Chapter 681: Building a Future, Part III
While Ye Wen was eager to start his venture into the pharmaceutical business, his first challenge was establishing a reliable source of medicinal herbs in a world where agriculture was far from systematic. Following the principle of "keeping resources within the family," he planned to begin by cultivating common herbs in his hometown of Saint Soul Village.
Ye Wen's past work in helping the villagers prosper made them open to his new ideas. They willingly swapped crops for medicinal plants, transforming their fields into herb farms. Fortunately, Douluo's staple foods were cheap and plentiful, so the government didn't restrict farmers' crop choices as long as they paid their taxes on time.
With everything progressing smoothly, another semester came to a close, and Ye Wen's soul power had reached level 19. He hoped that with dedicated training over the break, he'd be ready to hunt for his second soul ring by the start of the new school term.
This time, he didn't return to Tianxin City, instead heading back to Saint Soul Village. Accompanying him was Huo Yu'er, who, despite having met Ye Wen's parents in Nuoding City, had never been to the village itself and felt a touch nervous.
"Relax," Ye Wen teased. "You've already met them so many times. Why do you seem so anxious? It's not like this is the first time you're meeting the parents."
Three years had flown by, and Ye Wen, now nine, looked closer to eleven or twelve, partly due to his rapid growth after obtaining his first soul ring. His neat, scholarly appearance and dignified aura distinguished him from other students, and his love of reading had added a quiet intellectual charm to his presence. This, along with his habit of keeping clean, set him apart from his classmates, who now saw him as a good match for Huo Yu'er a picture perfect couple in their eyes.
"Shut up," Huo Yu'er shot back playfully. "This is my first time in your village, okay? Being a little nervous is perfectly normal for a girl!"
Her adorable pout struck Ye Wen right in the heart, and he chuckled, which only made Huo Yu'er more exasperated. Soon enough, their playful bickering brought them to Saint Soul Village.
At this time of year, the fields should have been golden with ripe crops, but instead, thanks to Ye Wen's project, the village was covered in vibrant patches of medicinal herbs.
With Huo Yu'er's financial backing, the one thousand gold soul coins had gone a long way. The value generated by Saint Soul Village's entire yearly output was only a fraction of that sum. Their herb farms now formed the tip of a growing iceberg that spread across the surrounding villages.
As the two strolled into the village, Old Jack, sitting under the ancient tree by the entrance, waved enthusiastically.
"Ah, Ye Wen, you're back!" he called. Noticing Huo Yu'er, who he had met in Nuoding City during errands with Ye Wen's parents, he greeted her warmly.
Despite her noble status, Huo Yu'er's demeanor was as friendly as Ye Wen's, and her kindness was one of the reasons Ye Wen had fallen for her. A person's looks could only go so far compatibility in principles mattered most for a lasting bond.
The quiet village, far from the usual spirit master activity, held an air of peace Ye Wen cherished. He spent the following days inspecting the growth of his herbs, and once he confirmed their quality met his standards, he began preparations for larger scale processing, creating new job opportunities for villagers and earning himself a stellar reputation in nearby areas.
But he wasn't about to launch his product just yet. Even good medicine was hard to sell without a reputation. To establish credibility, Ye Wen knew he'd need real results. His plan was simple: identify and treat common ailments in nearby villages, relying on word of mouth to spread news of his remedies.
Yet, just as he was starting, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Stop right there, Ye Wen! Do you even know what you're doing with these herbs? What if you end up poisoning someone? Will you take responsibility?"
Ye Wen froze, recognizing the voice. He turned to see Tang San entering the room.
What the…? Why is he here? Ye Wen's mind raced. He could have sworn Tang San was still at school pursuing Xiao Wu.
Trailing behind Tang San was Xiao Wu herself. Although they weren't the sworn siblings they had been in the original story, Tang San's constant attempts to get close to her had resulted in a casual friendship. Since Huo Yu'er's grandmother had recently advanced to Soul Douluo, Xiao Wu likely hadn't dared visit Huo Mansion, leaving her with nowhere to go and ample time to hang around Nuoding Academy.
Ye Wen's memory surfaced; he'd heard that Tang San was going off to get his second soul ring and that Xiao Wu would tag along. But how did that end with them here, lecturing me?
Tang San, perhaps eager to impress Xiao Wu, marched forward and seized the bowl of medicine from Ye Wen's hands.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 682: Confrontation
Ye Wen's face immediately turned cold. "Give back the medicine, Tang San."
Without a hint of the reserved demeanor he displayed in the original story, this version of Tang San had an edge to him. Ignoring Ye Wen, he tossed the bowl of medicine behind him.
"Why should I give it back? So you can keep harming people?" Tang San sneered. "You're just a kid without any medical training. Do you even understand herbs or medicine? To you, this patient is nothing more than a test subject. If you truly wanted to help him, you could have used your spirit power to cleanse his internal organs, purging him of any sickness. Why resort to these concoctions? I'm here to stop your recklessness."
Having grown up in Tang Sect in his previous life, Tang San understood poisons but had little knowledge of medicinal healing. In his view, only those with years of experience at least middle aged had the qualifications to treat others. Watching Ye Wen, barely ten and with no formal training, concoct medicine seemed ludicrous. This boy was a novice at best and a danger at worst. Tang San, the self appointed righteous defender, couldn't allow this in his presence.
Ye Wen's gaze darkened. He'd spent three years avoiding this so called "protagonist," yet here Tang San was, disrupting his work. It almost made Ye Wen want to eliminate him right then and there. But even if he had that desire, Ye Wen knew he couldn't actually act on it. Tang San had a formidable background an eventual path to godhood in his future, and, more immediately, his father Tang Hao hiding nearby. Ye Wen wasn't in a position to take on that kind of risk.
Still, there was more than one way to deal with Tang San.
Suppressing his anger, Ye Wen gently laid his patient back onto the bed, then turned his indifferent gaze toward Tang San. "You're right, Tang San. But have you considered something?"
Surprised, Tang San found himself caught off guard. In the intensity of Ye Wen's gaze, he caught a brief flash of someone from his past a figure with the same imposing stare as the Tang Sect elder. Unnerved, he replied, "W What… what do you mean?"
Ye Wen continued, calmly taking out a fresh bundle of herbs from the storage soul tool gifted by his thoughtful grandmother and started washing them for another dose.
