"That's… the Light of King Void! It's Feng'er!"
A hundred miles away from Han Feng's location, Han Dang spotted the dark red beam shooting into the sky. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, and Zhang Lingling nearly dashed off on the spot. The four of them rushed at full speed toward the light.
Meanwhile, back where Han Feng was, his transformation into the Minotaur state had made him even more ferocious and powerful. Not only did he withstand the attack from the Sloth Giant Ape, but he even managed to injure it—albeit slightly. Still, this was no small feat. That creature was on par with a 50,000–60,000-year-old soul beast, easily rivaling a top-tier Assault-type Soul Emperor!
Qian Renxue was stunned. What shocked her more was that, after landing a blow, Han Feng wasn't satisfied—he actually wanted to pursue the beast!?
Alarmed, Qian Renxue quickly grabbed Han Feng, halting his charge. The savage glint in his eyes faded somewhat. He glanced at her, eyes complex, and gave up the chase.
Seeing him retreat, Qian Renxue breathed a sigh of relief. "We need to go—now!"
"The Sloth Giant Ape only came for the brain marrow of the Hyperactive Rhinoceros. If we stay out of sight, once it gets what it wants, it won't bother with us. You may have hurt it, but it's still far beyond what we can handle. We have to back off—for now."
Han Feng nodded and deactivated his transformation.
Returning to his normal form, Qian Renxue relaxed. Without hesitation, she lifted him in her arms, and with a flap of her four wings, shot skyward, putting distance between them and the monster.
Just as Qian Renxue had predicted, although the Sloth Giant Ape could've pursued them to avenge that earlier arrow, it instead snorted coldly, then turned its attention to the Hyperactive Rhinoceros's corpse. It seemed satisfied with venting its rage.
Qian Renxue felt truly relieved. Had it chosen to pursue them, she would've had no choice but to reveal her final trump card.
She carried Han Feng away until her soul power was fully depleted and could fly no further.
Along the way, Han Feng was unusually quiet. His face was solemn. He didn't joke or banter. He didn't even notice the unique fragrance of Qian Renxue's scent. Deep in his eyes, a sharp, cold killing intent occasionally flickered.
Han Feng hadn't expected that in his moment of emotional turmoil, the Mask of Void would activate on its own. Enraged, the boost it granted far exceeded the standard 40% increase in soul power for a Grand Soul Master. But at the same time, it clouded his judgment—he became a mad beast, consumed by rage.
No sane person would charge straight at a ten-thousand-year soul beast like the Sloth Giant Ape. That meant this external soul bone had powers he didn't fully understand.
But Han Feng had no time to think about that now…
He never intended to reveal this soul bone. Since acquiring the Mask of Void two and a half years ago, he had only shown it off once—to Han Dang and Zhang Lingling. After that, not even once.
But now, in a moment of chaos, not only had he used it, he had revealed one of his greatest secrets—to Qian Renxue.
Wealth moves the heart—how much more so a soul bone?
An external soul bone was just as tempting as a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. It could grow with the soul master and didn't require fusion.
Han Feng knew this bone wasn't fully bonded to him. His mind replayed Han Dang's warning:
> "If anyone ever discovers your external soul bone—kill or run. Don't hesitate."
Han Feng understood the weight of that advice. Even a Titled Douluo might covet what he possessed. He couldn't be sure if Qian Renxue had been tempted…
But he knew one thing: Qian Renxue's soul power was almost completely drained, her face pale, body injured. If he went all out—risking everything and exposing every hidden card—he was confident he could kill her, even if she was a Soul Sect.
After all, in Han Feng's eyes, Qian Renxue was just a fragile Soul Sect.
But… could he really do it?
Not just because she had saved him from the Fire Spirit Cat. Even just now, it was obvious she had put her life on the line to protect him.
Han Feng wasn't heartless. Not yet, at least. In his previous life, he was just a university student who hadn't even entered society—no soldier, no assassin. He wasn't capable of such cold-blooded action.
What kind of protagonist transforms instantly upon entering another world, turning from a timid, ordinary man into a ruthless overlord? That's just the writer taking creative liberty.
Thinking about it only made him angry—why did it have to be in front of her that he exposed his most fatal secret? If it had just been his second martial soul, he wouldn't have been so conflicted.
He really didn't want to become Qian Renxue's enemy.
Qian Renxue gently set him down, but her body staggered, nearly collapsing. Han Feng instinctively caught her. His expression grew even more complicated.
Qian Renxue didn't say anything. She knew what he was thinking but acted as though she didn't. She leaned weakly on him.
Eventually, Han Feng broke the silence. "Sister Qianqian…"
"Mm?" Qian Renxue responded, her heart tightening. She sensed he was about to make a decision. If he truly wanted to kill her, she knew their bond might never recover—even if she still treated him as a little brother, something would forever change.
Han Feng spoke bluntly: "That earlier transformation was from an external soul bone—my first soul ring's beast, a 400-year-old Minotaur Lava Turtle, dropped it. I call it the Mask of Void. Aside from the mask's basic form, I have a technique called Light of King Void—the one that pierced the Sloth Giant Ape's skin."
Qian Renxue blinked, stunned. Just as she was about to respond, Han Feng continued:
"My first soul skill, Blessing of Life, boosts soul power and defense by 60%, and gives a chance to block the first attack. I'm currently a Grand Soul Master—so I can completely block attacks from other Grand Soul Masters and Soul Elders. There's a 75% chance to block Soul Sect attacks… 50% for Soul Kings… 25% for Soul Emperors…"
"The second soul ring, from the Hyperactive Rhinoceros, grants Anchor Guard. It lets me instantly teleport in front of a target, always with my back facing them. It generates a flame shield—up to six stacks—each one capable of blocking a full-strength blow from a Grand Soul Master."
After finishing, Han Feng's lips moved slightly, as if to say more—but he held back. Instead, he silently supported Qian Renxue.
Her eyes trembled. She spoke softly: "Han Feng… can I call you Xiao Feng?"
Han Feng froze. He hadn't expected that question. It was a little strange, but he nodded.
Qian Renxue smiled gently. "Then, Xiao Feng, why are you telling me all this? I'm drained, exhausted… and now I know your secret…"
She trailed off. There was no need to say the rest—both of them understood.
Han Feng looked at her pale yet beautiful face and sighed helplessly.
"My dad always told me—if anyone discovers this secret, you either kill them or run. No hesitation. But… you saved my life, Sister Qianqian. And you're beautiful. I just can't bring myself to do it. I trust you. I told you this because… I don't want you to think I lied to you the next time we meet."
Han Feng shamelessly dumped all the blame on Han Dang.
Yet somehow, Qian Renxue found her eyes moist…