Border Killing Trap, Battle Soul Sage (Part One)

Having broken through to Soul Emperor, completing the initial bone and tendon quenching, Yu Yuanchen remained in Thunderclap Ravine for another half month. He thoroughly stabilized his realm and grew familiar with controlling his surging strength. Feeling the vast Soul Power and formidable physique within him, far beyond what they had once been, he knew it was time to leave this treasured place where he had cultivated in seclusion for two years.

His goal was clear—return to the clan and obtain the sixty-three-thousand-year pureblood Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Ring that had long been prepared for him!

In fact, about a month before his breakthrough, when he sensed the time was near, he had already secretly sent word back to Dragon City through the clan's confidential channels. He did not mention his exact location in the letter, only that he was about to break through Level Sixty. He also "frankly" revealed that his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul showed signs of evolution after being stimulated by Thunder God Power and his repeated level-crossing absorption of Soul Rings! If he could absorb a top-tier Dragon Species Soul Beast Soul Ring of sufficient age and perfectly compatible attributes, it would greatly advance the evolution process. He was fully confident that when he broke through Level Seventy, he would complete the ultimate transformation of his Martial Soul!

To the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, this news was undoubtedly earth-shattering. Martial Soul Evolution meant an elevation of the bloodline and the possibility that the clan might one day produce a supreme powerhouse who surpassed all limits! Yu Boxuan was both shocked and delighted upon receiving the letter. Though he found his grandson's claims somewhat unbelievable, recalling the miracles Yu Yuanchen had created along the way and that mysterious Thunder God Power, he chose to believe him. After an emergency discussion, the Family High Council immediately made its decision: activate that long-preserved foundation—the pureblood Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon imprisoned deep within Thunder Gorge, secretly guarded and raised by generations of clan powerhouses, with a Cultivation Level of sixty-three thousand years! It could not be more fitting as Yu Yuanchen's Sixth Soul Ring!

The clan's reply arrived through secret channels. Besides informing him that the Soul Beast was ready, it also mentioned the situation beyond the clan. The Long Family of the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family had apparently learned through some channel that Yu Yuanchen had gone out to train. On the surface, their frictions with the Yu Family had temporarily eased, seemingly because they knew they could not touch the Yu Family's foundations while their top combat power was restrained. In secret, however, the Long Family had colluded with the Elephant Armored Sect, known for its defense and strength. Offering great rewards, they had commissioned them to secretly search for and eliminate Yu Yuanchen! The Long Family, meanwhile, was responsible for stirring up trouble in the shadows and tying down the Yu Family's attention.

By the time the Yu Family discovered the Long Family's true intentions and the Elephant Armored Sect's movements, they were already a step too late. The Elephant Armored Sect had long since scattered its personnel. Although the Yu Family's ally, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was somewhat stronger overall than the Elephant Armored Sect, which currently had only one Titled Douluo serving as an enshrined protector—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had only entered its unprecedented era of strength under Ning Fengzhi's leadership, and before that it had at most one Titled Douluo—the two sects were more loosely allied through mutual interests. Their relationship had not reached the point where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would wage an All-out War with the Elephant Armored Sect to the death for their sake. All it could do was use its influence to increase its suppression of the Elephant Armored Sect in every aspect throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, while ensuring that the Elephant Armored Sect's Soul Douluo and higher-level combatants could not move freely, lest uncontrollable consequences arise. As for pursuits led by Soul Sages, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not completely prevent them either. The continent was vast, and Soul Sage-level Soul Masters were already highly mobile.

"Elephant Armored Sect... Huyan Kuang..." A cold gleam flashed through Yu Yuanchen's eyes. A sect guarded by a Level Ninety-Three Titled Douluo was indeed troublesome. Pursuit by Soul Sages posed an enormous threat to him.

He had to be even more careful. After planning several roundabout routes, he chose the most concealed one, intending to silently cross the border between Heaven Dou and Star Luo before sneaking back into Heaven Dou territory.

However, he had still underestimated the Elephant Armored Sect's determination—or rather, the price the Long Family had paid.

As he crossed a sparsely populated Hilly Area at the border between the two nations, trouble found him.

A checkpoint had been set up on the only road ahead. More than a dozen disciples clad in the Elephant Armored Sect's distinctive heavy armor were stopping travelers for inspection. The leader was extraordinarily burly, like a small fortress. His aura was deep and heavy, and he was unmistakably a Soul Sage-level powerhouse! Two Yellow, Two Purple, and three black Soul Rings slowly revolved beneath his feet, and the pressure they brought rendered passing pedestrians and merchants silent with fear.

These Elephant Armored Sect disciples were interrogating every passing Soul Master between Soul Elder and Soul Emperor. They demanded that each person state their identity and origin, then carefully inspected their faces as if comparing them against some portrait.