"You're Master Yu Xiao Gang's student, so you must know how many spirit masters there are on the Douluo Continent and how rare it is for a commoner to awaken spirit power, right?"
Tang San's pride flared. Of course he knew the answer, having revered his teacher's wisdom. Straightening up, he replied confidently, "Of course. There's no official count, but there are at least one hundred thousand spirit masters on Douluo. And as Master has researched, only about one in hundreds of ordinary people are born with any spirit power at all."
Ye Wen gave an unimpressed nod, unfazed by this answer, which matched his own knowledge. He doubted Yu Xiao Gang had done any real research, especially given his record of teaching almost no classes in Nuoding Academy. It seemed far more likely that Yu Xiao Gang's "findings" on common martial spirits, like Blue Silver Grass, were just bits he'd read somewhere.
"Then tell me, Tang San," Ye Wen said, his tone carrying a trace of mocking, "of these one in a hundred commoners who awaken as spirit masters, how many would actually lower themselves to heal a sick ordinary person?"
Tang San's whole body stiffened. The answer surfaced in his mind almost instantly. Regardless of past or present life, the answer was a resounding no. High ranking masters almost never stooped to help the powerless. That sort of compassion existed in tales and storybooks, but the truth was much grimmer. Though Tang San liked to imagine himself as such a hero, he was aware that the world didn't actually work that way.
Ye Wen's words were few but struck deeply. His steady tone continued as he brewed the herbal mixture, ignoring Tang San's troubled expression.
"So it seems you know the answer," Ye Wen said. "But you're also correct about one thing. I am using this patient as an experiment."
Tang San felt a jolt of triumph, preparing to call him out, but Ye Wen interrupted.
"But all of this is with his consent. Without this medicine, he'd have no choice but to bear the illness, maybe even to the point of death. You already know there are no spirit healers or doctors in these parts. He's already weakened by poverty, and his chances of surviving this fever are slim. What I offered him was a chance at life a tested mixture that I'm confident won't harm him, even if it doesn't cure him."
Finishing his work, Ye Wen met Tang San's gaze with steady composure.
Seeing the silent man resting in bed, Tang San realized he couldn't argue. It was a mutual agreement. What could he say? Forcefully saving this man from his own choice would only make him look foolish.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 683: Tang San Wants to Be the Top
Ye Wen chose not to share any lofty ideals about using affordable medicine to help the people of Douluo Continent or about earning their faith for a potential path to godhood. He knew that if he did, Tang San would likely steal his ideas, claiming them as his own once he had grown powerful enough, and then might even try to get rid of him, accusing Ye Wen of plagiarism. Having already seen Tang San's double standards, Ye Wen wouldn't risk it, knowing that even the chance for such recognition would likely tempt Tang San's self righteous nature.
At a loss for words, Tang San could only shoot Ye Wen a glare filled with resentment. "You'd better know what you're doing," he said, voice filled with warning. "I'll be watching you, Ye Wen. If I find out you're putting lives at risk, I'll make you pay for it."
With that, Tang San turned and left without looking back. Yet as he watched Tang San's hurried departure, Ye Wen couldn't help but find his retreat oddly... frantic.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu had remained silent throughout, feeling a bit torn. Unlike Tang San, she had a favorable impression of Ye Wen. After all, he was the boyfriend of her best friend, and he often shared treats with her, giving her a rare sense of family. But the increasingly bitter aroma of the medicinal soup soon drove her to leave as well.
Since she and Tang San had come out together to explore, Xiao Wu eventually wandered to the dilapidated blacksmith's house that was Tang San's home. She looked around the small, rundown shack, feeling a bit awkward but staying outside.
The contrast was stark. Once accustomed to a luxurious, carefree life as a high level soul beast, Xiao Wu found this place uncomfortable. "Xiao San, aren't you pretty well off now? Why does your home look like this?" she asked, her tone tinged with slight disdain.
Only a handful of people had the privilege of calling him "Xiao San." But Tang San simply liked Xiao Wu, so he didn't mind the familiarity. With an ingratiating smile, he explained, "Sorry, Xiao Wu. No one has lived here for years, so even after I came into some money, I haven't had time to fix it up. I'll tidy it up quickly so we can be comfortable."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu felt a twinge of sympathy, assuming Tang San might be an orphan like her. Maybe I won't tease him so much, she thought.
As Tang San scrambled to clean up, Xiao Wu loitered outside, bored, until she noticed a familiar figure approaching.
"Ah! Sister Rain!" she exclaimed, delighted, as she spotted Huo Yu'er in the distance. Quickly, she hooked her arm around Huo Yu'er's, leaning against her shoulder in a display of sisterly affection.
Inside, Tang San's mood shifted. The closeness between Xiao Wu and Huo Yu'er stirred a faint, unidentifiable frustration within him. But he remembered Yu Xiao Gang's advice: to win a girl's heart, he needed to maintain good relations with her friends, lest any gossip affect their relationship.
Keeping his irritation in check, Tang San forced a pleasant smile and greeted her. "Ah, Sister Yu'er, what a pleasant surprise to see you here."
Huo Yu'er's gaze sharpened when she noticed Tang San. She disengaged herself from Xiao Wu and, with a cold look, asked, "Tang San, did you just go looking for trouble with Ye Wen?"
Tang San's forced smile wavered.
From the beginning, he'd disliked Ye Wen. Ye Wen's quiet presence, his modesty it all felt like weakness to Tang San, and so he had taken liberties, convinced Ye Wen was an easy target. Besides, with his usual bold self righteousness, Tang San was sure Ye Wen wouldn't dare retaliate. Yet now, it was clear that the tables had turned.
Seeing his hesitation, Huo Yu'er sneered. "Looks like I've been too lenient at the academy if you thought you could disrespect my boyfriend. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on respect."
Tang San's gaze grew cold as well. "Huo Yu'er, you're really going to go against me over some useless freeloader?"
Two yellow soul rings glowed around him, marking his recent breakthrough to Rank 20. But Huo Yu'er wasn't intimidated, summoning her own two yellow rings as she cracked her knuckles.
"Tang San, how dare you insult my boyfriend! Don't you see how hardworking he is?" she spat. "I was only going to give you a small lesson, but after what you just said, if I don't break a few of your bones, I'm no longer Huo Yu'er!"
With that, she launched a punch directly at Tang San's face.
