C13 Hunter

In the vast expanse of the Star Dou Great Forest, a sanctuary for Soul Beasts, a cadre of Human Soul Masters clad in black windbreakers navigated the forest's outer reaches. Leading them was an elderly Soul Master, his age evident as he leaned on a dark walking stick. Following close behind were two robust young men whose stern expressions hinted at their unsavory nature.

Trailing the pair were five children of assorted heights, their youth apparent as they took in the surroundings of the Star Dou Great Forest with wide-eyed curiosity. Bringing up the rear was a little girl in worn cloth shoes, maintaining a distance from the others. Her pale face bore several jarring scars, one particularly vicious mark stretching from the corner of her right eye to the base of her ear, resembling a sinister centipede.

The venerable leader halted abruptly, his voice resonating with the weight of years, "We're on the threshold of the Star Dou Great Forest's outer circle. Here, even the weakest Soul Beasts are a century old, and it's not uncommon to encounter those that have lived for a millennium or more. Do not stray beyond ten meters from me; within that range, I can just about ensure your safety. Upon locating the Soul Beasts you seek, report to Zuo and Eryou before taking any action. Should any issues arise from failure to do so, we will not be held accountable."

A young man, his fine attire barely concealed by his black windbreaker, flicked his jade fan and spoke softly, "Elder Shee, our sect has invested heavily to secure your guidance into the Star Dou Great Forest for Soul Rings. Surely, with your presence, the risk is negligible."

Zuo, the stalwart man at the elder's side, responded gravely, "Once inside the forest, Elder Shee's word is law. Should you fail to comply, we reserve the right to sever our agreement with your sect at any moment. The Star Dou Great Forest is the most treacherous locale on the entire Douluo Continent, a place where even those with the Doula Title dare not claim safety."

"Young Master Huang," interjected the sycophantic youth beside the fan-wielding young man, "the Sect Master made it clear at the outset of our journey: we are to heed Elder Shee's commands without question."

The youth known as Young Master Huang let out a derisive snort. "Without that dead weight, would we even need to exert ourselves this much?"

His gaze shifted to a little girl standing some distance away, a flicker of malice crossing his eyes. "Young Master Huang, why don't we just get rid of her quietly? After all, if a worthless disciple meets an accidental death in the forest, the sect won't make a fuss."

"I want no complications," he retorted. "To kill a Human Soul Master in the Star Dou Great Forest is to spill blood that acts like a siren's call to the Soul Beasts, luring them with its poison."

Elder Shee's voice was icy as he spoke, "We have three days to exit the Great Forest. You six must secure your Soul Rings within that time. Whether or not you've succeeded in your hunt, our mission to protect you concludes then." A heavy beastly roar echoed from the nearby woods.

"Is someone hunting Soul Beasts close by?"

His face turned stern, and four Soul Rings materialized behind him. In Eryou's right hand, a copper hammer appeared, adorned with a dog's head and four menacing teeth bared.

Martial Spirit!

Dog Head Hammer!

Elder Shee's eyebrows lifted, yet he made no move to intervene. Skirmishes over war spoils were commonplace among Human Soul Masters in the forest, and none of the three were saints. They had committed their share of misdeeds to gain cultivation resources, with ambushing Soul Masters for their Soul Rings being their specialty.

In a hushed tone, Zuo cautioned, "Be careful. If he turns out to be a formidable Soul Master, you know the drill."

Eryou grinned. "I've been down this road before. Rest easy."

Huang Tian's face grew grim as Eryou brandished his Martial Spirit. As a core disciple, he was well aware of the forest's dangers. With a hint of disdain, he said, "Elder Shee, our time is precious. Your disciple isn't aiding our Soul Ring hunt. Upon our return, I can't promise silence."

Elder Shee, a seasoned veteran of the martial world, understood Huang Tian's implication. He shot Huang Tian a piercing look and replied coldly, "My concern is to assist you in obtaining Soul Rings. If you're short one member, it's of no consequence to me."

This was a transaction.

At that moment, panic was etched on the face of the little girl crouched behind a centenarian Plant Type Soul Beast, a bamboo of a hundred years. Clutching desperately at the bamboo's trunk, she shook her head incessantly, as if to banish the terror within her.

Young Master Huang shot a glance at the four young men beside him and whispered, "Take her out, quickly!"

The girl with the purple locks and deep blue eyes hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper, "Young Master Huang, she's one of our own. Isn't this too harsh?"

"Zilan! I know you have a kind heart, but there's something you need to understand," Huang Tian said as he gently lifted a strand of her purple hair and deeply inhaled her scent. "Excessive kindness is a liability beyond our sect's borders! Moreover, look at her frail frame. She could easily become prey to a Soul Beast. It's better we end her suffering than let a beast do so mercilessly. We're doing this as her fellow sect members, after all."

Zilan's frame shuddered at Huang Tian's rationale, her eyes now open to the savage reality of the Soul Master world outside their sect.

She closed her eyes tightly, resolved not to partake in the grim affair any longer.

With a scoff, Huang Tian pressed, "What are you waiting for, a prayer session? We're on the clock!"

Eryou, gripping his dog-head hammer, advanced towards the fray. His eyes caught sight of a robust green vine bristling with thorns, each one dripping with a viscous blue substance.

Meanwhile, in a clearing, a muscular boy was locked in combat with a Soul Beast, wielding nothing but a rusted dagger.