Boom!
Another deafening explosion echoed as a terrifying wave of soul power erupted. The Titan Giant Ape was forced back several steps before it could steady itself. The ground beneath its feet sank into a series of deep craters, and the shockwaves from its heavy stomps caused large chunks of the lakeshore to collapse into the Lake of Life, sending up towering splashes of water.
In terms of raw strength, the Titan Giant Ape was equivalent to a Rank 95 Title Douluo. With its Gravity Domain activated, it could stand against a Rank 96 and even challenge a Rank 97 beast-type Title Douluo. But its domain was being completely countered by Qian Xunji's Angel Domain, leaving it unable to hold its ground against the Lion Douluo.
Crack—crack—crack!
Suddenly, the frozen surface of the Lake of Life, sealed earlier by the Lightfeather Douluo, shattered. A large, fin-like object burst out of the ice. As it extended rapidly from the lake, its full form became visible — it was a snake's tail! The tail whipped through the air toward Qian Xunji with a speed that created sonic booms in its wake.
The attacker was naturally the Sky Azure Bull Python. Though trapped beneath the ice, its spiritual senses were unhindered, and it had clearly identified Qian Xunji as the leader among the three Title Douluo. Hence, it had chosen to strike at the source.
"You finally came out, Sky Azure Bull Python! You're quite cunning for a beast."
"Sixth Soul Skill: Crystal Ice Shield!"
Lightfeather Douluo's expression turned grim. His sixth soul ring lit up beneath his feet. Behind him, a pair of crystalline wings formed from ice, and he raised his bow. A large shield of icy blue soul power appeared before him.
Just then, a powerful pulse of soul energy surged from the forest behind them. A streak of pink light zipped forward with blinding speed, even faster than the Sky Azure Bull Python's strike. Qian Xunji and Lightfeather Douluo both caught sight of the intruder with their heightened senses.
It was a large, snowy-white rabbit — the 100,000-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit, Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu used a teleportation-type soul skill to rapidly approach. Just as she reached Qian Xunji, she flipped in mid-air and kicked at his waist with her hind legs.
Those legs, honed through ten thousand years of life-or-death survival in the Star Dou Forest, were explosively powerful. A direct hit would undoubtedly shatter bones.
"Not good!"
Qian Xunji noticed her the moment she began teleporting. With a flap of his six wings, he shoved Lightfeather Douluo aside, then activated his second soul ring. His body turned transparent.
Second Soul Skill: Angel Wings — Grants immunity to physical attacks and reduces energy-based damage by 50%.
The Sky Azure Bull Python's tail passed harmlessly through Qian Xunji's now-intangible form and instead swung toward Xiao Wu, who had just turned around to attack.
"Sister Xiao Wu, dodge!"
"Invincible Golden Body!"
A golden light enveloped Xiao Wu's body, forming an impregnable barrier. The bull python's tail slammed into it with a loud metallic clang, but the shockwave was completely absorbed — Xiao Wu didn't even budge.
"Three 100,000-year soul beasts...!"
The playful grin disappeared from Lightfeather Douluo's face, replaced by a look of grave seriousness. Lion Douluo was the same. The combined power of these three beasts clearly surpassed their own, even with Qian Xunji on their side.
They quickly scanned the forest with spiritual perception to ensure no other soul beasts were hidden. The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had already cleared the surrounding ten-thousand-year beasts to protect Ah Rou.
Even if any remained, the sheer aura of six Title Douluo-level beings would have driven them off in terror.
Qian Xunji, Lightfeather Douluo, and Lion Douluo hovered tensely in the sky. Below, the Titan Giant Ape, Sky Azure Bull Python, and Xiao Wu gathered their forces — brown, green, and pink soul energy surged violently. A second battle was imminent.
"Sister Xiao Wu, Second Brother — we must kill them now! If we don't, they'll bring more Title Douluo next time, and none of us — not even Aunt Rou — will survive!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python's voice rang in their minds. As the strategic mind behind the group, it understood the gravity of the situation: no faction sends its entire strength to hunt soul beasts. If Qian Xunji's group represented half their forces, more would surely follow.
Gravity Domain! Slowing Domain!
The two fields erupted simultaneously. Even Qian Xunji, with his powerful Angel Domain, couldn't suppress both. The trio instantly felt the effects weighing on them.
Sensing the murderous intent from the soul beasts, Lion and Lightfeather Douluo's eyes flashed with killing intent of their own.
"Fourth and Fifth Worshippers, if you trust me — Qian Xunji — then tell me your soul skills!"
Qian Xunji's voice echoed in their minds. Xiao Wu's arrival had tilted the balance. Beast soul power was naturally denser than humans'. Prolonged battle would only spell defeat. Only a coordinated plan could bring hope of victory.
The two Douluo snapped out of their agitation, momentarily confused by the request. Still, they quickly relayed their soul skills.
Qian Xunji's mind raced. After a brief pause, a confident smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
"I'll lead us to victory — follow my orders!"
He activated his seventh soul ring. Behind him, a towering six-winged angel manifested. Then his sixth soul ring lit up.
"Sixth Soul Skill: Angel's Roar!"
He let out a thunderous shout. Golden soul power surged from the corners of his eyes. The sonic wave carried a spiritual impact, targeting everyone — soul masters and beasts alike.
Lion Douluo, Lightfeather Douluo, the Titan Giant Ape, and the Sky Azure Bull Python all had powerful spiritual resistance. Though momentarily dazed, they endured.
But Xiao Wu — she couldn't.
Her lowly Soft-Boned Rabbit bloodline had always been a weakness. Her spiritual power couldn't withstand the sonic wave. She collapsed in agony, clutching her head. Blood trickled from her eyes and nose as she moaned in pain.
"Fourth Worshipper — use your ninth soul skill on the Soft-Boned Rabbit! Trust me!"
Lion Douluo hesitated. In theory, their priority should be the Titan Giant Ape or the Bull Python — the bigger threats. But hearing Qian Xunji's words, he trusted him.
His ninth soul ring lit up. Flames erupted from his martial soul as a majestic lion's roar burst forth. Soul power forged into solid chains coiled around his arm.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Soul-Shattering Heavenly Roar!"
He charged like a flaming meteor toward the defenseless Xiao Wu.
"You dare?!" ×2
The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape roared furiously. Xiao Wu, defenseless under the spiritual attack, would surely die from a direct hit. Lion Douluo's strike felt like a death sentence — to the one they cherished most.
Both beasts lunged. The Titan Giant Ape's mountainous form leapt with unexpected agility, swinging a massive fist. The Bull Python's tail lashed out like lightning.
But neither dared unleash their ultimate moves — Titan Heaven Cannon or Azure Annihilation Thunder — for fear of harming Xiao Wu.
"Fifth Worshipper! Now! Aim for the Bull Python's heart — use your eighth soul skill!"
"Understood!"
Lightfeather Douluo's roguish smile returned. He hadn't expected that little rabbit to mean so much to both beasts.
(End of Chapter)
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