Fierce Battle: Dual Fronts in Unison

Deep within the Ascension Platform's primeval forest, two violent currents of Soul Power seemed to have forcibly torn the area into two battlefields.

A gale howled through the fallen leaves and broken branches. On one side, frigid air and a sky-filling stench accompanied the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python's enormous body as it rampaged through the forest; on the other, black mist churned and poisonous fumes spread as the Hundred-Year Human-Faced Demon Spider, like a life-stealing fiend lurking in the shadows, drove Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi into a desperate corner.

At that critical moment, two sharp sounds of rushing wind came simultaneously from opposite directions. Reinforcements had finally arrived.

Yun Zhiyu and Gu Yue had raced over, following the fluctuations of ice-element Soul Power.

Yun Zhiyu restrained her aura, allowing the Torch Dragon Bloodline to flow quietly through her meridians. She spread her spiritual power to its limit, firmly locking onto Wu Nianbing and Wei Xiaofeng's positions. Dusk Dragon Flash: Instant Step activated beneath her feet, and her figure flickered between the towering ancient trees, leaving almost no trace. She kept Xuanyuan Sword's edge tightly suppressed within her body, allowing only the faintest, nearly imperceptible strands of golden sword energy to leak from her fingertips now and then.

Gu Yue kept pace beside her as her Elemental Envoy Martial Soul quietly circulated. Her first soul skill, Elemental Tide, gently yet continuously drew in the surrounding moisture. Fine droplets swirled around her body, conserving Soul Power while remaining ready to condense at any instant and coordinate with ice-element soul skills to control the battlefield.

The battle ahead had already reached its most dangerous point.

Wu Nianbing gripped the Icebound Frost Sword, its frost-white glow now exceedingly dim. Her level twenty-five Soul Power was nearly exhausted after repeated bursts. Relying on her exquisite control over her ice-element Martial Soul, she constantly darted and dodged through the forest. Every pounce from the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python shattered trees so thick that several people would have needed to encircle them. The foul wind it raised struck her face, making even breathing difficult.

To slow the Purple-Gold Python, she had repeatedly activated Skyfrost Mist Shadow. The entire forest floor was blanketed in frosty mist, and a thick layer of ice had formed over the ground. But the Purple-Gold Python's strength was simply too violent. Its huge body kept crushing the ice, and the cold's restraint over it was gradually weakening.

Wu Nianbing swung Frostmark Sword Shadow, sending countless tiny ice blades densely raining toward the Purple-Gold Python. Crisp clanging rang out without pause, but the blades could only leave shallow white marks on its hard purple-gold scales. They could not even break its hide.

She knew clearly that if this continued, the Purple-Gold Python would catch her sooner or later. If its massive tail struck her or its gaping jaws bit down on her, she would be directly judged eliminated within the Ascension Platform's virtual space.

Wei Xiaofeng's situation was no better. With his Azure Shadow Serpent Martial Soul Possession, he relied on the speed of an agility-attack Soul Master to circle constantly around the Purple-Gold Python. He pushed his first soul skill, Azure Shadow Stack, to its limit, several green afterimages drifting unpredictably around the giant serpent as they tried to disrupt its judgment. His second soul skill, Azure Shadow Sword Finger, condensed sharp Soul Power edges that repeatedly sought chances to strike at the Purple-Gold Python's weak points—its vital spot, eyes, and more. But its scales were simply too tough. Even when he hit vulnerable areas, he could only make it briefly feel pain, unable to inflict any real damage.

The prolonged high-speed movement and precise ambushes had pushed both Wei Xiaofeng's Soul Power and stamina to their limits. His afterimages began to blur, and his movements gradually slowed.

Driven completely enraged by the two of them harassing it without pause, the Purple-Gold Python suddenly arched its enormous body, its muscles taut as it prepared to unleash a full-force strike. Just as its body sprang forward and it was about to pounce, a clear, icy shout rang through the forest.

