence as the last few passengers climbed aboard the carriage. Even Ju Douluo, the Chrysanthemum Ghost, could barely endure the overwhelming effect that Su Chen had left on everyone. After all, if he was shaken by such a display, how could the young ones not be?
The thousand-year soul ring and its terrifying destructive power had given them an unprecedented shock. The most unsettling part? Su Chen was only six years old, just like them.
"Old ghost, you don't think these children will be too damaged by the shock, do you?" Ju Douluo raised an elegant eyebrow as he glanced at the young ones, who appeared utterly defeated, with the exception of Su Chen.
Since witnessing Su Chen's almost flawless display, the others had fallen into a deep, unshakable depression. The most affected seemed to be Yan, who looked at Su Chen with nothing but pure fear in his eyes. It was as if a vast psychological shadow had been cast upon him.
Ju Douluo couldn't help but empathize. What was truly frightening wasn't just the gap between him and a genius, but the fact that the gap seemed endless, stretching far beyond his imagination.
Still, he saw it as a good thing. People who overestimate their own abilities tend to meet an early demise. Recognizing their limitations early on would save them from unnecessary harm in the future.
As for whether these kids would suffer lasting psychological trauma, that wasn't his concern. If they couldn't handle the pressure, they might as well give up being Soul Masters and retire to their homes.
"Enough about them. Do you think something's off with the Star Dou Forest?" Ju Douluo's voice grew more serious as he looked toward the vast wilderness with a concerned expression.
"The Linwu Silkworm and other such soul beasts shouldn't be anywhere near the edge of the forest, let alone the Millennium Wolf," Ghost Douluo said, shaking his head. His gaze remained fixed on the distance, where the verdant expanse of the forest stretched as far as the eye could see.
The entire landscape was consumed by the endless green, a sea of leaves that seemed to cover nearly the entire region. This vast forest lay at the heart of the continent, dividing the Tiandou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, and was known to be far more treacherous than anyone could imagine.
"Thankfully, we got out of there safely with these little ones," Ju Douluo added, his voice laced with relief.
Soul beasts like the Linwu Silkworm were harbingers of destruction. If there were truly such a battle brewing in the forest, it might be something they could handle, but the children... they wouldn't be so lucky.
"But thank goodness, everything's fine for now. Speaking of Su Chen... this kid..." Ju Douluo smirked before his gaze shifted. "Hey, do you think I could get my hands on one of those Linwu Silkworms? I heard they're great tonics, perfect for beauty and health."
Yue Guan, his face irresistibly charming, gazed into the distance with an almost feminine allure. If it weren't for the obvious Adam's apple, no one would doubt he was a woman.
"You're impossible," Ghost Douluo muttered, rolling his eyes at his old friend, but his expression remained clouded with suspicion.
The death of the previous Pope had caused ripples throughout the Spirit Hall. With the new Pope's ascension, the Wuhun Palace was in chaos. The Three Sects and the two Empires were watching closely, and now was hardly the time for distractions.
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A deep, resounding crack echoed through the forest, followed by the sickening sound of blood spilling onto the ground. A wolf beast, its body torn and broken, lay trembling in a pool of its own blood. A massive black claw, large enough to dwarf the beast's entire body, pressed down mercilessly on its skull.
"What's this? You're telling me that your clan and this so-called tonic were all slaughtered by a mere child?" A voice boomed like thunder, causing the wolf beast to howl in pain. Blood poured from its ears as it crumpled under the weight.
"Such a waste..." the voice murmured disdainfully.
With a single crushing motion, the black claw snapped down, and the wolf beast's body was flattened, its form reduced to nothing but a thin, lifeless husk.
From within the shadows, a towering figure stepped forward, the vast form blocking the light from the sun and plunging the area into darkness.
"What do we do now? That was for His Majesty, and we've raised it for so long. Are we really going to let humans take it away?" A second figure emerged, its voice like gravel in an urn. Saliva dripped from its fangs, hitting the ground with a sizzling sound, turning the soil into blackened crystal from the intense heat.
"Damn humans..." the figure growled, its fury palpable.
With a deafening roar, the figure's massive body surged forward, its power shaking the very ground. Birds scattered in every direction, and weaker soul beasts shrieked in agony as they collapsed to the ground, succumbing to the violence of the attack.
"I'm going to eat you!" the towering figure howled, its voice sending waves of terror through the surrounding creatures.
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"Su Chen, it's time to eat," a girl's voice broke through the tension, her words gentle as she knocked on the carriage window.
Almost instantly, Su Chen's eyes snapped open, blood-red and piercing white flashing in his gaze.
Outside, Hu Liena couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine, her body shivering uncontrollably.
At that moment, it felt as if she were being watched—no, more accurately, as if she were being pierced through and locked onto by a wild beast.
"Understood. Go ahead," came the boy's voice, faint yet calm. Though devoid of emotion, it somehow eased the tension in her body, and the warmth of the sun seemed to return to her.
Is this his current power?
The thought flitted through her mind as she stood there, momentarily lost in thought.
So, this is how strong he is now.
They had all woken up together not long ago, but now, the distance between them felt insurmountable.
"Alright, then. I'll go now," she murmured softly, before turning to leave.
Inside the carriage, Su Chen closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they had returned to their usual dark and profound gleam.
His gaze drifted toward the Star Dou Forest, his expression thoughtful.
In his half-conscious state, Su Chen had felt something powerful locking onto him. When he fully woke, he couldn't suppress the surge of his strength.
"Hmmm, looks like I'll have to stay away from the Star Dou Great Forest for a while," the young man murmured to himself.
His eyes shifted to the Linwu Silkworm in the storage soul guide. "It seems you are quite the extraordinary soul beast."
Stepping out of the carriage, Su Chen stretched, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
The weather was pleasant, the breeze gentle, and Spirit City was now within sight.
Perhaps it was the shock of what happened in the Star Dou Great Forest that had pushed him to return quickly. He'd even expedited the journey by a day, solving all his basic needs—eating, drinking, and sleeping—in the carriage.
It had been a rushed journey, and even Su Chen felt the weariness, unable to resist taking a brief nap.
With Spirit City just ahead, the two Douluo finally relaxed. They saw to the well-being of the others, ensured they ate well, and rested properly. After all, they had a meeting with the Pope later, and they couldn't appear before her in a disheveled state.
After a hearty meal, the children smiled brightly, their spirits lifted. There was no greater comfort after a long journey than a satisfying meal.
"Alright, after today, rest well," Juegui Douluo instructed. "Tomorrow morning, we will meet His Holiness the Pope. She has summoned you."
He then directed the guards to escort the children back home before he and Ghost Douluo hurried off.
Too much had happened recently—important matters that required immediate reporting.
The changes in the Star Dou Great Forest, the appearance of the Linwu Silkworm, the soul rings of the children, and—of course—Su Chen.
His exquisite movements, his skillful use of soul power, the miraculous way he threw his darts, his thousand-year soul ring, and more than four powerful soul skills!
A natural talent, with an ominous aura... Words failed to describe the boy with the white hair.
In less than ten years, he would be a name known across the continent!
Thinking of this, Juegui Douluo couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.