Chapter 44 Re-entering the Soul Hunter Forest
"At worst, I'll just spend some gold soul coins."
"Even if the Heart Orchid is deep in the Star Dou Great Forest, as long as we have definite information, are well prepared, and hire a reliable Soul Hunting Team, we may still have a chance."
As he spoke, the dean picked up the wolf-hair brush from the table, made a light tap on the paper, and looked at it with great expectation: "Since the Academy supports you, it will not let you have any trouble with the matter of soul beasts."
"Dean, thank you for your trouble!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Chuan immediately stood up and bowed deeply to the dean: "I am deeply grateful for the information you provided!"
"However, there's no rush."
"Xiao San's soul power is only level twelve right now, and it will take him quite some time to accumulate enough to reach level twenty."
"I've come to consult you today simply to prepare in advance, so I won't be caught off guard when things come to a head."
Tang Chuan smiled, his face showing the shyness appropriate for his age, but his eyes were very clear and calm.
"After all."
"Choosing the right Spirit Ring has a lifelong impact on your Spirit. It's safer to wait until Xiao San's Spirit power is close to level 20 before making specific plans to hunt for Spirit Rings."
The dean listened to Tang Chuan's clear and logical words, and his eyes showed even more appreciation.
"Good!"
"Well said!"
I couldn't help but nod in approval: "Not arrogant or impatient, meticulous, knows how to focus on the present while planning for the future."
"To be able to think so thoroughly at such a young age."
He waved his hand, gesturing for Tang Chuan to sit down: "Since you know what you're doing, then I'm relieved."
"Remember, the Academy and I will always be your support. If you need anything, you can come to me anytime."
"Thank you, Dean."
"Don't be so polite with me."
The dean picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then picked up a pen and paper to start writing a letter.
Seeing that the dean was busy, Tang Chuan got up to say goodbye, intending to go to the library to look at the "Plant Soul Beast Atlas" and borrow a few basic Spirit Master theory books for Xiao San.
"One must take things one step at a time."
Tang Chuan strode towards Dormitory Seven: "First, we need to solidify our foundation. The Tang Family Takeout and Iced Tea businesses will be used to gather funds and build faith..."
"Next."
"It involves combining the information the mistress gathers from the tavern with information she will receive from the Academy and the dean in the future, conducting a comprehensive analysis, and determining the optimal target."
Half a month later.
Wang Sheng and Xiao Wu managed the shop's affairs very well.
Zhao Hu and his group were doing quite well at their iced tea stall in Notting City, and with Tang San's help, they were basically not busy except for Tang Chuan preparing iced tea and roasted meat every morning and evening.
After having some free time, Tang Chuan had the idea of going to the Soul Hunter Forest.
The common ingredients around Notting Academy and Notting City have been mostly collected. Currently, the only ingredient that can increase the progress of the "Ingredient Encyclopedia" is the Soul Hunter Forest.
Tang San was not brought along.
After preparing iced tea for three consecutive days, Tang Chuan left Notting Academy alone.
On the way, Tang Chuan looked around to make sure no one was there, and then the Blue Silver Grass sprouted from his palm.
The intertwined grass strands, like fine probes, traced the patterns on the iron plate, replicating a warrant.
"Done."
Tang Chuan weighed the warrant in his hand; its weight and texture were identical to the original, making it difficult for even the Spirit Hall's enforcers to distinguish its authenticity.
Along the way, Tang Chuan still didn't miss any ingredients that could be collected.
Wild mint by the roadside, rock tripe by the stream, ant colonies in the forest, and so on—a quick scroll of Blue Silver Grass's illustrations will occasionally light up new pages.
The progress bar in the "Ingredients Guide" slowly rose to 19%.
It was already afternoon when we arrived at the entrance to the Soul Hunter Forest.
Although the guard felt that Tang Chuan looked somewhat familiar, he did not ask any further questions after verifying that the token was correct, and let him pass directly.
