Ten-thousand-year soul beasts rarely venture out of the core area of the Star Dou Forest.
Even though the Sky-Swallowing Demonic Beast had appeared last time, it was unlikely that such a threat would emerge again this time.
Moreover, Bubu had memorized the aura and life fluctuations of the previous intruder, giving it the confidence to allow Xiao Tianyang to venture deeper into the forest without constant fear of danger.
If another ten-thousand-year soul beast were to ambush Xiao Tianyang, Bubu could detect it within a two-kilometer radius.
At that distance, unless the soul beast was exceptionally fast, Xiao Tianyang could escape unscathed. It was precisely because of this assurance that Bubu felt confident in guaranteeing his safety.
However, just as they were preparing to delve deeper into the Star Dou Forest, Qian Renxue, who was following behind, found herself in trouble!
…
Boom!
A deafening explosion resounded through the air as orange flames erupted, engulfing a large area of the surrounding vegetation.
Qian Renxue stumbled back, her clothes slightly torn, her face pale, and her breathing heavy.
"Damn it! We're still on the outskirts! How could there be a Magma Flame soul beast here?" she cursed, wiping a streak of blood from the corner of her mouth. She plunged her sacred sword into the ground, using it to steady herself.
At that moment, a six-meter-tall humanoid creature made of molten magma emerged from the flames.
Magma Flame Soul Beast!
This was an extremely malevolent soul beast, known for its destructive capabilities.
The battle had just begun, and with a single ordinary attack, it had already incinerated a vast swath of the forest.
But the real issue wasn't just the burning—it was the complete annihilation of everything in the area. Unlike a normal fire, which merely burns, the Magma Flame Beast's attacks obliterated all life in its path.
Despite being a sworn enemy of other soul beasts, the Magma Flame Soul Beast cunning and ability to hide made it difficult for others to hunt it down.
Typically, these creatures could only survive for about five years, rarely reaching the ten-thousand-year mark. Yet, the one before Qian Renxue had somehow managed to survive for seventy thousand years—a fact that was both puzzling and alarming.
Of course, Qian Renxue had no time to ponder this mystery. Her immediate concern was survival.
The Magma Flame Soul Beast advanced, leaving behind deep craters and scorched earth.
It raised its right hand, and within moments, a massive stone ball began to form, quickly engulfed in flames and dripping with molten magma.
With a roar, the beast hurled the fireball—now the size of a water tank—directly at Qian Renxue.
This was no ordinary fireball like the one from the Sky Swallowing Demonic Beast. This was a solid mass of destruction.
If it hit, not only would Qian Renxue be obliterated, but even Xiao Tianyang would likely be severely injured, if not killed.
"First Soul Skill: Angel Assault!" Qian Renxue shouted, swinging her sacred sword. A golden light shield formed into a blade, slashing fiercely at the incoming fireball.
She couldn't dodge—the fireball emitted a powerful suction force, making evasion impossible.
Boom!
The collision shook the ground, causing the trees to tremble and leaves to scatter in all directions. Amid the chaos, a figure was sent flying, her light wings flapping desperately as she used the momentum to escape.
It was Qian Renxue, of course. But the price of her escape was severe—her back was now covered in painful burns.
The searing pain was unbearable, but what truly upset her was the thought of the scars that might remain. Before meeting Xiao Tianyang, she wouldn't have cared. But now, for some reason, she couldn't bear the thought of appearing disfigured in front of him.
"I'll remember this day," she muttered through gritted teeth, tears welling in her eyes. "I swear, I'll cut off your head one day!"
A flash of murderous intent gleamed in her eyes as she sped away, her determination fueling her escape.
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Tianyang was busy on his own mission. He had finally found his target.
"Alright, Bubu, you're definitely getting a top-notch reward this time! I'll treat you to a meaty bone when we get back!" Xiao Tianyang exclaimed excitedly as he spotted the soul beast in the distance.
Bubu, however, looked unimpressed.
'A single meaty bone? Not enough. It would take at least two to win me over.'
Xiao Tianyang, ever the showman, raised his index and middle fingers to his forehead, as if channeling some ancient power. It was a bit unnecessary, but he liked the dramatic flair.
With a flash of golden light, his "Ancient God's Eyes" activated, revealing the soul beast in the distance.
It was a magnificent creature—part tiger, part bear, with leopard-like patterns and a body wreathed in golden flames.
Golden Flame Bear Tiger!
This was an extremely rare soul beast.
Not only were its golden flames highly adhesive, but they also possessed a unique ability to amplify power to some extent.
As a student of the Comprehensive Department—essentially a jack-of-all-trades—Xiao Tianyang knew that this soul ring would be incredibly versatile, especially when paired with his Flame Emperor martial soul.
But when the information about the soul beast's age came back, his excitement turned to frustration.
Soul Beast: Golden Flame Bear Tiger
Type: Fire Soul Beast
Year: 69,999
"Seriously? Just one year short of the 70,000-year mark? Is my luck really this bad?" Xiao Tianyang groaned.
Bubu, sensing his master's disappointment, quietly stepped aside, not wanting to provoke any further irritation.
"Ah, forget it. I'll just have to find another one," Xiao Tianyang muttered, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.
He had spent so much time searching for a soul beast that was not only compatible but also just shy of the ideal age. But rules were rules, and a 69,999-year soul beast simply didn't meet the 70,000-year standard.
No matter how powerful he was, he couldn't force a soul ring to evolve mid-absorption. Besides, the benefits he had gained from the three-level lottery were already substantial.
The four-level lottery, which required 10,000 points, was his next goal, and he wasn't about to risk it for a soul ring that fell just short.
"If it weren't for the damn four-level lottery requirement, I'd take you down right now!" Xiao Tianyang grumbled, casting one last longing glance at the Golden Flame Bear Tiger.
As he turned to leave, he couldn't resist raising his hand in a mock salute, as if bidding farewell to an old friend. It was a childish gesture, but one that felt oddly fitting.
Coincidentally, the Golden Flame Bear Tiger turned its head at that exact moment, locking eyes with Xiao Tianyang. The atmosphere grew tense as the beast noticed the provocative gesture.
"Uh... would you believe me if I said this was a misunderstanding?" Xiao Tianyang asked with an awkward grin.
Roar!
The Golden Flame Bear Tiger's flames flared, as if donning a battle robe. It stood upright, its imposing figure radiating power, and began charging toward Xiao Tianyang.
"Alright, fine! I was planning to let bygones be bygones, but if you want a fight, I don't mind obliging!" Xiao Tianyang declared, his frustration finding an outlet.
This battle wasn't going to be easy. Dealing with a 70,000-year soul beast was no small feat, even for someone as skilled as Xiao Tianyang. But sometimes, a good fight was exactly what he needed to blow off steam.
…
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