Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

After parting ways with Dai Mubai, Qin Jian and the others waited for another half an hour until Yu Hairou finished absorbing her Soul Ring before continuing their journey deeper into the Star Dou Forest.

However, the entire day passed without them encountering a single suitable Soul Beast.

"This is strange," Yu Hairou said from the front of the group, her brows furrowed. "We're already close to leaving the outer perimeter and entering the deeper parts of the Star Dou Forest. How is it possible that we haven't seen a single thousand-year Soul Beast?"

Hearing this, Qin Jian's eyes flickered slightly.

He knew the ultimate trial for the Skywater Battle Team was about to arrive.

"Everyone, stay vigilant," Shui Bing'er reminded, her tone cautious. "It's possible that a powerful Soul Beast is nearby, which could explain this strange situation."

The other girls nodded, immediately sharpening their focus.

Time passed slowly. Suddenly, Qin Jian's gaze snapped toward the depths of the forest.

"It's here!" he said sharply.

At this moment, the other seven hadn't noticed anything unusual.

A gentle breeze rustled through the forest, making the leaves tremble and whisper.

"Everyone! Be careful!"

A shout came from the rear. It was Yan Zhining's voice, sharp and urgent, jolting everyone into a moment of stillness.

"Whoosh!"

Out of nowhere, a streak of pink light shot through the forest, heading straight for Qin Jian with terrifying speed.

"Swish!"

Before anyone could react, Yan Zhining darted in front of Qin Jian. Her Martial Soul erupted to its fullest, and seven Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—rose around her.

She was a Soul Saint, above Rank 70!

"Bang!"

Even with her Martial Soul fully unleashed, she couldn't stop the pink light.

"Pffft…"

Yan Zhining was struck, sent flying backward, her body colliding with Qin Jian and knocking him off his feet as well.

"Instructor Zhining! Captain!"

The remaining seven shouted in alarm, but before they could react further, the pink light arced again, and a surge of overwhelming Soul Power blasted them away.

"Ahhh!"

Shui Bing'er and the others were flung against tree branches, groaning in pain as they fell to the ground.

"What…what is this thing?"

The pink light began to dissipate, and when they finally saw what had attacked them, they froze in disbelief.

It was a giant pink rabbit, standing as tall as a person!

"Swish!"

Yan Zhining, despite her injuries, moved back to the group's front, her body taut and her expression fiercely focused.

"Run! I'll buy you time!" she shouted, her voice commanding.

Without hesitation, her sixth Soul Ring flared to life.

"Sixth Soul Skill: Soul Power Amplification!"

In the next moment, her seventh Soul Ring lit up as well.

"Seventh Soul Skill: Snow Luan True Form!"

"Cryyyy!"

A massive, snow-white bird—a Snow Luan—materialized in front of them, its majestic form radiating immense power.

"Instructor Zhining is using her Martial Soul True Form! This skill has severe repercussions. This Soul Beast must be far beyond our ability to handle!" Qin Jian shouted as he positioned himself in front of the group. "Run! Now! Don't hold Instructor Zhining back!"

The seven girls finally understood the dire situation.

"Captain, what about you?" Shui Bing'er asked urgently.

"I'll be right behind you! Go now!" Qin Jian barked, his tone resolute.

His second Soul Ring glowed purple.

"Second Soul Skill: Primal Sword!"

Though the debuff skill only had a slight effect due to the vast power difference, it was still better than nothing.

"Second Soul Skill: Snow Dance Frost Grace!"

Xue Wu activated her auxiliary Soul Skills, channeling them all onto Yan Zhining.

"Go!" Qin Jian urged again, and the group reluctantly retreated toward the forest's edge.

Behind them, the sound of crashing trees and exploding debris echoed continuously. Glancing back, they saw Yan Zhining's Snow Luan being struck down repeatedly, crying out in pain.

"Captain! Should we go back and help Instructor Zhining?" Xue Wu asked hesitantly.

"Don't even think about it!" Qin Jian's voice was cold and firm. "Right now, we're only burdens to Instructor Zhining. The further we run, the better her chances of escaping."

"Listen to the captain! Don't act foolishly!" Shui Bing'er added.

"Yes!" The other six girls answered in unison.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion suddenly sounded behind them.

Turning back, they saw the Snow Luan's form shatter into nothingness. A water-blue figure was hurled through the air at astonishing speed.

"Instructor Zhining!"

Before the others could react, Qin Jian launched himself back toward her, bounding swiftly between branches to intercept her midair.

"Qin Jian!"

"Captain!"

The rest of the team immediately turned around, chasing after him without hesitation.

"Pfft!"

Yan Zhining's limp body collided with Qin Jian, sending both of them crashing to the ground. Shui Bing'er arrived next, catching the pair, but the impact sent her tumbling as well.

One by one, Xue Wu, Yu Hairou, Gu Qingbo, and the others joined in, each sacrificing themselves to absorb the force of the collision until it finally dissipated, leaving them all sprawled on the ground.

"Instructor Zhining has passed out! You take her and retreat!" Qin Jian ordered, handing Yan Zhining to Yu Hairou before sprinting forward again.

However, the seven girls didn't leave. Gritting their teeth, they followed closely behind him.

Yu Hairou passed Yan Zhining to Xue Wu. "Take care of the instructor. I'm going to help!"

But she hadn't run far when Qin Jian's body was flung back at incredible speed, colliding with Shui Bing'er. Both tumbled several times before coming to a stop.

"This is a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast! We don't stand a chance!" Qin Jian staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Run! Every person who escapes is one less life lost!"

Suddenly, a massive purple sword materialized behind him, surrounded by countless sword auras that condensed into a radiant, towering sword shadow.

"Man and Sword as One!"

For the first time, Qin Jian truly merged with his Martial Soul.

"Slash!"

Blinding sword light surged forward, colliding head-on with the incoming pink light.

"Crack…"

The sword light shattered like fragile glass.

"Buzz!"

The next moment, a pink sphere of light enveloped Qin Jian.

"Qin Jian!"

"Captain!"

The others screamed in despair, powerless to intervene. The giant pink rabbit stood before Qin Jian, preparing for a finishing blow.

"Xue Wu! Boost me with everything you've got!"

At the front, Shui Bing'er's body ignited with blazing ice flames.

Xue Wu hesitated, her face pale with fear. "Bing'er! You're too drained to summon the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul!"

"No more talking! Do it now!" Shui Bing'er commanded, her tone brooking no argument.

At that moment, she seemed like an ice goddess, stepping resolutely toward the battle.

-----------------------------

Join my patreon to access advance chapters: patreon.com / igotneonlight