Douluo Dalu: Ascension Across the Realms

"Whizz."

A piercing sound of something cutting through the air echoed, as a branch shot out from behind the Soul Emperor man like a lightning bolt. Soul power gathered at its peak along the branch, aiming directly at the man's head.

"Watch out!"

A frantic roar sounded. The Soul Emperor man's mind froze, an icy chill creeping across his forehead. In the corner of his eye, he saw the branch rapidly enlarging in his vision.

"Puff!"

A crisp sound followed. The branch pierced through the Soul Emperor man's skull. His eyes were filled with disbelief, mouth agape as if trying to speak, but only a gush of blood sprayed out. His life force slowly faded away.

His fifth soul skill's attack faltered, the Pine Bamboo Staff falling powerless, unable to strike down again.

The despairing leopard, a ten-thousand-year soul beast, opened its eyes. Seeing the Soul Emperor fall, it froze briefly before flashing away toward the young Soul Ancestor nearby.

"Beast, how dare you!"

A furious shout erupted. The aged Soul Saint, wielding the Shattered Star Blade, turned back. Witnessing his companion's death and the leopard lunging at his disciple, his anger erupted.

The fifth and sixth soul rings beneath his feet shimmered. Soul power gathered in his right hand, infusing the Shattered Star Blade with a dark glow from the fifth soul ring.

"Fifth Soul Skill, Tracking Lock."

"Sixth Soul Skill, Luminous Slash!"

A black-and-white blade arc shot out—his strongest attack aside from his martial soul's true form. Stronger than when he faced Chen Xiaoming.

To the Soul Saint, his disciple's life was paramount.

"Whizz."

As the blade light streaked forward, a towering figure emerged from the side. Lush with branches, two thick limbs swung directly at the blade light.

"Leopard Bro, get him!"

It was Chen Xiaoming, here for revenge. He had intended to wear them down gradually, but upon arrival, he discovered they were already fighting a ten-thousand-year soul beast.

Soul beasts standing together—an enemy's enemy was a friend.

Seizing the moment when the Soul Emperor sought to finish the leopard, Chen Xiaoming struck first, ending him.

Behind him, the leopard hesitated. It had been prepared to flee, sensing danger from the Soul Saint's attack.

Yet now, Chen Xiaoming intercepted the strike, seemingly sacrificing himself.

The simple-minded leopard was deeply moved.

This Azurewood Tree was truly noble—sacrificing itself to save him!

Without further thought, it cast one final glance at Chen Xiaoming. Vowing to avenge him, its eyes flashed with murderous intent toward the young Soul Ancestor.

Tree Brother, I'll collect some interest for you!

Multiple azure shadows flickered as the leopard's innate ability, Phantom Mirage, activated, closing in on the young Soul Ancestor.

Momentarily stunned, the Soul Ancestor quickly composed himself. His fourth soul ring glowed, summoning a silver spear. Purple soul rings rippled along the weapon as he thrust it toward one of the leopard's mirages.

A cunning glint flashed in the leopard's eyes. Naive. How utterly naive.

With a flicker, two other mirages lunged at the Soul Ancestor. Razor-sharp claws pierced his head and chest, spraying blood.

Who said the mirages were illusions? Every one of his shadows was real!

The Soul Ancestor fell, silver spear clattering to the ground—slain in a single exchange.

"No!"

The Soul Saint's furious, despairing cry echoed. Eyes bloodshot, he charged at the leopard.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiaoming swung his thick branches, intercepting the Soul Saint's strike head-on.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion rang out. One of Chen Xiaoming's branches was severed, his trunk scarred, azure sap oozing down. However, the injury was less severe than before.

Without the armor-piercing support from auxiliary skills, the blade's damage was halved. If not for his reckless decision to take the attack head-on, his branch wouldn't have snapped.

"Hahaha, bring it on!"

Despite his wounds, Chen Xiaoming's eyes gleamed with joy. His crown of leaves trembled wildly, making the leopard pause in confusion.

Had Tree Brother gone mad? He'd been gravely injured—why was he so happy?

Was Tree Brother one of those masochists humans talked about?

A shiver ran through the leopard, prompting it to take a few steps back.

"Beast, die!"

The Soul Saint, consumed by rage, infused his Shattered Star Blade with soul power. The sixth soul ring flared, its dazzling glow poised to cleave the leopard.

As for the heavily injured Azurewood Tree—he'd deal with it later.

"Whizz, whizz, whizz..."

Blinded by fury, the Soul Saint failed to notice that Chen Xiaoming's wounds had already healed. Thick branches slithered from below, coiling rapidly toward him.

"Leopard Bro, finish him!"

With his system restoring him to full strength, Chen Xiaoming's branches lashed out, entangling the Soul Saint.

From a distance, the delayed Soul Emperor and Soul King woman arrived. The Soul King activated her second and fourth soul skills—Gale and Evilbreaker—from her Heavenly Fragrance Cauldron.

Two beams of yellow and purple light surged into the Soul Saint, enhancing his speed and blade's edge.

"Life or death—it's either you or me today!"

Branches were severed again and again. Clenching his metaphorical teeth, Chen Xiaoming threw his own massive limbs into the fray. He fought without fear, knowing the system would restore him.

If it came to attrition, he'd drag the Soul Saint to death!

Countless slashes rained down. The Soul Saint lost track of how many branches he'd cut. Yet each time he turned back, the wounds had vanished.

His rich experience and lingering rationality warned him—something was terribly wrong.

Another slash carved deep into a branch, only for the wound to vanish moments later.

Eyes narrowing, the Soul Saint's anger gave way to cold clarity.

"Something's wrong... I can't continue like this."

In an instant, he made his decision. His seventh soul ring, dormant until now, finally pulsed to life.

A brilliant light erupted.

"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul True Form!"

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