Tang San's eyes shifted to a violet hue he had activated his Tang Sect skill, Purple Demon Eyes. And he recalled another piece of advice from Yu Xiao Gang: in front of girls, the best way to impress them was to demonstrate his strength.
What better opportunity than here and now, facing Huo Yu'er, the academy's untouchable figure? Tang San decided this was the perfect chance to prove himself as the academy's new leader.
After all, his years of hard work had all been for this moment to prove himself once and for all.
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Chapter 684: Impossible
Initially feeling guilty, Tang San had intended to placate Huo Yu'er's anger. But watching her charge at him with that impressive speed and power, he suddenly shifted his approach, deciding to use this moment to assert his strength over her.
She's strong for someone at our level, Tang San thought, admiring her power. But it's a shame she's up against me.
"First Soul Skill: Bind!"
The abandoned land surrounding Tang San's house was overgrown with weeds and Blue Silver Grass, a perfect medium for his skill. The grass surged forth, ensnaring Huo Yu'er in a mass of vines.
But Tang San knew that just binding Huo Yu'er wouldn't make her surrender. He wanted her to taste his strength, to understand that he was a force to be reckoned with. He stepped in close, fist raised to strike only to realize something was wrong.
Wait... I hit her... but it doesn't feel right.
Just as confusion crossed his mind, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach and was suddenly hurled backward, crashing several meters away. He coughed up a bitter mouthful as the impact radiated through him. It took only an instant for him to remember a particular incident years ago when Huo Yu'er first arrived at the academy, swiftly establishing her dominance.
Back then, she didn't shout out her soul skill names like most spirit masters, so no one knew what her first soul skill was. But Tang San had studied her intently and deduced it must be some kind of disorientation skill. Now, with his Purple Demon Eyes active, he realized he couldn't see her movements clearly a skill that must interfere with one's vision.
"Is she actually tampering with my sight?" he muttered, frustrated.
Tang San quickly shut off Purple Demon Eyes and relied on his ears instead, focusing entirely on sound to pinpoint Huo Yu'er's movements. He could still feel the lingering pain in his abdomen, but he could make out her approach through the subtle sounds around him.
She's coming... but why so casually? he wondered, a cold rage simmering in his chest. How arrogant.
Formulating a plan, he knew that if he used his second soul skill, Parasite, the glow of his soul rings would alert Huo Yu'er. So, he switched tactics.
"Hidden Weapon Technique: Blossom Storm of the Goddess!"
In an instant, a torrent of tiny hidden weapons burst from his Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges storage tool, whirling towards Huo Yu'er. Although he hadn't yet mastered poisons to coat these weapons, the sheer quantity would severely wound anyone who got hit.
But to his horror, she dodged them all effortlessly, moving through the cloud of weapons with precision and grace. Her gaze was steady, almost contemptuous.
"This is the strength you wanted to show me?" she sneered. "What a joke."
Her words struck a raw nerve, filling Tang San with fury. He wanted to teach her the real strength of his hidden weapons.
But as he prepared to launch another wave, he saw that she held one of his throwing knives between her fingers.
What's she doing with that?
Before he could process her intent, Huo Yu'er spoke coldly, "Watch closely, Tang San. With true skill, you don't need cheap tricks to make a weapon dangerous!"
With that, she flung the knife at him.
So fast!
Despite focusing on sound, Tang San could barely register the knife's speed. And before he knew it, pain exploded across his body as blood blossomed from a cut. The knife ended its trajectory embedded deeply in the wall behind him.
Staring at his own hidden weapon embedded in his house, Tang San's frustration reached a breaking point. How could she dare to use his weapon against him so easily? Rage boiled over as he prepared another relentless barrage.
"Hidden Weapon Technique: Blossom Storm of the Goddess!"
"Hidden Weapon Technique: Secret Path!"
"Hidden Weapon Technique: Rain of Petals!"
Tang San unleashed every technique he could think of, desperate to corner her, to ensure she couldn't escape his attack. His fury sharpened his movements as he sealed off every possible avenue of escape.
But Huo Yu'er smirked, sensing his growing desperation. How fragile, she thought dismissively. This boy thinks he's my equal?
She was tired of playing along. If there was no way to avoid his attacks, then she wouldn't bother to dodge at all. She calmly retrieved two shields from her storage ring, deftly blocking and parrying his barrage. His weapons rattled harmlessly against her shields.
This final humiliation shattered Tang San's composure. In a blind fury, he mentally cursed Huo Yu'er's lack of "proper spirit master etiquette" for using external weapons. He seemed to forget that his own hidden weapons were just as much external aids.
Huo Yu'er now stood inches from him, smirking with a taunt in her eyes. His rage blinding him, Tang San decided to use his close range techniques to finally overpower her. Forget hidden weapons, he thought. I'll use my Tang Sect skills to beat her down!
But as he prepared to use his Crane Catching Dragon technique and Mysterious Jade Hands, Huo Yu'er slammed one of the shields into his face, sending him flying backward again this time right through the wall of his rickety house. The old structure, already weakened, caved in partially as Tang San hit the ground inside.
Remarkably, his tough constitution kept him conscious, though he was covered in bruises and cuts. But even as he staggered to his feet, preparing for another round, Huo Yu'er stepped in, delivering a final blow that knocked him flat, ending any further resistance.
Tang San lay sprawled in the rubble of his collapsed house, while Xiao Wu, realizing the house was no longer fit for lodging, ran off to find shelter at Ye Wen's house instead.
Now alone in the dark ruins of his home, Tang San felt hot, stinging tears well up in his eyes.
"How... how is this possible?" he whispered to himself, humiliated and heartbroken.
"Teacher always said her Spirit Physique wasn't particularly suited for combat, that she relied on her soul power and special techniques to dominate. But then... why was I defeated so easily?"
The brutal reality and the desolate silence around him gnawed at Tang San, finally breaking his resolve. He wept openly in the darkness, his heart heavy with shame.
This can't be true, he thought, his bitterness consuming him. How could I a genius from another world be beaten by a mere native? And not just that now even the girl I liked has left with her...
The thought of his beloved Xiao Wu choosing to befriend someone who had just humiliated him only added salt to his wounds. In that moment, Tang San felt a depth of despair and humiliation he'd never known.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 685: Grandmaster Spirit Master
Meanwhile
Ye Wen had no idea that Tang San's attempt to cause trouble had been spotted by the roaming Huo Yu'er, who then went to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, he'd likely have smacked himself on the forehead in exasperation; after all, here he was doing his best to handle Tang the "God King" without violence, only to have his future wife eagerly take matters into her own hands.
