The first level of the canyon was filled with ordinary beasts and ten-year soul beasts. As long as Soul Masters remained cautious, they could pass through safely.
The Guardian Knights assigned to patrol this area were fewest in number, with only symbolic defenses placed where fierce beasts such as venomous snakes appeared.
By sheer coincidence, Tuoba Yan was in an area frequented by herbivorous soul beasts, which meant it would be difficult to encounter any patrolling Guardian Knights nearby.
Tuoba Yan asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?"
The masked man did not fall for Tuoba Yan's trick. He once again said to Zhang Ping, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena, "I'll count to three. Leave immediately, or die!"
Zhang Ping called out, "Tuoba Yan, go! We'll hold him back."
Hu Liena hesitated.
Xie Yue agreed, "She's right. You're the one he wants. This is Spirit Hall territory; I doubt he'll kill us. Tuoba Yan, go!"
Tuoba Yan froze for a moment and asked, "Are you sure?"
The masked man charged at Tuoba Yan with his blade drawn, while four soul rings descended around Xie Yue.
After a period of cultivation, Xie Yue had obtained his fourth soul ring and become a four-ring Soul Ancestor.
With Xie Yue's original cultivation, it had been impossible for him to break through to the Soul Ancestor realm before the age of fourteen. However, ever since being defeated by Tuoba Yan, Xie Yue had worked tirelessly. He even slept in the Simulated Training Grounds, and his cultivation had now reached level forty-one.
A red glow lit up around Xie Yue, and his second soul ring shone with yellow light.
"Second Soul Skill—Dark Moon Shield!"
Dark Moon Shield: Xie Yue's second soul skill. When activated, his body was covered by a blood-red barrier. For every ten levels of Soul Power gained, its defensive strength increased by ten percent. Among those of the same rank, few could break Xie Yue's protective barrier in a single strike.
Xie Yue was calm and composed, skilled at reading expressions and observing others.
He had already figured it out. The masked man's target was Tuoba Yan, and he most likely would not take his or his sister's life.
"Fine, I'm leaving!"
As he spoke, Tuoba Yan truly turned and started walking away.
Xie Yue was stunned.
He had thought Tuoba Yan would hesitate for a while longer. He never expected Tuoba Yan to leave so readily.
After staring blankly for a moment, Hu Liena cursed under her breath, "Coward!"
"Bang!"
Nearby, Xie Yue and the masked man fought for a while. Their strength was vastly different, and Xie Yue was suppressed from the start. Before long, he was defeated.
"Pfft!"
Xie Yue spat out blood.
Hu Liena rushed to Xie Yue's side and supported him before turning to the masked man. "Tuoba Yan has already left. You can go after him. We won't stop you anymore."
"Whoosh!"
A sharp sound cut through the air. As the masked man passed Zhang Ping, he suddenly slashed out, severely wounding the unprepared Zhang Ping.
Light shot from the blade and struck Zhang Ping to the ground.
Zhang Ping coughed up blood, staring at the masked man in shock.
Watching what had happened, Hu Liena stood frozen, asking in confusion, "Why did you still hurt her?"
"Heh heh heh, I gave you a chance to leave, but you refused. You blocked me and still expected to walk away unharmed? What kind of logic is that?"
"You want to kill us?"
"Don't worry. Someone as beautiful as you will get to enjoy some real pleasure first. Then I'll kill you."
"Rape me, then kill me?"
"Smart."
"Brother..."
Hu Liena softly called to Xie Yue.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena met each other's eyes. With perfect understanding, they stood back-to-back as the fluctuations of their Soul Power gradually synchronized.
"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
The masked man's heart skipped a beat.
Hu Liena had already obtained three soul rings, while Xie Yue possessed four.
The Martial Soul Fusion Skill formed by the two of them was not simply one plus one equaling two. It caused their combat power to surge exponentially.
The masked man's pupils contracted, his heart rising to his throat.
"First Soul Skill—Ice Blade: Frost Rend!"
The masked man activated his Soul Power. Sharp ice spikes condensed along his blade, and he swung downward. The weapon released a fan-shaped blade of icy energy.
Before Xie Yue and Hu Liena could complete their martial soul fusion, they were struck apart and both crouched on the ground, their bodies covered in frost.
He was a six-ring Soul Elder. If he truly allowed Xie Yue and Hu Liena to complete their martial soul fusion, they might actually turn the tables on him.
"Heh heh!"
The masked man sneered, feeling relieved after escaping disaster. That was close. I nearly capsized in a ditch today!
"Fourth Soul Skill—Ice Edge: Mountain Shatter!"
The masked man's fourth soul ring lit up beneath his feet, pulsing rapidly. White frost continuously gathered into the icy blade in his hand.
"Second Soul Skill—Bewitching Charm!"
Hu Liena did not wait helplessly for death. Her eyes glowed pink.
In an instant, the masked man's expression became dazed.
At the same time, Xie Yue rushed toward the masked man with his Moon Blade in hand.
"Whoosh!"
The sound of tearing wind rang out.
Before Xie Yue could kill the masked man, the masked man had already broken free from Hu Liena's control. His charged saber slammed into the ground, creating a straight ice fissure that extended forward.
The charging Xie Yue was struck by the icy blade and sent flying backward, coughing blood in midair. He landed on the ground unconscious.
"Brother!"
Hu Liena cried out in anguish. She tried to rush toward Xie Yue, but a blade light struck her, knocking her to the ground and making her spit blood again.
The masked man stared at Hu Liena, whose entire body radiated seductive allure, his eyes gleaming lewdly. "Heh heh heh, I've played with so many women, but I've never met one as enchanting as you. Don't worry, I'll definitely cherish you."
"Third Soul Skill—Fox Spirit Transformation!"
As Hu Liena's third soul ring lit up, her ears sharpened and her hair turned fiery red. Her enchanting eyes, gorgeous face, and even her breath exuded seductive charm.
Fox Spirit Transformation: Hu Liena's third soul skill. It increased mental power by 150%, attack power by 150%, and speed and strength by 200%. When used with her first soul skill, it could greatly enhance the attack's effect.
"First Soul Skill—Eerie Foxfire!"
Six pink foxfires lined up in a row, hovering before Hu Liena.
With a wave of Hu Liena's jade-like hand, the six scorching foxfires attacked the masked man from different directions—above, below, left, and right.
"Third Soul Skill—Bing Xuan Feng Bao!"
The masked man unleashed the battle saber in his hand. Centered on him, the saber spun at high speed, forming an icy whirlwind around his body.
This soul skill could continuously inflict multiple instances of ice-element damage on targets within three meters, while also dispelling a small number of negative conditions, including burning.
Ice restrained fire.
Hu Liena's first soul skill was completely countered by the masked man.
Combined with the gap in their Soul Power, Eerie Foxfire crumbled the moment it collided with Bing Xuan Feng Bao.
When the masked man approached Hu Liena, her second soul ring lit up again.
At the same time, Hu Liena took a dagger from her Storage Soul Guide Device and thrust it toward the masked man's throat.
At the critical moment, the masked man once again broke free from Hu Liena's charm. He grabbed the hand holding her dagger.
The masked man slapped the dagger from Hu Liena's hand and let out a cold laugh. "Heh heh heh, I have to admit, you're the most seductive woman I've ever seen."
With a bang, the masked man knocked Hu Liena unconscious on the spot, his demonic hand stroking her smooth, long leg.
"Let that girl go!"
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