Chapter 203: Calamity Slaughter

203. Chapter 200: Calamity Slaughter

Seeing the Netherworld Spirit Cat enter a berserk state, Zhu Zhuqing did not panic at all; instead, the steps under Zhu Zhuqing's feet became steadier, and the expression grew more cautious as Zhu Zhuqing faced the Netherworld Spirit Cat.

Meow!

The Netherworld Spirit Cat roared angrily at Zhu Zhuqing, then moved and launched the first attack, turning into a Black Light that surged toward Zhu Zhuqing.

Watching the Netherworld Spirit Cat's speed, Li Xuan estimated that its speed after going berserk had increased by at least threefold.

At the same moment the Netherworld Spirit Cat launched its attack, Zhu Zhuqing moved to the side, trying to evade the berserk Netherworld Spirit Cat's strike.

Zhu Zhuqing was not foolish; at this moment she could not clash head‑on with the Netherworld Spirit Cat, so she could only temporarily avoid its edge.

The safest tactic now was to wear it down until the soul power inside the Netherworld Spirit Cat's body was completely exhausted.

When the Netherworld Spirit Cat's internal soul power was fully depleted, the berserk state ended, and it entered a weakened state; in that case, the Netherworld Spirit Cat became like fish meat on a cutting board.

But Zhu Zhuqing clearly underestimated the speed of the Netherworld Spirit Cat in its berserk state; the sidestep was a bit slow, and its sharp claws brushed Zhu Zhuqing's immaculate white neck, leaving a shallow blood mark.

Feeling the warm sensation on the neck, Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted.

Just now, Zhu Zhuqing felt she was only a hair's breadth away from death.

Although frightened, Zhu Zhuqing quickly steadied herself; watching the Netherworld Spirit Cat pass by, she did not retreat but advanced, lunging toward the Netherworld Spirit Cat. The Iron-Cutting Dagger in her hand counterattacked at once, and as the Netherworld Spirit Cat landed, she slanted the dagger under its rib.

The Netherworld Spirit Cat also reacted swiftly, its body twisting slightly in the air to evade Zhu Zhuqing's attack.

"First Soul Technique, Netherworld Thrust!"

While the Netherworld Spirit Cat was still airborne, Zhu Zhuqing decisively used the First Soul Technique again, seizing the moment when the Netherworld Spirit Cat's old energy was exhausted and new energy not yet born, suddenly accelerating, and the Iron-Cutting Dagger in her hand sliced straight through the abdomen of the berserk Netherworld Spirit Cat.

The Iron-Cutting Dagger was far sharper than Zhu Zhuqing's own dagger, so this slash cut extremely deep, even reaching the Netherworld Spirit Cat's internal organs.

Meow!

The Netherworld Spirit Cat let out a painful wail, then with a thud crashed hard onto the ground.

The Netherworld Spirit Cat's condition proved that Zhu Zhuqing's attack had indeed made a significant impact, leaving the Netherworld Spirit Cat seriously wounded.

Meow!

However, the Netherworld Spirit Cat sprang up from the ground, roaring even more angrily at Zhu Zhuqing, its surrounding black soul power rolling out, its aura increasing a few notches.

"Excellent, a severely wounded berserk Netherworld Spirit Cat; Miss Second can increase her rating this time!" Uncle Han said excitedly, nodding.

Li Xuan gave no reply, but cast a disdainful glance; at this point, still worrying about points, when just now Zhu Zhuqing had almost died directly under the Netherworld Spirit Cat's sharp claws.

Because of the severe abdominal injury, the Netherworld Spirit Cat, though more berserk, saw its combat power drop sharply, whereas Zhu Zhuqing gradually began a steady, methodical approach, chipping away at the Netherworld Spirit Cat's life force bit by bit.

Half an hour later, the Netherworld Spirit Cat choked, its body went limp, lying motionless on the ground, appearing to have exhausted its breath.

Although the Netherworld Spirit Cat seemed no longer able to counterattack, Zhu Zhuqing did not rush forward lightly; instead, she stood aside quietly, waiting for the Netherworld Spirit Cat's soul ring to appear.

But at this stage, soul beasts generally expend all remaining life force to unleash their strongest attack, killing the soul master.

Thus, Zhu Zhuqing stood aside, waiting for the Netherworld Spirit Cat's complete death.

The Netherworld Spirit Cat lying on the ground waited for over ten minutes, still not seeing Zhu Zhuqing approach, then let out a weak sound and died completely.

With the Netherworld Spirit Cat's death, strands of yellow energy mixed with purple seeped from its corpse, slowly coalescing before Zhu Zhuqing into a yellow soul ring, though the yellow ring still contained a portion of purple.

