Destruction Spear!!

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.

She knew Tang Chen had already guessed her identity.

"Those people won't give up the hunt."

"Where are you planning to go next?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked toward the depths of the forest.

"I'll continue toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest."

"I was injured earlier, so I've slowed down considerably."

Tang Chen glanced around.

"Stay with us from now on."

"At least until we leave the forest, I can guarantee your safety."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to look at him.

"Aren't you worried about the Star Luo Imperial Family?"

"If they send stronger people, you'll be in trouble too."

"But you still made a move just now."

"Since I've already acted, I won't leave you here alone."

After speaking, Tang Chen turned and walked toward Tang Yuan.

Zhu Zhuqing watched his back, her gaze lingering for a moment.

She rose to her feet and followed.

"Then I'll trouble you."

Tang Yuan turned back for a look.

"We're all on the same side. No need to be polite."

Zhu Zhuqing halted.

Tang Chen looked at his grandfather.

"Grandfather."

Tang Yuan immediately withdrew his gaze.

"Fine, Grandfather won't say anything."

The three continued onward through the forest.

After Zhu Zhuqing recovered from her injuries, she became much faster.

She excelled at close combat and speed, making almost no unnecessary sound as she moved.

Tang Chen observed her for a moment before looking away.

Zhu Zhuqing noticed his gaze.

"What are you looking at?"

"Your footwork is good."

"The Nether Civet Martial Soul is naturally skilled in speed."

Zhu Zhuqing did not hide it.

"You also have Twin Martial Souls?"

"Mm."

"The power you used earlier was destruction. Is your other Martial Soul a healing-type Martial Soul?"

"Life Ancient Tree."

Zhu Zhuqing remembered the name.

"What is your Soul Power Level?"

"Level twenty-three."

She stopped walking.

"Level twenty-three?"

Tang Chen turned around.

"What is it?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him.

"You only have level twenty-three Soul Power, yet you can kill a Soul Elder."

"That Soul Elder just now couldn't even withstand a single strike from you."

"Soul Power Level cannot represent all of one's combat strength."

Tang Chen's tone was calm.

"Martial Souls, Soul Rings, soul skills, and physique can all affect the outcome of a battle."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at his feet.

"Your first Soul Ring is two thousand years old?"

"It was thirteen hundred years before."

"The Divine Examination reward raised it to two thousand years."

Tang Chen did not hide it.

Surprise appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

"A Divine Examination?"

"You'll know in the future."

Tang Chen did not elaborate.

The trees ahead grew increasingly dense.

After traveling several miles, Tang Chen suddenly stopped.

Tang Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing stopped at the same time.

The sound of snapping branches came from the forest.

The sound was extremely heavy.

The ground was also trembling faintly.

Tang Chen raised a hand, signaling the two to remain where they were.

"I'll take a look."

He walked toward the source of the noise.

After passing between two ancient trees, he found a clearing ahead.

A Soul Beast more than six meters long stood in the middle of the clearing.

It had black scales, thick limbs, and a curved horn growing from its forehead.

Dark purple light coiled around the horn.

Every breath it took stirred a heavy current of air.

After Tang Yuan arrived, his gaze fell upon the Soul Beast.

The old man's expression gradually turned grave.

"A Dark Unicorn."

"This Soul Beast has cultivated for at least nine thousand years."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Tang Chen.

"A Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Beast."

"Its strength is already close to that of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast."

Tang Chen looked at the Dark Unicorn, with no intention of retreating in his eyes.

"It's the one."

Tang Yuan immediately frowned.

"Chen'er, are you sure?"

"It has exceeded nine thousand years. Both its attack and defense are extremely strong."

"I'm sure."

Tang Chen raised his right hand.

"I'll choose it for my second Soul Ring."

The Dark Unicorn had already sensed Tang Chen's presence.

It raised its head, and the light on its horn rapidly intensified.

The next moment, the Soul Beast stamped its four hooves against the ground.

Boom!

Several cracks split open across the ground.

The Dark Unicorn became a black blur and charged toward Tang Chen.

