Even Liu Erlong didn't know why she needed to dress up so beautifully for the occasion. Yet, she arrived in an enchanting floral tight skirt, exuding charm.
When Yu Xiaogang, who had been waiting, saw Liu Erlong walking in, he was momentarily entranced, a strange expression flickering in his eyes.
The same reaction came from Flender.
When Flender saw Liu Erlong's alluring outfit, he was not only taken aback but also mesmerized.
Even though he knew Liu Erlong was in love with Yu Xiaogang, and even though he had long accepted their relationship, Flender couldn't stop his heart from fluttering when he saw the woman he once cared for dressed so stunningly.
"Erlong, you're here," Flender said, snapping out of his daze.
However, he noticed that Liu Erlong didn't respond to him. Instead, she was looking at Tang Yin with a strange expression. Even Yu Xiaogang didn't acknowledge Flender, leaving him confused.
When Flender addressed her again, Liu Erlong finally reacted, nodding quickly and asking, "Are we all here? Should we set off now?"
Flender looked around at the group.
Since everyone already knew each other, there was no need for introductions. However, there were some things he needed to clarify before they left.
He said, "We're about to set off for Sunset Forest. Although we'll be accompanying you, I want to make something clear. To better prepare you for the Soul Master Competition, we've decided, after discussing with the teachers, that you'll be responsible for hunting the soul beasts this time. Unless it's absolutely necessary, we will not intervene. In fact, we won't protect you; instead, we may need your protection. Do you understand?"
Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Flender continued, "Time is short. If there's anything else to discuss, we can talk on the way. Otherwise, let's head out."
With that, Flender gave the order, and the group set off for Sunset Forest.
Flender wasn't in a hurry and strolled leisurely alongside Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji, chatting and laughing as if they were on a casual outing.
Meanwhile, Ah Yin preferred to stay with Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong, chatting about their own affairs.
Although Tang Yin was briefly captivated by Liu Erlong's charming outfit, his main focus was on the real purpose of going to Sunset Forest—to find and confront Tang Hao. Thus, he didn't dwell on it.
The distance from Heaven Dou City to Sunset Forest was relatively short. The Sunset Forest was a well-known location where soul masters from nearby cities came to hunt soul beasts.
Tang Yin had visited Sunset Forest before, but his experiences there had been brief, either due to Tang Hao taking him away or encounters with Dugu Bo. As a result, he hadn't explored much of the forest.
Returning to Sunset Forest this time, Tang Yin felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
Compared to the Star Dou Forest, the Sunset Forest had several notable differences beyond its smaller size.
The Star Dou Forest, located at the center of the continent, is the largest soul beast forest and lies within the tropical zone, dominated by lush, dense tropical plants.
In contrast, the Sunset Forest, situated in the middle of the Heaven Dou Empire, has a much cooler climate, though not frigid. Its vegetation consists mainly of temperate plants unique to northern regions.
Tropical forests are typically denser and more humid, while temperate forests feel refreshing but are less dense.
As a result, moving through Sunset Forest was much easier than navigating the thick foliage of the Star Dou Forest.
However, powerful soul beasts generally preferred tropical rainforests like the Star Dou Forest.
Thus, while the Sunset Forest was home to many soul beasts, most of them had cultivation levels ranging between 1,000 and 10,000 years, with very few surpassing the 10,000-year mark. Years of unrestricted hunting by soul masters had further degraded the quality of the soul beasts.
However, the deeper regions of the forest presented a different story.
To find a soul beast suitable for their needs, the group would require not only strength but also patience.
After half a day in the Sunset Forest, the number and quality of the soul beasts they encountered were disappointing.
While they came across a few thousand-year-level soul beasts, most of them had barely crossed the 1,000-year mark. Clearly, this was not what the group had hoped for.
The soul beasts in the area did not dare provoke such a large group of people.
"Let's take a break for now. We'll resume searching tomorrow," Flender called out to the Shrek Seven Monsters and the seven members of the Royal Fighter Team as the sky darkened.
Thanks to their soul guides, the group was well-prepared. In no time, four camps were set up to ensure quick responses in the soul beast forest.
The tents chosen were spacious and sturdy.
Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Qin Ming, and Zhao Wuji shared one tent.
Ah Yin and Liu Erlong stayed in another tent together.
One tent was assigned to the boys from Shrek and the Royal Fighter Team, while the girls shared a separate tent.
The task of keeping watch was meant to rotate among the students, but Tang Yin, uninterested in rest and focused on the benefits of cultivation, volunteered to take on the entire vigil himself.
Once the camps were set up, everyone from Shrek and the Royal Fighter Team gathered in a circle on the grass.
Ma Hongjun lit a bonfire using his purified phoenix flame. An iron pot sat above the fire, heating water brought by the group in their soul guides. Dinner preparations were underway.
Meanwhile, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and Qin Ming remained inside their tent, not joining the group outside.
When dinner was ready, Tang San, as Yu Xiaogang's disciple, took the initiative to deliver food to his teacher and Flender.
Tang Yin, on the other hand, brought food to his adoptive mother, Ah Yin, and Liu Erlong, a woman whose charm and beauty did not escape notice.
Inside the tent, Ah Yin was quietly pleased to learn that Liu Erlong had recently broken through to level seventy-nine.
Now that they were both Soul Saints of the same rank, their conversations often revolved around exchanging cultivation techniques and experiences.
It was during one of these moments that Tang Yin opened the tent flap and walked in.
Inside the tent, Liu Erlong froze when she saw Tang Yin enter, her expression betraying her surprise. She hadn't yet figured out how to face this young man, the one who had made her feel so many conflicting emotions.
Ah Yin, noticing her adopted son entering with food, quickly rose to her feet. Understanding the connection between the two, she took the food from Tang Yin and handed it to Liu Erlong.
"Erlong, my adopted son can be clumsy at times. If he does anything wrong, please don't take it to heart," Ah Yin said gently, her tone carrying a hint of advice.
Tang Yin added, "Foster Mother, Zhuqing and Xiao Wu mentioned they had something to discuss with you and asked if you could step out for a moment."
"Really?" Ah Yin asked, looking curious.
Tang Yin nodded, glancing at Liu Erlong. "Yes, it seemed important."
"In that case, I'll step out for a bit. Erlong, you can eat here in the meantime," Ah Yin said with a smile before leaving the tent.
Now, only Tang Yin and Liu Erlong remained inside.
Tang Yin's gaze lingered on Liu Erlong's voluptuous and alluring figure, her mature and seductive demeanor catching his eye. He walked closer, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
"Dean Erlong," he said slyly, "you wouldn't want anyone to find out just how upset you've been with me, would you?"
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