Early the next morning, Longxing Town was still shrouded in a hazy mist, which enveloped the streets and alleys like a light veil, carrying with it a touch of coolness.
Scattered rays of dawn pierced through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled light and shadow onto the streets.
Shops along the street had already begun to open, and the clamor rose and fell, creating a lively atmosphere.
People came and went in taverns, inns, and blacksmith shops, including many mercenaries, soul hunters, and merchants.
Liu Feng looked at the scene before him and couldn’t help but marvel at the prosperity of Longxing Town as a transportation hub and commercial center.
He and his father, Liu Qing, had arrived early at the town center square, which was the designated meeting point for the Soul Hunting Squad.
Next to the square was a magnificent Spirit Hall branch temple.
This branch temple was built from massive white stones, solemn and majestic.
The Spirit Hall emblem on its roof glittered in the morning light, signifying the Spirit Hall’s lofty status in this land.
In the square, numerous Soul Masters and hunters were busy preparing; some were organizing their luggage, some were wiping their weapons, and others were gathered in low voices discussing the day’s tasks.
Liu Feng stood beside his father, his gaze occasionally drawn to the Spirit Hall branch temple, feeling both excited and nervous.
After all, this was his first formal participation in a soul hunting operation, and the success or failure of this operation would directly determine whether he could successfully obtain his first Soul Ring.
Before long, the brothers Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma appeared in the square.
As soon as they showed up, they attracted a lot of attention from those around them.
The two were tall and exuded a unique aura of seasoned warriors, clearly indicating they were experienced Soul Masters.
Zhang Niu stood in the center of the square, nearly two meters tall, with a rugged, square face and tight muscles all over his body, radiating an imposing might.
He wore armguards and carried a long-handled double-sided axe on his back.
The axe looked heavy, but it seemed weightless on his back.
Zhang Niu’s Martial Soul is the Azure Water Bull, and he is currently a thirty-fourth-level Soul Elder.
“Liu Qing, you’re here.” Zhang Niu saw Liu Qing and Liu Feng approaching and shouted loudly, a smile on his face.
Liu Qing nodded in response: “Zhang Niu, we’re fighting side by side again today.
How are you prepared?”
Zhang Niu nodded confidently: “Don’t worry, Liu Qing.
This double-sided axe of mine is no joke, and you know the power of my Azure Water Bull Martial Soul, don’t you?”
Liu Qing smiled slightly: “How could I not trust you?
Your Azure Water Bull Martial Soul is powerful and is the backbone of our team.”
Zhang Niu’s Azure Water Bull Martial Soul dominates with strength.
His First Soul Skill, ‘Vajra Fist’, can release a powerful shockwave, instantly repelling enemies. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
His Second Soul Skill, Qi Rushing Mountain, allows him to gain a strength boost like an enraged bull, making it a very practical enhancement Soul skills.
His Third Soul Skill, ‘Savage Bull Break’, is a powerful single-target attack Soul skills with astonishing destructive power.
His Soul Ring configuration is ten-year, hundred-year, hundred-year, which is very suitable for close combat.
Liu Qing introduced Zhang Niu’s situation in detail to Liu Feng.
Zhang Niu and Liu Qing shared a life-and-death friendship, so he didn’t mind his old friend introducing his Martial Soul Abilities to his son.
Zhang Ma stood beside Zhang Niu, also nearly two meters tall, but much leaner than Zhang Niu.
He had two gleaming short knives tucked into his waist, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.
His Martial Soul is the Green Mane Horse, and he is also a thirty-fourth-level Soul Elder.
“Liu Qing, your son looks energetic.
He’ll definitely become an excellent Soul Master in the future.” Zhang Ma looked at Liu Feng and said with a smile.
Liu Qing nodded, then introduced to Liu Feng: “Your Uncle Ma’s Martial Soul is the Green Mane Horse, extremely fast, an agility-attack system Soul Elder, primarily responsible for the team’s reconnaissance missions.
You, kid, haven’t slacked off these past few years, have you?
Don’t let your speed get slow.”
Zhang Ma’s lips curled into a confident smile: “Don’t worry, Liu Qing.
Although it’s been a while since I’ve been in a fight, my speed hasn’t diminished at all.
