A Narrow Encounter

The scarred, burly man looked up, his ghost-headed saber held horizontally in front of him. His four henchmen behind him turned around in unison, their Soul Power instantly tightening.

Lu Yuan had already stood up, taken a few steps down, and stood on the protruding rock. Shen Moxin followed behind him, holding a leather notebook. Mo Chen, Su Yan, and Li Wangye also stood up in turn.

The two were about thirty paces apart.

Scarface narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the five people opposite him. He grinned, revealing yellowed and blackened teeth.

"Hey friend over there," he said in a hoarse voice, "Our ' Desolate Wolf ' crew has our eye on this prey. Want to do us a favor?"

The tone was anything but negotiable.

Lu Yuan took two steps forward. "Sir, we discovered this Mountain-Shaking Armadillo cub first," he said calmly. "It's crucial for this young man's First Soul Ring. First come, first served."

"First come, first served?" Scarface sneered. "The rule of the Soul Beast Forest is might makes right! Either get lost, or..."

Before he finished speaking, the four people behind him stepped forward in unison.

The Soul Ring lit up one after another. Two white, two yellow, and a jumble of other rings floated around his feet. The stench of blood and the ruthlessness of a desperate criminal assaulted him.

On this side of the cliff, Li Wangye on the short knife at his waist. Mo Chen's fingers slipped into the pocket of his leather apron.

Lu Yuan did not back down.

Instead, he raised his voice slightly. "The Inspection Office just issued a notice recently, cracking down on private duels and looting by Soul Master on the border."

Scarface's face stiffened.

Lu Yuan stared at him. "' Desolate Wolf's' reputation is probably still fresh in Deacon Han. Is it worth getting under the Inspection Office's scrutiny for a Hundred-Year Soul Beast?"

He pinpointed "Inspection Office" and "Deacon Han" precisely.

The four henchmen of the Desolate Wolf exchanged glances, their momentum weakening considerably. Scarface's eyes flickered, and the tip of his Ghost Head Saber lowered a few inches.

The Inspection Office has indeed been under pressure lately. That Han the Skinflint is notorious for being heartless and ungrateful.

Scarface quickly calculated in his mind.

The kid opposite him had pitifully Soul Power, but he spoke clearly and logically, even daring to mention Deacon Han's name. Either he was bluffing, or... he really did have some connections.

His gaze then swept over the group of people behind Lu Yuan.

The woman kept her head down, taking notes. Two teenagers, one with a fierce look in his eyes, the other staring intently at Mountain-Shaking Armadillo. The slovenly man's fingers fidgeted in his pocket.

Something's not right.

So calm.

Scarface licked his dry lips. He had been roaming the Black Stone Mountain Range for over a decade, relying on his keen eye for detail. There was no need for him to gnaw on a potentially damaging rock for a Hundred-Year Soul Beast.

Seeing that his eyes softened, Lu Yuan's tone became gentler.

"Of course, meeting in the mountains is also fate." He lowered his voice, "We only want the Soul Ring. The shell and flesh of this Mountain-Shaking Armadillo can be left to you all, so the trip won't be in vain."

Slap me, then give me a treat.

Scarface stared into Lu Yuan's calm eyes, then glanced at the distant mountains and forests. He finally snorted and slammed his ghost-headed saber on the ground.

"You guys know what's good for you!" His voice was still gruff. "The materials are ours, so hurry up! I'm not going to wait any longer!"

After saying that, he waved to his subordinates. The four subordinates put away their Soul Ring and retreated to the boulder thirty paces away, some sitting and some leaning against it, their eyes never leaving this spot.

The crisis has been temporarily averted.

A threat still lurks in the shadows.

Lu Yuan turned around and nodded very slightly to Mo Chen. Mo Chen understood, his right hand still in his pocket, and quietly adjusted the orientation of a certain Soul Tool —directly facing the boulder where the Desolate Wolf were resting.

"Hurry up," Lu Yuan said in a very low voice. "Su Yan, prepare. Li Wangye, keep watch on the rear. Mo Chen, keep an eye on them. Teacher Shen, take notes."

