Chapter 14 – The Shadow Panther's End
As Ryuga was still speaking with the girls, the principal's voice suddenly rang inside his mind.
He was being summoned to the private training ground.
Ryuga turned toward Lingling and spoke softly.
"I have to go now. They're ready for me to absorb my second spirit ring."
"It may take a long time, so you both should head home," he added as he turned to leave.
Yan Yan hesitated, her face already flushed.
"C-can we… watch?" she asked in a shy voice, her fingers twisting together.
Ryuga blinked in surprise.
So it worked this fast?
Lingling also nodded quietly, her eyes filled with curiosity and a trace of concern.
The principal soon confirmed that it would be safe for them to observe.
So the three of them headed toward the training ground together.
This time, however, something felt strange.
Ryuga walked in the middle as usual.
Lingling was still on his right side.
But Yan Yan, who normally stayed glued to Lingling's other side, now walked beside Ryuga on his left.
Her head was lowered, her face glowing red.
Ryuga said nothing, only smiling to himself as they walked.
When they arrived at the training ground, the three elders were already standing before a massive spirit beast that lay on the verge of death.
The moment Ryuga's eyes fell upon it, all information about the creature surged into his mind.
It was the Abyssal Shadow Panther.
General Information
• Spirit Beast Type: Dual-headed Shadow Panther (Mutation variant)
• Estimated Age: 5,450 years
• Habitat: Lower Abyss Region, Deep Shadow Forest of great star dou forest.
• Classification: Extremely Rare. High-tier predator / semi-sentient spiritual-type beast
• Suitable for Spirit Masters: Shadow-type, Darkness-type, Illusion or Mental-type users
Appearance:-
A majestic yet terrifying panther with two sleek, muscular bodies fused at the neck, each head crowned by glowing amethyst eyes that pierce through the night. Its fur is matte black, absorbing all nearby light — a living void. Under moonlight, faint silver patterns pulse along its flanks, forming rune-like veins that shimmer as it breathes.
The creature's two heads act independently — one controls shadow and physical combat, while the other commands spiritual and illusionary power. Its claws emit faint trails of black mist, and its movement is absolutely silent. When it runs, it leaves no sound, scent, or shadow — only a faint distortion in the air.
Behavior & Nature:-
Unlike common soul beasts, this panther exhibits dual consciousness — two separate minds sharing one body. They communicate telepathically, planning hunts with inhuman coordination.
The left head embodies Shadow and Darkness, excelling in stealth, ambush, and speed.
The right head embodies Spirit and Mind, able to cast illusionary projections and psychic roars that disrupt enemy focus.
Together, they hunt not by scent or sight, but by perceiving mental fluctuations of living beings. The stronger the target's spirit, the faster they are detected.
It is cunning, territorial, and eerily calm. The moment its prey senses fear, the beast already knows — and strikes from the shadows a heartbeat later.
Skills:- Shadow Mirage Step:- The beast splits into two illusionary copies of itself — one physical, one spiritual. The real one can swap positions with its mirage to avoid damage or attack from unexpected angles.
Abyssal Roar:- One head releases a silent shockwave of mental energy, disrupting concentration and stunning enemies within 10 meters. Especially lethal to spirit masters who rely on mental control.
Dual Mind Resonance:- The two heads synchronize perfectly, boosting all reaction speed and mental processing. It can predict opponents' intent through minute fluctuations of soul power.
Devouring Darkness:- The panther merges into its own shadow, becoming intangible. It can attack from beneath the enemy's feet or from within their own shadow.
Soul Echo Hunt (Special Mutant Ability):- The right head emits a psychic echo that "marks" a target's soul presence, allowing the panther to chase them even across barriers or through concealment.
But now the same majestic beast lay before his eyes on the verge of death. And the both girls also was in awe as they saw the majestic beast. Which looked like a panther. But with two heads.
Even now, dying and broken, its presence radiated cold majesty and terrifying pressure.
Lingling and Yan Yan stood frozen in awe at the sight of it.
Its dual heads twitched weakly, eyes still burning with hatred and unwillingness to die.
Bai Baoshan spoke sharply, breaking the tension.
"Kid, finish it quickly and absorb its ring before it dies on its own."
Ryuga nodded.
"Lingling… and Yan Yan, stay here," he said gently.
"I'll take care of the rest."
Then he grinned.
"You've never seen my martial soul properly before. Watch closely and see how cool I am."
With that, he spoke a single word.
"Equip."
Black mist erupted from his shadow like living ink.
In an instant, it wrapped around his body and solidified into dark, purple-tinged armor that covered him from head to toe.
Violet light glowed from the eye slits of his helmet and from every joint of the armor.
His katana, Legion, appeared in his hand, humming softly with shadowy power.
In that moment, Ryuga looked like a warrior who had stepped straight out of the abyss.
He turned his head slightly toward the girls.
"How do I look?" he teased.
"Handsome enough to steal your hearts?"
Before either girl could respond, Bai elder roared, furious.
"Brat! Enough flirting! Kill the beast!"
Ryuga laughed.
"Alright, alright, don't be jealous, elder Bai."
He turned toward the panther, his posture shifting instantly from playful to lethal.
"Now watch one of my self-created soul skills."
He lowered his stance.
His left hand pressed against the sheath near the hilt.
His right hand wrapped firmly around the katana's grip.
Soul power flowed through his meridians in a precise, violent pattern.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
The blade shifted slightly under his thumb.
"Shadow Flash."
Ryuga vanished.
Two seconds later, he reappeared directly in front of the panther.
A silver-black arc flashed through the air.
Both heads of the Abyssal Shadow Panther were severed in the same instant.
They flew into the air before crashing heavily onto the ground, rolling lifelessly across the dirt.
The beast's eyes remained wide open, filled with burning resentment.
It could not accept that it had been killed by a mere human child.
Ryuga slowly sheathed his katana and turned back toward the elders.
"How was that?" he asked casually.
"Fast and powerful, right?"
For several seconds, the training ground was silent.
The three elders stood as if struck by lightning.
A seven-year-old had just executed his own self-created soul skill and beheaded a mutated five-thousand-year spirit beast in a single strike.
Then excitement exploded.
"Good! Good! Good!" Meng Shenji shouted in delight, praising him without reservation.
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin followed with loud approval.
Their eyes burned with excitement as they imagined the future glory this child would bring to the academy.
Winning the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament no longer seemed like a dream.
It now felt inevitable.
Ryuga finally turned toward the girls.
"How was it?" he asked lightly.
"Did I look cool?"
Both Lingling and Yan Yan nodded almost at the same time.
Lingling's cheeks were faintly red, her hands still half-covering her face.
This was the first time she had ever felt such unfamiliar warmth in her chest.
Yan Yan was in even worse condition.
Her entire face was burning red from neck to ears.
Her heart pounded so violently that Lingling could hear it.
Both girls exchanged a silent, confused glance.
Neither understood this strange feeling stirring in their hearts.
Ryuga smiled inside his helmet.
Everything… was going exactly according to plan.
And that plan?
It was still a secret.
Written by :- Ashborn_
Edited by :- Chat GPT