Wang Li returned to the group of students, only to be met with envy, jealousy, and resentment in everyone else's eyes. A hundred-year soul ring,an actual hundred-year soul ring. Why did he get to have one?
Wang Li did not care at all. The soul ring had already been absorbed. No matter how others looked at him, he could not exactly spit it back out.
At this moment, Su Mo called out loudly to everyone:
"Pack up your things. We're setting off again immediately. It's getting late, and we must find an open area to camp before it gets completely dark. The Hunting Soul Forest at night is even more dangerous than during the day."
Both teachers and students immediately responded upon hearing this:
"Yes!"
Soon, the group set out once again. This time, they were not searching for soul beasts, but for a campsite. After some effort, they finally found a location with open terrain.
The ground was relatively high, the field of view was good, and there were no tall trees nearby. Even if a soul beast tried to launch a sneak attack under cover of darkness, it could be detected in time.
The teachers each took on their own tasks. Some set up tents, some gathered firewood and started fires, and others spread a circle of powder around the campsite to repel snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Clearly, they had extensive experience surviving in the wild.
As night deepened, everyone gathered around the campfire, eating the food they had brought with them. Wang Li drank some water and ate steamed buns. The buns, which had been cold and hard, were roasted over the fire until they turned golden and crispy. Paired with some dried meat, they were extremely satisfying.
Only Wang Sheng sat beside Wang Li. The older students were somewhat dissatisfied with him and deliberately isolated him.
Wang Li naturally looked down on these childish antics. In any case, once this trip was over, there would be no further interaction between them.
At this moment, Zhang Wei rinsed his hands with water, wiped them dry, and called out to Su Mo:
"Su Mo, arrange tonight's night watch."
Hearing this, Su Mo immediately replied respectfully:
"Yes, Headmaster."
After that, Su Mo turned to face everyone. His expression became serious as he spoke solemnly:
"Nighttime is when many ferocious soul beasts in the Hunting Soul Forest hunt, so keeping watch is essential."
"The headmaster is the strongest among us and must get enough rest. Fiona is a support-type soul master and cannot react quickly in emergencies. Therefore, tonight, six teachers,myself, Gou An, Yuan Fu, Bao Tong, Fergus, and Yurika,will take turns standing watch."
Su Mo's gaze swept over the students' faces. Although so far only Sheng Kai and Wang Li had obtained soul rings, night watch duty did not require one.
"You are no exception. What you were not taught back at the academy, this soul beast hunt will be your final lesson. All students will form pairs and follow one teacher to participate in the night watch."
"Once you have a soul ring, you are a soul master. After you leave the academy, you must know how to protect yourselves."
The students had no objections. In fact, they were rather excited. Having never encountered real danger before, they responded in unison:
"Yes!"
As expected, Wang Li and Wang Sheng were assigned together. They would accompany Teacher Yuan Fu during the third shift of the night watch.
For now, those who wanted to move around could do so, and those who did not could already return to their tents to rest.
Wang Li lay down inside the tent. Beside him, Wang Sheng spoke hesitantly:
"Wang Li, I really envy you. You already have a hundred-year soul ring. I don't know what kind of soul ring I'll end up getting."
Wang Li could not find words of comfort. In his view, the academy only helped students hunt a suitable soul beast, regardless of its age. Those with good luck got hundred-year soul rings, while those with bad luck only got ten-year ones.
All he could say was:
"Go to sleep. Maybe when you wake up, you'll run into a soul beast that suits you."
Wang Sheng gave a bitter smile. It was not that easy, but since Wang Li had said so, he did not press the matter further.
They woke up,not from sleep, but because Yuan Fu called them. It was their turn to stand watch.
Stepping out of the tent, they found that it was already late autumn. Far from human habitation, the Hunting Soul Forest felt especially eerie at night.
Yuan Fu said to the two of them:
"Fire can keep many soul beasts from approaching, but there are also some ferocious and cunning ones that are not afraid of flames. Once they sense a moment of carelessness, they will immediately launch an attack."
"Wang Li, even though you have a soul ring, you must not act on your own. Wang Sheng, you don't have a soul ring yet, so you must be even more cautious. While patrolling around the campsite, if there is any disturbance, notify me immediately."
Wang Li and Wang Sheng replied in turn:
"Understood, Teacher."
"Yes, Teacher."
Seeing this, Yuan Fu nodded.
"I'll check the front. You two check the back. Move together so you can watch out for each other. Call me immediately if anything happens."
After saying this, he walked toward the front of the campsite. Wang Li and Wang Sheng turned and headed toward the rear.
Wang Sheng had not yet obtained a soul ring. Looking at the pitch-black forest beyond the campsite, a sense of fear arose in his heart for no reason. He glanced at Wang Li beside him and, seeing his calm expression, felt slightly more at ease.
Wang Li sensed something was wrong. It was too quiet. Even though nights were usually silent, this felt distinctly abnormal.
The two reached the back of the campsite and looked around. Wang Sheng said:
"Looks like there's no danger. With so many people here and a headmaster at the Soul Ancestor level, what soul beast would be blind enough to come looking for trouble?"
Wang Li's eyes widened. He saw it. Right behind Wang Sheng, a black shadow made no sound at all and suddenly launched an attack.
Wang Li shouted:
"Wang Sheng, get down!"
Wang Sheng froze for a moment, but out of trust in Wang Li, he immediately crouched down.
Wang Li kicked off the ground as if his feet were fitted with springs and shot forward instantly, so fast that Wang Sheng could not see him clearly.
Flash Step.
Wang Li finally saw it clearly. It was a tiger- or leopard-like figure. Although not as large as a tiger or leopard, the blood-red eyes of the beast radiated a terrifying killing intent.
It was fast, but Wang Li was faster. Striking after it moved yet arriving first, he leapt up, dodged its claws, and kicked it squarely under the jaw, sending it flying.
"Roar!"
The beast finally let out a pained howl.
While still in midair, without landing to gain leverage, Wang Li somehow burst forward again, chasing after the soul beast he had kicked away at even greater speed.
Violent Foot.
He followed up with a heavy kick to its soft abdomen. Feline creatures like tigers and leopards could forcefully regain balance in midair, but this kick made it completely lose control, crashing down like a torn sack.
"Roar!"
The cry was filled with agony.
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