Whether it’s reconnaissance or pursuit, it’s no problem.”
Zhang Ma’s Green Mane Horse Martial Soul excels in charging ability.
Both his First Soul Skill and Second Soul Skill are Raging Horse Gallop, which can instantly increase his speed and quickly close in on enemies.
His Third Soul Skill, Raging Horse Charge, allows him to launch continuous attacks in a short period, catching enemies off guard.
His Soul Ring configuration is the same as Zhang Niu’s, also ten-year, hundred-year, hundred-year, giving him a clear advantage in speed and agile combat.
Zhang Ma listened to Liu Qing introducing him to Liu Feng, then smiled and said to Liu Feng: “Xiao Feng, don’t worry, with us here, we’ll definitely help you get the Earth Net Spirit Root!”
“Thank you, Uncle Niu, Uncle Ma.” Liu Feng quickly thanked them.
Just as everyone was talking, a short, slightly shifty-looking middle-aged man approached.
He wore worn leather armor, had a string of strange tools hanging from his waist, and held a slender metal rod in his hand.
Although his eyes were small, they gleamed with shrewdness.
“Old Liu, this is Sun Lao San, a reconnaissance Soul Master I temporarily hired,” Zhang Niu introduced.
“He has hunted the Soul Ring of a Digging Rat and knows a bit about the habits of the Earth Net Spirit Root.” This story is hosted at g.com.
“The Earth Net Spirit Root is one of the main foods of the Digging Rat.
The place where he previously hunted Digging Rats might have Earth Net Spirit Roots,” Zhang Ma added.
Sun Lao San grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth: “Hello, everyone, I’m Sun Lao San.
My Martial Soul is the Gold Devouring Rat, a thirty-second-level Soul Elder.
This time, I’m helping you find the Earth Net Spirit Root, right?”
Liu Qing nodded politely: “Brother Sun, we’ll be troubling you this time.”
Sun Lao San waved his hand, nonchalantly saying: “No trouble, no trouble at all.
As long as the reward is sufficient, anything is negotiable.”
Zhang Niu continued to introduce: “Sun Lao San is a Gold Devouring Rat Soul Elder, with keen perception and incredible digging ability.
His First Soul Skill, ‘Gold Devouring Dig’, allows him to quickly excavate tunnels underground to find targets.”
He then turned to Liu Qing and said: “Don’t mind his appearance; his reputation is quite good.
We’ve cooperated with him many times in previous years.”
Sun Lao San said with a smile: “My Gold Devouring Rat Martial Soul makes me especially sensitive to underground environments.
I’m best at finding Soul Beasts like the Earth Net Spirit Root.
I’ll definitely provide everyone with the most reliable reconnaissance support, absolutely worth more than its value!”
Liu Feng curiously observed Sun Lao San, developing a strong interest in his Martial Soul.
As a Beast Martial Soul skilled in digging and reconnaissance, the Gold Devouring Rat can swiftly traverse underground.
It is also extremely sensitive to metal and energy fluctuations, playing a huge role in soul hunting operations, especially when searching for elusive Soul Beasts like the Earth Net Spirit Root.
After learning about the team members’ Martial Soul information, Liu Feng gained a clearer understanding of this soul hunting operation.
In this hunt, Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma were the core combatants of the team, Sun Lao San was the key figure for finding Soul Beasts, and his father Liu Qing was responsible for the team’s support and logistical assurance.
During this time, Liu Feng’s gaze repeatedly drifted unconsciously towards the Spirit Hall branch temple next to the square, secretly wondering if he would have more contact with this mysterious and powerful organization once he obtained a Soul Ring and his strength improved.
Liu Qing looked up at the sky and said to everyone, “It’s getting late, let’s go.
Brother Sun, you lead the way.”
Sun Lao San nodded, pulled out a map, and pointed to an area on it, saying: “Earth Net Spirit Roots prefer places with fertile soil, abundant water, and rich underground energy.
Let’s first go to the southeast of Longxing Town; there’s a marshland there, and we might find traces of Earth Net Spirit Roots.
Before, when I hunted Digging Rats, it was not far from a lake.
Let’s look there first, and if we don’t find anything, we’ll try other directions.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and followed Sun Lao San, heading towards the Star Dou Great Forest.