Evil Soul Masters!

Upon returning to Zhenhai City, Xu Tianyang was alone once more. He immersed himself in arduous cultivation again.

In the days that followed, he maintained the same routine: Tidal Body Tempering in the morning, studying Soul Tool crafting in the afternoon, and cultivating Soul Power at night.

Three months later, the time he could endure Tidal Body Tempering had increased from less than a quarter-hour at the start to two full hours. Through this nearly self-abusive training, his physical fitness, willpower, and Soul Power Level all improved at a rapid pace.

Boom!

At night, the sound of an explosion was especially piercing amid the silence.

"Your Highness!" As the Soul Tool lamp in the room lit up, Meng Tao's voice came from outside the door.

Creak! Fully dressed, Xu Tianyang opened the door, walked past him, and said, "Come on. Let's see what happened."

"Kill!"

At this moment, all of Zhenhai City had descended into chaos. Countless Soul Masters clad in gray garments emerged from every corner of the city, rushing in unison toward the City Lord's Manor.

Though these people possessed different martial souls, all of them had two Soul Rings. Among them were seven Soul Kings. In a remote little border city like Zhenhai City, which was not particularly strong, this force was enough to trigger massive unrest.

No matter whether they encountered men, women, elders, or children along the way, they killed on sight. Afterward, some drank their victims' blood, while others absorbed the souls of the corpses. The scene was extremely bloody and brutal.

They were, astonishingly, a group of Evil Soul Masters.

For a time, shouts of killing and screams echoed through the sky.

Zhenhai City had a massive bell tower nearly a hundred meters tall. Judging by the marks on its surface, it had at least several centuries of history. This tower was called Town Sea Tower. Legend said it could suppress the waves and storms at sea, ensuring that the city's people returned safely after sailing out.

However, tonight, Town Sea Tower did not suppress the Evil Soul Masters causing havoc in the city.

"Your Highness, they're Evil Soul Masters!" Xu Tianyang's group moved quickly, arriving at this high point overlooking the entirety of Zhenhai City from their residence in just five minutes.

Standing atop the tower with a massive ancient bell behind him, Xu Tianyang's eyes continuously swept across the city. Meng Tao's angry voice rang out beside him.

The Sun Moon Empire did not have a prison for Evil Soul Masters like the City of Slaughter. Although it had departments similar to Spirit Hall that hunted Evil Soul Masters, the chaos along the border due to the war between the two nations had provided Evil Soul Masters with an environment in which to survive over the years.

Even after unifying the continent, the Sun Moon Empire's focus remained on stabilizing the reclaimed lands and had not yet turned toward the Evil Soul Masters. Xu Tianyang and his group had not expected to encounter them today.

Although Meng Tao was furious at the Evil Soul Masters, he had not lost his reason. His task was to ensure Xu Tianyang's safety; everything else had to come afterward.

"Since when did Evil Soul Masters dare attack an Imperial city?" Xu Tianyang watched the Evil Soul Masters slaughtering people in the distance, cold light flickering in his eyes. "Uncle Tao, send men to assist the City Lord's Manor. Leave none of the Evil Soul Masters in the city alive."

"Your Highness..." Hesitation flashed through Meng Tao's eyes upon hearing Xu Tianyang's order.

"This is my command!" Xu Tianyang was completely unlike his usual self. The gentleness in his eyes was gone, replaced by indifference. An aura of authority radiated from his young body. The two intertwined, making him seem like an emperor by nature. No one dared meet his gaze, and an urge to submit arose in their hearts.

"Do you wish to defy my decree?"

"This subject obeys!" At that moment, Meng Tao seemed to see Xu Yunxiao's shadow in Xu Tianyang. His heart trembled as he answered in a low voice.

Meng Tao then left behind two Soul Emperors to protect Xu Tianyang while leading the remaining dozen or so Soul Kings and Soul Emperors, controlling their Soul Tools as they sped toward the City Lord's Manor.

Those assigned to protect Xu Tianyang were naturally the best of the elite. Though there were only a dozen of them, they were enough to turn the tide of battle within the city.

In the streets and alleys of Zhenhai City, city guards clad in iron armor and mounted on iron steeds, their bodies shrouded in murderous auras, fought fiercely against Soul Masters radiating dense evil energy.

Unfortunately, Evil Soul Masters had bizarre methods and were already stronger than ordinary Soul Masters. Having come prepared, they killed the city defense troops until they retreated again and again.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, the entire City Lord's Manor collapsed. Two figures, each surrounded by six Soul Rings, soared into the sky and clashed fiercely.