A passing Soul King was dissatisfied with their attitude and muttered, "The Elephant Armored Sect sure acts mighty." The Soul Sage immediately snorted coldly, and a vast aura pressed down like a mountain. The Soul King's face instantly turned pale. He staggered back, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and did not dare say another word.

A Soul Sage holding the line, inspecting Soul Elders through Soul Emperors... The target is clear. They're after me. Hidden in the shadows, Yu Yuanchen's thoughts raced. He had disguised himself as an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, keeping his aura at the level of a newly advanced Soul Emperor. Yet with such meticulous inspections, there was no guarantee his disguise would not be exposed. Force his way through? With one Soul Sage and several Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings, even if he won against their formation, it would be a costly victory. Worse, he would immediately expose his whereabouts and draw even stronger enemies.

In an instant, a plan took shape in his mind.

He did not approach them directly and instead left for the time being. That night, he secretly returned and deliberately made a faint sound nearby. Then, like a startled rabbit, his figure flashed as he fled in panic toward the depths of the Dense Forest beside the road, deliberately leaking a hint of disorder and furtiveness through his aura.

"Hmm? Who's sneaking around? Stop right there!" The leading Elephant Armored Sect Soul Sage had eyes like lightning and immediately locked onto Yu Yuanchen's fleeing back view. He did not pursue personally. Instead, he waved a large hand. "You lot, go capture him for me! Be careful. He might be a big catch!"

"Yes, Elder!" Five disciples immediately answered. Among them were two Soul Kings and three Soul Ancestors. Their Soul Rings lit up as they smashed through the trees like five heavy war chariots, charging after Yu Yuanchen. The Soul Sage remained at the checkpoint, clearly believing five disciples were enough to handle the matter while also guarding against a diversion.

Yu Yuanchen sneered inwardly. He kept his speed at a level where they could neither catch him immediately nor lose his trail, luring the five Elephant Armored Sect disciples toward a desolate valley several miles away.

Once inside the valley, the terrain became relatively enclosed. Yu Yuanchen abruptly halted and turned around. The panic on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by icy killing intent.

"Run, then. Why aren't you running anymore?" The leading Soul King grinned viciously as he and the other four spread out in a fan-shaped formation around him. Heavy Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul phantoms appeared behind them, their immense strength oppressing the air.

"Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish." Yu Yuanchen's voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling coldness.

The next moment, he moved! Without the slightest warning, his Fifth Soul Ring instantly lit up. Yet he did not deploy his domain. Instead, he used its power to instantly generate a massive amount of Thunder Power, compress it, unleash it, and merge it into himself!

"Thunder God Mode, activate!"

Boom!

Dazzling Purple-Gold Lightning erupted from within him! This was no longer merely lightning stimulating his cells. It was a berserk state that formed when Soul Power fused instantly with his initially quenched Bloodline Power, drawing upon that thread of Thunder God Power as its core to grant all-around enhancement!

His speed, strength, reactions, and Soul Power intensity soared to a terrifying level in an instant. Arcs of electricity danced over his body, filling the air with the smell of scorching. Fortunately, his body refinement had achieved some results by now. Otherwise, this alone might have destroyed him first.

What was even more shocking was that as he activated Thunder God Mode, Qi and blood surged beneath his skin, and an ancient, majestic Dragon Might spread outward! Accompanied by a deep Dragon Roar, thumb-sized deep-blue dragon scales rapidly covered the major parts of his body like a tide. Their edges glimmered with Purple-Gold radiance, and their texture resembled solid metal!

These were not Soul Power scales generated through the Dragon Transformation Secret Method by simulating dragonification. Those scales were more like energy constructs; although their defense was strong, they lacked true "vitality." These were True Dragon Scale Armor, manifested upon his body through his highly active Bloodline Power, which had reached minor success through quenching, combined with the Dragon Transformation Secret Method to truly stimulate and guide the Dragon Bloodline hidden within him! Their defensive power, ability to transmit force, and compatibility with his body were far beyond those of Soul Power scales! They were genuine physical scales like those of Tang Da'er in Dou San. Yu Yuanchen's scales were still far from reaching that level in terms of strength, but their nature was entirely different. After all, Tang Da'er had only passively gained them by absorbing an external bloodline, while Yu Yuanchen had actively cultivated them by excavating his own potential!

At the same time, he perfectly integrated the technique passed down by the clan's Elder, Lightning Strike Robe—which spread Thunder Power densely over the body's surface to form a high-frequency vibrating defensive layer—into Thunder God Mode and his Dragon Scale Armor. At this moment, dragon scales covered his entire body while Purple-Gold Lightning circulated and vibrated at high speed through the gaps between them. He looked like a Dragon God warrior who had emerged from an ancient Thunder Pool, his aura soaring to the heavens!

