Chapter 198: Ten‑Thousand‑Year Earth Crystal Bear

Tang Wulin could not know that Nan ShuiShui had already lifted his evaluation of him to the heavens in his heart; in his eyes, he was simply chatting normally with the Earth Dragon Gate disciples.

The group only rested briefly, about a quarter of an hour, then all got up and continued exploring the Star Dou Great Forest.

This time their actions would be far bolder, with Bow-Long Dragon accompanying them; even if they truly encountered a hundred‑thousand‑year‑rank soul beast, they could still retreat unscathed.

While walking, Tang Wulin quietly employed the power of the Natural Son to sense the flow of life force; he found the vitality emitted by the plants along the way growing stronger, clearly indicating Bow-Long Dragon was leading him toward the target.

Yet just as they were about to reach the target's location, a massive silhouette blocked their path.

Looking at the giant bear lying on the ground asleep, Nan ShuiShui's expression turned sour.

She whispered to Bow-Long Dragon, "Senior, should we take a detour?"

She recognized the soul beast's species as an Earth Crystal Bear, a strong branch among bear‑type soul beasts.

Among the major branches of soul beasts, bears have always held a high status; although they can't compare to dragons, they are still among the top regular soul beasts, as shown by the Bear Lord ranking among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.

Unlike the lion‑tiger "king of beasts" type, bear‑type soul beasts usually excel in massive strength and defense, making them the hardest for low‑level soul cultivators to deal with—breaking their defense is difficult, yet they cannot withstand its attacks.

The Earth Crystal Bear, though not comparable to the Dark‑Golden Terror Claw Bear, is still very powerful; it can control a crystal called earth crystal, making it far smarter and more cunning than ordinary bears, thus harder to handle.

The Earth Crystal Bear before them already displayed a ten‑thousand‑year cultivation level, its strength extremely formidable.

Yet Bow-Long Dragon seemed not to have heard her question and asked her:

"Do any of your disciples want to take it as a soul ring?"

Nan ShuiShui was momentarily stunned, then delighted.

Her attitude had already made it clear she didn't intend to provoke this Earth Crystal Bear, yet Bow-Long Dragon kept asking, leading her to subconsciously think he was preparing to act.

She nodded.

"Yes, it can serve as a sixth soul skill for one of our disciples."

Among those she brought, besides herself, the elder had Soul Saint cultivation, and among the disciples there were three Soul Kings, five Soul Ancestors, six Soul Elders, and one Great Soul Master, all at the point of needing to breakthrough.

They had only just entered the mixed zone, so only the Great Soul Master Nan Qiuqiu and a few Soul Elders had completed breakthroughs; the rest had not yet had the chance.

Among them happened to be a Soul King‑rank disciple who could absorb this Earth Crystal Bear as a sixth soul skill.

Bow-Long Dragon nodded satisfactorily.

"Very well, have your disciple prepare, and together with Wulin, eliminate this ten‑thousand‑year Earth Crystal Bear."

His and Tang Wulin's target lay behind this ten‑thousand‑year Earth Crystal Bear; evidently it was the guardian soul beast of the target, and no matter what Nan ShuiShui said, he could not leave here.

Nan ShuiShui was stunned.

"Senior, aren't you going to act?"

Bow-Long Dragon looked at her with a strange gaze.

"Aren't you also not planning to act?"

"……", Nan ShuiShui's face flushed red, she coughed, "Fine then, but if my student gets into danger, senior you must step in to rescue." She truly did not intend to act, since Bow-Long Dragon's strength far surpassed hers; although he likely bore no ill will toward them, if he chose to strike, she would need enough power to lead her disciples to escape.

Bow-Long Dragon nodded, waved his hand.

"Let your disciples go quickly; if it truly comes to a desperate situation I will act."

Nan ShuiShui wore a bitter expression, turned and said something to a few disciples.

She didn't feel she was basking in glory; Tang Wulin was so young, only level thirty, a genius but clearly not counted as combat power.

Nan ShuiShui paid little attention to the continent‑wide Elite Soul Cultivator Academy Competition; had she followed it and seen the matches in Star Net City, she would certainly not think so.

Hearing her orders, the disciples exchanged glances, then walked out together, stood beside Tang Wulin, and said to him:

"Remember to stay far away later."

During the earlier conversation, Tang Wulin had already left a good impression on them, so naturally they did not want him to get into trouble now.

Tang Wulin gave them a sunny smile.

"Understood, thank you, brothers and sisters."

His smile was dazzling, making the Earth Dragon Gate disciples feel extremely pleased, even a few younger female disciples stared dumbfounded.

At that moment, the Earth Crystal Bear nearby suddenly moved, standing up from the ground, evidently having sensed their presence.

The Earth Dragon Gate disciples hurriedly formed a formation, shielding Tang Wulin behind them.

"Wulin, we'll take the front line; you must not rush—"

…to the front.

Their words were cut off mid‑sentence, choking in their throats.

Facing the risen giant bear, Tang Wulin suddenly stamped the ground, a huge boom rang out, then he surged forward like an arrow toward the Earth Crystal Bear.

Seeing his action, Nan ShuiShui's eyes narrowed involuntarily.

"Is that speed a Great Soul Master? Are they kidding? Even a swift‑attack Soul King might not have such speed!" As Tang Wulin approached, the Earth Crystal Bear let out a massive roar, then raised a claw and swung it down.

Everyone let out a gasp; just as they were about to warn Tang Wulin to be careful, a small blue vortex appeared beneath his feet, lifting his body into the air, dodging the bear's strike, while his right hand transformed into a claw and punched the enemy's chest.

"Roar—!"

Amid the shocked gazes, the Earth Crystal Bear let out a mournful wail and staggered back several steps, barely steadying itself.

Was this… Tang Wulin gaining the upper hand? Without hesitation, while the Earth Crystal Bear spent time stabilizing, he lifted his foot and a fierce wind blade sliced through the air, as if to cut the bear in two.

The Earth Crystal Bear, just having steadied, saw the Wind King Breaking Covenant Slash strike; unable to dodge, it let out a roar, and waves of yellow light rose, forming a crystal wall before it.

The Wind King Breaking Covenant Slash slammed into the crystal wall, booming, and the wall split in two; the slash's power also struck the ten‑thousand‑year Earth Crystal Bear's chest, leaving a huge scar, blood continuously flowing onto the ground.

(End of Chapter)