"Evil Soul Masters!!!" A furious growl ground out from the mouth of Zhenhai City's lord, Yang Xin. Accompanied by a deep roar, his already burly body swelled further. Muscles like granite bulged, while thick yellow fur covered his arms as well as his chest and abdomen, which had burst through his close-fitting clothes.

Yang Xin's martial soul was the Rock Giant Bear. Among bear-type martial souls on the continent, it ranked above average, possessing immense strength and astonishing defense.

"Hehehe, Yang Xin, Zhenhai City is finished today. Be good and become nourishment for my advancement!" The other man laughed maniacally. Behind him floated a giant skeleton formed from enormous bones. Strangely, its skull was exceptionally large, and its pair of Blood Red eyes gleamed with vicious light.

As the Soul Rings around him lit up, a huge bloody maw opened, releasing irregular clouds of bizarre mist that carried an intense stench.

Seeing the strange mist drifting toward him, Yang Xin did not dare let down his guard. He consecutively activated two augmentation-type soul skills.

"Kill!"

As the battle continued, the Evil Soul Master's strangeness far exceeded Yang Xin's expectations. He was completely no match for his opponent. The other man's martial soul was of higher quality, and his strength and defense surpassed Yang Xin's. Combined with that strange mist that Yang Xin dared not approach, Yang Xin quickly fell into a disadvantage.

As Zhenhai City's strongest expert and its only Soul Emperor, once Yang Xin was tied down, the fate of those in the City Lord's Manor was obvious. They faced a completely one-sided battle.

"How dare you run wild within the Empire!!!"

Just as the City Lord's Manor was about to fall, the squad led by Meng Tao finally fought their way over from the city.

"Who goes there?!"

The sudden change made the Evil Soul Masters feel deeply uneasy. When they looked up at the sky and saw the figures hovering in the air with Flying Soul Tools, the hearts of the Evil Soul Masters completely sank, and their entire bodies turned cold.

The leader of the Evil Soul Masters did not look much better, especially after seeing the seven Soul Rings surrounding Meng Tao. His heart sank even further.

"Imperial reinforcements?" Yang Xin lay in a pool of blood, struggling to lift his head as he looked toward Meng Tao's group. Hope immediately flared in his heart, and his vision blurred slightly.

"The Sun Moon Empire's lapdogs came rather quickly!" The six-ringed Evil Soul Master sneered. His sixth Soul Ring lit up at once as he shouted, "Kill! There are fewer than twenty of them, while we have over a hundred! One hundred against twenty—the advantage is ours!"

"Hehehe, kill them!"

After hearing this, the Evil Soul Masters immediately came to their senses. They smiled cruelly, released their martial souls, and charged toward Meng Tao's group.

"Kill them all. Don't leave any alive."

Thinking of the horrific scenes they had witnessed on the way here, Meng Tao realized that if they had not happened to be here protecting His Highness during training, Zhenhai City might have become an empty city by tomorrow. His fury surged to the heavens as he spoke coldly.

After issuing the command, Meng Tao controlled his Flying Soul Tool and pursued the six-ringed Evil Soul Master fleeing into the distance.

After inciting the other Evil Soul Masters to fight desperately, the man had immediately run without looking back. Meng Tao naturally would not let the culprit escape.

Boom!!!

Explosions rang out from the City Lord's Manor, mixed with shrill screams that pierced the silent night and echoed into the clouds.

The well-equipped squad, whose Soul Power cultivation also exceeded that of the Evil Soul Masters, naturally carried out a one-sided massacre. The numerical advantage those Evil Soul Masters had just boasted about was simply a joke before people armed to the teeth.

"Evil Soul Masters..."

"Damn Evil Soul Masters!"

On a street behind the City Lord's Manor, a small figure stared at the hellish scene around her. She bit her lower lip tightly as the sorrow in her eyes was gradually drowned by hatred that nearly overflowed.

"Hehehe, there's actually a little girl here." At that moment, a black shadow rushed out from the distance, emitting an unpleasant, strange laugh as it pounced like a vicious wolf.

"I don't want to die!"

As she watched the Evil Soul Master rush toward her, the clearly visible white and yellow Soul Rings displayed his identity as a Soul Grandmaster. He was far beyond what a level-nine Soul Scholar like her could contend with.

Yet her astonishing desire to survive dispelled her fear. Her delicate body erupted with startling strength as countless Blue Silver Grass blades surged out from both sides, obstructing the footsteps of those pursuing her.

"Blue Silver Grass?!" Disdain flashed in the Evil Soul Master's eyes at the sight. What a useless martial soul.

Slash! In the blink of an eye, the Blue Silver Grass was severed at the roots by his sharp wolf claws.

