Pursuit

Deep in the Dense Forest, the light was dim, and the sky was overcast.

Occasionally, a gust of wind blew through, making the leaves rustle as if some unknown creature were whispering, enough to set anyone's heart pounding.

Chen Xiaojun and the others were carefully making their way along a narrow path.

Suddenly, thunderous bang, bang, bang rang out from far to near, and an earth-shaking roar shattered the silence. Immediately after, a massive black shadow burst out of the woods.

It was a One-Horned Black Bear, its eyes bloodred, its whole body radiating a ferocious aura as it charged wildly toward them.

But when they looked closely, that mighty One-Horned Black Bear was fleeing in blind panic, its eyes filled with terror, black swellings covering its body one after another.

Behind it, amid a ceaseless buzzing, a vast black storm cloud came swooping after it like a shadow. They beat their wings and let out furious droning cries, like a black army bent on revenge.

The One-Horned Black Bear's enormous body weaved through the forest, but no matter how hard it tried, that black cloud clung tight and refused to let go.

The black bear's breathing grew heavier and heavier. Every breath seemed to ignite a raging fire in its chest, pain and fear intertwining until it was nearly breaking down.

As they rapidly drew closer.

"It's Black Fiend Bees! Run!" Sharp-eyed, Zhang Ci roared.

Black Fiend Bees were notoriously vicious in the soul beast world, one of the natural disasters, third-grade soul beasts with extremely potent poison and overwhelming numbers, easily thousands upon thousands.

They had long since learned from their textbooks how terrifying Black Fiend Bees were. Now that they were seeing them with their own eyes, they were even more frightened out of their wits and hurriedly wanted to turn and run.

Just then, a rapid series of buzzing sounds suddenly rang out. Like shadows speeding through the night, a mass of black storm cloud closed in on them at astonishing speed.

Chen Xiaojun shouted urgently in a low voice, "Ningxia, Cuilan, entangle and slow the One-Horned Black Bear!"

"Fourth Soul Skill—Green Mist Radiance Silk!"

"Second Soul Skill—Gold and Silver Binding!"

Before the words had even fallen, a ribbon flowing with emerald-green radiance and an energy ring interwoven with gold and silver drifted lightly toward the One-Horned Black Bear.

That Green Mist Radiance Silk was Su Ningxia's powerful six-thousand-year soul skill, and its might was astonishing.

The instant it touched the One-Horned Black Bear, it coiled around it like a spirit snake. Then its two ends tied tightly onto two towering ancient trees nearby, tenacious and unyielding.

At the same time, the gold-and-silver energy ring wrapped tightly around the One-Horned Black Bear, instantly slowing its movements, binding it with invisible shackles.

Though the two ancient trees tilted slightly under the One-Horned Black Bear's impact and swayed a little, in the end they did not snap.

Not only did this further aggravate the One-Horned Black Bear's already utterly exhausted body, it also provided those Black Fiend Bees lying in wait with an excellent chance to attack.

The Black Fiend Bee Swarm instantly boiled over, surging forward like storm clouds pressing down.

The One-Horned Black Bear let out roars of agony, accompanied by a violent black gale sweeping outward. Many Black Fiend Bees were caught in it and reduced to dust.

Yet even more Black Fiend Bees surged in like a tide, surrounding the One-Horned Black Bear in layers so dense not even wind could pass through.

At the same time, Su Ningxia and Gao Cuilan were carried away by Zhang Ci as he fled through the air, while more than half of the Black Fiend Bee Swarm split off, covering an area over a hundred meters wide, and chased after Chen Xiaojun and the others. By sight, there were several thousand of them.

Logically speaking, bear-type soul beasts were not especially afraid of being stung by hornets, but that did not include Black Fiend Bees. Otherwise, where would the swellings on the One-Horned Black Bear have come from?

The black bees were like a crazed tide, constantly battering it, their poisonous stingers falling like raindrops. Each stab brought a burst of intense pain and a loss of life force.

Although it had already shattered the Green Mist Radiance Silk and the gold-and-silver energy ring, freeing itself from the restrictions, it was already too late.

The black bees' venom left shocking wounds across its skin, the poison rapidly seeping in and corroding its body.

The One-Horned Black Bear's body began to convulse. Its skin swelled and reddened under the venom's corrosion, then swiftly turned a horrifying black.

The surrounding air filled with a pungent, fishy stench. Powerless, it collapsed to the ground, the light in its eyes fading, with only its pained gasps still echoing faintly.

