Bonus chapter for 150 powerstones!
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"Roar~!"
Sensing the humans observing it, the Flame-Maned Lion let out a thunderous roar, unleashing its full aura without restraint.
Its gaping maw spewed out a gust of foul-smelling wind, thick with the stench of blood and rot, causing everyone's robes to whip violently in the air.
"Teacher…"
Shui Bing'er stepped forward, her face pale as she stood beside the two instructors.
Her soul power was too weak—even just the roar of the Flame-Maned Lion left her ears ringing and her legs trembling.
"Bing'er, it's my fault… I should've sent you away sooner…"
Instructor Wang glanced at Shui Bing'er beside her, then turned toward ShuYue'er, who was still absorbing her soul ring, her heart heavy with regret.
She didn't care if she died—but these two proud students of hers… were likely doomed as well.
"Teacher, don't say that. It's me and my sister who dragged you into this."
Shui Bing'er fought to keep her fear in check, biting her lips until they nearly bled.
Her sister was about to gain her third soul ring—a moment that should've been a cause for celebration. But now it had turned into a nightmare.
And they had even implicated both teachers. Her heart twisted with guilt.
"Bing'er, listen to me—when they charge, Teacher Xu and I will do everything we can to hold them back. Use that chance to run. Run and don't look back, understand?"
Even in the face of death, Instructor Wang remained calm. After a brief moment of thought, she gave her instructions with decisive resolve.
She wanted Bing'er to at least have a chance to live.
As for the young man and the two girls standing with them… they could only be blamed for their bad luck.
They had just escaped one wave of soul beasts, only to be caught in another.
If they could just buy a few seconds for Bing'er to escape, it would already be a miracle. As for the youth and even Yue'er—
When she and Instructor Xu fell, they would likely become nothing more than soul beast feed.
"Ugh! This lion's breath is so disgusting!"
Just as she braced herself for the worst, a shrill, indignant voice rang out from behind.
Paimon was perched on Aether's shoulder, gagging as she buried her face in his shirt to escape the stench.
Keke hid behind Aether as well, pressing her tiny face into his back. Clearly, both of them had been overwhelmed by the lion's breath.
Instructor Wang gave a bitter laugh as she glanced at the group, frozen in fear.
"When the fighting starts, run as fast as you can. Don't turn back. Got it?"
She didn't think they had any chance of survival—but she still gave the warning.
"Huh? Why would we run?"
Paimon waved her little arms through the air, trying to dispel the stink as she tilted her head in confusion.
It had the audacity to breathe stinky air in her face, and they were supposed to run? Shouldn't they beat it up to vent their anger?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She flew up, pointed a tiny finger at the imposing lion, and shouted:
"Hmph! You big jerk! Going out without brushing your teeth? You're killing us with your stink!"
"Roar~!"
The lion, seemingly understanding her taunt, let out another furious roar, showing off its might.
"Ahhh! Again?! Traveler, beat it up for me!"
Paimon ducked back behind Aether's shoulder, her little face peeking out as she growled furiously.
The lion hadn't moved yet, but beside it, a massive figure let out a low growl.
It looked like a wolf, but its head was more like a porcupine's, with cruelly twisted features and two long, terrifying tusks jutting from its mouth.
Its deep green eyes locked onto them, body lowered and moving slowly forward.
Then—whoosh—it leapt high into the air, blocking out the sun as it lunged down toward them.
"Fifth Soul Skill: Illusory Water Prison!"
Seeing the soul beast launch its attack, Instructor Wang immediately activated her martial soul. A water-serpent-like soul skill blasted from her arm, yanking the beast out of the air and slamming it to the ground. A shimmering watery barrier rose around it, trapping it inside.
"Instructor Xu, now!"
"Sixth Soul Skill: Blazing Bluebird Wings!"
Without hesitation, Instructor Xu released his martial soul. A spectral bluebird spread its wings behind him, and with one mighty flap, a wave of searing flames shot toward the trapped beast.
"Roar~!"
The two instructors had hoped to take one of the high-level soul beasts out with a surprise attack—but the lion seemed to have anticipated it. With a roar, two more powerful soul beasts surged forward. One intercepted the flames with its claws, pushed back a few steps by the impact before glaring at them again.
The other beast raised a massive paw and slammed it down on the water prison. The shimmering barrier trembled and grew visibly thinner.
The first attack hadn't broken through. With a furious bellow, the beast raised both claws, gathered soul power, and struck again—this time shattering the water prison completely.
Their soul skills broken in an instant, the two instructors exchanged a glance, both filled with despair.
"Roar~!"
The Flame-Maned Lion roared again. With the previously restrained beast freed, all three advanced on the group.
The two Instructors of Tianshui Academy had no choice but to face them head-on, each taking on one beast.
Instructor Wang tried to intercept the third one as well—but a massive bear paw swiped toward her face.
If it landed, her head would be pulp. She dodged frantically, but that left the third soul beast a clear path to charge toward the rear group.
"Watch out!"
She cried out a desperate warning, unable to even turn around.
Suddenly—a shadow blurred through the air and crashed into the beast tide nearby, stirring up a commotion.
"Damn it!"
Instructor Wang knocked her opponent back with another soul skill and turned around, heart sinking.
She didn't know who had been flung—but she was sure the scene behind her must be terrible.
"You… you…"
Shui Bing'er stared dumbfounded at the youth beside her, who had casually swatted the soul beast away. Her lips moved, but no words came out.
Instructor Wang, seeing everyone safe and sound, was just as stunned.
If no one had been hurt… then the figure that had flown through the air earlier…
As if in answer, a mournful wail came from the beast horde. The lower-ranked beasts scattered in fear, revealing the mangled corpse of a high-level soul beast, shredded by countless wind blades.
Rustle…
The other two beasts stopped mid-fight and returned to the front of the horde, eyes locked warily on the group.
"Instructor Xu, are you alright?"
The beasts had retreated, but Instructor Xu had taken heavy damage. He leaned shakily against a tree, blood dripping from his arm.
"There's… someone helping us. Hurry and rest…"
Instructor Wang supported him and brought him over to where Aether and the others stood. She cupped her hands respectfully, scanning the surroundings.
"Thank you for your assistance, Your Excellency! May I ask the name of our savior?"
_
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