Undercurrents and Edge

Undercurrents and Edge

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, exclusive mimicry training area—Thunderflame Valley.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur and faint ions. Beneath their feet lay scorching black rocks, while dark red magma occasionally flowed slowly through the crevices. Above them hung simulated gloomy thunderclouds, with muffled thunder rumbling in the distance. This was one of the most ideal training grounds for assault-type and fire-attribute Soul Masters.

"Again!" Dugu Yan's clear voice echoed through the valley, carrying a stubborn refusal to yield.

Her figure flashed like lightning, her dark green hair dancing in the scorching currents. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul possessed her body, and her bewitching violet snake eyes locked onto the figure ahead. Her supple waist drove her body into a rapid spin, like a deadly venomous python. "Third Soul Skill, Jade Phosphor Purple Poison!"

A vast cloud of dense purple poison mist instantly surged from her mouth. Carrying intense corrosive and nerve-paralyzing effects, it rolled like a living thing as it rushed toward Ling Feng at tremendous speed! Wherever the poisonous mist passed, even the scorching air gave off a sizzling sound.

Faced with this poisonous attack that could instantly rob an ordinary Soul Elder of their fighting ability, Ling Feng's expression remained as calm as water. He did not activate the Domain of Judgment. Instead, a pair of condensed light wings spread behind him, and rather than retreating, he charged forward!

"Spear of Judgment!" With a low shout, a golden spear condensed from pure light and lightning energy instantly appeared in his hand. A thread of destructive black radiance coiled around its tip. With a flick of his wrist, he did not thrust the spear forward. Instead, he spun it rapidly along an unusual trajectory!

Buzz—!

The rapidly spinning Spear of Judgment formed a dazzling golden shield before him! Holy light flowed across the shield, carrying powerful Power of Purification as it crashed head-on into the surging Jade Phosphor Purple Poison!

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!

Violent corrosion rang out. The dense, viscous purple poison struck the light shield like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun, purified and melted away at a visible rate! Its domineering corrosive power could not penetrate this shield condensed from the Will of Judgment at all!

"What?!" A flicker of surprise crossed Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes. She knew Ling Feng's Martial Soul restrained her poison, but she had not expected the suppression to be so absolute! Her third Soul Skill could not even break through his defense?

The instant her mind wavered, Ling Feng moved! The light shield abruptly dispersed, and the spinning Spear of Judgment reformed in his hand. He gripped it in reverse, his footwork shifting as though he had merged with Thunderflame Valley's scorching currents. He moved so fast that only a faint golden afterimage remained! It was a movement technique that incorporated the essence of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!

"Watch out!" Ling Feng's voice sounded by Dugu Yan's ear, carrying a trace of cold fighting intent.

The Spear of Judgment tore through the air with a piercing shriek, stabbing straight toward Dugu Yan's waist! Black radiance flickered from its tip, giving off a palpitating aura of destruction! This strike was fast, precise, and ruthless! There was not the slightest trace of mercy for a beauty!

An intense sense of danger instantly seized Dugu Yan! She gave a sharp cry, and her Jade Phosphorous Serpent tail lashed fiercely against the ground. Borrowing the force, she rapidly retreated while her hands formed seals in quick succession and Soul Power surged. "Second Soul Skill, Serpent Python Heavenly Gang Shield!"

A Soul Power shield formed from emerald diamond-shaped snake scales instantly condensed before her, radiating a tough gleam!

Clang—!

The Spear of Judgment stabbed viciously into the snake-scale shield! A piercing metallic crash exploded! Golden and emerald light collided fiercely!

Crack!

After only an instant of stalemate, the seemingly sturdy snake-scale shield shattered inch by inch like fragile glass beneath the Spear of Judgment's dual powers of holy purification and Destructive Pierce!

Dugu Yan gave a muffled groan. The backlash from having her snake-scale shield forcibly broken sent her blood and energy churning, making her retreat even more urgent. Yet Ling Feng's Spear of Judgment did not slow in the slightest. Carrying an unstoppable sharpness, it continued toward her!

Seeing the spear tip about to strike her body, panic flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes, but an even fiercer flame of defiance burned within them! She forcibly twisted her body, trying to avoid a vital blow.

At that critical instant, Ling Feng suddenly dropped his wrist! The thrusting Spear of Judgment was forcibly spun into a sharp flourish in his hand, narrowly grazing past Dugu Yan's slender waist! The force of the wind raised by the spear tip even sliced a tiny opening into the purple soft armor around her waist!

Dugu Yan staggered to a stop and looked at Ling Feng, still shaken. In that instant just now, she had truly felt the threat of death! Had Ling Feng not forcibly withdrawn his strength and changed his move at the last moment...