When everything returned to calm, only the One-Horned Black Bear's massive body remained in the forest, lying quietly on the bloodstained ground. Countless Black Fiend Bee corpses were scattered around it. This was a cruel and true contest under the laws of nature.

Two flowers bloomed, each telling its own branch.

The Black Fiend Bees were like a roiling black cloud, carrying the force of a violent storm as they rapidly closed in.

The buzzing from their vibrating wings was like millions of sharp blades slicing through the air, making everyone's hearts tremble.

For a moment, fear spread through everyone's hearts like a plague. Their faces were somewhat pale, their heartbeats quickening, as if the god of death had already stretched out his claws.

Only one thought remained in everyone's mind—run!

They broke into a mad sprint, kicking up dust from the ground beneath their feet, racing against time and struggling against death.

However, the Black Fiend Bees' speed was shockingly high, and they swiftly closed the distance between themselves and the group.

Suddenly, Zhu Wuneng was caught off guard. His foot landed on a patch of slick mud, his body pitched sharply forward, and in an instant he sank into the mire, unable to pull himself free for the moment.

"This suction is no joke! You all go!" Zhu Wuneng shouted urgently.

When everyone heard him, they could not help stopping, and the scene froze for a moment.

At this life-or-death crisis, Chen Xiaojun, among the group, swiftly regained his composure. Thoughts flashed through his mind, and he shouted steadily, "Teacher, Ningxia, pull him out! Everyone else, attack!"

Du Gu Fu moved the fastest, quickly taking a packet of specially made poison powder from his Soul Tool and flinging it toward the sky.

The poison powder scattered through the air, and Du Gu Fu immediately growled, "Poison Cloud Palm—Boundless Poison Sea!"

This move was a Poison Element variant of Fire Cloud Palm, one of the Nine Yang Five Ultimates.

With the help of his palm force, the poison powder turned into a sky-filling poisonous mist that surged overwhelmingly toward the Black Fiend Bee Swarm.

The poisonous fog coiled around them, instantly forming an unbreakable barrier that cut off the Black Fiend Bees' path of attack.

In the blink of an eye, countless Black Fiend Bees dropped from the air, many of them on the verge of collapse.

However, some Black Fiend Bees, stimulated by the poisonous fog, actually swelled even larger and came flying in with beating wings.

Black Fiend Bees were already highly venomous soul beasts, with extremely strong poison resistance.

Those enlarged Black Fiend Bees had very likely mutated after inhaling the poisonous fog, raising their strength to another level.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaojun immediately unleashed a Black Sun Yin Wind Howl.

This technique used the Nine Yang Divine Skill to drive the Nine Yin Martial Skill, Ghost Prison Yin Wind Howl. It was a sonic attack that could injure with sound, seize souls with sound, and even weave astral energy with sound. Its power was boundless.

Its sound burst in wave after wave like sunspots, forcing many Black Fiend Bees to retreat without fighting, while some even burned themselves to death. The sight sent chills down the spine.

At the same time, the others all launched fierce group attacks at the rampaging Black Fiend Bee Swarm.

Among them, Ma Liang and Ma Wencai's attacks were comparatively effective against the Black Fiend Bee Swarm.

"Second Soul Skill: Modified—Phoenix Rain Blowing Flame!"

With a clear cry, the hundred-plus brilliant Phoenix Fire Feathers that had originally circled Ma Liang suddenly became blazing hot like torches.

In an instant, they turned into burning arrows of flame, pouring down toward the Black Fiend Bee Swarm like a violent storm. Every arrow contained terrifying heat powerful enough to pierce through the swarm.

"Third Soul Skill—Blazing Sun Wheel!"

Ma Wencai's Sunlight Brocade Chicken martial soul manifested in the air. As his Soul Power surged out, it rapidly gathered and spun above the chicken's comb, forming an enormous golden sun wheel.

Within that sun wheel, the powers of flame and light intertwined, dazzling like the sun as it continuously radiated waves of energy in every direction, inflicting sustained area damage on the surrounding Black Fiend Bees.

Amid the chaos, Su Ningxia's Green Mist Radiance Silk moved. The green ribbon was as agile as a spirit snake, swiftly wrapping around Zhu Wuneng, who had sunk into the mire.

Zhang Ci seized the chance to put more force into his flight, and together with Su Ningxia, he finally dragged Zhu Wuneng out of the mud.

However, because he was carrying the weight of three people at once, Zhang Ci's flight looked quite strained, and his speed had clearly slowed.

When Chen Xiaojun saw this, he immediately shouted, "Teacher Zhang, throw the three of them over here!"

"Right Leg Bone Soul Skill—Azure Lotus Bloom!"