"Black Tortoise: Azure Abyss Sword Shield!"

Yun Zhiyu had finally arrived. Without holding anything back, she directly activated her third soul skill. A heavy sword shield etched with entwined tortoise-and-serpent patterns appeared from thin air, rippling with dark watery light. Like an iron wall, it blocked the path before Wu Nianbing and Wei Xiaofeng as the Purple-Gold Python's power-packed tail smashed fiercely into it.

The thunderous impact made the entire forest tremble slightly. The violent shockwave whipped up a gale, causing the surrounding trees to sway wildly. Yet the dark sword shield did not move at all, deflecting all of the damage.

Wu Nianbing and Wei Xiaofeng froze, then turned to see Yun Zhiyu and Gu Yue. The tension wound to its limit in their hearts finally eased by more than half, and their legs even felt a little weak.

"Sister Yun, Gu Yue, you finally made it." Wu Nianbing's voice carried a faint tremor as the hand gripping the Icebound Frost Sword began to ache slightly.

Yun Zhiyu nodded faintly, her gaze fixed tightly on the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python before her. She rapidly laid out their strategy with exceptional clarity, every instruction perfectly suited to their Martial Souls' strengths. "Nianbing, keep Skyfrost Mist Shadow active and freeze the ground. Slow it down as much as possible. Use Frostmark Sword Shadow only to interfere with its vision; don't force a break through its defenses. Wei Xiaofeng, circle behind it and attack from the sides. Target the gaps between its scales and the soft flesh of its belly. Just restrain it—don't clash head-on. Draw all of its attention to yourself. Gu Yue, pull in all the moisture in the air and combine it with Nianbing's cold to freeze it into ice chains that bind its body. Don't give it any chance to break free. I'll search for an opening from the front and use Xuanyuan Sword to attack its vital points. The four of us will work together and end this quickly."

The instant their roles were assigned, all four moved at once without the slightest hesitation, displaying astonishing coordination.

Gu Yue was the first to activate Elemental Tide. The invisible moisture around them rushed wildly toward her palms. Under her incomparably precise control, several thick water ropes shot forth like living creatures, instantly wrapping around the Purple-Gold Python's neck, torso, and tail. Seeing this, Wu Nianbing forcibly drew upon the last of her Soul Power and swept the Icebound Frost Sword through the air. Skyfrost Mist Shadow erupted at full force, and bone-piercing cold swept down. The water ropes controlled by Gu Yue froze at a visible rate into crystalline, solid ice chains, binding the Purple-Gold Python firmly in place. The ice covering the ground thickened once again, making every twist of its body exceptionally difficult.

"Hiss—!"

The Purple-Gold Python let out a furious roar and struggled with all its might. Its purple-gold scales gleamed with cold light as the ice chains binding it constantly emitted sharp cracking sounds. Yet Gu Yue continuously drew in more moisture to replenish them, while Wu Nianbing repeatedly reinforced them with cold. The moment an ice chain shattered, another formed, preventing it from fully breaking free and tightly restricting its speed.

Wei Xiaofeng seized that fleeting opportunity. Azure Shadow Stack erupted again, and his body transformed into a streak of green lightning as he rapidly darted around the Purple-Gold Python. The several afterimages made it impossible for the serpent to distinguish his true body. Azure Shadow Sword Finger condensed its sharp edge and precisely pierced toward the gaps between the Purple-Gold Python's scales. Every attack struck exactly where it hurt, making the serpent repeatedly turn and lunge at him. Its attack rhythm was completely thrown into disorder, creating the perfect opportunity for Yun Zhiyu's frontal assault.

A cold glint flashed through Yun Zhiyu's eyes as she stopped suppressing Xuanyuan Sword's Soul Power within her body.

Golden sword light shot into the sky, piercing the gloom of the forest. Her first soul skill, Yinglong: Lightning-Calling Sword Chime, suddenly activated. Fine arcs of lightning coiled around the blade as a deep dragon's roar echoed across the forest alongside the sword chime.

