The bodies of the Ant Queens, like those of the Thousand Jun Ants, were relatively small among Spirit Beasts.
It's worth noting that even a ninety-thousand-year-old Thousand Jun Ant Emperor was only three meters long.
These Ant Queens were less than half a meter in length. After a moment's thought, Dugu Feng ran his hands over a cloth pouch at his waist.
One by one, the Ant Queens disappeared.
This pouch was a Storage Soul Tool similar to the Wishful Treasure Pouch, capable of storing living creatures.
He first collected all the Ant Queens.
With that done, he focused his senses on the Core Pearl.
Hu Liena and the others had already entered the Star Dou Great Forest and were advancing toward its depths.
The direction Dugu Feng had chosen aligned with the path they had taken into the forest, so the straight-line distance between them wasn't far.
Dugu Feng didn't dare let his guard down for even a moment.
He concentrated all his spiritual power on the Core Pearl within Yan's body.
After sensing for a while, Dugu Feng felt confident he could do much more.
In this vicinity, he had already gathered some intel on fox-type Spirit Beasts.
Hu Liena's choice would most likely be among these.
He needed Old Scorpion to prepare an escape route in advance.
As time passed, Dugu Feng only grew more certain of his chances of success.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
A group was advancing silently through the forest.
At the forefront was a middle-aged man dressed in white.
His skin was as fair and delicate as a baby's, his features somewhat enchanting, giving off an unusual aura.
This was Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.
Behind him followed Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena.
To their left, right, and rear were five black-clad Spirit Hall Soul Masters, all appearing to be around fifty years old, their demeanors steady and composed.
These five were all Soul Saints—three guarded the rear, while the other two flanked the sides, protecting the most important trio: Hu Liena and her companions.
In truth, they weren't the least bit worried.
Leading them was Chrysanthemum Douluo, a top-tier powerhouse. None of them believed any danger could threaten them.
The group pressed on until dusk began to fall.
They were about to enter the domain of Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beasts.
Chrysanthemum Douluo raised a hand, signaling for them to halt.
The five Soul Saints swiftly dispersed, clearing a small open area beneath a massive tree and setting up four tents.
"We'll stop here for today and rest overnight.
Hu Liena, are you prepared? Tomorrow, once we enter the Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast zone, we'll begin hunting!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo issued his orders.
"Your Excellency, I am ready. Please help me find either a Three-Eyed Magic Fox or a Nine-Tailed Fox Soul Beast!"
Hu Liena replied respectfully.
Having Chrysanthemum Douluo protect her while absorbing her fifth Spirit Ring was an immense honor.
Moreover, with a powerhouse like him by her side, she had no concerns about finding a suitable Spirit Beast.
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded.
"Rest assured. A mere Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast is nothing. I'll find you the most fitting one!"
His tone was indifferent.
For a renowned elder of the Elders Hall like him to personally hunt a fifth Spirit Ring for Hu Liena...
Only someone as doting as Bibi Dong could make such a request.
Yet Chrysanthemum Douluo harbored no resentment.
He understood perfectly—Bibi Dong treated Hu Liena as her own daughter.
Entrusting her protection to him was a sign of Bibi Dong's trust.
Chrysanthemum Douluo took pride in this.
He was, after all, the number one loyal subordinate of the Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong.
No, he was the top confidant!
Second only to one, above ten thousand.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stood proudly in the center of the four tents, waiting until everything was properly arranged before entering his tent to rest.
Hu Liena and the other two sat around the campfire, eating dry rations.
"Nana, you've once again taken the lead. But in a few months, I'll definitely break through to Soul King. I won't fall too far behind you!"
Yan occasionally glanced into the dark depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, his heart filled with envy.
No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't catch up to Hu Liena.
As for their captain, Xie Yue, he was even further ahead—already at level 51, not far from level 52, surpassing both him and Hu Liena.
"Our progress is still too slow. What do you think—has Dugu Feng broken through to Soul Ancestor yet?" Hu Liena suddenly asked.
"Last time we fought in a Soul Duel, he was already close to Soul Ancestor. He must have broken through by now. I wonder what the age of his fourth Spirit Ring is!" Yan sighed. Even if they dueled again, he didn't think he could win.
"Once we leave the Star Dou Great Forest, news from Suotuo City will reach us. The decision of the six factions in the Great Soul Arena—Dugu Feng will surely make his move."
Xie Yue spoke thoughtfully, clearly also keeping an eye on Dugu Feng.
"Having no rivals would be even more terrifying. Among the younger generation, we thought no one could surpass us in talent.
But then Dugu Feng appeared. Pressure breeds motivation.
There's still over a year until the Soul Master Competition. If Dugu Feng participates, we'll definitely defeat him!"
Xie Yue was brimming with confidence, his tone calm.
Yan and Hu Liena also smiled confidently.
Though they acknowledged his strength, they didn't believe they would lose.
What they didn't know was that Dugu Feng, the very person they were discussing, had overheard every word.
"People talk about me everywhere!"
Dugu Feng sighed helplessly.
Being a genius meant too many eyes were on him.
As his strength continued to grow, the Dugu Family would attract even more attention.
Should he participate in the Soul Master Competition a year later?
Dugu Feng felt he needed to consider it carefully.
After a while, Old Scorpion returned, bringing back two more Ant Queens.
"Young Master, as you instructed, underground tunnels have been set up in the territories of all the ten-thousand-year fox-type Spirit Beasts nearby."
Dugu Feng nodded silently. "Same as last time—our target is Hu Liena from the Spirit Hall.
If an External Soul Bone appears, Old Scorpion, you must capture Hu Liena immediately!"
Old Scorpion thought, Just as I expected.
After all the preparations made upon entering the Star Dou Great Forest, he had already guessed.
Now it was confirmed—it was still for the sake of an External Soul Bone.
But the Young Master's audacity was truly staggering.
Last time, it was someone from the Clear Sky Sect.
This time, it was the Spirit Hall!
Old Scorpion was completely numb.
That night, Dugu Feng smiled. The Emerald Dragon Snake had found a forty-thousand-year-old Thousand Jun Ant King.
In just over a day, they had located two—one twenty-thousand-year-old and one forty-thousand-year-old.
The age wasn't particularly high, but this was already the best the Emerald Dragon Snake could do.
No matter. A lower age actually made it easier for the Emerald Dragon Snake to provoke the two Thousand Jun Ant Kings and lure them over.
As long as they could divert Chrysanthemum Douluo's attention for just a moment, that would be enough for Old Scorpion to strike.
Dugu Feng waited nervously.
The next day, as dawn broke, he sensed Hu Liena and the others beginning to move.
He and Old Scorpion fell into complete silence deep underground.
Dugu Feng employed the Serpent Breath Technique, transforming into a snake. Being underground, he left almost no trace of his presence.
Old Scorpion concealed himself even deeper, like a lump of earth.
Above ground, he had left two Emerald Dragon Snakes lurking near the two Thousand Jun Ant Kings.
Ready to strike at any moment.
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