Zhang Lexuan took a light sip.
"Ruoruo, finish it." With that, she exited her Martial Soul True Body (Martial Soul Avatar) state.
Although she could have taken down the Azure Sky Lion Beast alone without using her Martial Soul Avatar, she knew better than to take unnecessary risks. After all, even a lion must use its full strength when fighting a rabbit.
Without the support of a Titled Douluo like Vice Dean Cai, the unpredictable Star Dou Forest was no place for carelessness. Zhang Lexuan didn't want to endanger Huo Yuhao and the others due to her own negligence.
The Dazzling Golden Rope, swaying like a spiritual snake, pierced through the head of the Azure Sky Lion Beast, extinguishing its life force amidst its bitter resentment and unwillingness.
This ten-thousand-year soul beast, once a dominant force in the core area of the Star Dou Forest, had finally fallen.
Above its lifeless body, black light coalesced, forming a deep, ominous soul ring. Waves of oppressive soul power radiated from it, exuding a fierce and formidable energy.
"It suits you perfectly. Absorb it quickly, Sister Ruoruo," Huo Yuhao reminded her promptly.
After expressing her gratitude to both Zhang Lexuan and Huo Yuhao, Han Ruoruo took a moment to compose herself before beginning to absorb the soul ring of the Azure Sky Lion Beast.
For a Soul Douluo, the average age of an eighth soul ring typically ranges between 60,000 and 80,000 years. However, Han Ruoruo, a prodigy from Shrek Academy's inner courtyard, possessed a powerful Martial Soul and a solid foundation.
A soul ring close to 80,000 years would be ideal for her, as it would push her limits without posing excessive risk.
This soul ring, nearing 90,000 years, was undoubtedly challenging. Yet, for a top-tier genius like Han Ruoruo, such a rare opportunity was not to be missed.
Moreover, the Azure Sky Lion Beast was a top-tier soul beast with dual water and metal (gold) attributes, along with innate control-type soul skills. It was a perfect match for Han Ruoruo's Dazzling Golden Rope Martial Soul, potentially enhancing its quality.
No matter what, she couldn't let this chance slip away. After all, it wasn't a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, which would have undergone a qualitative transformation. At just under 90,000 years, Han Ruoruo believed she could handle it.
Huo Yuhao's presence had also instilled a sense of urgency among the inner courtyard students, pushing them to strive harder.
As Han Ruoruo focused on absorbing the soul ring, Zhang Lexuan and Huo Yuhao remained vigilant, monitoring their surroundings. Even though they were near the mixed zone, accidents could still happen.
Huo Yuhao, who had been observing the battle closely, finally understood the origin of the last soul skill displayed by the Silverbrave Beast. It had come from the Azure Sky Lion Beast. Now, the two "brothers" could be reunited in spirit.
Through today's opportunity, Huo Yuhao had managed to replicate an incomplete version of the Azure Sky Lion Beast's soul skill, solidifying it into a permanent storage slot.
This move complemented his Ultimate Ice domain, creating a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts.
Huo Yuhao had no intention of replacing this skill unless he found something even better. However, using this permanent storage slot meant he could no longer create temporary imprints of other soul skills.
If he discarded the Azure Sky Lion Beast's skill, the restriction would be lifted, allowing him to use his Inscription ability three times a day again.
Huo Yuhao noticed that his Spirit Eye Martial Soul and powerful spiritual energy allowed him to use the Spiritual Engraving Skill with remarkable speed.
This was only his third time using his fourth soul skill, yet he had successfully imprinted a 90,000-year soul beast's skill in less than half a minute. With more practice, he could potentially release engraved skills as quickly as his opponents.
In essence, Huo Yuhao had become a "copy ninja" of sorts. He didn't need to wait for his opponent's soul skill to fully activate before imprinting it.
As long as the opponent began using their skill, Huo Yuhao could capture and replicate it instantly.
This gave him an edge, especially against slower opponents, allowing him to release imitated skills before they could complete theirs.
However, Huo Yuhao preferred using permanently stored soul skills. Temporary imprints were more for show and surprise tactics, while storing his teammates' skills in advance was a more practical approach, as seen in the original work.
Although the replicated Azure Sky Lion Beast's skill was incomplete, it was only because his fourth soul ring couldn't fully accommodate its power. As his soul ring's age increased, the skill would gradually reach its full potential.
…
Meanwhile, in the Core Area
Amidst a deafening roar, Xuan Zi faced off against the Red King.
The Red King, with its three heads and six cold eyes, glared at Xuan Zi. "Human, what do you want?"
Not long ago, Xuan Zi had launched a direct attack on the auspicious beast, attempting to capture it. Naturally, the Red King, its guardian, had intervened to block the assault.
