Five Thousand Years of Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear

"Wang Dong, what is the target age range for your third Soul Ring? Do you have any preferences regarding the type or attributes of the soul beast?" Chen Zifeng looked toward Wang Dong and asked.

"Four to five thousand years, I suppose," Wang Dong thought for a moment before replying. "It would be best if it were a butterfly-type soul beast with the Light attribute; it would have a high compatibility with my martial soul."

"Four or five thousand years?" Ling Luochen, standing to the side, frowned slightly upon hearing this. "The limit for a third Soul Ring is usually one thousand eight hundred years. Even with your outstanding talent, this age is far too risky."

"It's fine, Senior Sister Ling." Wang Dong seemed to have anticipated the skepticism and didn't appear flustered. Instead, she flashed her two Soul Rings—one yellow and one purple. "When I was young, my family... well, my elders had me consume quite a bit of thousand-year Whale Rubber."

As she said this, a look of disgust appeared on her face. "That stuff was so sticky and fishy; eating it every time felt like torture. So, after I absorbed my first thousand-year Soul Ring, I swore I would never touch that stuff again for the rest of my life."

"I see. No wonder you have the confidence to absorb a Soul Ring beyond your limit." Ling Luochen's gaze fell upon the purple second Soul Ring, a flash of realization crossing her eyes as she nodded slightly.

Lin Feng, standing nearby, marveled to himself upon hearing this.

Thousand-year Whale Rubber was a priceless supplement; even ordinary soul masters found it difficult to obtain even a small piece.

The foundation of the Clear Sky Sect was truly unfathomable. He would have to pick out some real treasures next time he visited.

The Soul Hunting Squad searched all the way to the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, where the soul beast situation was extremely complex.

Fortunately, with Lin Feng's spiritual detection, they managed to avoid many powerful ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

"Wait!" A silhouette with an immense sense of oppression suddenly entered the range of Lin Feng's spiritual detection. Its dark golden fur stood on end like steel needles, and a violent aura emanated from it, causing hearts to palpitate even from a distance.

"It's a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear! Looking at this momentum... its cultivation is at least four or five thousand years!" Lin Feng whispered, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Four or five thousand years?!" Upon hearing this, Chen Zifeng's expression turned grave instantly. He immediately lowered his voice to warn the others, "Everyone, be careful! A Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear of this level has actual combat power far exceeding ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beasts. It is an overlord-level existence in the mixed zone, capable of rivaling human Soul Kings or even those who have just stepped into the Soul Emperor realm."

The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was the ultimate killing machine among soul beasts, possessing both offense and defense. Naturally violent and belligerent, it was known as the "Forest War Maniac" and carried the fearsome title of "Earth Ripper."

Furthermore, Bear Lord, who ranked sixth among the Ten Great Fierce Beasts and possessed a terrifying cultivation of four hundred and seventy thousand years, was himself a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.

"I learned about this type of soul beast in detail from a research note in the Sea God Pavilion library..." Chen Zifeng recounted the important contents of the notes.

"A growable soul bone? It is indeed worth the risk. I am confident I can use Lin Feng's spirit flame to control it on a spiritual level for a while," Ling Luochen said, frowning.

"Its defense is extremely strong. Xixi and I will have to focus our attacks on its eyes and other weak points," Chen Zifeng added.

"We can fight it." Fighting spirit surged in Lin Feng's eyes as he quickly analyzed the situation. "If we can take it down, its Soul Ring quality will be extremely high, which would be perfect for Wang Dong."

"Then let's take a vote by show of hands," Chen Zifeng decided decisively.

Five hands from the Soul Hunting Squad went up in unison.

"Unanimous. Move out!"

The Soul Hunting Squad approached the location of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear without a sound.

Lin Feng's thoughts stirred, and the ghostly white Mystic Ice Spirit Flame rose from his palm.

Ling Luochen, standing beside him, turned her gaze and naturally took Lin Feng's hand with her left.

She wasn't afraid; she was taking over control of the Mystic Ice Spirit Flame, and the leaping flames instantly merged into her command.

She held her right hand in a void grip, and the Ice Crystal Staff materialized out of thin air, the chill intensifying sharply.

