Departure for Star Dou, Ghost Leopard's Hidden Edge

Departure for Star Dou, Ghost Leopard's Hidden Edge

For three days, Ling Feng buried himself in Spirit Hall's library and supply depot. Like a greedy sponge, he frantically absorbed every scrap of knowledge about soul beasts, soul rings, and soul master cultivation. He also grabbed every basic supply he could apply for—healing medicine, antidotes, insect-repellent powder, even several hard but filling pieces of dried soul beast meat. He did not expect these things to handle the dangers of Star Dou, but something was better than nothing.

On the morning of the third day, at the western gate of Spirit City.

A ferocious giant leopard, black as ink from head to toe save for its four jade-white paws, impatiently scraped at the ground with its claws, a low rumble issuing from its throat. It was built like a bull calf, its muscles knotted beneath its sleek fur. Its Dark Gold vertical pupils gleamed with savage light, radiating a brutal aura that made one's heart tremble. Merely standing there seemed to thicken the morning air.

Seated cross-legged on the giant leopard's back was a gaunt old man in black robes, thin as a bamboo pole, his eyes closed. His face was sinister, his cheekbones high, his eye sockets deeply sunken. He looked like a dried corpse that had just crawled out of a coffin. He was none other than the Titled Douluo, Ghost Leopard! He did not deliberately release any pressure, yet the faint chill around him was even more terrifying than the vicious leopard beneath him.

Dressed in a fitted black outfit suited for movement and carrying a small pack, Ling Feng strode steadily before the giant leopard. He raised his head toward Ghost Leopard Douluo on its back, bowed slightly, and said in an even tone, "Ling Feng greets Elder Ghost Leopard. I'll be troubling you, Elder."

Ghost Leopard did not even lift his eyelids, as though Ling Feng were merely a pebble by the roadside. A dry, chilling voice, like sandpaper scraping against bone, drilled directly into Ling Feng's ears. "Kid, get up here. Star Dou is not your backyard. If you die... there might not even be bones left behind. Don't expect this old man to risk his life for a fledgling." It was an utterly undisguised warning and attempt to put him in his place, carrying the arrogance and scrutiny of a Titled Douluo.

"Yes." Ling Feng did not waste words. With a tap of his toes, he lightly leaped onto the broad leopard's back and sat cross-legged not far behind Ghost Leopard. He understood that in this world where strength reigned supreme, a Titled Douluo had no interest in being pleasant to someone with connections until he proved his worth.

"Hmph." Ghost Leopard snorted coldly through his nose, its meaning unclear. Receiving the command, the black giant leopard tensed the muscles in all four limbs. Its enormous body became a blurred bolt of black lightning and shot forward without a sound! It was so fast that the gust it kicked up sliced across Ling Feng's cheeks like blades!

Ling Feng had prepared for this. His Soul Power instinctively circulated into his legs, anchoring him firmly to the smooth leopard hide as his body rose and fell with the beast's mad sprint. His gaze was solemn as he watched Spirit City's walls rapidly recede and the wilderness gradually grow desolate. Rather than fear, a cold flame burned in his heart. Star Dou Great Forest, he had arrived! The first step toward becoming stronger!

Though Ghost Leopard Douluo appeared to be resting with his eyes shut, a thread of Spiritual Power, like an invisible tentacle, remained firmly locked onto Ling Feng behind him. Sensing that Ling Feng could still keep his balance at such speed, with not even his breathing disturbed, a faint trace of surprise flickered through his deeply sunken eyes. This kid's Soul Power seemed far more solid than that of an ordinary soul master who had just awakened? Interesting, but... that was all.

The giant leopard, a black bolt of lightning, carried the two of them headlong into the boundless green sea of the Star Dou Great Forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and the light instantly dimmed. The damp scent of earth, the smell of rotting leaves, and the rank odor left behind by countless soul beasts mixed together and rushed at them. Deep within the forest, beast roars—some shrill, some low, some mournful—rose and fell in succession, weaving into a primitive and dangerous symphony.

