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"What a terrifying lion's roar… it's almost as powerful as my White Tiger Heaven-Shattering Roar," Dai Weisi muttered softly to himself, then quickly lifted his head toward the source of the roar.
There, a blazing red Flame Berserk Lion was charging toward them. Its body was powerfully built, with bulging muscles rippling across its back to an almost monstrous degree.
As the lion sprinted at high speed, it kicked up a swirling whirlwind. Its thick mane fluttered in the wind, exuding an overwhelming aura of dominance.
What stood out even more were the deep claw marks on its back. Sharp and brutal, they oozed bright red blood that splashed onto the ground.
There was no doubt about it—this Flame Berserk Lion was already seriously wounded. But who had injured it?
"Judging by the claw marks on its back, they must've come from a wolf. But what kind of wolf could injure such a strong Flame Berserk Lion? Could it be a ten-thousand-year soul beast?" Dai Weisi speculated aloud.
This particular lion seemed to have a cultivation of around 4,500 years, no more than 5,000 at best. If it encountered a ten-thousand-year soul beast, it fleeing in panic would be entirely understandable.
"ROAR!!"
The Flame Berserk Lion let out a thunderous roar. As its bloodshot eyes locked onto the three people blocking its path, a fierce light flickered within. Without warning, it opened its massive maw and unleashed a searing blast of flame, transforming the air into a blazing inferno that surged toward Dai Weisi and the others.
The temperature of the flames easily exceeded 5,000 degrees. Dai Weisi immediately felt a scorching wave wash over him. If not for his prior training in the Ice-Fire Body Tempering technique, he might've already been severely burned.
At his side, Li Hu had no choice but to release his soul power to block the overwhelming heat. Anna, meanwhile, was already overwhelmed by the intense temperature.
After all, she was a plant-type soul master—naturally vulnerable to fire. She had no choice but to cower behind Dai Weisi, her clothes soaked with fragrant sweat as she spoke in a panicked voice.
"Brother Weisi, I'm scared~!"
"Don't be scared, don't be scared." Dai Weisi chuckled helplessly. She had just confidently vowed to take down a ten-thousand-year soul beast, and now she was frightened by a mere thousand-year one.
Still, Anna was just a child. He couldn't expect too much from her.
"Uncle Li, take care of Anna for me. I'll handle this beast myself!"
"Yes, Your Highness! Please be careful! This Flame Berserk Lion isn't easy to deal with!" Li Hu nodded solemnly, shielding Anna from the oncoming heat.
Meanwhile, Dai Weisi leaped forward, standing alone before the blazing firestorm—an unshakable wall in the face of danger.
"You're already injured and still acting this arrogant? As that little punk would say—'you're on the path to death!' First Soul Skill!"
In a flash, a Diamond Shield enveloped Dai Weisi, splitting the sea of flames in two and effortlessly blocking the impact. The shield remained completely unscathed. True gold fears no fire—and Dai Weisi's soul power possessed the attribute of extreme metal.
Seeing its flames nullified so easily, the Flame Berserk Lion roared again, launching five massive fireballs from its mouth like cannonballs, all hurtling toward Dai Weisi.
"Alright, enough playing around!" Dai Weisi's expression turned cold. You think this tiger is just a kitten?
In the next instant, his second soul ring flared to life.
"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Six golden beams shot out like arrows loosed from a divine bow. They streaked through the air, dazzling and swift. Five beams intercepted and obliterated the incoming fireballs, while the final beam slammed directly into the lion's face.
The immense impact sent the Flame Berserk Lion staggering backward, its claws dragging a deep furrow in the earth. Its skull fractured, its injuries worsened, and fresh blood dripped from the corners of its mouth.
Dai Weisi didn't pause. He took a step forward and launched his claws again.
"Dark Golden Terror Claw!"
"Wait!!"
Just as Dai Weisi prepared to land the finishing blow, a woman's sharp voice echoed in the distance, followed by a man's voice descending from the skies.
"Fellow cultivator, please show mercy!"
"Hmm?" Dai Weisi frowned, then turned toward the source of the voice. A silver-haired youth—about 1.8 meters tall, handsome, clad in teal-silver robes—was diving toward him at high speed.
Behind the youth sprouted a pair of azure whirlwind wings. When Dai Weisi caught sight of his face, his eyes widened in surprise. Isn't that Feng Xiaotian—one of Douluo Continent's two great sycophants?
The silver hair, teal uniform, the mask, and the ability to fly: he was unmistakably Feng Xiaotian. The other famous flatterer was Yan of the Golden Generation at Spirit Hall—but while Feng Xiaotian eventually won his goddess's favor, Yan remained forever the unlucky bootlicker.
"Since Feng Xiaotian is here, that woman's voice just now must belong to…" Dai Weisi glanced forward and saw two fiery-red figures standing before him.
One was a blond youth, barely in his early twenties—about the same age as Dai Weisi. He had a pretty, slightly youthful face that betrayed his inexperience. Dressed in crimson, his strong abs were visible beneath his open vest—sure to make any young woman's heart flutter.
At a glance, Dai Weisi recognized him as Huo Wushuang of Blazing Fire Academy—Huo Wushuang—and the elder brother of Huo Wu.
Beside Huo Wushuang stood a red-haired maiden whose short, flame-scarlet hair was impossible to ignore. Beneath slender, arched brows gleamed clear, bright eyes like pools of water. Her upturned nose seemed sculpted by the gods, and her rosy lips were both petite and charming.
Her heart-shaped face looked small enough to cover with a hand, and her perfect alabaster skin rivaled the finest jade. Clad in a scarlet skirt that accentuated her curves, she was breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder Feng Xiaotian adored her.
This red-haired beauty was none other than Feng Xiaotian's goddess, Huo Wu (Huo Wu).
Seeing the Flame Berserk Lion beneath Dai Weisi's foot, Huo Wu's expression turned anxious. She had spent over a month tracking this soul beast—if someone else killed it, she would be inconsolable.
She hurriedly spoke, voice trembling with pleading: "Friend, this is the soul beast we've searched for over a month. Please, show mercy and return it to us!"
Dai Weisi glanced at the wounded lion. The Blazing Fire Academy, the Wind-Gale Academy, and the Heavenly Water Academy are all prime candidates for alliance. There's no need to make enemies over one beast.
If I can befriend them… all the better.
With that thought, Dai Weisi opened his Ice-Fire Evil Eyes and appraised the three newcomers:
Feng Xiaotian, Martial Soul: Gale-Wind Twin-Headed Wolf, Level 40 Agility-Attack Soul Sect.
Huo Wushuang, Martial Soul: Unicorn Blazing Tyrannosaur, Level 41 Strong-Attack Soul Sect.
Huo Wu, Martial Soul: Flame Shadow, Level 40 Control-Type Quasi-Soul Sect. This Flame Berserk Lion was her destined soul beast.
Feng Xiaotian and Dai Weisi made brief eye contact. Feng Xiaotian's heart sank—he felt utterly exposed, as if standing naked before Dai Weisi.
Huo Wu's anxious gaze pleaded with Dai Weisi for a decision. After a moment's deliberation, Dai Weisi nodded gently.
"Since Huo Wu so desperately needs this soul beast, I'll return it to you." With that, he kicked the Flame Berserk Lion toward Huo Wu's feet.
(End of Chapter)