A Star Dragon Azure Lotus Platform five meters in diameter slowly rose from beneath his feet, its lotus leaves swaying gently and giving off a faint glow.

Hearing him, Zhang Ci did not hesitate. With a forceful swing, he flung Su Ningxia, Gao Cuilan, and Zhu Wuneng over, and the three of them landed steadily on the lotus platform.

Chen Xiaojun then shouted quickly, "All of you, get on!"

Thus, Chen Mu, Chen Bin, Chen Shurui, Du Gu Fu, and Ma Wencai quickly gathered and jumped aboard, leaving only Zhang Ci and Ma Liang, who were skilled at flight, to continue suppressing the Black Fiend Bee Swarm in the air.

Chen Xiaojun gave a low shout. "Lotus platform, rise! Swift!"

The moment his words fell, the Star Dragon Azure Lotus Platform carrying seven or eight people abruptly accelerated, shuttling through the low air at an impressive speed.

However, amid this hurried flight, Chen Xiaojun's brow creased slightly as a faint ache pulsed through his mind.

If he could look inward into his own soul space at that moment, he would discover a sizable crack in the spatial wall of the Upper Soul Nest. On both sides of the crack, dense, strange patterns had spread, quietly extending outward.

Even so, Chen Xiaojun had no time to pay attention to it.

No one on the lotus platform slacked off. They kept unleashing their respective offensive skills.

All kinds of elements intertwined and collided in midair with crackling sounds. Sword energy kept slicing, flames kept exploding, and poisonous fog kept spreading.

The most striking among them was undoubtedly Zhang Ci, who had cast off all restraint and was going all out.

As the teacher among them, his strength was considered outstanding even among Soul Emperors of the same rank, and at this moment, he displayed it to the fullest.

Zhang Ci let out a great shout, and his wings suddenly swept outward, stirring the wind currents in the surrounding space.

"Fifth Soul Skill—Wind Blade Barrage!"

Following his movement, countless razor-sharp wind blades shot toward the Black Fiend Bee Swarm like a volley of cannon fire, densely filling everything within their line of sight in an instant.

Each of these wind blades contained astonishing piercing and cutting power. They wove together in the air into an impenetrable net of death, mercilessly harvesting the lives of the Black Fiend Bees.

Wherever the wind blades passed, Black Fiend Bees were cut into segments one after another, falling powerlessly like kites with severed strings, as if a black rain had begun to pour.

Under his lead, the others were also encouraged and increased the force of their attacks, engaging the Black Fiend Bee Swarm in an even more intense battle.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ci kept dancing through the air, escorting the lotus platform as it flew at high speed.

Chen Xiaojun's gaze was focused. His hands moved gently, subtle waves of spiritual power flowing around his fingertips as he precisely controlled the lotus platform's flight path, weaving between the Dense Forest and the steep mountains.

At the same time, with a thought from Chen Xiaojun, the lotus leaves on the platform seemed to answer his call and unfolded one after another. Each leaf flickered with dazzling starlight, forming solid Defensive Barriers.

These lotus leaves were not only graceful in form, but also contained powerful defensive force. They rotated gently, weaving into an airtight web of light.

That radiance seemed to contain Purification Power, sweeping away even the toxins and negative energy permeating the air.

As for Su Ningxia, her Third Soul Skill, Yellow Mist Golden Light Radiance, suddenly lit up. Golden-yellow light shone like the rising sun, brilliant and dazzling, turning into a flowing membrane of light that gently wrapped around everyone.

Gao Cuilan did the same. Her Third Soul Ring, Ring Shadow Guard, quietly activated.

Illusory rings of light circled around her one after another, weaving together to form a complex and powerful protective barrier.

It not only resisted outside physical attacks, but could also twist space to a certain extent, causing incoming attacks to deviate from their targets and further strengthening the defense.

The two of them complemented the defensive power of the lotus platform, greatly enhancing its protection and resisting all outside harm.

Faced with such tight protection, even the Black Fiend Bees' stingers, sharp as blades, seemed powerless.

These Black Fiend Bees were existences that struck terror into everyone in this region. Their stingers were highly venomous, and their speed was enough to pierce most defenses. But beneath these three layers of protection, the stingers were either knocked away or dissolved by the light, unable to get anywhere near the group.

As time passed, the Black Fiend Bees' attacks gradually weakened. They seemed to have realized that the opponents before them were no easy bones to chew.

They circled and chased through the air, letting out furious buzzing sounds, yet they still could not catch up to them.

Seeing this, everyone felt a little relieved.

