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Just as Shawn Young was warily scanning his surroundings, searching for the person hiding in the shadows, a strange noise suddenly came from behind him. A glimmer of light shot over from the distance and, in an instant, turned into a fireball. It flew to within three meters of him and exploded with a loud "Bang!" In a flash, it became a mass of pitch-black, viscous matter, strikingly similar to a stone, giving off a sheen like a polished pebble and radiating a fierce, sinister energy.
"Ah! *Soulstone*!" Shawn Young was shocked, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He felt a chill run through his body, because he knew that the *Soulstone* was not truly a stone, but a deadly artifact forged by high-level cultivators using their own power and blood. It was a personal magical weapon—created by channeling one's vital energy and blood, and could resonate with its owner. For example, ancient sword cultivators would nourish their flying swords with their own essence, achieving a state of 'unity between man and sword.'
Similarly, the *Soulstone*, like other personal magical weapons, would show different colors depending on the sect and cultivation method. Most Soulstones forged by high-level Buddhist or Taoist cultivators were dazzling and multicolored, shining brightly. Both Buddhist and Taoist experts could use Soulstones as personal protective weapons, subduing demons and wielding incredible powers!
On the flip side, those who practiced dark arts, forbidden techniques, or twisted paths could also forge their own *Soulstones* once their powers reached a high level. Their *Soulstones* were terrifying, filled with brutal, evil energy. These people were ruthless and thought differently from normal folks—willing to do anything, even sell their own grandma, to achieve their goals. When they refined their *Soulstone* into a magical weapon, it became unbelievably powerful! If struck by one, even the strongest could have their soul ripped out instantly!
But everything in the world is made of yin and yang, energies intertwined, regardless of type. Most personal magical weapons drain their owner's vitality. The methods for forging such weapons are extremely rare and dangerous, so after many years, few cultivators bother to make personal magical weapons anymore. Even Shawn Young had only ever read about them in the *Codex of Ascension*, never seen one in person. Now, seeing this legendary *Soulstone* for the first time, he was naturally stunned!
Reacting quickly, Shawn Young focused his mind, swept his hands before his chest, and channeled his power to create a transparent defensive barrier. The Soulstone smashed into the barrier, and Shawn felt the space before him go empty—"Boom!" The barrier cracked with a strange hiss, and in the blink of an eye, the Soulstone's terrifying energy swallowed and tore through it, continuing to howl straight for Shawn's face.
"Ah—" Shawn Young truly felt he was about to step into the underworld. In that instant, he finally understood just how fierce and domineering the Soulstone was—his defensive barrier had been torn apart with zero effort. When he tried to summon more protective energy and create a stronger shield, he realized his vital energy was already too depleted to support such powerful magic.
Shawn Young could feel the Soulstone radiating an unbelievably evil and domineering aura. His mind went blank with fear—dodging was out of the question, and he froze in place. Just as life and death hung in the balance, a figure darted in from the side and threw themselves at Shawn, shielding him with their own body.
"Splurt—" The Soulstone struck the person's back without mercy. Instantly, their body went stiff, and a shrill scream burst out: "Master—save—me—!" The person collapsed into Shawn's arms, limp as if their bones had been sucked dry. After the Soulstone struck, it carried off a faint human silhouette—the person's soul—rushing up into the sky.
"Mai! Mai, talk to me—what's wrong?!" Only then did Shawn Young realize it was Mai Kanda who had thrown herself in front of him at the last second. He clutched her limp body, squeezed her hand, and called out frantically.
But Mai Kanda couldn't get a word out. She just gave Shawn a look—those gorgeous eyes shining with comfort and crazy devotion. Her body trembled, her hands and feet turned ice-cold, frost creeping over them. Even her pupils became this weird white mist, and her cute face went pitch black in seconds.
"No—Mai—don't!" Shawn Young was freaking out, clutching her stiffening body and yelling his lungs out, heart twisted in knots.
"Heh heh heh—Stupid brat, now you know what they mean by 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' Today, I'll let you taste the pain of losing someone you care about! I'm taking An Tianqi to Hong Kong. The woman in your arms is an Iga Shinobi traitor. I'll send her soul back to Japan and turn her into a puppet ninja—to avenge Hayato Falcon! But if you want to save her, come find me!" Daniel Feathercloud's sinister laughter echoed from above Shawn Young's head.
Shawn Young looked up at the gaping hole in the hospital building and saw Daniel Feathercloud standing there, grinning wickedly down at him.
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"You bastard—I'm going to kill you right now!" Furious, Shawn Young leapt to his feet, roaring as he tried to unleash all his vital energy to blast Daniel Feathercloud into oblivion. But as soon as he tried, his energy wouldn't gather for the spell he wanted, his legs went weak, and darkness clouded his vision—he realized his vital energy was nearly spent!
"Heh heh—out of tricks, kid? Well, I'm out of time to play with you today. Your friends are coming, so if you want to catch me, come to Hong Kong! We'll see whose magic is stronger!" Daniel Feathercloud sneered, not attacking Shawn Young further—he was badly injured himself and couldn't risk a fight. Sirens were already wailing outside the psychiatric hospital.
"Damn it—trying to run? Stay right there!" Shawn Young shouted at the rooftop, desperate to stop Daniel Feathercloud from escaping, knowing Mai Kanda's soul would be lost if he got away.
"Only a fool stays behind—I'm outta here! Heh heh heh—" Daniel Feathercloud laughed arrogantly, turned, and leapt off the building. He spread his arms like a giant black bat, swooping over the hospital wall and vanishing without a trace!
"Daniel Feathercloud, you damn bastard—stay right there! I'll crack your eggs and feed them to stray dogs!" Shawn Young was too weak to chase after him, cursing furiously as he stomped toward the stairs, determined to do whatever it took to intercept Daniel Feathercloud.
He had barely taken a few steps when a figure suddenly blocked his path. Shawn Young looked up and saw Fiona Nangong standing in his way. Without thinking, he shouted, "Move! Don't block me—"
"Shawn, snap out of it! Our people are already chasing that bastard. Right now, you need to see if there's any way to save Mai Kanda!" Fiona Nangong didn't budge, practically screaming at Shawn Young, her voice shrill enough to shatter glass.
Shawn Young stopped dead in his tracks. Fiona Nangong's yell snapped him out of his scrambled mess of a brain, and suddenly—bam! Inspiration struck. He remembered a trick from the *Codex of Ascension* for dealing with the *Soulstone*. It couldn't bring Mai Kanda back right away, but it could lock down her Primordial Spirit, keep her stolen soul from being used, and protect her mind. That'd buy him time to hunt down Daniel Feathercloud and snatch her soul back. Lucky for him, he had exactly what he needed. He spun around and dashed straight to Mai Kanda's side.