Facing the three mid-Grandmasters charging forward, Ian Song showed no sign of panic. He said to Harriet Gu, "Take one, I'll handle the other two."
Okay.
Harriet Gu responded with a crisp shout, drew her sword, and charged at one of them.
Ian Song followed closely, stepping forward as Purple Thunder flashed like a bolt of violet lightning, stabbing at the other two.
Pfft! Pfft!
With two soft sounds, blood lines appeared between the brows of both mid-Grandmasters. Their eyes quickly dulled as their life force faded away.
With two thuds, their bodies toppled backward, landing flat on their backs.
What...?
Seeing Ian Song kill two mid-Grandmasters in an instant, both the late-Grandmaster leader and the original pursuer were stunned.
The next moment, he turned and fled.
Just then, Ian Song's cold voice rang out: "Take one more step and I'll end you right here!"
Out of a moment of kindness, Ian Song had spared the pursuer, but the man repaid him by bringing others to kill him. If Ian hadn't been strong enough, his mercy might have put him in deadly danger. Sometimes, being too kind isn't such a good thing.
Unfortunately, the pursuer ignored Ian Song's threat and only ran faster.
Go!
With a casual wave, Ian Song summoned the Golden Howler, which transformed into a streak of golden light and shot forward.
Aagh!
A scream rang out. Over a hundred meters away, the pursuer was struck by the Golden Howler's claw, which ripped open his skull.
Meanwhile, Harriet Gu was still locked in combat with the mid-Grandmaster.
She had only broken through to early-stage Grandmaster a few months ago, but thanks to Ian Song's private guidance, her combat power had soared. Ian deliberately left her one opponent to give her live combat experience.
As for the late-Grandmaster, he was completely terrified by Ian Song's display.
Frozen in place, the late-Grandmaster didn't dare move an inch, waiting for Ian Song's verdict.
Do you want to live, or die?
Ian Song looked at him and asked.
The late-Grandmaster hurriedly replied, "Of course I want to live! Friend, I only did this because that guy egged me on. Please, can you spare me?"
Ian Song stared him down. "If I let you go, who's to say you won't spread the word about my companion fusing a High-Grade Martial Soul and bring more trouble our way?"
"I swear on my life, I won't leak a word of this to anyone." The man promised earnestly.
But I still don't trust you," Ian Song's voice grew colder, laced with killing intent.
Thud!
Suddenly, the late-Grandmaster dropped to his knees. "Friend, I swear, as long as you spare me, I won't dare breathe a word! If I break my oath, let heaven's thunder strike me down!"
I told you, I don't believe you!" Ian Song still shook his head.
Then what do you want?" The late-Grandmaster's eyes flashed with resolve. If Ian insisted on killing him, he'd fight to the death.
Seeing the moment was right, Ian Song smiled. "I have a secret art. If I touch your brow with my finger, I can tell if you're lying. Let me test you—if you're telling the truth, I'll spare your life."
Touching the brow with a finger?
Wouldn't that mean handing his life over to Ian Song?
At Ian's words, the late-Grandmaster's face twisted with deep hesitation and conflict.
Sensing his dilemma, Ian Song continued, "If you let me test you, you might survive. If you refuse, I'll kill you on the spot. One path means certain death, the other gives you a sliver of hope. It's your choice—I'll give you ten breaths to decide!"
With that, Ian Song glanced over at the nearby fight.
By now, Harriet Gu had gained the upper hand. Her ice-attribute sword art flowed with consummate skill, every strike infused with chilling Sword Intent. Under its influence, her opponent was growing increasingly stiff.
At this rate, Harriet Gu would win within a hundred moves.
Reining in his gaze, Ian Song looked playfully at the late-Grandmaster. "Made up your mind yet?"
Fine, I'll let you use your secret art to test me!" The man said bitterly.
You've made the right choice!
Ian Song stepped forward, came right up to him, and reached out to tap his brow.
Die!
At that moment, the man's sorrowful face twisted into a savage snarl.
Boom!
A fire domain erupted instantly, enveloping both him and Ian Song. At the same time, he threw a full-force punch straight at Ian's face.
You just threw away your only chance to live!
Ian Song's voice sounded in his ear.
A flash of purple lightning appeared before his eyes—and then his consciousness faded to nothing.
When the flames dissipated, Ian Song stood unharmed, while the late-Grandmaster lay dead.
Meanwhile, the two fighters across the way had been watching this side. Seeing Ian Song safe, Harriet Gu's attacks grew even sharper, while her opponent's morale collapsed, forcing him onto the defensive.
After another fifty exchanges, Harriet Gu pierced the mid-Grandmaster's throat with her sword...
Over the next quarter of an hour, Ian Song and Harriet Gu looted the corpses, then dug a pit and buried them.
Several more hours passed.
By rights, night should have fallen, but in this Martial Soul Trial World, there's no day or night.
Need a break?
Ian Song asked Harriet Gu.
I'm not tired!" Harriet Gu shook her head lightly.
Alright, let's keep searching!
Suddenly, a hint of delight appeared on Ian Song's face. He said to Harriet Gu, "Come with me!"
Ian, did you find a Martial Soul?" Harriet Gu asked.
I think so!
Soon, Ian Song and Harriet Gu arrived beneath a massive tree that one person couldn't encircle with both arms.
The tree was covered in green fruits.
Ian Song pointed at one particular fruit. "Take a look, Harriet."
Harriet Gu studied it for a while and said, "This fruit doesn't look much different from the others, but it does feel a little special."
It's probably a common Martial Soul!
With a thought, Ian Song activated his Omniversal God-Eye, a divine art that could probe the unknown across all realms.
Soon, information flooded his mind: Vitality Beast, plant-type Martial Soul, common grade. Once fused, it rapidly replenishes the host's vitality.
Ian Song's eyes lit up. The Vitality Beast might be a common Martial Soul, but its function was actually pretty useful.
Ian Song explained the Vitality Beast's function to Harriet Gu, then asked if she was interested in fusing with it.
Ian, I already have a Martial Soul. Don't you need it yourself?" Harriet Gu asked.
The military already gave me a King-Rank Martial Soul!" Ian Song said with a smile.
Hearing Ian Song had a King-Rank Martial Soul, Harriet Gu stopped worrying about him and nodded. "Alright, I'll give it a try!"
With a flicker, Harriet Gu flashed up to the branch where the Vitality Beast hung and reached out to grab it.
The moment Harriet Gu grasped the Vitality Beast, it dissolved into a stream of green liquid light and seeped into her skin.
At once, Harriet Gu's body swayed and she started falling from the tree.
In a flash, Ian Song darted forward and caught her in his arms, his eyes showing a trace of concern.