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#196
Nether Shadow Connected
Chapter 196 The Shadow of the Underworld Connected
This time, Chu Xinghe did not let the three women make a move. Instead, he took a step forward and took the initiative to meet the Silver Moon Wolf.
He flexed his wrists, a hint of eagerness flashing in his eyes, clearly wanting to use this 20,000-year-old soul beast to test his newly created soul skill.
"Flame Dragon Armor, combine!" Chu Xinghe suddenly shouted a slightly chuunibyou-esque slogan, and crimson flames instantly erupted from his body. The flames surged across his body like a tide, condensing into a set of shimmering crystal armor on his body.
The armor has smooth lines and is covered with dragon scale-like patterns, exuding a scorching aura.
The Silver Moon Wolf's pupils suddenly contracted as it stared intently at Chu Xinghe's armor, letting out a terrified whimper.
The fiery armor emanated an intense dragon's might, pressing down on it like an invisible mountain, making it almost impossible for it to breathe.
This was the natural suppression of the bloodline of the superior dragon race over the bloodline of the inferior beast race; the deep-seated fear made its limbs tremble slightly.
This sense of oppression was something it had only ever felt before from those hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts deep in the far north!
A voice inside kept screaming for it to escape, saying that if it waited any longer, there would be no chance.
The next moment, Chu Xinghe moved.
He pushed off the ice with both legs, causing the ice to shatter instantly. He shot out like a cannonball, reaching the Silver Moon Wolf in the blink of an eye with explosive speed, and slammed his flaming fist into the wolf's head.
"Awooo!" The Silver Moon Wolf grimaced as it was smashed, its head buzzing, and a patch of its snow-white fur was singed by the flames.
Anger instantly overcame fear. It mustered its courage, and its gleaming claws, accompanied by a sharp wind that tore through the air, slammed down on Chu Xinghe's chest.
However, Chu Xinghe neither dodged nor avoided, letting the Silver Moon Wolf's claws strike the Flame Dragon Armor.
With a crisp clang, the claws seemed to strike red-hot iron. Not only did they fail to break through the armor, but the impact of the flames rebounding from the armor blasted the wolf's claws into a bloody mess, leaving them instantly covered in charred wounds.
The excruciating pain terrified the Silver Moon Wolf, which turned and tried to flee into the depths of the icy valley.
How could Chu Xinghe let it have its way? In a flash, he caught up with the fleeing giant wolf and unleashed a barrage of punches, knee strikes, and elbow strikes, each carrying the power of scorching flames. The Silver Moon Wolf howled in agony and rolled and struggled on the snow.
Ge Zhenhai watched from a distance, utterly shocked, his mouth agape for a long time.
He knew Chu Xinghe was strong, but he never expected him to be this strong.
The 20,000-year-old Silver Moon Wolf was like a helpless puppy in front of him, with no room to struggle.
What shocked him even more was yet to come.
Chu Xinghe suddenly let out a low shout, and a blazing orange-red light shot into the sky, his soul power fluctuations increasing several times over.
His body rapidly transformed into a dragon in the light, with fine scales covering his entire body like armor, his arms turning into thick dragon arms, and sharp dragon claws sprang from his fingertips, gleaming with a cold metallic light.
Ge Zhenhai then belatedly realized that Chu Xinghe had not released his martial soul at all!
With the combined enhancement of the Flame Dragon Armor and his Martial Soul, Chu Xinghe condensed crimson flames on his dragon claws and slammed them down at the fallen Silver Moon Wolf: "Crimson Flame Dragon Claw!"
The scorching dragon claws descended with overwhelming force. The Silver Moon Wolf didn't even have time to howl before it was slammed to the ground, its aura rapidly waning, completely losing its ability to resist and becoming utterly helpless.
Only the crackling of the flames and Ge Zhenhai's heavy, suppressed breathing remained in the icy valley.
He stared at the figure clad in dragon armor, half-dragon transformed, and was filled with awe.
This is no Soul Emperor, he's practically a walking ferocious beast!
While Ge Zhenhai was still reeling from the shock of Chu Xinghe crushing the Silver Moon Wolf, Zhu Zhuqing quickly stepped forward.
As black soul power flowed, the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul quietly possessed her. Her eyes were sharp as knives, and her sharp cat claws fell with a whistling sound, decisively ending the life of the Silver Moon Wolf.
As the giant wolf's body went limp, a solid black soul ring slowly rose, its soul power fluctuations even more powerful than those of the previous Frost Giant Bear.
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, sat cross-legged beneath the spirit ring, closed her eyes, and began to guide the spirit ring to absorb the energy.
A pale pink, healing light emanated from the Nine-Heart Begonia in front of Ye Lingling, gently enveloping Zhu Zhuqing and protecting her.
Ge Zhenhai then came to his senses, his gaze falling on Chu Xinghe. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Dugu Yan, "Miss Dugu, if I may be so bold, how old is Captain Chu this year?"
This question had lingered in his mind for a long time, especially after witnessing the battle just now, his curiosity reached its peak.
Dugu Yan smiled upon hearing this, her tone slightly teasing: "He's just a fifteen-year-old kid."
At this moment, Chu Xinghe had already put away his Martial Soul Possession and Flame Dragon Armor. Upon hearing this, he wrapped his arm around Dugu Yan's waist, looked down into her eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, and asked, word by word, "Don't you know whether I'm young or not?"
Even with Dugu Yan's usually bold personality, she couldn't stand such public teasing. Her cheeks instantly turned crimson, and she angrily pinched his arm: "You're so frivolous!"
Ge Zhenhai stood frozen in place as if he had been struck by a spell, his whole body stiffening.
He wondered if he had misheard and subconsciously rubbed his ears.
