Chapter 28: The Forest Battle (Part Two)

"Third Soul Skill: Rising Dragon Strike!"
"Third Soul Skill: Infernal Whirlwind!"
"Third Soul Skill: Shadowrend Gale!"

Seizing the moment while Yao Liang, the strongest on the opposing side, was restrained by Eden, Xiao Yu, Zilong, and Yihui all unleashed their mightiest attacks.

Within the shadowy blur, a longsword pierced forward like the wind, shattering the Martial Spirit of the enemy’s blade master and driving through his chest in one decisive thrust; the Azure Dragon soared up, roaring, and struck the falcon from the sky to the ground; the hellfire condensed into a terrifying whirlwind, incinerating the enemy’s body, spirit, soul, and Martial Spirit all at once.

At the same time, Xie Wu, as an agility attack type, fully demonstrated the specialty of his class. His second and third soul skills flashed to life, and a pair of radiant wings unfurled from his back. Accelerating instantly, he soared into the sky, bypassed the crowd, and shot directly toward the support-type soul master.

Within the Douluo soul master system, support-type soul masters typically lacked any means of self-defense, and this one was no exception.

Xie Wu dove from above, landing a fierce kick to the support master’s chest. The man spat blood, flew backward, crashed through several branches, and finally came to a stop.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Explosive Strike!"

Desperate to break free from Eden’s restraint, Yao Liang unleashed his fourth soul skill. Eden, being only a Soul Elder, was outmatched—the fourth soul ring was likely obtained from a two-thousand-five-hundred to three-thousand-year-old soul beast. Not even a third skill could hold him for long.

But once he broke free, Yao Liang found himself alone—his comrades were gone. Xiao Yu and the other six regarded him like tigers eyeing prey.

"Damn it!" Yao Liang cursed, turning to flee. He was, after all, an experienced teacher and could tell at a glance that these Soul Elders were far stronger than most. Even combined, he wasn’t confident of victory—especially since Xiao Yu’s bodyguards could arrive at any moment. The best strategy was a hasty retreat.

"Trying to run?"

At that moment, the ever-invisible Io finally made his move. His Martial Spirit, evolved from abilities of a past life, possessed unique powers; each soul skill could manifest as a soul beast.

"First Soul Skill, Giant Python Constriction!"

His first soul ring lit up, and Io’s Martial Spirit instantly transformed into a giant python several meters long, which swiftly coiled around Yao Liang, pinning him tight.

"Get off me!"

Yao Liang roared, his second and third soul rings igniting. After all, Io’s skill was only a first soul skill—it couldn’t restrain him for long. With two skills, Yao Liang broke free.

But this brief moment was enough. Xiao Yu, Yihui, and Zilong, the trio of power-attack specialists, encircled Yao Liang from the front, left, and right. They unleashed their most destructive third soul skills in unison, attacking as one.

Yao Liang’s face paled. He hurriedly mustered all his soul power for defense.

Boom!

Soul power clashed violently. Against three fierce attackers, Yao Liang was a step too slow—his hastily formed shield shattered, and the three soul skills struck him directly, reducing him to nothingness.

...

With Yao Liang and his team defeated, Xiao Yu dared not linger, fearing the commotion would attract formidable soul beasts and bring unnecessary trouble. He quickly led everyone away from the area, only stopping to set up camp and begin restoring their soul power once they were a safe distance away.

Night fell. After a long day of travel and searching, the group set up simple tents, ate some dried rations, and retired to rest. Miro and Huohui also ceased their distant shadowing. Most soul beasts kept the same hours as humans, but some rare ones prowled at night. These were all exceedingly aggressive, with bizarre and unpredictable means of attack—any misstep could be catastrophic.

In the latter half of the night, all within the tents were sound asleep. Although soul masters could meditate to cultivate through the night, this method required intense concentration. After a night’s cultivation, though the body might be revitalized, the mind would suffer a period of fatigue. Such lapses could not be risked during soul beast hunts—a moment’s distraction during an attack could mean irrevocable loss. Thus, during hunts, everyone relied on actual sleep to restore themselves to peak condition.

Only Xiao Yu, Zilong, and Huohui, who stood the second watch, remained alert outside. They had just relieved Yihui, Eden, and Miro of the first watch.

"Something’s moving!"

Huohui, eyes half-closed, suddenly stood up, casting his spiritual sense toward a particular direction.

Before long, a figure, drenched in blood, staggered and crawled out from the dense forest, tumbling and scrambling. When he was only a few paces from their camp, he collapsed.

"Help… help me!"

His voice was faint from his injuries, but in the quiet of the night, it carried clearly to Xiao Yu and his companions.

"Young master, your thoughts?" Huohui asked for Xiao Yu’s decision.

Caution was essential—especially in the perilous Star Dou Forest, where murder for treasure was commonplace. Faced with a stranger in distress, most soul masters would keep their distance and observe, wary of falling into a trap. These were not empty fears, but lessons written in the blood of countless soul masters.

"Let’s take a look."

Though Xiao Yu had lived in the Douluo world for over eight years and knew these dangers, after a moment’s thought, his upbringing and moral education from his previous world compelled him to act—especially given his confidence in their strength. With a Title Douluo and a Contra on his side, even a trap would be no threat unless the elders of Spirit Hall themselves had come to set it.

Seeing Xiao Yu’s decision, Huohui nodded, still wary, then went over and carefully brought the stranger back.

Xiao Yu, having learned some field first aid at the soul master academy, took the injured man from Huohui and began to examine his wounds. At first glance, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but gasp—this man was grievously wounded, his body covered in injuries with scarcely a patch of intact flesh. His exposed skin was blackened and charred, as if struck by lightning.

Xiao Yu shook his head. He only had basic medicines, useless against such horrific wounds. Without a healing soul master among them—if Ye Lengleng were here, her miraculous Nine-Star Begonia could perhaps snatch someone from death’s door—but now, there was nothing to be done. This man could not be saved.