The Spear of Judgment in Ling Feng's hand dissolved into specks of golden light. He stood where he was, his breathing steady, as though that thunderous strike had merely been casual. "Your defense relies too heavily on the Soul Skill itself. It lacks variation and resilience. Against an extreme attack, it collapses at the first touch."

His assessment showed no mercy, yet struck directly at the heart of the issue.

Dugu Yan panted as she looked at Ling Feng's calm, unreadable face. The frustration in her heart was quickly replaced by an even stronger fighting spirit. She straightened her back, her violet vertical pupils fixed firmly on Ling Feng. "Again! This time, I won't give you such an easy chance to break through!"

Seeing the fighting spirit blazing in Dugu Yan's eyes, an imperceptible trace of appreciation passed through the depths of Ling Feng's gaze. He nodded slightly. "All right."

The two clashed once more. Golden and emerald light collided and intertwined continuously in Thunderflame Valley. Dugu Yan no longer focused solely on fierce attacks. Instead, she perfectly combined the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's flexibility, deadly poison, and her own speed. Her attacks became more cunning and bizarre, while her defense gained several more agile techniques for deflecting force. Ling Feng, meanwhile, was like the strictest examiner. His Spear of Judgment was sometimes as overwhelming as Thunderous Might and sometimes as nimble as a snake leaving its burrow, precisely exposing every minute flaw in Dugu Yan's movements and forcing her to constantly surpass her limits.

Within the scorching currents, the two figures crossed at high speed. The booms of colliding Soul Skills and the aftershocks of surging Soul Power spread without end. Sweat soaked the hair before Dugu Yan's forehead, plastering it against her fair skin. Her lips were tightly pressed together, her gaze focused and unyielding. Every time she was driven back, she immediately adjusted her stance and lunged forward again. Ling Feng was like an immovable boulder, his movements concise and efficient, every strike carrying judgment-like precision and pressure.

At the valley entrance, Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the intense sparring within. Satisfaction shone in his eyes. Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and the others stood beside him.

"Yan Yan is improving so quickly!" Yu Feng could not help exclaiming. "She can actually hold on for so long against Ling Feng's monstrous attacks!"

Osler nodded as well. "And her poison is working with her movement technique in increasingly tricky ways."

Shi Mo said in a deep, muffled voice, "Ling Feng is guiding her. He's placing Yan Yan under extreme pressure."

However, Yu Tianheng's expression grew increasingly gloomy. He watched the two figures in the valley grow more and more coordinated, watched the focused gaze Dugu Yan gave Ling Feng—a gaze that even carried a trace of dependence. Jealousy churned and burned in his heart like Thunderflame Valley's magma. He was the captain of the Heaven Dou Team! He was the one who should have been standing at Dugu Yan's side! What gave this Ling Feng the right?!

"Hmph, fancy moves with no real substance!" Yu Tianheng could not help snorting, his tone sour. "Before absolute power, techniques are nothing but futile struggles! Yan Yan has been led down the wrong path by him!"

Qin Ming frowned slightly at those words. He glanced at Yu Tianheng and said heavily, "Tianheng, strength is certainly important, but wisdom and technique are equally indispensable. Ling Feng's guidance is helping Yan Yan make up for her shortcomings and unearth the deeper potential of her Martial Soul. That is something you should humbly learn from."

"Learn from him?" Yu Tianheng was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His voice abruptly rose, filled with humiliation and unwillingness. "Teacher! I'm the captain! My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is the strongest assault-type Martial Soul! Why should I learn his unorthodox methods? He is only relying on his Martial Soul's restraint and that strange domain! If we fought fair and square..."

"Enough!" Qin Ming barked, cutting off Yu Tianheng's resentful words as his gaze turned stern. "Tianheng! As captain, a narrow mind is a grave taboo! Ling Feng's strength is plain for all to see, and his fighting style is likewise worth studying! If you do not even have the courage to acknowledge your opponent's strength, how will you lead the team further in the tournament? How will you face an even stronger Shrek?"

Qin Ming's stern gaze made Yu Tianheng's heart tremble. He forcibly suppressed the resentment and fury filling his chest, but his tightly clenched fists and the gloom flickering in his eyes exposed his inner defiance. He stared fixedly at Ling Feng's effortless figure in the valley, his nails nearly digging into his flesh.

Ling Feng... just you wait! At the tournament, I, Yu Tianheng, will make you understand who the true core is!

Within the valley, the two separated after another fierce collision. Dugu Yan panted lightly, drenched in fragrant sweat, yet her eyes were exceptionally bright. Looking at Ling Feng as he withdrew his stance, a radiant smile curled across her lips. "That was exhilarating! Again!"