Fifteen years old?
The Soul Emperor who could easily crush a 20,000-year-old Silver Moon Wolf was only fifteen years old?
The number exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt, making him dizzy.
A Soul Emperor at the age of fifteen, what does that even mean?
It's considered quite good for an ordinary Soul Master to reach the Great Soul Master realm by the age of fifteen. However, Chu Xinghe is not only a Soul Emperor but also possesses a 30,000-year Soul Ring, capable of directly confronting top-tier 10,000-year Soul Beasts. Such talent completely overturned his understanding of Soul Master cultivation.
He looked at the young figure frolicking with Dugu Yan, and was filled with unspeakable shock.
No wonder the other side dared to let Zhu Zhuqing absorb a 20,000-year soul ring, no wonder they were so calm when facing the Silver Moon Wolves.
Such geniuses cannot be measured by common sense.
Ge Zhenhai suddenly felt that being able to get help from such a genius was the greatest luck of his life.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the soul ring of the Silver Moon Wolf under the healing light of the Nine Heart Begonia.
The energy impact brought by the 20,000-year soul ring was equally violent, but her body had been transformed by the immortal herb, and her meridians and physique were already far superior to those of ordinary soul masters. Although the absorption process was difficult, it was much smoother than Ge Zhenhai's back then.
Black soul power circulated around her, sometimes condensing and sometimes spreading, refining and absorbing the energy in the soul ring little by little.
Three hours later, as the last wisp of black soul ring energy merged into her body, Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes, a sharp silver light flashing in them.
She stood up and stretched her limbs. The fluctuations of her soul power were noticeably stronger, several times stronger. The black phantom of the Netherworld Cat flashed past behind her.
"Success!" Zhu Zhuqing looked at everyone, a smile appearing on her usually cold face. "My fifth soul skill is Netherworld Shadow Link."
As she spoke, she activated her soul skill, and her body instantly transformed into nine linked black afterimages that moved rapidly across the snow. "Each afterimage's attack power is reduced by 10% compared to the previous one. Once hit by my main body, the subsequent afterimages cannot dodge the attack."
Looking at the afterimages that were hard to distinguish from reality, Chu Xinghe's eyes flashed with admiration: "A very good single-target offensive soul skill. Its power should be great in actual combat."
The nine afterimages attacked in succession, and their unavoidable nature was enough to deal a fatal blow to a powerful enemy.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also stepped forward to congratulate her, and Ge Zhenhai repeatedly praised, "Miss Zhu's soul skill is really amazing. Combined with your speed, I'm afraid few soul masters can withstand it."
Chu Xinghe stepped forward, raised his hand and released his soul power, collecting the important materials of the Silver Moon Wolf, such as its pelt, claws, and inner lining, into his soul guide device.
These materials contain abundant soul power, making them valuable whether used to craft soul tools or for sale.
"Alright, we've collected all the materials. It's time for us to head back to Zhenbeiguan." Chu Xinghe clapped his hands and looked at everyone. "We've been out for so long, it's time to go back and rest."
Ge Zhenhai was already eager to go home, and nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, the weather is getting colder and colder, the sooner we go back, the sooner we can feel at ease."
Feeling the abundant soul power within her body and the power brought by her new soul skill, Zhu Zhuqing's steps became much lighter.
After breaking through to the Soul King level, she clearly felt that the gap between herself and Chu Xinghe and others had narrowed, and the pressure in her heart had also dissipated considerably.
The group packed their belongings and set off on their return journey along the same route they had come from.
The cold wind still howled across the ice field, but everyone's mood was much lighter.
Chu Xinghe walked at the front, followed closely by Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling, while Ge Zhenhai walked at the back with a satisfied smile. The group left a long trail of footprints on the vast white frost and ice plain as they slowly made their way towards Zhenbei Pass.
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#197
Canyon Ambush
Chapter 197 Ambush in the Canyon
The city gate of Zhenbeiguan stood tall in the wind and snow, and Ge Zhenhai and Chu Xinghe and the other three returned safely through the snow.
As soon as they arrived at the city gate, Ge Zhenhai took out a bronze token engraved with the Mercenary Guild emblem from his pocket and solemnly handed it to Chu Xinghe: "Young friend Chu, this is the mission token. Take it to the Mercenary Guild and you can collect your Gold Soul Coin reward for this mission."
This is the token issued by the guild when he released the mission, and it is also the key to receiving the reward.
Chu Xinghe took the token and put it away, nodding with a smile: "Thank you, Uncle Ge."
"I'm the one who should be thanking you." Ge Zhenhai waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes full of gratitude. "Farewell. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come find me, Ge Zhenhai!"
He bowed deeply to the four people, then turned and merged into the flow of people entering the city.
As Chu Xinghe and his companions entered the city gate, a figure in black robes moved slightly in the shadows of an inconspicuous corner not far away.
The figure in black robes kept his gaze fixed on Chu Xinghe's back until he was sure they had entered the city. Then, he turned around silently and disappeared into the depths of the streets like a ghost.
The black-robed soul master made several turns in the alleys of Zhenbeiguan, avoiding passersby, and finally arrived at a secluded courtyard with mottled walls.
He pushed open the door and entered; people were already waiting in the courtyard.
Two Soul Masters dressed in black and white sat around a stone table. One was dressed in pure white, playing with a phantom of a golden chrysanthemum, a powerful spirit. The other was dressed in jet black, surrounded by a faint aura of death.
Although the two sat motionless, they exuded soul power fluctuations that made people's hearts tremble. They were none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei from the Spirit Hall.
"My lord, Chu Xinghe has already entered the city." The black-robed soul master knelt on one knee and reported respectfully.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yueguan gently twirled the golden chrysanthemum between his fingertips, a playful smile curving his lips: "Understood."
