Soul Emperor Awakening

Lin Xuan gazed at the Yulan Sacred Fire on Xiong Ba’s arm. The amount truly surpassed what could be emitted by four, or even five, Ice and Snow Badges.

Just as Xiong Ba had said, this was one of his privileges as the Floor Master—the ability to wield a more potent Yulan Sacred Fire than any other member of the Demon Race. It was one of his trump cards. The power of the Yulan Sacred Fire was not to be underestimated; it could easily freeze anything. Its might was greatest in a direct clash.

The same was true for bursts of Elemental Power. Infused with the Yulan Sacred Fire, their might would be significantly enhanced. Otherwise, so many members of the Demon Race—and humans, for that matter—wouldn’t be so obsessed with it.

Besides Cultivation, the main reason most of the Demon Race entered this place was to obtain the Yulan Sacred Fire! The very fact they called it a ’Sacred Fire’ was a testament to its terrifying power.

"So it’s a special privilege, but is that all?" Lin Xuan sneered. ’This is completely useless against me,’ he thought. ’When it comes to the Yulan Sacred Fire, who could possibly compare to my Yulan Pearl? In terms of sheer quantity, it completely crushes Xiong Ba’s.’

Enraged at being underestimated, Xiong Ba roared, "You’re courting death!" He stomped the ground, and his colossal body charged toward Lin Xuan. Far from being clumsy, his massive frame was unnaturally agile. He moved so fast he became a black blur, tinged with trails of blue flame!

Lin Xuan held nothing back, immediately allowing the Triple Core Formation Stage soul to fully possess him. ’Xiong Ba’s strength must be immense to have become a Floor Master. If I don’t get serious, I’ll be killed in an instant. He’s close to having six Ice and Snow Badges and has long since adapted to the Fifth Layer’s gravity. The power he can unleash is terrifying. I’ll have to use my full strength just to defend against it.’

"Illusionary Charm Domain!"

Lin Xuan unleashed the Illusion Technique without hesitation. A divine light flared in his pupils. Since Xiong Ba was already staring daggers at him, their eyes met instantly. Of course, the technique would have worked even without direct eye contact, and just like that, Xiong Ba was plunged into an illusion!

The Spiritual Power of the Giant Bear Race wasn’t particularly strong, so Xiong Ba easily fell into the illusion. The scenery around him instantly transformed into a graveyard swarming with the souls of the Golden Dragon Race and the Demon Fox Race, all of them surging toward him. It was the same effect Lin Xuan had used on Hei Qing, designed to amplify their sense of guilt.

"An Illusion Technique? Just the sort of dirty trick I’d expect from you Demon Foxes!" Xiong Ba didn’t slow down, continuing his charge toward Lin Xuan. He seemed to have already pinpointed his location; no matter how the scenery changed, he knew Lin Xuan had been standing just a short distance away a moment ago.

’It didn’t fully penetrate his soul? As expected of someone at the Floor Master’s Level...’ Lin Xuan could feel that the Illusion Technique couldn’t burrow deep into Xiong Ba’s soul to affect his core consciousness.

At best, it could only alter his perception of the surrounding scenery, not his mental state. This was because Lin Xuan’s own Cultivation was insufficient. He couldn’t brute-force his way past the defenses of a higher Realm, especially since Xiong Ba’s Willpower was so strong.

Even if it couldn’t penetrate deeply, merely affecting his vision was a decent advantage. He immediately circulated the Cloud Return Technique, activating his Bloodline Power. In the blink of an eye, his strength soared.

"Extreme Point Inch Light!"

All his power condensed into a single point as he thrust his rod at the charging Xiong Ba. His speed was in no way inferior to the bear’s. To the spectating demons, seeing two combatants sprint at such speeds under this terrifying gravity was an incredible feat.

Trapped in the illusion, Xiong Ba showed no signs of panic. He continued his charge, all the while sensing his surroundings. Though his eyes were deceived, his other senses were not.

Just as Lin Xuan’s Extreme Point Inch Light was about to connect, a cold glint flashed in Xiong Ba’s eyes. He swung a massive paw and slammed it down, precisely intercepting the incoming rod. He used no weapon; for him, his paws *were* his weapons!

BOOM!

The Chi Dragon Heavens Rod met the bear’s paw. Under the force of the blow, the rod was bent into a curve. The impact forced Lin Xuan’s grip open, sending the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod flying. It slammed against the protective barrier at the edge of the arena, ricocheted back, and plunged deep into the hard stone floor!

The terrifying force of the ricochet was a testament to the initial impact. If the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod hadn’t been a Divine Artifact, that single slap would have shattered it. His strength was simply monstrous!

But it wasn’t over. Xiong Ba swung his other paw—the one wreathed in Yulan Sacred Fire. Now *this* was his truly terrifying attack.

"Cyan Cloud Fire-Treading Step!"

Lin Xuan pushed his strongest Body Technique to its limits, retreating at top speed. He just barely dodged the descending paw, but a lick of the Yulan Sacred Fire still caught his clothes. It crept up his body, but since it was only a small amount, it merely froze the surface, coating him in a thin layer of frost.

The moment the attack landed, the Illusionary Charm Domain shattered. Xiong Ba’s vision cleared, and he sneered at Lin Xuan, who had dodged to the side. "A Demon Fox is just a Demon Fox. Pathetically weak. You can’t even hold onto your weapon! And you try to copy humans by using one? Even with a weapon, you’re nothing... Besides, you reek of human. Even if I couldn’t see you, I could still smell you. Your Illusion Technique is useless against me!"

’So that’s how he located me so accurately,’ Lin Xuan realized. ’He was using his sense of smell. Unless the illusion penetrates deep into the opponent’s soul, it’s hard to fool all their senses.’

Lin Xuan frowned. He had to admit his strength was no match for Xiong Ba’s; the bear’s power was simply overwhelming. That last strike had packed at least seven hundred and fifty tons of force. He felt utterly outclassed. Honestly, trying to match the strength of the Bear Race was just asking to be killed; it was only natural that he couldn’t compare.

’Of course, I’m only outmatched for now,’ he thought. ’Once my Cultivation improves, I’m confident I’ll be able to challenge Xiong Ba even in the realm of raw strength!’

"Is that so?" Lin Xuan retorted. "I’ll admit I can’t match you in strength, but a fight isn’t just about raw power!" With a wave of his hand—WHOOSH—Phoenix Fire erupted from his body, and the temperature of the chilly space instantly soared.

Now, it was time to unleash what he had learned in the Magma Cultivation Chamber. If he were to lose so easily, if this was the extent of his ability, he should have just packed up and left long ago. All his grueling training in the Cultivation Chamber would have been for nothing!