With a step, she shot forward like an arrow released from its bow. Xuanyuan Sword carried thunder and razor-sharp force as it cleaved directly toward the weakest gap in the scales beneath the Purple-Gold Python's head.

The Purple-Gold Python instantly sensed the fatal danger. It threw back its head with a roar, opening its gaping mouth to spray foul venom. Wu Nianbing reacted swiftly, swinging Frostmark Sword Shadow at once. Countless ice blades poured down like dense rain, forcibly driving the Purple-Gold Python's head aside and making it miss its chance to spit venom.

Within that brief opening, Yun Zhiyu's sword light arrived and hacked fiercely into the gap between its scales. Bright red blood immediately spurted out. The Purple-Gold Python writhed madly in pain, shattering every ice chain around its body. Its violent strength nearly overturned the entire forest.

Yun Zhiyu had anticipated it. Dusk Dragon Flash: Instant Step activated beneath her feet, and she abruptly retreated, evading the Purple-Gold Python's counterattack. Immediately afterward, her second soul skill, Yinglong: Heavenly Thunder Flash Slash, followed. An incomparably condensed lightning sword shadow tore through the air and precisely struck the same wound again, instantly widening the injury.

Gu Yue did not pause. She immediately drew in more moisture from the surroundings and combined it with Wu Nianbing's cold, condensing sharp ice spikes near the Purple-Gold Python's wound. They stabbed at it continuously, denying it any chance to catch its breath or heal.

The four coordinated flawlessly. Wu Nianbing controlled the field and slowed it down, Gu Yue provided elemental support and enhancement, Wei Xiaofeng harassed and restrained it, while Yun Zhiyu broke through its defenses from the front. Every soul skill connected at exactly the right moment, and every attack landed precisely upon the Purple-Gold Python's weakness. There was not a single unnecessary movement. Even with its overwhelming ferocity, the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python was thoroughly countered by the four of them. Its violent attacks grew increasingly disordered, and it gradually fell into a complete disadvantage.

On the battlefield at the other side of the forest, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi had already reached the end of their strength.

Earlier, to withstand the Human-Faced Demon Spider's deadly poison, the two had jointly used the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Eagle-Dragon: Dark Bone Canopy. The enormous dark Eagle-Dragon phantom and the heavy bony barrier had temporarily driven back the Human-Faced Demon Spider, but they had also nearly drained all of the pair's Soul Power.

At that moment, Zhang Yangzi's face was pale as paper. His Dark Illusion Demon Eagle Martial Soul was nearly dissipating from his body, and Darkness Control was difficult to maintain. The dark mist around him had become so thin it was almost invisible. Wang Jinxi was half-kneeling on the ground. The bony armor from his Bone Dragon King Martial Soul Possession had been corroded into a mottled mess by the Human-Faced Demon Spider's poison. Waves of numbness spread from his arms through his entire body, and the Bone Dragon Claw moved unusually slowly. Even standing had become difficult.

The Hundred-Year Human-Faced Demon Spider was known as the "killer of the forest." Its poison was incomparably vicious. Even with only a hundred years of cultivation, it could use its bizarre toxins to kill Thousand-Year Soul Beasts on its own.

It had clearly noticed the two's dwindling Soul Power, and its attacks became increasingly vicious. Pitch-black poisonous mist surged toward them like an overwhelming tide, while poisonous needles from its tail rained down densely upon them. Wherever the poison mist passed, grass and trees instantly withered and carbonized. A sweet yet lethal stench filled the air. Once touched by the mist or pierced by a needle, one's Soul Power would immediately be contaminated by the poison, completely robbing them of their ability to fight.

