Crisis After World Break

Xiao Shenghe pointed to a junction where the Black Chains crossed at the center of the barrier.

"Destroy that node, and the barrier will break!"

Jian Chenxin's eyes lit up.

"Good! Shenghe, keep purifying the surrounding miasma. I'll strike the central node!"

Soul Power erupted from within him once more. Golden sword intent gathered to its limit, and the sword in his hand blazed with dazzling light. A massive golden sword beam took shape and slashed fiercely toward the barrier's central node.

Boom!

The golden sword beam slammed into the node with an earth-shaking roar.

The Black Chains shook violently and let out a piercing shriek. Black miasma churned across the barrier, surging madly to withstand the attack.

Xiao Shenghe drove his Symbiotic Power to its limit. A stream of multicolored energy rapidly purified the miasma around the node, clearing the way for Jian Chenxin's strike.

Lu Yao poured out her Soul Power as well, supporting Xiao Shenghe through their Symbiotic Link. The silver-and-jade glow around them shone even brighter.

With the two working together, the miasma around the node was swiftly purified, and the Black Chains' defenses weakened drastically.

The golden sword beam finally broke through and struck the node head-on.

Crack! The Black Chains snapped, and the central node shattered completely.

As the node broke, the entire barrier shook violently. Black miasma receded like a tide, and the barrier slowly dissolved.

"We did it!"

A joyful smile spread across Lu Yao's face.

But none of them relaxed. As the barrier vanished, an even more terrifying evil aura poured from the Soul-Eroding Cave, making their very souls tremble.

"Everyone, be careful! Whatever's inside is coming out!"

Lu Xuan called out a warning. Blue-gray Soul Power surged through him as he prepared for battle.

No sooner had he spoken than low laughter came from the Soul-Eroding Cave. It was so full of malice and madness that it sent chills down their spines.

"I didn't expect anyone to break my barrier. It seems I underestimated you little brats—and those two Titled Douluo who refuse to die."

A dark figure slowly emerged from the Soul-Eroding Cave.

Black mist shrouded him, hiding his features. All they could sense was the dense evil aura emanating from him. His cultivation was unfathomable—at least at the Titled Douluo level, perhaps even higher.

"Who are you? Why did you create the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma and slaughter the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Jian Chenxin demanded sharply. He pointed his sword straight at the dark figure, locking onto him with golden sword intent.

The dark figure gave a strange, cackling laugh.

"Who am I? You're not worthy of knowing. As for why I created the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma, it's to make those foolish Soul Beasts stronger—and turn them into my most loyal servants."

He paused. His gaze settled on Xiao Shenghe and Lu Yao, and when he saw the silver-and-jade glow surrounding them, greed flashed in his eyes.

"To think I'd encounter heirs to the Clouded Deer's Secret of Symbiosis."

"And this boy even has two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Spirits. What a pleasant surprise."

"With your power, my Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma will grow stronger still. Then every Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest will become my puppet!"

"In your dreams!"

Xiao Shenghe shouted, unleashing all his Symbiotic Power.

"The Secret of Symbiosis is about living together as equals, not enslavement and control! Your evil scheme will never succeed!"

"Living together as equals? What a joke!"

The dark figure sneered.

"Before absolute power, equality is nothing but comfort for the weak. Power alone rules!"

He swept a hand through the air. Black mist surged, and countless streams of Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma formed tentacles that lashed toward the group.

These tentacles were thicker and more poisonous than those of the Corrupt Poison Tentacle Monster. They also carried a powerful Mental Interference effect.

"Watch out! This Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma is stronger than before, and it attacks the mind!"

Lu Xue warned them. Jade-green Soul Power burst from within her, forming a massive screen of vines before the group.

Boom!

The black tentacles slammed into the vine screen, instantly corroding countless holes through it. Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma seeped through the gaps and spread toward them.

"Hmph!"

Gu Rong snorted. Soul Power surged through him, and the Bone Vines behind him grew wildly, weaving themselves into a sturdier wall. Faint golden light shimmered across the vines, purifying the miasma that had seeped through.

Jian Chenxin flashed forward, becoming a golden afterimage as he charged the dark figure. His sword carried an unstoppable edge as it slashed toward the figure's head.

"You rat hiding in the shadows—take my sword!"

Unruffled, the dark figure waved a hand, summoning a black energy shield before him.

The golden sword beam struck the shield with a dull thud. It shook violently but did not break.

"Is that all you can do? And you dare call yourself a Titled Douluo?"

The dark figure spoke with contempt and thrust out his palm. Black Soul Power formed a gigantic hand that smashed toward Jian Chenxin.

Jian Chenxin's gaze sharpened. He twisted aside and slashed backhanded, sending another burst of golden sword energy toward the black hand.

Boom!

The golden sword beam collided with the black hand. Golden light and black mist exploded outward, and the impact forced Jian Chenxin back several steps. The hand shattered into countless wisps of mist that flowed back into the dark figure.

"He's powerful—at least a Peak Douluo!"

Jian Chenxin's expression grew grave.

"And his Soul Power contains Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma. He won't be easy to deal with."

Lu Xuan said,

"His power is rooted in the Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma. If we can purify the miasma inside him, his strength will fall sharply."

"Shenghe, your Symbiotic Power is the key to purifying it. The two Douluo and I will keep him occupied. You and Yao'er seize the chance to strike and purify the miasma inside him."

"Understood!"

Xiao Shenghe nodded and exchanged a look with Lu Yao. They channeled their Symbiotic Power together.

Their Symbiotic Heaven Soul Martial Soul unfurled to its fullest. Blue-gold patterns and orange-red Flame Marks blazed across its silver-white wings, while multicolored energy gathered before them as they prepared to attack.

"You think you can purify my Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma? What a fantasy!"

The dark figure sensed their plan and cackled.

"Today, every one of you will become fodder for my Soul-Eroding Corrupt Miasma!"

He unleashed all his evil Soul Power. Black mist poured out like a rising tide, plunging the area around the Soul-Eroding Cave into darkness.

Countless black tentacles reached from the mist, attacking the group in a dense barrage. At the same time, eerie whispers rose from within it, trying to cloud their minds.

"Steady yourselves! Don't let his Mental Interference get to you!"