Under Tree Infant Old Ghost's cold, blade-like command, the five-ring Soul King-level Evil Soul Master whose right arm Liu Yuan had crippled let out a shrill scream without the slightest hesitation.
Although black smoke still rose from the severed arm, and the searing pain crashed against his nerves like waves, Evil Soul Masters were, by nature, lunatics ruled by twisted desires and negative emotions.
Liu Yuan's earlier devastating blow had not frightened him. Instead, it had completely ignited the bloodthirsty killing intent buried deep within him.
"I'll kill you, you little bastard!"
The Evil Soul Master let out an incoherent roar as the third and Fourth Spirit Rings beneath his feet flashed in alternation.
Thick, viscous, sickly green Evil Fire burst from his body, wrapping him in a bizarre, flickering fireball.
Using the thrust from the Evil Fire's eruption, he streaked through the forest with a corrosive trail of flame, relentlessly pursuing Liu Yuan and Vina.
Liu Yuan was pulling Vina through the dense outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest at top speed.
Ancient trees twisted around them with tangled roots, while the humus beneath their feet was several feet thick, greatly hindering their speed.
Liu Yuan sensed the aura behind them drawing ever closer. The rancid stench of Evil Fire had already entered his nostrils on the wind.
He knew that fleeing through such complex terrain while dragging Vina along was too inefficient. Sooner or later, they would be caught.
"Vina, forgive me!"
Liu Yuan shouted low. The instant an Evil Fireball launched by the Evil Soul Master shattered a tree trunk beside them, he abruptly stopped. His right arm slid beneath Vina's long legs, while his left hand steadily supported her back, and he directly carried the princess of the Heaven Dou Empire in his arms