Zhang Yangzi barely activated Eagle Strikes the Sky, dodging awkwardly in midair and narrowly avoiding the poison needles several times. His dark Soul Power was almost entirely spent, leaving him unable to launch an effective counterattack. Wang Jinxi tried to block the poison mist with Bone Dragon Claw, but his bone armor was corroding faster and faster. The poison had already begun invading his meridians, making even the circulation of his Soul Power sluggish.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing helplessness and despair in the other's eyes. They knew that if this continued, they would surely fall to this Human-Faced Demon Spider today.

Just as the poison mist was about to completely swallow them, two figures suddenly shot out from the forest.

"Zhang Yangzi! Wang Jinxi! We're here!"

Xie Xie's voice carried the sharp vigor of youth as he was the first to break through the shadows. His Twin Martial Souls, the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger, possessed him simultaneously. The Soul Power of a level twenty agility-attack Soul Master erupted at full force as his second soul skills, Light Dragon Storm and Shadow Dragon Storm, unfolded together. One bright and one dark, two enormous storm vortices formed from nothing and firmly blocked the path before Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi.

Light and darkness spun wildly, colliding with the Human-Faced Demon Spider's poisonous venom and producing a piercing sizzle. The rampant poison mist and needles were instantly shredded and blown apart by the storms, forcibly driven several feet away. The power of light happened to counter the Human-Faced Demon Spider's sinister poison, immediately slowing its offensive and greatly diminishing its ferocity.

Tang Wulin arrived close behind Xie Xie. His Bluesilver Grass Martial Soul activated at full force, and his first soul skill, Bluesilver Entanglement, was unleashed. Several thick, exceptionally tough blue vines burst from the earth like agile serpents, precisely winding around the Human-Faced Demon Spider's torso and tail, firmly binding it in place and preventing it from pressing forward.

Although Tang Wulin's Soul Power was not particularly abundant, the powerful strength bestowed by the first seal of his Golden Dragon King Bloodline being undone made his Bluesilver Grass far stronger than the Martial Souls of Soul Masters at the same rank. The Human-Faced Demon Spider struggled and rolled with all its might, but the vines only tightened further, leaving it unable to break free for the moment.

"Wulin! Xie Xie!" Wang Jinxi was both shocked and delighted. The tension in his heart instantly eased, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

Zhang Yangzi also gasped for breath, barely maintaining his footing as lingering fear filled his heart. "If you'd come one step later, the two of us would've been swallowed by that poisonous spider."

Tang Wulin stood before them, his Golden Dragon Claw on his right hand faintly heating up as the Golden Dragon King's power surged beneath the surface of his body. He said in a low voice, "You've used up too much Soul Power. Fall back first, find somewhere to regulate your breathing, and recover. The two of us will restrain it here. Once you've recovered, we'll attack together."

Xie Xie nodded repeatedly. The Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger spun deftly in his hands as he prowled around the Human-Faced Demon Spider like a ghost. "This thing's poison is disgusting. Don't fight it head-on. Control it first, then slowly look for a chance to strike!"

Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi exchanged a glance and did not force themselves to continue. They immediately retreated several steps, leaned against tree trunks, and sat cross-legged on the ground, quickly circulating the remaining Soul Power in their bodies to recover. With that, the four-man encirclement formation officially took shape, and a perfectly coordinated battle began.

Tang Wulin firmly controlled the Bluesilver Grass, continuously tightening the vines to limit the Human-Faced Demon Spider's movements as much as possible. He cleverly kept the Bluesilver Grass outside the range of its poisonous mist, wrapping only around its main body and denying the venom any chance to corrode the vines in return.

His Bluesilver Entanglement looked simple and unadorned, but it was flexible, tough, and exceptionally powerful in control. Every time the Human-Faced Demon Spider tried to spray a large area of poisonous mist, its restraints prevented it from properly launching the attack. Its poison needles also struggled to accurately hit their targets due to its limited movements. Its formerly unavoidable poison attacks were instantly suppressed completely.