He looked up at Ghost Douluo, "There are too many people and too many eyes around Zhenbei Pass, it's not advisable to make a move here."
Ghost Douluo let out a low, sinister laugh, his voice carrying a hint of coldness: "Let's wait until he leaves the city. If we make a move outside the city, the wind and snow will naturally cover up the traces."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded slightly, agreeing with the suggestion: "That's right, let's wait until he leaves Zhenbei Pass before making a move, so as not to attract attention and ruin the Pope's important plans."
He flicked his finger, and a golden chrysanthemum petal drifted to the ground. "Send men to keep a close eye on their movements. Report back immediately once they leave the city."
"Yes!" The black-robed soul master accepted the order and disappeared back into the shadows, and the courtyard returned to silence.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance, a cold glint flashing in their eyes.
This far north will eventually become Chu Xinghe's final resting place.
...
Chu Xinghe led the three women to the Mercenary Guild in Zhenbei Pass. The guild hall was bustling with noise, and Soul Masters and Mercenaries from all over the country were coming and going.
He walked to the service desk and handed the bronze token that Ge Zhenhai had given him to the staff.
After verification, the staff quickly placed a heavy money bag on the counter: "This is your 20,000 gold soul coins, please count them."
Chu Xinghe took the money bag, weighed it in his hand, nodded in satisfaction, and turned to look at the mission notice board.
His gaze swept over rows of quest scrolls, finally settling on a gathering quest: Enter the far north to gather Tian Shan Snow Lotus, quest reward 30,000 Gold Soul Coins.
He picked up the quest scroll and smiled at the three women, saying, "It's on our way back, so we can complete it on the way back."
As night fell, the streets of Zhenbeiguan were lit up with dim yellow lights.
Chu Xinghe led everyone to the Wellington Hotel in Zhenbeiguan and booked a spacious suite.
As soon as he entered the room, the ease on his face vanished, and his expression became serious.
Chu Xinghe released his soul power, and a crimson soul power barrier instantly enveloped the entire room, isolating the sounds from inside and outside.
"Be careful, the people from the Spirit Hall should have arrived at Zhenbei Pass by now." Chu Xinghe's voice lowered. "After I entered the city, I sensed that someone was secretly following me. Although they were well hidden, their soul power fluctuations could not escape my perception."
Dugu Yan nodded slightly upon hearing this, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "Just as we predicted. The Spirit Hall will definitely not let go of the opportunity for you to come to the far north alone. This place is far from their territory, so it's the perfect time to make a move."
Ye Lingling frowned slightly, the light of the Nine-Heart Begonia shimmering in her palm: "Should we leave Zhenbei Pass now?"
"No need." Chu Xinghe's lips curled into a confident smile. "If they want to ambush us, we'll give them the chance. I'm already prepared. This time, I'll make the Spirit Hall suffer a great loss and let them know that I, Chu Xinghe, am not someone to be trifled with."
He walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked out at the street. In the darkness, it seemed as if countless eyes were watching him from the shadows.
Zhu Zhuqing walked to his side, her dark eyes flashing with vigilance: "How strong is the person following us? Did you detect the aura of a Title Douluo?"
"We haven't found any trace of the Title Douluo yet, but their tracking methods are very professional. They should be elite Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall," Chu Xinghe pondered. "However, just to be on the safe side, we should all be on high alert tonight. When we set off tomorrow to collect the Tian Shan Snow Lotus, we can lure them out."
Dugu Yan flexed her fingers, her emerald green soul power flowing through them: "Perfect timing to test my new soul skill and let them taste the power of my sixth soul skill."
Although the atmosphere in the room was solemn, there was no sign of panic.
Looking at the three women beside him with their determined expressions, Chu Xinghe felt much more at ease.
The soul power barrier he set up could not only block sound, but also warn of soul power fluctuations from the outside world. As long as the other party dared to come, they would not be able to escape easily.
...
The next morning, as soon as the gates of Zhenbeiguan opened, Chu Xinghe and his companions set off through the still-snowy ground.
Following the instructions of the mission scroll, they needed to venture deep into the Tianshan region on the edge of the far north to find the Tianshan snow lotus growing in the crevices of the ice cliffs.
A cold wind swept across the wasteland, carrying snowflakes and leaving four sets of footprints of varying depths.
Just after they left Zhenbeiguan, another group of Soul Masters appeared at the city gate.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei walked at the front, followed by thirty elite Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall dressed in uniform. Each of them had a calm aura and marched in unison, clearly seasoned veterans.
They didn't rush to catch up, but maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, like hunters lying in wait, waiting for the best opportunity to strike.
Chu Xinghe and his companions traveled north, crossing frozen river valleys, and arrived at a canyon area south of the Tianshan Mountains.
Here, towering ice cliffs rise on both sides, and the passage in the middle is narrow. The wind and snow become even more violent after being blocked by the cliffs, howling and swirling in the valley.
Just as they reached the middle of the canyon, the wind suddenly became even stronger, making it almost impossible to open their eyes.
"Watch out!" Chu Xinghe shouted, his soul power instantly increasing.
Before he finished speaking, a series of sharp, whistling sounds suddenly came from the ice cliffs on both sides.
Dozens of dark figures leaped down from the top of the ice cliff, wielding gleaming curved blades, appearing like ghosts out of thin air, instantly surrounding Chu Xinghe and his companions.
These people wore tattered fur coats and had their faces covered with burlap, making them look like bandits who had been raiding in the far north for many years. However, their eyes were unusually sharp, and they faintly exuded the aura of soul masters.
