Sunset Forest: Practical Combat Trial

Guang Ling felt the power of ice and light from Qian Lingche coiling around his arrows, and the corners of his mouth curled upward slightly.

The Invisible Arrow in his hand gradually solidified under the interweaving of ice and light, transforming into a crystal-clear arrow of ice.

Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from Guang Ling's body.

Even Qian Lingche, hovering in mid-air, was buffeted by this force; his figure became unstable, and he was sent flying backward several yards before he could barely steady himself.

Guang Ling locked onto a distant mountain peak and loosened his fingers; the ice-crystal arrow shot from the string in an instant.

The arrow tore through the sky, leaving behind a brilliant ice-blue trail, the frost left in its wake radiating waves of biting cold.

With a deafening roar, the mountain peak was pierced clean through, and ice crystals spread instantly, freezing the entire mountain in a heartbeat.

Qian Lingche slowly descended from the air to land beside Guang Ling, his gaze fixed on the scene in the distance.

The mountain was already shattered, massive chunks of ice and rubble scattered across the ground, and the air was thick with a piercing chill.

He frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Hmm... it seems feasible, but my soul power is too low; it only increased the power by about 15%."

He raised his hand, a faint ice-blue glow appearing in his palm as he felt the circulation of soul power within his body.

Guang Ling heard him and turned to glance at him. "Xiao Che, this is already quite impressive. If anyone else tried to perform a fusion across this many levels, their soul power would have been drained dry long ago."

Does the little guy seem unsatisfied? No way, right? Is this not strong enough?

Qian Lingche nodded, a trace of exhaustion appearing on his face. "I know, Brother Ling. This consumed quite a bit of soul power, but I think I've found a spark of insight for a breakthrough. I'm going back to cultivate."

No wonder he felt like he had been hitting a bottleneck; he seems to have been working behind closed doors for too long. It looks like he needs more real combat.

Guang Ling looked at him, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Go on, get some rest. Don't be too hasty with your cultivation; steady progress is the right path."

After returning to his room, Qian Lingche sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. A faint ice-blue light began to emerge around him, and his soul power circulated slowly through his body.

A month passed by in the blink of an eye.

Deep within the Sunset Forest, the surrounding trees towered into the clouds, and the air was heavy with the potent scent of soul beasts.

Qian Lingche scanned his surroundings vigilantly, ready to face a battle at any moment.

His goal this time was to force a breakthrough to level 50 through combat.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the bushes ahead.

A massive ten-thousand-year Iron-Armored Rhino charged out from the brush, its enormous body like a small hill as it barreled straight toward him.

The Iron-Armored Rhino's skin was as hard as iron, and the single horn atop its head glinted with a cold light; it was clearly not an opponent to be trifled with.

Almost at the same moment, a sharp screech echoed from the treetops. A ten-thousand-year Gale Two-Headed Wolf lunged down from above, its sharp claws aimed directly at Qian Lingche's throat.

From the grass on his right, a ten-thousand-year Flame Lion also sprang out, its body wreathed in scorching flames as it opened its blood-red maw to spew a torrent of searing fire.

Qian Lingche's eyes turned cold. He flew backward, narrowly dodging the attacks of the Iron-Armored Rhino and the Gale Two-Headed Wolf.

However, the Flame Lion's attack followed close behind, the scorching flames brushing past his body, the intense heat making his skin sting.

"Second Soul Skill—Angel Wings!" Qian Lingche shouted in a low voice. Ice-blue wings unfurled behind him, the 100% all-attribute boost enhancing his speed, strength, and defense simultaneously.

He flashed away, quickly putting distance between himself and the three soul beasts. "First Soul Skill—Angel Assault."

His first soul skill scaled with his soul power; for every 10 levels of soul power gained, he could condense 12 additional ice spikes, and their power would increase accordingly.

Ice spikes condensed before him and then launched toward the three soul beasts.

The spikes struck the Iron-Armored Rhino with a rhythmic clanging, and while they failed to pierce its hide, the lingering cold slowed the beast's movements.

Qian Lingche paused for a moment; the Iron-Armored Rhino's defense was truly formidable...

The Gale Two-Headed Wolf dodged the ice spikes with agility, though several still grazed its body, leaving behind trails of blood.

The Flame Lion let out a low growl and spat a stream of fire, melting the ice spikes, but its own movements were also hampered by the lingering chill, slowing it down.

Qian Lingche did not hesitate. He flashed to the side of the Iron-Armored Rhino and threw a punch, the immense force driving the beast back several steps.

It seems I'm actually quite strong now, aren't I?

However, the Gale Two-Headed Wolf had already pounced again, its claws swiping at his back.

Qian Lingche spun around quickly, crossing his arms to block his chest, taking the full force of the wolf's claws before kicking out and forcing the beast back.

"Third Soul Skill, Angel Protection!" Qian Lingche commanded. Golden light enveloped his body, increasing his defense by 200%.

He took the Flame Lion's fire breath head-on; although he was pushed back a few steps, he suffered no substantial damage.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Angel Holy Light!" Qian Lingche raised his hands high, and a brilliant ice-blue radiance descended from the sky, shrouding the three soul beasts.

The power of the holy light caused ice crystals to spread rapidly across the beasts, slowing their movements even further.

Seizing the opportunity, Qian Lingche unleashed his first soul skill again. Ice spikes rained down like a storm, forcing the three soul beasts into a steady retreat.

But they were ten-thousand-year soul beasts after all; not only did they refuse to fall, but they were also thoroughly enraged.

The Iron-Armored Rhino and the Gale Two-Headed Wolf let out low roars and charged at Qian Lingche once more.

The Flame Lion spat a torrent of scorching fire, sealing off his path of retreat.

Qian Lingche, however, merely leaped into the sky without a hint of panic.

"Angel Domain—Ice Pole Domain!" The surrounding temperature plummeted, and countless tiny ice crystals condensed in the air.

The scorching flames were rapidly extinguished under the power of the domain, and the movements of the Iron-Armored Rhino and the Gale Two-Headed Wolf began to sluggishly slow down.

Within the domain, all of his attributes increased by 20%, while the attack power and speed of the three soul beasts were weakened by 30%.

Qian Lingche pressed his palms together, soul power coalescing between them as a crystalline Ice Crystal Holy Sword rapidly took form.

With a flash of his figure, he appeared instantly at the side of the Gale Two-Headed Wolf and delivered a fierce kick; the immense force sent the Gale Two-Headed Wolf tumbling away, where it crashed heavily into a large tree.

Turning his body, he sent a sharp streak of Sword Qi hurtling toward the Flame Lion.

Suddenly, a piercing sound of air being torn apart erupted from above.

He looked up to see two massive wind orbs plummeting toward him like meteors, their speed astonishingly fast, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.

Qian Lingche's eyes narrowed as he swiftly raised the Ice Crystal Holy Sword in his hand, holding it horizontally before him to block.

The moment the wind orbs collided with the blade, a powerful shockwave exploded outward, the immense force driving Qian Lingche backward and carving two deep furrows into the ground with his feet.

"The Gale Two-Headed Wolf, truly cunning." Qian Lingche muttered to himself, his gaze quickly locking onto the Gale Wolf that was currently gathering energy to the side.

Clearly, the wind orbs from just a moment ago were its handiwork, and a strange, eerie light flickered in the Gale Wolf's eyes.

Qian Lingche took a deep breath, the four wings on his back shuddering violently as he surged rapidly toward the Gale Wolf.

The Gale Wolf attempted to dodge upon seeing this, but Qian Lingche was faster; the edge of his sword grazed its body, leaving behind a trail of blood.