This confirmed the Netherworld Spirit Cat's total death.

"This is a nine‑hundred‑year‑old Netherworld Spirit Cat; the clan's intel was wrong!" Uncle Han exclaimed, eyes widening in shock after seeing the soul ring clearly.

The soul ring was yellow with hints of purple, evidence of a near‑thousand‑year soul ring, so it was clearly a nine‑hundred‑year soul ring, not eight‑hundred! Zhu Zhuqing had not expected it to be a Netherworld Spirit Cat of nine‑hundred‑year cultivation.

Thinking back to how she had almost had her throat slashed, Zhu Zhuqing felt both terrified and frightened.

"Miss Second, this is a nine‑hundred‑year soul ring; absorbing it like this… too dangerous," Uncle Han frowned and asked Zhu Zhuqing.

"It's only a hundred years off; it should be fine, I can do it," Zhu Zhuqing said seriously, nodding at Uncle Han.

Uncle Han considered for a moment, then agreed to let Zhu Zhuqing absorb this soul ring, after all it was the most suitable for her to absorb.

The soul beast sharing the same origin as the martial soul should grant Zhu Zhuqing a soul skill that is the most fitting among all soul beasts.

None of the three soul rings Li Xuan absorbed were normal, and Li Xuan also lacked much knowledge of soul beasts, not knowing what price over‑limit absorption would exact, so he said nothing.

Moreover, Li Xuan's current status was merely a food‑type soul master; his advice was no different from a burp.

Thus Li Xuan simply stood aside in silence.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Li Xuan, seeing that Li Xuan did not block her, so she approached the Netherworld Spirit Cat's corpse and began preparing to absorb her second soul ring.

"Xiao Yan, could you please protect Miss Second!" Uncle Han's expression suddenly hardened as he stepped before Li Xuan and said to him.

"Ah? Sure, no problem," Li Xuan was momentarily stunned, then recovered and nodded.

Uncle Han did not want Li Xuan to witness Zhu Zhuqing's soul‑ring absorption, so he used the pretext of protection to keep Li Xuan farther away.

Although Li Xuan was also curious about the absorption scene, since the eviction order had been given, Li Xuan saw no need to stay.

Li Xuan took his club and went to a distant spot, finding a secluded place to sit.

Unable to see clearly what was happening with Zhu Zhuqing, Li Xuan simply chose a spot and began cultivating.

Three hours later, Uncle Han's voice came from afar.

"Xiao Yan, come back!"

"Xiao Yan, I'm back!"

Hearing Uncle Han's call, Li Xuan slowly ceased his cultivation, glanced at the club beside him. The club also ceased its cultivation.

The two stood up and walked toward Uncle Han.

When they drew near, Li Xuan noticed Zhu Zhuqing's complexion was terrible, her face like gold paper, devoid of color, apparently suffering severe internal injuries.

"Could it be because she just absorbed a soul ring beyond the limit?" Li Xuan didn't ask further, merely muttering to himself.

Li Xuan's guess was correct; although Zhu Zhuqing successfully absorbed this nine‑hundred‑plus‑year soul ring, she indeed suffered very serious internal injuries.

After all, this soul ring exceeds the limit of the Second Soul Ring.

"She… like this? Shall we set off now?" Li Xuan pointed at Zhu Zhuqing, then asked Han Shu.

"Alright, we leave now, return to the cave tonight to rest, and depart the the Star Dou Great Forest at first light tomorrow!" Han Shu nodded seriously and said to Li Xuan.

"Fine, let's go then." Li Xuan nodded.

On the way there, there was no danger at all, so even if Zhu Zhuqing were injured, returning to the cave wouldn't be a big problem.

Then Han Shu supported Zhu Zhuqing, Li Xuan led Bang Chui, and the four hurried toward the cave.

After more than three hours, as the sky grew completely dim, the party finally returned to the cave.

But just as they reached the cave entrance, Bang Chui suddenly grabbed Li Xuan.

"Brother, something's wrong, there's someone inside," Bang Chui whispered to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan stopped in his tracks immediately, but at that moment Han Shu had already entered the cave.

Just as Li Xuan was about to warn, he saw Han Shu blasted outward and slammed hard onto the ground.

"Second Miss, they're the Miss's people inside, run!" Han Shu, spitting blood, said to Zhu Zhuqing.

Then Han Shu's head tilted and he fell unconscious.

"Sister, long time no see," a slightly sharp girl's voice echoed from the cave.

"Big sister?" Zhu Zhuqing froze, staring dumbfounded at the tall girl who stepped out of the cave and resembled her about seventy‑or‑eighty percent.