"Not good! Defend with everything you've got!" The leading Soul King's pupils contracted sharply. Sensing the fatal threat, he roared as he activated his Soul Skill. The heavy Diamond Mammoth phantom solidified around him, protecting his entire body.

But it was too late!

Yu Yuanchen's target had never been him from the beginning. It was the three Soul Ancestors! Under the terrifying enhancement of Thunder God Mode, he moved so fast that it seemed like Instantaneous Movement, leaving only a Purple-Gold afterimage where he had stood.

Rip! Rip! Rip!

Three faint sounds, like cloth being torn open, rang out almost simultaneously. At some point, Yu Yuanchen's hands had fully dragonified. Not only his right arm, but his left arm was also covered in thicker, sharper Purple-Gold dragon scales. His five fingers had become savage Dragon Claws—after completing Flesh Quenching, his control over his body had increased enormously, and the Thunder Dragon Claw on his left arm had finally completed its natural evolution! Both claws struck together, carrying the piercing Artistic Conception of Thunder Dragon Shatters Void without fully unleashing it. Instead, he concentrated extremely condensed lightning and force at the claw tips.

The three Soul Ancestors had not even managed to fully release their Martial Souls. The Soul Power protecting their bodies was like paper before Dragon Claws fused with Thunder God Power, and their throats or hearts were pierced instantly! Shock and disbelief still lingered in their eyes as their bodies went limp and collapsed.

Three Soul Ancestors were killed in an instant, all within the span of a flash of lightning!

"Bastard!" The two Soul Kings' eyes split with rage. Roaring, they unleashed their strongest offensive Soul Skills. Massive mammoth phantoms stomped and charged at Yu Yuanchen with the force to crush everything in their path.

Yu Yuanchen neither dodged nor retreated. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he crossed both claws before his chest. The dragon scales around him shone brilliantly, and Lightning Strike Robe vibrated at high speed!

Boom!

The two Soul Kings' full-force attacks struck him solidly! Violent energy erupted, blasting a huge crater into the ground.

As the dust settled, Yu Yuanchen stood unmoving! Only faint white marks had appeared on his Dragon Scale Armor, and they swiftly vanished as lightning flowed across them. His formidable physique, dragon scales, and lightning robe had dispersed the immense impact layer by layer. His Qi and blood merely churned slightly; he had not been injured!

"How is that possible?!" The two Soul Kings were stricken with horror. Their combined strike had failed even to break through his defense?

In the instant they froze in shock, Yu Yuanchen moved. His figure flickered as he closed in on one Soul King like a ghost. His left claw flashed like lightning, aiming straight for the man's chest. The Soul King hastily raised a defense, but the terrifying force contained in the Dragon Claw directly shattered it. A massive wound was torn open in his chest, blood spraying wildly. He was clearly beyond saving.

The last Soul King's courage shattered. He turned and tried to flee. How could Yu Yuanchen allow that? He swung his right claw through the air, and a condensed Purple-Gold lightning claw strike arrived after but overtook him, instantly piercing through his back and heart.

From his sudden attack to the deaths of all five Elephant Armored Sect disciples, the entire process had taken no more than ten breaths!

Yu Yuanchen dispersed the lightning around his claws, his breathing slightly hurried. Thunder God Mode consumed an enormous amount of energy, and maintaining both Dragon Scale Armor and Lightning Strike Robe at the same time was an even greater double test of Soul Power and Qi and blood. Yet his gaze remained icy as he looked toward the valley entrance.

Almost at the same moment he finished off the last Soul King, raging fury and a terrifying aura swept in from outside the valley like an erupting volcano!

"You little beast! You dare kill disciples of my Elephant Armored Sect? Give me your life!"

That fortress-like figure crashed into the valley like a meteor, carrying boundless fury. It was the Elephant Armored Sect Soul Sage who had been guarding the checkpoint! In the end, he had not felt at ease and had followed them. Yet he had arrived just in time to witness all his disciples being slaughtered.

The immense pressure of a Soul Sage became almost tangible as it firmly locked onto Yu Yuanchen. His Seventh Soul Ring suddenly lit up—Martial Soul Avatar!

A Diamond Mammoth Giant Elephant phantom more than ten meters tall solidified, towering like a mountain. Its long trunk swung as it released a deafening roar. Its enormous foot rose, carrying the force to shatter mountains and split the earth, before stomping down directly at Yu Yuanchen's head! The air itself was compressed into white blast waves beneath that foot!

Facing the enraged, full-force strike of a Soul Sage, Yu Yuanchen's pupils contracted slightly, but he did not retreat. He drew a deep breath as Soul Power and Qi and blood once again surged wildly through his body. Dragon Scale Armor and Lightning Strike Robe shone brilliantly, while Purple-Gold Lightning began compressing and gathering to an extreme degree around both claws once more.

The true hard battle was only beginning now!