"The Netherworld Shadow Leopard?"
In an instant, Chu Chengzhou recognized what kind of soul beast it was.
The Netherworld Shadow Leopard, a top-tier agility-type soul beast, was even faster than the Netherworld Spirit Cat at the same year range. It preferred to dwell in the dark, shaded areas of forests and was known as the most terrifying assassin in the soul beast world.
Judging from the aura it emitted, Chu Chengzhou estimated that it was around four thousand years old.
However, this Netherworld Shadow Leopard was in bad shape—its sharp right front claw was broken, and its back bore numerous large and small gashes, continuously oozing blood.
Without a doubt, it was likely the target of a 40th-level agility-type soul master.
Seeing two "obstacles" appear ahead, the fleeing Netherworld Shadow Leopard abruptly halted, its limbs bracing against the ground as it skidded to an emergency stop.
"ROAR—!"
At that moment, another resounding tiger roar echoed through the forest. A massive white tiger over seven meters long, radiating a purple glow and covered in purple stripes, leapt out from behind them. With a swipe of its enormous paw, it lunged directly at the braking Netherworld Shadow Leopard.
BOOM—!
The massive white tiger, whose aura rivaled that of a five-ring offensive Soul King, struck with its paw, slamming the unprepared Netherworld Shadow Leopard into the ground by over a foot.
The next moment, countless golden specks of light floated out from the mangled panther corpse, gradually coalescing into a purple soul ring.
"Huh? It even dropped a soul bone?"
Suddenly, Flender exclaimed in surprise.
He could sense the faint but unmistakable soul power fluctuations emanating from the mangled corpse—a clear sign of a soul bone.
No sooner had Flender spoken than the massive white tiger, which had just killed the Netherworld Shadow Leopard, turned its enormous head and glared menacingly in their direction.
As everyone knew, soul bones were treasures coveted by all soul masters.
Even teammates who hunted a soul beast together might turn on each other if a soul bone dropped, let alone strangers.
"Principal Flender, I think we should leave for now~."
Chu Chengzhou whispered softly to Flender.
If he wasn't mistaken, this massive purple-striped white tiger was none other than the signature fusion technique of the Dai family of the Star Luo Empire—the famed Netherworld White Tiger.
Given that this Netherworld White Tiger's aura rivaled that of a five-ring Soul King and it had been pursuing a four-thousand-year-old Netherworld Shadow Leopard, its users were likely a four-ring White Tiger soul master and a 40th-level quasi-Soul Elder with the Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul.
Though this Netherworld White Tiger, equivalent to a five-ring offensive Soul King but not yet a six-ring Soul Emperor, posed no threat to Flender, a seven-ring Soul Sage, they were currently in the Star Dou Forest.
Whenever junior soul masters came to hunt soul beasts for advancement, the Star Luo Imperial Family always arranged powerful escorts.
Encountering them wouldn't normally be a problem—after all, there weren't many feuds in the world, and most people wouldn't immediately fight upon meeting.
But the fact that this Netherworld Shadow Leopard had dropped a soul bone drastically increased the likelihood of conflict.
Chu Chengzhou didn't care about a mere four-thousand-year soul bone, nor did Flender have any intention of forcefully seizing it, especially since the other party belonged to the Star Luo Imperial Family. Even if Flender wanted to, he wouldn't dare. However, the other side might not see it the same way.
If they thought Chu Chengzhou and Flender were eyeing the soul bone, they might attack outright. What would they do then—fight back or fight back?
Facing what was likely an unfavorable situation, Chu Chengzhou believed the best course of action was to retreat—"Of the thirty-six stratagems, retreat is the best option."
However, before Flender could respond, a burly blond-haired middle-aged man emerged from the forest. With a few leaps, he arrived beside the Netherworld White Tiger.
"Leave this place!"
Glancing at the panther corpse and sizing up Flender, Dai Sheng noticed he was only a seven-ring Soul Sage. He slightly released his own imposing aura and spoke coldly.
"An eight-ring Soul Douluo?!"
Feeling the overwhelming aura flash briefly, Flender's pupils contracted.
An eight-ring Soul Douluo was someone even Shrek Academy couldn't afford to provoke.
"Elder, I take my leave!"
Flender was clearly someone who valued self-preservation. Having no ulterior motives to begin with, he immediately prepared to leave.
Though the other party's tone irritated him, irritation was something he had to swallow. After all, what could he do when the other person's fists were bigger than his?
Chu Chengzhou secretly sighed in relief. Regardless of anything else, as long as things didn't escalate to the worst-case scenario, it was fine.
As for the other party's arrogant attitude and domineering tone?
This burly blond middle-aged man was likely from the Star Luo Imperial Family. Chu Chengzhou decided he'd simply beat up Dai Mubai more often in the future.
Bullying the weak and fearing the strong? This was called picking the softest persimmon to squeeze!
"Wait!"
Just as Flender and Chu Chengzhou had taken a few steps, Dai Sheng suddenly spoke again.
"Elder, may I ask if there's something else?"
Both froze, and Flender turned to ask.
"This boy stays!"
Dai Sheng pointed at Chu Chengzhou.
"!!!"
Instantly, Chu Chengzhou's eyes widened.
I have no grudge against you! Why the hell do you want me to stay?
"Boy, I can't see through your soul power level. You must possess some treasure or special secret technique. Hand it over!"
Dai Sheng said arrogantly.
Previously, his attention had been focused on Flender, and he hadn't paid much attention to Chu Chengzhou.
However, just as the two were about to leave, he noticed something off about Chu Chengzhou.
After all, he was an eight-ring Soul Douluo, yet he couldn't see through this youth's soul power level?
When a high-level soul master couldn't discern another soul master's soul power level, it meant one of three things: either the other person was stronger than him, or they possessed a treasure or secret technique to conceal their presence.
But this youth appeared to be only around fifteen years old—it was impossible for him to surpass Dai Sheng. Therefore, he must possess some treasure or secret technique.
Either scenario was worth investigating.
As for whether this boy would refuse to hand it over?
Naive! This was the Star Dou Forest, where the law of the jungle reigned supreme. As long as his fists were bigger, his words were law and truth!
'Hand over the secret technique?'
Chu Chengzhou's expression darkened. He had hoped to avoid conflict, but never expected that conflict would arise anyway.
Normally, he wouldn't bother concealing his presence, at most disguising the color of his soul rings during battle.
But this was the perilous Star Dou Forest, where ambushes by soul beasts were a constant threat. Chu Chengzhou had been suppressing his aura all along to reduce his profile.
Unfortunately, amidst the sudden events earlier, he had forgotten how unusual his suppressed presence would appear to high-level soul masters.
And most importantly, he had the misfortune of being spotted by a powerful member of the Star Luo Imperial Family.
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