The bandit leader brandished his curved sword and shouted in a hoarse voice, "This road is mine, these trees are mine! Leave your valuables, and I'll spare your lives!"
Dugu Yan crossed her arms and sneered, her emerald green soul power flowing between her fingertips: "Playing tricks? You dare to block my way?"
She immediately saw through their weakness. Ordinary bandits could never maintain such a neat formation, let alone retain such abundant soul power in this weather.
Zhu Zhuqing quietly circulated her soul power, her black figure crouching slightly, ready to launch a surprise attack at any moment.
Ye Lingling took a half step back, and the illusory image of the Nine-Heart Begonia in her palm quietly bloomed, its healing light ready to be unleashed at any moment.
Chu Xinghe's gaze swept over the "bandits" around him, his eyes lingering for a moment on the hands of the men holding the curved knives. On those seemingly rough palms, one could vaguely see the thick calluses left by long-term training.
A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "The Spirit Hall is quite ambitious. They've even resorted to playing the bandit to kill me."
The snow spray whipped up by the gale blurred the view, and the atmosphere in the canyon instantly became tense.
Once their identities were exposed, the "bandits" no longer bothered to maintain their disguises. A fierce glint flashed in their eyes, and they tightened their grip on their scimitars, causing the blades to glow with different colors of soul energy. Clearly, they were ready to attack at any moment.
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#198
Four Titled Douluo
Chapter 198 Four Title Douluos
When the tall, thin "bandit" leader realized his identity had been exposed, the fake smirk on his face instantly turned into a ferocious grin.
He suddenly tilted his head back and let out a sharp cry. His soul power suddenly erupted, and eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—rose in succession. The powerful soul power surged down like a heavy hammer, causing the ice beneath his feet to crack and shatter.
A gigantic phantom of a golden eagle spread its wings behind him, its sharp beak and talons gleaming with a cold light—it was the Martial Soul Golden Eagle.
"Luo Erdira, the Golden Eagle Douluo of the Spirit Hall," Chu Xinghe looked at the other party's spirit and a faint smile appeared on his lips, "I didn't expect the Spirit Hall to send you to be the executioner. They think highly of me."
Lordiara took to the air, his Golden Eagle Martial Soul fully embodying him. His arms transformed into wings covered in golden feathers, and his legs into sharp eagle claws. He swooped down with a whistling wind, aiming straight for Chu Xinghe's face: "You ignorant brat, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. To die by my hand is an honor for you, a mere junior!"
Instead of retreating, Chu Xinghe advanced, instantly possessing his Tyrannosaurus Beast Martial Soul. Crimson-gold dragon scales covered his entire body, and at the same time, the Flame Dragon Armor condensed and took shape under the impetus of his soul power, with the flame patterns on the surface of the armor flowing like living things.
"30% defense boost, here's your attack!" he shouted, crossing his arms to block.
"Clang!" The golden eagle's claws collided with the Fiery Dragon Armor, producing a deafening metallic clang.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Chu Xinghe leaped into the air, dodging subsequent attacks, while his right claw condensed into a blazing golden-red flame: "Crimson Dragon Claw!"
The dragon's claws, brimming with violent energy, tore through the air and collided fiercely with the golden eagle's claws that attacked again. The intense energy shock triggered a series of explosions in the canyon, sending snow and ice shards flying everywhere.
Although Lordiara had already reached the Soul Douluo level, his first three Soul Rings were all yellow hundred-year rings, far inferior to Chu Xinghe's.
Even more deadly is that Chu Xinghe's Tyrannosaurus Beast Martial Soul has a natural bloodline suppression against the Golden Eagle, a bird-type soul beast, and every collision makes him feel his soul power stagnate.
Chu Xinghe's soul ring configuration was overwhelming, and the Flame Dragon Armor perfectly combined defense and fire attack, making him an unassailable force in both offense and defense.
The two fought fiercely for dozens of rounds in the narrow canyon, with the golden eagle's claws clashing with the dragon's claws, and flames and wind blades intertwining into a net.
Taking advantage of the moment when his opponent's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet been generated, Chu Xinghe suddenly unleashed all his soul power: "Flaming Dragon Armor Removal!"
The flame patterns on the armor surface suddenly lit up, and a ring-shaped fire shockwave erupted, forcibly forcing Lordiara back.
The feathers on the golden eagle's wings were scorched, leaving large charred marks, and the falling golden feathers turned to ashes in the air.
Lordiara steadied himself, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief as he looked at Chu Xinghe. He, a dignified Soul Douluo, had actually fought a fierce battle with a fifteen-year-old boy for dozens of rounds without a clear victor, and had even been burned by the boy's flames?
"Useless!" A cold rebuke pierced through the raging wind and snow. Dressed in white, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan slowly appeared at the top of the ice cliff, stepping on the fluttering golden petals.
He looked down at the battle in the canyon, his tone full of sarcasm: "A Soul Douluo being dragged out for so long by a Soul Emperor, you've completely disgraced the Spirit Hall!"
Upon hearing this, Lordiara trembled, hanging her head and not daring to refute, silently folding her injured wings and retreating to the side.
The scorch marks on the golden eagle's wings were still smoldering, and he didn't dare to even breathe loudly in the face of the titled Douluo's rebuke.
Chu Xinghe's heart sank suddenly. The appearance of Chrysanthemum Douluo meant that the Spirit Hall was determined to kill him. It seemed that his talent was still too eye-catching.
Just as he was about to tell Dugu Yan and the other two to retreat, a familiar, foul-smelling poisonous mist suddenly drifted from the other end of the canyon, accompanied by a heart-palpitating fluctuation of soul power, and a huge phantom of the Azure Phosphorous Serpent Emperor coiled up.
