Chapter 122: The Final Gatekeeper Boss

Since Zizi could not gain any experience, all the experience points belonged solely to Qin Chuan.

After this round, Qin Chuan’s experience and essence surged dramatically.

Evolution Points: 542 million / 1.664 billion
Experience: 4.668 billion / 13.312 billion
Rage: 20 / 100
Kill Count: 20,648 / 40,000
Five Elements Essence: 410 / 2,000

The three thieves cut through thorns and brambles, finally arriving at the Eight-Star Life and Death Path leading to the Nine-Star Region.

The Eight-Star Life and Death Path serves as the final checkpoint on the Life and Death Path, so the guardian spirit beasts here were not just strong—they were terrifyingly powerful.

Having been frequent travelers on the Life and Death Path, Qin Chuan and his companions bore no fear, instead feeling lighthearted and even jovial.

At the end of the path, a crimson spirit beast sat like a mountain blocking the way, wielding a blood-red scythe more than three meters long—its ferocity apparent at a glance.

It sat with eyes closed, expression calm and steady, as if it had been there for countless years.

The earth beneath its massive frame was compressed deep into the ground, becoming rock-solid and unyielding.

An elusive orange glow shimmered around it, and a purple spirit pearl embedded on its forehead seemed to proclaim its immense power.

Seeing this, the three thieves slowly came to a halt. Qin Chuan once more shielded Zizi and Sleepybug behind him.

“I once thought no spirit creature could reach this place, but today’s arrival truly surprises me.”

With a low, rumbling voice, the guardian spirit beast slowly opened its eyes, releasing a dazzling light.

Its aura and presence unquestionably marked it as a master.

It rose to its full height, towering above even the colorful purple spirit beast they had encountered before, exuding strength and majesty. The gleaming giant scythe alone was enough to instill fear.

Zizi and Sleepybug instinctively retreated a few paces, sensing from its aura alone how terrifying this creature was.

Yet the giant beast paid no mind to them, focusing intently on Qin Chuan.

It keenly sensed the complexity of Qin Chuan’s aura, regarding him as its sole opponent.

Such calm composure and patience truly earned it the title of master.

This was the guardian spirit beast of the Eight-Star Life and Death Path—the Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast.

*Thud, thud, thud!*

The Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast advanced with heavy footsteps, closing the distance to within twenty meters of Qin Chuan in mere strides.

Its approach seemed slow yet swift, creating an almost surreal feeling.

“Ding! Detected a fourth-rank inferior-grade Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast, unique quality, level 30.”

Qin Chuan had already anticipated the beast’s formidable strength, and the system’s alert confirmed his suspicions.

The difference between fourth and third rank was monumental—a gulf akin to heaven and earth.

The vengeful spirits' innate dread of colorful toxic mists was deeply rooted in their spirit cores.

Thus, vengeful spirits dared not come here; even if they did, they could not escape the beast’s crimson toxic mist.

As the final boss guarding the path, the Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast’s attributes and skills were unmatched.

Crimson Scythe Slash (Active): Stage one is a level 3 spinning slash, sweeping targets within five meters with blade aura; each level increases sharpness by 10%. The user is immune during execution. Stage two is a level 4 jumping slash, marking targets hit in stage one; any jump slash within ten meters hits guaranteed, with sharpness increasing 5% per level.

Balance (Exclusive Passive): Equalizes all attribute stats and increases all attributes by 150%, no level requirement.

Giant Scythe Cut (Passive): Each attack deals an additional 5% cutting damage, currently at level 9.

Crimson Spirit Fury Scythe (Active): Stuns targets within five meters for three seconds and summons eight scythe phantoms to bombard the target for three seconds. Cooldown 20 seconds, reduced by 1 second per level, currently level 9.

Crimson Spirit Toxic Mist (Active): Releases a ten-meter radius red toxic mist causing damage over three seconds, damage proportional to the target’s resilience. Duration extends by 0.5 seconds per level, currently level 5.

Judging by these skills, the Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast is undoubtedly a fierce attacker, but the Balance passive turns it into a formidable all-rounder.

This passive compensates for the typically lower speed in heavy attackers, making it truly terrifying.

Its base attributes were shockingly high, averaging over 1600 in each stat.

Such stats could crush the spirit creatures of the Illusionary Jungle into despair.

Clearly, Qin Chuan had encountered yet another overwhelmingly powerful adversary, one who was calm and unruffled.

“This is a formidable opponent, even more fearsome than the Ancient Vine Black Dragon Sword.”

In that instant, Qin Chuan made a decisive judgment, and a sense of vigilance naturally arose.

“Level 28 Cold Jade Dragon Pattern Sword, unique quality.”

The Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast halted at twenty meters, sensing Qin Chuan’s faint yet complex aura, making an accurate assessment.

“Not bad, you are no weakling either—a fourth-rank inferior-grade Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast, unique quality.”

Despite facing this formidable foe, Qin Chuan remained unfazed, speaking with calm assurance.

Zizi and Sleepybug both swallowed hard, never expecting this Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast to also possess the rare unique quality.

At this moment, Zizi’s heart filled with concern. She silently thought, “Chuan, you must be careful!”

The Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast nodded in respect.

“To have come this far, no matter what, you are an opponent worthy of my attention.”

*Buzz!*

Qin Chuan’s sword humbly trembled, emitting a faint orange glow.

“I am glad to meet a worthy adversary like you. This will be a challenging trial for me.”

Qin Chuan’s poise and confidence earned the beast’s admiration, who then spoke in a deep voice:

“Very well, then show me your true skill.”

As the beast’s words fell, silence enveloped the Life and Death Path, so profound that even falling leaves could be heard.

Zizi and Sleepybug felt immense pressure, barely daring to breathe, lest they disturb Qin Chuan.

At this moment, both sides were analyzing each other’s skills and attributes.

The unknown always represented the greatest variable in battle.

From its form and weapon, Qin Chuan was certain the Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast was a fierce attacker.

But its terrifying speed astounded him—it was clearly an all-rounder with an absurdly high speed stat.

From its approach moments ago, Qin Chuan estimated its speed to be around 1600+.

Qin Chuan himself only had about 1160+ speed—a significant gap.

This difference of over 400 speed points was nearly crushing.

While Qin Chuan analyzed his opponent, the Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast was doing the same.

“This sword is sharp; its sharpness must be high, likely a ranged attacker.”

“Ranged attackers have versatile skills, even multi-stage movements.”

“Though ranged attackers have decent speed, it cannot compare to mine; resilience is even less.”

“Therefore, in resilience and speed, I hold a crushing advantage.”

“The only unknown is the variability and effect of the opponent’s skills.”

“Thus, forcing the opponent to expend all skills is the key to my victory.”

The Colorful Crimson Spirit Beast’s analysis was thorough, pinpointing the battle’s critical points.

With this strategy clear, it made its move.

With several deceptive maneuvers, the beast closed in near Qin Chuan, lifting its giant scythe in a sweeping strike.

In Qin Chuan’s mind, this grueling battle had officially begun.