An Soul Douluo wasn't some common cabbage found everywhere—on the entire continent, they were considered formidable experts.
For example, sect leaders of the Lower Four sects, such as Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Sect, were at this level.
And within the Balak Kingdom, Soul Douluo was a top-tier powerhouse. Suddenly encountering two, and both rare flying-type Soul Douluos, Chu Chengzhou didn't believe for a second that it was just a coincidence.
Immediately, a golden glow flashed on Chu Chengzhou's body as his Nine Heavens Mystic Armor, Nine Heavens Mystic Bow, and Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow all materialized. He was ready for battle.
"Nana, be careful!"
Focusing ahead, Chu Chengzhou didn't forget to warn Hu Liena.
"Are they here for us?"
Hu Liena had also noticed the two approaching Soul Douluos and her expression turned grave.
"To be precise, they're probably here for me."
Chu Chengzhou hadn't forgotten about his powerful enemy.
Judging others by himself, he knew that just because there had been a surface-level reconciliation with the Star Luo Empire, it didn't mean skilled assassins wouldn't come after him in the future.
At most, those sent to assassinate him wouldn't officially belong to the Star Luo Empire or its royal family anymore.
Similarly, he wouldn't let the reconciliation stop him from seeking revenge once he grew stronger.
Gradually, as they drew closer, Chu Chengzhou's expression became even more serious.
One of them seemed manageable—their aura suggested their soul power level wasn't too high, likely still below 85.
But the other's aura was incredibly strong, far surpassing the "Tiger" and "Wolf" he had faced before. Their soul power level was definitely above 85.
If not for the fact that they still only had eight soul rings glowing, Chu Chengzhou might have mistaken this person for a weak Titled Douluo like She Long, the Snake Spear Douluo.
"That's… Vulture?"
Suddenly, Hu Liena exclaimed upon recognizing one of them.
"You know him?"
Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but be slightly surprised. So this was a famous expert?
"The 'Vulture' is one of the wanted criminals of our Spirit Hall. His spirit is the Bloodthirsty Vulture, and his soul power has already reached the peak of Level 89.
A few years ago, in an attempt to break through to the Titled Douluo realm, the 'Vulture' performed a blood ritual on an entire town of civilians. As a result, he was placed on our Spirit Hall's wanted list, ranking just below the Hao Tian Douluo Tang Hao.
Moreover, because he's a flying-type Soul Douluo, he has escaped our Spirit Hall's pursuit several times. He disappeared for nearly two years, and I never expected him to reappear now."
Hu Liena spoke gravely.
"Level 89? Let's go down!"
Upon hearing that one of the attackers was a flying-type Soul Douluo at level 89, Chu Chengzhou immediately instructed Xiao Hong to descend without hesitation.
Soul masters with winged spirits excelled in aerial combat. Given that the "Vulture" was just one step away from becoming a Titled Douluo, if the battle were to take place in the air, Chu Chengzhou would definitely be at a disadvantage—even though open skies favored archery.
Fortunately, for some unknown reason, the distant "Vulture" and the other Soul Douluo expert hadn't rushed to attack but were merely tailing him.
Not long after, they landed in the wilderness below, and Chu Chengzhou recalled the fire phoenix summon Xiao Hong.
Although the bloodline of the fire phoenix summon was decent, Xiao Hong was only ten thousand years old. While she could still handle Soul Sages effectively, against Soul Douluos, she could only serve as a flying mount or play a minor role. Better to recall her now to avoid being instantly killed later.
Meanwhile, Chu Chengzhou's second, fourth, and fifth soul rings lit up, and the summoned spirits of the Light Lion Xiao Bai, Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear Big Bear, and Black Water Turtle Turtle Two suddenly materialized beside him.
Though Xiao Bai was weaker than Xiao Hong, he had something Xiao Hong lacked—he was an auxiliary-type summon capable of buffing him.