Fortunately, Tang Hao was notoriously unreliable. He had lived so long in this remote place that he never suspected Tang San would be in any danger once he'd reached the level of Grandmaster Spirit Master, assuming the village posed no threats to his son. Tang Hao had already wandered off on his own, oblivious to Tang San's condition back home. If he'd seen his son beaten up as he was, his shameless nature would surely have led him to seek vengeance.
Thus, without knowing it, Ye Wen had narrowly escaped another crisis.
For the next few days, Tang San stayed home to nurse his injuries. The memory of inviting Xiao Wu out to show off and bond, only to end up humiliated, left him too embarrassed to linger in the village. He hurried back to the academy to train harder with Yu Xiaogang.
Ye Wen remained unaware of all this. In his mind, as long as he avoided provoking Tang San, what did the future of Douluo Continent have to do with him? Building his business and preparing for godhood were the real priorities.
Yet Ye Wen understood well the importance of balancing his business ventures with his training. After arranging the initial marketing strategy for his medicinal line, he spent a small sum to hire a team to spread word on his behalf. His cultivation talent might not be the best, but he'd discovered that using his first soul skill, Armament, which allowed his Na Na spirit to fuse with his body, boosted his cultivation speed tremendously, nearly matching Huo Yu'er and Tang San's pace.
Though he couldn't explain exactly why, Ye Wen was satisfied with the results.
Through diligent effort, he finally reached level 20 just before the fourth term began, becoming a Grandmaster Spirit Master. This breakthrough felt different.
"This feeling..."
Looking at his right hand, Ye Wen moved his spirit energy following the instinctive commands Na Na had awakened in him. The previously silent atmosphere around him began to shift.
The air stirred.
Realizing what was happening, Ye Wen was startled. "Did... did I awaken wind element control?"
Most advanced martial spirits carried some sort of elemental affinity, but spirit masters with weak soul power and mental control could hardly wield such powers before the Spirit Elder level, where their abilities matched a thousand year soul beast.
While Ye Wen knew he had control over seven elements, his spirit's unique nature had so far kept him from tapping into these powers. He'd only discovered the space element after absorbing his first soul ring, which had triggered it naturally without his conscious effort.
"So why did the wind element awaken so suddenly?" Ye Wen wondered.
He gazed at the small whirlwind swirling around his hand, deep in thought. Even the best soul master records of this era lacked any information on this, and the Ho family's resources wouldn't suffice to explain it.
After further consideration, Ye Wen realized one important thing: his next soul ring must not contradict his spirit's attributes. After all, he'd seen what happened to those who absorbed random soul rings without understanding their spirit; they either ended up crippled or their spirits malfunctioned in some way.
"A second soul ring from a wind element soul beast?" Ye Wen murmured. "That doesn't quite match my initial plan of choosing a multi element soul beast."
Still, with seven soul rings left to obtain before godhood, focusing on each element for one ring seemed plausible. Yet there was some hesitation. What if another element awakened upon reaching the 30th level?
The reason he felt comfortable taking this gamble was due to a suspicion that had been growing in him. So many coincidences were piling up that Ye Wen wondered if his spirit had some connection to the Silver Dragon King from twenty thousand years later.
He wasn't one to pore over novels, but he knew enough about the major players and plotlines. The Silver Dragon King was obviously central despite a baffling storyline where she ended up being subservient to Xiao Wu, a junior soul beast. Though the idea was absurd to Ye Wen, he supposed that from the gods' perspective, such enormous age gaps made the relationship more palatable.
Regardless, the Silver Dragon King's offspring ultimately led soul beasts past the barrier of godhood. Though some dignity was sacrificed, the result was undeniable.
But the key was that, across all Douluo series, only the Silver Dragon lineage wielded mastery over all seven elements.
He looked down at the shimmering Na Na spirit fused over his body like silver armor. Under sunlight, it glowed so brightly it could nearly blind him.
Could this really be a relic of that lineage?
Ye Wen was silent for a long moment before giving a firm nod, muttering, "Maybe this spirit of mine is my cheat after all. It might not be exactly like the Silver Dragon's essence, but it's probably like Luo Sanpao something damaged or incomplete. Still, it's evolving along the right path, and that's what's giving me access to these powers."
Growing more confident in his theory, Ye Wen's eyes lit up. Only a transmigrator who had struggled without any cheat would understand the thrill of discovering one.
Still, he soon faced another dilemma.
A self sufficient and capable person, Ye Wen had intended to hunt his second spirit ring alone, relying on some of his own secret weapons. But now that option was out of the question.
With Na Na likely possessing Silver Dragon potential, Ye Wen's next soul ring would have to come from a creature worthy of that lineage. At the very least, it would have to be a sub dragon type.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 686: Huo Rui's Connections
Ye Wen was a well read and self aware person unlike a certain so called "Grandmaster" who seemed to love courting disaster. Like other readers familiar with Douluo parts 3 and 4, Ye Wen knew that dragon type soul beasts were the strongest among all soul beasts and the ideal soul ring sources.
True dragon type soul beasts were, of course, the pinnacle rare and formidable, so elusive that even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the top three sects, rarely found them. Next came the hybrid dragon soul beasts, descended from dragons but with diluted bloodlines. These beasts, though not pureblooded, were naturally powerful, often capable of fighting at levels well beyond their years.
Initially, Ye Wen had planned to search for a multi element soul beast in one of the official hunting forests, aiming for a six to seven hundred year old one. Multi element beasts were rare, but with patience, the artificial hunting forests usually contained a few. These controlled environments rarely produced thousand year level beasts, ensuring Ye Wen's safety as he relied on his secret weapon and the physical enhancements provided by his Na Na spirit.
However, plans change.
"This is tough," Ye Wen muttered, chuckling wryly. "Looks like I'll have to rely on some 'support' after all."
His target was a wind attributed sub dragon type of at least six or seven hundred years, a creature capable of matching a thousand year soul beast in strength. Even with a secret weapon, he knew he couldn't handle that alone.
The next day, as Ye Wen discussed his plan with Huo Yu'er, his hesitation faded.
Ye Wen couldn't help but laugh at himself once you ask for help the first time, it's easier the next.