"ROAR--!!"

Faced with such biting cold, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was instantly enraged.

It let out a terrifying roar that shook the forest, its massive body rising up. Its dark golden pupils locked onto the two of them, and it charged forward.

Before it even arrived, the killing intent had already descended!

Three dark golden claw shadows, each three meters long, tore through the air. They broke through layers of ancient trees and vines first, carrying a terrifying sharpness capable of ripping the earth apart as they descended toward their heads.

Ling Luochen's eyes were icy, and her Ice Staff shone brilliantly. Her third and fifth Soul Rings lit up in succession, and a massive amount of soul power surged out.

"Ice Prison! Ice Radiance Ring!"

Following five muffled thuds that shook the ground, five giant Ice Prisons, as thick as city walls, crashed down from above the treetops, precisely blocking the path of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's violent charge.

Layer upon layer, they instantly built a barrier of absolute despair radiating an intense chill.

However, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's fearsome reputation was well-earned.

"SHRIIIIK--!!"

A piercing sound of tearing erupted. The indestructible dark golden claws swept across, and the five layers of solid ice cages were torn apart as easily as a hot knife through butter.

Absolute power and extreme sharpness were displayed to the fullest.

Just as the claws were about to tear the two of them apart, Lin Feng moved.

His figure flickered like a ghost. His left hand wrapped around Ling Luochen's slender yet supple waist with natural ease, and he spun lightly with her toward the rear flank.

A moment of life and death!

The terrifying dark golden claw wind grazed their clothes, slicing an ancient tree behind them in half.

Ling Luochen felt her waist tighten, a gentle yet irresistible force pulling her as the scenery before her eyes spun rapidly.

She had been pulled from her original spot and was now pressed against a solid chest.

This sudden close-range contact caused a faint, delicate blush to climb up the ears of the usually cold and self-composed Ling Luochen.

Their tactical objective had been achieved; Ling Luochen expertly controlled the Mystic Ice Spirit Flame, which followed the bear's claws that had shattered the ice, rapidly covering nearly half of its body.

The extreme, deep cold erupted in the very next instant!

"ROAR--!"

The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear let out a roar mixed with pain and fury, its movements visibly stiffening and slowing down.

This freezing effect could not last long, but it was enough to create a fleeting, perfect opportunity.

"Now!"

Chen Zifeng and Xixi, that veteran duo, moved with peerless tacit understanding.

Chen Zifeng's blood-colored Soul-Chasing Sword slashed out several sword beams to draw attention, followed immediately by a thread of blood-red energy, condensed to the extreme, thrusting straight toward the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's left eye.

Xixi flashed in from another angle so tricky it was inconceivable, the short blade in her hand crackling with leaping electric arcs as it struck precisely at the other eye.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Two soft sounds rang out almost simultaneously.

The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's massive body shuddered violently, and it let out an earth-shattering howl as both its eyes were reduced to a bloody mess.

"Great chance!"

A fierce glint flashed in Chen Zifeng's eyes; the blood-light of his Soul-Chasing Sword flared, intending to follow through and pierce straight into the beast's brain.

However, the ferocity and combat instincts of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear far exceeded their expectations.

Blinded, it relied on its perception of killing intent and primal beast intuition to lash out with its right claw directly at Chen Zifeng, who was within arm's reach.

Had that strike landed, even a Spirit Emperor expert would have been reduced to a pile of meat.

"Watch out!"

Amidst the cry of alarm, Xixi's figure transformed into a bolt of lightning once more, slamming into Chen Zifeng to knock him away at the very last split second.

The dark golden claws swept past with a foul wind, tearing away the clothing on Chen Zifeng's shoulder along with a chunk of flesh, blood instantly staining half his body red.

Had Xixi not reacted with such lightning speed, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

"ROAR-AWOOO--!!"

Driven into a complete frenzy, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear swung its arms wildly, sending terrifying dark golden claw beams sweeping indiscriminately across the surroundings, easily shredding ancient trees and boulders alike.

The Mystic Ice Spirit Flame that had been clinging to its body was forcibly shaken off by the violent surge of blood and spirit power erupting from within it.

"I'll handle this! Everyone back off!" Lin Feng shouted.