A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-[ ]
-Cain
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-Mp Gaming
-Paul Panzer
-Austin Levy
-Aziz Makda
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Human-Faced Demon Spider, One-Horned Giant Rhino, Titan Strength Ape..." Bai Xu let out a bitter smile as he stared at the three spirit beasts surrounding him, feeling a surge of helplessness.
Among them, only the Human-Faced Demon Spider had an 800-year cultivation, while the other two were over 3,000 years old. They were drawn to the immense spiritual energy stored within Bai Xu.
Under normal circumstances, pressing the rescue device to leave the Spirit Ascension Platform would have been the best course of action. However, Leng Jiuming had once told Bai Xu that in such desperate situations, he must never panic. In the future, he would inevitably face situations where he was outnumbered. The true purpose of training in the Spirit Ascension Platform was to discover and unleash his latent potential, transforming it into strength.
With this thought in mind, Bai Xu felt a surge of fighting spirit.
He took a slow step forward, bracing himself for battle.
The first attack came from the Human-Faced Demon Spider—a jet of emerald-green venom, highly toxic. Bai Xu dodged it with a sidestep, and the venom landed on the cliff wall behind him, sizzling as it corroded the rock.
Next, the One-Horned Giant Rhino and the Titan Strength Ape charged at him. The rhino barreled forward with reckless force, but its speed was slightly slower, allowing Bai Xu to evade with a quick sidestep. However, the sheer power of the attack shattered the cliff wall behind him, burying the rhino under a pile of rubble.
The Titan Strength Ape followed up immediately, swinging its massive arms with terrifying speed, matching Bai Xu's movements. Its relentless barrage of punches forced Bai Xu into a frantic retreat, dodging left and right.
He had no intention of prolonging the fight. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape route, but the Human-Faced Demon Spider had already woven a web of poisonous silk throughout the surrounding forest, trapping him inside.
BOOM!
Bai Xu activated his Earth Attribute, covering his skin with a layer of hardened rock, then reinforced it with Metal Attribute energy, crossing his arms above his head to block a punch from the Titan Strength Ape.
The force of the blow drove his feet several centimeters into the ground. Yet, he had managed to withstand a direct hit from the ape, renowned for its sheer strength.
Before he could catch his breath, a flurry of punches rained down. Bai Xu made a split-second decision and dashed to the right, narrowly avoiding the onslaught.
Glancing back, he saw the Titan Strength Ape's fists had cratered the ground. At the same time, the collapsed hill rumbled as the One-Horned Giant Rhino emerged, unharmed, shaking off the dust before locking onto Bai Xu again.
While observing the two spirit beasts, Bai Xu suddenly paled. Without hesitation, he threw himself to the ground just as a stream of venom from the Human-Faced Demon Spider grazed past him. The momentum sent him tumbling across the ground until he crashed into a large tree, finally coming to a stop.
Leaning against the tree trunk, he found himself cornered by the three spirit beasts, with the forest behind him sealed off by the Human-Faced Demon Spider's poisonous webs. Worse, the spider was adept at ambushes, striking when least expected.
"Time to go all out."
Bai Xu pushed himself up, his skin now covered in an earthy yellow hue as his Metal Attribute energy rapidly depleted. With a determined gaze, he charged straight toward the poisonous webs, spotting a sliver of opportunity.
Though the webs were toxic, the layer of Earth Attribute energy on his skin shielded him. Additionally, while the silk was incredibly tough, his Metal Attribute allowed him to slice through it, creating a small opening to escape the encirclement.
The three spirit beasts froze for a moment before roaring in fury, their thunderous footsteps causing the ground to tremble.
Thus began a high-speed chase through the primal forest—three beasts pursuing one human.
The most relentless was the One-Horned Giant Rhino, charging headfirst with its horn glowing faintly white, plowing through trees like a bulldozer.
The Human-Faced Demon Spider was the fastest, occasionally spitting venom to cut off Bai Xu's path, but he managed to evade every attack. The Titan Strength Ape leaped between trees, hot on the spider's heels.
Countless other spirit masters training in the Spirit Ascension Platform were caught in the chaos—some were trampled by the rhino, others poisoned by the spider's venom, and a few were even snatched up by the Titan Strength Ape and hurled at Bai Xu as makeshift projectiles.
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin's team, who had been hunting alone, encountered a pair of siblings wielding ice staffs. The older brother was a three-ringed spirit master, his body radiating dense spiritual energy.
"Leave the Spirit Ascension Platform voluntarily and hand over your spiritual energy. That way, you won't have to suffer," the ice staff-wielding youth declared arrogantly.