Huo Yu'er agreed without hesitation, and together they hurried to the Ho family estate. All Ye Wen could think was how blessed he felt to have a "wealthy, supportive partner." Soft rice indeed tasted good when you had a strong, respectful partner to back you up.
Upon entering, he witnessed an impressive scene. Huo Rui was lifting two small iron weights and doing squats, sweat pouring down as her muscular, powerful figure was emphasized by her effort. Despite her fierce energy, Ye Wen couldn't summon a single improper thought.
If he remembered correctly, iron weighed nearly 8 tons per cubic meter. Each of the iron weights she was lifting contained two or three cubic meters, which meant that even just one was close to 50,000 pounds. Combined, the two weights came to about 100,000 pounds.
In essence, even at the Spirit Douluo level, Huo Rui was already close to possessing the strength needed to lift the Seagod Trident. If she became a Titled Douluo and her strength increased further, she'd easily be able to wield Tang San's future super artifact.
The Ho family's power was astonishing.
Seeing her beloved granddaughter and her future grandson in law arrive, Huo Rui beamed, happily setting down her weights and waving them over.
"Yu'er and Xiaowen! When I heard you wouldn't be returning this year, I was a bit disappointed. What's brought you back to see an old woman like me?"
"Because I missed you, Grandma!" Huo Yu'er said sweetly.
While not a person who'd lived as long as a cunning elder, Huo Rui easily saw through Huo Yu'er's pretense, rolling her eyes with a grin. "Oh, stop it, child. Now, tell me what you two need."
Unfazed at being called out, Huo Yu'er cheerfully explained the real reason for their visit.
When Huo Rui heard Huo Yu'er's request, her eyes lit up with joy. Her gaze grew even fonder as she looked at Ye Wen; how could any elder not be thrilled to see such an outstanding partner for their beloved granddaughter?
"A mere six to seven hundred year wind type sub dragon? Consider it done!" Huo Rui said confidently. "That's much easier to find than that parasite fungus soul beast you hunted before. I'll reach out to a few old friends to see if anyone's spotted such a creature."
Ye Wen readily accepted, grateful for Huo Rui's warmth and generosity. As an orphan in his past life, he had no defenses against the care of such a doting elder.
It was remarkable how much easier things became with power, he thought. To commoners like Ye Wen, tracking down such a soul beast was a challenge, yet to Huo Rui's circle of friends, it might only take a few inquiries. And even if no one had recent sightings, her experienced friends would still have a solid sense of where to look.
Had Huo Rui only been a Spirit Saint, perhaps her friends would have hesitated to share such valuable soul beast information. But now that she was a powerful Spirit Douluo, they were happy to extend the courtesy in an effort to build goodwill.
Rumor had it that even the Tian Dou Empire knew of Huo Rui's recent breakthrough to Spirit Douluo and was considering bestowing her with a new title or rank. She might not yet have any major achievements in the empire, but in this age where Titled Douluo were rare, a Spirit Douluo was already one of the highest combat forces available no wonder the Tian Dou court wanted to court her favor.
Ye Wen thought of advising Huo Rui to avoid getting entangled with Tian Dou's elite, as it could lead to trouble with Spirit Hall down the line. But Huo Rui, like the elders who say "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice," was far too savvy to need such reminders.
With a power level and status like hers, she was well aware of Douluo Continent's darker undercurrents. She'd politely refused Tian Dou's offer, saying she was satisfied with her current life and only expressing willingness to assist if a conflict with the Star Luo Empire arose.
In this way, she deftly avoided the burdens of political power while clearly signaling her support for the Tian Dou Empire truly a masterstroke of diplomacy.
Huo Rui's growing influence was becoming increasingly apparent. Tianxin City's reputation had risen significantly in the surrounding region, with its trade environment visibly thriving. Other cities were eager to curry favor with her as a powerful ally.
Several noble families even discovered she had an incredibly gifted granddaughter who was already attached to a commoner of modest talent. This realization led to much chest beating and regret among the aristocracy, and Ye Wen couldn't be sure whether they'd try to stir up trouble at the academy next term.
Yet Ye Wen felt no fear. He was now a recognized talent himself, with Huo Rui's formidable support. Anyone who targeted him openly would face her swift and certain retribution.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 687: Filth
While the artificial soul hunting forests contained a variety of soul beasts, they rarely held any dragon type soul beasts that went unnoticed. Even the hybrid dragon soul beasts, known for their strength, were far too valuable to go unmonitored. If any did appear in these forests, they would be quickly reserved for insiders, never left for random hunters to encounter.
So, a few days later, Ye Wen and his group embarked on a journey to the remote Star Dou Forest. This time, however, Huo Yu'er's parents did not accompany them. The breakthrough Huo Rui had achieved brought a new level of prestige to the family, creating many matters that required their attention back home. Although they couldn't join, Ye Wen felt grateful for the support.
Besides, having such strong backing felt incredible. Unlike typical commoners who had to struggle to find suitable soul beasts, Ye Wen now had access to Huo Rui's network, which produced results within days, leaving him genuinely appreciative of this support.
On the way, Ye Wen experienced a hint of regret for not getting the chance to visit an artificial soul hunting forest even once. Maybe he just enjoyed testing fate...
With only the three of them traveling together, Huo Rui's strength as a Spirit Douluo offered ample protection. Still, their journey wasn't exactly smooth.
Since the soul beast cluster they were heading toward was located in a remote area, they had to take a longer detour, bringing them to an unfamiliar, secluded town.
"Well, well," a young man in fine attire sneered at Huo Rui with a lecherous gleam in his eye. "A beauty like you, out here trying to make a living with these kids? Tell you what: if you make me happy, maybe I'll let you be my third concubine. You should know that I "
Before he could finish his lines, Huo Rui slapped him, sending him flying.
Ye Wen shook his head in exasperation. Despite their plain clothing, anyone with sense could tell they were no ordinary commoners. How could this spoiled fool be so blind as to pick a fight with them?
Clearly, Huo Rui had held back; otherwise, with his sickly look, the young man's head might have simply burst from that slap.
"You wretched woman!" he roared, clutching his face. "Do you even know who my father is? He's the city lord! You're going to pay for this! Spirit Possession!"
Ye Wen watched in mild surprise as the youth unleashed his martial spirit. Surprisingly, he was a Spirit Ancestor with a four ring configuration, including the optimal mix of spirit rings two yellow and two purple. Not bad. By current standards on the Douluo Continent, he could be considered a talent.
