Well, would you look at that—the takeout had delivered itself!
Han Ruoruo nudged Mu Guiyun beside her and chuckled. "Hey, this Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear is probably around five thousand years old. Its age and quality are both a perfect match for what you're looking for. What do you think?"
What did he think? It was absolutely perfect!
Known for being able to tear dragons apart with its bare claws, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was widely acknowledged as a top-tier Soul Beast. It was exactly what Mu Guiyun had hoped for.
"I want it!"
Mu Guiyun looked at Zhang Lexuan, his eyes full of yearning.
Although this big, clumsy bear wasn't very old, its racial talents gave it a combat ability at least equal to that of a high-ranking human Soul Emperor.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Perhaps it was used to throwing its weight around in the mixed zone. When the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear spotted the group, it didn't flee. Instead, it roared at them.
The sight left everyone clicking their tongues in amazement. If the big, clumsy bear had turned tail and run, its speed, combined with the cover of night and the rugged terrain of the Star Dou Great Forest, would have made it a real pain to catch.
"Gui Yun, have you decided? Is this the one?"
As Mu Guiyun gazed at Zhang Lexuan with puppy-dog eyes, an inexplicable feeling suddenly rose within her.
It was just like a little child asking his mother for his favorite toy...
Mu Guiyun hurriedly nodded. He didn't want to miss out on a top-tier Soul Beast like the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!
Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan's eyes narrowed. "Everyone, be careful. The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear won't be easy to deal with!"
At Zhang Lexuan's command, the eight elite members of the inner court activated their Martial Souls and surged toward the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, surrounding it.
Their multicolored Soul Rings lit up the night, making it as bright as day.
"Get ready to freeze! Get ready to freeze!"
As the only Soul Engineer in the group besides Mu Guiyun, Shen Yao bellowed and pulled a blasting Soul Cannon from beneath his crotch. Five optimally matched Soul Rings pulsed rhythmically behind him.
The sudden attack left the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear rooted to the spot. It had dominated the mixed zone for years, and this was the first time any death-defying Soul Masters had dared to attack it.
Then, after its moment of stunned disbelief, a fury unlike anything it had ever felt rose within it.
Damn human Soul Masters! Do you really think my head is made of dough?
Not only are you not running, you even dare to attack me?
You've got a death wish!
"Roar!"
The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was just about to teach these human Soul Masters a lesson, but what greeted it was the terrifying Phoenix Flame.
"Phoenix Roaring Heaven Strike!"
Ma Xiaotao led the charge. Using her advantage in flight, she unleashed her strongest Soul Skill to date.
Especially when the corner of her eye caught sight of how close Mu Guiyun and Zhang Lexuan were standing, her already foul mood grew even worse.
"Damn beast! I'm having bear paw tonight!"
Ma Xiaotao clenched her pearly teeth, venting her frustrations. Her fiery red hair whipped wildly around her, and flames engulfed her entire body, making her look like a god of slaughter.
"What's gotten into Xiaotao? Why's she so fired up?"
Wu Ming's mouth twitched. Her gaze eventually settled on Zhang Lexuan and Mu Guiyun below, and she suddenly seemed to have stumbled upon a juicy little secret.
Though Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming often bickered, the two of them were as close as could be in private.
Well, would you look at that. Xiaotao really is into raising them...
Wu Ming muttered under her breath. No wonder Ma Xiaotao had blown up over her offhand remark earlier that day. She'd hit the nail on the head and exposed Ma Xiaotao's little secret.
The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was certainly powerful, but the people from Shrek weren't pushovers either. Years of fighting Evil Soul Masters had given them a wealth of combat experience, and they also had Zhang Lexuan, a Quasi-Soul Douluo, directing the battle.
Taking advantage of their numbers, they took turns attacking. The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear had astonishing defense and attack power, but all that power was useless if it couldn't land a hit. In the end, it could only fall, unwillingly.
Done!
Aside from somewhat ragged breathing, none of them had suffered any substantial injuries.
To encounter a top-tier Soul Beast on their first day in the Star Dou Great Forest was a great omen for their trip, and everyone couldn't help looking forward to what lay ahead.
"Gui Yun, finish it off."
Zhang Lexuan handed him a dagger, but Mu Guiyun waved it away. "No need, eldest senior sister. I use this!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the metal buttons on his windbreaker shot into the air. Under everyone's astonished gaze, they slowly broke apart, then reassembled in Mu Guiyun's hand into a long blade resembling a Tang saber.
After thanking everyone in turn, Mu Guiyun's eyes narrowed. The long blade in his hand shot forward, plunging into the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's eye socket.
As a purple Soul Ring took shape, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's wicked life came to an end.
Next element, here I freaking come!
Mu Guiyun's excitement was plain to see. He hurriedly sat down where he was, using his Soul Power to draw the Soul Ring above his head before entering a meditative state.
Seeing this, the others paired off on their own to keep watch. Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming were best friends, so they naturally ended up together.
Wu Ming handed Ma Xiaotao her water flask. A flicker of concern crossed her eyes as she asked, "Xiaotao, are you feeling okay?"
Ma Xiaotao's face was bright red. Though she had already ended her Martial Soul Possession, heat that made people's hearts skip a beat still radiated from her. As a fellow fire-attribute Soul Master, Wu Ming could naturally sense it.
"I'm fine! I've never felt better!"
Ma Xiaotao waved it off, unconcerned. Her eyes unconsciously drifted toward the figure in the distance, absorbing his Soul Ring.
As she gazed at Mu Guiyun's striking, handsome face, Ma Xiaotao's eyes grew hazy. Even her long, straight, shapely legs rubbed together unconsciously.
"Are you really okay? You look like you're... you're..."
"Like I'm what?"
"Never mind."
Wu Ming shook her head, then walked toward the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's corpse.
Every part of a top-tier Soul Beast was precious. She couldn't let any of it go to waste.
Picking up the dagger, Wu Ming's gaze went straight to the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's forearms. Those were the parts of this kind of Soul Beast most likely to yield a Spirit Bone.
As the blade slowly cut through flesh, a glimmer of gold began to emerge, making Wu Ming's pupils contract.
Could this... be?!
Wu Ming felt her heart pounding, and even the hand gripping her dagger began to tremble slightly.
As the object gradually came into view, it confirmed her suspicions beyond a doubt.
"Everyone, get over here!"
The barely concealed excitement in Wu Ming's voice caught everyone's attention. Ma Xiaotao and Zhang Lexuan stayed behind to protect Mu Guiyun, but the rest hurried toward Wu Ming.
"What's with all the shouting? It's not like a Sou—"
Shen Yao cracked a joke with a cheeky grin, but the moment he saw the thing in Wu Ming's hand, he froze on the spot.
It really did?!