Nether Wolf

"While most soul hunting teams weren't trustworthy, forming a group to hunt soul beasts was still an efficient method." Su Yuntao lifted his cup and took a small sip, speaking thoughtfully. "I learned from some of Spirit Hall's records that an excellent soul hunting team needed to consist of several different roles."

His gaze was deep, as though he were looking beyond the scene before him and seeing the words recorded in those documents.

"And this was closely related to the classification of Soul Masters. Soul Masters were divided into defense-type, assault-type, support-type/food-type, agility-type, and control-type Soul Masters. An excellent soul hunting team was best off having at least one person in each of the five roles. If you wanted to encounter such teams, you'd have to attend an intermediate or even advanced Soul Master academy."

Listening, Gu Hengzhi pondered to himself, Isn't this just the tank, warrior, assassin, support, and mage lineup from games on Blue Star? It's just that Soul Masters all had some sort of ranged attack, so the marksman role was less defined.

After leaving the market, a vast forest came into view. The trees within soared into the clouds like guardians of the earth. Their ages could not be determined, yet every one of them exuded an ancient, mysterious air. Several meters beyond the forest stood a ring of walls more than ten meters high, covered in sharp spikes that glinted coldly. Together with the squads of soldiers patrolling outside, they created an atmosphere of grim hostility.

The soldiers patrolled in squads of a hundred, clad in armor forged from refined iron and carrying long spears. Their steps were orderly, their bearing disciplined. Their expressions were stern and their gazes sharp, ever alert, as though no movement could escape their notice.

"This Spirit Hunting Forest isn't open to just anyone. Only Soul Masters with entry permits issued by Spirit Hall could enter. Those who tried to sneak in hoping to get lucky usually met a bad end. Spirit Hall's enforcement teams patrolled inside. Their duty was to inspect permits and capture soul beasts over two thousand years old. But your Brother Tao here is a dignified Spirit Hall deacon. Getting a little permit like this is naturally easy!" Su Yuntao said quietly to Gu Hengzhi as a permit glowing with mysterious light appeared in his hand. His face was full of confidence, as though the permit itself were a symbol of his status.

After the captain of the patrol inspected the permit, the soldiers moved aside to open a passage. Once they passed through the towering walls, the stillness of the forest replaced the clamor of the market outside. The air carried the earthy scent of soil, but it was not unpleasant.

Su Yuntao became more cautious. Rather than hurrying onward, he silently observed the surrounding trees.

The two were heading north when a sudden rustling came from the grass, as though some sleeping beast had awakened. Su Yuntao vigilantly pulled Gu Hengzhi back several steps. Looking closely, they saw four ghostly points of light approaching them.

"Don't be afraid. They're only two ordinary Ten-Year Nether Wolves. This is a perfect chance to show you how to hunt soul beasts!" Su Yuntao's voice was low and steady, as though assuring Gu Hengzhi that this would be an effortless battle.

"Martial Soul Lone Wolf—possess!" With a furious shout, Su Yuntao's body began undergoing an astonishing transformation. His muscles swelled like steel, while his hair changed from black to gray, as though shrouded by some mysterious force. Sharp wolf claws gleamed coldly from all ten fingers, and two rings of light emerged beneath his feet, one white and one yellow, like twin moons radiating a chilling glow.

"Stand here and don't move. Watch how I deal with these two beasts!" Su Yuntao's voice exploded through the air like thunder. He strode forward, each step landing like a drumbeat with a dull thud. In the blink of an eye, he had reached the two Ten-Year Nether Wolves like a gust of wind.

The two Nether Wolves seemed to sense Su Yuntao's powerful aura. Not only did they fail to retreat, they instead formed a pincer formation and barked wildly at him, as though challenging him.

Suddenly, the first white Soul Ring on Su Yuntao's body lit up like a brilliant star, releasing strands of glowing radiance. The light flowed into his body like nimble spirit serpents. In an instant, the wolf claws on his hands became even sharper, their edges icy and fierce as though they could tear apart the very air.

Su Yuntao lunged forward like a fierce leopard, slashing his wolf claw viciously at the left Nether Wolf's waist. Its body was as fragile as tofu, instantly torn open by a wound more than ten centimeters long. Blood spurted out like a fountain. Then the tremendous force in Su Yuntao's palm struck like a violent storm, swatting the Nether Wolf straight into the trunk of a large tree. The tree shook violently as though struck by a heavy hammer, while the wolf collapsed to the ground like a heap of mud, unable to move again.

Seeing this, the other Nether Wolf was terrified out of its wits and turned to flee. However, its escape route had long since been blocked by a pair of claws, like a cage forged from steel that left it nowhere to run. Still, Su Yuntao did not deal a fatal blow. A trace of pity flickered in his eyes as he left the Nether Wolf barely alive, then carried it over to Gu Hengzhi.

"Come on, experience what it feels like to hunt a soul beast ahead of time. Take out your dagger and put it out of its misery!" There was encouragement in Su Yuntao's voice, as though telling Gu Hengzhi that this was a necessary part of growing up.

"Okay." Gu Hengzhi did not hesitate. He drew his dagger and chopped down at the Nether Wolf's neck. Before long, it breathed its last. With the deaths of the two Nether Wolves, faint white rings of light gradually rose from their corpses. The light felt ethereal and insubstantial, as though it might drift away at any moment.

"Look carefully. This is a Ten-Year Soul Ring. Once you kill a suitable soul beast, you can use soul power as I do to draw the Soul Ring onto yourself, then use a meditation method to absorb its energy." As he spoke, a gray halo lit up around Su Yuntao. With a beckoning gesture toward the Soul Ring produced by the Nether Wolf he had killed, the ring floated over and circled his body without showing any sign of merging into him.

"My soul power hasn't reached level thirty yet, so I can't advance and can't absorb a Soul Ring. If a Soul Ring isn't absorbed within one shichen, it will naturally dissipate. Bring me the water flask."

Just as the two were resting, a wolf's howl rang out.

"Something's wrong. Second Soul Skill—Lone Wolf Vigilance!" Su Yuntao shouted in a low voice. His second Soul Ring suddenly lit up, his body expanded another degree, and his senses—his ears, nose, eyes, and more—seemed to become sharper.

"There!" His gaze was blazing as he stared fixedly in a certain direction.

"Not good, it's a Gale Demon Wolf! Judging by its size, it's at least a hundred years old! A soul beast of this level shouldn't be on the outskirts of the Spirit Hunting Forest! Hengzhi, run first. I can't fight properly with you here. Let me hold it off for you!" There was a trace of resolve in Su Yuntao's voice.

Hengzhi gritted his teeth. He knew Su Yuntao was far stronger than him, but he was still deeply worried when faced with such a powerful soul beast. Yet the situation gave him no time to think. He turned and sprinted down the way they had come.

Su Yuntao took a deep breath, determination flashing through his eyes. He knew he had to give it everything he had to buy Hengzhi time to escape. He gripped his weapon tightly and faced the Gale Demon Wolf.

The Gale Demon Wolf let out a low growl. Its aura swept forth like a gale, stirring fear in anyone who felt it. Su Yuntao did not retreat. His figure flashed, and he charged at the Gale Demon Wolf like lightning.