Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 217: The Fierce Predator

Ahead, a towering Breakthrough Rhino grazed on leaves from nearby trees, its massive bulk resembling a small mountain. Yet, Ye Tianxin and her team showed no fear.

"Blazing Flame Dragon King Martial Soul Possession!" Liu Erlong's battle cry was fierce, and as the intense clash concluded, she wore a refreshed smile, wiping sweat from her brow. "Take care of it, Tianxin," she said with satisfaction.

The team gazed at the Rhino, now battered, bruised, and nearly unrecognizable. It was hard to reconcile this sight with the typically composed, intelligent Liu Erlong, who fought with such untamed ferocity.

Ye Tianxin couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at her aunt's transformation in battle, though her respect for her remained unwavering. "May you find a better life in your next reincarnation," she murmured, her tone calm but determined. Without hesitation, she hurled the Blue Gold Tyrant Spear, piercing the creature's skull and putting it out of its misery.

In the rhino's dying moments, its gaze softened, almost as if finding solace. It was finally free, away from the torment of a powerful opponent who had clearly outmatched it.

When the dark spirit ring appeared, Ye Tianxin crossed her legs and began the process of absorption, drawing it toward her Blue Gold Tyrant Spear.

"Hmm?" Ah Rou's sharp gaze caught something unusual. With a swift movement of her hand, a deep cut appeared on the Rhino's body, revealing an earthy colored torso bone.

The rest of the team barely reacted; they were well aware of the power of their own battle armor. Ah Rou nodded approvingly. "Tianxin, your luck is as impressive as ever."

It took some time, but Ye Tianxin finally completed the spirit ring absorption. Though the Rhino was only sixty thousand years old, its strength was formidable, equivalent to most eighty thousand year old beasts, making the process difficult.

"Will you absorb this spirit bone yourself, or bring it back for Director Ye to evaluate?" Ah Rou asked.

Ye Tianxin responded without hesitation. "I'll take it back to my father. While this spirit bone is powerful, its age is lower than what he would deem optimal. I'm certain he'll have something even better in mind for me in the future."

Satisfied, Ah Rou watched as Ye Tianxin stored the spirit bone.

Turning, Liu Erlong directed her gaze toward Ye Tianchen. "Tianchen, do you have any preference for your fifth spirit ring?"

Ye Tianchen pondered for a moment. "My father suggested several options, but I think enhancing my martial soul's sharpness would be best. If I can elevate it to a high enough level, I'll be able to cut through almost anything."

Ah Rou looked thoughtful. "How about a Ghost Cry Mantis?"

Ye Tianchen's eyes brightened. Among the countless spirit beasts, mantis type beasts were the ideal choice for enhancing a blade like martial soul. The Ghost Cry Mantis, in particular, was among the most fearsome, renowned for its devastating slashing abilities that aligned perfectly with his goal.

The Ghost Cry Mantis, however, was known to be extremely rare, having been hunted nearly to extinction because of its lethal potential. "Aunt Rou, is there one nearby?" Ye Tianchen asked eagerly.

Ah Rou nodded. "Yes, though its age is close to seventy thousand years. I'm not sure if you'll be able to handle it."

Ye Tianchen hesitated. Though he was talented, he estimated his limit was around sixty five thousand years, similar to his sister, Ye Tianxin.

At that moment, Liu Erlong chimed in. "Given how well it matches your needs, it would be a shame to let it go. Director Ye anticipated this possibility, so he provided me with a special item." With a glimmer of hope in his eyes, Ye Tianchen watched as Liu Erlong retrieved a small, pitch black object from her storage device.

"This is a ten thousand year old spirit whale gelatin. It should make up for the five thousand year gap."

Without delay, the team set out. The trail led them to a clearing unlike any other, desolate and bare, where trees had been cut to shreds and debris littered the ground.

Both Ye Tianxin and Ye Tianchen sensed something unusual. While their teammates possessed beast martial souls, they alone had honed their unique martial intents Ye Tianxin with her Spear Intent and Ye Tianchen with his Blade Intent. Though the terms varied, the underlying principle was the same.

"This desolation reeks of a terrifying slashing aura," Ye Tianxin warned. "We should prepare our battle armor."

As she and Ye Tianchen donned their single word armor, Ye Tianxin continued, "Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, keep your distance. This fight isn't suited for anyone below Spirit Saint rank. Aunt Rou, please protect them."

Trusting Ye Tianxin's instincts, Liu Erlong quickly equipped her own four word armor, Red Dragon Radiance, releasing a surging, fiery aura. Ah Rou also donned her four word battle armor, the universal set known as Crimson Storm. Though she was primarily a spirit beast, her human form was functional, and she'd come to view herself as a true member of Tianxing Academy.

As two powerful auras surged into the clearing, the Ghost Cry Mantis sensed their presence. Deep in its dark lair, a pair of blood red eyes gleamed ominously.

"It's coming!" Ye Tianxin and Ye Tianchen warned in unison.

Even without their alert, Ah Rou and Liu Erlong had already sensed the threat, feeling the sharp, chilling aura cutting through the air from over a hundred meters away.

Unfazed, Liu Erlong charged headlong into battle with the Mantis. Trusting her to handle the creature, Ah Rou remained vigilant over the younger spirit masters, keeping them out of harm's way.

The clash was intense; each blow split the ground, the Ghost Cry Mantis proving nearly as formidable as a hundred thousand year old spirit beast. Its lethal prowess was such that even Ah Rou, despite her status as a spirit beast herself, couldn't help but shudder as she watched.

However, strength prevailed over skill. The Ghost Cry Mantis finally fell, one blade severed, its body split at the waist, leaving it writhing on the ground with a guttural, enraged screech.

Liu Erlong's power was evident; though she wielded strength comparable to an Ultimate Douluo thanks to her armor, she was still technically at the Spirit Douluo level. Without the four word armor, she wouldn't have stood a chance. Sparing one last wary look at the Mantis, she drove her foot into its back, pinning it down firmly.

"It's all yours, Tianchen. Finish it."

Watching the intense fight stirred a deep sense of longing within Ye Tianchen. In one smooth motion, he drew his blade, slicing cleanly through the Mantis's neck. Yet even with its head severed, the creature clung to life.

"Bugs really are hard to kill," he muttered, before encasing the head in ice with a second, precise strike, finally putting the beast to rest.

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