But he was outmatched here, which would not end well for him.
Originally, Huo Rui had only planned to give this arrogant youth a light lesson. But instead of retreating, he pressed his luck further. Disgusted, Huo Rui glanced at Huo Yu'er, her expression darkening. This fool had dared utter such crude words in front of her granddaughter. She couldn't let him continue his disrespect.
Seeing Huo Rui's hesitation, the young man assumed his strength had frightened her. As his four spirit rings activated, he channeled his sword martial spirit, unleashing a powerful aura, ready to strike. But Huo Rui just murmured, "Annoying," before raising her hand.
Huo Rui decided against touching him directly, which she felt would only reward him. Instead, she gathered her spirit energy into a two meter wide hand of pure force and slammed it toward him.
"What the ! How strong is she?!"
The gap in their abilities was too great. Even though Huo Rui wasn't using her full strength, her power overwhelmed the young man, sending him flying through several walls before finally crashing to a halt.
The impact of the clash caught the attention of the town's local spirit masters, many of whom gathered to witness the commotion, silently observing the unconscious youth now lying on the ground in a twisted heap.
Eventually, a heavily armored spirit master arrived a Spirit King with a white, two yellow, and two purple spirit rings a solid five ring configuration. With a stern look, he took in the sight of the defeated young man and turned angrily to Huo Rui, pointing his spear at her.
"Hold it right there! Do you realize you've injured the city lord's most beloved son? Surrender now and come quietly. Perhaps the city lord will spare your life."
Ye Wen watched the whole scene unfold with disgust. As expected, the authorities were predictably corrupt.
Unfortunately, this group had provoked the wrong person.
A second later, Huo Rui's spirit energy flooded the area, suffocating all who stood there, excluding only Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er. Upon seeing her imposing aura, the Spirit King gaped in horror as he took in her spirit ring configuration: two yellow, two purple, and four black rings.
"An an Spirit Douluo…"
Upon realizing this, the Spirit King immediately dismissed his martial spirit, kneeling in fear.
"Esteemed Senior, forgive my rudeness," he stammered, knocking his head on the ground.
Huo Rui cast a calm but disdainful gaze over the group before finally speaking in a cold tone that made every spirit master present tremble.
"Disgusting."
Though Huo Rui had risen above her humble origins, she had seen her fair share of darkness within the world of spirit masters. She understood that she could not change the world, but at the very least, she could protect those she cared for.
As one of the top Spirit Douluo in the Heaven Dou Empire, Huo Rui felt her long suppressed sense of justice rekindling.
Under her guidance, Tianxin City had flourished. It was not crime free, but it was a place where people could live without the fear of corruption or oppression.
Looking at the vile spirit masters cowering before her, Huo Rui felt a daring idea take root in her heart.
"Perhaps it's time I wrote to the Crown Prince about dealing with these vermin."
Although Huo Rui had no direct alliance with the royal family, she was aware of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's reputation for wisdom and fairness.
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Chapter 688: The Treasury
Xue Qinghe's reputation as a benevolent and caring prince had already spread far from the imperial capital throughout the empire. Huo Rui believed that if she sent a letter of complaint in her own name, he would certainly respond. Whether to maintain his public image or to gain her allegiance, he would likely deal with the troublesome figures she couldn't handle openly.
Although Huo Rui was already set on sending the letter, she kept her demeanor calm and unbothered, appearing as if she were waiting for someone. Soon, a Soul Emperor entered the scene, with the optimal configuration of six spirit rings glowing around him. Yet, as his eyes landed on Huo Rui and her eight rings, he immediately dimmed his spirit aura, retracting his rings so as not to appear disrespectful.
Approaching Huo Rui, he recognized her instantly, and shock crossed his face.
"Isn't this the famous Countess Tianxin who recently became a Soul Douluo?" he thought. "What's she doing here, of all places?"
The man's gaze shifted to the chaos around him, and he was horrified to see his own son lying injured on the ground. Instead of feeling sympathy, a wave of dread washed over him.
"I know my own son well enough... That idiot probably tried to make a move on her! How am I going to smooth this over? What if she demands his life as compensation? He may be a scoundrel, but he's the most talented one among my descendants, and my family's future depends on him. What am I supposed to do?"
Cold sweat trickled down the city lord's forehead. Disrespecting a Soul Douluo was a major taboo in the world of spirit masters. The fact that Huo Rui had spared his son's life was already a mercy.
Huo Rui, however, had no interest in pandering to the crowd of scoundrels gathered before her. In a cold tone, she said, "I take it you're the city lord? So, tell me, how do you plan to compensate me for this offense?"
The city lord was accustomed to lording over others in this remote area, but now he was utterly lost for words, his mouth opening and closing without sound. Finally, he hung his head and stammered, "This… this was entirely our fault. I am willing to offer Countess Tianxin any compensation you deem fit so long as you spare my son's life."
Huo Rui, who had planned to demand a compensation of 100,000 gold soul coins and move on, paused when Ye Wen tugged gently on her sleeve.
Huo Rui tilted her head, slightly confused.
"What is it, Ye Wen?" she asked softly.
Ye Wen gestured for her to lean down, whispering a few words in her ear. Instantly, her eyes brightened as she nodded approvingly. Turning back to the city lord, Huo Rui spoke again, this time with modified demands.
"Since you're willing to compensate me, I have two conditions," she began. "First, for the insult I suffered from your son, I expect a payment of 100,000 gold soul coins. Surely, that's not too much to ask?"
"N not at all!" the city lord replied hurriedly, though inwardly he was agonizing. This small city, while wealthier than the likes of Notting City, could hardly afford to spare 100,000 coins it was equivalent to several years' worth of taxes. The thought of it made his heart ache, but he quickly reminded himself that he could recoup the loss through additional taxes once Huo Rui left. After all, as long as the commoners didn't starve, they'd continue to grow back like fresh crops.
Huo Rui's second demand, however, nearly made the city lord choke.
"My second condition," she said, "is to visit your family's treasury and select two items of my choice. Money is trivial to someone of my rank; it's true treasures that hold real value. Surely you wouldn't deny me this request?"
To emphasize her point, she unleashed a hint of her Soul Douluo aura, making the city lord tremble in fear. The proud city lord, seeing no other option, reluctantly accepted her terms.
