While it was weakened, they would take its life. The line "Spring river tides rise level with the sea; over the sea, the bright moon is born with the tide" echoed across the battlefield like the chant of a soul spell.
A transparent, illusory water surface appeared beneath the demon wolf's feet, and Sword Qi rose continuously from the ground, each streak like the spring tide of a river, the sword momentum vast and surging.
They gathered in the air into a bright-moon-shaped mass of Sword Qi, joining as one with the sea of Sword Qi on the ground.
The scene was just like a full moon rising from the sea, as if surging out together with the tide. Sword light illuminated the entire battlefield, vying in radiance with the bright moon in the sky. It was Chen Wu's Sword Control Ultimate Move, "Swordplay Vast Sea Bright Moon."
The demon wolf, cut open with countless dense wounds by part of the Sword Qi rising from the ground, watched the countless Sword Qi around it and the bright-moon Sword Qi sphere in the air surge toward it, then let out a wolf howl filled with despair.
Black sound waves spread outward one after another, constantly colliding with the Sword Qi and canceling each other out, but that sword sphere slowly pressed down.
The demon wolf leader fixed its attention on the sword sphere, then looked around. Those two Hurricane Demon Wolves were being beaten down by Old Black.
On the other battlefield, although the other Hurricane Demon Wolf and the Azure Gale Grey Wolf King had killed the Black Moon Shadow Kill Wolf, the Hurricane Demon Wolf had also been dragged into mutual destruction by the Wolf Queen.
The Azure Gale Grey Wolf King had also been seriously injured and was being forced back step by step by Chen Chen's attacks. It looked as if it would soon follow in their footsteps. The entire battlefield was all but decided in defeat.
Seeing this, the demon wolf leader's eyes revealed a resolute look, as if it had made some difficult decision, and it hurriedly let out a strange, distorted howl. "Awoo... awoo—... awoo... woo..."
At that sound, there was a brief silence. Then the second-largest thirty-thousand-year Hurricane Demon Wolf on the other side also roared, "Awoo!"
Bluish-gray wind power rapidly surged from its body, kicking up a small tornado that swept toward Old Black. Then it roared at the last Hurricane Demon Wolf and charged at Old Black alone.
The last Hurricane Demon Wolf gave the surroundings one deep look. A grief-stricken wolf howl rose, and the howls of the Gale Wolf pack all around answered one after another. Then it led most of the wolf pack, turned, and ran toward the mountains.
Only the Hurricane Demon Wolf suspected to be the second leader, the heavily injured Azure Gale Grey Wolf King, and a small portion of the Gale Wolf pack remained to cover the retreat.
The Black Moon Wolf Pack did not pursue. Instead, they threw themselves at the remaining wolves covering the rear.
The Sword Qi sphere finally crashed into the demon wolf leader. Screams rose again. Its two front claws had completely vanished, and its entire body was like a lump of minced flesh, barely clinging to life.
"Chen Wu, wait." Ling Yunxiao's voice stopped Chen Wu.
"Uncle, what is it?" Chen Wu had been about to deliver the final blow and turned back to look at Ling Yunxiao.
Ling Yunxiao's clothes were in disarray and his aura was unstable, but he radiated powerful spiritual pressure.
At that moment, Chen Yu brought Chen Xiaojun down from the sky.
"Congratulations, Yunxiao. You broke through to level 80. Looks like you plan to use this Hurricane Demon Wolf as your eighth Soul Beast. This Soul Beast is only a little over fifty thousand years, and its Soul Power level is only equivalent to a Soul Sage. You'd better think it through."
"Yu Ge, although this demon wolf's age is a little low, it isn't that much lower. After all, it's a True King Level Soul Beast. Its innate skills suit me extremely well. Whether it's Dark Azure Hurricane Tornado, Dark Azure Sword Blade, Giant Spirit Wind Cone, or that final Despair Sound Roar just now, they're all quite fitting for my Wind Cloud Fan. A wind-type Soul Beast is exactly the right match. As long as it suits me, that's enough," Ling Yunxiao said, somewhat insistent.
"As long as you've thought it through. Go on." Chen Yu nodded.
Ling Yunxiao went forward and chopped down with his fan, finishing off the demon wolf leader. A deep black Soul Ring appeared. Ling Yunxiao sat cross-legged and drew it over. The Soul Ring directly settled over his head and began pouring immense energy into him.
