Tch, still a bit short… This Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear, even with part of its Behemoth bloodline awakened by me and guided into mutation, is still slightly inferior when facing Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Claw.
The golden bear slowly lowered its raised arm, thinking to itself. In truth, this beast was no ordinary soul beast—it was an avatar of Nan Fusheng, possessing the body of the Terrorclaw Bear's soul spirit. By borrowing a sliver of the "Error" pathway's power from his true body, he had forced this bear to evolve.
The result?
Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear → Error Evolution → Zombie Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear (no, wrong, cross that out).
Correction:
Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear → Super Evolution → Golden Terrorclaw Bear.
This Golden Terrorclaw Bear was a chimera-type soul beast, but unlike other grotesque chimeras, its mutations weren't random. Instead, by devouring other soul beasts, its dormant bloodline had been activated, shedding the dark-gold hue and turning into pure gold.
Even so, the outcome of the battle had proven something—it was still slightly inferior to Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Claw. The only reason it managed to overpower him in the end was because of its higher cultivation base. More importantly, Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline would only grow stronger as each seal was broken.
"There's still a long road ahead…" the Golden Terrorclaw Bear mused. But it couldn't help recalling the moment when Tang Wulin lost control of himself after being taunted. Clearly, the Dragon King's bloodline still had a powerful influence on his psyche.
"Damn it, that hurt like hell! Couldn't you have hit a little lighter?!"
A second voice suddenly echoed in its mind.
"You were too useless. This was your last chance, and what happened? You—a thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spider—got beaten half to death by a bunch of Soul Masters and Soul Grandmasters. If I hadn't intervened, you'd already be dead. Consider this mercy."
The Golden Terrorclaw Bear's voice was righteous and cold. That second voice? None other than Nan Fusheng's other avatar—the Man-Faced Demon Spider.
"I… I didn't expect Fusheng No.1 to interfere…" the spider answered sheepishly.
"You sure it wasn't because you kept fixating on attacking Xie Xie and ignoring the others?"
"…I couldn't help it! Don't ask me why, but every time I see Xie Xie, I just feel an uncontrollable urge to stab him. Must be the spider instincts kicking in…"
"Enough. Fuse with me. The true body's other avatar will arrive soon to absorb me as a soul spirit. Once we merge, you'll become a part of me, and together we'll strengthen him."
The Golden Terrorclaw Bear sighed as it spoke.
"…Fine." The Man-Faced Demon Spider did not resist. After all, they were both avatars of Nan Fusheng, fragments of the same "Worm of Time." Fusion between them was natural, and it would only make the host stronger.
Meanwhile, in Eastsea City's Spirit Transmission Tower…
"Quick! Call the medics! We've got a child who was fatally struck down by a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear—he needs emergency treatment now!"
"Again? Is it him? Last time he was killed, too! Didn't anyone teach this kid? When you encounter a monster-class soul beast, your first reaction should be to retreat, not charge head-on!"
Even as the staff shouted for medical personnel, they worked quickly, adjusting instruments to deliver faint electrical currents into Tang Wulin's body to keep his heart from stopping.
When he finally regained consciousness, he felt a gentle stream of soul power flowing into him—Wu Zhangkong was channeling energy to stabilize his condition. His teammates stood nearby, their faces filled with concern.
"Teacher Wu, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying everyone." Tang Wulin raised a hand weakly, trying to reassure them.
"Really fine?" Wu Zhangkong frowned deeply.
"Really fine." To prove it, Tang Wulin jumped off the bed and stretched his limbs.
The staff were stunned speechless. "That's impossible. He was killed inside! Even though the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform isn't as realistic as reality, the feedback is still intense!"
After a series of checks, they reluctantly confirmed the impossible: Tang Wulin was indeed perfectly fine.
"Teacher Wu… I was wrong. I don't know why, but when that Terrorclaw Bear taunted me, I just… lost all reason." Tang Wulin admitted honestly, lowering his head.
"Your bloodline's influence is something I can't suppress for you. You must learn to restrain it yourself. Don't let it cloud your mind." Wu Zhangkong's voice was calm but heavy.
Finally, he announced, "Despite the unexpected incident, your performance was acceptable. This semester's final exam—consider it passed."
The first semester of Class Zero's fourth year came to a close. But for them, this was only the beginning of their journey. Ahead lay the place they had all dreamed of.
Tianhai City.
Tianhai Academy was the city's sole intermediate academy, renowned across the Eastsea Coast for producing champions in the Tianhai Alliance's grand tournaments.
At this moment, the academy's stadium—usually reserved for sparring—was filled to bursting. Students from every grade, identifiable by their uniforms, packed shoulder to shoulder. Even instructors had gathered near the ring, their gazes fixed on the battle taking place.
No—this was no battle. This was a massacre.
"Boom!"
Golden lightning raged across the stage, thundering like an army's charge.
Within the storm, a golden figure darted like living thunder, striking down a speed-type Soul Master in an instant. Another flash, and a second opponent was hurled from the arena with a single kick.
"Damn it!" cursed Lin Pingzhi, captain of Tianhai Academy's senior team. A forty-fourth-level Battle Soul Master and prodigy of the academy, he prided himself on being one of the strongest in the entire Eastsea region.
But here? Against this golden monster? He was utterly powerless.
That golden figure wasn't human—it couldn't be. Even Shrek Academy's geniuses probably couldn't match such raw power at this age! And the worst part—this was only one of them. His teammates hadn't even lifted a finger yet.
Lin Pingzhi's gaze drifted toward the opposite side of the ring.
There stood a platinum-haired boy, arms crossed, watching the fight with serene detachment.But what truly caught his attention… was the girl standing quietly at the boy's side.