Ling Feng looked at the girl before him, whose fighting spirit was high and whose eyes shone brightly. Feeling how her Soul Power had become increasingly condensed and pure under extreme pressure, his evaluation of Dugu Yan rose another level. This woman possessed exceptional talent and temperament. She was worth cultivating and would become a powerful aide in the Spirit Hall faction in the future.

Ding! God-Tier Choice triggered!

Detected fluctuations in key figure Tang San's recent fate trajectory! Within three days, he will enter the outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest. Objective: obtain his third Soul Ring (Man Faced Demon Spider) and External Soul Bone—Eight Spider Lances!

Option One: Go personally and intercept him. Enter the Star Dou Great Forest in advance, kill the target Man Faced Demon Spider, and seize its Soul Ring and Soul Bone. Reward: Soul Bone fusion compatibility increased by 10%; Eight Spider Lances evolution potential increased. Risk: your whereabouts may be exposed, and you may encounter Tang Hao or unknown interference.

Option Two: Kill with a borrowed blade. Guide Dugu Bo to that area and create an "accident" to interfere with Tang San's soul beast hunt. Reward: Dugu Bo's favorability greatly increased; obtain his exclusive Poison Scripture (fragment). Risk: the Soul Bone may be destroyed or unobtainable, and Dugu Bo may be injured.

Option Three: Watch and wait. Do not interfere with Tang San obtaining the Eight Spider Lances. Reward: Random ten-thousand-year soul beast essence ×1 (can be used to strengthen Martial Soul).

The cold, clear system prompt exploded in Ling Feng's mind like a thunderclap!

Tang San! Man Faced Demon Spider! Eight Spider Lances!

The three phrases together instantly ignited a cold flame in Ling Feng's eyes! The Eight Spider Lances were one of Tang San's most important cheats in the early stages—capable of both offense and defense, Devour and Evolve, practically a divine skill! If Tang San obtained them smoothly, dealing with him later would undoubtedly become far more difficult!

Go personally and intercept him? The gains would be immense. The increased Soul Bone compatibility and evolution potential would be enough to raise his strength to another level! But the risks were equally tremendous! The Star Dou Great Forest was fraught with danger, and that lunatic Tang Hao, who doted on his son, was highly likely to be protecting him from the shadows! If Ling Feng's identity was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Kill with a borrowed blade? Use Dugu Bo as a ready-made, sharp blade! He could accomplish his goal while improving his relationship with Dugu Bo and obtaining the Poison Scripture. But the greatest risk was that he might not get the Eight Spider Lances! And if Dugu Bo encountered an enraged Tang Hao...

Watch and wait? It was the safest choice, but also offered the least reward. A random ten-thousand-year soul beast essence was barely worth anything to him.

Ling Feng's gaze shifted in an instant as countless thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning. In the end, coldness and resolve prevailed!

The Eight Spider Lances must be obtained! But acting personally now is too risky! Dugu Bo... this blade is fast enough and hard enough! And his trust in me is enough for him to pull chestnuts from the fire for me! As for the Soul Bone... as long as Dugu Bo successfully interferes and creates chaos, with my speed and the Eye of Destiny's predictions, I may have a chance to seize it in the confusion!

"Option Two!" Ling Feng's resolve was firm. Compared with the Soul Bone's direct enhancement, the long-term value of an ally at the level of a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo, along with his Poison Scripture, was far greater! What was more, there was still a chance to profit amid the chaos!

"Ling Feng? What's wrong?" Dugu Yan keenly sensed the fleeting cold killing intent around Ling Feng and his momentary distraction, and asked in confusion.

Ling Feng instantly steadied his thoughts, his expression returning to calm. Looking at Dugu Yan, he said evenly, "Nothing. We'll stop here today. You've improved well, but your defensive resilience and ability to adapt still need strengthening. Go back and properly digest what you gained today."

Dugu Yan was somewhat reluctant to stop, but she could tell Ling Feng seemed to have something to do. She obediently nodded. "Mm, I understand. Thank you, Ling Feng." Her gratitude came from the bottom of her heart.

Ling Feng nodded faintly without another word. He turned and strode toward the valley exit, his steps steady, but a storm targeting Tang San was already brewing in the depths of his eyes. He needed to see someone immediately—Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo!

Watching Ling Feng's departing back, Dugu Yan remained where she was. She raised a hand and gently brushed over the tiny slit the Spear of Judgment had cut into the soft armor at her waist. Her cheeks grew faintly warm. The image of Ling Feng forcibly withdrawing his spear at the brink of life and death surfaced in her mind once more.

"This guy..." she muttered softly, her tone complicated. Yet in her violet vertical pupils, a ripple quietly spread—one she had not even noticed herself.