Chapter 61: The Living Encyclopedia
The food they had bought in the town was mostly dried rations, just enough to fill their stomachs. As for cookware, like pots and pans, most people would never use them inside Star Dou Forest. The smell of fire and cooking would easily attract soul beasts.
Soul beasts generally had highly sensitive senses of smell, and if someone cooked in the forest, the scent could lure beasts to them. For soul masters hunting for a soul ring, that was a disaster waiting to happen if they attracted a strong soul beast, they would be doomed.
But that only applied to normal people.
To Ye Cheng, the only creature in Star Dou Forest that might make him slightly cautious was the Silver Dragon King hiding in the core area. Every other beast? He could kill them with a flick of his wrist.
So, he had zero concerns about attracting soul beasts.
With complete confidence, he had Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing buy a ton of seasonings, while he stocked up on fresh ingredients, storing them in his spatial ring.
And just like that, the three of them started an outdoor feast in the middle of a dangerous soul beast infested forest.
They set up a pot, poured in water, added seasonings, and tossed in fresh meat and vegetables as if they were cooking at home.
Ye Cheng's spatial ring was special. Unlike normal storage rings, it wasn't just massive, but anything stored inside it was frozen in time. Meaning, food would never rot it would be as fresh coming out as it was going in. A permanent preservation effect.
With everything ready, they began their first ever wilderness cooking experience.
Sitting in the forest, feeling the gentle breeze as they enjoyed delicious food the feeling was indescribably peaceful.
"I doubt there's another soul master in this world who treats a life threatening hunt like a camping trip." Ning Rongrong thought, holding her bowl.
Zhu Zhuqing had similar thoughts.
Having a top tier powerhouse protecting them really was the best feeling in the world.
After enjoying a lavish picnic, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing started cleaning up, while Ye Cheng sat back like a king, not lifting a finger.
An Unexpected Chase
Just then, Ye Cheng sensed something a soul beast rapidly approaching.
It wasn't drawn in by the smell of their food.
It was running for its life.
"What's going on?"
Curious, Ye Cheng expanded his sensing range and immediately discovered several pursuers behind the beast.
And those pursuers?
He had seen them before.
"Interesting… Did I just stumble upon a famous scene from the original story?"
A smirk appeared on his lips as he turned to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Something fun is coming," he said.
The two girls were confused, but before they could ask, they heard it a rushing sound through the trees.
The noise grew louder and louder, approaching at incredible speed. Even Ning Rongrong, as a support type soul master, could tell how fast the creature was moving.
Before Ye Cheng could even say anything, Zhu Zhuqing reacted instinctively.
She leapt up, claws extended, and scaled a nearby tree with cat like agility. From her new vantage point, she peered in the direction of the sound.
With her enhanced feline vision, even in broad daylight, she easily spotted the source.
A moment later, her cold voice called down.
"Teacher, it looks like a flying snake, but it can't fly very high only about three meters off the ground. Its head has a large red crest, bigger than its head, and its tail is fan shaped."
Ye Cheng had already identified the creature through his sensing ability, but he didn't want to kill Zhu Zhuqing's enthusiasm.
So, he pretended to think before replying.
"Based on your description, that's a Phoenix Tailed Crest Serpent. They're quite rare. Unlike most snakes, they're non venomous instead, they strangle prey with their bodies. Their attacks are simple but incredibly fast.
"Their red crest stores nutrients and, in moments of crisis, grants them a speed boost."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly said, "Teacher, it's heading straight for us! And it seems to be struggling to keep its balance."
Ye Cheng asked, "How long is it? And what color are its wings?"
"Its wings are light red, and its body is about six to eight meters long."
The moment he heard that, Ye Cheng immediately determined the exact details.
"It's a thousand year Phoenix Tailed Crest Serpent. The light red wings indicate it has lived for at least a thousand years. Based on its length, it's somewhere between 1,300 and 1,800 years old.
"If someone absorbed its soul ring, the soul skill would likely boost speed…
"Unfortunately, neither of you are above level 30, so even if we kill it, you can't absorb it."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were shocked.
Ye Cheng had never seen the beast, yet just from a short description, he knew everything about it its species, its age, its abilities, and even its soul skill potential.
It was unbelievable.
Soul beasts were diverse and complex. Their age and power levels were not easy to determine.
But Ye Cheng had figured it all out instantly.
His encyclopedic knowledge was terrifying.
Faced with their awed gazes, Ye Cheng accepted their admiration without hesitation.
After all, his character setting wasn't just about being strong he was also designed to be a genius scholar.
There wasn't a single soul beast in this world that he didn't recognize.
He was, quite literally, the living encyclopedia of Douluo Dalu.
The Encounter
"It's here."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice rang out again.
Then without hesitation she launched herself down from the tree.
She didn't care that the creature was a thousand year soul beast.
With her claws glowing, her first soul ring activated Nether Thrust!
The giant snake appeared exactly as she had described.
Its six to seven meter long body shot forward at incredible speed, its red crest gleaming, and its sinister gaze locked on its path.
But it didn't expect a sudden attack from above.
Zhu Zhuqing's Nether Thrust struck directly toward its crest!
However
The serpent reacted instantly.
At the last moment, it tilted its head, dodging the direct hit.
Instead of striking the crest, Zhu Zhuqing's claws slammed into its body with a loud impact, slowing the beast's momentum.
Then
The serpent retaliated.
Its mouth opened wide, releasing a cloud of colorful mist toward Zhu Zhuqing.
Simultaneously, its red crest glowed, activating its speed burst!
"Zhuqing, watch out!" Ning Rongrong shouted in alarm.
But Ye Cheng remained completely calm.
Why?
Because this serpent was not venomous.
That "poison mist" was nothing more than a bluff.
(End of chapter)
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