C23 Death Bell Dealer

After unleashing a round of Soul Techniques, Xie Yang was left with less than 200 points of Soul Power. He paused, considering the need to sustain both the Soul Protection and the Ice Crystal Soul, and chose not to deploy any further Soul Techniques. Yet, the Ice Crystal Soul continued to cast its own abilities.

Icicle!

Ice Breathing!

Following the release of two skills, the Ice Crystal Soul stretched out its tiny hand and pointed towards the thick swarm of insects. In a flash, countless strands of white ice mist materialized from thin air, spiraling rapidly towards the center. Before anyone could blink, the Ice Crystal Soul had formed a crystal-clear ice crystal, shimmering like a deep blue diamond.

The next moment, the ice crystal burst apart, sending a visible chill sweeping outwards in every direction.

Frost Nova!

As the adventurers watched in awe, each Death Bell Beetle caught in the icy blast was instantly turned into an ice sculpture. Within moments, the battlefield was adorned with hundreds of sparkling new ice sculptures.

The adventurers inhaled sharply, their eyes wide with amazement at the spectacle before them.

The Ice Crystal Soul had decimated hundreds of Death Bell Beetles in a single strike—its power was immense!

"What kind of skill is that?"

"This skill is incredible!"

"Judging by the strength of that pet beast, it's not merely second rank. It must be at least third rank!"

"A third rank pet beast? Could there be another bronze-level Beastmaster among us?"

The adventurers present were mostly apprentice Beastmasters, with pets of only the second rank. Among the bronze Beastmasters, only Hardie possessed a third rank pet. They assumed the Ice Crystal Soul belonged to some unknown Bronze Beastmaster and began to search the crowd for this individual.

Hardie joined in the search, though he knew his Giant Rock Monster, despite being a formidable third rank ninth layer, lacked the ability to launch such a wide-reaching attack—it couldn't have slain hundreds of ferocious beasts in an instant.

It didn't take long for someone to connect the dots and identify the Ice Crystal Soul's master as none other than Xie Yang, who had already made a name for himself.

"That pet belongs to Xie Yang?"

"Incredible, a third rank pet!"

"Could Xie Yang be from a prestigious Beastmaster lineage?"

Once again, everyone was plunged into a profound state of shock.

He possessed an incredible amount of Soul Power, along with a third-rank pet. For someone not even twenty years old to have both these attributes was to be deemed a prodigy.

When did Lakeshell gain such an individual?

Just then, a voice rang out in surprise.

"I've got it! There's a rumor about an 18-year-old high schooler who passed the super-grade Apprentice Assessment yesterday."

"Now that you bring it up, I remember too. There definitely is such a person."

"His name is Xie Yang, from Lakeshell High, if I recall correctly."

"Is this guy Xie Yang?"

Word of a genius high school student conquering the super-grade Apprentice Assessment had spread rapidly among the Beastmasters of Lakeshell.

It was a story many were familiar with.

Prompted by the mention, the memory clicked for everyone.

All eyes turned to Xie Yang, their expressions filled with barely concealed astonishment.

Xie Yang was indeed the prodigy of legends!

At just eighteen, his power was formidable.

It was almost beyond belief!

Hardie couldn't help but look on with a mix of curiosity and awe.

Xie Yang, merely an apprentice-level student, wielded such strength—unmatched talent was rare.

Catching Hardie's stare, Xie Yang gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before turning his attention back to the ongoing battle.

Of the Ice Crystal Soul's five abilities, three were designed to inflict wide-ranging damage.

These were particularly effective against creatures like the Death Bell Beetle—numerous but individually weak.

Alternating these abilities, the Ice Crystal Soul's assault was relentless, functioning like a mobile artillery unit.

The number of Death Bell Beetles falling to the Ice Crystal Soul climbed at an alarming rate.

Soon after, a familiar voice echoed in Xie Yang's mind.

"Achievement unlocked!"

