Soul Land—Chapter 87: Zhu Zhuqing Level 40, Soul Ring Hunting
You should know that the star power in Ling Qianyao's body was originally condensed by visualizing the Primordial Heaven Star Map in his mind. Now, it seems he can begin to mobilize star power from the universe itself.
This realization made Ling Qianyao very happy.
Ten days later,
The Royal Fighting Team left Vast Sea City and headed toward the Xiling Mountains in the north. They slightly altered their original route.
Instead of passing through the valley between the two mountain ranges, they headed northwest.
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power had reached Level 40 a few days ago, and she needed to acquire a new soul ring. The forest of soul beasts on the northwest side of the Xiling Mountains was teeming with various soul beasts, making it an ideal place to find a suitable soul ring.
The team marched in a straight line, with Qin Ming at the front, and Ling Qianyao—the second strongest in the team—responsible for protecting the rear.
"Stop for a moment," Qin Ming raised his right fist and said.
Everyone halted and cast curious glances. Qin Ming frowned slightly, scanning the forest around them. He suddenly felt a throbbing in his heart, as if some danger was quietly approaching.
"Everyone be cautious. I sense something's wrong here. Switch to a defensive formation," Qin Ming said in a low voice.
The Royal Fighting Team shifted from a straight line into a defensive formation. Each member found their position, with their martial souls attached and ready for any emergencies.
Yu Tianheng, following Qin Ming, asked, "Teacher Qin Ming, have you discovered anything? You said there are only ten thousand-year soul beasts in the Xiling Mountains. With your Soul Emperor cultivation, you should be able to handle them. Do we need to be so nervous?"
Before Qin Ming could reply, Dugu Yan shot him a sharp glare. "How did you learn to speak so theoretically? Ten-thousand-year soul beasts are much stronger than you think. Ordinary Soul Kings are stretched to their limits, not to mention the powerful ten-thousand-year beasts.
Even Teacher Qin Ming should be cautious of the Soul Beast Forest. It's full of unknowns and dangers. Any negligence could be fatal. That's simply reckless."
Yu Tianheng's face fell, and he lowered his head, secretly regretting his rashness. He initially intended to boost morale and show off, but the response was unfavorable.
"Dugu Yan," he murmured inwardly, recalling Dugu Yan's image riding away in his mind.
Qin Ming was momentarily stunned, then nodded seriously. "Yes, Dugu Yan is right. That's what I believe too."
At this moment, Ling Qianyao spoke up.
"Teacher Qin Ming's premonition is correct. We've entered the territory of the soul beast. It's lurking in the dark, capable of shielding its breath. It's been wandering around, making it difficult to locate accurately before getting closer."
"Huh?" Qin Ming glanced at Ling Qianyao in surprise. He had only had some premonitions.
"Ling Qianyao seems to have sensed the other's trail. No, what is your cultivation level? What about mine? Could it be that your spiritual power is stronger than mine? Is that reasonable?" Qin Ming asked.
Ling Qianyao smiled slightly, sensing his teacher's doubts. "Teacher Qin Ming, If all goes as I suspect, I believe this soul beast should belong to Zhuqing."
"Uh, okay," Qin Ming nodded, then silently fell into step behind Ling Qianyao.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Ling Qianyao suddenly halted and raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop. "Everyone be careful, it's coming."
Hearing this, Qin Ming activated his martial soul and moved to the front of the team.
Suddenly, a low roar came from the depths of the forest, accompanied by a gust of wind. A soul beast with dark purple fur, decorated with silver star patterns, appeared before them.
Its eyes were deep blue, pupils shrinking into needle-like slits, with nebula-like patterns rotating within. Its tail is split into three, with each tip condensing a shadow energy ball. When it moved, faint light and shadow flickered around it.
Ling Qianyao's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's the Shadow Star Leopard! Three tails, six silver star patterns, 9,000 years!"
Hearing the "9,000 years," Qin Ming immediately charged forward. "Stand back! I'll handle this!"
The Inferno Grey Wolf martial soul instantly possessed him, and Qin Ming's figure expanded rapidly. Fire attribute soul power enveloped him, flowing over his body like a real fiery wolf, with red and orange lines flickering across his form.
"Burning Sky Flames! Awooo~~!"
In the sky, centered on Qin Ming, a deafening wolf howl echoed as waves of flames burst outward, crashing toward the Shadow Star Leopard.
Then he charged, shouting, "Third Soul Skill—Wolf Attack!"
His momentum was extraordinary, but as Ling Qianyao heard his wolf howl, he couldn't help but feel amused. Why did it sound so much like a Husky?
"Third Soul Skill—Star Hub Forbidden Domain!"
With a low shout, Ling Qianyao activated his second soul skill. A starry sky area of fifty meters diameter suddenly unfolded around him.
He shouted: "Teacher Qin Ming, this soul beast can release a mist and disguise its shadow energy as an incarnation. It's only an illusion—don't be careless!"
"Boom—"
Qin Ming's attack struck, causing the Shadow Star Leopard to dissolve into a ball of shadow mist that scattered. Qin Ming froze for a moment, then realized—this was an illusion created by the soul beast!
"What a cunning fellow!" Qin Ming gritted his teeth, strengthening the flames of his Inferno Grey Wolf martial soul.
At the same time, a mist of shadows surged out from the scattered phantoms, rushing toward the team like a tide. Within the mist, faint roars echoed.
Ling Qianyao's Star Hub Forbidden Domain activated, and its 50% deceleration effect was terrifyingly effective.
The Illusion-Breaking Eyes in his eyes flared as he used his second soul skill—Four Symbols Constellation Transformation!
With a roar like a soaring dragon, the Azure Dragon phantom swooped down, transforming into countless starlights that instantly merged into Ling Qianyao's Star Hub Forbidden Domain.
Within the domain, the shadowy mist, slowed by the domain's effect, was further bound by an invisible force blessed by the Azure Dragon phantom. Most of it was dispersed by the countless streaks of starlight.
"Roar?" The Shadow Star Leopard, having revealed himself, let out a surprised cry.
"Lingling!" Dugu Yan shouted immediately. The cunning Shadow Star Leopard seemed to have noticed that Ye Lingling was the weakest member of the team and was about to target her.
"First soul skill—Red Jaded Scale Poison!"
Reinforcements from other team members arrived swiftly.
"Boom—"
The black tortoise appeared in front of Ye Lingling, accompanied by a dull roar, its massive shell shining with a deep glow.
"Ping—Ping—" The attack of the Shadow Star Leopard struck.
"Damn it!" Qin Ming cursed inwardly as he finally reached the front of the Shadow Star Leopard, just as his defenses broke. Flames erupted like a raging wave. "First Soul Skill—Canglang Claw!"
As the team leader, Qin Ming relied heavily on Ling Qianyao and others to take down this soul beast. He felt a bit embarrassed about his reliance.
(End of this chapter)