As a soul beast capable of ranking among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear had suffered grievous wounds from Xiao Yan's sneak attack, but unlike the ten-thousand-year Ghost Tiger, it had not died outright.
"Roar!"
The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear threw back its head and let out a threatening roar. Like a bird startled by a bowstring, it scrambled upright, dark gold light spilling from its undamaged fur.
At the same time, it swung its sole remaining paw at Xiao Yan.
As the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear swung its two-foot-long paw, it abruptly swelled to three times its size in midair, growing from two feet to two meters. Its terrifying claws looked ready to tear space apart.
"It's over!"
Xiao Yan's delicate features remained expressionless as he watched the paw about to descend on him. He slowly raised his hand, deep yellow flames churning gently over his palm. An instant later, they surged fiercely toward the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.
The deep yellow flames shot into the air and engulfed the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. Formed by fusing green lotus core flame with myriad beast spirit flame, they ravenously ate away at the already grievously wounded beast.
In the blink of an eye, the thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear became a charred corpse. A dazzling, bright purple soul ring emerged with its death.
"Since there are no heavenly flames, I'll use you to advance instead."
Looking at the bright purple soul ring before him, Xiao Yan did not absorb it immediately. He first probed his surroundings with his spiritual power. Only after finding no threats did he sit cross-legged and begin absorbing the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's soul ring.
With a gentle beckoning motion of Xiao Yan's right hand, the purple soul ring instantly turned into