Morning mist drifted across the wilderness.
The expedition camp stirred to life before sunrise.
Tents were dismantled.
Supplies were packed.
Fires were extinguished until no trace remained of the previous night’s presence.
Spirit masters moved efficiently through their routines.
Within half an hour, the group was already marching once more.
Lin Yuan walked near the front today.
Ahead of them, the Star Dou Forest loomed larger with every passing minute.
The closer they approached, the more overwhelming it became.
The ancient trees seemed to merge into a green ocean stretching beyond sight.
Massive trunks rose dozens of meters into the air, their crowns blocking much of the sunlight beneath.
An oppressive feeling lingered around the forest.
Not evil.
Not hostile.
Simply powerful.
As though the land itself possessed life.
Eventually, Xu Mingshan raised a hand.
The entire expedition halted immediately.
Nobody spoke.
The vice hall master looked toward the forest entrance ahead.
“We enter here.” Lin Yuan’s gaze followed.
A narrow path disappeared between enormous trees.
From outside, the forest seemed silent.
Yet when he focused carefully, countless sounds emerged.
Bird calls.
Rustling leaves.
Distant roars.
Movement hidden among the undergrowth.
The forest was alive.
Far more alive than any place he had ever seen.
Xu Mingshan turned toward the group.
“From this point onward, maintain formation.” Everyone nodded.
Even Han Feng’s relaxed expression disappeared.
The expedition entered the forest.
The change was immediate.
Sunlight dimmed.
The temperature dropped.
Ancient trees surrounded them from every direction.
Roots thicker than a man’s body twisted across the ground like sleeping serpents.
The air smelled of earth and vegetation.
Every step seemed to carry them deeper into another world.
Lin Yuan silently observed everything.
Tracks in the soil.
Broken branches.
Animal scents.
The forest contained information everywhere.
Most people simply failed to notice it.
Hours passed.
Several spirit beasts appeared throughout the morning.
None were suitable targets.
A group of deer-like creatures fled before the expedition arrived.
Later, a large boar spirit beast crossed their path briefly before disappearing into the trees.
No one pursued.
Patience was part of spirit beast hunting.
The wrong spirit ring could affect a spirit master’s future for decades.
Near midday, the lead scout suddenly raised his fist.
The expedition halted again.
A moment later, he returned.
“Three hundred meters ahead.” Xu Mingshan nodded.
“What kind?” “Stoneback Rhinoceros.” Several people relaxed.
Not particularly dangerous.
The vice hall master considered briefly.
Then looked toward one of the younger spirit masters.
“You need a defensive spirit ring.” The young man immediately brightened.
“Yes, Vice Hall Master.” The expedition altered direction slightly.
Soon, they arrived at a clearing.
The Stoneback Rhinoceros stood near a small pond drinking water.
The beast was enormous.
Nearly four meters long.
Its hide resembled gray stone.
A heavy horn extended from its forehead.
Lin Yuan quietly watched as the hunt began.
This was his first opportunity to observe experienced spirit masters working together.
No chaos.
No reckless charges.
The team surrounded the spirit beast carefully.
Positions were established.
Signals exchanged.
Only when everyone was ready did the attack begin.
Spirit skills erupted across the clearing.
The rhinoceros roared.
Trees shook.
Earth trembled.
Yet despite its strength, the outcome was never truly in doubt.
The beast fought alone.
The spirit masters fought as a coordinated unit.
Within minutes, the battle ended.
The rhinoceros collapsed.
A yellow spirit ring slowly emerged above its body.
The younger spirit master approached with excitement visible on his face.
Lin Yuan observed silently.
This was the reality of cultivation.
A spirit beast lived for centuries.
Then died so another could grow stronger.
The process felt natural within this world.
Yet a small part of him still found it strange.
Perhaps that came from memories of another life.
The spirit absorption process lasted nearly an hour.
When it finished, the young spirit master successfully advanced.
Celebration spread briefly through the expedition.
Then the group continued moving.
As the day progressed, the forest grew denser.
The spirit beasts became stronger.
The atmosphere changed subtly.
Even the veteran spirit masters became more alert.
Near sunset, Lin Yuan sensed something unusual.
A vibration.
Faint.
Almost imperceptible.
His eyes narrowed.
The sensation came through the ground.
Heavy.
Rhythmic.
Like distant footsteps.
Several moments later, Han Feng frowned.
“You feel that?” Lin Yuan nodded.
The Spirit Elder’s expression immediately became serious.
Moments later, others noticed as well.
Xu Mingshan raised a hand.
The expedition stopped.
Everyone listened.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The vibrations became clearer.
Closer.
Whatever was approaching possessed tremendous mass.
The vice hall master’s gaze sharpened.
Then suddenly— A scout burst through the trees.
His breathing was uneven.
“Vice Hall Master.” The man swallowed.
“Large spirit beast.” Xu Mingshan remained calm.
“Species?” The scout hesitated.
Then answered.
“Unknown.” The words instantly changed the atmosphere.
Unknown?
Experienced scouts rarely failed to identify spirit beasts.
Xu Mingshan’s expression hardened.
“Explain.” The scout pointed deeper into the forest.
“I only saw it briefly.” His voice lowered.
“But…” The man paused.
A strange look appeared in his eyes.
“It seemed to be carrying chains.” Silence.
Even the forest sounds felt distant for a moment.
Lin Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
Chains?
A coincidence.
It had to be a coincidence.
Yet for some reason, the Asura Prison inside his soul stirred violently.
More violently than ever before.
The familiar sensation spread through his body.
Not excitement.
Not hunger.
Recognition.
As though something deep within the forest had awakened—and was calling back.