Chu Chengzhou wasn't stupid. The fact that the "Vulture" and the flying-type Soul Douluo hadn't attacked immediately suggested they were likely waiting for reinforcements.
Their current restraint was likely out of caution.
But since they had split forces, it was probable that their remaining reinforcements weren't flying-type soul masters.
And when dealing with land-based experts, Big Bear and Turtle Two could play their respective roles.
Soon, Chu Chengzhou's prediction came true. Four formidable auras appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching.
Though he hadn't yet seen the faces of these four uninvited guests, Chu Chengzhou could sense that they were no weaklings—all were experts at the eight-ring level.
Moreover, like the "Vulture," their soul power levels weren't just at the entry point of eight rings; most likely, they were also above Level 85.
"Nana, protect yourself when the time comes."
Tightening his grip on the Nine Heavens Mystic Bow, Chu Chengzhou addressed Hu Liena, whose Soul-Refined Spirit Gold Armor had materialized.
Though Hu Liena's strength was commendable—with spiritual power comparable to an ordinary Level 70 soul master—and her mental attribute amplification-type soul skills, combined with Xiao Bai's innate soul skill Blessing, her skull soul bone skill integrating mental illusions and attacks could pose a fatal threat to most non-mental-type Soul Sages.
However, facing six Soul Douluos was clearly beyond what Hu Liena could handle.
Rather than having her fight, it was better for her to stay safe, sparing him any distractions.
Hu Liena didn't speak but bit her lips, her expression grave as she looked toward the approaching enemies.
Marrying into a family meant sharing their burdens. Though she hadn't formally married yet, given her personality, how could she stand idly by while Chu Chengzhou faced the enemies alone?
"Xiao Bai, give me a Blessing!"
Chu Chengzhou patted Xiao Bai's head.
Though Xiao Bai couldn't ignore soul power level differences like Ning Rongrong and provide full-strength buffs, Chu Chengzhou was only a Soul King, and Xiao Bai was exactly ten thousand years old. The 50% full attribute boost from her Blessing skill wouldn't be weakened.
The next moment, as soul power surged, a white light shot out from Xiao Bai's body, entering Chu Chengzhou. His attributes immediately increased by 50%.
"Dare you leave your names?"
A white domain spread outward, chilling killing intent erupted, and Chu Chengzhou's momentum surged further. He shouted fiercely at the six Soul Douluos surrounding them from afar.
Admittedly, this opponent lineup far exceeded previous encounters.
Though Chu Chengzhou had faced larger groups before—like the seven Soul Douluos and over a thousand fallen soul masters of the fourth and fifth rings who had ambushed him in the Killing God Domain—that was under the restriction of using soul skills. Ordinary Soul Douluos restricted in using soul skills were often no match for unrestricted Soul Sages. In contrast, even with restrictions, Chu Chengzhou maintained the combat power of a normal Soul Douluo.
Though the enemy lineup back then was stronger, the pressure was far less than now. Back then, he could say he felt no pressure at all.
But now, facing six unrestricted Soul Douluos—all of high levels, with at least one just a step away from becoming a Titled Douluo—a single misstep could lead to disaster.
'Domain?'
Seeing Chu Chengzhou release a white domain, the elder standing in the air with a pair of bloody wings behind him raised an eyebrow but didn't think much of it. Though domains were powerful, it all depended on who wielded them. A mere Soul King couldn't possibly turn the tide.
"Young man, facing death, I'll grant your wish. I am Vulture!"
Suppressing his surprise, the 'Vulture' said with a smile.
"I am Eagle!"
This was the middle-aged flying-type Soul Douluo who arrived with the 'Vulture', his gray eagle wings spread wide behind him.
The tall elder with a golden elephant spirit: "I am Golden Elephant!"
The burly middle-aged man holding a black giant axe: "I am War Axe!"
The red-clad middle-aged man wielding a crimson staff: "I am Atlas!"
The thin elder holding a starry disc: "I am Star Soul!"
