Out training!

"Nana!"

Su Yu's voice was so low it was almost inaudible, yet it reached Hu Liena's ears clearly.

"I'll take the lead in attacking and draw its attention."

"Your charm Soul Skill is especially effective against thick-skinned, tough-fleshed Soul Beasts like this!"

"Try to disrupt its movements and limit how far it can move as much as possible."

A trace of resolve flashed through Hu Liena's eyes, and she nodded quickly:

"All right! I understand."

Her fingertips stirred slightly, Soul Power gathering in her palm, ready to unleash her Soul Skill at any moment.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros seemed completely unaware and continued lumbering forward, occasionally nosing aside the low bushes in its path.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the foliage, casting mottled light and shadows across its blue-gray back, while the curved black horn on its nose gleamed with a dangerous chill in the shadows.

"Nana! Get ready to attack!"

"Mm!"

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

Su Yu shouted under his breath, Soul Power abruptly gathering in his palms.

Two slender wooden spikes with a dim green sheen appeared in his hands, and he hurled them at the Ironclad Rhinoceros's head!

Despite its enormous size, the Ironclad Rhinoceros reacted with extraordinary speed.

Sensing a lethal threat, it abruptly lowered its head, the hard black horn atop it striking one of the wooden spikes with precision!

Crack!

With a sharp snap, the wooden spike was forcibly knocked away, scattering through the forest in fragments.

But the other spike took advantage of that opening, skimming past its ear and driving deep into a nearby tree trunk.

"Roar-!"

Thoroughly enraged, the Ironclad Rhinoceros let out a deafening roar.

Its murky eyes instantly locked onto Su Yu. Its four hooves tore at the ground as it charged with unstoppable momentum, its heavy body snapping bushes along the way and whipping up a rank gust of wind!

"Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison!"

Su Yu slapped both hands against the ground, and massive timbers erupted from beneath the earth, pinning the Ironclad Rhinoceros in place.

"Now!"

Su Yu slid sideways like a phantom, calling out to Hu Liena at the same time:

"Nana!"

Hu Liena was already poised to strike, and the Demon Fox Phantom behind her gave a shrill cry.

An enchanting purple light suddenly flared in her eyes, and her Soul Power surged toward the Ironclad Rhinoceros in invisible waves:

"First Soul Skill: Demon Fox Charm!"

The Ironclad Rhinoceros's charge visibly faltered, a momentary daze appearing in its eyes.

Though it lasted only an instant, it gave Su Yu his opening. He pushed off a tree trunk with his toes and leaped into the air.

Several thicker wooden spikes formed in his hands once more, shooting like a torrential downpour toward the Ironclad Rhinoceros's relatively soft abdomen!

"Roar!"

Several wooden spikes drove viciously into the Ironclad Rhinoceros's abdomen, bringing piercing pain.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros, whose movements had stalled under Hu Liena's charm, instantly broke free of her control.

Its jet-black nose snorted heavily, and its murky eyes turned blood-red, fixing on Su Yu.

The next second, it abruptly raised its forehooves and violently shook its massive body, trying to shake loose the wooden spikes in its abdomen.

The agony sent it into a complete frenzy. Its four hooves flew as it charged recklessly toward where Su Yu was landing.

Its hard horn glinted viciously in the sunlight, as though it would smash Su Yu before it to pieces.

"Brother Su Yu, be careful!"

Hu Liena's heart tightened at the sight. She hurriedly channeled her Soul Power again, purple light swirling in her eyes as she tried to disrupt the Ironclad Rhinoceros's movements once more.

Su Yu dodged sideways. "Cutting Technique!" A wooden spike appeared in his hand, and he thrust it toward the wound in the Ironclad Rhinoceros's abdomen.

Squelch-

The wooden spike pierced the wound precisely, sinking a little deeper than the first time.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros let out a shrill howl of pain and violently twisted its massive frame, trying to slam its broad, heavy body into Su Yu.

"Now!"

Su Yu shouted under his breath and abruptly turned his wrist. The wooden spike embedded in the Ironclad Rhinoceros's abdomen snapped, leaving half of it in its flesh.

In an instant, the wooden spike left inside the Ironclad Rhinoceros seemed to have been infused with life.

It grew and branched wildly through the Ironclad Rhinoceros's flesh at an astonishing speed!

Fine wooden fibers spread like a spiderweb, tearing through the surrounding muscles as waves of agony swept through the Ironclad Rhinoceros's entire body.

"Roar-!!!"

This howl was more agonized than any before it, filled with the despair of impending death.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros lost control completely, its massive body spinning wildly in place.

Its four legs kicked haphazardly, its hard hooves gouging deep pits in the ground.

The surrounding bushes and small trees were crushed to pieces. Branches, leaves, and dirt flew everywhere, throwing the scene into utter chaos.

Hu Liena seized the fleeting opportunity, circled behind the Ironclad Rhinoceros, gathered Soul Power in her palm, and struck hard at the joint of its hind leg!

The Ironclad Rhinoceros's movements abruptly stiffened as a heart-piercing pain shot through its hind leg.

The strength supporting its body immediately weakened, and its massive frame involuntarily tilted to one side.

The next moment, the skin on the Ironclad Rhinoceros's abdomen suddenly bulged. Then, with several muffled squelches, thick wooden spikes burst out of its body, dripping with blood, and plunged deep into the ground.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros's enormous body swayed, and the last glimmer in its blood-red eyes rapidly faded.

It gave a feeble whimper, could no longer hold itself up, and crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

Crimson blood kept pouring from its mouth, soaking the earth beneath it. Its limbs twitched a few times before falling completely still.

Hu Liena withdrew her palm and steadied herself, fine beads of sweat forming at her temples, her chest still heaving.

As she looked at the Ironclad Rhinoceros lying on the ground, her eyes shone with excitement.

Su Yu walked slowly forward. Looking at the blood flowing from the Ironclad Rhinoceros's abdomen and the wooden spikes that had stopped growing inside it, he let out a long breath.

"This is the first Hundred-Year Soul Beast we've hunted together. At last, we've got dinner sorted."

Su Yu smiled as he spoke, taking a sharp knife from his Soul Tool.

With practiced movements, he cut several of the thickest pieces of tenderloin from the Ironclad Rhinoceros, wrapped them in clean beast hide, and put them back into his Soul Tool.

The Ironclad Rhinoceros's meat was firm, and although it had a somewhat gamey flavor, it contained considerable Soul Power, making it a valuable source of replenishment for Soul Masters.

"Nana, let's go."

Su Yu dusted off his hands and looked deeper into the dense forest.

"There's water and woodland around here. We might find some wild fruit or edible mushrooms to add a little flavor to dinner."

Hu Liena's cheeks were still flushed from the battle. At his words, she nodded vigorously, her eyes full of eagerness:

"All right!"

She had been through a thoroughly satisfying battle, and now they had plenty of food.

The tension in her heart had long since dissipated, leaving only anticipation for the exploration ahead.

Three days soon passed. During those three days, Su Yu and Hu Liena worked together to kill seven or eight Soul Beasts over six hundred years old.

Hidden in the shadows, Xiao Yi took it all in, his fingertips rubbing the jade talisman in his sleeve, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

They truly were worthy of being the disciples His Holiness the Pope had personally chosen. Not only were their talents exceptional, but their adaptability in battle and steadiness of character also far surpassed their peers.