Chapter 115: Sudden Assault, Dugu Yan Injured
Within the Hunting Soul Forest, in a shallow depression—
A Crocodile King slowly collapsed, and a pale yellow spirit ring rose from its body.
Standing before the corpse were three sturdy youths.
Surprisingly, each of them had two yellow spirit rings circling around them.
All three were Spirit Masters above Rank 20.
However, the one in the middle…
Looked a little round.
On closer inspection—this wasn't sturdiness.
This was clearly fat.
With a chubby face, thick brows, and bright eyes, along with a cheerful smile hanging at the corner of his lips, he didn't give off an unpleasant impression.
This was none other than the little fatty who, back when Dugu Bo sent Meng Yiran to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, had mentioned being thrown into a Spirit Beast forest for training during the holidays.
In his hand, he held a heavy turtle-shell shield engraved with mysterious patterns.
The two youths beside him had bodies covered in granite-like muscles.
Despite their build, the thick turtle shells covering their chests and backs caused them to hunch slightly.
Their appearances were similar—square faces and honest expressions.
They were the Shi brothers from the original story—Shi Mo and Shi Mo.
The two patted the little fatty's shoulder.
"Xiao Yi, well done."
The boy scratched his head sheepishly.
"You flatter me, Big Brother, Second Brother."
Scenes like this played out throughout the Hunting Soul Forest.
However, aside from Dugu Yan's group, Yu Tianheng's group, and the Shi brothers' team—
Almost no one else had the strength or courage to hunt hundred-year Spirit Beasts.
Most students lingered in the outer regions.
Because of this, Dugu Yan's group roamed for quite some time without encountering any other teams.
Of course, to maintain peak condition, they rested periodically to recover Spirit Power and stamina.
So in reality, they hadn't explored too far.
At this moment—
They had just killed a hundred-year Swift Wind Demon Wolf.
They were preparing to clean up the battlefield before finding a place to rest and recover.
Hidden in the shadows—
The thousand-year Tiger Demon Cat was still watching them.
It had followed them for quite some time and had already grasped their abilities.
And now—
After a battle—
This was when they were at their weakest.
The Tiger Demon Cat's eyes were filled with hatred.
Its cyan-black aura circulated as its small body tensed like a drawn bow.
The opportunity it had been waiting for… had finally arrived.
Whoosh—!
With a sudden burst of power from its hind legs, it shot out of the bushes like a black shadow—
Straight toward Ye Lingling.
After observing for so long, it had already determined—
Although Ye Lingling was the weakest in combat, as long as she was present, no matter how severely Dugu Yan or Meng Yiran were injured, they would recover quickly.
So its first target—
Had to be her.
"Lingling, watch out!"
Dugu Yan reacted first.
Spirit Power surged as her figure flashed forward without hesitation—
Blocking in front of Ye Lingling.
Slash!
The Tiger Demon Cat's claws tore across Dugu Yan's chest.
Warm blood splashed outward—some even landing on Ye Lingling's face.
Ye Lingling's eyes widened, her mind going blank as she stared at Dugu Yan's back.
Ever since Meng Yiran joined them, she had thought her relationship with Dugu Yan had faded.
She believed it was because she wasn't strong enough… and her background couldn't compare to Meng Yiran's.
That Meng Yiran had become the "new favorite," while she, the "old one," had been left behind.
But in this moment—
When danger came—
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate to stand in front of her.
Only then did Ye Lingling realize how foolish her thoughts had been.
Dugu Yan spat out a mouthful of poison, forcing the Tiger Demon Cat back.
Meng Yiran immediately released her Martial Soul and stepped in front of Dugu Yan, staring intently at the beast.
"Lingling Jie, hurry and heal Yan-yan Jie!"
But the Tiger Demon Cat had been observing them for too long.
How could it give them such an opportunity?
"Meow—!"
With a sharp cry, it moved again.
Its speed was terrifying—so fast it was almost impossible to follow.
At the instant it launched forward, its body had already leapt out—
Yet an identical afterimage remained in place.
Only when it had already passed Meng Yiran and reached Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling did the afterimage fade.
"Be careful, Yan-yan Jie! It's too fast!" Meng Yiran shouted in alarm.
But Dugu Yan didn't need the warning.
Her expression had never been more serious.
Yet—
She couldn't retreat.
Because behind her—
Was Ye Lingling.
She could only open her mouth and release a cloud of purple poison—
Jade phosphorus Purple Poison—in an attempt to block the attack.
But this was a thousand-year Tiger Demon Cat.
Its speed and reactions were far beyond that of a hundred-year one.
With a slight flutter of its small wings—
It easily avoided the poison.
Its body curved midair—
And lunged directly at Ye Lingling again.
Its target was clear—
The support Spirit Master.
Dugu Yan would never allow it.
She wrapped an arm around Ye Lingling's slender waist and swung her tail—imbued with Jade phosphorus—with full force toward the Tiger Demon Cat.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
The emerald scales on her tail were torn away.
Because her tail struck sideways against the claws, the Tiger Demon Cat was knocked spinning away, preventing its deadly strike from landing fully.
But even so—
That blow was not easy to endure.
The impact sent Dugu Yan flying backward uncontrollably—
Straight toward Meng Yiran.
Bang!
She crashed heavily onto the ground, still holding Ye Lingling.
Blood poured from her chest, soaking her clothes.
Ye Lingling's heart clenched at the sight.
Her eyes reddened.
"Yan-yan, I'll heal you right now!"
But Dugu Yan stopped her.
"Not yet… that beast won't give us the chance."
Not far away, the Tiger Demon Cat didn't rush in.
Its blood-red eyes locked onto them, filled with killing intent, ready to strike again at any moment.
Dugu Yan slowly stood up—
Still shielding Ye Lingling behind her.
Meng Yiran looked at her with worry.
"Yan-yan Jie, are you okay?"
Dugu Yan's face was pale, but she waved it off.
"I'm fine."
"Use that move."
"If we don't kill this beast… it won't give me the chance to receive Lingling's healing."