Vast energy began to envelop Ling Yunxiao. From the outside, it looked as if a large dark azure cocoon had shrouded him.
The Black Soul Ring continuously surged with energy, and Ling Yunxiao continuously absorbed it. With every absorption, the dark azure cocoon flashed once.
The battlefield around them gradually quieted. Before long, the sounds of battle had completely vanished.
Old Black looked around. Only thirty or forty of the Black Moon Wolf Pack remained; more than half were gone, and even his Wolf Queen was no more.
He raised his head toward the bright moon and let out a high, mournful wolf howl, giving the feeling of "thinking of the boundless vastness of heaven and earth, alone, sorrowful, tears falling."
The remaining Wolves followed his lead, joining in with grief-stricken howls. Their voices drifted through the empty forest, shaking the wilderness and carrying far, far away.
Then the Black Moon Wolf Pack gathered the wolf corpses that had died in battle. On one side were the bodies of their own kin, and on the other were those of the Gale Wolf pack.
The Chen Clan members were now gathered beside Ling Yunxiao, protecting him while he cultivated. Chen Wu was reporting to Chen Yu about the situation he had encountered.
"Cheng Hao, go back to the village and report that we're safe. Ding Lao San, Chen Chen, the two of you only suffered superficial wounds. Recover for now. Chen Wu, what happened?"
"I'm not too clear either. I came over after sensing large-scale Soul Power fluctuations from a battle. As soon as I arrived, I saw Old Black and the others were in danger, so I immediately joined the fight. I ambushed one of the Hurricane Demon Wolves that was surrounding Old Black..." Chen Wu began recounting the general course of events.
"What is this?" Chen Xiaojun asked in confusion as he watched the wolf pack.
Chen Wu glanced at the wolf pack and explained, "Their own clan members might be buried. As for that pile of Gale Wolves over there, they'll probably be eaten. After all, when Soul Beasts eat Soul Beast Meat, it increases their physique and cultivation, especially when it's the same kind."
At that moment, Old Black slowly ran up to Chen Yu and lay prostrate before him. "Awoo... wuwuwu..."
Chen Yu sensed him with his mind. "Old Black, my condolences. I'll investigate this matter. You also need to cultivate more, break through more, and have more pups."
"Wuwuwu."
"Old Black, you suffered because your cultivation age was too low. You should be glad the enemy leader didn't take you seriously at first and didn't make a move, only having those three demon wolves deal with you."
"It took you over two hundred years to break through to forty thousand years. That's not slow, but it isn't fast either. If you could also break through to fifty thousand years and become a True King Level Soul Beast, you wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state, and your clan wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses."
When the Chen Clan had moved here back then, Old Black had already been here, though at the time he had only just passed ten thousand years.
"Wuwuwu..."
"Later, this demon wolf leader's body will be given to you. After devouring it, you should be able to make some progress too. Hm? Is this a Soul Bone?!"
Chen Yu drew over the demon wolf's mangled corpse and slashed his right hand across the demon wolf's right hind leg.
Sure enough, a dark azure right leg Soul Bone fell out. It was the same color as the demon wolf's outer appearance, dazzling and brilliant, crystal-clear and eye-catching. Its powerful and violent energy fluctuations were enough to shock anyone.
"Did it die this unjustly? That makes sense. It didn't expect you to have outside help, and human Soul Masters at that." Chen Yu fell into thought.
"Awoo..."
Before long, three figures came speeding over from the distance: Cheng Hao, Ye Xiuxin, and Chen Hanxin. Chen Wenchao, who was holding down the village, had listened to Cheng Hao's report before having Chen Hanxin bring Ye Xiuxin over. Chen Hanxin and Ye Xiuxin were worried about their husband and son too, weren't they?
"Xiuxin, treat them," Chen Xin said, looking back.
Though Ye Xiuxin was not a pure healer, her healing ability was still among the very best. After all, in terms of healing effect, the Seven-Colored Begonia Bracelet could rank in the top ten.
"Third Soul Skill—Begonia Bloom"
From the begonia patterns engraved on the beads of the Seven-Colored Begonia Bracelet, a seven-colored begonia with seven petals emerged. Each petal was tender and brilliant, the flower's posture graceful as it floated in the air. Flower Leaves drifted past both sides of Ye Xiuxin's jade-like arms, scattering toward everyone with an ethereal air.