Xuan Zi, a level 98 Super Douluo and the second most powerful figure at Shrek Academy, was a force to be reckoned with.
Even without going all out, his power had shaken the Red King, forcing it to unleash destructive energy waves from its three heads—an attack capable of obliterating ordinary Titled Douluos.
Xuan Zi calmly retracted his outstretched hand and discarded the chicken leg he had been holding.
A earthy yellow light enveloped him as his soul rings appeared: two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—the optimal configuration.
At Xuan Zi's level, soul skills were secondary. Mastery of soul power and techniques was what truly mattered. His Martial Soul, the Godly Taotie Bull, was earth-attribute.
As a level 98 expert, he had achieved harmony with heaven and earth, allowing him to channel natural soul power effortlessly.
With a single palm strike, Xuan Zi's earth-attribute soul power combined with his vast soul power, easily neutralizing the Red King's attack.
The Red King was stunned. The slovenly-looking man before him had effortlessly blocked its assault. Suddenly, it recognized him.
"Are you Xuan Zi from Shrek Academy?"
"Red King?" Xuan Zi's expression turned serious as he identified the soul beast before him.
"Red King, considering the agreement between our academy and the Star Dou Forest, I won't make this difficult for you. Step aside and hand over the golden lion behind you."
To Xuan Zi, this soul beast, though not ancient, possessed spiritual attributes perfectly suited for Huo Yuhao. It wasn't because he had failed to find any trace of the Silverbrave Beast and was now settling for an alternative.
The Red King roared in fury. "Fool! Do you know who she is? If you dare touch her, you'll make an enemy of every soul beast in the Star Dou Forest!"
Xuan Zi's target was none other than the Emperor's auspicious beast. No soul beast could tolerate such an affront.
Xuan Zi coldly replied, "I don't care who she is. You should know you're no match for me."
With that, he took a step forward, his aura pressing down on the Red King like a mountain.
"Wait!" The Red King grew anxious.
Though its cultivation had surpassed 300,000 years, ranking it eighth among the ten most ferocious beasts, it was still no match for Xuan Zi. By the time reinforcements arrived from the depths of the forest, it might be too late.
"What are you waiting for?" Xuan Zi roared.
Under the intense yellow light, Xuan Zi's appearance shifted. His body transformed into that of the Godly Taotie Bull, complete with a sheep's body, eyes under its armpits, tiger teeth, human claws, and massive horns.
The Red King, enraged, bellowed, "Human, don't you dare! What I protect is the Emperor's auspicious beast, the only one of its kind on the continent. If it dies, the entire Star Dou Forest will go mad!"
Xuan Zi was taken aback. The auspicious beast was a legendary existence, and he hadn't expected to stumble upon it by chance.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Xuan Zi threatened, "Then temporarily hand it over to me. I'll ensure its safety until you find a 30,000-year-old Silverbrave Beast. Then I'll release it."
"Dream on!" The Red King had had enough. As one of the ten most ferocious beasts, it would not bow to human threats.
With a deep roar, the Red King's three heads swelled, and a dark red light erupted from its body. The stench of blood and death filled the air as it charged at Xuan Zi.
Before engaging, the Red King turned to the three-eyed golden lion behind it—the Emperor's auspicious beast—and said, "It's dangerous here. Return to the depths and inform Beast God Di Tian that Xuan Zi from Shrek Academy is attacking me."
The three-eyed golden lion nodded, transforming into a golden streak of light as it fled without looking back.
Xuan Zi watched it go, knowing he had to deal with the Red King quickly and escape.
"In such a dangerous core area, I must ensure Huo Yuhao and the others leave as soon as possible," he thought.
With that, Xuan Zi and the Red King clashed in a fierce battle.
….
Elsewhere
"Yuhao, thanks to your help, this soul hunt has gone smoothly," Zhang Lexuan remarked, her soul power fully recovered.
Thanks to the Tianyuan Treasure Lotus Gu, Huo Yuhao's soul power had replenished quickly. Since he hadn't exerted much during the battle, his consumption was minimal.
Huo Yuhao replied, "So far, it has been smooth. But Sister Lexuan, something feels off..."
His expression suddenly twisted. He knew that with Xuan Zi around, trouble was never far.
"You mean... we're not that unlucky, right?" Zhang Lexuan asked, glancing at Han Ruoruo, who was still absorbing the soul ring. She would need at least two more hours.
But the worst had already happened.
"It's the evil soul master!"
…
[I've just launched a new fanfiction project titled Protagonist's Mother Is My Wife.
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From chapters 31: Exclusive to Patreon paid members.]
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