Masked Douluo (Bonus Chapter—Please Keep Reading)

Liu Xing could understand Ye Guyi's choice. Under the Bird of Paradise's sacred and peaceful aura, any creature would lay down its fighting spirit. Even Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts would be affected, let alone Ye Guyi.

If they insisted on killing this Bird of Paradise, it would surely leave a regret in their hearts. It was better to give up and hunt another light-attribute soul beast.

If they insisted on killing this Bird of Paradise, it would surely leave a regret in their hearts. It was better to give up and hunt another light-attribute soul beast.

No wonder this Bird of Paradise had been able to survive in the Demon Forest, so incompatible with its sacred attribute, with only a hundred years of cultivation.

Liu Xing and the others gave the Bird of Paradise a few more looks before turning and heading out of the valley. With a Bird of Paradise here, there should be other light-attribute soul beasts nearby as well.

"Chirp!"

The Bird of Paradise cried out again, as though bidding them farewell.

Just then, a hoarse voice rang out from somewhere in the valley. "There's actually a Bird of Paradise here. How disgusting."

From the slope below the valley, a gray-black beam shot forth toward the Bird of Paradise. Carrying an evil aura, it caused the nearby grass and trees to wither wherever it passed, leaving behind a foul stench in the air.

The Bird of Paradise let out a clear cry. White light spread from its body and formed a curtain of light before it, but the gray-black beam was too powerful. The Bird of Paradise was only a Hundred-Year Soul Beast, after all. Even if it was said to be an envoy of the Angel God, the Angel God had already fallen and the Divine Throne had shattered. No matter how extraordinary the Bird of Paradise was, it could not bridge the gap in cultivation and strength.

"Not good!"

A long sword appeared in Luan Yu's hand, Ice Blue in color, with a phoenix carved upon its hilt and patterns winding across its blade. In her urgency, she flung out an Ice Blue sword aura. Frost spread wherever it passed as it flew straight toward the gray-black beam.

"Huh! There are people here?"

The unpleasant, hoarse voice sounded again. A blue-black skull suddenly soared into the sky, opened its bloody maw, and bit apart Luan Yu's sword aura in a single bite.

Luan Yu was not a traditional soul master, after all. Her sword aura lacked Sword Intent and was not particularly powerful. Otherwise, if it had been a traditional soul master, that blue-black skull would not have dared to be so arrogant.

With that delay, the gray-black beam pierced directly through the Bird of Paradise's curtain of light and bored through its body. The Bird of Paradise cried out mournfully and fell straight from the mountaintop, tumbling down the slope. It was clearly not going to survive.

"Bastard!"

Luan Yu roared and tossed out an Ice Blue crystal sphere. Endless cold burst forth, and snow fell in June above the valley. Countless snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the entire valley.

The blue-black skull twisted, scattering light and shadow in every direction, before revealing a pale human face. Its gender could not be discerned, but countless disgusting blue-black maggots crawled across it.

At the same time, two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings shone. The imposing aura of a Titled Douluo surged forth.

Luan Yu's expression changed. Two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings likewise shone around the Ice Phoenix Sword. The Ice Blue pearl above her head also released layer upon layer of icy barriers, shielding Liu Xing and the other three.

"Hm? A Titled Douluo? A Ninth Level Spirit Tool?"

The blue-black face first stared greedily at Luan Yu's alluring figure and beautiful features, then looked warily at the Ninth Level Spirit Tool above her head, the Ice Soul Divine Light Pearl.

His eyes shifted. Though he coveted Luan Yu's body, she was also a Titled Douluo and possessed a Ninth Level Spirit Tool. He might not necessarily win if they fought. If the battle's shockwaves drew a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast over, that would be troublesome.

"An Evil Spirit Master?"

Luan Yu's expression was grim. The other party's appearance resembled that of an Evil Spirit Master, and coupled with the evil aura surrounding him, it was hard not to suspect it.

Ye Guyi stared fixedly at the blue-black face, her face filled with killing intent and her small features ice-cold.

It was not only because he had killed the Bird of Paradise that had brought her warmth. Her instincts also abhorred him, and she wished she could reduce him to ashes.

Liu Xing's heart sank. Their luck was truly terrible! They had actually encountered an Evil Spirit Master at the Titled Douluo level. Aunt might not be a match for an Evil Spirit Master. Their methods were bizarre, and many of them could fight above their level. Aunt's combat strength was worrying; she was only a level ninety-two Titled Douluo and a Rank 9 Spirit Tool Master who primarily relied on spirit tools. Although the Ice Soul Divine Light Pearl was powerful, they were neither too close nor too far from their opponent. It would be fine if they could widen the distance, but the other party was clearly no fool and would not give them that chance.

They had been careless. Because this was the outskirts of the Demon Forest, where there were no soul beasts capable of threatening a Titled Douluo, they had lowered their guard. They had not even noticed a Titled Douluo-level Evil Spirit Master nearby until he attacked.

Luan Yu regretted it deeply. If she had been alone, she would have been confident in escaping. But now she had four burdens with her, and the chances of fleeing were slim. They could only fight to the death.

Why would a Titled Douluo-level Evil Spirit Master appear on the outskirts of the Demon Forest? Luan Yu was utterly confused. From the looks of him, he had not just obtained his ninth soul ring, nor did he have any younger disciples with him. Why had he come to the Demon Forest?

While Luan Yu remained vigilant and regretful, Masked Douluo was equally depressed. He had only just left the headquarters when he encountered a sacred-attribute soul beast he loathed. It would have been nothing to casually kill it, but he had not expected to run into a Rank 9 Spirit Tool Master who had brought juniors here to hunt soul beasts.

He was only a level ninety-one Titled Douluo. Although he was confident he could defeat her with his methods, he did not want to draw attention, especially not from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. That would be far too high-profile. The Holy Church was not yet ready to be exposed.

Furthermore, the Holy Church had just established contact with a prince of the Sun Moon Empire and showed signs of cooperation. If he killed a Rank 9 Spirit Tool Master from the Sun Moon Empire here, it would likely affect their cooperative relationship. The Church Master would not let him off lightly then.

At that thought, Masked Douluo began to consider retreating. The reward for winning would only be a beautiful body, along with a heap of trouble. Losing would be even more troublesome. This fight could not happen.

Although Evil Spirit Masters were all mentally unstable, none who could cultivate to the level of Titled Douluo were fools. Otherwise, they would never have lived long enough to become Titled Douluo.

"What? You want to avenge that soul beast? Since when have humans had such a good relationship with soul beasts?"

Masked Douluo said hoarsely.

"Sir, that Bird of Paradise was originally our target. You suddenly attacked and killed it. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"

Luan Yu knew that no matter what, she could not show weakness. The moment she did, the other party might attack outright. The best outcome would be for both sides to part peacefully. If she had been alone, she would have fought him no matter what, but the current situation did not allow it. The four youngsters could not withstand the aftershocks of a battle between Titled Douluo.