Gu You had completely given up. With all the soul beasts avoiding him, what else could he do?
Rustle — crash!
The steady sound of bushes and trees being disturbed reached his sharp ears. He estimated it was about forty meters away.
Just then, a sharp, panicked voice called out.
"Gu You, help me!"
With a flash of silver light, a figure appeared not far from his side. Her feet glowed with green light as she ran swiftly toward him.
Behind her, a deep growl rumbled as a massive figure loomed into sight.
Gu You's eyes widened. 'Oh come on! Don't drag your mess here… a Crystal Bear, and such a big one too?' He had been fretting over not finding any soul beasts — who knew the plot would work in his favor like this? In the original story, Gu Yue should have lured it toward Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, but here she was, bringing it straight to him. Maybe it was a ripple effect from how he'd provoked Gu Yue earlier. Still, he was grateful. Of course, that didn't mean he'd help for free — especially with such a good opportunity. The Crystal Bear was clearly half-berserk, and his dragon-type aura only had partial effect on it.
The thousand-year Crystal Bear plowed forward like a bulldozer, flattening shrubs and toppling smaller trees. Anything it rammed crystallized and shattered into dust. Its presence was nothing short of terrifying.
With another flash of silver, Gu Yue reached Gu You. Her delicate face was pale, obviously drained of soul power. Without hesitation, she darted behind him.
Gu You smiled. "Now you want my help? Weren't you just badmouthing me outside?"
Gu Yue gave an awkward little laugh. "You're the strongest here… I was afraid if I led it to Tang Wulin and the others, they wouldn't be able to handle it. So, using my sense of elemental energy in the air, I came looking for you."
The massive Crystal Bear was now only six or seven meters away. Its terrifying aura was already crystallizing everything within two or three meters.
Outside the simulation, Wu Zhangkong calmly watched the scene. He had already guessed Gu Yue would seek out Gu You. Facing a thousand-year soul beast wasn't something you solved with brute force alone. Technically, Gu Yue could have teamed up with Tang Wulin's group, but going to Gu You was undoubtedly the smarter choice. No one there truly understood Gu You's strength — but just the title of nine-year-old Soul Elder was enough to demand respect.
"It's charging at us," Gu Yue cried, trying to pull away. But then she realized her hand was firmly gripped by Gu You — she couldn't move.
"You…?"
Gu You glanced at her casually. "Trust me. Let it come five or six meters closer. I guarantee I can kill it."
"It's going to crystallize everything! Let me go, what exactly are you trying to do?" Gu Yue struggled, but her strength was no match for his — like an ant trying to move an elephant.
"Call me big brother. If you don't, I'll toss you over there." Gu You teased with a grin. The Crystal Bear was now just four meters away.
The crystallization effect was setting in.
Outside, Long Hengxu slammed his palm on the table.
"Ridiculous! Hey—ow!" The force of hitting the metal table left his hand numb. "At a time like this, he's pulling petty revenge? I know they've been squabbling a bit, but this is real combat, with real mental feedback! This isn't the time for childish grudges."
Wu Zhangkong frowned slightly. From the first time he'd met Gu You, he had sensed this boy was extraordinary. But still, why create such a dangerous scene? There was barely enough time left, but maybe — just maybe — Gu You could react at the last instant, strike the Crystal Bear, use the recoil to leap back with Gu Yue, and defeat the beast with her help. Wu Zhangkong genuinely wanted to see Gu You's combat ability. But if he was really going to wait for Gu Yue's answer before fighting, well… he had no words. Either way, once they were out, this attitude would absolutely have to be corrected. As people said online these days: you really don't want to… heh, right?
Gu Yue clenched her teeth. 'What a bastard! Who plays like this? I was too careless. So sly — humans are too sly.' But how could she bring herself to call him big brother? Wouldn't that be completely lowering herself?
The Crystal Bear was only two or three meters away now, its massive form rearing up. Crystals were already starting to spread over Gu You's arms. Gu Yue's heart raced. She had no choice. She knew exactly what would happen if she got crystallized — the excruciating pain of shattering. In the real world, it might just count as death with no feeling, but in this simulation — a spiritual feedback system — having your simulated body crushed meant your mind suffered the equivalent. That kind of pain was unimaginable. Forget just fainting — your ears, nose, mouth, and eyes could end up bleeding.
"Big brother!" Gu Yue finally shouted out.
Gu You no longer held back. In an instant, a destructive aura surged from him, dissolving the crystallization spreading over his body. Purple dragon scales covered his arms up to his chest, and dragon might radiated outward.
The Crystal Bear's massive paw slammed down — Gu You met it head-on. The tremendous impact even cracked the ground beneath them. Using the recoil, Gu You swept up Gu Yue and retreated to a safe distance before letting her go.
"Since you called me big brother, of course I have to protect you." Gu You's pupils narrowed into dragon-like slits. In their earlier clash, he had deliberately held back — otherwise, the shockwave might've blasted Gu Yue away. Now, though, he was free to finish it in one strike.
Outside, Long Hengxu stared wide-eyed. "What the hell… that kind of strength is insane."
By now, Wang Jinxi had woken up from unconsciousness, though his face was still pale. He still felt the eerie cold of spider legs piercing in and out of him, shivering from the aftereffects — far worse than what Zhang Yangzi had gone through.
Zhang Yangzi himself, having just exited the spirit ascension platform after his own mishap, could only watch speechlessly. Seeing Gu You stand unafraid against crystallization, taking on sheer force head-to-head… he knew that even with his own superior martial soul and confident skills, he had no chance of defeating someone like that.
It was terrifying — truly terrifying.
Roar!
The Crystal Bear went into berserk mode. No matter how powerful Gu You's dragon aura was, it had no effect now.
'Time to die.'
(End of chapter)
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