"Sageross, come back!"
Fortunately, Niu Dazhuang held out against the Ghost Tiger's first wave of attacks until Sageross returned to help.
"Use Rage Enhancement, then Blade Assault!"
"Saa-"
The dark purple, distorting force field appeared around Sageross again, and his dark red eyes grew ever more vivid, as though about to drip blood.
Dark purple currents erupted from Sageross's twin blades as he turned and lunged at the Ghost Tiger.
Empowered by Rage Enhancement, his blades were like two executioner's knives, hacking viciously into the Ghost Tiger's waist and leaving two deep, bloody gashes.
"Roar-"
The Ghost Tiger let out a fierce roar. Black light surged from its entire body as it swelled in size, then shifted sideways in an unbelievable movement, snapping its jaws at Sageross.
"Sageross, dodge!"
Lin En's expression changed. If that bite landed, Sageross would definitely be hurt.
Alerted by Lin En's warning, Sageross reacted and abruptly leaped up. As he dodged the fatal blow, the tips of his claws stabbed into the Ghost Tiger's head, driving it back step after step.
"Come back!" Lin En shouted.
The Ghost Tiger was far too powerful. They had to work together and face it as one to deal with it.
Sageross returned to Lin En's side, his gaze poised for battle.
Niu Dazhuang was almost dumbstruck as he watched from the side.
Even his second Soul Skill could not break through the Ghost Tiger's defenses, yet this little green monster could actually do so with ease.
It was simply unbelievable!
"Teacher Niu, don't just stand there. The Ghost Tiger is about to charge. You hold it off head-on, and I'll direct Sageross to strike from the flank."
Lin En spoke to Niu Dazhuang, his expression calm and composed.
"All right!"
"First Soul Skill, Cowhide!"
Niu Dazhuang roared, and his first white Soul Ring lit up. Immediately afterward, his skin turned bluish-black.
Thud-
After using his first Soul Skill, Cowhide, Niu Dazhuang's defense and strength both increased dramatically, allowing him to withstand the Ghost Tiger's charge head-on.
"Now, Sageross! Use Tackle and attack the Ghost Tiger's belly!"
Lin En's eyes lit up. The opportunity had come!
The Ghost Tiger had raised both forepaws to wrestle with Niu Dazhuang, leaving its middle wide open. This was the perfect moment for him to strike.
"Saa-"
Sageross's eyes were scarlet, fighting spirit rising within them. The next moment, the power surrounding him actually grew stronger again, and his speed increased considerably as well.
"This is-Sageross has ignited his fighting spirit!"
Lin En's eyes instantly shone. In this state, Sageross was even stronger!
Moving like a shadow, Sageross rapidly closed in on the Ghost Tiger. As the distance between them narrowed, his blades suddenly thrust toward its belly.
"Roar..."
The stabbing pain drove the Ghost Tiger into a frenzy. Niu Dazhuang's veins bulged as he held it fast.
Sageross's blades whirled rapidly. In mere seconds, he unleashed dozens of slashes, cutting the Ghost Tiger open and spilling its entrails.
Thump-
The Ghost Tiger collapsed helplessly, the light gradually fading from its eyes.
"Great, we finally killed that beast!"
Lin En wiped away his sweat. That battle had truly been heart-stopping; it had nearly forced him to bring out Ingkaros.
"Goddammit, I nearly bought it in the Soul Hunting Forest. Good thing I'm hard to kill, haha..."
Niu Dazhuang panted heavily, his bluish-black skin covered in bloody claw marks left by the Ghost Tiger.
Even with his enhanced defense, the Ghost Tiger's claws were no pushovers. His injuries could not be called serious, but his skin and flesh had certainly been torn open.
With the Ghost Tiger's death, a deep Yellow Soul Ring burst forth, a trace of purple even mingling with its flowing yellow light.
Niu Dazhuang began inspecting the Ghost Tiger. A moment later, he shook his head.
"What a shame. This Ghost Tiger had eight hundred years of cultivation. If it were a little younger, it really couldn't be more suitable for you to absorb!"
"Eight hundred years?"
Lin En's gaze dimmed. Eight hundred years was already far beyond the limit of what he could absorb.
If it were six hundred years, he could still take a gamble.
But eight hundred years would truly be courting death!
He knew his own body best. Even though he had trained diligently over the past six years, he was absolutely nowhere near being able to absorb it.
Besides, he had not taken any whale rubber to improve his physique. It simply was not realistic.
Looking at the Ghost Tiger's Soul Ring before him, which suited him so perfectly, Lin En could only give it up, however unwilling he felt.
Yet just then, Sageross suddenly moved!
He approached the Ghost Tiger, and the dark purple, distorting force field appeared around him again. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into fiercely burning dark purple flames.
"Saa-"
Wait, what was Sageross doing?
Lin En froze. Those flames burning on him were... Dark Flame?
The next moment, seemingly affected by Sageross's energy fluctuations, the deep yellow Soul Ring actually transformed into a stream of light and flew toward Lin En. It slowly descended from above his head and circled his body.
What the fuck?
Lin En was dumbfounded. Sageross, what have you done?
Yet the energy that could have burst his body apart never appeared. Instead, it continually spilled from the Ghost Tiger's body and flowed along the Dark Flame into Sageross.
Painless absorption?
Well done, Sageross! I knew you were the best!
A gentle power kept welling up within him. Lin En hurriedly sat cross-legged on the ground and began refining the Ghost Tiger's power.
The Ghost Tiger's power split into two streams. Its most savage, tyrannical Soul Power was devoured and absorbed by Sageross, while the rest flowed from his body into Lin En.
Niu Dazhuang looked blank. Hadn't I said he couldn't absorb it?
Wait, why did he seem fine?
He stepped forward and leaned closer to examine Lin En's condition, finding that he really was fine. The fierce aura surrounding Lin En's Martial Soul, however, was growing ever stronger, as though it had absorbed the Ghost Tiger's murderous aura as well.
Niu Dazhuang rubbed his head. Absorption had already begun; it was too late to interrupt it.
Fortunately, nothing had gone wrong. If Lin En could absorb the Ghost Tiger's Soul Ring, that was a good thing too. At least they would not have to keep searching the Soul Hunting Forest for Soul Beasts.
Time trickled by.
An hour...
Two hours...
Niu Dazhuang remained beside Lin En the entire time, guarding him and watching him absorb it.
Until a certain moment.
Hum-
The deep yellow Soul Ring circling Lin En suddenly shuddered violently. Immediately afterward, the Soul Power fluctuations around him began to settle rapidly.
The next second.
Lin En opened his eyes, a keen glint flashing in their depths.
At the same time, Sageross plundered the final wisp of energy from the Ghost Tiger, and the Dark Flame burning on him grew even stronger.
"Saa-"
Sageross returned to Lin En's side, a trace of affection flashing in his eyes.
Lin En raised a hand and stroked Sageross's head, speaking gently.
"Thanks for your hard work, Sageross!"
Sageross shook his head, then stood quietly beside him.
Before you continue