Chapter 80: The Angel of Chaos

Boom!

Just as the protective shield was shattered by the Titan Giant Ape’s powerful assault, a massive surge of soul power erupted from within. That energy rebounded most of the Titan Giant Ape’s concentrated attack, sending countless light spheres hurtling back at it, battering the beast into a state of utter disarray.

Thud, thud, thud!

Footsteps echoed as a colossal figure clad in jet-black armor appeared before the Titan Giant Ape. He had a mane of lustrous golden hair, and a pair of immaculate white wings covered most of his body. Scorching flames swirled around him—this was the Martial Spirit Fusion of Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue, the warrior born from the union of Light and Darkness: the Chaos Angel!

In his right hand, he gripped a greatsword that seemed to chill the soul. One side of the blade was etched with sun, moon, and stars, the other with the torments of hell—a sword of judgment and slaughter, the Sword of Chaos's Divine Execution!

The Chaos Angel advanced in measured steps toward the Titan Giant Ape, his aura growing stronger with every stride.

Enraged, the Titan Giant Ape roared at the Chaos Angel, unleashing the remainder of its soul power and charging straight at the approaching figure.

"Slash!"

It was impossible to tell whether the voice belonged to Qian Renxue or Xiao Yu. The Chaos Angel raised his divine sword high and brought it down in a fierce arc at the leaping Titan Giant Ape.

The sword was heavy and unadorned, yet its sweep seemed to tear through everything around it—even the air itself twisted under its might.

With a sickening crack, the blade came down. The Titan Giant Ape, famed for its defense, was as vulnerable as a block of tofu; the sharp blade cleaved from its crown all the way down.

A deafening rumble followed. In an instant, the Titan Giant Ape’s mountainous form was reduced to powder, carried away by the wind, leaving not a trace that it had ever existed.

With the destruction of their formidable foe, the Martial Spirit Fusion was lifted, and the enormous figure of the Chaos Angel dissipated into streams of radiant light.

As the last light faded, the forms of Qian Renxue and Xiao Yu emerged, both pale and gasping for breath.

One strike—just one. The Chaos Angel had drained every last ounce of their soul power and nearly all their spiritual strength. Such was the terrifying power of a god-level Martial Spirit Fusion!

"Brother Xiao Yu, are you all right?"

Ye Lingling, unable to suppress her mounting concern, hurried forward to support Xiao Yu, worry etched across her face.

"I'm fine, just exhausted," Xiao Yu replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "But we must leave this place at once. We’ll have to find another way for you to obtain your fifth soul ring."

Ye Lingling nodded softly. Though Xiao Yu insisted he was fine, as a healing soul master she could easily discern the true state of both him and Qian Renxue. They were utterly spent; even a slightly stronger thousand-year soul beast could overwhelm them, let alone one of ten thousand years.

Ye Lingling summoned her martial spirit to heal Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue. The two managed to recover a fraction of their strength before the three set out toward the edge of the Star Dou Forest.

Fortunately, Xue Qinghe’s camp was on the forest’s outskirts. Aside from the powerful soul beasts brought by the Azure Bull Python, the rest were minor threats. If they had ventured deeper into the forest, retreating would have been nearly impossible.

Once out of the forest, they quickly found a small town. After securing rooms at an inn, both Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue collapsed into a deep, dreamless sleep—not meditation, but genuine slumber—their exhaustion absolute.

The next day, Milo and Aiolia arrived as well. Both were level ninety-five Titled Douluo. The small-scale beast tide launched by the Azure Bull Python was nowhere near enough to contain them.

According to the original accounts, an ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beast was roughly equivalent to a level ninety-five Titled Douluo. The Sea God White Shark King, Xiaobai, had once said as much. Even if the Azure Bull Python’s bloodline was a bit stronger, at best it would match a level ninety-six Titled Douluo.

But Milo and Aiolia were not ordinary Titled Douluo; their martial spirits were top-class, and each possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Even one-on-one, they might not lose to the Azure Bull Python—let alone together. If not for several other powerful ten-thousand-year soul beasts supporting the Azure Bull Python, the two would have beaten it handily.

After Xiao Yu and his group escaped, Milo and Aiolia soon broke free from the soul beasts’ entanglement and withdrew.

Seeing their return, Xiao Yu finally relaxed. For now, Ye Lingling’s soul ring would have to wait—returning to the Star Dou Forest was out of the question.

There was no other choice. Given the relationship between the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, it would be closely monitoring all soul masters entering the forest for years to come. Especially after its defeat, it would likely seek stronger allies. Many powerful soul beasts might not care for the Azure Bull Python or Titan Giant Ape, but after occupying the forest’s core for so long, the Azure Bull Python must possess treasures coveted even by the strongest of soul beasts. If it managed to recruit one or two more hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, Xiao Yu would truly be in dire straits.

Azure Bull Python, just you wait. One day, I will claim both your soul ring and your soul bone!

Xiao Yu swore silently in his heart.

In the days that followed, Qian Renxue once again donned the guise of Xue Qinghe, spending most of her time, like Xiao Yu, recuperating in her room. Meanwhile, she sent word to Heaven Dou City, summoning expert soul masters to escort her and Princess Xueke back to the imperial capital.

As for Princess Xueke, though Xiao Yu had restrained his spiritual assault, her own weakness meant she remained unconscious for twelve days. By the time she awoke, the envoys Emperor Xue Ye had dispatched had already arrived.

During this period, Xiao Yu also told Ye Lingling the full truth about Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue was aware of this and gave her consent. Since Ye Lingling had already witnessed so much, it was better to tell her everything, rather than risk her speculating and inadvertently revealing their secret. Given her devotion to Xiao Yu, she would be even more cautious and keep his secrets faithfully.

Ye Lingling was deeply shocked to learn Qian Renxue’s true identity—the crown prince of Heaven Dou Empire was actually the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall in disguise.

However, she had little affection for the Heaven Dou Empire, which had once tried to force her into marriage and had repeatedly pressured her family with underhanded tactics. After weighing the pros and cons with Xiao Yu, and hearing his firm assurances, she swore never to divulge the secret.