The commands are concise and clear.

Su Yan took a deep breath, and the Iron Hammer Martial Soul condensed in his palm. After breaking through to level ten, the texture of the Martial Soul was completely different.

The young Mountain-Shaking Armadillo sensed the threat, and its carapace flashed rapidly with a yellowish-brown aura. It lowered its body and gripped the ground with its limbs.

Lu Yuan quickly scanned the terrain.

"It's going to crash into the rock wall and use the momentum to propel itself." He spoke quickly. "Mo Chen, that loose rock to the left front, use the vibrator."

Mo Chen pulled out a palm-sized metal disc with his left hand and swiped it with his thumb. The soul-guiding patterns lit up with a faint light.

"Li Wangye, flank it to the right and block its flank. Don't get too close."

Li Wangye, his short sword drawn, moving close to the shadows of the rock wall.

"Su Yan." Lu Yuan looked at the boy, "Five steps straight ahead. The moment it loses its balance due to the shockwave, strike the junction of its nape and carapace—that's where the armor plates are thinnest. Remember, don't smash, 'nail' it. Use your Soul Power to penetrate the shockwave."

Su Yan nodded emphatically, gripped the hammer with both hands, and walked to the designated position. He closed his eyes for half a second, and when he opened them again, all he could see was the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo.

Shen Moxin back to a safe distance and turned to a new page in her notebook. The charcoal pencil tip hovered above the paper.

Everything is ready.

The young Mountain-Shaking Armadillo let out an anxious roar, stomped its hind legs on the ground, and slammed into the rock wall, enveloped in an earthy yellow light.

Right now.

Mo Chen pressed down hard with his thumb. The metal disc vibrated silently, and a ripple shot towards the loose rock to the left front.

A soft "click" sound came from inside the rock, and its surface was cracked.

The Mountain-Shaking Armadillo crashed headfirst into the rock wall, but the expected rebound force didn't come—the rock it was using as a fulcrum shattered. Its body tilted, and its momentum diminished.

Li Wangye pounced out from the shadows on the right, his short knife striking the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo's side with a light blow, but perfectly timed to prevent it from adjusting its posture.

Su Yan moved.

He stepped forward, twisting his back, and swung the hammer upwards. The movement was slow, even somewhat heavy, but the trajectory was surprisingly straight. The hammerhead sliced through the air, creating a dull whistling sound.

The hammerhead struck precisely the gap where the nape of the neck met the carapace.

A short, sharp "thud".

Su Yan's arm muscles bulged, and his Soul Power surged wildly into the hammer head through the handle. He gritted his teeth, let out a low growl, and forcefully injected the shockwave that "drived" it in.

The Mountain-Shaking Armadillo's body trembled violently, and its yellowish-brown aura suddenly went out. Its limbs twitched, it let out a mournful cry, and collapsed to the ground. There was no visible damage on its carapace, but dark red blood seeped from its mouth and nose.

One fatal blow.

Li Wangye sheathed his sword and stepped back. Mo Chen put away the vibrator and glanced at the group of Desolate Wolf thirty paces away—they sat up straight, their eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

Lu Yuan strode forward and placed his fingers on the side of the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo's neck. The fluctuations in Soul Power quickly dissipated.

"He's dead." He stood up. "Su Yan, absorb the Soul Ring immediately. Everyone else, be on guard."

Su Yan released the hammer handle, and the Iron Hammer Martial Soul transformed into specks of light and returned to his body. He walked to the corpse of the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo, sat down cross-legged, and placed his right hand on the still warm shell.

Yellow Soul Ring slowly rose from the corpse.

Su Yan closed his eyes and channeled his Soul Power.

The Soul Ring floated over and enveloped his body.

The boy's body trembled violently the moment they made contact. Veins bulged on his forehead, and beads of sweat immediately appeared. But he didn't make a sound, his hands gripping his knees tightly.

Shen Moxin pencil moved swiftly.