"Old ghost Yue Guan, you want to bully my grandson-in-law? Ask me first if I'll allow it!" Dugu Bo's figure emerged from the poisonous mist, his entire body covered in emerald green snake scales, and the pressure of a level 94 Title Douluo spread out like a tide.
After this period of training, his soul power has improved again, and he is now in no way inferior to his old rival, Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo had anticipated this, and instead of being surprised, he curled up a sinister smile: "I knew you old poisoner would come to join the fun. Ghost, get to work!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a crack suddenly appeared in the ice layer on the canyon floor, and Ghost Douluo's ghostly black shadow seeped out from under the ice layer like ink. The deathly aura surrounding him caused the surrounding temperature to drop several degrees.
The auras of the two titled Douluo instantly locked onto Dugu Bo, forming a pincer attack.
Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed, and he activated his Azure Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul at full power, condensing poisonous mist into a shield in front of him: "Two against one? Yue Guan, you're still as shameless as ever!"
Although he was not afraid of anyone, the pressure suddenly increased when facing two veteran titled Douluo at the same time.
Just as the clash of their soul powers was about to ignite the canyon and a battle between Title Douluo-level beings was about to erupt, a dazzling golden sword aura suddenly tore through the snow and wind, streaking across the sky like a meteor and accurately striking the ice surface between Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
The ice layer shattered instantly, and the flying ice shards forced the two titled Douluo to instinctively take a half step back.
"You scum from the Spirit Hall, you want to kill Chu Xinghe? Ask me first!" An aged yet sharp voice came from the entrance of the canyon. Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood against the light, his posture as upright as a pine tree. The Seven Kill Sword on his back pointed diagonally at the ground, and the cold light flowing on the sword was even more intense than the ice and snow of the far north.
Chu Xinghe remained calm. He had long anticipated that the Spirit Hall would launch a surprise attack while he was on his way to the far north, and that it would definitely be the two Title Douluos, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Therefore, before heading to the far north, he secretly asked Sword Douluo to escort him along the way, which allowed this top-tier Title Douluo to arrive just in time for the ambush.
The appearance of Sword Douluo was like a thunderbolt, instantly reversing the situation in the canyon.
Upon seeing this, Dugu Bo's spirits lifted, and the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King's poisonous mist surged once more, forming a pincer attack with Sword Douluo, firmly locking down Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's faces instantly turned ashen. They never expected to encounter Sword Douluo, such a powerful figure, here.
"Chen Xin, do you really have to interfere in the affairs of the Spirit Hall?" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible apprehension. The auras of the four Title Douluos collided in the canyon, and the surrounding wind and snow were shaken apart.
Sword Douluo snorted coldly, slightly raising the Seven Kill Sword, its sword energy crisscrossing: "Chu Xinghe is a friend recognized by my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. To harm him is to become my enemy!"
Before he finished speaking, he had already drawn his sword and moved closer, the sharp sword energy aimed directly at Ghost Douluo's face.
Dugu Bo immediately coordinated the attack, and the emerald green poisonous mist transformed into a poisonous dragon that pounced on Chrysanthemum Douluo. The four titled Douluo instantly engaged in fierce combat.
Golden sword energy clashed with black death energy, and the emerald phosphorus poison mist intertwined with the chrysanthemum martial soul. The violent soul power impact caused the entire canyon to tremble slightly, and ice blocks fell from the ice cliff from time to time, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
Chu Xinghe seized this fleeting opportunity and immediately regrouped.
"Sister Yan Yan, come with me to clear the perimeter!" he shouted, and the flames on the Flame Dragon Armor suddenly went into full force, with crimson-gold flames cascading down like a waterfall, enveloping his entire body in flames.
Dugu Yan responded immediately, her Azure Phosphorous Dragon Martial Soul activating. The green and purple poisonous mist spread out with the fluctuation of her soul power, specifically targeting the elite Soul Masters of the Spirit Hall who tried to approach.
"Red Poison Rage!" she shouted, and wherever the poisonous mist touched, the Spirit Hall's Soul Masters were thrown into chaos, their attacks becoming completely disorganized.
Chu Xinghe charged into the arena, stepping on flames. He unleashed a series of attacks with his Crimson Dragon Claws, each strike carrying the power to shatter mountains and split rocks. The defense of his Flame Dragon Armor made him completely unafraid of attacks from ordinary Soul Masters.
He and Dugu Yan worked together seamlessly, one attacking and the other defending, like two sharp knives tearing open gaps in the elite soul master formation.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling provided cover from the flanks, while the speed of the Netherworld Cat and the healing power of the Nine-Heart Begonia worked together to ensure that Chu Xinghe and Dugu Yan had no worries about their safety.
In the canyon, the upper level witnessed a spectacular clash between four titled Douluo, while the lower level saw a fierce battle between Chu Xinghe's team and elite Soul Masters. The wind, snow, and soul power intertwined to create a breathtaking battle scene.
The seemingly inevitable ambush was completely reversed by the arrival of Sword Douluo.
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#199
The Killing Begins
Chapter 199 The Beginning of the Slaughter
Above the canyon, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, alone with his sword, moved as if he were in an empty field.
As the Seven Kill Sword was wielded, golden light shone brightly, and sharp sword energy poured down like a storm, suppressing Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo simultaneously with its own power.
Each of his sword strikes aimed directly at vital points, forcing the two Title Douluos of the Spirit Hall to merely parry, unable to mount an effective counterattack.
Dugu Bo then assisted with ease, while the emerald green poisonous mist, like a leech, continued to spread with the wind and snow.
He would occasionally condense poison needles to launch sneak attacks, or release corrosive venom to destroy the martial soul defenses of the two, making the already suppressed Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos even more miserable, and their soul power was consumed extremely quickly.
"withdraw!"