"Thousand Beast Slash: You've slain 1,000 ferocious beasts. Earn 500 achievement points and a Bursting Seed Card (completed, reward pending)."

"It's as I suspected, a sequence of achievements!"

A glint of satisfaction shone in Xie Yang's eyes.

"Following this pattern, the next milestone must be the Ten Thousand Beast Slash. I need to slay at least 10,000 beasts."

It was a daunting goal, indeed.

"I need to take this opportunity to slay more ferocious beasts."

Xie Yang's gaze upon the insect horde was ablaze with intensity.

To him, each Death Bell Beetle had become a walking achievement point.

Xie Yang, alongside the Ice Crystal Soul, had valiantly inspired everyone's spirits.

Despite the continuous fall of pet beasts in battle, the defense held strong and unbroken against the insect swarm.

Hardie, observing the scene, nodded in approval and called out.

"Hold the line, everyone! The Association's reinforcements should be here in no more than ten minutes!"

The adventurers' faces lit up with relief upon hearing this.

But then, a thunderous low growl abruptly filled the air.

The crowd turned towards the sound in astonishment, only to see the insects parting way in the distance. A massive worm, glistening with an obsidian sheen, emerged slowly.

Its size rivaled that of an elephant, leaving deep craters with each step it took, radiating an overwhelming presence.

The nearby Death Bell Beetles bowed their heads, as if in reverence to their sovereign.

Upon recognizing the creature, Hardie's face paled, and he cried out in alarm.

"The Death Bell Dealer!"

The name carried an ominous weight. The adventurers present were visibly shaken at the mention.

Xie Yang, puzzled, quietly asked Tung Yaying, "What exactly is the Death Bell Dealer?"

With a pallid and grim expression, Tung Yaying responded, "The Death Bell Dealer is an exceedingly rare and formidable beast, said to be the monarch of the Death Bell Beetles. Among hundreds of thousands, only one ascends to become the Death Bell Dealer. It's a fourth rank ferocious beast with the power to command the swarm!"

"Now I see why the Death Bell Beetles in the canyon have gone berserk. It's likely its doing!"

Xie Yang nodded in realization, though concern creased his brow.

The adventurers were already struggling against the swarm. With the emergence of a fourth rank Death Bell Beetle, their defenses would crumble in an instant.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the adventurers' faces were etched with terror.

"We're doomed."

"The Death Bell Dealer has emerged! There's no way we can handle it!"

"Curse it! I don't want to die!"

"Mr. Hardie, are you able to take on that ferocious beast?"

Eyes filled with hope turned toward Hardie.

To their dismay, Hardie solemnly shook his head.

"I'm sorry."

His Giant Rock Monster was merely a third-rank pet. There was no way it could overcome a fourth-rank Death Bell Dealer.

Hardie's response crushed the last sliver of hope in everyone's hearts.

A wave of despair swiftly swept through the crowd.

After a moment's hesitation, Hardie spoke up, "The unrest among the swarms began a month ago. That means this Death Bell Dealer has only recently evolved, and its power is nowhere near its peak. If I'm not mistaken, it's probably at the first layer of the fourth rank."

"If we band together, we might stand a chance of holding it off for a while!"

No one echoed Hardie's sentiment.

The crowd wasn't naive; they knew Hardie's words were merely a comfort.

Even if the Death Bell Dealer was just at the first layer of the fourth rank, it was still a fourth-rank beast.

If it charged at our defenses, we'd stand no chance against it.

The inevitable seemed clear.

"It's so frustrating to think we're so close to being rescued, yet we're facing this," Tung Yaying's voice came through clenched teeth next to Xie Yang.

Xie Yang turned to see her face, ashen and etched with resignation.

Catching his look, she lifted her head and offered him a wistful smile.

"It looks like today is our last stand. You, with such incredible talent, are about to perish. I regret suggesting I give you a ride."

Xie Yang returned the smile with a shake of his head.

He paused, then added, "Actually, there's no need for such gloom. I have a method to counter this Death Bell Dealer."