Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear, Sacrifice!

Yue Hongsheng looked calm, as though he were strolling through his own backyard. Yet his spiritual power had long since spread out like spilled mercury, taking control of every movement within an enormous surrounding area.

Lin Xia finally understood why Yue Hongsheng had brought guards—not merely to protect him.

More importantly, they were there to deal with the truly terrifying beings lurking deep within the Emerald Forest, as well as its complex terrain and endless traps, ensuring they could reach the core region as quickly as possible while remaining relatively safe.

Without these experienced guards clearing the way, Yue Hongsheng and Lin Xia alone would have suffered a massive drop in both speed and safety while venturing into the dense forest.

After advancing with such caution and speed for roughly four or five days, the atmosphere of the forest suddenly became even more oppressive.

The ancient trees around them grew ever larger, the light beneath the canopy dimmer, and the air so thick it was almost suffocating.

Within the omnipresent aura of life was now mixed a trace of heart-pounding... savagery and primal intent!

A powerful pressure, tangible as waves of water, battered everyone's mental defenses again and again.

The expressions of the four guards became more solemn than ever. Their movements grew swifter and quieter, their eyes as sharp as hawks as they continuously swept the profound darkness deep within the forest ahead.

Yue Hongsheng stopped and raised a hand to signal them.

The relaxed look on his face had long vanished, replaced by grave seriousness.

"We're almost there. It's right ahead."

Yue Hongsheng lowered his voice to nearly a whisper. His gaze pierced through layers of towering trees, as though he had locked onto a particular direction.

"We need to pass along the edge of its territory."

"It?"

Lin Xia's heart leaped into his throat. Bulbasaur seemed to sense the extremely dangerous aura as well. Its body tensed slightly, the bulb on its back drew in, and a wary low growl rumbled from its throat.

"Bulba..."

"Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear."

Yue Hongsheng slowly spoke the name, as though it carried Qian Jun's weight.

"A vicious creature that has lived for ten thousand years. Its strength... is enough to rival an ordinary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. The gateway to the deepest core region of this forest lies beyond its territory."

Lin Xia sucked in a breath.

A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?!

And a Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear, renowned for its offensive power and ferocity?!

A ten-thousand-year Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear at that—was this for real?

This was a Soul Beast capable of standing against a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

This was far beyond anything he had imagined for the difficulty of obtaining a first Soul Ring!

"Wh... why do we have to go this way?"

Lin Xia could not help asking.

"Because this is the only safe 'shortcut' to the outskirts of the Eternal Domain."

Yue Hongsheng explained, a nearly imperceptible chill flashing through his eyes.

"Taking a detour would take too long, and the risks might be even greater. The Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear may be powerful, but it has long grown accustomed to collecting a 'toll.' As long as we pay the price, it will not pursue us or interfere further."

"A toll?"

Lin Xia looked at Yue Hongsheng, then at the four silent guards who seemed prepared for something. A bone-chilling cold instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

He seemed to understand.

He understood why Yue Hongsheng had chosen these four powerful guards, and why their journey required such formidable protection.

Not long after Yue Hongsheng finished speaking, an incomparably muffled yet ear-splitting, terrifying roar erupted without warning from the depths of the dark forest ahead!

"ROOOAR—!!!"

A violent soundwave, carrying a ferocious might that shattered courage and guts, swept over them like a tangible tsunami!

In an instant, it was as though a storm had erupted within the forest itself!

Countless birds, insects, and small creatures fled madly from their hiding places in terror, forming a chaotic tide.

Within the darkness ahead, an incomparably enormous shadow slowly rose!

Terrifying pressure descended with a boom, like a hundred thousand mountains falling upon them! Lin Xia felt his chest tighten, his Soul Power stalling as he nearly suffocated!

Bulbasaur in his arms let out a shrill "Bulba!" Its fur stood on end, while purple poison-type light flashed violently across its body in a reflexive response.

Lin Xia's eyes widened, his heart seeming to be clenched by an icy hand.

What kind of terrifying existence was that?!

Its body was unimaginably huge, like a moving mountain of flesh!

It stood well over ten meters tall!

What covered its body was not ordinary bear fur, but a sheen resembling flowing dark-gold metal!

Thick layers of keratin covered every vital part of its body, like naturally forged heavy armor! Yet the most soul-shattering sight was its pair of terrifying foreclaws, shaped like enormous sickles!

Even in the dim light, those claws reflected a bleak, frigid gleam. Its five spread talons looked capable of tearing open the sky with ease!

Dark-gold metallic luster flowed along the claw blades. Merely looking at them made it feel as if their indestructible sharpness would pierce one's eyes!

A pure, brutal, all-destroying killing aura spread from those enormous claws, nearly freezing their souls!

The Ten-Thousand-Year Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear! It stood there, its pair of enormous blood-red eyes filled with savagery and greed. Like two blood lamps from hell, they pierced through the layers of trees and locked firmly onto Yue Hongsheng... and the guards behind him!

Its very existence embodied absolute power and cruelty. Its Hundred-Thousand-Year-level pressure truly lived up to its reputation!

"Move!"

Yue Hongsheng shouted in a low voice. There was not the slightest hesitation in his tone, only a nearly icy decisiveness.

At his command, the four Soul Ancestor-level guards made no sound. There was not much fear in their eyes, as though they had expected this moment long ago.

Powerful Soul Power light erupted from their bodies—not to attack, but to... bind!

Two figures shot forward like lightning, targeting the Dreadclaw Bear's ankles, as thick as palace pillars!

The forms of their Martial Souls flashed into view and vanished in an instant—faintly resembling tough vines and swamp-like Soul Power fluctuations—as they wrapped around the beast at once!

The other two charged without hesitation toward the Dreadclaw Bear's massive body. Blinding radiance burst from them like two burning meteors!

They were burning their souls! Paying with their lives to unleash their strongest attacks, all to draw its attention!

The Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear seemed thoroughly familiar with this "routine." It did not show even a trace of surprise. Its eyes held only pure, cruel appetite and disdain.

Its massive paw stamped down fiercely, and the earth shook violently! It effortlessly blasted away the two men trying to restrain it along with their vines, the savage force making blood spray from their mouths!

Facing the two guards rushing at it while burning away their lives, the Dreadclaw Bear merely casually swung its utterly terrifying dark-gold claws! There was no earthshaking Soul Skill radiance, only power and sharpness in their purest forms!

"Slash!" "Slash!"

Like rotten wood being torn apart!

The two figures blazing with the brilliance of life and giving off the final strength of Soul Ancestors completely vanished the instant they came into contact with those dark-gold streaming claw shadows!

They did not even have time to scream, nor did they leave behind the slightest sign of resistance!

Like two tiny bubbles crushed beneath a giant palm! Before absolute power, flesh, blood, and bone were so fragile that they could not withstand a single blow!