Seeing the situation becoming increasingly unfavorable, Ju Douluo Yueguan decisively and sternly gave an order.
If this drags on any longer, they might not only fail to kill Chu Xinghe, but they might also perish here.
Ghost Douluo immediately understood, and his black death aura surged, instantly spreading out a wide-ranging ghost shadow domain. The thick black shadows obscured the sky above the canyon, attempting to use this as cover for his retreat.
Sword Douluo would not let them off easily.
The Seven Kill Sword swept across suddenly, and three golden sword energies, each condensed with all of the soul's power, tore through the black shadow and accurately struck the ice cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
With a deafening roar, the ice cliff collapsed, and huge blocks of ice instantly blocked the retreat of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
Almost simultaneously, Dugu Bo manipulated the Azure Phosphorus Serpent Venom to spread rapidly along the ice crevice. The elite Soul Masters of the Spirit Hall who were trying to retreat with the Title Douluo were caught off guard, and more than ten of them instantly collapsed from the poison, their bodies convulsing and losing their breath.
Seeing that there was no hope of breaking through, Ghost Douluo's eyes suddenly turned fierce: "Yue Guan, use the Martial Soul Fusion Technique!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged a glance with Ghostly, and their soul powers instantly intertwined.
"Bipolar Stillness Domain!" As the two shouted in unison, a strange gray light spread out from them, and time seemed to stand still wherever it passed.
The sword energy unleashed by Sword Douluo froze in mid-air, and the poisonous mist released by Dugu Bo also stopped flowing. The skills and actions of the two titled Douluos were simultaneously frozen.
"Now!" Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Chrysanthemum Douluo grabbed the pale-faced ghost, who was also suffering from the backlash of the domain, and used all his remaining soul power to break through the not-yet-completely-sealed gap, fleeing out of the canyon without looking back.
They were too busy taking care of themselves to care about the Spirit Hall Soul Masters left on the battlefield.
The effect of the bipolar stillness field was fleeting, and Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo instantly resumed their movements.
Watching the two flee into the distance, Sword Douluo snorted coldly and did not give chase, but instead turned his gaze to the battlefield below.
At this moment, Dugu Bo's poisonous fog had completely enveloped the bottom of the canyon, and the elite soul masters of the Spirit Hall who had lost the protection of the Title Douluo had become sitting ducks.
The Azure Phosphorus Serpent's venom was all-pervasive, and even Lordiara, at the Soul Douluo level, could not withstand it. Before long, the poison took effect, and he collapsed on the ice, dying instantly. The remaining Soul Masters screamed in agony within the poisonous mist, and ultimately, none survived.
The smoke and poisonous fog in the canyon gradually dissipated, leaving only a scene of devastation and the corpses of the Spirit Hall's Soul Masters.
Chu Xinghe strode up to Sword Douluo and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your help, Senior Sword Douluo. Otherwise, we would have been in grave danger this time."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin waved his hand, sheathed the Seven Kill Sword, and said with a hint of approval in his eyes, "No need for formalities. I have long regarded you as half a disciple. The Spirit Hall's attack on you is a provocation against me. How could I sit idly by?"
He looked at the flames still lingering on Chu Xinghe's armor and nodded in satisfaction. "Your training in the far north has been quite effective; your soul power and combat experience have improved considerably."
Dugu Bo also stepped forward and patted Chu Xinghe on the shoulder: "You brat, you're lucky this time. But the Spirit Hall suffered such a big loss, they will definitely look for opportunities to retaliate in the future, so you have to be careful."
Chu Xinghe nodded earnestly: "This junior understands and will act with caution."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Sword Douluo glanced at the sky and said, "Your training is not yet over, so we won't disturb you any longer. If you encounter any trouble later, you can send a message back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and I will certainly lend a hand."
After saying that, he and Dugu Bo exchanged a glance, and their figures faded at the same time, quickly disappearing into the wind and snow.
After seeing off the two Title Douluo, Chu Xinghe and his companions rested briefly before continuing their journey deeper into the Tianshan Mountains.
Having learned from their previous experience, everyone became more vigilant and carefully avoided any potential dangers along the way.
After half a day of climbing, they finally reached the summit of Tianshan Mountain.
The mountaintop was bitterly cold, but in a crevice in a sheltered ice cliff, they spotted the Tian Shan snow lotus, the target of their mission.
Layer upon layer of pure white petals, adorned with pale purple stamens at the center, surrounded by a faint chill, radiating a holy light amidst the ice and snow, clearly indicating that it has been growing for over a thousand years.
Zhu Zhuqing nimbly leaped to the edge of the ice cliff, carefully removed the Tianshan snow lotus along with the soil around its roots, and stored it carefully in a specially made jade box.
"Mission accomplished." She handed the jade box to Chu Xinghe, a relaxed smile appearing on her usually aloof face.
Chu Xinghe took the jade box and carefully put it away, nodding and saying, "Alright, let's set off back to Zhenbei Pass. After handing over the snow lotus to the Mercenary Guild, we'll take on a new mission."
The four of them descended the mountain along the same path they had come from, and the return journey was much smoother than the way they had come.
Perhaps it was because the remaining forces of the Spirit Hall had been wiped out, or perhaps it was because of the deterrent effect of Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo, but they encountered no further obstacles along the way.
...
While Chu Xinghe was fighting a bloody battle in the far north, Tang San's soul power finally broke through the level 50 mark on the distant southern border.
Tang Hao led him on a training journey to the City of Slaughter. The father and son traveled through desolate border towns and finally stopped in front of a dark tavern that never saw the sun.
The tavern was filled with the pungent smell of cheap liquor mixed with the stench of blood. Behind the bar hung a bronze wine jug engraved with strange serpentine patterns, which was the secret code for entering the Killing City.
