Chapter Forty-five: We Are Partners

Su Li’s gaze sharpened, fixed unblinkingly on the soaring serpent, her claws curling ever so slightly. Though merely a spirit of the artifact, she was not at all outmatched; in fact, she even seemed to have the upper hand.

As expected, the soaring serpent suddenly halted, wings beating fiercely, conjuring two enormous spheres of emerald energy. The spheres grew larger and larger, as if drawing in all the spiritual power of this small world.

Tiger Soul remarked, “This is the soaring serpent clan’s secret technique: Celestial Tempest!”

Su Li was taken aback.

Every beast possessed a unique innate skill, and depending on their lineage and rank, could even evolve new abilities. For example, in the comic “Contracted Divine Beasts,” the foolish bird had two ultimate moves: Blazing Wildfire and Ninefold Phoenix Dance.

Of course, beasts’ innate techniques gave them a unique advantage in battle; those at the pinnacle could even overwhelm cultivators of the same realm.

Throughout the entire comic, Su Li’s favorite was Fluffball’s ability: Spatial Domain! It was the greatest cheat in the story.

Spatial Domain, also known as the Power of Space, had four levels: Absolute Domain, Universal Void... The final two levels were yet to be revealed, but the first two alone had dominated the cultivation world.

Thinking of this, Su Li’s expression grew somber; from the beginning, she had never sensed the existence of Spatial Domain. What was wrong? Could it be related to the seal inside her? Or was her cultivation insufficient?

No, she quickly dismissed the thought. The comic never disclosed Fluffball’s cultivation, shrouding it in mystery and leaving a major plot point unresolved. In other words, she actually knew nothing about this beloved beast.

Damn it, how infuriating! To become the most powerful beast in history, yet accomplish nothing.

Su Li’s feelings were complicated.

Lost in thought, she heard sharp intakes of breath at her side.

Above the heavens, Shen Yu made his move. He formed a spell seal, his surging mysterious energy erupting into a shield that sealed off the battlefield above. Yet even so, the terrifying aura swept down like a storm.

Everyone’s expressions grew tense.

Ke Rongzi praised, “Chief Shen truly embodies righteousness, a model for all cultivators.” But then he added, “Yet the cyclone and energy produced by the duel will multiply—he won’t be able to withstand it.”

Everyone’s hearts tightened.

Even the youth stood rigid, tension written across his body.

Su Li looked up and saw Shen Luo’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the battle ahead.

She gently tapped his arm with her paw, catching his puzzled look reflected in her eyes. Su Li pointed at Tiger Soul, suggesting: Should we let Tiger Soul take the stage?

Shen Luo noticed she could always guess his thoughts and gave a faint smile, reaching out to rub her head. “Let’s wait a little longer.” What the chief wanted now was to fight alone—his pride and dignity as a member of the Shen family.

Everyone watched as the spheres of spiritual energy grew ever larger. The Nine-Tailed Three-Eyed Silver Wolf’s long tail surged skyward, three tails forming a defense, while the other six transformed into six massive silver arrows, launching forward with unstoppable force.

---

The artifact spirit of the soaring serpent, at the Emperor Beast level, paid no heed to its adversary. With a sweep of its wings, the enormous sphere it had charged shot toward the Nine-Tailed Three-Eyed Silver Wolf like a meteor chasing the moon.

Towering energy surged and rolled, tightening everyone’s throats.

But in a flash, while Shen Yu was caught off guard, Ancestor Shangguan suddenly raised both hands above his head, mysterious energy condensing into a giant axe, which he swung forward with all his might.

Shen Yu’s power was still concentrated on the shield; there was nowhere to dodge.

Witnessing this, everyone’s eyes widened in horror.

With a thunderous crash, the sky changed color, energy roiling all around, the fierce aura tearing open the secret realm. The sky cracked layer by layer, finally shattering into fragments.

Outside the secret realm, wild winds and rain raged, thunder rolling across the heavens.

Even within the protective shield, Shen Luo and the others were shaken, their internal energy churning, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths. They gazed skyward, and after the blinding flash, saw the Nine-Tailed Three-Eyed Silver Wolf lying in a pool of blood, while Shen Yu, using his unbroken hand, gently stroked its fur.

“You did well,” he said with a smile.

This time, his beast gave no response.

Su Li’s chest tightened with pain—was this grief for the slain silver wolf?

Shen Luo spoke, “Let’s go.”

Tiger Soul whipped its tail around him, lifting him skyward in an instant.

In that moment, Gu Hongshang hurriedly grabbed Tiger Soul’s hind leg, her body jerked away by the force. Swept up by the tail, she landed on its furry back.

The pair and their beast turned back together.

Shen Luo asked, “Why are you here?”

Gu Hongshang replied matter-of-factly, “We’re partners, aren’t we?”

Su Li was quietly moved; so was Shen Luo.

Tiger Soul’s speed was astonishing, leaving the others behind in a blur.

“We can’t afford to lag behind,” Ke Rongzi said, flicking his sleeve and flying after them.

Shen Fengling’s eyes were sharp. “Let’s go.”

Even facing powerful adversaries in the Divine Soul realm, Shen Hao and Shen Sinan felt no fear. Even the Thunderwing Bird let out a long cry, ready for battle.

---

In this moment, everyone’s courage and fighting spirit were ignited.

Above the heavens, after a fierce battle, the light and shadows gradually faded.

Ancestor Shangguan, full of pride, declared, “Shen Yu, you’re the only one left. Will you surrender or not?”

Shen Yu sneered, about to reply, when suddenly a mocking voice rang out, “The chief is not alone.”

He turned toward the voice, surprise flickering in his eyes.

On the back of the enormous white tiger beast, the blue-robed youth at the third level of Heart Movement smiled at him, “Chief.” Beside him stood a girl in red, and—Shen Yu frowned, unable to accept it—a descendant of the divine beast now appeared so round and rustic.

He took a deep breath, shifting his gaze to the snow-white zero-level beast in the youth’s arms, which lazily glanced at him. He finally confirmed this was no illusion.

The youth and his beasts had advanced so quickly! And what an odd group they made. Even after a long moment, Shen Yu was still so stunned he could hardly recover.

On the other side, Ancestor Shangguan was sizing them up, noting that the highest cultivation among them belonged to the red-clad girl at the second level of Golden Core, and found it utterly absurd. His eye twitched as he mocked, “Shen Yu, are these your reinforcements?”

Shen Yu was equally surprised. “A Luo, why are you here?” The next moment, he furrowed his brow and commanded, “Leave at once, as far away as possible…”

Before he could finish, the youth tossed something over. Shen Yu caught it, opened his hand, and found a porcelain bottle. The rich scent of medicine wafted from the mouth—sixth-grade healing pills!

“Your clansmen are still waiting for your return. Please rest on the side for now; the rest is up to us,” the youth said in a deep, steady voice.

Shen Yu was momentarily stunned.

“If this concerns the Southern Mainland, how can we let the younger generation stand at the front?”

“Count my Ancient Gate Sect in as well. Hmph, what skill is there in a sneak attack?”

…

One after another, flashes of light appeared, standing protectively before him. All the masters of the Divine Soul realm within the secret realm had now gathered together.