NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 83: The Frost Forest
This place is one of the five primary Soul Hunting Forests within the borders of the Duchy of Shuimu, corresponding precisely to the Cold Wind Camp of the military in the five directions.
Or to put it another way, the Cold Wind Camp is stationed next to the 'Frosty City' precisely to provide immediate support to the forest guards outside the ‘Frosty Forest’.
After greeting Xiong Er and Li Ergou, who had been reassigned here to guard this place six months ago, Ling Yi stepped into the snowy white forest, accompanied by Long In, Qingqiu Li, and Zhang Mufeng.
Zhang Mufeng glanced at the sides of the path as they advanced, noticing small clusters of pale blue 'tendrils' occasionally protruding from under the snow. He used his martial spirit, the ‘Mixed Iron Staff’, which he had summoned early, to brush aside the snow, took a few moments to scrutinize it, and remarked to Ling Yi next to him:
“Brother Yi, it’s still too cold here. Not many of the ‘Blue Silver Grass’ you planted before have survived, and those that did seem to lack vitality.”
Hearing this, Qingqiu Xin immediately nodded in agreement and suggested, “Yeah, Brother Yi, maybe we should apply for a transfer to the Indigo Blue Camp in the south? The climate there is much better, and the ‘Blue Silver Grass’ you grow would definitely thrive better than here.
Moreover, it's closer to the coast, and we can enjoy fish, shrimp, and crabs from the sea often...”
“Oh, come on now~” Long In interrupted before Qingqiu Xin could finish. “In the past year, Brother Yi has stayed at each of the other four military headquarters for over a month, and in the end, he still returned to the Cold Wind Camp. It must mean that the Cold Wind Camp is indeed better, right, Brother Yi?”
Long In spoke with great anticipation, his eyes eagerly looking at Ling Yi, hoping for his approval.
Ling Yi, feeling somewhat speechless at the trio's gaze, rolled his eyes at them. Ignoring their words, he scolded, “Be mindful of where we are. This is the Soul Beast Forest. You can't afford to be careless; it's really dangerous here!”
"Hehe—" Long In chuckled, scratching the back of his head as he replied, "We just got here, right? We're only a little over a hundred meters from Brother Xiong's forest guard post..."
"Don't be careless," Ling Yi warned sharply, "Back in the day, my master who taught me the basics of sword, spear, staff, and axe techniques, was attacked by a pack of 'Grey Shadow Wolves' at this very place. Luckily, he was close to the guard post and only lost a leg. Otherwise, he would have perished like the rest of his team."
"Uh—"
Upon hearing this, Long In gave an awkward smile. He glanced at Zhang Mufeng and Qingqiu Xin, who were snickering nearby, and together they turned their eyes away when Ling Yi looked at them, shooting them a glare in passing.
Not dwelling on this topic any further, Ling Yi calmed his mind. In his right palm, his martial spirit, 'Blue Silver Grass,' manifested, the light blue leaves swaying gently, making it easier for Ling Yi to sense the Blue Silver Grass covered by the surrounding snow.
As Zhang Mufeng had mentioned, due to the severe cold, the number of Blue Silver Grass that had survived in this harsh climate was almost ninety percent less than the saplings planted previously.
In contrast to this 'Frosty Forest,' down in the 'Seabreeze Rainforest' in the southern principality, due to the hot and humid climate, the thousands of Blue Silver Grass planted at the edge of the rainforest had likely started spreading toward its interior by now.
Despite this, Ling Yi chose not to remain in the more suitable southern regions of the Duchy for cultivating Blue Silver Grass. Instead, he returned to the northern Cold Wind Camp.
This wasn't a masochistic decision but rather because, in this icy climate, Ling Yi found that the efficiency of practicing his self-created Beast Martial Soul: Form and Intent Boxing increased by nearly twenty percent compared to the humid and hot southern environment.
The specific reason for this phenomenon is not yet clear to Ling Yi; he merely has several general hypotheses in mind.
Naturally, Ling Yi decided not to start a new project specifically to study the factors affecting physical conditioning between northern and southern climates.
He is pressed for time, and as long as he knows the results he desires, the reasons behind it can wait until he becomes stronger, with plenty of time to explore later.
Over the past three years of Ling Yi's efforts, the area within dozens of miles around the central Cold Wind Camp is now filled with Blue Silver Grass.
Even during the harsh snow-covered days of winter, the grass is not easily frozen to death, merely becoming dormant for a while.
Therefore, Ling Yi's soul power cultivation is entirely unaffected by the frigid northern weather.
A year has passed, and now at fifteen years and one month old, Ling Yi's soul power has already increased to nineteen levels and fifty-six percent.
It will take at most a couple more months to reach level twenty.
Similarly, during this year of progress, Ling Yi's three companions haven't been standing still either.
Long Yin is now fourteen years old, having grown to an impressive height of 1.8 meters. At present, he stands as a Rank 22 Soul Grandmaster, undisputedly the strongest among the four-member team.
