Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

The young man standing behind the girl was tall and upright, his dark blue hair shining with a gem-like luster under the sunlight, giving him a refined and elegant appearance from afar. His handsome face bore a lazy, warm smile.

The girl, who had been walking ahead of the young man, quickly approached Xiao Yan with a look of eager anticipation. She gazed longingly at the roasted rabbit in Xiao Yan's hand and said, "Little brother, your roasted rabbit smells amazing! How did you make it?"

"Make it? I just roasted it. Can't you tell?" Xiao Yan replied, slightly exasperated, as he held up the rabbit.

The girl's face fell with embarrassment, but her eyes remained fixed on the roasted rabbit, sparkling with excitement. "Little brother, would you sell this rabbit? I could pay you, you know."

"You want to eat it?" Xiao Yan glanced at her, then, after a moment's thought, stood up. Seeing her practically drooling with hunger, he shook his head and tore off a piece of rabbit meat to offer her. "No need for money. I'll share it with you. Consider it a gesture of friendship."

"Thank you, little brother! You're so kind! I won't hold back, then." With a grin, the girl took the offered meat and began devouring it with little regard for appearances.

Meanwhile, the young man who had accompanied her approached, giving Xiao Yan a nod of thanks but waving off the offered rabbit. "I'm not hungry, but thank you, little brother. By the way, since you're so close to the Star Dou Forest, are you heading there?"

"If so, why not join us? I'm Bei Bei, and this is Tang Ya. We're also heading there."

Just as Xiao Yan was about to agree, Yao Lao's voice echoed in his mind: "Xiao Yan, remember, in unfamiliar places, it's wise to stay cautious."

"No need, thank you. Perhaps we'll meet again sometime." Remembering Yao Lao's advice, Xiao Yan hesitated, then shook his head and smiled politely before turning to leave, his decision surprising both Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

Watching his departing figure, Tang Ya mused, "Bei Bei, it really seems like he's heading to the Star Dou Forest."

"Yes." Bei Bei nodded slightly. "I can sense some soul power in him, around level ten. Do you think he intends to hunt a spirit beast alone to obtain his first spirit ring?"

"With such faint soul power, going alone could be dangerous. Bei Bei, should we follow him to keep an eye on him?"

Tang Ya paused, then suggested, "He has soul power, and he's on his own… maybe we could recruit him to the Tang Sect?"

Bei Bei replied, "From his cautious reaction, he seems to have been through something that's made him guarded. His maturity is beyond his years, but I wonder about his talent."

"So you agree?" Tang Ya asked, her eyes lighting up.

Bei Bei chuckled, "We can observe him first. He's likely heading to hunt a spirit beast for his first ring. We haven't known him long, but if he has good character, he could be a worthy addition to the Tang Sect. Before you took me as your disciple, you were the only member. If we're to restore the Tang Sect, we should take in suitable people."

"Good, it's settled." Tang Ya's face brightened with excitement.

Unaware of Bei Bei and Tang Ya's conversation, Xiao Yan continued on his way. Initially, he'd intended to travel with them, but Yao Lao's advice had changed his mind. His mother had also taught him not to be too trusting and that the more beautiful a woman, the more likely she was to deceive. Although he had a good impression of Bei Bei and Tang Ya, he ultimately chose to travel alone.

After walking for a while, Xiao Yan noticed a wooden sign by the roadside: "Star Dou Forest – Beware of Spirit Beasts."

The dense forest was silent and peaceful, with the occasional rabbit hopping through the trees, startling flocks of birds into flight.

"Master, we're finally near the Star Dou Forest." Xiao Yan felt both excited and slightly nervous. He touched the black ring on his finger, steadying himself before continuing forward.

"Xiao Yan, remember what I said. This journey into the Star Dou Forest is meant to be a trial. I won't intervene unless you're in mortal danger." Yao Lao's voice echoed from the ring.

