Boom!
Yuhao unleashed the full force of his Ice Emperor Dragon Scorpion and Golden Dragon King Martial Souls simultaneously. Combining this with the terrifying Golden Dragon Lightning Strike in the unity of man and nature state, this was the most powerful attack Yuhao could possibly execute at this moment.
With a single punch, endless power erupted, generating a soul power vortex that engulfed everything within a hundred-meter radius.
Roar! Woo!
It was like a dragon's roar—no, more like the sound of something breaking through the air itself. The shadows of the Golden Dragon King and Ice Emperor Dragon Scorpion alternated on Yuhao's fist, merging into one, before smashing into the Mirror Shadow Beast.
Startled—
Xue Wuhen, who had been standing not far away, heard no sound at all. This did not mean Yuhao's punch was silent. On the contrary, it had drained all surrounding power, creating a vacuum around him.
For three long breaths, everything stood still.
Huchi~ Huchi~
Xue Wuhen gasped for air, lowering his head, unable to raise it again. His bright eyes had dimmed, now filled with overwhelming shock and fear. He couldn't believe what had just occurred.
It wasn't until he caught his breath that he dared to raise his head again and look toward Yuhao.
What was strange was that while Yuhao stood firm in place, the Mirror Beast had completely disappeared, leaving only a black soul ring floating in the air.
"I... I really don't have any eyesight..."
Xue Wuhen swallowed, his body trembling.
What he had just witnessed was nothing short of miraculous—the 5-year-old Mirror Beast had been evaporated under Yuhao's punch.
Yes, evaporated, as if it had been reduced to vapor when it came into contact with an overwhelming flame. The Mirror Beast vanished into nothingness under the sheer power of Yuhao's strike.
It sounded unbelievable, yet the scene unfolded right before Xue Wuhen's eyes. No matter how much disbelief he felt, the reality was undeniable.
"Yuhao, are you okay?"
Tianmeng's voice rang in his mind, filled with concern. As Yuhao's intelligent soul ring, Tianmeng understood the immense strain Yuhao's body had endured under such a devastating attack.
Yuhao didn't respond immediately—not because he didn't want to, but because his right arm was in excruciating pain.
The muscles, tendons, and bones had all been shattered upon impact, broken into powder. The pain was almost unbearable, rivaling the intense agony he had felt when tempering his body in the Ice and Fire.
Fortunately, Yuhao had Bi Ji's life essence coursing through his body. The moment his arm tore apart, life essence flooded in to heal the damage. Otherwise, it was uncertain whether Yuhao's arm would even remain intact.
After a long moment, Yuhao slowly regained his composure.
Although the pain still lingered in his right arm, it was now within his tolerance. With the life essence active, Yuhao was confident that his arm would heal back to normal in time.
But for now, his right arm had temporarily lost its combat ability.
"I'm fine," Yuhao replied to Tianmeng, albeit through gritted teeth.
Tianmeng, relieved to hear Yuhao's voice, sighed in relief and warned, "Yuhao, I think it's best not to use that move again until you've gathered the fifth qi-blood soul ring."
Yuhao nodded solemnly. Truth be told, he had already planned not to use it again without Tianmeng's reminder.
Concentrating all his power into one strike was immensely powerful, but it was a double-edged sword. The physical toll it took on him was too great. A fighting style that harmed both his enemies and himself wasn't something Yuhao desired.
He then lowered his gaze to the black soul ring floating in front of him. His eyes gleamed with determination.
"I hope this gives me the soul skill I need."
With that thought, Yuhao sat cross-legged on the ground, preparing to absorb the soul ring.
As for Xue Wuhen, Yuhao was certain that after witnessing such a terrifying display up close, he would have no thoughts of confronting him.
Just as Yuhao had expected, Xue Wuhen had no intention of making a move. However, after seeing the two soul rings that appeared when Yuhao unleashed his spiritual eye martial soul, Xue Wuhen was filled with endless confusion.
"He's a Soul Lord? But how is that possible?"
Xue Wuhen had never witnessed a 10-year soul ring, but he knew for certain that the one Yuhao had just summoned was no fake. The soul skill power and the intimidating presence of that soul ring were undeniable.
But how could a soul master possess a 10-year soul ring? Even if Yuhao had a twin martial soul, this was still inconceivable.
Because of the shock of the 10-year-old soul ring, Xue Wuhen momentarily forgot that Yuhao was about to absorb a 5-year-old soul ring.
Just then, a rustling sound came from behind him. When he turned around, he found his subordinate, Claw, approaching.
"Claw? Why are you all back? Where are Iron Wolf and Black Head?"
Claw, the short man who had spoken to Xue Wuhen earlier, was called Claw because his martial spirit was a wolf's claw.
At the question, a look of rage appeared on Claw's face as he whispered, "Boss, that bastard Tie Lang betrayed us and ran off with the soul bone."
"What?!"
Xue Wuhen's heart sank. He had already sensed something was wrong when he saw Claw and the others return, but he never imagined that Tie Lang had betrayed them.
"Where's Black Head?"
Xue Wuhen grabbed Claw's collar, his eyes blazing with fury.
Xue Wuhen had earned his position as the leader of the Snow Wolf Mercenary Group not only because of his strength but also because of his deep sense of justice and loyalty. Hearing this betrayal made his blood boil.
Claw, unable to avoid Xue Wuhen's gaze, turned his head away, unable to meet his eyes.
"Tell me, where is Black Head?"
Xue Wuhen's voice was filled with force, his anger barely contained.
Finally, Claw spoke the truth.
"Boss, Black Head is dead. We know about Tie Lang's betrayal because he told us with his last breath."
Boom!
Even though Xue Wuhen had suspected this, hearing the truth made his anger explode. He punched a nearby cedar tree, and the tree cracked with a muffled thud.
"If I don't make him pay for this, then I, Xue Wuhen, am no man! Come with me!"
With that, Xue Wuhen turned and stormed off.
But at that moment, a hand landed on his shoulder.
Just as he was about to vent his fury, he turned and saw a familiar, handsome face.
It was Yuhao, who had just absorbed the third soul ring.
Though the Mirror Shadow Beast's soul ring was only 5 years old, Yuhao had no difficulty absorbing it with his current body.
After absorbing the soul ring, Yuhao had overheard the conversation between Xue Wuhen and his subordinates. A wave of guilt washed over him.
Had he not given the soul bone to Iron Wolf, this situation might never have unfolded.
"Boss Xue, this matter is my responsibility. Let me help you find Iron Wolf."
Xue Wuhen, despite his anger, couldn't help but soften his tone when faced with Yuhao, a man capable of evaporating a 5-year-old soul beast with a single punch.
"Huo, Brother Huo, what are you saying? How can you say it's your fault? Who would have known that Iron Wolf could be so ruthless?"
Though his heart burned with rage, Xue Wuhen did not dare to act arrogantly toward Yuhao.
The situation was clear: Yuhao had acted in good faith, and the betrayal lay solely with Tie Lang.