Agile-attack type Soul Douluos 'Vulture' and 'Eagle', defensive-type Soul Douluo 'Golden Elephant', power-attack type Soul Douluos 'War Axe' and 'Atlas', and control-type Soul Douluo 'Star Soul'—these six experts, all with soul power levels above 80, were hired by a certain faction to ambush and kill Chu Chengzhou.
"What a pity, young ones don't know restraint. Talent may be talent, but talent is merely talent."
Perhaps feeling confident of victory, the leading 'Vulture' indulged in a malicious curiosity, wanting to witness the despair of a continental super genius facing death. He sighed with a face full of regret.
Looking at the 'Vulture's' regretful expression, one might think he was a kind old man!
"My teacher is the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong. Think carefully before you act!"
As the battle was imminent, Hu Liena threatened.
"Hmm? The Pope's disciple?"
Hearing this, the 'Vulture' frowned.
He knew his own capabilities well.
As a powerhouse second only to Titled Douluos, slaughtering an ordinary town for a blood ritual might prompt the Spirit Hall to send people after him, but the true powerhouses of the Spirit Hall wouldn't consider him a significant threat.
At most, he needed to deal with newly promoted nine-ring Titled Douluos.
Facing such Titled Douluos, relying on the advantages of flying-type soul masters, even if he couldn't win, he could still escape. Moreover, the continent was vast; hiding in some place, the Spirit Hall wouldn't mobilize forces to chase him across the continent.
But killing the Pope's disciple would be different.
Not to mention others, just Bibi Dong alone was someone he couldn't possibly defeat.
After all, following the end of the soul master tournament, the Hao Tian Douluo Tang Hao fought against over a dozen Titled Douluos of the Spirit Hall, seemingly able to retreat unscathed, but was heavily injured by a single move from the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong. This showed the Pope's extraordinary strength.
As for killing to silence?
If you want no one to know, unless you do nothing. Even if the six of them could keep their mouths shut, there was no guarantee their employer wouldn't sell them out.
If the employer could hire killers, their integrity couldn't be trusted.
"Our target is Chu Chengzhou."
Without hesitation, the 'Vulture' directly addressed the group.
The meaning was clear: kill Chu Chengzhou and spare Hu Liena.
Since only Chu Chengzhou was targeted, Hu Liena was merely collateral damage—not necessarily to be killed. Moreover, even if Hu Liena were killed, the employer wouldn't increase the predetermined reward.
"Mm."
Everyone nodded.
The Spirit Hall's power was immense, its influence spanning the entire continent. If thoroughly provoked, no one could protect them. It was best to avoid conflict if possible.
"Have you finished discussing?"
Seeing the six disregard him, acting as if he were already dead, Chu Chengzhou asked sternly.
However, the fact that the 'Vulture' and the others didn't dare to act rashly against Hu Liena was a good thing. At least he wouldn't need to worry about protecting her during the battle.
"Don't be arrogant, young man. I'll give you the chance to commit suicide honorably!"
The 'Vulture' coldly said.
"Hmph, it's still uncertain who will prevail! Instant Bloom!"
Snorting, Chu Chengzhou's soul power surged. A golden glow flashed on his body, and a golden soul-powered flower materialized above his head. As a petal drifted down, a faint golden radiance enveloped his body, making him look like a war god descending.
As long as the soul-powered flower remained unbroken, he was invincible!
With the divine light from Instant Bloom and the sturdy Nine Heavens Mystic Armor, even enduring several offensive soul skills from Soul Douluos, Chu Chengzhou was confident he wouldn't be defeated outright.
Additionally, worth noting was that the full elemental amplification effect of Soul-Refined Spirit Gold also applied to the current defensive ultimate technique Instant Bloom, driven by metallic soul power.
Next, Chu Chengzhou targeted the weakest among them, the 'Eagle'.
It was better to cut off one finger than to injure ten. Eliminating the easiest target first reduced the difficulty from one versus six to one versus five.