Just then, the ground trembled, and distant roars echoed through the forest.
Before anyone could react, Bai Xu's disheveled figure burst out of the bushes. Spotting Gu Yue, his face lit up with relief. "Help me hold them off! I'll make it worth your while!"
He then stopped running, his body glowing brilliantly with Metal Attribute energy as he began gathering power.
The Human-Faced Demon Spider paused upon seeing the group of humans, perching on the right side of the forest to assess them. The Titan Strength Ape landed to their left, eyeing them warily.
However, the three-ringed ice staff youth's aura posed a threat to them.
"Dammit! You actually provoked so many thousand-year spirit beasts?!" the youth cursed, preparing to retreat with his sister.
But the Human-Faced Demon Spider had no intention of letting them leave. Venom and silk rained down, forcing everyone to dodge frantically.
Before Bai Xu, a golden sword of energy grew larger and larger, expanding to a staggering ten meters in length. Its razor-sharp edge emitted golden currents that effortlessly shredded the venom and webs.
"Everyone, assist me! We'll split the spiritual energy afterward!"
Bai Xu's offer made the group hesitate. They glanced at the massive golden sword hovering before him—it seemed he truly had the power to kill thousand-year spirit beasts. The decision weighed heavily on them.
"Fine. I'll help you hold them off, but hurry up!" The ice staff youth gritted his teeth, ordering his sister to stay back as he stepped forward.
"Boss, what do we do?" Xie Xie asked. They recognized Bai Xu—though he had defeated their entire team before, earning them a scolding from Teacher Wu. But given the circumstances, the spiritual energy was too tempting to pass up.
"Help him! Gu Yue, it's up to you," Tang Wulin decided firmly.
Gu Yue nodded, and a blinding flash of light erupted, obscuring the spirit beasts' vision.
At that moment, the One-Horned Giant Rhino finally arrived, charging blindly into the scene. Before it could react, Bai Xu's golden sword slashed down with a resounding SWOOSH!
The rhino was cleanly bisected, its body torn apart in a gruesome display.
"Holy—!" Xie Xie's jaw dropped in shock.
Tang Wulin stared in disbelief, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. Gu Yue's expression was equally stunned as she scrutinized Bai Xu, who was now panting heavily.
"Don't just stand there! There are still two left!" Bai Xu gasped, nearly exhausted. "I'm spent. I need to rest. You all handle the rest."
Before anyone could respond, the Human-Faced Demon Spider and the Titan Strength Ape lunged forward in a frenzy.
Tang Wulin's team engaged the spider, their coordination flawless as they countered its relentless attacks. Meanwhile, the ice staff youth faced the Titan Strength Ape alone—and it wasn't going well. Despite being a 35th-ranked spirit master, his ice-based skills only slowed the ape down, failing to deal fatal damage.
"Help! I can't hold it off much longer!" the youth shouted.
Bai Xu sighed. Though physically drained, he still had his spiritual power. "Gather your strongest attack and finish it in one strike!" he yelled.
He then unleashed a mental assault, targeting the Titan Strength Ape's mind. The beast howled in agony, clutching its head as if pierced by hundreds of needles.
"The back of its skull is the weakest point! Now—Frozen Fury!" The ice staff youth poured all his remaining energy into forming a five-meter-long ice spear, driving it straight into the ape's head and ending its life.
On the other side, Tang Wulin's team successfully defeated the Human-Faced Demon Spider through teamwork.
Now, the situation grew tense. In terms of remaining energy, Tang Wulin's team was in the best condition. Bai Xu was physically exhausted, and the ice staff youth had depleted his spirit power. Neither could continue fighting.
In other words, Tang Wulin's team could claim all the spiritual energy from the thousand-year spirit beasts, granting their spirit souls a massive evolution.
Just then, Bai Xu staggered to his feet. "As promised, we split the energy. Agreed?"
"No objections here," the ice staff youth said immediately, eyeing Tang Wulin's group warily.
"We... agree as well," Tang Wulin said firmly. He refused to take advantage of the situation—without Bai Xu and the ice staff youth, they wouldn't have obtained such a windfall.
Faint white light emerged from the three spirit beasts' corpses, floating toward Bai Xu, the ice staff youth, and Tang Wulin's team, greatly enhancing their spiritual auras.
The ice staff youth spoke up. "My sister and I will exit the Spirit Ascension Platform now. This was a fruitful trip. I'm Xu Xiaoyu, and this is my sister, Xu Xiaoyan. What's your name? I'd like to be friends."
"Bai Xu, from the Spirit Pagoda Academy."
They shook hands, the camaraderie of battle lingering between them.