This soul skill increased a soul master's vitality and stamina.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Spring Breeze Jade Dew"
Then several drops of seven-colored nectar dripped from the begonia's stamens and sprinkled toward everyone. The dew was like pearls, clear and glistening, sparkling so beautifully that it was intoxicating. "Revived by morning dew, flourishing beneath the cleared sky" was no more than this.
This Ten Thousand Year Fifth Soul Skill purified the negative conditions affecting everyone and increased their soul power.
Vitality, stamina, soul power, removal of harmful conditions—after the full set, everyone's wounds, poisoning, and fatigue were swept away. The recovery of soul power and spirit also left them looking refreshed, including her son, Chen Xiaojun.
Three hours later, Ling Yunxiao's absorption finally neared its end, and the dark-green cocoon wrapped around him gradually thinned.
Huff, huff, huff... His aura gradually steadied and calmed.
Another dozen minutes passed before Ling Yunxiao finally opened his eyes.
"Yunxiao, how is it?" Chen Hanxin asked first.
"Excellent. There were no difficulties. Haha, Yu Ge, Hanxin, my Soul Power Level is 81 now. I've finally become a Soul Douluo."
Ling Yunxiao looked extremely happy. Though he was very intelligent and had decent comprehension, his physical aptitude was only at the level of a minor genius. His Innate Soul Power had been a little over level 7, not quite level 8.
"Congratulations, Father."
"Congratulations, Uncle."
"Congratulations..."
"Congratulations, Captain."
Ling Yunxiao was an elder of the village and captain of the Defense Force. The Defense Force's duties included guarding the two gates, North Gate and East Gate, patrolling the lakeshore, maintaining village safety, guarding relevant important facilities, and so on.
"Yunxiao, you're sixty-seven this year, and now a Level 81 Soul Douluo. Take this." As he spoke, Chen Yu handed Ling Yunxiao the Hurricane Demon Wolf Right Leg Bone.
"Absorb it after we go back. You should be able to break through to level 82. That way, you'll have a chance to comprehend will, sublimate your martial soul, and break through to Titled Douluo before you turn eighty."
Ling Yunxiao was stunned and looked it over carefully. "Is this from that Hurricane Demon Wolf just now? Big Brother, this is too precious. I'm not young anymore either. Give it to Xun Er."
Xun Er referred to Chen Xun, the Young Clan Leader. Everyone fell silent. After all, this was a soul bone of over fifty thousand years.
"What are you talking about? A soul bone is most suitable for the person who absorbed the same soul ring. Between us brothers, there's no need for that. Besides, you and little sister are only about twenty years younger than me. We watched you grow up. And you were the main contributor in killing that demon wolf. Our Chen Clan has no tradition of swallowing up what belongs to others," Chen Yu said solemnly and clearly.
"Also, Chen Wu, you also contributed greatly this time. How about this: there's a ten-thousand-year wind-type soul bone in the Clan Treasury. We'll make that up to you as your reward. Is that acceptable?"
"Thank you, Yu Bo." Chen Wu was so happy he could hardly close his mouth.
Putting everything else aside, judging by contribution in the kill, he had only assisted. Getting a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was an unexpected joy, and he was very satisfied with this allocation.
"Lingxiao, take it. As for Xun Er, Yu Ge will arrange things properly," Chen Hanxin finally said then.
"Yu Ge, then I'll accept it with shame." Seeing that his wife had spoken, Ling Yunxiao let go of that sensitive worry in his heart.
By the time the group returned to the village, dawn was already breaking, and a faint fish-belly white had risen in the eastern distance.
Chen Xiaojun was brought back as well. With such a change in the wolf pack, it was no longer suitable for him to challenge them. Chen Yu had everyone disperse and rest.
That afternoon, in Chen Yu's study, grandfather and grandson were reviewing yesterday's battle.
"Grandfather, what is a True King Level soul beast?" Chen Xiaojun asked.
"Equivalent to a high-level Soul Sage. On the soul beasts' side, those over ten thousand years are divided by combat strength into Beast King, Battle King, True King, Ancient King, and Saint King, corresponding to our soul masters' Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Sage, Soul Douluo, and Titled Douluo."
I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation of your Recommendation Tickets and follows, hehehe.
Before you continue