Still, he sneered inwardly. Although his family's vault did contain some treasures, the most precious ones were hidden in his personal quarters, far from prying eyes. Losing two items would still hurt, but he'd already steeled himself for this.
With his mind made up, the city lord led Ye Wen and the others to the family vault, leaving his son to be tended by the local healing spirit masters.
Along the way, the city lord couldn't help but cast a sideways glance at Ye Wen. He could tell that this young boy was likely the reason he was losing even more of his precious treasures. How he wished his own son were this sharp, instead of wasting his time chasing women!
Before long, they reached the family vault. As they stepped inside, they were met by the gleam of gold soul coins piled high. Though impressive, such wealth held little value to high level soul masters. The real treasures were the advanced soul tools and soul bones the true prizes of any auction that could fetch tens of thousands of coins or more.
Predictably, there were no soul bones here, nor would such treasures be displayed so openly in a minor noble's vault. But Ye Wen had never expected to find a soul bone. His true interest lay in the variety of soul tools.
"Grandmother, let's take a closer look," Ye Wen suggested softly.
Though Huo Rui was powerful, her family's resources were indeed limited, so she entered the vault with great interest herself. Yet the local nobility was still, well, local nobility.
Apart from a few storage type soul tools, most of what they saw left Huo Rui unimpressed. Turning to Ye Wen, she said, "Nothing of much value here. Ye Wen, choose whatever catches your eye, and take one for Yu'er as well."
Ye Wen nodded, though Huo Yu'er promptly refused. "They're all yours, Ye Wen. I'm not interested in any of this."
Huo Yu'er, the god king of another world, had no use for these trinkets. She only came along out of curiosity to see what interested Ye Wen.
To Ye Wen, however, her gesture of putting him first felt like a heartfelt expression of affection, and he couldn't help but feel moved.
"Yu'er, thank you. When I'm stronger, I'll find you even better treasures," he promised earnestly.
Yu'er's face flushed with a shy blush. "I'll wait for you."
The heartwarming scene, however, was torture for the city lord, who stood nearby fuming at the sight. Couldn't they just take their compensation and go? Why did they have to make him watch this little romance play out like a public humiliation?
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Chapter 689: The Devourer of Gods Part One
Although Ye Wen wished for a dramatic scene where the chosen hero finds a rare treasure among ordinary items, it quickly became clear that the city lord's treasury was no place for such fortune. In the end, Ye Wen settled for two storage type soul tools that, while not extraordinary, were functional and acceptable. Each had a capacity of just under ten cubic meters, and their combined value surpassed the compensation Huo Rui initially requested. Pleased with the haul, Huo Rui nodded approvingly.
With this business behind them, the group continued on their journey, and though they encountered various unpleasant sights along the way, news of their encounter with the city lord's son seemed to have circulated among the nobility. This made it so no one dared to harass the odd trio during their travels.
Once they arrived at the Star Dou Forest, they headed toward a high peak. At the summit, Ye Wen turned to Huo Yu'er and said, "Yu'er, could I trouble you?"
"No problem, leave it to me," Huo Yu'er replied without hesitation.
Beyond basic combat strength, one of the most crucial abilities for a spirit master hunting soul beasts was the capacity for tracking and environmental surveillance. Without such skills, even the strongest would eventually be undone by the unpredictable dangers of the Star Dou Forest. Fortunately, Huo Yu'er's second soul skill was perfect for detection.
As silver patterns appeared on Huo Yu'er's face, more intricate and elegant than ever before, she gained a noble, almost majestic aura.
"Second soul skill: Eagle Eye!"
With this skill activated, her gaze grew sharper and more penetrating. Since her spirit bore similarities to that of Huo Yuhao, Ye Wen had initially considered shaping her soul ring path after his. But he quickly dismissed the idea. After all, though their spirits were similar, Huo Yu'er was not Huo Yuhao. She had neither twin martial souls, nor the Iceworm's assistance, nor Electrolux's guidance. Trying to mirror Huo Yuhao's path would set her up to lose from the start.
After all, in the history of Douluo, only Huo Yuhao had a million year soul ring with four skills right from the start. And Huo Yu'er's first soul skill a mental ability that interfered with perception was already unique. Her second, which amplified her visual acuity, coupled with Huo Rui's self developed techniques, made for a strong foundation. As long as Ye Wen was there to support her, Huo Yu'er would one day become a god.
So there was no need to chase after perfection. In Douluo, after becoming a god, even the most precise foundations would seem trivial in hindsight.
The "Eagle Eye" soul skill, which Huo Yu'er had acquired from a powerful eagle spirit beast, allowed her to survey vast areas. While Douluo Continent's records had no details on just how strong an eagle's sight could be, Ye Wen, who remembered the animal documentaries from his previous life, knew that an eagle in flight could see prey over 30 kilometers away.
With such range, Huo Yu'er could monitor a full 60 kilometer diameter from this mountain peak, covering more than 1,130 square kilometers of the Star Dou Forest's vast expanse.
Ye Wen's target was a Wind Soaring Dragon, a subspecies of dragon spirit beasts. Though not among the most formidable, it was precisely what he needed.
"I might be wrong," Ye Wen thought, "but if my theory about my martial soul is correct, my spirit might reach the level of a godlike martial soul."
Martial souls in Douluo's world were a strange blend of fate and potential, after all. And if his hunch was right and his martial soul was of an exceptionally rare grade, then absorbing a dragon spirit beast's attributes would strengthen it significantly.
As Ye Wen pondered, wondering if they would be fortunate enough to find a Wind Soaring Dragon, Huo Yu'er let out a faint sound of surprise.
"What is it, Yu'er?" he asked.
"I think I've found a Wind Soaring Dragon, but… it has four wings?" She squinted. "I'm not entirely sure."
Ye Wen's eyes lit up with excitement. "Is its color different too? Instead of gray brown, is it a shade of green?"
Huo Yu'er nodded.
Ye Wen broke into a smile. "It has to be. That's no ordinary Wind Soaring Dragon it's an ancestral variant. A Four Winged Soaring Dragon, whose bloodline is nearly that of the true dragon ancestor, the Celestial Azure Wind Dragon."
But Ye Wen's excitement quickly turned to concern. Such a soul beast would be exceptionally rare, with a strength well beyond what he could absorb at his current limit of around 700 years. This would mean passing up an amazing opportunity.
