Every soul beast had its strengths and weaknesses.
The Ironhide Rhino's extreme defense came at the cost of painfully slow speed.
Yang Fan exploited his agility, striking repeatedly. Though he couldn't fully pierce the rhino's hide, the searing flames inflicted serious burns—making the colossal beast roar in agony.
ROAR—!
The Ironhide Rhino charged wildly at the group.
Yang Fan dodged effortlessly—but others weren't so nimble.
The team's sole female soul master tripped while retreating, collapsing to the ground. The rhino's massive hoof loomed over her—death was seconds away.
Chasing Stars · Blazing Fire!
A long flame, like a fire dragon, slammed into the rhino's flank. The impact tilted its massive body off-balance.
"Quick, come here!" Yang Fan decided instantly to save the stranger.
The game isn't over yet!
Losing an ally meant greater danger. No one could predict what horrors might emerge next.
Yao Lao hadn't planned to intervene in this wilderness trial anyway.
"Thank you!" the woman gasped.
Just then—
A green light enveloped Yang Fan, accelerating his recovery.
The healer was the very woman he'd saved—her martial soul a Green Wishful Scepter, a gem-type support soul.
In Douluo, gem-type souls like the famed Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda were almost always support-oriented.
Another, fainter green light followed—boosting Yang Fan's attack power slightly.
Flame Splitting Tsunami!
The moment the Earth-Tier technique activated, the air warped violently. Crimson Dou Qi crashed into the rhino like tidal waves.
Since devouring the Infernal Delicate Apricot, even this technique's power had undergone qualitative evolution.
"Good brother!" Ah Sheng cheered, seeing the rhino's armor finally crack.
The team no longer hesitated—they unleashed their soul skills, hammering the exposed wound.
A 5,000-year Ironhide Rhino was merely Soul Ancestor-level. With its defense shattered, it collapsed under the assault of multiple Soul Elders and Soul Grandmasters.
Its labored breathing grew fainter… death was inevitable.
"Brothers, I owe you all!" Ah Sheng declared. "I'll pay every coin I promised once we're out!"
He rushed to the rhino's corpse—not waiting for natural death, as elite sects might. This was the way of freelancers: hesitation meant death.
Standing on the rhino's head, Ah Sheng plunged a dagger into its skull…
Clang—!
A metallic ring echoed—unnatural for bone.
The team's expressions shifted subtly.
No ordinary bone made that sound… unless it was a soul bone.
"Damn thing's tough," Ah Sheng muttered, yanking out the dagger and stabbing the neck instead.
"Stop pretending!" someone snapped. "Do you think we don't know what's on that beast's head?"
They might not have seen soul bones firsthand—but they'd heard enough rumors.
"You're right—it's a soul bone," Ah Sheng admitted. "We all contributed to this kill. Let me absorb the soul ring first, then we'll discuss who gets the bone."
Before he finished speaking, another voice cut in:
"Are you stupid or do you think we're stupid? Once you absorb that ring, you'll be a Soul Ancestor! I don't think you'll share the bone then aye?"
Valid point.
Even Yang Fan nodded internally.
After absorbing the ring, Ah Sheng would gain a powerful defense skill and full combat readiness—while the others were injured. He could easily slaughter them all.
Yang Fan almost laughed.
These people barely lifted a finger during the fight—but now, every one of them was ready to brawl over loot.
The team rose, eyes locked on Ah Sheng.
Clearly, they'd never let him absorb the ring without settling the bone's ownership first.
"So… no deal, then?" Ah Sheng sighed. He knew his dream soul ring was lost.
Even if they allowed it, he wouldn't dare—not with five enemies watching.
Suddenly—soul power surged from all six. Rings sank to their feet as they spread out, each putting distance between themselves and the others.
In this moment, trust died.
Only one person felt truly trapped: the auxiliary girl.
With no combat power, claiming the bone was impossible—but whose side should she take?
After agonizing hesitation, she glanced toward Yang Fan—the outsider on the edge.
"If we all want this soul bone," Ah Sheng declared, pointing at Yang Fan, "then he's the first to die."
Yang Fan was stunned.
The silent observer had become the primary target—and the betrayer was Ah Sheng himself!
Where were those "good brothers" now?
What about the promised feast?
The soul beast forest truly had no friendship.
Perhaps this was Yao Lao's real lesson in forming teams.
Now—all five combatants fixed their gazes on Yang Fan.
His strength had terrified them—especially that final blow that shattered the rhino's defense. Alone, none could match him.
As long as Yang Fan lived, no one would get the soul bone!
"I don't want it," Yang Fan said calmly. "You fight over it."
A hoarse voice echoed from under his cloak as he prepared to slip away.
"Stop right there!"
"Think we're fools?"
If Yang Fan left now, he'd surely hide nearby, waiting for them to cripple each other before swooping in.
"Master… they won't let us go," Yang Fan murmured.
Ice-cold killing intent flooded his eyes.
From the moment the soul bone appeared, this place had become a blood-soaked arena.
Only one would walk out alive.
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