Soon after, several burly men emerged from the cave; it was clear they were all soul masters and not weak in combat.

"Wow, the noble families really are dark, sending people to hunt down others," Li Xuan clasped Bang Chui's hand and muttered softly.

"Zhuqing, I didn't expect you could slay a nine‑hundred‑year‑old Netherworld Spirit Cat, and absorb a soul ring beyond the limit without bursting your body; your vitality is truly tenacious," Zhu Zhuyun sneered, looking down at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Big sister, it was you… you gave the family false information!" Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her eyes in anger, drew the Iron-Cutting Dagger from the Soul Guide Device, and assumed an attacking stance.

Now Han Shu is gravely wounded; even a desperate gamble gives Zhu Zhuqing no confidence of surviving.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Li Xuan and saw him wearing a nonchalant, spectator‑like expression, not frightened at all by the soul masters opposite.

To defeat Han Shu, at least a Five‑Ring Soul King!

And Xiao Yan isn't scared at all! Xiao Yan must have a big secret! But now is not the time to investigate that.

"Oh? There's also a pretty boy, the two look decent. Sister, don't worry, I'll take them back and deal with them properly," Zhu Zhuyun suddenly looked at Li Xuan, smiled mischievously, and said.

"It has nothing to do with them; let them go!" Zhu Zhuqing said coldly to Zhu Zhuyun.

"You two talk among yourselves; just don't hurt our brothers," Li Xuan raised an eyebrow and said irritably.

Li Xuan had just looked at the six soul masters behind Zhu Zhuyun; they were mostly at the Soul King realm. Though dealing with them was pressuring, the pressure shouldn't be great, so Li Xuan wasn't uneasy at all.

At worst it's just a fight; since leaving the City of Slaughter Li Xuan hasn't fought in a while, and his bones are itching for it.

"Li Yun, Bai Feng, you two go kill these two for me!" Zhu Zhuyun, uneasy at Li Xuan's demeanor, said to the two soul masters behind him.

"Yes, Miss!" the two Soul Kings saluted Zhu Zhuyun, then summoned their martial souls and walked toward Li Xuan.

Continuously closing in on Li Xuan, the one bearing two yellow, two purple, one black, five soul rings rose from beneath the two people's feet.

One wielded a sword, the other a white wolf.

Their martial souls instantly possessed them and charged at Li Xuan.

Li Xuan glanced at Han Shu, then at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Sigh... have to hide again!" Li Xuan muttered irritably, then, with a thought, the Killing Domain instantly spread, enveloping everyone present.

"Domain-type soul skill! Who... who are you!" Zhu Zhuyun sensed the change, instantly realizing it was a Domain-type soul skill.

After all, being from a great clan, their knowledge is broad!

Moreover, those who possess Domain-type soul skills are usually at least Soul Saint or Soul Douluo level! Yet the people he brought weren't enough! "Leave now, I'll spare your lives; otherwise... you'll all stay," Li Xuan snorted, stepping toward the battlefield center.

Li Xuan signaled to Bang Chui behind him; Bang Chui stayed close. If any trouble arose, Li Xuan could immediately pull him into the Palm Sky Bottle space or use the Great Teleportation Talisman.

"No! You're just a child! How could you be a strong one with a Domain-type soul skill? All of you attack! Kill him!" Zhu Zhuyun suddenly recalled something, eyes brightening, then pointed wildly at her subordinates.

After all, a Domain-type soul skill signifies a powerful being; Zhu Zhuyun not panicking would be odd.

But it was already this point; Zhu Zhuyun had no way back, so she could only force her subordinates behind her to act, hoping Li Xuan was merely a silver‑looking lead‑filled spear—good looking but ineffective.

"Hmph!" Li Xuan snorted, and endless Killing Qi erupted from the Domain, entering those people's bodies.

"No, Miss, this... this is a Domain-type soul skill; he's at least a Soul Douluo‑level strongman. Miss, we... we should beg for mercy quickly," a Soul King trembled, tugged at Zhu Zhuyun, and said shakily.

Zhu Zhuyun, also affected by the Killing Qi, became frightened.

"Hmph, bow once and then scram, that's all," Li Xuan snorted, his gaze icy as he addressed Zhu Zhuyun.

Li Xuan was being clever this time; if facing the enemy head‑on, the Killing Domain could never reach such soul‑piercing heights.

But this is in the wild, and they were initially terrified by Li Xuan's Killing Domain; combined with Killing Qi, it broke their courage, causing this reaction. If others were nearby, they'd also feel the Domain's effect, but not to this extent. (End of chapter)