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At Fang Yang's command, the six moved in seamless formation—cautiously advancing into the Mixed Zone.
Every martial soul was subtly active, soul power coursing through meridians—poised for sudden combat.
The Rebellion Intermediate Platform's true trial had just begun.
This Mixed Zone—habitat of thousand-year and ten-thousand-year beasts—was nothing like the outer regions.
Here, spirit beasts were not only stronger, but fiercely territorial.
Each apex beast claimed exclusive dominion, making encounters rarer but deadlier.
Fang Yang and Gu Yue expanded their spiritual senses, scanning for threats.
Suddenly—Fang Yang's voice dropped to a whisper:
"Careful—beast approaching!"
Instantly, the squad snapped into combat stance—soul power coiled like springs.
A black blur darted through the trees—rustling leaves echoing.
Then—the beast emerged.
A giant baboon, 1.5 meters tall, its brown-gold fur gleaming like metal under sunlight.
Feral brown eyes blazed with malice, arms so long they brushed its knees.
Razor-sharp claws could shred tree trunks effortlessly.
Most terrifying—sabre-like fangs bared in a snarl, radiating bone-chilling menace.
"Watch out—it's a Thousand-Year Wind Baboon! It launches wind blades!" Gu Yue warned sharply.
Before she finished—
THREE MORE Wind Baboons leapt from the underbrush, encircling them.
All four snarled simultaneously, wind energy swirling violently around them.
Fang Yang's mind flashed to legend:
Ten thousand years ago, the Spirit Ice Douluo—Huo Yuhao, God of Emotions—nearly died to a mere ten-year Wind Baboon!
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Crimson wind blades shredded the air, screaming toward them.
Tang Wulin's eyes flashed with resolve.
His third purple soul ring blazed.
"Third Soul Skill: Blue Silver Prison!"
Blue Silver Grass erupted, weaving a dense barrier of vines.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Wind blades shattered against the lattice.
Simultaneously, thick Blue Silver Grass snared the baboons' ankles, rooting them momentarily.
"NOW!" Xie Xie and Zhang Yangzi lunged in unison.
"First Soul Skill: Light Dragon Blade!"
Xie Xie's first yellow ring ignited—his Light Dragon Dagger slashing a golden arc at the leftmost baboon.
Zhang Yangzi roared, Shadow Phantasm Eagle martial soul engulfing him.
His second yellow ring flared—"Second Soul Skill: Eagle's Skyward Strike!"
A shadowy eagle phantom soared upward, unleashing a storm at another baboon.
Wang Jinxi's Bone Dragon King martial soul activated instantly.
A deep dragon's growl rumbled from his throat.
His first yellow ring shone—"First Soul Skill: Bone Dragon Claw!"
His arm swelled grotesquely, morphing into a massive bone claw, dripping with dark, toxic energy as it lashed toward Tang Wulin's restrained baboon.
"The last one's mine," Gu Yue murmured.
Blue light coalesced in her palms, ambient temperature plummeting.
Fang Yang nodded—but his spiritual awareness remained locked on the surroundings, guarding against hidden threats or rival Soul Masters.
In this lethal Mixed Zone, danger could strike any second…
—
In the Spirit Pagoda control room, attendants watched the feed.
"Impressive—they handled four Thousand-Year Wind Baboons effortlessly," one remarked. "Their synergy is flawless."
Wu Zhangkong stood silently, eyes never leaving the screen.
Three months of Platform trials had forged their combat instincts.
True strength wasn't just cultivation or soul skills—it was executing power under pressure.
Many Soul Masters faltered in real fights, unable to unleash their potential.
But Wu Zhangkong had built Class Zero's foundation: to fight at 120% capacity when it mattered.
As he always said: "A Soul Master's purpose is combat—not decoration."
"And growth happens fastest in battle."
—
The dust settled.
Four dense purple energy orbs coalesced above the baboon corpses.
"Rest and absorb their energy," Fang Yang ordered. "I'll guard."
"Fang Yang—you absorb too. I'll guard," Gu Yue insisted.
He stepped forward, taking her hand gently.
"Alright. Call me if anything happens."
"Mm," she nodded—a tender glint in her eyes.
The five formed a circle, sitting cross-legged to absorb.
Gu Yue stood guard beside Fang Yang—purple energy swirling around them, visibly thickening their soul power.
Thousand-Year Wind Baboon energy was leagues richer than ordinary beasts.
---
Moments later
"My first soul spirit evolved—it's now at the Thousand-Year level!" Tang Wulin beamed, eyes snapping open.
"Mine too!" Xie Xie followed.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi woke with matching grins—their soul spirits also upgraded.
Fang Yang opened his eyes calmly. "My Thousand-Year soul spirit still needs a bit more."
They nodded in understanding—Fang Yang's power demands were on another scale entirely.
After absorption, Fang Yang turned to Gu Yue. "Thank you for guarding us."
"I'm fine," she shook her head softly.
"Rest now," he urged gently.
"Mm…" Gu Yue's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But I want to rest… in your arms."
Fang Yang chuckled, settling into a cross-legged pose.
Gu Yue nestled into his embrace, melting against him.
He wrapped an arm around her—yet his eyes never stopped scanning the treeline.
Tang Wulin's group stood vigilant—no objections.
Gu Yue had guarded them—now it was their turn.
They sharpened their senses, watching the shadows like hawks.
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