Lu Yuan stood slightly in front of Su Yan, his back to the group of Desolate Wolf. His gaze was fixed on Su Yan's face, his expression calm, but the fingers hanging at his sides were slightly curled.

Mo Chen never took his hand out of his pocket. Li Wangye held his short knife in a reverse grip.

Time passed little by little.

Su Yan's trembling intensified. He bit his lip until it bled, and a muffled groan escaped his throat. The Yellow Soul Ring flickered erratically.

A low chuckle came from the direction of the Desolate Wolf. The scarred, burly man crossed his arms, watching the show.

Shen Moxin looked up at Lu Yuan, her eyes questioning.

Lu Yuan shook his head.

He trusted Su Yan.

Sure enough, after another dozen or so breaths, Su Yan's body suddenly stopped trembling.

He exhaled a long breath, which carried tiny specks of yellowish-brown light. The light of the Soul Ring on his body stabilized, slowly contracted, and disappeared into his chest.

Su Yan opened her eyes.

Deep within his pupils, a faint, earthy yellow luster flashed. He raised his right hand, and the Iron Hammer Martial Soul reappeared. The hammerhead was still dark, but its surface now faintly displayed a layer of fine, rock-like patterns.

He gripped the hammer handle and looked at Lu Yuan.

"Sir," Su Yan's voice was hoarse but steady, "It's done."

Lu Yuan nodded. "What characteristics?"

"Vibration." Su Yan sensed the new information transmitted by his Martial Soul, "When striking, Soul Power can be transformed into high-frequency vibrations that penetrate into the target. It's even more effective against hard objects."

Shen Moxin closed her notebook.

Mo Chen breathed a sigh of relief, pulling his hand out of his pocket to wipe his sweat. Li Wangye grinned.

In the distance, the scarred, burly man clicked his tongue and stood up.

"All done?" he asked gruffly. "The materials are ours, don't forget."

Lu Yuan turned around and cupped his hands in greeting. "Of course. Please, everyone, make yourselves at home."

Scarface waved his hand, and four of his men came over and swiftly dismembered the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo carcass. They peeled off its shell and cut the flesh. Their movements were practiced and efficient.

Lu Yuan signaled his men to retreat.

The materials were processed quickly. The men of the Desolate Wolf packed the carapaces and lean meat into rough sacks and carried them on their shoulders.

The scarred, burly man glanced at Lu Yuan one last time, said nothing, and turned to lead his men into the woods.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

But Lu Yuan didn't move. Mo Chen didn't move either, and put his right hand back into his pocket.

I waited for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"Let's go," Mo Chen said in a low voice, "At least retreat half a mile."

Lu Yuan finally relaxed. He looked at Su Yan: "How are you feeling?"

"My Soul Power is about 60% remaining." Su Yan carefully sensed it. "The Vibration Soul Skill, when used at full power, can probably be used three times."

"That's enough." Lu Yuan patted his shoulder. "Rest first. We'll test the effect on the way back."

He looked around. The rocky area had returned to silence, with only the remains of the Mountain-Shaking Armadillo and the stench of blood remaining.

"Pack your things and evacuate," Lu Yuan ordered. "Return the way you came, and speed up. Although the Desolate Wolf have retreated, they may not have given up."

Everyone nodded.

Shen Moxin put the notebook into her pocket. Li Wangye wiped the short knife clean. Mo Chen took out the metal disc—the soul guidance patterns on its surface had faded, and the inferior Soul Power crystal at its core had cracked into several pieces.

"The disposable vibrator is ruined." He shrugged.

"It's worth it," Lu Yuan said.

The five quickly packed their belongings and walked downstream along the dry streambed. The sun was setting, and the light in the forest was dimming.

Su Yan followed behind Lu Yuan, occasionally raising his hand to examine the lines on the iron hammer in his palm. His lips were pursed, and there was a light in his eyes.

I got my First Soul Ring.

The group moved forward in silence. Everyone knew that the Desolate Wolf were like hyenas lurking in the shadows.

They hadn't gone far.

The crisis is only temporarily averted; it is far from over.