"Boom!"
Xiao Tianyang struck a five-thousand-year-old soul beast with his palm, forcing it back as sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Why are you more stubborn than a bull? I already said I'd let you go, so why won't you leave?"
"Woof!" Bubu barked from the side.
"Of course, I know it's a bull!" Xiao Tianyang shot it a glare.
"Moo!" The golden-armored bull stomped its front hooves in the air, launching two powerful air cannons straight at Xiao Tianyang.
"Alright, fine! If you won't leave, I will!" Xiao Tianyang glanced reluctantly at the mushroom patch behind him before turning around and walking away.
He had discovered this cluster of rare mushrooms first, but the golden-armored bull had challenged him to a fight to claim them. Seeing an opportunity to earn lottery points and obtain the mushrooms, he had gladly accepted the challenge.
However, he had underestimated the bull's intelligence. Even after losing, it refused to concede and resorted to playing tricks.
If not for its lack of killing intent, Xiao Tianyang might have considered turning it into beef meatballs. But he wasn't about to abandon his principles over something trivial.
The mushrooms were only ingredients—not worth taking the life of a five-thousand-year soul beast.
His decision to leave seemed to startle the golden-armored bull, but it quickly ignored him and turned back to munching on the mushrooms.
"It's about time." Xiao Tianyang pulled out a pocket watch and then looked at Bubu.
"Lead the way. We're heading back."
Just then, a figure emerged from the dense foliage.
Bubu immediately tensed up, jumping back with bared teeth and a fierce growl.
"...It's you?" Xiao Tianyang's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively prepared for a battle.
"We agreed to meet in a year. Are you really planning to kill me now?"
The figure standing before him was none other than the young man he had fought at the Great Soul Arena. Somehow, he had managed to track Xiao Tianyang down in the depths of the Star Dou Forest.
"Relax, I'm not here to kill you." The young man met his gaze with a solemn expression, "I just need to tell you something."
Xiao Tianyang relaxed slightly upon hearing this. He knew the young man well enough to believe him. But keeping some distance was still wise—after all, emotions can turn deadly in an instant.
"Go ahead. If it's something within my ability, I'll help you."
The young man hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "I'm not here to ask for help. I just want you to keep my identity a secret."
Understanding dawned on Xiao Tianyang, and he nodded without hesitation.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
After a brief pause, he added, "Is there anything else?"
The young man hesitated again before asking, "If I invite you again now, would you accept?"
Xiao Tianyang smiled and shook his head, "I'm used to my freedom. I don't do well with restrictions."
A flicker of disappointment crossed the young man's eyes, but he quickly masked it, "I'll see you in a year, then."
Xiao Tianyang raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You're still keeping that promise?"
"Of course." The young man's gaze was sharp as lightning. "I can't afford to lose to a Soul Grandmaster as a Soul Emperor."
Xiao Tianyang smirked. "Then you'd better work hard. My progress is faster than you can imagine."
"I know." The young man studied him for a moment before asking, "Are you planning to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Grand Tournament?"
Ding! Host has triggered the main mission: [Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Grand Tournament].
Objective: Achieve first place!
Mission Reward: Soul Ring lifespan increased by 800 years!"
Xiao Tianyang wasn't surprised. He had expected this mission, though he thought it would be assigned by his master. Instead, it had been triggered by this young man.
Without hesitation, he nodded, "How could an outstanding young man like me not participate?"
The young man hesitated for a moment, then tossed him a token.
Xiao Tianyang caught it and turned it over in his palm, his eyes widening in shock.
The token bore six intricate patterns—each representing one of the six renowned Titled Douluo of the Soul Beast Continent.
Flipping it over, he saw a Seraphim emblem.
This was the Elder's Token of the Spirit Hall!
"Why are you giving me this?" Xiao Tianyang frowned in confusion.
"With your strength, the Spirit Hall will take an interest in you." The young man's voice lowered, "If you don't want to join them, use this to refuse."
Xiao Tianyang instantly understood, "Thanks, then."
He raised the token with a smile.
For some reason, the young man's heart trembled at that smile.
Looking slightly flustered, he quickly turned away, "Goodbye!"
Xiao Tianyang waved, "Goodbye!"
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
Suddenly, Bubu barked sharply, its posture tense with panic.
Xiao Tianyang's heart clenched. A suffocating sense of danger surged over him.
Without saying anything and abandoning all attempts at concealment, he unfurled the black crystal phoenix wings on his back, grabbed the young man, and dashed in the opposite direction of the threat.
At that moment—
"Boom!"
A massive foot crashed down, sending a powerful shockwave that splintered the surrounding ancient trees in half!
The ground beneath the impact site caved in, cracks snaking outward like spiderwebs.
"ROOOAAAR!"
A towering figure loomed over them, charging forward like a living bulldozer!
"Dammit! I let my guard down for just a moment, and it slipped past me!"
Xiao Tianyang cursed as he glanced back.
That oppressive feeling surged again, and in response, he activated his Ancient God's Eyes—
Soul Beast: Sky-Swallowing Demonic Beast
Type: Divine Beast / Strength / Undead
Age: 19,700 years
Xiao Tianyang's face paled.
He had expected trouble after killing the Xuanjing Evil Phoenix, but he hadn't anticipated attracting something this terrifying!
A nearly 20,000-year-old soul beast!
Such an existence was almost unheard of in the outer area of the Star Dou Forest!
And the "Undead" classification…Could it be that this monstrous Sky-Devouring Beast was somehow connected to the Xuanjing Evil Phoenix?
…
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