C18 Martial Spirit

"Across the land, there's no shortage of Soul Masters who know what poison has afflicted your brother, and plenty who could heal him. But finding a Soul Sovereign-level support Soul Master within the vast Star Dou Great Forest? That's a task as daunting as scaling the heavens!" Ye Cann spoke with a dismissive air.

Zuo's tiger head hammers were charging with power, their Soul Rings pulsating with yellow light in midair. He was itching to kill Ye Cann, but doing so would seal his brother's fate.

Eryou shook his head, "Bro, I've already broken three of his ribs. We may not be able to kill him, but I bet there's no one better to give him a lesson than Elder Shee."

The mere thought of Elder Shee's fearsome Martial Spirit made Zuo's skin crawl. Whenever they captured a Soul Master with secrets, no tactic from Zuo or Eryou could pry their lips open. But with Elder Shee, those Soul Masters would spill everything within half an hour.

"Listen, kid, you'd better spill the beans on that poison fast. If Elder Shee gets here, you'll be begging for death as a luxury."

"Elder Shee? To think we'd encounter the renowned Elder Shee, right here in the Martial Soul Hall's territory!"

A commanding voice echoed from the southwest forest. Moments later, seven figures descended onto the clearing with the swiftness of lightning. Leading them was a towering middle-aged man with a face as square as it was stern, his eyebrows furrowed like caterpillars.

"People from the Martial Soul Hall?"

Hearing this, Zuo and Eryou felt a wave of unease—they had once stolen from a convoy under the Hall's protection.

Now, there was a bounty on their heads in the Martial Soul Hall.

Zuo greeted with a fist and palm salute, "May I know which esteemed member of the Martial Soul Hall you are? I am Zuo."

The middle-aged man's lips twisted into a sardonic grin as he replied coolly, "A Soul Ancestor Soul Master, eh? It's no wonder you had the audacity to commit such grave offenses on our turf. If I recall correctly, the Martial Soul Hall's records mention you three pilfering a Soul Bone born from a millennium-old Soul Beast from our Morat Hall, don't they?"

Soul Bone!

The Martial Soul Hall places immense value on Soul Bones, second only to the Soul Masters with top-tier martial souls. On the vast Douluo Continent, Soul Masters are exceedingly rare; among thousands, only a handful can awaken a useful martial soul and possess Soul Power.

Soul Bones are even rarer than Soul Masters. Each one is a treasure that can sway hearts and minds within a faction. This is particularly true for Soul Bones derived from Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts, which can provide unpredictable enhancements to Soul Masters.

Zuo was sweating profusely, feeling an intense aura of pressure and murderous intent emanating from the middle-aged man. Even without revealing his martial soul or Soul Power, the man exuded an oppressive presence that Zuo felt deep within.

Soul Masters from the Martial Soul Hall undergo strict, systematic training. With equal levels of Soul Power and Soul Bones, a Soul Master from the Hall could single-handedly take on three Soul Masters from other factions.

Eryou, fighting through his discomfort, spoke in a low voice, "I am Eryou, a level 37 assault-type Soul Sovereign!"

The middle-aged man chuckled, "You've got spirit! It's been quite some time since I've encountered such intriguing fugitives. When is Elder Shee expected to arrive?"

Zuo, with an ingratiating smile, replied, "Sir, Elder Shee is close by. We've just had a skirmish. He must have sensed the burst of our martial souls and will arrive shortly."

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, "Su Yuntao, I intended to find you a suitable Soul Ring on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest today, but it seems that will have to wait, given this unexpected encounter."

The dashing man in the blue windbreaker bowed respectfully, "Lord Zhan, securing a Soul Ring is trivial! I wouldn't want to be the cause of any delay that might incur the Hall Master's punishment."

"Hall Master can be such a hassle!" Lord Zhan shifted his gaze to the boy beneath Zuo's foot, pointing at Zuo, "I overheard your conversation. This child, devoid of any Soul Power, seems to have injured your brother. How could a boy who hasn't even awakened his martial soul harm a Soul Sovereign? Besides, a Soul Sovereign would typically use their battle soul armor for protection after releasing their martial soul. To date, there's no known weapon that can harm a Soul Master without the infusion of Soul Power, right?"

"Sir, my younger brother was injured by a dagger he was holding."

"Yun Tao, if I recall correctly, you possess an item that aids in awakening the Martial Spirits and Soul Points of children, right?"

Su Yuntao?

Isn't he the Soul Master from Martial Soul Hall who assisted Tang San in awakening his Martial Spirit?

What's he doing in the Star Dou Great Forest? Could it be that he's discovered a Soul Master with innate full soul power elsewhere?

With great humility, Su Yuntao replied, "Indeed, Lord Zhan, I have the pearl with me."

Lord Zhan cocked his head and chuckled, "I'm quite intrigued to know what kind of Martial Spirit resides within you. Given your strength, surviving in the forest must be a challenge. I'm equally curious about the kind of elder who could raise such an exceptional youngster like you."

Zuo spoke up, troubled, "Master, he poisoned my little brother. If you take him away, what am I to do?"

"Lord Zhan is the preeminent warrior of Morat Hall within the Martial Soul Hall, a level 69 Combat Soul Emperor of the Assault System. Would you dare to defy his wishes?"

A woman clad in black leather, with a striking figure, brandished a dagger. Five Soul Rings pulsated orderly behind her.

Yellow, yellow, purple, black!

A remarkably standard Soul Ring configuration!

Lord Zhan gestured dismissively, "Stand down! The Martial Soul Hall has always persuaded with logic. Have you forgotten the teachings of the Old Palace Lord? Zuo, we have a supporting Soul Master among us whose Soul Technique can neutralize poison. Let us test it on the child, and in return, we'll help your brother heal. Do you consent?"