He took a deep breath and asked, "Can you see the scales on its abdomen? A Four Winged Soaring Dragon's rank can be identified by the number of reversed scales."
Huo Yu'er strained her eyes but found it impossible to make an accurate count. The Four Winged Soaring Dragon was moving too quickly, even for her enhanced vision. Eventually, she closed her eyes in frustration, shaking her head.
At this, Huo Rui couldn't help but step in. "Why go through all that trouble? Yu'er, just tell me the location, and I'll grab it for a closer look."
Relieved, Huo Yu'er pointed out the direction. With a powerful leap, Huo Rui launched herself into the air, her strength propelling her through the forest so quickly that Ye Wen and Huo Yu'er lost sight of her.
Ye Wen watched, momentarily awestruck. "Incredible!" he muttered.
Huo Yu'er chuckled, amused by his reaction.
Despite their lighthearted exchange, they knew that the Star Dou Forest was no place for complacency. After a moment, they composed themselves, keeping vigilant against the dangers lurking nearby.
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Chapter 690: The Wind Devourer of Gods Part Two
According to Huo Yu'er's description, the Four Winged Sky Dragon was approximately fifteen kilometers away. Even with Huo Rui moving at top speed, it would take her at least ten minutes to return. Meanwhile, the soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest were far stronger than those of later generations. Encountering a hundred year soul beast here was common, and while Ye Wen was confident in his abilities, he knew caution was essential.
As Huo Yu'er regained some of her energy, she activated her second soul skill once more, sweeping her gaze over their surroundings. Not detecting any powerful soul beasts nearby, she signaled to Ye Wen to relax a bit.
Ye Wen, though grateful, maintained a vigilant posture. His philosophy was clear: if he didn't prioritize his own safety, no one else would. But rather than being offended by his caution, Huo Yu'er looked at him fondly, appreciating his steadfastness.
"Ah, that reliable sense of security," she thought with a soft smile.
Then Ye Wen glanced down at their clothes. While neither wore particularly bright colors, in the hostile forest, it felt wise to find cover near the rocks. Just as he was about to suggest this to Huo Yu'er, he caught sight of a furry white figure moving just behind her.
Soul beast!
That was his first thought. And given the blood soaked history between humans and soul beasts, Ye Wen wasn't naive enough to believe that any soul beast lurking nearby was just there to admire Huo Yu'er.
"Martial soul, manifest! First soul skill: Armament!"
In the blink of an eye, Ye Wen summoned his Na Na martial soul and swiftly reached for it. Within a second, his entire body was covered in gleaming silver armor.
The hidden soul beast, realizing its ambush had been exposed, abandoned its stealth and revealed itself fully. As the familiar form of a wind baboon came into view, Ye Wen's mind immediately recognized it a notorious soul beast with a reputation for cunning and aggression.
There was no time for words. The baboon lunged forward, swiping its razor sharp claws through the air and unleashing a barrage of wind blades at the pair!
Ye Wen didn't hesitate. He pulled Huo Yu'er close and, with a powerful leap, carried them both out of the attack's range. Momentarily caught up in the warmth of Ye Wen's arms, Huo Yu'er quickly snapped back to reality upon noticing the wind blades slicing through the air. She immediately activated her martial soul, entering a combat ready state.
Judging from its size, Ye Wen deduced that this wind baboon was approximately 200 years old. Against two great soul masters, it posed little threat. Once Huo Yu'er had also activated her martial soul, Ye Wen knew he could attack this cunning creature without hesitation.
As Ye Wen was about to unleash one of his secret weapons on the baboon, he suddenly paused, frozen by a chilling realization.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
A cold sweat broke out on Ye Wen's brow.
"Seriously? A whole pack? We're not Huo Yuhao or some protagonist destined for drama," he muttered in frustration.
Ye Wen knew he couldn't afford to panic. They just needed to hold out until Huo Rui returned, and victory would be theirs. With that in mind, he drew two long knives from his storage soul tool and said firmly to Huo Yu'er, "Yu'er, I'll take the lead. You cover me. Remember, our goal isn't to kill them all or escape it's to survive until Grandma returns. No matter what happens, stay calm."
Silent but resolute, Huo Yu'er retrieved a longbow from her storage soul tool, signaling her unwavering resolve. Ye Wen couldn't help but smile wryly, both touched and amused. Ah, the intoxicating gift of loyalty.
Inspired by Huo Yu'er's determination, Ye Wen's fighting spirit burned brighter. In the forest, soul beasts had no regard for honor or restraint. Once the 200 year old baboon leader saw that its pack had closed in on the pair, it let out a harsh screech, ordering its minions to attack!
Taking a deep breath, Ye Wen focused. Unlike Huo Yuhao, he had no mental sharing abilities, but the wind element coursing through the baboons made them conspicuous targets thanks to his elemental awareness.
With a predatory grin, Ye Wen charged forward. Thanks to his Armament skill's enhanced defense, he dismissed the smaller, weaker baboons. Dodging the incoming wind blades, his dual blades danced through the air, striking down each baboon that lunged at him with deadly precision.
Meanwhile, Huo Yu'er had transformed into a masterful archer. With her "Eagle Eye" skill boosting her aim, each arrow found its mark, striking a baboon through the throat.
Watching his pack fall in droves, the baboon leader grew frantic. It let out a furious howl and charged at Ye Wen, its claws bared and ready for blood.
By now, Ye Wen was in a rhythm. The thrill of combat heightened his senses, sharpening his instincts. As the baboon leader charged, Ye Wen matched its movement, meeting it head on.
"I'm aiming to ascend to godhood," Ye Wen muttered, his eyes ablaze with fierce determination. "And you dare to challenge me? You're no god slayer, just an ordinary beast destined to die here!"
Roaring in fury, Ye Wen clashed with the baboon leader, his twin blades intercepting its claws and preventing it from unleashing another wind blade attack.
Though the baboon leader's experience showed it parried Ye Wen's strikes skillfully, locking him in a brutal stalemate. Its claws, hardened like steel, clashed with Ye Wen's swords, holding him at bay. But just as the surrounding baboons prepared to swarm in for a killing blow, a savage grin crossed Ye Wen's face.
"Never underestimate my first soul skill!"
As the thought flashed in his mind, the baboon leader's vicious expression shifted to one of bewilderment. In an instant, the armor on Ye Wen's chest morphed into a deadly spike, piercing the baboon leader's heart.
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