Chapter Forty-Two: A Narrow Escape (Part 2)

An overwhelming sense of dread surged up from the depths of their hearts, a crisis so intense it left everyone completely shrouded in foreboding. Their minds continued to race, but their limbs grew sluggish, and even the simplest act of breathing became increasingly difficult.

Scarlet Python’s Roar—a soul skill among Rogers’s most powerful—could amplify the strength in his arms severalfold in an instant, and so too would the might of his unleashed soul skill multiply by the same measure. Suddenly, the serpentine spear in Rogers’s grasp shot forth a terrifying burst of force. Not only that, but the viridian energy erupted in blinding flashes, shining like the heart of night itself. Waves of danger poured out. With a thunderous roar, that dazzling light condensed, transforming instantly into a colossal scarlet python formed entirely of pure energy. Its head alone spanned over two meters wide, and Rogers, arms swollen with augmented strength, wielded it with casual ease, driving the python straight toward Weir and the others.

Only then did everyone truly grasp the terror of a Grand Soulmaster. The massive python of energy struck like lightning, its explosive force shattering every tree in its path to splinters and carving a gully half a meter deep and nearly three meters wide into the earth.

In that split second, even the ever-calm Weir could do nothing but freeze—there was no chance to dodge, no time to even think of escape. The python’s approach was too fast, so swift that it left no room for reaction. One moment, the python had just formed; the next, it was already before them, radiating the wildest, most destructive power. In that instant, a single thought flashed through all their minds: We’re doomed.

But just then, a silver-white flash tore through the night, piercing Rogers’s viridian glare and planting itself firmly between the python and its prey.

“What!?”

Rogers hadn’t expected interference at this moment, but his confidence—strong to the point of arrogance—left him unconcerned. He poured even more strength into his arms, pushing the viridian energy to its very limits, intent on pulverizing this meddler beneath his scarlet python.

“Silver Wolf’s Starving Howl!”

The figure who blocked the python suddenly erupted in blinding silver-white light, and an enormous silver wolf manifested from his body. At almost the same instant, his frame swelled to several times its former size, from just over a meter tall to nearly two-point-seven or two-point-eight meters. His hands became two gleaming silver claws, and he threw back his head to let out a wolf’s howl, regal as a true king of wolves.

With a burst, the nearly meter-long silver claws slashed straight for the python. White and green light clashed and mingled, illuminating the midnight forest in a surreal, dreamlike splendor.

Boom!

The two forces collided, unleashing a deafening, thunderous blast. The ground split open with several terrifying fissures that extended dozens of meters before finally halting. Wild gales howled, whipping up choking clouds of dust and sending fragments of stone and debris flying.

It was a long time before the swirling dust finally cleared to reveal two figures. One, of course, was Rogers, the Grand Soulmaster assassin. When Weir saw the other, a peculiar expression flashed across his face. “Why is he here!?”

The serpentine spear in Rogers’s hand had returned to normal, but his black robe was reduced to tatters by the blast. His face was deathly pale, and he seemed to struggle for breath before he suddenly spat a mouthful of blood. Standing before him was none other than the Grand Soulmaster guard who had given Weir so many headaches—East.

“A fourth-order Grand Soulmaster!?” East exclaimed, shock written all over his face. His beastly transformation faded, his arms trembling uncontrollably, thin trickles of blood dripping to the earth.

With a crisp snap, the nearly meter-long silver claw on East’s hand shattered into dust.

Seeing East arrive, Charlesburg nearly leapt off the ground with joy. But faced with the aftermath, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, abruptly plummeted, and his fleeting happiness turned to stunned disbelief.

Charlesburg knew East’s strength well—a second-order Grand Soulmaster, a rank respected throughout the Vera Empire. But to his shock, the assassin’s level was even higher—fourth-order Grand Soulmaster, a power on par with the masters of the great temples!

Damn it! Could the Spirit Hall truly have sent a temple master to assassinate me? The thought made Charlesburg shiver. Meanwhile, East had already conjured a new pair of silver energy claws, casting a strange glance at Weir.

“My lord, please, you must leave at once!” East’s words were clearly meant for Charlesburg, who wasted no time. With a hasty nod, he turned and fled into the depths of the forest.

“Hmph, do you really think you can escape?” Rogers snorted coldly and prepared to pursue, but East calmly stepped into his path, his face grave as never before. Wielding his razor-sharp energy claws, he declared, “You want to chase him? Fine. But you’ll have to step over my corpse first!”

“You’re just a second-order Grand Soulmaster—do you really think you can stop me?” Rogers sneered, brandishing his serpentine spear in challenge.

“I may not be your match, but I can wound you as I did before! I know the gap between us, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t care—as long as you’re not afraid to die as well…”

At these words, a trace of seriousness finally appeared on Rogers’s face. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly before he gestured behind him. In the blink of an eye, three figures emerged from the darkness.

“Go after him. Spare no thought for your lives. If there’s any resistance, kill without mercy!”