Its massive body smashed through the ancient trees ahead.

Wood chips scattered everywhere.

Tang Chen did not evade.

Purple-black light blossomed from his right hand.

A long spear gradually emerged.

The spear was entirely dark, its surface covered in purple divine patterns.

The instant the Destruction Spear appeared, ripples spread through the surrounding space.

Tang Chen gripped the shaft.

The phantom of the Destruction Scepter appeared behind him.

Purple-black power of destruction surged from his Martial Soul into the spear.

The Destruction Spear released a blinding purple radiance.

The Dark Unicorn had already charged close.

It lowered its head.

Its horn, carrying immense force, stabbed straight toward Tang Chen's chest.

Tang Chen flicked his wrist.

The Destruction Spear thrust forward.

The spear tip collided with the horn.

There was no deadlock.

Purple-black power of destruction erupted from the spear tip, instantly piercing through the Dark Unicorn's horn.

The Dark Unicorn let out a shrill cry.

The black scales covering its body cracked apart one after another.

The power of destruction entered its body through the wound, rapidly destroying its flesh and Soul Power.

Tang Chen advanced with his spear.

The spear shaft pierced through the Dark Unicorn's skull and emerged from its back.

Its massive body came to a halt amid the impact.

The Dark Unicorn struggled a few times before crashing to the ground.

Silence returned to the surroundings.

From the moment Tang Chen attacked to the Dark Unicorn's fall, the entire process had taken no more than a few breaths.

Zhu Zhuqing stood behind him, her gaze fixed on the enormous corpse.

A Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

It had actually been crushed head-on by Tang Chen.

Even its final struggle had made no difference.

Tang Yuan also put away his worries.

"The power of the Destruction Spear is indeed formidable."

Tang Chen withdrew the spear.

Purple light flashed, and the divine weapon merged back into his right hand.

Above the Dark Unicorn's corpse, a black Soul Ring slowly condensed.

Deep purple gleams flickered within the black.

The energy released by the Soul Ring made the surrounding trees sway faintly.

Tang Chen walked to the Soul Beast's corpse and sat down cross-legged.

"Grandfather, Zhu Zhuqing, protect me."

"Don't worry."

Tang Yuan stood before Tang Chen.

Zhu Zhuqing walked to the other side, vigilantly watching the surroundings.

Tang Chen raised his palm.

His Soul Power turned into a pull, drawing the Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring toward him.

The black Soul Ring slowly descended.

At last, it settled around Tang Chen's body.

Boom!

Violent energy surged into his body.

The lingering consciousness of the Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Beast charged into his Sea of Spirit, carrying an intense urge for destruction.

Tang Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

This power was far stronger than his first Soul Ring.

Waves of swelling pain coursed through his meridians under the energy's impact.

The power of destruction quickly began to circulate.

Purple-black energy flowed through his limbs and bones, gradually wearing away the violent elements within the Soul Ring.

The power of the Life Ancient Tree followed close behind.

Emerald light repaired the minute damage.

Destruction tempered his body.

Life restored his injuries.

The two forces alternated in circulation.

The Soul Ring's energy began to be absorbed by Tang Chen bit by bit.

Time slowly passed.

Zhu Zhuqing stood to one side, never taking her eyes off him.

As she watched the black Soul Ring around Tang Chen gradually stabilize, her heart was shaken once more.

A Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

It was an age that many Soul Elders would not dare attempt lightly.

Yet Tang Chen had forcibly absorbed it into his body with only twenty-third-level Soul Power.

Tang Yuan remained equally vigilant.

Only when the fluctuations of Tang Chen's Soul Power gradually steadied did a smile appear on the old man's face.

Another half hour passed.

The black light surrounding Tang Chen's body slowly withdrew.

He opened his eyes.

Two Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet at the same time.

The first Soul Ring was deep purple.

The second Soul Ring was an even darker purple.

The two Soul Rings slowly revolved around his body, radiating a formidable aura.

Tang Chen raised his hand and felt the surging Soul Power within him.

The Nine-Thousand-Year Soul Ring had been successfully absorbed.