Chapter 50 – A Chance Encounter

In truth, Lin Jie had simply roasted the Man-Faced Demon Spider to death while it was frozen in ice.

He'd first sealed the spider in frost using his Ice Martial Soul, then surrounded it with a ring of scorching flame using his Fire Martial Soul. The intense heat radiated inward, bypassing the outer layer of ice and slowly cooking the spider inside. The ice wasn't melted—it served as a shell, trapping the heat within.

This method of spirit power control was something Lin Jie had developed after gaining his dual elemental Martial Souls. Ice and fire were inherently conflicting elements—normally, they couldn't coexist. Either the fire melted the ice, or the ice extinguished the fire. But Lin Jie had figured out how to control heat transfer without direct elemental collision, using precise spirit power manipulation. It was a feat only someone with his level of mastery could pull off.

A black Spirit Ring slowly rose from the spider's corpse. Seeing this, Lin Jie knew the beast was truly dead.

He withdrew his spirit power, and the frozen layer covering the spider began to melt away. Stepping forward, he examined the corpse—it was practically roasted. Shaking his head in disappointment, he murmured, "Tch, I was hoping it might drop a Spirit Bone."

Without another glance, he turned and continued on his way.

Several hours later, Lin Jie's Mind Web picked up a strong burst of spirit power ahead. The energy was chaotic—likely someone was fighting a powerful spirit beast. Curious, he expanded the range of his Mind Web and cautiously approached the scene.

Sure, curiosity had killed the cat—but Lin Jie wasn't a cat. He tamed cats. Just ask Zhu Zhuqing.

Suppressing his aura, he quietly crept closer. When he got within visual range, he peered through the trees.

A figure—slim and beautiful, with short ear-length golden hair—was locked in battle with a powerful spirit beast. Her clothing was a bit disheveled, her movements graceful yet tense. From the four Spirit Rings floating around her—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—Lin Jie could tell she was a Spirit Ancestor.

Normally, Spirit Ancestors were on par with spirit beasts under 5,000 years, but this woman was holding her own against a beast that was clearly over 10,000 years old. She was outmatched, but impressively so.

Lin Jie expanded his Mind Web again to check for other threats. Sensing none, he relaxed slightly.

He watched the golden-haired woman resume her fight, gracefully dodging a sweeping tail strike. As she leapt back, a pink, fluffy tail appeared behind her. Her alluring figure grew even more captivating as a pink mist began to spread from her body, wafting toward the spirit beast.

The moment the beast was touched by the mist, it visibly staggered.

Seizing the moment, the woman darted in, her spirit power surging. She delivered a powerful kick that sent the beast reeling. Enraged, the creature roared and fired a dark-purple energy beam from its massive mouth.

Lin Jie stared, stunned.

That Martial Soul… and that charm ability… it's just like her…

He frowned.

She shouldn't be here… not in the inner region of Sunset Forest. Unless… she's here for training? Hmm, plausible.

Watching her struggle, Lin Jie debated whether he should intervene.

If I save her now, does that count as a hero saving a beauty? Classic setup. She might fall for me on the spot. Or at least owe me a favor.

He chuckled to himself.

Besides, if she really is who I think she is, helping her now could pay off big later.

The beast roared again, launching another beam of dark-purple energy toward the woman. She had just landed and barely had time to react—the beam was already upon her. She threw up a hasty spirit power shield, but it was too late.

"Boom!"

The blast sent her flying backward—straight toward where Lin Jie was hiding.

Perfect timing.

Lin Jie's body flickered as he moved like lightning. He caught the airborne woman mid-fall and gently landed with her in his arms.

Dazed, she blinked and turned her head to see who had caught her.

He was… handsome.

Lin Jie gently helped her to her feet and spoke with soft concern. "Are you alright?"

She steadied herself, blood trickling at the corner of her mouth. "It's just a small injury… but thank you."

Lin Jie nodded, acknowledging her gratitude.

The spirit beast, now even more furious at the unexpected interference, let out another furious roar. A beam of energy once again shot from its maw, aimed directly at Lin Jie.

Without hesitation, he scooped the woman into his arms and sidestepped the blast. As he did, he noticed blood staining the front of her clothes—she was more seriously injured than she let on.

Once the beam passed, Lin Jie gently set her down.

"Stay back. I'll handle this beast."

Before she could respond, he was already on the move.

From his storage ring, Lin Jie pulled out several round orbs—soul power grenades. These weren't the old version either. They were upgraded, more powerful, and more refined.

He didn't intend to waste time in a prolonged fight. Time to see what version 2.0 of his grenades could really do.

With his spirit power injected, the five soul grenades glowed. Lin Jie hurled them at the beast.

Boom. Boom. Boom...

Explosions rocked the forest. The spirit beast was blasted off its feet, its flesh torn and bleeding—but it was still alive.

Lin Jie narrowed his eyes, then pulled out ten more grenades and rapidly charged them with spirit power.

As the second volley rained down, the thunderous explosions lit up the entire area.

By the end, the beast lay motionless in a crater, bloodied and broken. It wasn't dead, but it was done fighting.

Behind him, the golden-haired woman leaned weakly against a tree, one hand pressed to her injured chest, eyes wide in disbelief.

That was a ten-thousand-year spirit beast. She knew its power—she'd barely held it off. Yet this man had defeated it by hurling strange orbs… things she couldn't even begin to understand.

Lin Jie walked up to the beast, now twitching weakly in the dirt. It was still breathing.

Damn… ten grenades and it's still alive? This thing's tough.

He shook his head in admiration.

Some spirit beasts really don't know when to die.

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