Qingqiu Xin, at the age of twelve, possesses a soul power of Rank 19 at 85%. He's preparing to return to his hometown, Azure City, where his father Qingqiu Li, a Battle Soul Master specializing in agile attacks, will personally accompany him to hunt for his second soul ring, similarly to how they obtained his first one.
Meanwhile, Ling Yi’s young protege, Zhang Mufeng, the younger son of Senior Brother Zhang Tie, is now thirteen. His innate soul power isn't quite on par with his companions, and coupled with a somewhat weaker foundation, his soul power remains at the lower end, just surpassing Rank 18, meaning he still has some way to go before reaching Rank 20.
However, there’s no need to worry about this boy’s future second soul ring. In the outskirts of the Icy Forest, approximately seven or eight miles northwest of the entrance outpost, stands a towering Iron Birch Tree, measuring a full fifteen meters.
According to the materials Ling Yi studied at the Green Leaf Primary Soul Master Academy, the Iron Birch grows at a rate of one meter per decade if under a century old, and one meter per century beyond a hundred years.
In the old forest north of Ling Yi's home village, Shanhai Village, there’s an Iron Birch over twelve meters tall that has grown for over three centuries, making this fifteen-meter titan around six hundred years old!
With its six centuries of age and the tree's inherent hardness and toughness, it’s an ideal choice for Zhang Mufeng’s second soul ring.
As part of their routine patrol around the forest outskirts, and under Zhang Mufeng’s hopeful gaze, Ling Yi and the others head northwest, their primary objective: the six-hundred-year-old Iron Birch Tree.
Upon reaching the site, Ling Yi, along with Long Yin and Qingqiu Xin, inspects the area for any signs of soul beast activity, while Zhang Mufeng approaches the Iron Birch. With his martial soul, Iron Bludgeon, he taps the tree's metallic trunk, listening to the metallic clang resonating in his ears, eyes narrowing in contentment.
While attending the "Ziteng Primary Soul Master Academy" in "Woodland City," his teachers advised him that his first and second soul rings should enhance strength and focus on offense.
Following his teacher's advice, under the arrangement of his old master, Elder Jin, a Soul Elder guided him to hunt a "Great Strength Ape" over one hundred eighty years old. From this, he acquired his first soul skill, the offensive art of "Whirlwind Staff Dance."
During the past year at the Chill Wind Camp, besides learning the "Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique" and forging techniques from his younger master uncle, Ling Yi, he also picked up practical staff combat skills. Ultimately, on Ling Yi's recommendation, he decided to pursue a soul ring from the "Iron Birch Tree" instead of seeking a strength-centric soul beast ring, enhancing the quality of his martial spirit, the "Muddled Iron Staff."
The most astonishing part is that it is six-hundred-year-old!
If not for it being a tree, attempting to acquire such a powerful soul beast would mean venturing deep into or even the core areas of the Spirit Hunting Forest.
Going that far would be unsafe even for a Soul Elder guardian.
Zhang Mufeng's father, Zhang Tie, is not like Long Ang or Qingqiu Li, who are Soul Sects, the powerful experts among them.
In the heart of the Frost Forest, the snowflakes descended in a gentle dance, covering the ground in a pure white blanket. The temperature dropped sharply, casting a chill over the atmosphere that could seep into one's bones. Snow-laden trees surrounded the area, creating a serene but isolated world.
Amidst this frosty landscape, Zhang Mufeng stood with a determined expression, surveying his surroundings with careful eyes. This was the place he had chosen to seek his second soul ring—a decision driven by profound introspection and deep conversations with Elder Jin and Ling Yi. The Iron Birch Tree, a formidable challenge yet rich in promise, awaited him in this icy wilderness.
Mufeng's heart felt a stir of excitement mixed with trepidation as he recalled Elder Jin's words of wisdom on the nature of soul mastery and the intrinsic connection one must forge with their chosen ring. Each step he took was deliberate, his Haotian Hammer securely strapped to his back, a symbol of his past achievements and future aspirations.
"Zhang Mufeng, remember," Elder Jin had said, "the soul ring you acquire today is not just an addition to your power, but an extension of your very being. Treat it with respect, and it will serve you well." These words echoed in his mind, guiding his footsteps deeper into the forest.
Accompanying him was Ling Yi, who walked silently at his side, ever the support and steadfast friend. Ling Yi’s presence was a silent reinforcement, providing Mufeng with the courage needed to face the challenges ahead. Together, they ventured into the heart of the Frost Forest, where silence reigned, and the vast expanse of snow offered no easy hints to what lay beneath.
As they advanced, Mufeng tried to perceive any disturbances among the trees, aware that the Iron Birch Tree was not just a passive entity but one that actively challenged those who sought its power. The stillness of the frost-touched world around them was palpable, only occasionally broken by the crunch of snow underfoot.
With each moment, Mufeng knew he was drawing closer to a pivotal moment in his journey as a soul master—a journey that would define not only his path but also his very identity within the world of soul mastery.
(End of Chapter)