The next moment, the Nine Heavens Mystic Bow was quickly drawn, soul power infused into the Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow. Chu Chengzhou aimed at the 'Eagle' who hadn't yet activated his True Body.
"Attack! Seventh soul skill, True Body of the Bloodthirsty Vulture!"
The 'Vulture' lightly shouted, charging directly toward Chu Chengzhou while activating his seventh soul ring. His True Body transformed him into a massive Bloodthirsty Vulture mid-air.
Simultaneously, the other five didn't slack off, their seventh soul rings lighting up.
"Void Realm Illusion!"
At this moment, with a low shout from Chu Chengzhou, a surge of spiritual power flooded into the 'Eagle's' mind.
Instantly, the 'Eagle' activating his True Body froze, falling into an illusionary state.
Chu Chengzhou was adept in spiritual power. Even without enhancements, his base spiritual power matched that of an ordinary eight-ring soul master. With Xiao Bai's 50% full attribute boost and the 60% spiritual amplification from his Soul-Refined Spirit Silver Helmet, the level of spiritual power he could exert naturally exceeded that of the agile-attack type Soul Douluo 'Eagle'.
The next second, a streak of golden light crossed the sky, traveling a hundred meters in an instant, directly hitting the stunned 'Eagle's' head.
Boom—
A fine head, like a watermelon dropped on the ground, exploded, splattering blood, flesh, and bone fragments mixed with brain matter in the air.
"What?!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou kill the 'Eagle' with a single arrow, the 'Vulture' and the others were utterly shocked.
Though the 'Eagle's' soul power level was the lowest among the six, he was still an expert of the same caliber. How could he be killed with a single arrow?
"Die! Sixth soul skill, Bloodthirsty Feather Arrows!"
Roaring angrily, the 'Vulture's' sixth soul ring lit up. Countless blood-colored feathers shot out like a rainstorm from his massive True Body of the Bloodthirsty Vulture.
"Fifth soul skill, Restraining Starlight!"
Simultaneously, having released his True Body, transforming into a starry giant, the 'Star Soul's' fifth soul ring lit up. The giant starry disc in his hands shone brightly, and a dazzling beam of starlight shot toward Chu Chengzhou.
Control-type soul masters might lack direct attack methods, and their lethality might be inferior to that of a power-attack type soul master of the same level.
But a control-type soul master paired with a power-attack type soul master could easily defeat two power-attack type soul masters working together. With proper cooperation, defeating three power-attack type soul masters wasn't impossible.
Facing the rapidly incoming starlight beam, Chu Chengzhou's pupils contracted, knowing he absolutely couldn't be hit.
Otherwise, once immobilized, even with his robust defenses, he wouldn't withstand the relentless barrage from four Attack-type Soul Douluos.
Just as the starlight beam was about to strike, Chu Chengzhou tapped his toes, activating his movement technique Divine Light Dash. His body moved as if shrinking the distance in an instant, leaving a residual image where he stood while appearing ten meters away.
As Chu Chengzhou completed his dodge, a dense rain of blood-colored arrows descended. Countless arrow-like blood feathers struck the divine light emitted by the soul-powered flower atop his head.
Clang clang clang—
A series of dense collisions rang out.
Fortunately, though this was a Soul Douluo's twenty-thousand-year attack-type soul skill, due to its area-of-effect nature, while the range and number of hits were extensive, the individual power of each blood feather was relatively weak. Only a small portion hit, unable to break through the defense provided by Instant Bloom.
Aside from consuming some of Chu Chengzhou's soul power, it caused no significant impact.
The next second, another Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow was nocked.
Whoosh—
A slight sound of slicing air accompanied the arrow as it turned into a streak of golden light, blasting toward the 'Star Soul'.