Chen Xiaojun seized the opportunity and sped up the lotus platform's flight, gradually leaving this dangerous area behind.

Only after the Black Fiend Bee Swarm had lost more than half its number and chased them for quite a distance did it finally stop in frustration and turn back.

As for Chen Xiaojun and the others, they finally gained a brief chance to catch their breath after this heart-stopping escape.

As the Black Fiend Bee Swarm gradually receded into the distance, Chen Xiaojun and the others finally let out a sigh of relief.

They looked at one another, their eyes showing both the joy of surviving disaster and deep exhaustion.

Chen Xiaojun slowly lowered the lotus platform, allowing everyone to set foot on solid ground.

He looked around and, only after confirming it was safe, slowly said, "Is everyone all right?"

Everyone shook their heads to indicate they were fine, but their faces were rather pale. Clearly, the battle just now had drained much of their stamina and Soul Power.

"We managed to escape this time thanks to everyone working together," Chen Xiaojun said with emotion. "Especially A Fu's Poison Cloud Palm and Xiao Liang and Wencai's flame attacks. They played a crucial role."

Du Gu Fu, Ma Liang, and Ma Wencai all smiled modestly when they heard this.

Chen Xiaojun turned his head and broke into a broad smile. "Of course, most important of all was Teacher Zhang, standing there like a general blocking the pass."

"All right, stop flattering me," Zhang Ci said, shaking his head.

Then he said with a grave expression, "However, we still can't let our guard down."

"Although the Black Fiend Bee Swarm has retreated for now, there's no guarantee other soul beasts won't attack."

"We must leave this place as quickly as possible and find somewhere safer to rest."

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

At that moment, Gao Cuilan said with a hint of tears in her voice, "Wuneng, I thought I'd never see you again."

Zhu Wuneng grimaced and cried out, "Aiya, I really thought I was going to die here this time. Good thing you all acted in time and pulled me out of that swamp."

When Chen Xiaojun heard this, his face turned stern, and he replied flatly, "Hmph, Wuneng, aside from not being able to bear watching you be executed by a thousand cuts, I can accept any other way you die."

Zhu Wuneng: "..."

Du Gu Fu could not help but cut in from the side with a laugh. "Exactly. A scourge like you really does live for a thousand years. Every time, you somehow turn danger into safety."

Zhu Wuneng waved his hand in dissatisfaction and laughed. "Shoo, shoo. You're just a kid. Don't curse me here."

The moment Du Gu Fu heard this, he was immediately unhappy. "Hmph, you're the one younger than me, so why are you acting like some big shot? You'd better thank me properly and treat me to a feast."

Zhu Wuneng shook his head helplessly and laughed. "Thank you? Thank you, my ass! Teacher Zhang, is the road you pointed us down even right? We've been chased nonstop these past two days, fleeing for our lives the whole way."

Hearing this, Zhang Ci pondered for a moment before answering, "Actually, the frequency of attacks on us hasn't been that high. It's just that the soul beasts we encountered were indeed rather powerful and chased us the whole way."

And so, after resting briefly, Chen Xiaojun and the others set off once more.

They advanced along the winding path, keeping constant watch on their surroundings.

As the group slowly moved forward, the atmosphere gradually relaxed, and everyone began chatting back and forth about the thrilling scene from earlier.

"Hey, A Fu, I've got to say, that Poison Cloud Palm of yours with the poisonous powder was really impressive. The moment you used it, you poisoned the Black Fiend Bee Swarm until they were completely dizzy," Zhu Wuneng teased.

He even put on an exaggerated act and fanned his nose. "Look at this nose of mine. I can still smell that medicinal stench even now!"

When Du Gu Fu heard this, a smug smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Of course. This poisonous powder of mine is my family's secret specialty, perfect for dealing with all kinds of defiance. Want to try it?"

"Hehe, how would I dare!" Zhu Wuneng hurriedly waved his hands and begged for mercy.

At this point, Su Ningxia cut in. "But speaking of which, we were able to escape with our lives this time thanks to Young Master's lotus platform. That speed was practically faster than flying, and it could carry so many people too. A Divine Artifact for escaping!"

Du Gu Fu quickly chimed in, "Naturally. Just look at who Young Master is!"

"Haha, well said!" Chen Mu burst into laughter. "Our team is simply a bunch of little experts at running for our lives!"

"Exactly! We're the strongest escape squad in history!" Everyone echoed one after another, their laughter ringing through the air.

Then Zhu Wuneng suddenly thought of something and widened his eyes. "Young Master, I never knew you had such a miraculous lotus platform. It can actually carry so many of us in flight. What Soul Skill is this?"