Tang Chuan did not rush to delve deeper.
Knowing the way well, they avoided the crowded areas and headed downstream towards the stream where they had been with Xiao Wu before.
He remembered that the "Distribution Map of Soul Beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest" in the Academy mentioned that there was a natural lotus pond downstream, with abundant water vapor and a large number of aquatic plants and fungi, which is a relatively scarce part in the current "Ingredients Atlas".
After passing through a dense bamboo forest, the view suddenly opened up before me.
A clear lotus pond comes into view, its surface shimmering with light.
Layer upon layer of lotus leaves, with a few pink or white lotus flowers standing gracefully among them, and a faint fragrance of lotus permeating the air.
Tang Chuan took off his shoes and stepped barefoot into the shallow water.
The mud was ankle-deep. I bent down, parted the lotus leaves, and reached my hand into the water. The cool touch dispelled the afternoon heat.
Lotus root, lotus seeds, lotus leaves...
Tang Chuan's eyes lit up. He broke off a thick section of lotus root. The crisp and tender lotus root segment floated to the surface with water droplets on it, and sweet juice still lingered in the holes of the lotus root.
"Perfect for recording."
He handed the lotus root to the Blue Silver Grass in his palm, and as the grass strands intertwined, a new page in the encyclopedia lit up.
[Ingredient: Jade-green Golden Lotus Root]
[Origin: Lotus Pond, Hunter's Forest]
[Duration: 73 years]
[Characteristics: The lotus root segments are thick and firm, crisp and tender like jade, rich in water, sweet when eaten raw, and soft and glutinous after stewing]
[Effects: Raw consumption can clear heat and relieve summer heat, restore soul power; cooked consumption can strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, contains mild water-attribute soul power, can nourish the meridians, and is an excellent medicinal food]
"This lotus root is delicious!"
Tang Chuan was overjoyed and sped up the digging, but most of the excavations on the shore were decades old, so the results were not obvious.
I went ashore and walked to the edge of the pond to observe for a while.
After confirming that there was no obvious aura of soul beasts in the pond, Tang Chuan took off his outer clothes, leaving only his close-fitting shorts, and slid into the water.
The pool water was slightly cool and crystal clear.
Tang Chuan was a good swimmer. He held his breath, submerged, and swam towards the depths of the pond. The Blue Silver Grass emerged from the water, devouring the creatures while probing for the aura of the soul beasts.
Fifty sleeve arrows hung from Blue Silver Grass in front of him, ready to be activated at any time.
[Ingredient: Jade Lotus Seeds]
[Ingredient: Lotus leaf]
[Ingredient: Pure Jade Lotus Root]
[Ingredient: Twin lotus roots]
[Ingredient: Lingxi Jade Lotus Root]
[...]
Tang Chuan lit up several pages of the illustrations. Although they were all century-old lotus roots, he was quite satisfied. Just as he was about to continue exploring deeper into the lotus pond, he heard footsteps coming from the shore.
He immediately concealed his breathing.
Using the lotus leaves as cover, I dived down to the water near the shore and carefully observed and listened through the water's surface.
Two men arrived.
Judging from their attire, they should be Soul Hunter mercenaries. One of them was burly and carried a huge shield on his back, while the other was thin and had a short blade hanging at his waist.
Tang Chuan did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble and planned to wait until they left before taking action.
However, the conversation between the two that followed gave him a sudden thought, and he subconsciously moved closer to the shore to eavesdrop.
"Damn it, comparing yourself to others is just awful!"
The burly man complained in a deep voice, "We brothers work ourselves to the bone, and we can't even save up a few hundred gold soul coins all year round."
"In the Heaven Dou City auction house, a single soul bone can fetch an astronomical price!"
"That's enough for us to live a carefree life for generations!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
The thin man glanced around warily, then lowered his voice: "Don't shout, as if you're afraid others won't know we have..."
[end of the chapter]