"I've heard of you—the Spirit Pagoda's top prodigy. I'm from the Xu Family in Eastsea City. I'll visit you for a spar sometime. Farewell."
"Farewell!"
Bai Xu waved as Xu Xiaoyu left, then turned to Tang Wulin's group with a smile. "This is our second meeting, so no need for introductions. Are you continuing your journey?"
Tang Wulin blinked in surprise. "In your condition, you're still going deeper?"
"Yeah. I was lucky to run into you all—otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to turn the tables. Thanks."
"Don't mention it. We benefited greatly too."
"Well, I'll head off now. This area will soon swarm with weaker spirit beasts. Good luck!" With that, Bai Xu vanished into the forest.
Watching him leave, Xie Xie remarked, "He's pretty decent, sharing all that energy with us. That Xu Xiaoyu guy was ready to rob us earlier."
Gu Yue explained, "His teacher is Leng Jiuming, who, like Teacher Wu, graduated from Shrek Academy. However, Leng Jiuming's ideals clashed with Shrek's traditions, so he wasn't admitted to the inner court."
"Wait, ideals clashed?" Tang Wulin was stunned. "That's a reason?"
Gu Yue nodded. "Leng Jiuming didn't believe in the significance of the Shrek Seven Monsters. To him, true strength lies in the individual. Teamwork is just child's play in the face of absolute power."
"Wow, he even dismisses the Shrek Seven Monsters? That's bold!" Xie Xie exclaimed.
Tang Wulin sighed. "Enough standing around. We need to train harder. Right now, we're not even close to their level."
By nightfall, Bai Xu was finally overwhelmed by a horde of hundred-year spirit beasts, forced to exit the Spirit Ascension Platform after being cornered on a mountain peak.
This expedition had elevated his spirit soul by 2,000 years, significantly boosting his abilities. His third spirit skill, Mind Domination (allowing him to invade and control the bodies of those with weaker spiritual power), had proven invaluable in the latter half of the battle.
As Bai Xu awoke inside the machine, he saw Leng Jiuming waiting for him.
"I reviewed your recording. Impressive. Though you relied on others at one point, I'll still give you high marks."
Leng Jiuming was pleased. Bai Xu knew when to adapt—he hadn't stubbornly fought alone against impossible odds.
This kid has grown up... No, he's always been mature.
Clearing his throat, Leng Jiuming was about to announce tomorrow's trip to a fishing village near Eastsea City when his communicator beeped.
A holographic screen displayed a message:
Spirit Envoy Leng, due to my duties, I cannot personally instruct my disciple, Gu Yue. Please guide her in my stead until she arrives at Shrek City. —Deputy Tower Master, Leng Yaoju.
Leng Jiuming's expression darkened. "Expecting free labor? No resources, no compensation—just because she's a Limit Douluo, she thinks she can order me around?"
He patted Bai Xu's shoulder. "What do you think? Should I do it?"
Bai Xu hesitated. "Well... it might affect your career prospects. If you refuse, you could be stuck here forever."
"Teacher Leng."
A cool voice interrupted them. Gu Yue was standing at the door of the Spirit Ascension Platform chamber!
"You—how long have you been here?!" Leng Jiuming stiffened before regaining his composure. "Ahem. Tomorrow, I'll be taking Bai Xu to investigate a case involving evil spirit masters in a fishing village outside Eastsea City. Since Deputy Tower Master Leng has requested it, prepare yourself and join us."
"Understood, Teacher."
Bai Xu's eyebrows twitched. Why is the Silver Dragon King here instead of staying with the Golden Dragon King? Did my soul attack catch her attention?
Despite his suspicions, he maintained a calm facade. "Welcome aboard, new teammate."
"Right, welcome. It's getting late—pack your things. We leave at dawn!" With that, Leng Jiuming vanished.
As for Deputy Tower Master Leng... he could only hope Gu Yue wouldn't repeat his earlier complaints. Otherwise, early retirement might be inevitable.
Bai Xu walked past Gu Yue calmly, heading home. But just as he was about to exit the Spirit Pagoda, her voice stopped him.
"Bai Xu, I have a question."
His lip twitched, but he turned with confusion. "Hm?"
"About your first spirit... I'd like to understand the nature of your mental attacks. After our last encounter, I've had lingering headaches. Any remedies?" Gu Yue probed, treating him like a naive child.
Bai Xu's acting was flawless. "My Heavenly Eye spirit isn't special. I can only perform basic mental strikes. As for your headache... maybe ask Teacher Leng? He might know."
Gu Yue didn't get the answer she wanted. After a pause, she muttered, "Fine," and they parted ways.