In another instant, the Evil Soul Master reached her. Looking at her bright eyes, a savage sneer crossed his lips. His wolf claw, still dripping blood, clawed toward her heart.

I can't die! Her beautiful eyes suddenly contracted. Countless Blue Silver Grass blades burst from her palms and wrapped around his wolf claw. She pulled hard while twisting her small body sharply.

She shifted slightly. Though she avoided a strike to the heart, the attack still slammed into her shoulder...

Pfft! She spat out a mouthful of blood, the crimson at the corner of her lips becoming even brighter as her pretty face turned paler.

The Evil Soul Master was somewhat surprised that he had failed to kill her in one blow. In the brief moment he froze, the little girl seized the opportunity. Enduring the urge to faint, she pulled a dagger from her clothes and viciously stabbed at him.

"You little brat!" He had never expected to be caught off guard by a child. With an enraged roar, he swept his other wolf claw out, blocking the incoming dagger. The immense force was too much for her to withstand, sending her body flying high like a rag doll.

Am I going to die?

I'm so unwilling...

"Ah!!!" A shrill scream echoed beside her ears. Then her body suddenly felt light, and a warm presence enveloped her. It seemed that someone had caught her in their arms.

Opening her eyes, those expressive eyes abruptly shrank. She found herself lying in the arms of an older boy, while the Evil Soul Master clutched his head and rolled on the ground, wailing in agony.

"Are you... are you a god?"

She looked around and saw a pair of enormous eyes floating behind Xu Tianyang. Gentle light poured down from them, making him appear sacred and noble in the darkness.

This sight had completely surpassed her understanding.

"What's your name?" Xu Tianyang looked at the dazed girl in his arms, amusement flickering in his eyes.

A Blue Silver Grass martial soul, yet she had cultivated to level nine Soul Power at such a young age. There had to be some secret behind it.

"My name is Yang Yiyi. Big brother, your eyes are so beautiful." Having regained her composure, Yang Yiyi stared unblinkingly into Xu Tianyang's eyes.

"Yiyi, do you want revenge?" Xu Tianyang found her words somewhat amusing. As he set her down, he looked at the Evil Soul Master twitching on the ground in the distance.

The man had been struck by Xu Tianyang's first soul skill and was already somewhat delirious.

As Xu Tianyang's strength increased, his first soul skill had become increasingly terrifying. Most Evil Soul Masters were madmen with abnormal minds, so his first soul skill was an enhanced version against them.

That was an unexpected delight.

"Yes!" Yang Yiyi was stunned for a moment before a blaze of fury erupted in her eyes.

"Then go kill him."

"It's actually devouring power!"

Xu Tianyang stared in surprise at the scene before him. Several thick Blue Silver Grass vines burst roaring from the ground and wrapped around the Evil Soul Master, who was constantly rolling about on the ground.

The tightening vines deprived him of oxygen, turning his face a liverish purple. As the Blue Silver Grass contracted, it tore open his skin, and thin streams of blood flowed out.

When they sensed the blood, the Blue Silver Grass strangely took on a blackish-purple hue and began actively absorbing his blood essence and life force.

Yang Yiyi stood amid the Blue Silver Grass. Whenever the grass flashed, a portion of life force traveled back along the vines into her body. Her aura rose slightly, and her strength increased another degree.

Her originally level-nine Soul Power directly broke through to level ten as that Evil Soul Master was drained into a dried corpse. All she lacked was a Soul Ring to break through into a Soul Master.

Her advancement speed was nothing short of terrifying.

Even a genius like Xu Tianyang was left clicking his tongue after witnessing the display of devouring power.

What a genius!

If she were allowed to devour freely, even Xu Tianyang's cultivation speed would pale in comparison.

"Evil Soul Master!" The guards who had been protecting Xu Tianyang were shaken to the core when they saw His Highness actually nurturing an Evil Soul Master. They exchanged glances and lowered their heads deeply. This matter was far too significant. Before they knew His Highness's stance, none of them wished to be the first to speak out.

"Thank you, big brother. Yiyi is level ten now." After dealing with that Evil Soul Master, Yang Yiyi walked up to Xu Tianyang and spoke gratefully.

Looking at this timid little girl, then recalling her domineering devouring power from moments ago, Xu Tianyang felt something strange in his heart. However, he quickly cast the thought aside.

He was more curious about her identity. Even though she was now filthy, Xu Tianyang could still tell that Yang Yiyi came from a good family. That level-four Soul Tool dagger was not something an ordinary household could produce.

Furthermore, her surname was Yang, and this place was close to the City Lord's Manor. It was difficult not to make Xu Tianyang think further.

"What is your relationship with Yang Xin, Zhenhai City's lord?"