Xie Xie, meanwhile, fully utilized the advantages of an agility-attack Soul Master, continuously darting around the Human-Faced Demon Spider. The Light Dragon Dagger's power of light naturally restrained sinister soul beasts. Every strike precisely stabbed toward the gaps in the human-face patterns on the demon spider's surface, its weakest defensive points. The Shadow Dragon Dagger lurked within the shadows, launching surprise attacks from time to time and leaving the Human-Faced Demon Spider overwhelmed and unable to focus on responding.

His figure flickered unpredictably as he always kept a safe distance from the poisonous mist and needles. He never overcommitted, retreating immediately after every strike and bringing the agility and swiftness of an agility-attack Soul Master to their fullest.

After regulating his breathing for a moment, Zhang Yangzi recovered a little Soul Power and immediately returned to battle. Darkness Control exerted its power again, and dense black mist instantly enveloped the Human-Faced Demon Spider, completely obscuring its senses and vision. Like a blind creature, it could no longer distinguish Xie Xie's figure. Its poison needles and venom repeatedly missed, and its attacks became chaotic.

After some of his Soul Power returned as well, Wang Jinxi once more activated Bone Dragon Transformation. Bone Dragon Claw carried immense, heavy force as it seized the opening created when the Human-Faced Demon Spider was disrupted and restrained, smashing fiercely into its body. Together with Xie Xie's precise ambushes, it continuously inflicted real damage upon the Human-Faced Demon Spider.

The four each fulfilled their roles in perfect sequence: Tang Wulin's Bluesilver Grass stabilized the battlefield control, Xie Xie's twin daggers of light and shadow launched precise agile attacks, Zhang Yangzi's dark Soul Power disrupted and sealed off the enemy, and Wang Jinxi's Bone Dragon power delivered powerful finishing blows.

There was not the slightest chaos, nor did any of them fight alone. Every person's actions created opportunities for their teammates, and every soul skill was released at exactly the right time. Though the Human-Faced Demon Spider's deadly poison had made it infamous, it was completely suppressed by the four. It no longer possessed the prestige of a forest killer and could only endure passive blows under the restraints of Bluesilver Grass as its life force rapidly drained away.

Throughout the entire forest, the clashes of Soul Power from both battlefields rose and fell in succession.

Xuanyuan Sword energy, icy chill, and water elements intertwined around Yun Zhiyu's group of four, pressing forward step by step and forcing the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python into steady retreat. Tang Wulin's group of four coordinated their Bluesilver Grass, light and shadow power, dark Soul Power, and Bone Dragon power in flawless harmony, layering their encirclement until the Hundred-Year Human-Faced Demon Spider gradually lost the strength to struggle. Cold air clashed with foul stench, black mist intertwined with luminous winds, and the roars of soul beasts, the tearing sounds of soul skills, and the howling of sword energy merged into a thrilling battle symphony.

These young Soul Masters, only around ten years old, showed neither panic nor fear. Instead, amid the dangerous battle, they displayed calmness, intelligence, and coordination far beyond their years. They understood their strengths and weaknesses, knew how to cooperate and restrain their enemies, and grasped when to advance, retreat, and make sacrifices. Every shift between attack and defense flowed naturally, and every combined strike hit straight at a vital point.

The Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Python's roars gradually weakened. More and more wounds covered its body, and the combined damage from lightning sword energy and frost made its movements increasingly sluggish, its struggles weaker and weaker. Fine cracks gradually spread across the Hundred-Year Human-Faced Demon Spider's body, while its black poison mist became thinner and thinner. Bound by Bluesilver Grass and battered in turns by the four, its life force was already on the verge of exhaustion.

The two breathtaking battles reached their climax within the Ascension Platform's ancient forest. The trust forged through fighting side by side and the tacit understanding born from sharing life-and-death danger were deeply branded into every young Soul Master's heart through each precise cooperation, becoming the most precious mark upon their path of growth.