Judging by the scenery alone, it seemed no different from the area simulating the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest in the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform.
But the moment Wang Chuan spread out his Mental Power, he immediately sensed the difference.
First was the density of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy. It was at least several times greater than in the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform, pure and active enough to refresh one's mind with every breath.
Second were the subtle auras of powerful life forms permeating the air.
The Primary Spirit Ascension Platform was generally home to ten-year and hundred-year Soul Beasts, while thousand-year Soul Beasts already ruled their respective areas.
Here, however, the auras of thousand-year Soul Beasts could be sensed almost everywhere. Deeper within, there were even faint, weighty pressures from ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts that made even him feel some strain.
"Roar!"
A low, intimidating roar sounded from behind the nearby bushes, shattering the forest's silence.
Rustle!
Branches and leaves flew in all directions as an enormous creature leaped out.
It was a massive tiger-type Soul Beast over six meters long and more than one and a half meters tall at the shoulder.
Its body was covered in thick tawny fur, yet strange dark-purple patterns densely spread across that fur, making it look both mysterious and ferocious.
Most striking were its eyes—one icy blue and the other crimson red. Ice and fire intertwined within them, creating an exceedingly eerie sight.
Even more unusual was the pair of wings growing from either side of its broad back. Its left wing was icy blue, its right wing fiery red, and each slight flap scattered ice crystals and sparks.
"Ice-Fire Demon Tiger."
Wang Chuan narrowed his eyes, instantly recognizing the Soul Beast.
Having consciously gathered knowledge from across Douluo Continent since the age of two, he had long memorized important texts such as the Compendium of Soul Beasts.
The Ice-Fire Demon Tiger controlled the two utterly opposing yet immensely powerful elements of ice and fire. Combined, their destructive power far surpassed that of a single attribute.
Judging by its size and energy fluctuations, it was at least around four thousand years old.
Among Soul Beasts of the same age, this kind was undoubtedly one of the most troublesome elites.
Meanwhile, in the Spirit Pagoda's monitoring room outside.
The huge Soul Guidance Screen clearly displayed the image of the Spirit Ascension Platform area where Wang Chuan was located.
When the imposing figure of the Ice-Fire Demon Tiger appeared on-screen, several restrained gasps rose from the monitoring room.
"Ice-Fire Demon Tiger!"
"Judging by its size and energy readings, it has at least four thousand years of cultivation!"
An experienced staff member exclaimed in a low voice.
Zheng Chenggong also furrowed his brows, his expression turning grave.
A four-thousand-year Ice-Fire Demon Tiger controlled both ice and fire. Its offense and defense were equally formidable, and its combat power was fierce.
Normally, a Soul Master at the level of a Five-Ring Soul King, equipped with decent Soul Skills and combat experience, would be needed to deal with it reliably.
Wang Chuan might be extraordinarily talented, but he was still only a Three-Ring Soul Venerable. Could he handle such a ferocious beast?
Zheng Chenggong could not help clenching his fists and leaning forward slightly, staring intently at the screen as he prepared to activate the emergency evacuation procedure at any moment.
Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform, the Ice-Fire Demon Tiger had clearly regarded Wang Chuan as prey that had intruded upon its territory.
Its mismatched ice-and-fire eyes locked onto Wang Chuan as it let out an even more oppressive roar, the sound waves shaking leaves loose from the surrounding trees.
Then, it opened its gaping maw and spat out a blazing fireball the size of a human head.
The fireball swelled violently the moment it left its mouth. In the blink of an eye, it expanded into a huge sphere over a meter wide, trailing a long fiery tail as it howled toward Wang Chuan with scorching heat!
Faced with this menacing attack, Wang Chuan remained completely calm. He even shook his head slightly.
"The spectacle is decent..."
"But its use of energy is far too crude and direct."
With a thought, the incomparably magnificent phantom of the Five Virtues Phoenix emerged behind him. Its broad five-colored wings unfolded gracefully, radiating a sacred and boundless aura.
Immediately afterward, three purple Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet and slowly pulsed around his body.
The First Soul Ring suddenly shone brilliantly!
First Soul Skill, Domain of Five Elements!
In an instant, the air within a hundred-meter radius centered on Wang Chuan seemed to distort slightly as five-colored radiance flowed without end.
The five elements were instantly brought under Wang Chuan's control!
This was not mere elemental affinity, but true domain control!
Wang Chuan had long understood firsthand the rarity and strength of domain-type Soul Skills.
Because, within his Domain of Five Elements...
He was the sovereign of the five elements!
Wang Chuan merely waved a hand lightly at the massive incoming fireball.
The enormous fireball, which had been charging forward with overwhelming momentum, seemed to be brushed by an invisible hand the instant it entered the Domain of Five Elements. Its violent fire element instantly dispersed.
But after the fireball dissipated...
Dozens of half-meter-long ice spikes, radiating bone-piercing cold, hidden within it continued hurtling toward Wang Chuan!
Using the fireball's cover and the turbulent air currents created by its heat, these ice spikes had silently followed behind. They were clearly the Ice-Fire Demon Tiger's insidious backup attack.
"Oh?"
"Concealing ice spikes within a fireball—making a feint in the open while striking in secret?"
"Interesting."
A trace of surprise flashed through Wang Chuan's eyes. This Ice-Fire Demon Tiger possessed no small amount of combat intelligence.
Unfortunately, before absolute control, such little tricks were meaningless.
Ice was, in essence, a transformed state of the water element.
And within the Domain of Five Elements...
The water element likewise obeyed his command.
With another thought from Wang Chuan, the dozens of sharp ice spikes melted away soundlessly before they could even approach him, turning into the purest water-element energy and returning to heaven and earth.
At that moment, the Ice-Fire Demon Tiger's true body also revealed itself!
While spitting out the fireball, its massive body had already used the bushes for cover and its astonishing agility to silently pounce close to Wang Chuan!
Its gaping maw carried a foul wind. Its ice-and-fire wings drew back slightly, poised to strike, while its two massive claws, containing terrifying power, glinted coldly as they were about to tear Wang Chuan apart!
Yet what greeted it was Wang Chuan's tranquil gaze and his lightly raised right hand, curled into a loose fist.
Within the Domain of Five Elements, the vast Heaven and Earth Vital Energy and five elemental powers responded at once.
A giant five-colored hand formed from pure power of the five elements appeared above the Ice-Fire Demon Tiger out of thin air. Like heaven's hand, its five fingers curled slightly before gently closing downward!
"Roar—?!"
The Ice-Fire Demon Tiger's pounce came to an abrupt halt. The icy and fiery lights in its eyes flickered violently, filled with shock and disbelief.
It felt as though the entire space was crushing down on it. That force was irresistible, far beyond anything it could withstand.
It struggled madly, unleashing ice and fire elements across its body as it tried to rip apart the invisible restraint.
But under the suppression of the Domain of Five Elements, its power vanished like a clay ox entering the sea.
Wang Chuan's loosely clenched right hand tightened gently.
"Puff—"
In midair, the enormous five-colored hand closed as well.
The four-thousand-year Ice-Fire Demon Tiger trapped within its palm did not even manage a complete cry of agony before its huge body exploded beneath the crushing force of the five elements!
Its body directly transformed into an extremely dense Spirit Power Halo, floating in midair.
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