With one opponent down, the remaining agile-attack flying-type 'Vulture', control-type 'Star Soul', defensive 'Golden Elephant', power-attack types 'War Axe' and 'Atlas' posed varying threats to Chu Chengzhou. However, the greatest threat wasn't the highest-leveled, strongest 'Vulture', but the control-type Soul Douluo 'Star Soul'.
With 'Star Soul' coordinating, the powerful soul skills of 'Vulture' and the others could more easily hit Chu Chengzhou.
"Void Realm Illusion!"
As the Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow shot forth, Chu Chengzhou cast another Void Realm Illusion targeting the 'Star Soul'.
Though the arrow's speed was fast, the spiritual power of eight-ring level soul masters was no joke, and their reaction speed far surpassed ordinary people and regular soul masters. To one-shot a foe of this level, besides stealthy ambushes, controlling the opponent's movement was essential.
In an instant, as the 'Star Soul' attempted to dodge the Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow, he felt a surge of spiritual power enter his mind, causing his body to freeze momentarily.
"Hmph—"
Simultaneously, Chu Chengzhou's mind suffered a heavy blow, and he grunted softly, a trickle of blood seeping from his nose and mouth.
Though mental techniques were effective, they had a significant flaw: if the opponent's spiritual power was stronger, the technique would fail and rebound, potentially causing severe harm or even death.
Clearly, as a Soul Douluo with a high soul power level, 'Star Soul's' spiritual power exceeded Chu Chengzhou's at this moment.
Fortunately, though 'Star Soul's' spiritual power was stronger, the difference was marginal.
Though Chu Chengzhou suffered a rebound, it wasn't severe. Although the illusion from Void Realm Illusion didn't fully take effect, it wasn't entirely without impact.
Under normal circumstances, a brief moment of confusion wouldn't affect the 'Star Soul'. But this wasn't a normal situation—the Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow Chu Chengzhou shot earlier was already mid-flight!
Just as he shook off the slight influence of the mental illusion, the 'Star Soul' saw a golden arrow with a sharp, inch-long tip piercing through his Star True Body's defense, rapidly enlarging in his field of vision. Before he could react, his consciousness plunged into darkness.
Psh—
Perhaps due to the obstruction of the True Body, the attack power of the Flowing Gold Armor-Piercing Arrow was significantly weakened. Though it accurately struck the 'Star Soul's' head, it didn't explode on impact but embedded itself in his forehead.
The outcome was the same—unless one possessed immortality, an arrow through the brain equaled instant death.
The next second, the starry True Body collapsed, and a corpse with a golden arrow embedded in its forehead fell onto the grassy wilderness.
Thus, of the six powerful ambushers, two were eliminated.
However, simultaneously, Chu Chengzhou found himself in peril.
The slightly slower 'Golden Elephant', 'War Axe', and 'Atlas' joined the fray.
Of course, Chu Chengzhou wasn't fighting alone. Apart from Hu Liena, he had the assistance of Big Bear and Turtle Two.
Perhaps aware of Chu Chengzhou's formidable Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear summon, the three exchanged glances. 'Golden Elephant' and 'Atlas' stayed behind to restrain Big Bear, while 'War Axe' unleashed his fastest speed, charging toward Chu Chengzhou.
As for Turtle Two? Clearly a defensive summon with limited attack power, he didn't warrant much attention from experts of their caliber.
"Eighth soul skill, God and Demon Earth Splitter!"
A roar sounded. Taking advantage of Chu Chengzhou's slight mental backlash-induced daze, his True Body transformed into a towering black giant wielding a massive axe. His eighth soul ring, glowing with at least sixty thousand years of cultivation, lit up, and a colossal axe shadow materialized.
Within the coverage of the Killing God Domain, 'War Axe's' strength was suppressed somewhat, but the enormous axe shadow still charged irresistibly toward Chu Chengzhou.
Boom—!
As the axe shadow descended, a deafening explosion resounded. The golden soul-powered flower above Chu Chengzhou's head shattered piece by piece, and his body was flung dozens of meters away, kicking up a cloud of dust.
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