Tagor Great Desert!

The Amethyst Winged Lion King's claw slammed viciously against the Creation Cauldron, causing nothing more than a violent tremor.

"Damn it! I can't break through this kind of defense anytime soon!"

It calculated inwardly. The cauldron's sturdiness had far exceeded its expectations, while the unease in its heart only grew stronger!

Sure enough, no sooner had it thought this than Xiao Wujiu's icy voice rang out from outside. "First Soul Skill, Soul Suppression!"

Buzz!

A flash of light streaked across the Creation Cauldron, followed by an invisible ripple spreading outward. The Amethyst Winged Lion King felt as though an unseen mountain had crashed down upon its mind!

"This is an attack that strikes directly at the soul!"

Its thoughts were under immense pressure, but it still recognized the effect of this move.

"Human boy—no, Young Master Xiao, we can talk!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King was truly afraid now. It began to beg for mercy, hoping to negotiate with Xiao Wujiu, but when it met those frost-cold eyes, its heart gradually went cold as well.

"Talk?" Xiao Wujiu chuckled softly. With his hands behind his back, he looked down at the Amethyst Winged Lion King below and the Magical Beasts scrambling about behind it, without the slightest hesitation. "In your next life!"

In a battle to the death, one decided not only victory and defeat, but life and death as well!

And reason with Magical Beasts? Heh, was he supposed to sit down with one over a cup of tea too?

Not everyone—human or beast—could seize an opportunity. He had no intention of taking in a mount anyway. This Amethyst Winged Lion King had neither talent nor strength. He might as well ride the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python instead!

"Mid-tier Earth-class Battle Skill, Eight Desolations Ash Extinction!"

A surge of energy filled with explosive force appeared in his hand. As he flung it upward with all his strength, this Battle Skill, which consumed more than half the Battle Qi within him, transformed into countless meteor-like fireballs in the sky.

This was one way of using Eight Desolations Ash Extinction, a form of mass burst damage. If he released it as a single-target burst, he feared even his Martial Soul might not withstand it. After all, this was his first time using this combo.

"Fall!"

With a sweep of his hand, countless meteor fireballs descended, pouring into the cauldron all at once!

"No!!!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King let out an unwilling roar, but its body was swallowed by what seemed like endless attacks.

Those meteor fireballs were like pills being collected into the Creation Cauldron. The roars of the Magical Beasts gradually fell silent as well, leaving no further movement.

The overlord of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the Tier 6 Amethyst Winged Lion King, was slain!

After the Battle Skill finished, he summoned the Creation Cauldron. Inside lay a Tier 6 Magic Core, two Tier 5 Magic Cores, and more than ten Tier 4 Magic Cores. Including the Tier 5 Magical Beast he had slain earlier, he now had three Tier 5 Magic Cores in total.

"Not bad. It seems the Creation Cauldron's mountain-like defensive power is even stronger than I imagined!"

Xiao Wujiu was satisfied. Even a Tier 6 Magical Beast could not withstand Eight Desolations Ash Extinction, yet the Creation Cauldron remained completely unharmed. This proved that the Martial Soul system could truly shine differently in other worlds!

"And Soul Suppression—the effect of this Soul Skill also exceeded my expectations. Although Magical Beasts do not have strong Soul Power, the Amethyst Winged Lion King was still suppressed despite being a Tier 6 Magical Beast. Once I reach the Dou Emperor realm, I might even be able to solo Protector Wu!"

He estimated the effects of his Soul Skill after breaking through to Dou Emperor. It was practically a direct counter to the Soul Hall. There was nothing wrong with calling himself the Soul Hall's strict father!

He absorbed all the experience from this battle. The next time he faced an opponent of the same rank, he would not be caught flustered.

After putting away that Tier 5 Magic Core, he flew back to where Xiao Yi Xian was.

The moment he landed, before Xiao Yi Xian could say anything, a soft, warm body rushed over and hugged him.

"Hiss—X-Xiao Yi Xian? What's wrong?"

He held Xiao Yi Xian and noticed that her body was trembling slightly, so he asked gently.

Hearing Xiao Wujiu suck in a breath, Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly released him. Her eyes were red as she looked at him.

"What's wrong with you? You'll cry yourself into a little tabby cat later."

He reached out, intending to wipe away her tears, but when he saw the blood on his hand, he tried to pull it back. Xiao Yi Xian grabbed it instead.

Under his surprised gaze, she took his hand and slowly placed it against her small face. Clear tears trickled down as well.

He hurriedly wiped them away gently, but she revealed a cool, faint smile.

"Xiao Wujiu, if something like this happens again, I want to be able to help you. I don't want to only stand behind you."

"Alright. I'll help you."

He gently pulled Xiao Yi Xian into his embrace. This time, she neither struggled nor blushed in embarrassment. Instead, she slowly wrapped her arms around Xiao Wujiu as well.

Xiao Wujiu's blood-soaked appearance had truly frightened her, but there were things she had finally come to understand at this moment.

What she felt for Xiao Wujiu was not merely friendship...

Jia Ma Empire, eastern border.

Tagor Great Desert, Black Rock City.

Xiao Wujiu and Xiao Yi Xian sat in a horned horse carriage, rushing toward the nearest city, Black Rock City.

After wiping out the Magical Beasts in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he had taken Xiao Yi Xian treasure hunting. Not only had they obtained many rare medicinal herbs, but they had also successfully acquired the Purple Spirit Crystal and all of the Companion Amethyst Source!

Inside the carriage, the two stood facing each other. Xiao Wujiu had changed into a set of exotic clothing filled with local flair.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Xiao Wujiu with amazement in her eyes. He usually wore relatively simple, practical clothing, but after changing into this more stylish outfit, he gave off an entirely different impression.

His sharp eyes, cool temperament, and the tenderness that occasionally showed in his gaze when he looked at her made her heart beat faster, while a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Even though they had lived together for more than a month and she had grown used to Xiao Wujiu's appearance, his handsome features and gentleness still left Xiao Yi Xian full of admiration.

Yet this outfit gave her an entirely different feeling.

"Xiao Yi Xian? Xiao Yi Xian?"

"Ah, wh-what is it?" Xiao Yi Xian snapped out of her thoughts at the call and looked toward Xiao Wujiu.

He did not expose her, merely taking a jade box from his Storage Ring and handing it to her.

"This is a gift for you. It should have quite a good effect on improving your strength and aiding you in battle."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian opened the jade box and discovered that it contained a ring!

The ring was purple, adorned with exquisite black patterns. It also carried a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs. With just one glance, she was certain that it was not a Storage Ring.

Xiao Yi Xian:!

"Xiao Wujiu, y-you... this is..."

Xiao Yi Xian's ears turned bright red, and her cheeks felt as though they were burning.

Xiao Wujiu was giving her a ring—what did that mean? Or was this a token of love?