However, due to Xiao Wu's hesitation, the situation on the battlefield suddenly shifted.
A deep, low voice rang out at this moment.
"Hmph, thinking of running?"
As the words faded, Ye Wen suddenly felt his body grow heavier.
Realizing this wasn't an isolated phenomenon, Ye Wen instinctively glanced at Huo Yu'er and Xiao Wu behind him.
"Damn it! It's a group-control soul skill. Didn't this bastard just use a flame-type soul skill earlier? What kind of martial soul does this guy have?"
Ye Wen cursed inwardly, but outwardly remained calm and composed, his eyes fixed firmly on the carriage.
At this moment, a plump figure slowly emerged from the carriage. His massive size made Ye Wen think he was seeing things.
The man was so obese that his limbs appeared disproportionately short, making him look like a giant meatball.
But Ye Wen had no time to mock him, as the man possessed four spirit rings—even with a common configuration of one white, two yellow, and one purple ring, Ye Wen knew he had to take this opponent extremely seriously.
Perhaps due to the influence of his snail-type martial soul, the leader of the human traffickers spoke slowly and haltingly. With a sinister chuckle, he said:
"No laughter, huh? You brat, not bad. Once we capture you, we won't make too much trouble for you.
So choose your answer: will you obediently be captured, or do you want us to beat you up first before capturing you?"
"Fat bastard, if you've got the guts, come at me! Do you really think Big Sister Xiao Wu is afraid of you?"
Xiao Wu boldly spoke up. Realizing she had broken her promise with Ye Wen and might even endanger all three of them, she decided to throw caution to the wind. By provoking the enemy and drawing their attention, she hoped to create better combat conditions for the trio!
Xiao Wu certainly knew how to hit someone's sore spot. Sure enough, after hearing "fat bastard," the leader of the human traffickers revealed a cruel smile.
"What a lovely voice. I'm already, quite, eager, to hear the beautiful sounds, of you screaming, during hehehe...
Attack! Be gentle with the other two, but that little rabbit—don't hurt her face; breaking her limbs is fine."
The two henchmen exchanged glances, then their spirit rings began to glow as they brandished their sharp claws and charged toward the trio.
Ye Wen took a deep breath and solemnly declared:
"I have strong defenses—I'll take the lead. You two find opportunities to attack!"
With that, Ye Wen activated his armament soul skill, transforming into a silver-armored warrior, and engaged the two attackers in close combat.
Thanks to the superiority of his martial soul, his diligent cultivation, and the minimal gap in power amplification between their spirit rings, Ye Wen managed to hold his own against the two traffickers for the time being.
Seeing Xiao Wu itching to join the fight, Huo Yu'er discreetly pulled her back and whispered:
"Xiao Wu, don't get in the way. Your physical strength can't harm them. What you need to do now is seize the opportunity to use your Charm skill and create openings for us."
Xiao Wu realized her Explosive Eight-Step Throw could work, but in such a fast-paced battle, inserting herself would only disrupt Ye Wen's rhythm. At least she still had her Charm skill, which reassured her that she wasn't a burden.
Meanwhile, Huo Yu'er didn't remain idle. She immediately activated her first soul skill.
"Hallucination Vision!"
In an instant, the two traffickers who had been fiercely battling Ye Wen accidentally punched each other in the face, both letting out cries of pain.
Seeing the perfect opportunity, Ye Wen's eyes lit up. He quickly formed hand seals and unleashed his most powerful Void Slash, instantly cutting down the stronger of the two henchmen.
A piercing scream echoed, but before Ye Wen could press his advantage, a low, menacing laugh sounded in his ears.
"So that's how it is—that's your soul skill? Now that I know your abilities, let's see—"
When Ye Wen looked up, he saw that the grotesque, obese man now bore a massive snail shell on his back. In the next moment, the shell shimmered with the glow of a hundred-year spirit ring, its form rapidly changing. As it twisted and contorted, a massive cannon barrel emerged, aimed directly at Ye Wen and the others.
Ye Wen's expression darkened. While most snail-type soul masters were defense-oriented, it was clear this fat man took a different path.
From the earlier flame projection and group-control skills, it was evident he followed a hybrid path, leaning more toward offense.
This time, the leader of the traffickers didn't bother negotiating. With a sinister grin, he unleashed an invisible shockwave that surged toward the trio.
The henchmen's faces turned pale with terror as they watched.
"Stop! Boss, I haven't moved away yet!"
"Who cares about you? You're just my cannon fodder. Did you really think calling me 'Boss' would make me treat you differently?" The leader sneered as he unleashed his soul skill.
Huo Yu'er and Xiao Wu's sharp eyes allowed them to dodge instinctively.
But in the next instant, the purple spirit ring on the leader's body flared again. The already oppressive weight intensified, pinning them momentarily in place—and that single moment sealed their fate!
The invisible wave struck with a deafening roar, sending up a massive cloud of dust that obscured everything from view.
Yet the leader's face showed no sign of joy, for he had seen the final scene before the impact.
"Disgusting brat. Not only is he handsome, but he even managed to save those two girls right before my soul skill hit."
Not far from the swirling dust, Huo Yu'er and Xiao Wu stared blankly at the unsettled cloud. When they finally snapped out of their daze, their eyes were red with grief.
"Ah Wen!" Both cried out desperately.
But the ruthless leader of the traffickers, who didn't even care about his henchmen's lives, wouldn't miss this chance to strike again. With a surge of soul power, he leaped closer to the two girls.
"Don't worry. From now on, I'll take good care of you two in that brat's place."
But the response he received was a sharp arrow fired by Huo Yu'er.
"Unforgivable! I'll make you pay for Ah Wen with your worthless life!" Huo Yu'er shouted furiously.
Though she hadn't initially taken these three thugs seriously, the fact that her beloved had been injured right under her nose infuriated her beyond measure.
Huo Yu'er silently vowed to tear this bastard apart limb by limb to vent her rage!
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu seemed to have matured significantly. Ye Wen's selfless act of saving them in the face of mortal danger made her fully realize her feelings for him.
Though she said nothing, her once rosy eyes now brimmed with bloodshot veins, clearly signaling the murderous intent burning within her heart.
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