Chapter 88:
"Awooo…"
Under the blood red formation, the countless flying soul bodies began to attack and devour each other viciously. Originally colorless and transparent, the souls gradually became tinged with crimson and black as they bit into one another. They exuded an aura of bloodthirsty madness, destruction, and despair.
"Damn it… What is that Protector Wu trying to do?" Hai Bodong muttered with a grave expression, his gaze fixed on the scene from within the clouds.
Beside him sat Yun Shan and Jia Xing Tian, the three of them perched on the back of the Serene Sea Flood Dragon, using the mist for cover as they watched the battle involving Lu Bu and the others.
On the Dou Qi continent, conflicts weren't just about fighting and killing; they were also about navigating relationships and alliances. Hai Bodong, Jia Xing Tian, and Yun Shan were a mix of enemies and allies, depending on the situation. Given their respective positions and the powers behind them, it wasn't likely they would truly fight to the death unless absolutely necessary.
Moreover, Hai Bodong and Jia Xing Tian's mission wasn't to injure Yun Shan they were simply tasked with keeping him occupied. Fighting him or chatting with him both served that purpose equally well.
"Yun Shan, do you know what's going on here?" Jia Xing Tian asked, his brows furrowed. Though he didn't fully understand what was happening, he could tell it wasn't anything good.
"I don't," Yun Shan replied with a sour expression, the corners of his mouth twitching. If it hadn't been a matter of life and death back then, he wouldn't have opened his soul to let that man take control.
Luckily, his disciple was acquainted with some powerful figures. Not only were they targeting Protector Wu, but they had also warned him to get away quickly. From the looks of things, this Lu Bu didn't seem like a schemer intent on taking over his position or inheritance. Apart from being too ridiculously handsome, Lu Bu didn't appear to have any major faults.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Lu Bu frowned slightly as he observed the increasingly frenzied and bloodthirsty souls. Something about the situation felt off. Without a word, he quietly retreated to stand behind Yao Chen.
At the same time, the frenzied and desperate Protector Wu let out a piercing shriek as he dragged his black iron chains toward Yao Chen. The two quickly clashed, with black mist and pale flames colliding in bursts of energy that tore apart the surrounding space.
"Jie jie jie… I've been collecting souls for three years! Let's see if my formation can't create a soul beast powerful enough to kill the two of you!" Protector Wu cackled maniacally.
As he spoke, a dark cloud began to form above the blood red formation. Countless souls writhed and devoured each other within it, filling the air with the sound of gnawing and anguished wails that made one's teeth ache and skin crawl.
"So he's condensing a soul beast…" Lu Bu's eyes lit up with interest. "This could be useful a treasure full of pure soul energy, and quite the supplement, too!"
Rustle, rustle…
The clothing over Lu Bu's chest stirred slightly as a small, charmingly mischievous head peeked out. Medusa's alluring eyes were fixed on the forming soul beast, her expression serious.
"This thing… Its strength isn't beneath mine. Should I intervene?"
After a moment of consideration, she decided against it. "Let's see what this kid can do. I can step in if needed he won't die anyway."
"Damn it, Lu Bu! You bastard, what are you doing? Stop him from condensing the soul beast already!" Yao Chen roared, his Bone Chilling Flame flaring to resist Protector Wu's relentless attacks. He shot an angry glare at Lu Bu, furious that he wasn't making any move to prevent the soul beast's formation.
"Jie jie jie… It's too late!" Protector Wu's iron chains whipped through the air as his power surged, momentarily suppressing Yao Chen. "This is the Blood Soul Formation, a secret of the Soul Hall! Once activated, only a Hall Elder can interrupt it… Jie jie jie… You're both dead!"
"Don't get cocky!" Lu Bu sneered. "I'll finish you off right now!"
With that, the purple wings on his back flapped as he rose into the air. A silent yet oppressive wave of soul power erupted from him, spreading an aura of desolation and death.
"What the !"