The giant leopard slowed, but it still moved with agility far beyond that of any ordinary person, silently weaving between thick trunks and twisted vines. Ghost Leopard Douluo finally opened his eyes. They were clouded, yet they swept the surroundings sharply, like those of a seasoned hunter.

"Kid," he said without turning his head, his chilling voice sounding again, "what is your Martial Soul?" It sounded like a casual question, but it carried a probe. The Pope had personally ordered a Titled Douluo like him to escort a novice to hunt for a first ring. There was something strange about that in itself. He needed to know whether this kid was worth more of his attention.

Here it comes! Ling Feng's thoughts raced. The Judgment Angel Martial Soul absolutely could not be exposed! But Ghost Leopard was not Bibi Dong. He only needed to fool him.

"Reporting to Elder," Ling Feng said calmly, "it is a beast Martial Soul with a light attribute and a trace of lightning power. As for its exact type... this disciple's knowledge is shallow, so I have yet to determine it." He repeated the same explanation he had given Bibi Dong.

"Light? Lightning?" The corner of Ghost Leopard Douluo's mouth seemed to twitch, as if in mockery. "That is quite a rare combination. Have you decided what type of soul beast you want for your first soul ring?"

"An offensive type. Preferably a light- or lightning-attributed soul beast with both speed and power, and the highest possible age." Ling Feng answered without hesitation. This was the optimal answer he had reached after three days in the library. It suited the Judgment Angel's traits of judgment and destruction, while also laying a foundation for future growth.

"The highest possible age?" Ghost Leopard Douluo sneered, his contempt undisguised. "Fledgling, you talk big. The limit for a first soul ring is four hundred and twenty-three years. That is an iron law countless soul masters paid for with their lives! Beyond that age, the violent energy of the soul ring will instantly burst your Meridians! If you want to die, there are better ways to go about it!"

Ling Feng remained silent and did not argue. A limit? That was the limit for ordinary people! He had the system, the Judgment Angel Martial Soul, and the advantage of foresight! Four hundred years? That was only the starting point! His goal was at least six hundred years! Perhaps even... a thousand years?! He forcibly buried that mad thought deep in his heart.

Seeing that he said nothing, Ghost Leopard Douluo assumed he had frightened him and could not be bothered to pay him any more attention. The giant leopard continued through the dark forest.

Suddenly!

ROAR—!

A roar brimming with savage fury came from nearby! Immediately afterward came the crack of trees being smashed apart by brute force and the thudding of heavy footsteps! A vicious aura rapidly approached!

A sharp light flashed through Ghost Leopard Douluo's clouded eyes! The giant leopard beneath him stopped instantly, lowered its body, and let out a threatening growl. Its Dark Gold vertical pupils fixed firmly on the direction of the sound.

Ling Feng also tensed at once. His Soul Power silently began to circulate as Fate's Watcher talent passively activated! Amid the interference and static, a blurred image flashed by: a soul beast covered in an earthy-yellow, rock-like shell, shaped like a giant lizard with a vicious horn growing from its head, was violently crashing through the brush, its scarlet eyes locked onto them! In one corner of the image, several mangled corpses dressed in mercenary attire flashed past!

A Rock Lizard! Judging by its size and aura, it was definitely over five hundred years old! And... it was in a berserk state!

Ding! An unexpected battle has been encountered! Target: Berserk Rock Lizard (approximately 560 years)! God-Tier Choice activated!

Choice One: Survival comes first! Immediately ask Ghost Leopard Douluo for help and hide behind him. Reward: Absolute safety, "Turtle" title (presence -10).

Choice Two: Reckless courage! Take the initiative to jump down and draw the giant lizard's attention, attempting to stall it and prove that you are not a burden. Reward: Ghost Leopard Douluo's "newfound respect" (extremely unlikely), "Brave" status (attack temporarily +5%, defense -10%).

Choice Three: Borrow the tiger's might! Use the pressure of Ghost Leopard's mount together with the aura of your own Martial Soul to try intimidating the giant lizard, while observing Ghost Leopard's reaction. Reward: Ghost Leopard Douluo's initial interest, insight into the "Intimidation" technique (enhanced effect against low-level soul beasts).