"Yes, Master." Xiao Yan's face twisted in reluctant acceptance, nodding begrudgingly.

The Star Dou Forest lay in the northern region of the Star Luo Empire, stretching across three empires. It was one of the largest spirit beast habitats on Douluo Continent, covering vast tracts of land, including primal forests, wetlands, deserts, and marshes.

As he drew nearer, Xiao Yan could smell the fresh, herbaceous scent of plants wafting toward him—a soothing fragrance that invigorated him. Using his Spirit Eyes, he gazed out at the vast green sea before him. Towering trees, at least twenty meters tall, filled the area; this was only the outer edge, and the forest was dense with overlapping shadows.

Approaching cautiously, Xiao Yan's excitement spurred him forward, and he wondered if, after gaining a spirit ring and breaking through the bottleneck of his martial spirit, he would be able to cultivate Dou Qi again.

Just then, an odd feeling crept over him. Instinctively, he activated his soul perception, scanning the surroundings. He soon spotted a dark shadow darting quickly on the left side of the path.

"A spirit beast?" In the next moment, the shadow leaped out from the side, landing right beside Xiao Yan.

It was a brownish-yellow baboon, about a meter tall, covered in coarse fur. Its eyes glowed with a fierce light, its long arms ending in sharp claws, and its canine teeth protruded from its mouth.

"Roar!" The baboon snarled at Xiao Yan before launching itself at him with a powerful push of its hind legs.

"Huh?" Xiao Yan's heart pounded in his chest. Although he had fought clan members in his previous life, he'd never faced a magical beast alone. His breathing quickened, but then he heard Yao Lao's voice in his mind, "Xiao Yan, don't be afraid. Use the Dou Technique I taught you."

Encouraged by Yao Lao's advice, Xiao Yan chose not to retreat. His right fist clenched, his body tensed, and he crouched slightly, like a lion ready to pounce. In an instant, he lunged forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

A low, forceful shout echoed in his mind as Xiao Yan's clenched fist crashed into the baboon.

"Bang!"

A dull thud resounded as they collided.

Xiao Yan's arm trembled slightly, and with a second push of his fist, the baboon was sent flying, crashing into a nearby tree and coughing up blood.

Moments later, a faint white glow appeared over the baboon's body, gradually condensing into a white ring above it, flickering faintly.

"So this is a spirit ring?" Watching the scene, Xiao Yan exhaled, his rock-hard fist relaxing as his arm throbbed in pain. The Eight Extremes Collapse had strained his body on its first use.

"A white spirit ring from a ten-year spirit beast… on the Dou Qi Continent, it wouldn't even qualify as a first-level magical beast," Yao Lao commented from the ring. "Does your arm hurt? The Eight Extremes Collapse is a close-combat Dou Technique, which requires physical resilience as much as Dou Qi."

"If you face a hundred-year spirit beast with your slender limbs, the Eight Extremes Collapse would likely break your muscles before harming your enemy." Yao Lao's calm explanation sent a shiver of realization through Xiao Yan.

Having perused ancient texts, Yao Lao now had a basic understanding of the cultivation system on Douluo Continent, including spirit rings, spirit bones, and spirit tools—everything related to soul masters' cultivation.

"Master, why didn't you tell me earlier? Are you trying to get me killed?" Xiao Yan asked anxiously after a moment of silence. "What should I do to strengthen my body? Should I soak in medicinal baths again?"

"You think a few medicinal baths can strengthen your body? You wish!" Yao Lao's eyes narrowed with a mischievous glint as he said, "To strengthen your body, you'll need external 'stimulation.'"

"What kind of stimulation?" Xiao Yan asked, feeling a chill as he noticed Yao Lao's sinister smile.

"Getting hit! The harder, the better! That will be your next training regimen." Yao Lao's ominous words left Xiao Yan's face frozen with dread.

But just then, a strange voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind: "Finally, I've found a human with a mental attribute! If only I could cry… I'd be in tears right now!"