Chapter 144 – As a Genius, Too Many Eyes Watch Me!
The bodies of ant queens, like those of Gravity Ants, were among the smallest of soul beasts.
Even a ninety-thousand-year Gravity Ant Emperor was only about three meters long, while these ant queens were less than half a meter.
Dugu Feng glanced at them thoughtfully, then brushed his hand across the pouch at his waist.
One by one, the ant queens vanished.
It was a storage-type soul device, much like a Ruyi Treasure Pouch—capable of keeping living creatures within.
He carefully stored the queens away.
Once finished, he shifted his focus toward the pearl linked to Yan's body.
Hu Liena's group had entered the Star Dou Great Forest and was moving deeper in.
Conveniently, the path Dugu Feng chose aligned with their route, so the distance between them wasn't far.
Still, he didn't dare be careless even for a second.
He poured all his spiritual perception into the pearl's link.
After several probing moments, Dugu Feng realized he could do even more.
He had already pinpointed several fox-type soul beasts in the area.
No doubt Hu Liena's chosen target would be among these.
Best to have Old Scorpion prepare their escape routes in advance.
As hours passed, Dugu Feng's confidence in success only grew.
Meanwhile—
In another part of the forest, a group advanced quietly.
Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed in white, with skin pale and smooth as a child's, and an oddly captivating beauty to his features.
It was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
Following close behind him were Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena.
Flanking them on both sides and behind were five black-clad Spirit Hall soul masters—men around fifty years of age, their aura calm and steady.
All five were Spirit Saints. Three guarded the rear, while two protected the flanks, keeping the three prodigies safe at the center.
None seemed nervous.
After all, they were escorted by Chrysanthemum Douluo himself—a top-tier Titled Douluo.
Who would dare threaten them?
By dusk, they had reached the edge of the ten-thousand-year soul beast territory.
Yue Guan raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop.
The five Spirit Saints dispersed instantly, clearing a wide patch beneath a giant tree before setting up four tents.
"We'll stop here for the night," said Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Rest well.
Hu Liena, are you ready? Tomorrow, once we enter the ten-thousand-year region, it will be time to hunt."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hu Liena replied respectfully. "I am fully prepared. I only ask that you help me find a Three-Eyed Magic Fox—or, if possible, a Nine-Tailed Fox."
Having Chrysanthemum Douluo himself act as her guardian for her fifth ring—few could claim such an honor.
With such a powerhouse accompanying her, she felt no anxiety at all.
Yue Guan nodded calmly. "Rest easy. For a mere ten-thousand-year beast, I will ensure you get the most suitable one."
To send a famed elder of the Hall of Elders to aid in such a task—only Bibi Dong's indulgence toward her beloved "daughter" could justify it.
Still, Yue Guan harbored no resentment.
After all, Bibi Dong treated Hu Liena as her own blood, and asking him to protect her was a gesture of deep trust.
He took pride in that.
He was Bibi Dong's most devoted follower—no, her closest confidant.
One step below the Pope, and above tens of thousands.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stood proudly among the tents, satisfied, before finally retreating into his own to rest.
By the campfire, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue shared travel rations.
"Liena, you've pulled ahead again," Yan said with a faint sigh. "Give me a few more months—I'll reach Spirit King too. I won't fall too far behind."
His eyes occasionally drifted toward the dark depths of the forest, filled with reluctant envy.
Despite all his effort, he still couldn't catch up to her.
As for Xie Yue, there was even less hope—he was already at level fifty-one, on the verge of fifty-two.
Hu Liena only smiled.
"We're progressing too slowly," she said softly. "What do you think—has Dugu Feng reached the Spirit Ancestor level yet?"
"The last time I fought him, he was close," replied Yan with a sigh. "By now, he must have broken through. I wonder how strong his fourth ring is."
His tone carried a note of frustration. After their duel, he wasn't confident he could win again.
"When we leave the Star Dou Forest, the news from Soto City should arrive," Xie Yue said thoughtfully. "The Great Spirit Arena's six-faction decisions—Dugu Feng will surely be involved."
Clearly, Xie Yue too kept an eye on him.
"No rivals can be even more dangerous," he continued. "We used to think no one of our generation could surpass us. But Dugu Feng appeared—and now we have pressure again.
A year from now is the Continental Spirit Master Tournament. If Dugu Feng participates… we must defeat him."
His confident words were matched by the smiles of his two teammates.
Competition lit their fighting spirit—not fear.
They couldn't possibly know that the very man they discussed heard every word through the pearl's link.
"Seems I'm on everyone's lips wherever I go," Dugu Feng muttered flatly.
To be a genius was to live under endless scrutiny.
The stronger he became, the more attention the Dugu Clan would draw.
Should he join the tournament next year as well? He would have to consider carefully.
After some time, Old Scorpion returned—bringing two more captured ant queens.
"Young Master," he reported, "as per your orders, I've set up earth-tunneling routes around the nearby fox-type beast territories."
Dugu Feng nodded. "This plan's the same as before. The target is the Spirit Hall's Hu Liena.
If any external spirit bone appears, you strike immediately and capture her."
Old Scorpion silently confirmed his suspicion.
So his guess had been right after all—all of this preparation was again for the sake of another external bone.
Haotian Sect last time, now the Spirit Hall this time—his young master's courage knew no limits.
Old Scorpion could only feel numb.
That night, Dugu Feng smiled faintly.
The Emerald Serpents had found success—a forty-thousand-year Gravity Ant King, along with a second one of twenty thousand years.
Their levels weren't exceptional, but that hardly mattered.
Against the serpents' power, they'd make perfect bait.
Two wrathful Ant Kings would be enough to stir chaos.
All they needed was an instant—just one opening to draw Chrysanthemum Douluo away. That would be enough for Old Scorpion to strike.
Dugu Feng waited, patient and tense.
When dawn approached, his senses prickled—Hu Liena's group was on the move.
He and Old Scorpion sank silently into the depths of the earth.
Dugu Feng activated Serpent Breath, transforming his aura and body until he became like a sleeping snake, his presence erased completely.
Old Scorpion blended deeper still, like a buried stone.
Outside, two Emerald Serpent Dragons hid near the twin Gravity Ant Kings, ready to stir them into frenzy at the first signal.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10