Tang Hao patted Tang San on the shoulder, gesturing for him to sit at the bar, while he whispered a few words to the bartender.
Soon, a cup of dark red liquid was pushed in front of Tang San, and a strong fishy smell wafted out.
"This is Bloody Mary." Tang Hao's voice was low and hoarse. "If you want to become stronger, you must first overcome the hurdle in your heart. The City of Slaughter has no place for the soft-hearted. Drink it."
Tang San looked at the swirling liquid in the glass, and his stomach churned.
But thinking of his father's instructions and his own determination to become stronger, he took a deep breath, picked up his glass, and drank it all in one gulp.
The warm liquid slid down his throat, its sweet and slightly spicy taste instantly turning his face pale. He couldn't help but cover his mouth and cough violently, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, clearly feeling nauseous.
Upon seeing this, several burly, drunken men at the next table burst into laughter. "Ha, look at this weakling, he wants to throw up after just one drink?"
The scarred man at the head of the group slammed his hand on the table and sneered, "You're still a kid and you're already coming to a place like this? I think you should just go home and drink breast milk!"
His companions joined in the jeering, spewing vulgarities.
As soon as the shrill mockery ended, a cold killing intent flashed in Tang San's eyes.
He suppressed the discomfort in his stomach and, under Tang Hao's indifferent gaze, quietly activated his first soul skill.
Suddenly, the potted plant in the corner of the bar grew wildly, and the dark green blue silver grass vines shot out like serpents, precisely wrapping around the throats of the burly men.
"Uh..." The burly men's laughter stopped abruptly, their faces turning bright red. Tang San's eyes remained unmoved; with a slight movement of his soul power at his fingertips, the vines suddenly tightened.
With a few sharp cracks, he personally snapped the necks of all the insulters.
One drunkard, who had narrowly escaped being entangled, was terrified and scrambled toward the door, only to be struck in the chest by several bone-piercing nails flicked out by Tang San. He screamed and fell into a pool of blood.
The tavern fell into a deathly silence. The bartender wiped the glasses expressionlessly, as if nothing had happened.
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#200
Killing Road
Chapter 200 The Road of Slaughter
In the tavern.
Tang Hao looked at the carnage in the tavern and slowly nodded: "Very good. Remember this feeling: once you enter the City of Slaughter, it's either kill or be killed. Weakness will only make you die faster."
The waiter, who had been expressionless behind the bar, suddenly chuckled, put down his glass, and said sarcastically, "You think you're qualified to enter the Killing City just because you killed a few drunkards? What a pipe dream. The ruthless characters in the Killing City are a hundred times more dangerous than these good-for-nothings. I bet you'll just be asking for trouble if you go in, you little punk."
He had been in this tavern for many years and had seen countless reckless young men who wanted to venture into the Killing City, none of whom came out alive.
Tang San's eyes turned cold, and before the other party could say anything more, the dark green Blue Silver Grass had already wrapped around the waiter's neck like lightning.
With a short whimper, the vines suddenly tightened, and the waiter's body slumped behind the bar, lifeless.
Tang San walked slowly to the bar, looked at the lifeless waiter, and coldly asked, "Now, do I have the right?"
Only deathly silence answered him. Clearly, the waiter, now dead, could no longer answer that question.
Tang Hao stood aside, watching his son's ruthless actions without hesitation, a hint of surprise flashing in his cloudy eyes.
He didn't expect Tang San to adapt to killing so quickly. From the initial discomfort when drinking Bloody Mary to the moment when he killed without hesitation, his temperament far surpassed that of other Soul Masters of the same age.
It seems that the training in the Killing City was indeed the perfect fit for him.
"Do as I say." Tang Hao pointed to the inside of the bar. "Smash open the hidden compartment."
Tang San nodded, activated his Xuan Tian Gong, and locked his Purple Demon Eye onto a loose wooden board in the corner of the bar.
He took the Haotian Hammer from his waist and swung it seemingly casually, the heavy hammerhead slamming into the wooden board with a strong wind.
With a soft "crack," the wooden plank shattered, revealing a hidden compartment leading underground, inside which was a set of stone steps extending downwards, emanating a damp chill.
"Go in." Tang Hao stood beside the stone steps, leaving a final warning in a solemn tone, "Remember, once you enter the City of Slaughter, all your soul skills will become ineffective, and you won't be able to mobilize your soul power normally. You can only rely on your basic strength, combat skills, and your own will. Don't count on anyone inside, including your own father."
Tang San gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly and took a deep breath.
He could feel the chilling aura emanating from below the stone steps, as if countless eyes were watching him from the darkness. But without the slightest hesitation, he nodded slightly to Tang Hao, turned, and stepped onto the stone steps leading to the unknown.
The stone steps were narrow and steep, and the deeper one went, the stronger the smell of blood and decay became.
Tang San walked forward steadily, keeping Tang Hao's warning firmly in mind.
The hidden entrance behind him slowly closed after he entered, cutting off the last ray of light from the outside world and completely drawing him into this all-consuming darkness.
Tang Hao stood in the tavern, listening to the footsteps fading away from the direction of the stone steps until they disappeared completely.
He remained silent for a moment, then turned and pushed open the tavern door, disappearing into the night of the border town.
The trials in the City of Slaughter have begun, and the path ahead can only be walked by Tang San himself.
At the end of the stone steps was a large hall filled with a strong smell of blood. Dark red blood clots were congealed on the walls, and a nauseating stench hung in the air.
As Tang San stepped into the hall, a burly figure emerged from the shadows—it was Scott, the terrifying knight wielding a giant axe.
