#22Soul ForestAI Model: moonshotai/kimi-k2-instruct-0905
Chapter 22 – Soul Hunting Forest
Lin Mo accepted the olive branch the dean offered without hesitation.
Gratitude filled his face. "Thank you, Dean! I'll work even harder when I return—I won't let you down!"
Dean Wang nodded, pleased, and said no more; he simply closed his eyes to rest.
The following afternoon the carriage rolled smoothly to its destination: a Soul Hunting Forest four hundred li northeast of Nuoding City.
The coach halted at a checkpoint on the forest's perimeter.
Stepping down with Dean Wang, Lin Mo was instantly captivated by the sight before him.
A towering wooden palisade stretched out of sight, as though fencing in the entire forest.
In front of the fence lay a broad clearing dotted with simple barracks and watchtowers.
Armored soldiers in regulation gear paced the camp perimeter, spears in hand, every face alert.
The atmosphere here felt far grimmer and tenser than in Nuoding City.
Dean Wang, familiar with the place, led Lin Mo straight toward the checkpoint gate.
A guard moved to question them, but the dean already held out a peculiar token.
The metal plaque, glinting in the sun, bore the emblem of a sword, a hammer, and a Dragon—the Hunting Token issued by Spirit Hall, essential for entering a state-run Soul Hunting Forest.
After verifying it the guard's expression turned respectful and he stepped aside.
Just then a middle-aged officer strode from a nearby barracks.
Seeing Wang Zongchang, his face lit with surprise.
"Dean Wang? What brings you to Soul Hunting Forest at this time of year?" he called, clearly taken aback.
"I thought a busy man like you stayed holed up cultivating at Nuoding Academy.
You only ever show up for the annual group hunt, leading the students yourself."
Wang Zongchang laughed, exchanged pleasantries, then gently pushed Lin Mo forward.
With undisguised pride he said, "Old Li, I'm here for our newest find!
See this boy? Lin Mo—the Genius we unearthed this year at Nuoding Academy."
He paused for effect until curiosity flashed in the other's eyes, then continued:
"Less than a year after his Awakening he's already climbed from Innaterank 6 spirit power straight to the rank 10 Bottleneck!
As dean I couldn't bear to see talent wasted, so I'm breaking precedent—personally escorting him to secure the most suitable first spirit ring."
"Oh? From six to ten in under a year?" Officer Li exclaimed, studying Lin Mo head to toe.
A Spirit Ancestor of the fourth rank himself, his perception was keen.
Though he couldn't identify the boy's exact Spirit, he sensed steady Qi and a solid Foundation—clearly no ordinary student.
More telling was that Dean Wang had come in person and spoke so highly of the lad.
Officer Li beamed and cupped his hands in congratulations.
"Haha, sincere congratulations, Dean Wang! Nuoding Academy has truly struck gold this year.
With such a standout student you'll outshine every other ElementarySpirit Master college around."
"I'll take your kind words, Old Li," the dean replied with a smile.
After a brief chat they passed the checkpoint and entered the forest.
The air at once felt cooler, damper; dappled light filtered through the dense canopy.
All around, strange Bug Buzz and birdcalls rang out, vibrant yet laced with danger.
Lin Mo drank in every sight; this was his first real visit to a Spirit Beastforest.
Still, he kept safety in mind.
With a thought, a red flash summoned Charmander to his side.
The little Fire-type sniffed the rich air, tail flicking, blue eyes scanning warily while emitting a low growl.
It took up guard duty, hugging Lin Mo's heel.
To outsiders he was merely a Spirit Scholar with an External Beast Martial Soul; all his combat strength lay in Charmander.
His own body was frail and must be protected, an impression he was happy to maintain.
Dean Wang noted this vigilance with approval.
"Stay close. We're heading straight for the century-old Spirit Beast zone—the decade beasts on the fringe are useless to you now."
"Yes, Dean," Lin Mo answered, hurrying after him.
Wang Zongchang kept his word, bypassing the outer region entirely.
He threaded a path toward the deeper forest where hundred-year Spirit Beasts roamed.
As they advanced the woods grew quieter, the trees taller, and a faint pressure seeped into the air.
Lin Mo watched cautiously, feeling his spirit power simmer with excitement, anticipation blazing in his eyes.
Next would be his first-ever absorption of a spirit ring—a milestone every Spirit Master must pass!
He wondered: after the ring merged, what form would Charmander's first Spirit Ability take?
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