Douluo: AFK to Become a God

"Netherworld Shadow Leopard?"

The moment he saw the creature, Chu Chengzhou immediately recognized the soul beast.

The Netherworld Shadow Leopard is a top-tier speed and attack-type soul beast. Under the same age, it surpasses the Netherworld Spirit Cat in speed and prefers the darker, shaded areas of forests. It is known as one of the most terrifying assassins in the soul beast world.

From the aura it emitted, Chu Chengzhou estimated that this particular one was around 4,000 years old.

However, the condition of this Netherworld Shadow Leopard was not ideal. Its right front paw, with its sharp claws, was broken, and its back was covered in more than a dozen large and small claw marks, from which blood was continuously oozing out.

It seemed likely that it had been the target of a soul master, probably one with a soul power level around 40, who specialized in speed and attack.

Seeing the "two roadblocks" ahead, the fleeing Netherworld Shadow Leopard came to a sudden stop, its four limbs digging into the ground as it made an abrupt halt.

"Roar—!"

At that moment, another loud tiger roar echoed, and a massive white tiger, over seven meters long and radiating a purple aura with purple stripes all over its body, leaped out from behind. Its enormous claws struck down directly at the halted Netherworld Shadow Leopard.

"Boom—!"

With the strength comparable to a five-ringed Soul King specializing in attack, the massive white tiger's paw slammed down, driving the unprepared Netherworld Shadow Leopard deep into the earth by over a foot.

The next moment, countless golden light dots floated out from the bloodied corpse of the leopard, gradually forming into a purple soul ring.

"Huh? It even dropped a soul bone?"

Suddenly, Flanders, who had been observing the scene, exclaimed in surprise.

He could sense a faint soul power fluctuation that was unique to soul bones coming from the disfigured corpse of the leopard.

Before Flanders could finish his words, the giant white tiger, which had just slain the Netherworld Shadow Leopard with a single swipe, turned its massive head toward them, its expression unfriendly.

As everyone knows, soul bones are treasures in the world of soul masters.

Even if soul bones are dropped by soul beasts killed by a team of soul masters, there is still the possibility of betrayal and backstabbing over them. This is even more so when dealing with strangers.

"Flanders, I think we should leave now~."

Chu Chengzhou whispered to Flanders.

If he wasn't mistaken, the enormous purple-striped white tiger was most likely the signature soul beast of the Dai family from the Star Luo Empire, famous throughout the continent for their martial soul fusion technique: the Netherworld White Tiger.

Considering the aura of this Netherworld White Tiger, which was comparable to a five-ringed Soul King, and the fact that it had been chasing a 4,000-year-old Netherworld Shadow Leopard, it was highly probable that the fusion was performed by a white tiger soul master with a soul power level around four rings, paired with a 40-level Netherworld Spirit Cat soul master.

For someone like Flanders, who was a seven-ringed Soul Saint, he wasn't afraid of the Netherworld White Tiger, which was comparable to a five-ringed Soul King but not yet a six-ringed Soul Emperor.

However, this was the Star Dou Forest, and if the Star Luo royal family had arranged for such a powerful protector, things could get complicated.

It wasn't that Flanders was afraid of encountering this situation—after all, not every encounter led to a fight. Most of the time, even when two parties met by chance, they would part ways without conflict. But the situation was different now. The Netherworld Shadow Leopard had dropped a soul bone, and the possibility of a confrontation had increased significantly.

Flanders wasn't interested in this 4,000-year-old soul bone. He had no intention of seizing it, especially since it belonged to the Star Luo royal family. Even if he had such thoughts, he wouldn't have the courage to act on them. However, the royal family might not think the same way.

If they suspected that Flanders and Chu Chengzhou had designs on the soul bone, they might not hesitate to strike. The question was, would they fight back or simply flee?

Facing a likely situation where the enemy was stronger, Chu Chengzhou thought that the best course of action was to follow the old saying: "If you can't beat them, run away."

But before Flanders could respond, a tall, muscular man with golden hair suddenly appeared in the forest. With a few leaps, the man arrived at the side of the Netherworld White Tiger.

"Leave this place!"

The golden-haired man glanced at the leopard's corpse and then sized up Flanders. Upon realizing that Flanders was only a seven-ringed Soul Saint, he released a faint pressure and coldly ordered.

'An eight-ringed Soul Douluo?!'

Flanders' pupils contracted slightly as he sensed the fleeting powerful aura from the golden-haired man.

An eight-ringed Soul Douluo—this was not someone from Shrek Academy who could be easily provoked.

"Senior, we will take our leave now!"

Flanders, clearly someone who knew when to back down, immediately decided to leave. Although he was annoyed by the man's tone, there was nothing he could do about it. After all, the other party was clearly more powerful.

Chu Chengzhou secretly let out a sigh of relief. As long as things didn't escalate into the worst-case scenario, he was satisfied.

As for the man's arrogant attitude and domineering tone?

The golden-haired, muscular man was most likely someone from the Star Luo royal family. Once they returned, he would take care of this issue by giving Dai Mubai a few more beatings.

"Wait!"

Just as Flanders and Chu Chengzhou were about to leave, the golden-haired man spoke again.

"Senior, is there anything else?"

The two of them froze and turned to face him.

"This kid stays."

The golden-haired man pointed at Chu Chengzhou.

"!!!"

Chu Chengzhou's eyes widened in disbelief.

He was confused. He had no grudge against this man, so why was he being singled out?

"This kid, I can't see through his soul power level. Does he have some treasure or special secret technique? Hand it over!"

The golden-haired man said arrogantly.

Earlier, he had focused on Flanders, not paying much attention to Chu Chengzhou. But now, as the two were about to leave, he noticed something unusual about Chu Chengzhou.

After all, he was an eight-ringed Soul Douluo. If he couldn't see through the soul power of a soul master, it either meant the other party was stronger or that they possessed a treasure or special technique that concealed their aura.

Given that Chu Chengzhou appeared to be no more than fifteen years old, it was impossible for his soul power to exceed the golden-haired man's. Therefore, the only explanation was that Chu Chengzhou must have some treasure or secret technique.

Regardless of the reason, the golden-haired man was determined to get to the bottom of it.

As for whether Chu Chengzhou was willing to hand it over?

That didn't matter. This was the Star Dou Forest, and in this place, the strong ruled. His words were the law.

'Hand over the secret technique?'

Chu Chengzhou's expression darkened. He hadn't intended to cause any conflict, but he never expected things to escalate to this point.

Normally, he wouldn't have concealed his aura, and at most, he would have only hidden the color of his soul rings when fighting. But in the Star Dou Forest, where danger lurked at every turn, he had been suppressing his presence to avoid attracting soul beasts.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten that such an action might seem suspicious to high-level soul masters.

And to make matters worse, it was the royal family's expert who had noticed it.