Boom!
Thunder exploded over Protector Jin in an instant. Though he had been on his guard, he still took the silver-white beast's attack head-on.
"Nice hit!"
The moment Zi Yan saw the silver-white beast strike, she started clapping excitedly.
She went over to its side and patted its soft fur.
"Big White, well done!" Zi Yan praised it.
The silver-white beast turned to look at Zi Yan. Flashes of lightning flickered in its enormous eyes, and it seemed to be asking:
Who are you calling Big White?
And why are you petting me?
Are we even close?
Lightning flashed again along its single horn, aimed straight at Zi Yan.
Seeing this, Zi Yan hurriedly backed away and waved her hands. "Big White, we're on the same side! That guy's our enemy!"
She pointed at Protector Jin.
Protector Jin: "...!"
Protector Jin understood, too. The beast must be protecting Shen Shihuang.
Ignoring the pain of the lightning burns on his body, he turned and tried to flee.
However.
At the familiar sound of lightning bursting forth, Protector Jin spun around and struck at the silver-white beast with a palm.
"Soul-Breaking Palm!"
The fox's howl rang out, just like before, seemingly meant to muddle the silver-white beast's mind.
Unfortunately.
The beam of lightning from the beast's horn met the palm strike and blasted it apart without the slightest resistance.
It struck Protector Jin again.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Protector Jin screamed. White mist poured off his body, and even his aura began to weaken.
"What in the world is that thing?" Protector Jin didn't consider himself particularly well-traveled, but he knew of some of the powerful magical beasts on the continent.
Yet he had never even seen this beast before. And he had never heard of a magical beast that could control lightning like this.
"I can't stay here. Retreat!"
Protector Jin realized in an instant that although the soul of a Dou Zong powerhouse was tempting, his own life mattered, too.
He didn't want to die—not yet.
Just as Protector Jin turned to leave, the cocoon of lightning around Shen Shihuang shattered!
Strands of lightning filled the entire Thunder Mist Ravine.
"Soul Hall Protector, since you wanted my soul, isn't it a little late to start thinking about leaving now?"
Though the cocoon of lightning had encased him, Shen Shihuang had known everything that was happening outside.
The lightning withdrew into his body, and Shen Shihuang emerged completely.
When the silver-white beast in front of him saw him awaken, excitement appeared in its big eyes. It lowered its enormous head and rubbed it against Shen Shihuang's chest again and again.
"I didn't expect to get such an unexpected surprise this time." Shen Shihuang gently stroked the silver-white beast's head, smiling.
Seeing this, Zi Yan asked curiously, "Old Shen, what exactly is this thing?"
The beast wasn't affected by her at all. It made no sense.
Shen Shihuang looked at the magnificent, handsome beast and said, "It's a Thunder Origin Beast, also called a Lightning Origin Beast."
"It's a magical beast born from the origin. Whoever awakens one from the origin becomes the master it recognizes, and the beast's strength will match theirs."
Zi Yan's eyes widened. "There are magical beasts like that?"
Shen Shihuang patted the Thunder Origin Beast's head. It seemed to understand what he meant. It lifted its head from his chest and stood to one side, like a soldier guarding Shen Shihuang.
Shen Shihuang looked at Protector Jin, his eyes gradually filling with killing intent. "May I ask which Soul Hall Protector you are?"
Since the other man wanted his soul—
Well.
He wanted the other man's soul, too.
Hearing Shen Shihuang mention Soul Hall by name, Protector Jin didn't bother hiding his identity. He said proudly, "Since you know I'm from Soul Hall, you should know the strength of our organization, shouldn't you?"
Shen Shihuang nodded.
"I am one of Soul Hall's external Protectors—Protector Jin!"
"Kid..."
Before Protector Jin could finish, the bone wings behind Shen Shihuang beat once. Lightning coursed over their black surface.
The air split with a sharp whistle.
"Tyrant's Fury!"
Shen Shihuang poured all his Dou Qi into a punch and sent it crashing toward Protector Jin.
Protector Jin flew into a rage.
"Kid, you know about Soul Hall and still dare to attack me?"
Soul-Startling Palm!
After blocking Shen Shihuang's attack, Protector Jin seemed even weaker.
Shen Shihuang laughed. "Soul Hall may be powerful, but you're here, so you can't be all that important."
What kind of place was this?
In the eyes of those in the Central Plains, it was a barren backwater. What kind of important figure would be sent here?
Protector Jin: "...!"
You're insulting me! You're insulting me!!
Protector Jin flew into a rage.
A violent black force gathered around him, and terrifying energy surged through the air.
"Soul-Eroding Heaven Palm!"
This was the strongest Dou Technique among the Protectors.
Black Dou Qi condensed in the air into an enormous black handprint.
After using this Dou Technique, Protector Jin's aura grew noticeably weaker.
Clearly.
This was Protector Jin's strongest attack, and he definitely wouldn't be able to use it a second time.
The terrifying black handprint, as huge as a hill, came crashing down toward Shen Shihuang.
"Perfect. I can test out my new Dou Technique." Seeing Protector Jin unleash his move,
a terrifying aura filled the surroundings.
Shen Shihuang didn't panic in the slightest. Lightning flickered incessantly between his hands.
"Hundred Thousand Thunder Method, Heavenly Dipper Thunder Seal!"
After cultivating this Hundred Thousand Thunder Method, Shen Shihuang had finally realized just how powerful the Dou Technique was.
Unlike ordinary Dou Techniques,
the Hundred Thousand Thunder Method consisted of three forms. The first was the Heavenly Dipper Thunder Seal.
It gathered thunder into a seal through sheer force, then obliterated every enemy in its path!
Earth-tier high-grade Dou Technique: Heavenly Dipper Thunder Seal!
Furthermore,
once he broke through again and could endure being struck by lightning, he would be able to use the second form. By Shen Shihuang's estimate, it might not reach the level of a Heaven-tier Dou Technique, but it would come incredibly close.
As for the third form, it was definitely a Heaven-tier Dou Technique.
Lightning intertwined, condensing into a seal in the air.
A silver-white thunder seal appeared.
It was as if the seal contained an unparalleled, violent power.
"Go!"
Seeing Shen Shihuang use the Heavenly Dipper Thunder Seal, Protector Jin felt a twinge of foreboding.
But,
feeling reassured by the black handprint's "security," Protector Jin charged ahead without hesitation.
"Hmph!"
As the black handprint came at him, Shen Shihuang pressed both hands down.
Boom!
Their Dou Techniques collided in an instant.
Thunder surged, black mist scattered, and the handprint was rapidly torn apart and obliterated before the thunder seal.
Only the power of lightning remained in the air.
"How is that possible?" Protector Jin saw this and immediately turned to flee.
A cluster of black flames flew over and went straight into Protector Jin's body.
"Ah..."
The black flames began to burn across Protector Jin's body. Already weak, he now grew even more feeble.
Seeing this,
Shen Shihuang circulated the Ten Thousand Year Technique and looked at Protector Jin. "Protector Jin, don't disappoint me!"
Then,
Shen Shihuang opened his mouth wide, and the Taisui Flame carried Protector Jin into his mouth...