Hearing this, everyone else also turned their gazes over.

Chen Xiaojun smiled calmly. "This is my Right Leg Bone Soul Skill. There's still plenty you don't know."

This right leg bone, like his Torso Bone, had come from the same soul beast as his Fifth Soul Ring—Fifty Thousand Years.

Back when he absorbed this soul ring, its age had exceeded his original estimate.

At the Fourth Ring, the Gan Jiang Mo Xie Sword Pearl had absorbed twelve thousand years, while he himself had absorbed eighteen thousand years.

When it came to the Fifth Soul Ring, he had originally thought it would only be Forty Thousand Years. The Seven Stars Long Yuan Pearl would absorb ten thousand years, while he himself would absorb Thirty Thousand Years.

But unexpectedly, the Star Dragon Azure Lotus the Chen Clan found was actually only Fifty Thousand Years. At the time, he had gritted his teeth and forced himself to absorb it.

Yet the reality was beyond his expectations. When he absorbed it, it had not been as difficult as he had imagined.

There might have been two reasons for this.

First, because of his physique. After being washed by the essence of the two immortal herbs and the Spirit Abyss Black Tortoise, his body had far exceeded the estimated threshold.

Second, what the Seven Stars Long Yuan Pearl had absorbed was not Ten Thousand Years, but Fifteen Thousand Years, because it had directly activated an Ultimate Skill and broken through the upper limit.

And this spirit bone was precisely the treasure that had dropped after that fierce battle back then. It was the accumulation of a Fifty Thousand Years soul beast, so its power was naturally not to be underestimated.

What was more, it was a Right Leg Bone dropped by a top-grade soul beast from the same ring—the Star Dragon Azure Lotus—so its compatibility was very high.

At once, Chen Xiaojun chose to absorb this spirit bone without the slightest hesitation.

In fact, this soul skill did not disappoint him either. It was truly excellent, and his choice had undoubtedly been the right one.

It formed an Azure Lotus Platform that not only possessed the ability to fly, but could also attack and defend, with many uses.

Suddenly, however, his brows could not help but furrow.

A sudden burst of pain struck from within his mind. This was the aftereffect left behind after his excessive use of Mental Power.

The damage to his Upper Soul Nest had worsened, and this was also the reason he had not chosen to use the Azure Lotus Platform at the very beginning.

The next day, when the first light of morning broke through the silence of dawn, they were on an extremely treacherous stretch of cliff, climbing with difficulty.

Just then, a flock of flying soul beasts descended like dark clouds pressing down on them, suddenly diving from the azure sky and launching an unrestrained, ferocious assault.

Those soul beasts resembled bats, their wings broad as sails, sharp fangs in their mouths flashing with cold light, while Soul Power raged through the air.

Faced with this sudden crisis, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and keep climbing the perilous cliff while desperately fending off the soul beasts' frenzied attacks.

In the process, they displayed ever greater tacit understanding and coordination. A taut string seemed stretched inside everyone's heart, together playing a symphony of life-and-death struggle.

Zhang Ci and Ma Liang stepped forward, taking responsibility for drawing the soul beasts' attention. They flew swiftly, dodging the soul beasts' attacks with nimble movements, buying the others precious chances to strike.

The others seized the opportunity to unleash fierce attacks, soul skills flying everywhere as light flashed.

Chen Xiaojun, in particular, used the Chengying Sword's soul skill to accurately shoot down several leading soul beasts, throwing the flock into a brief state of chaos.

In the end, through their joint efforts and relentless persistence, that flock of flying soul beasts was finally completely routed, and only then were they able to continue forward, setting foot on an even more difficult journey.

Over the course of this long journey, they encountered soul beast attacks several more times.

Some of those soul beasts acted alone, as silent as ghosts; others moved in packs, as fierce as a raging storm.

Every encounter was a life-and-death struggle.

However, relying on their exceptional courage, extraordinary wisdom, and the deep tacit understanding and cooperation between them, they finally turned danger into safety again and again, overcoming obstacle after obstacle.

When the sun set on the third day, they finally arrived at the foot of White Dew Mountain, that towering peak seeming to pay tribute to them.

The three-day journey Zhang Ci had originally planned had actually taken them a full six days.

They were somewhat exhausted, worn out in both body and mind.

Even so, their eyes shone brighter than ever.

The dangers they had encountered and the desperate escapes they had made along the way were things they had never experienced before.

Zhang Ci's combat strength could at most be called that of a guard, not a Dao Protector.