"Level 40?!"
Ning Tian and Wu Feng both exclaimed. Ning Tian's voice was full of joy, while Wu Feng's hid a trace of reluctance.
Wu Feng secretly glanced at Ling Bai—already outmatched and now feeling even lower—but…
"Thirty years east, thirty years west; never underestimate a girl in hard times!"
She believed that one day she would regain her former glory and wrest Ning Tian back from the clutches of the "Great Demon King" Ling Bai.
"Looks like we really do need to stay a bit longer," Ning Tian said with a gentle smile. "Most of the beasts in the outer region are only ten- or hundred-year soul beasts. Encountering a millennium-level Vajra Baboon is already lucky. Brother Bai, for your fourth soul ring, we should head to the Mixed Zone."
Ning Tian and Ling Bai had been childhood companions. According to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's ancient rules, direct disciples must find a strong battle soul master as a spouse. Ling Bai's exceptional talent had already drawn the attention of the sect leaders, who planned for the two to be betrothed when of age, ensuring both Ning Tian's and the school's future.
Stronger battle support meant Ning Tian could grow stronger too, which delighted her even more than breaking through to Soul Lord.
The three of them moved efficiently, keeping a simple formation: Ling Bai and Wu Feng flanking Ning Tian, the support-class soul master, as they advanced deeper into the Star Dou Forest.
Ling Bai guided the general direction. The magical spider continuously fed him information—its target, the owner of the White Tiger Dagger, was still moving, but their speed was almost negligible in comparison.
Considering the opponent's weak ten-year soul power and frail body, Ling Bai found the slow pace reasonable.
The forest was thick with mist, cool yet oppressive. Since the last beast tide decades ago, the forest had recovered remarkably. Its soul beasts now reached astonishing strength and numbers.
Lower-level soul beasts, unable to compete for territory or food, were forced to migrate outward—explaining why stronger beasts often appeared at the forest's edge, occasionally disturbing nearby villages.
Heading toward the White Tiger Dagger, the trio encountered several soul beasts along the way. The strongest was a nine-hundred-year Flame Lion King.
The Flame Lion King was a formidable fire-element beast, yet against Ling Bai and company, it was no challenge. Wu Feng handled it single-handedly, effortlessly.
She stripped its luxurious golden-red fur carefully, planning to take it to Shrek City and have a skilled craftsman make it into a quilt for Ning Tian.
"Wait… I sense a soul energy fluctuation," Ning Tian suddenly stopped and pointed in a direction.
"Hmm."
Ling Bai nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Finally caught up."
"Let's go check it out."
Parting the grass, Ling Bai led Ning Tian and Wu Feng toward the source.
They saw a monkey-type soul beast with brown-yellow fur, unusually long arms, sharp claws, and exposed fangs, eyes glowing fiercely.
"Wind Baboon?" Wu Feng frowned.
Compared to the Vajra Baboon, which could rival a Titan Ape, the Wind Baboon was about evenly matched at best—one powerful punch from the Vajra Baboon would send it to the underworld.
Yet even this weaker beast was suppressing the opposing soul master.
"No way… is someone actually losing to a Wind Baboon?!" Wu Feng exclaimed.
The opponent was a skinny, young male soul master, roughly the same age as them. His clothes were plain, his appearance ordinary, except for his striking deep-blue eyes.
Under the Wind Baboon's relentless assault, the boy dodged left and right, clearly struggling.
Ning Tian squinted, observing the baboon's size. "Hmm… seems like a ten-year cultivation level."
"Hey, you two are too harsh,"
Ling Bai said with a wry smile. The boy struggling under the Wind Baboon's attacks was none other than the future God of Emotions, the famous Huo Yuhao. Though a bit weak now, he was destined for greatness.
"Pfft!"
Wu Feng sneered, Ning Tian lightly smiled, twirling a strand of platinum hair.
"Should we help him?"
"No need," Ling Bai shook his head. Huo Yuhao was nothing more than a marker for him. His life or death didn't matter.
If the boy died at the hands of a ten-year soul beast, Ling Bai would raise a thumb in admiration: "Well done, my future God-Slayer!"
"Hey, Ning Tian! Look! He's turning the tables!"
Wu Feng suddenly grabbed Ning Tian, excited.
In the center of the fight, the Wind Baboon's two strikes were blocked by Huo Yuhao's White Tiger Dagger. Angered, it roared, pounding its chest, then lunged, spewing a white light toward him.
Reacting instinctively, Huo Yuhao leaned back while raising the White Tiger Dagger, intercepting the white light.
The Wind Baboon's arms then grabbed his shoulders and threw him. Huo Yuhao flew through the air, while the baboon landed awkwardly and froze.
Ling Bai observed carefully. The White Tiger Dagger, previously unable to reach the airborne baboon, had absorbed its white light, suddenly releasing a blade of energy that grazed the baboon—Huo Yuhao had successfully countered!
Just like a legendary hero who could slide tackle a tiger, the future God of Emotions had turned the tables on a ten-year Wind Baboon.
"This is… possible?"
Ning Tian and Wu Feng were stunned. Even Huo Yuhao himself sat dazed, taking a moment to process what had happened.
Looking at the white ten-year soul ring above the baboon, Huo Yuhao's expression darkened. He couldn't die—he had to avenge his mother. Every scene from the battle replayed in his mind, teaching him what it meant to overestimate oneself.
"Mom…"
Just then, a mischievous voice echoed in his mind:
"Finally, a human with spirit attributes! Too bad I don't cry, or I'd be bawling my eyes out!"
The earth trembled without warning. Two meters ahead, cracks appeared in the ground, widening to reveal faint golden light.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng froze, staring at the glowing fissures. Ling Bai's excitement was almost uncontrollable.
Here it comes—the big one!
(End of Chapter)
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