On the Serene Sea Flood Dragon, Hai Bodong let out a startled cry, shuffling backward in fear until he was perched on the beast's tail. His face was pale as he stared at the battlefield in shock.
"Hey, old man Hai, what's gotten into you?" Yun Shan and Jia Xing Tian exchanged confused glances.
"It's Medusa!" Hai Bodong exclaimed, pointing at Lu Bu. "That's Medusa's Dou Technique!"
"Damn it, Lu Bu, that bastard! How could he have such a deep connection with Medusa and not tell me? He even stayed by my side for so long… Damn it, damn it!" Hai Bodong rambled incoherently, drenched in cold sweat.
"Wait, seriously?" Yun Shan and Jia Xing Tian were baffled. "It's just Medusa. Why are you overreacting like this?"
"Shut up! What do you know?" Hai Bodong snapped. "Have you ever faced her alone? Do you have any idea how terrifying she really is?"
"…" ×2
The psychological scars Medusa had left on Hai Bodong were evidently deeper than they had imagined.
"Calm down. It's just her Dou Technique it's not like she's actually here," Jia Xing Tian said, exasperated.
Hai Bodong hesitated before cautiously moving back to the dragon's neck, staying behind Yun Shan and Jia Xing Tian. No matter what, he refused to go any closer.
As the three of them exchanged words, Lu Bu completed his Dou Technique. A faint, grayish white beam of transparent light shot out, enveloping Protector Wu.
"Damn it… I'm still here!"
Yao Chen, who had been battling fiercely, sensed the energy behind him and cried out in alarm. He unleashed a burst of Bone Chilling Flame to suppress Protector Wu before quickly retreating.
Because the Bone Chilling Flame severed the connection, Protector Wu didn't notice Lu Bu charging up an attack behind Yao Chen. He assumed the two were fighting amongst themselves, which pleased him greatly.
But when Yao Chen retreated like his pants were on fire, Protector Wu realized something was wrong.
"What kind of strange soul fluctuation is this?!" Protector Wu shrieked in terror, flailing his chains in a panic. A thin layer of black mist formed a shield in front of him as he tried to dodge behind the forming soul beast.
It was too late. The beam of light engulfed his defenses and his body in an instant.
Crack… crack… crack…
With the light's touch, the black mist, iron chains, and half of Protector Wu's body turned to gray stone.
"Aahhh…!" Protector Wu clutched his petrified shoulder, screaming in agony. Though the rest of his body had avoided the light, the petrification was slowly spreading.
"Tch, you dodged that pretty fast," Lu Bu said with a click of his tongue, preparing to finish the job. But just as he was about to strike…
"Protector Wu, die!"
Yao Chen's voice rang out, filled with killing intent. A cold white slash from the Heavy Xuan Ruler cleaved through the air.
Protector Wu's eyes filled with horror as he tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Bang!
The Heavy Xuan Ruler smashed into Protector Wu, shattering half of his body into pieces.
"That old geezer stole my kill!" Lu Bu muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. As he changed his hand seals, the Spiritual Flame flared back to life.
"Damn you both!" Protector Wu roared, his fragmented body flickering weakly. He looked like a candle in the wind, on the verge of extinction.
"Enough talk. Let's end him!" Lu Bu growled, vanishing in a flash.
"Jie jie jie… Do you think killing me will be that easy?"
Knowing he couldn't escape, Protector Wu cackled viciously and dove into the swirling black mist behind him.
"Jie jie jie… I told you, if you want to kill me, you'll pay a price!"
"Now… Yao Chen, and you sneaky brat, die with me!"
The black mist churned violently as Protector Wu's screeching voice echoed. Slowly, a massive, pitch black soul began to take shape within the mist.
Yao Chen frowned and quietly stepped behind Lu Bu, mirroring how Lu Bu had done earlier.
However, he failed to notice the glint in Lu Bu's eyes. Finally, the soul beast was taking shape!
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen