Douluo Continent — Outer Region of the Star Dou Forest
The Star Dou Forest was the largest and most ancient gathering place of soul beasts on the Douluo Continent. As far as the eye could see, towering ancient trees stood shoulder to shoulder. Their branches intertwined above, spreading endlessly as emerald mist drifted through the air. The forest pulsed with such dense vitality that it almost felt tangible.
ROAR—!
A furious roar shattered the forest's stillness.
A massive black shadow leapt forward. Wherever it passed, ancient trees toppled like harvested wheat, crashing violently to the ground.
It was a soul beast resembling a gigantic ape. Its body was wrapped in steel-like dark brown fur, and though it ran on all fours, its shoulder height exceeded seven meters. Its build was terrifyingly robust—every muscle harder than granite, each bulge resembling a small mountain.
Vajra Baboon.
Two thousand years of cultivation.
Among soul beasts, the Vajra Baboon was infamous.
First, it was the largest of all ape-type soul beasts. Its brute musculature granted it overwhelming physical strength, speed, attack power, and defense. Aside from lacking ranged attacks, it was nearly flawless.
Second, despite being an ape-type soul beast, its intelligence was exceptionally low. It acted purely on instinct—violent, bloodthirsty, and tyrannical. If it disliked something, it attacked without hesitation. Many soul beasts avoided it entirely.
And yet—
This so-called embodiment of brute force was running away.
The savagery once filling its yellow beast eyes had vanished, replaced by raw fear and unease. It repeatedly glanced backward, as if something unspeakable was pursuing it.
"First Soul Skill — Radiant Spirit Array."
A clear, calm voice rang out.
A massive golden seven-pointed star formation instantly materialized above the Vajra Baboon. Streams of light shimmered like falling stardust, as if the chaos of the mortal world had been brushed away by divine strokes painted across the sky.
ROAR!
As the radiant beams descended, the Vajra Baboon halted abruptly, clasping its arms over its head to protect its vital points.
The light carried a chilling metallic sharpness. Its arm-formed defense was cleaved open vertically, like a gate violently forced apart. Blood sprayed outward as a shadow descended from above.
Ling Bai spread his angelic wings.
Behind him, a hazy illusion of six phantom wings enveloped his form. In his hand was a three-foot-long golden sword. Beneath his feet, one yellow and two purple soul rings gleamed brilliantly.
His handsome face was calm and emotionless. His golden eyes held only cold, merciless killing intent.
The Vajra Baboon roared in fury. Feeling Ling Bai's overwhelming killing aura, it finally snapped. Its massive body surged forward like an armored war vehicle. A pillar-like arm swung upward, howling through the air as it smashed toward Ling Bai's head.
The Angel Sacred Sword descended in response.
The moment blade met arm, a thunderous explosion erupted. The ground beneath the Vajra Baboon fractured inch by inch, cracks spreading wildly as dust and debris filled the air.
From within the smoke came a piercing scream.
A fur-covered arm flew out and crashed to the ground, tracing a perfect arc through the air.
The severed limb was cut cleanly. Golden light surged as blood poured out. A destructive energy rapidly invaded the Vajra Baboon's body, racing through its limbs and core.
Though its intelligence was low, its survival instincts screamed a warning.
If this battle dragged on, its strength would only continue to drain—until it became nothing more than prey on a butcher's block.
Enduring the intense internal damage, the Vajra Baboon lunged forward with its remaining battered arm, clawing straight toward Ling Bai's abdomen.
Ling Bai appeared momentarily unresponsive.
The Vajra Baboon's claw pierced through his body.
Its massive mouth curled into a triumphant grin.
The next instant—
Its hand passed straight through.
No blood spilled.
Ling Bai's body faded, dissolving into scattered particles of light.
Afterimage!
ROAR?!
The Vajra Baboon hurriedly guarded its vitals, but a brilliant golden sword light slashed down across its back.
Dark fur exploded into fragments, scattering like glowing embers throughout the forest.
Blood-speckled light drifted through the emerald greenery, hauntingly beautiful.
Ling Bai reappeared before the Vajra Baboon. The Angel Sacred Sword in his hand blazed even sharper, his wings fully unfurled. His soul power surged as the three soul rings beneath him rose and fell rhythmically.
At that moment, two figures arrived at high speed.
The first was a striking girl with fiery red hair tied into a high ponytail. Two faintly glowing yellow soul rings marked her as a Rank-Two Grand Soul Master. Crimson, diamond-shaped dragon scales covered her arms—but they were cracked and fragile, as if they might shatter at any touch. A trace of blood stained her lips.
The second girl surpassed her in both beauty and presence.
Platinum hair cascaded down her waist. Her eyes were a serene lake-blue. Floating above her palm was a seven-colored Glazed Pagoda, its radiant light accentuating her flawless, sacred features.
"Brother Bai, how is it?"
Her voice carried unmistakable concern.
"I'm fine. You and Wu Feng, stay alert."
Ling Bai narrowed his eyes, locking onto the heavily injured Vajra Baboon.
"It's going to fight to the death."
"Clack… clack…"
The Vajra Baboon pushed itself upright on its hind legs. Once fully standing, its height surpassed ten meters. Its fangs ground together, emitting a shrill scraping sound. Bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at the three of them.
These humans—persistent, relentless, impossible to shake!
Especially the one who could fly.
ROAR—!
Pain and fury finally drove the Vajra Baboon into madness.
Its eyes turned completely blood-red. Even its dark fur seemed to ignite, deepening rapidly until it became a sinister crimson.
Innate Soul Skill — Berserk!
Its aura exploded violently. Already low in intellect, the berserk state erased its final shred of reason, turning it into a relentless killing machine.
Pain vanished.
Its massive body expanded once more. The remaining arm swung wildly, generating a chain of sonic booms as the enormous creature launched itself forward like a living cannonball toward Ling Bai.
The pressure from the berserk Vajra Baboon was overwhelming.
Even from a distance, the violent gusts caused Ning Tian and Wu Feng's faces to pale. One bit her lip stubbornly, staring at Ling Bai's calm figure in the sky. The other summoned her two yellow soul rings.
"The Seven Treasures emerge with Glazed Light!
Seven Treasures, First: Strength!
Second: Speed!"
Brilliant light erupted from the Glazed Pagoda.
Two seven-colored chains shot from its first two levels, instantly merging into Ling Bai's body.
A curved arc of sword energy descended like a golden meteor, trailing a dazzling tail of light.
To the Vajra Baboon, it was a beauty that spelled death.
Golden radiance illuminated the forest—and the faces of both Ling Bai and the Vajra Baboon.
Ling Bai saw shock and fury flash across the beast's face.
And the Vajra Baboon saw the icy bloodlust in Ling Bai's eyes—
Along with the purple glow of his second soul ring, now shining brilliantly.
Six-Winged Angel — Second Soul Skill:
Evil-Repelling Slash!
ROAR!!!
Ling Bai passed straight through.
The world seemed to shatter.
Sunlight filtered through the towering branches, bathing him in golden brilliance. Behind him, the massive soul beast froze mid-roar—then collapsed thunderously to the ground.
(End of Chapter)