Dolou Dalu 23

The vicious man's grin grew more sinister as he channeled his soul power again, summoning and controlling even more soul beasts to besiege the three young women. His cultivation level was only at the 42nd rank, limiting him to commanding soul beasts under a thousand years old. However, his Black Sky Fox Spirit required minimal soul power to manipulate them. Even if he controlled hundreds of soul beasts ranging from ten to a hundred years old, he could maintain control for an entire day.

"Tyrannosaurus Possession!"

Liu Erlong activated her Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Spirit again, throwing a devastating punch that sent a swarm of attacking birds and wolf-type soul beasts flying.

"Frost Blade!"

Shui Yue'er launched a barrage of ice spikes, piercing through the attacking snakes and rodent soul beasts, momentarily keeping them at bay.

The battle had raged for hours, and the three women were nearly drained of soul power. They dared not waste energy on their third and fourth soul skills. If not for Ye Keke's Nine Heart Begonia Spirit, which continuously provided some level of recovery, they would have long since collapsed.

However, as a support-type soul master, Ye Keke's ability to restore soul power also came at a cost—her own reserves. Though she only expended a small amount with each healing, the prolonged battle had nearly exhausted her.

The sinister man chuckled darkly. "Heh... You little girls are at your limit. Why don't you just surrender?"

Surrounded by over eight hundred low-level soul beasts, Liu Erlong and the others found it impossible to get close to him. A pack of red-tailed leopards—fast and deadly—continuously lunged at them, making escape even more difficult.

At her peak, Liu Erlong could have crushed one of these leopards with a single punch. But in her current state, barely holding on, killing one did nothing to improve their situation. More and more soul beasts crowded around them, their glowing eyes fixed on the women, waiting for the moment they faltered completely.

This was the true terror of the Black Sky Fox Martial Soul. In the absence of soul beasts, it was merely an ordinary martial soul. But within the depths of the Soul Beast Forest, it was almost invincible. The user could endlessly summon and command surrounding creatures, slowly exhausting their opponents.

At first, Shui Yue'er had managed to erect an ice wall to slow down their enemies, but the barrier quickly melted under continuous assault. The flying soul beasts attacking from above only added to their desperation.

"What should we do, Sister Erlong?" Ye Keke asked, her voice trembling. "My soul power is almost gone... I won't be able to restore yours much longer."

"Damn it!" Liu Erlong clenched her fists, frustration evident in her voice. "That bastard fights like a rat, hiding behind his summoned creatures. Am I really going to fall to someone so despicable?"

Shui Yue'er remained calm despite the dire situation. "There's no other option," she said. "Ye Keke, restore a little bit of my soul power. I'll use my Ice Phoenix to freeze the soul beasts for a few seconds. That should give us enough time to escape."

Ye Keke nodded without hesitation. "Alright, Sister Yue'er."

Among them, only Shui Yue'er's Ice Phoenix had the ability to fly. She could have fled earlier, but she had stayed to fight alongside her companions. They had severely underestimated their opponent.

Liu Erlong, despite her usual rivalry with Shui Yue'er, did not argue. Right now, it was their only chance.

Mustering the last remnants of her strength, Liu Erlong unleashed her third soul skill: Thunder of Fury. A fiery lightning orb exploded in front of them, obliterating dozens of soul beasts and momentarily blinding the sinister man.

"Huh?" The man flinched as smoke and debris clouded his vision.

At that moment, an intense chill erupted from Shui Yue'er's martial soul. The ground, trees, and surrounding vegetation instantly froze over, and dozens of approaching soul beasts were turned into icy sculptures.

"Quick, grab onto me!"

Shui Yue'er seized Ye Keke's hand, and Liu Erlong swiftly grasped hers in turn. With a powerful flap of her Ice Phoenix wings, Shui Yue'er lifted them into the air.

But the ice covering the ground melted within seconds.

The sinister man's eyes flashed with fury. "Trying to run? Not on my watch!"

A Thorned Goshawk, an eight-hundred-year-old soul beast, dove at them with razor-sharp talons. Shui Yue'er's Ice Phoenix could only sustain limited flight, and her energy was nearly depleted. Watching the goshawk hurtling toward them, her normally cold expression flickered with fear.

"Am I going to die here today?"

Just then, a familiar figure leapt from the forest.

"Ruthless Charge!"

A black shadow shot into the air. Lin Fan soared more than ten meters high, used a double jump mid-air, and landed atop the Thorned Goshawk. With a powerful swing of his Shadow Battle Axe, he cleaved through the beast's wings. The soul beast let out a screech before plummeting to the ground.

"Xiao Fan!"

Liu Erlong and Ye Keke's eyes widened in shock and relief.

Tang Yiran leaped forward, catching them as they descended.

"Who the hell is this brat?!" the sinister man growled from within the forest. "How dare you interfere with my plans!"

A young man, clad in black, strode forward with a heavy battle axe slung over his shoulder.

The sinister man snarled, directing several giant rhino soul beasts to charge at Lin Fan.

Lin Fan stepped forward calmly and swung his axe with precision. The enormous beasts roared as their thick horns were effortlessly cleaved off. He then stomped down on one of their heads, forcing it into the dirt.

The sinister man paled. "W-what kind of martial soul is this?!"

Lin Fan's cold gaze locked onto him. "It doesn't matter. You're finished."

The enemy's hundreds of soul beasts swarmed toward Lin Fan. Birds, rats, and venomous snakes surged in waves.

Lin Fan smirked.

"Ruthless Charge!"

In an instant, he vanished from sight.

Flash.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Fan teleported three times, appearing directly in front of the sinister man. The sharp edge of his Shadow Battle Axe pressed against the villain's throat.

The sinister man's eyes widened in terror. "H-how… how is this possible?! You were hundreds of meters away just now! My soul beasts should have protected me!"

Lin Fan said nothing. With a single, effortless slash, his battle axe split the man's head in two. His lifeless body crumpled to the ground, eyes still frozen in disbelief.