Xiong Jun descended from the sky above the Lake of Life.
Its massive paws touched the ground, its dark golden fur shimmering, like a golden feathered coat in the sunlight.
It walked step by step towards Ma Hongjun, its sharp aura spreading out, a terrifying pressure instantly descending upon Ma Hongjun.
The light emanating from its body grew brighter, strands of golden light materializing and piercing into Ma Hongjun's body.
Ma Hongjun immediately felt a sharp pain and quickly summoned his Flood Dragon Scales to resist.
Xiong Jun's golden light pierced Ma Hongjun's body like golden needles.
Xiong Jun's strength was indeed formidable; merely releasing its aura was enough to create such a powerful attack.
If it were to unleash its full power, Ma Hongjun felt he would absolutely be unable to withstand it.
It should be known that Xiong Jun's ultimate technique, the Heaven-Tearing Claw,
was a powerful skill even Di Tian feared.
However, merely releasing its aura, this level of pressure was something Ma Hongjun could easily withstand.
Although Ma Hongjun currently only possesses level 80 soul power, this is because he hasn't acquired his eighth soul ring,
preventing him from breaking through the barrier.
However, his two martial souls combined already grant him twelve soul rings.
These twelve martial souls all function within the same body.
Furthermore, he possesses a full set of soul bones.
His body is already comparable to a 100,000-year-old soul beast.
Facing Xiong Jun's pressure, Ma Hongjun remained unfazed.
This made Xiong Jun, who wanted to intimidate Ma Hongjun, extremely unpleasant, its bear face taut with
rage.
It continued to approach Ma Hongjun step by step, ready to attack at any moment.
Ma Hongjun looked at Di Tian, hoping that Di Tian would keep his word, as he had already promised to let him leave.
Here, Ma Hongjun was most wary of Di Tian.
Even if he couldn't defeat Xiong Jun, Ma Hongjun could use his Fire Feather Wind Wings to escape, and Xiong Jun wouldn't be able to stop him.
But if Di Tian attacked, Ma Hongjun would definitely not be able to escape.
However, Di Tian turned his face away, seemingly pretending not to see Ma Hongjun's gaze.
Bi Ji let Xiong Jun approach.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Bi Ji's eyes. She looked at Xiong Jun, then at Di Tian.
Di Tian remained silent.
For a moment, Bi Ji couldn't quite grasp Di Tian's thoughts.
Then, ripples appeared on the lake again.
Two powerful auras emerged from the lake.
First, a giant, emerald-green tree appeared, its trunk bearing a vertical eye that looked sinister and terrifying. Next,
a ferocious red dog appeared, with three heads and six crimson eyes.
The sudden appearance of these ferocious beasts silenced the scene once more.
Da Ming and Er Ming stared blankly at the beasts, barely daring to breathe.
The white swan trembled, its legs weak.
The beasts, unaware of the situation, perhaps due to their long period of seclusion, stretched and sensed the surrounding aura.
Xiong Jun realized that his aura was utterly intimidating to the Soul Master before him.
Its face was somewhat grim; the appearance of two old friends watching the spectacle made it feel quite embarrassed.
"Human, do you want my spirit ring?"
Xiong Jun said, a large bear paw about to slap Ma Hongjun's shoulder.
Its paw was so large that even if Ma Hongjun stood in its palm, it wouldn't take up much space, let alone slap his shoulder.
This slap was no weaker than a strike from an ordinary 100,000-year-old spirit beast.
Da Ming's eyes showed struggle.
But Er Ming beside it suddenly breathed heavily and flashed to Ma Hongjun's side.
Ma Hongjun was about to retreat when Er Ming suddenly rushed out from behind, blocking his way.
Xiong Jun's large paw slapped Er Ming.
Er Ming didn't resist, taking the full force of the slap.
His feet sank directly into the ground.
"Er Ming!"
Ma Hongjun's heart warmed; he hadn't expected Er Ming, this simpleton, to stand up for him in this situation.
At this moment, Da Ming also arrived, looking helpless. However, it still stood in front of Ma Hongjun.
"Hmph~, how dare you block my way!"
Xiong Jun roared in fury, thick puffs of white breath billowing from his nostrils.
"He's our friend!"
Da Ming said with some difficulty and bitterness, his steps still firm as he stood there,
protecting Ma Hongjun.
Di Tianlong frowned. He had originally wanted to see what this young human soul master was capable of, what kind of strength he possessed to break through its barrier.
However, he couldn't bring himself to intervene, so he didn't stop Xiong Jun when it made its move.
He was quite interested to see if this young human soul master could hold its own against Xiong Jun.
Unexpectedly, these two fools dared to step forward and block the way.
They really had a sense of loyalty.
However…
"Bang, bang!"
Two loud sounds rang out as Xiong Jun sent Da Ming and Er Ming flying.
"Two stupid things, daring to block me, have you been in seclusion for too long? Have you forgotten who's in charge of the forest?"
Xiong Jun said coldly, glancing disdainfully at Da Ming and Er Ming, who had been sent flying to the left and right.
Of course, Da Ming and Er Ming weren't that weak; they just hadn't resisted.
"Xiong Jun!"
Di Tianlong called out softly.
He was somewhat dissatisfied with how Xiong Jun had treated Da Ming and Er Ming.
He disliked internal strife among soul beasts the most, and as a ruler, he naturally hoped that his subordinates could unite.
Di Tian had always hoped that the soul beasts could unite to resist humans.
This was also why he was willing to share the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm with the other ferocious beasts after obtaining it.
He hoped that the soul beasts would become powerful.
"Let him go, he just saved a soul beast!"
Xiong Jun looked at Di Tian, his eyes still filled with arrogance.
"Di Tian, he killed my descendant. On him are my Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's soul ring and soul bone. I can't let him go like this."
"Then what do you want?"
"Since he saved a soul beast, I won't kill him. Let him leave behind what belongs to my Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear clan!"
"Once a soul ring is fused with a soul master, it can't be removed. To remove it, you have to kill him.
Xiong Jun, if you want to kill him, why go through all this trouble?
Di Tian has already said to let him leave."
Bi Ji couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up for Ma Hongjun.
She had never liked war, and she would welcome humans like Ma Hongjun who were willing to coexist peacefully with soul beasts.
Regardless of which side wins the war, a large number of soul beasts will inevitably die, which is something Bi Ji doesn't want to see.
She doesn't want the conflict between soul beasts and humans to escalate.
This is a soul beast with simple and kind thoughts.
"I'll give Di Tian face; I can give up his soul ring and spare his life, but his soul bone must be left behind.
I've already sensed it; his right hand bone is a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bone."
Xiong Jun then turned to Ma Hongjun.
"Leave your right hand, and I'll let you go.
I want humans to know that hunting Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bears comes at a price!"
After Xiong Jun finished speaking, several ferocious beasts looked at Ma Hongjun.
Now, it was up to him to choose.
Hand or life!
Ma Hongjun had long been unable to hold back. He looked at Da Ming and Er Ming on his left and right, who had been slapped by Xiong Jun and were spitting blood.
He was furious and wanted to attack.
This Xiong Jun really gave it face; it thought Ma Hongjun was really afraid of it.
If it weren't for Di Tian and the other ferocious beasts standing beside him,
Ma Hongjun wouldn't be afraid of Xiong Jun in a one-on-one fight.
It's only been a little over 400,000 years, but Ma Hongjun still possesses the Vermilion Bird King's soul ring and soul bone, which are over 700,000 years old.
Ma Hongjun sneered at Xiong Jun and said,
"Xiong Jun, the soul ring and soul bone are on me. If you have the ability, come and take them yourself!"