He stared at Tang San with bloodshot eyes, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "A newbie? Looks like another one who doesn't know his own limitations. Let him taste death first!"
The giant axe swept across with a howling wind, the sharp sound of the axe blade cutting through the air piercing the eardrums.
Tang San felt a chill run down his spine and subconsciously tried to activate the Blue Silver Grass soul skill, but found that his soul power was sluggish and he couldn't activate the soul skill at all.
Tang Hao's warning was indeed correct; the soul skills within the City of Slaughter were completely ineffective.
He had no time to think, and relying on the physical strength honed by the Xuan Tian Gong over many years, he quickly turned to the side, narrowly avoiding the sharp edge of the giant axe.
The giant axe crashed onto the stone slab, sparks flying, and the slab shattered instantly. Tang San used the momentum from his sidestep to close the distance, his left hand employing the Crane Control and Dragon Capture Technique, precisely striking the axe handle and skillfully dissipating some of the force.
With his right hand gripping the Haotian Hammer tightly, he slammed it down on Scott's knee while Scott's old strength was exhausted and his new strength had not yet been generated.
"Clang!" The Haotian Hammer collided with the armor with a muffled sound. Scott staggered back half a step, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected this seemingly frail newcomer to possess such formidable physical strength and exquisite combat skills.
Tang San pressed his advantage relentlessly, his movements as fluid as flowing water as he circled around Scott, constantly attacking the weak points along the armor's seams with his Clear Sky Hammer.
Scott swung his giant axe wildly, but he could never touch Tang San's clothes, and he gradually became anxious.
Just as he revealed an opening with his powerful split attack, eight external soul bones shimmering with eerie light suddenly sprang out from behind Tang San. The eight spider spears, like the nimble stingers of a venomous scorpion, precisely pierced the gaps in Scott's armor at tricky angles.
Scott let out a piercing scream, his burly body swayed, staring incredulously at the spider spear piercing his chest, before finally collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Just then, Tang San suddenly felt a strange warm current flow into his body through the Eight Spider Lances.
To his surprise, the Eight Spider Lances were drawing a trace of pure soul power from Scott's corpse. Although weak, it was exceptionally concentrated and instantly merged into his meridians.
This unexpected discovery caused Tang San's pupils to shrink sharply, and his hand holding the Clear Sky Hammer trembled slightly.
He could clearly feel his power growing, a feeling he had never experienced before, a feeling of receiving direct feedback through killing.
The hesitation and discomfort I felt when I committed the murder gradually faded away under the wash of this warm current, replaced by a strange sense of excitement.
Deep down, reason and the temptation of killing began to clash fiercely.
For the first time, he truly felt that acquiring power was so simple. Then what was the point of his previous arduous cultivation?
In the blood-red hall, Tang San stood beside Scott's corpse, slowly retracting his Eight Spider Lances. Bloodstains on the spider lanterns dripped onto the ground, merging with the blood scabs in the hall.
He looked down at his hands, his palms still seeming to retain the warmth of the flowing soul power, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
...
Tang San gradually figured out how to survive in the darkness of the Killing City.
After losing the protection of his soul skills, he pushed the internal energy honed by the Xuan Tian Gong to its limit, combined with his superb hidden weapon skills and the bloodthirsty ability of the Eight Spider Spears, and gradually gained a foothold in life-and-death battles.
Without the dazzling brilliance of soul skills, every battle reverts to the most primal offense and defense. The muffled thuds of fists colliding and the sharp sounds of blades piercing flesh become the most common sounds heard in this dark land.
He quickly discovered the special function of the Eight Spider Spears.
Each time an opponent is killed, the Eight Spider Lances draw a trace of pure soul power from the body as they pierce the opponent's body.
Although this power is weak, it is more condensed than the soul power obtained through ordinary cultivation, and can be integrated into one's own meridians without deliberate refinement.
After each battle, the increase in soul power was clearly perceptible.
After experiencing dozens of life-or-death battles, Tang San's soul power finally broke through the bottleneck, steadily increasing from level 51 to level 52.
This discovery shocked him; killing was indeed a shortcut to power, more effective than months of arduous training outside.
The warm sensation he felt whenever the Eight Spider Lances absorbed soul power made him increasingly reliant on this method of acquiring power.
But the cost of that power is also quietly becoming apparent.
Having been immersed in blood and slaughter for a long time, Tang San's personality became increasingly cold, and the warmth in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by an absolute obsession with victory.
His former gentleness and hesitation have vanished. When facing enemies, he becomes increasingly ruthless, even with a hint of twisted fanaticism.
In this world where only killing can ensure survival, kindness and compassion have long become the most luxurious things.
Occasionally, in the dead of night when he is extremely exhausted, he will drift into a brief dream.
Chu Xinghe's figure would occasionally flash through his dreams. The boy who was both his enemy and friend at the academy had now become the yardstick by which he measured his strength.
At such times, Tang San would not feel any nostalgia, but rather a stronger desire to win.
He must become stronger, strong enough to surpass all his opponents, including Chu Xinghe, who shines like a star.
That day, Tang San had just finished a battle, and the bloodstains on his Eight Spider Spears had not yet dried.
He stood beside the pile of corpses, feeling the soul power slowly increasing within his body, his eyes calm and undisturbed.
The discomfort he felt after killing someone has long since vanished, replaced by a sense of satisfaction after completing a "cultivation."
He raised his hand to wipe the blood from his face, revealing a glint of excitement mixed with coldness in the depths of his pupils.
The rules of the Killing City are reshaping his mind. The shortcut paved with blood is leading him step by step to the pinnacle of power, while also gradually eroding the self he once held dear.
But Tang San didn't care about this at all. In this darkness, only by becoming stronger could he survive and one day stand upright in front of all his opponents.
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