Just then, the ground began to shake violently.
"It's a beast tide—the Earth King's stampede!"
"Teacher Qin, Tianheng, retreat now!"
A flight-type teacher, Yan Que'er, took advantage of her aerial vantage point to spot the disturbance in the distance.
Dozens of Earth Kings were stampeding like a migrating herd—directly on a collision course with them.
"Quick! Head this way! Don't get caught in them!"
Qin Ming immediately took command, guiding everyone to change direction and evacuate at top speed.
"Tch, what'd I tell you?"
Yu Tianheng chuckled softly, curling his lip.
Qin Ming paused mid-step and gave him a disapproving glance—then summoned his martial soul Inferno Grey World and grabbed him with one hand before dashing away.
Meanwhile, deep within the dense forest—
A clearing lay in ruins.
Lin Feng and the others had already arrived in the Sunset Forest some time ago. With the help of the Dragon Seeking Compass, they quickly found a suitable soul beast for Dugu Yan.
And with Dugu Bo assisting, Dugu Yan was now seated cross-legged, absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Lin Feng looked at her back, recalling how in the original story, Tang San had only advanced by one level after absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring at Rank 40. That alone proved how difficult it was to advance as a Soul Ancestor.
Yet now, after consuming immortal herbs—
Not only had his flames and physical constitution evolved, but his soul power had also increased by about five levels. Reaching Rank 46 after absorbing a soul ring wasn't unreasonable.
Thinking of this, Lin Feng smiled with satisfaction and nodded approvingly.
Dugu Bo watched the two from the side, sighing softly. But the corners of his mouth also curled into a rare smile.
In recent years, he had clearly sensed the undercurrents stirring throughout the continent.
If possible, he truly wished this moment could last forever.
A rustling sound from the distance put Dugu Bo on alert.
Lin Feng tensed up as well and instantly assumed a combat stance, following Dugu Bo's gaze toward the forest.
Several vague silhouettes were moving between the trees.
"Feng'er, don't be so nervous."
"They're probably just soul masters here to hunt soul beasts."
Dugu Bo waved his hand, signaling him to stand down.
"Haah… finally—we finally lost those damn spiders…"
Yu Tianheng panted heavily, his breath ragged between words.
"Eh? Isn't that a clearing up ahead—with people?"
Yan Que'er looked toward Lin Feng's direction in surprise.
"I'll go check it out first. If everything's fine, you can come over."
Qin Ming composed himself, then slowly approached the three figures.
"Lin Feng? So it's you guys."
When he got close and saw their faces clearly, he hurried forward with a friendly greeting.
"Teacher Qin? What are you doing here?"
Lin Feng was equally surprised to run into them here.
"And that is…? Greetings, Senior Dugu."
Qin Ming was stunned to see Dugu Bo, then quickly gave a respectful nod.
Dugu Bo stood with hands behind his back, nodding sternly without saying a word.
"Ah, Lin Feng, we're here in the Sunset Forest to hunt soul rings."
"What about you guys?"
Only after Dugu Bo acknowledged him did Qin Ming answer Lin Feng's earlier question.
Lin Feng smiled and gestured for him to look at Dugu Yan seated behind.
Qin Ming turned his gaze to the meditating Dugu Yan—eyes widening as he realized she was absorbing a soul ring.
"Wait, no way… is Dugu Yan getting a new soul ring?"
"Don't tell me—she has twin martial souls?"
"Wait a minute, is that… a ten-thousand-year soul beast?!"
Qin Ming wiped his eyes in disbelief, staring at the soul beast's corpse beside Dugu Yan.
He simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"My Yan'er is innately gifted. She took a few immortal herbs, reached Rank 40 at twelve years old, and is now absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring."
"Is that really so shocking?"
Dugu Bo's stern expression gradually shifted into a proud smirk, his tone slightly accusatory.
"A-Ah, no, not at all, Senior Dugu."
"It's just that in the history of the Douluo Continent, there's never been a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor."
"I was simply caught off guard. Yan'er's accomplishments are truly praiseworthy—and a great honor to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Qin Ming quickly explained with a sheepish smile.
Then, he waved at the group behind him to approach.
The other teachers hurried forward, and after taking in the scene and hearing Qin Ming's explanation, their faces stretched in disbelief.
"Teacher Qin, is that really the Dugu Yan you recruited?"
"She's already reached the Soul Ancestor realm at such a young age?"
"Hahaha, that's right. I recruited her."
Qin Ming nodded, grinning broadly.
"Lin Feng, is Dugu Yan… absorbing a soul ring right now?"
A late-arriving Yu Tianheng asked, stunned.
"Haven't you absorbed one yourself? Can't you recognize what it looks like?"
Lin Feng replied with an expression of speechless disdain.
"No way. This is impossible!"
Yu Tianheng looked stunned, unable to believe his eyes.
"Are you kidding me, Lin Feng?"
"She was just barely a Soul Elder the other day."
"And now she's already a Soul Ancestor?"
"Is your brain fried or are your eyes broken?"
"Maybe we should get a teacher to check you out."
After days of hard training, Yu Tianheng had regained some confidence. Now, facing Lin Feng again, he dared to speak boldly.
Lin Feng simply smiled. There was no point arguing with the clueless.
"You brat, did you just insult my granddaughter and her future husband?"
"Sounds like you're tired of living."
From the corner, Dugu Bo's furious roar exploded.
A wave of terrifying soul pressure swept across the clearing.
Everyone trembled under its weight, forced to their knees with gritted teeth.
Yu Tianheng slammed to the ground, both knees hitting the dirt in a clumsy, humiliating posture.
"Senior Dugu, please! Tianheng didn't mean it."
"He's young and reckless—please don't take it to heart!"
Qin Ming said through clenched teeth, his face contorted with effort.
"These are all our current teachers and classmates."
"Can you let this one slide?"
Lin Feng stepped forward to mediate.
He also transmitted a message secretly to Dugu Bo:
"Old man, Yu Tianheng's grandfather is Thunderclap Douluo. I believe you can take him down, but maybe spare the kid for now?"
Dugu Bo's expression twitched.
Thunderclap Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen?
Why haven't I heard that before?
This damn kid really knows how to hand me excuses.
"Hmph. Fine, Feng'er—this time, I'll let it go for your sake."
"But if that Yu Yuanzhen dares show up in person, he won't walk away whole."
Dugu Bo replied via transmission.
30 Advance Chapters on !
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