Chapter 243 – Vengeance of the Soul Destroyer
"Brother Tianmeng, the three soul tools in your hands…"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, they're very good… and look very powerful."
"Of course they are. This is the culmination of my hard work—especially this chain. It doesn't just attack the physical body, it targets the soul directly. I even made a low-end, mass-production model. With minor modifications, it can be distributed to every guardian of the Soul Palace in the future. Imagine it—an elite force of black-clad guardians and elders, all wielding chains designed by me. Hehehe, I'm amazing!"
Xiao Qiang: "…"
That ominous laugh, the chains, the Soul Palace, black uniforms… just don't run into a Yan Emperor in the future.
"No more talking. This time, I'll round up another batch of 100,000-year soul beasts to replenish our Soul Palace's ranks. While I'm at it, they can suffer a bit too. They'll repay what I endured—twice over."
Xiao Qiang activated his simulated soul skill, his figure vanishing. With the aid of spiritual detection, a detailed map of soul beasts—from ten thousand to one hundred thousand years old—lit up in Tianmeng's mind. Without hesitation, the black chain lashed out, piercing a 10,000-year-old soul beast. Then, ignoring its final wail, Tianmeng threw the body into the undead space.
He hunted them one by one. Every hundred-thousand-year soul beast outside the Lake of Life was taken down. Some may have had no part in Tianmeng's torment, but this wasn't about justice. It was revenge. If he killed one in every two, at least half the guilty would be punished.
The memories of being devoured alive were too painful. Tianmeng had no intention of sorting out the innocent from the guilty. Anyone who had benefited from his torment was a target.
Years of living with Xiao Qiang had refined Tianmeng's methods. He worked efficiently and cleanly. Any soul beast that showed up to investigate was immediately incapacitated. Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were enemies. Those under that threshold? Just resources.
Soon, the disappearance of so many beasts alarmed the fierce beasts of the Xingdou Great Forest. Di Tian brought Bi Ji. Xiong Jun brought Chi Wang. Wan Yao Wang brought Zi Ji. They split up in three directions to investigate.
Spotting Zi Ji traveling with the Ten Thousand Demon King, Xiao Qiang silently assessed the battlefield. "The Ten Thousand Demon King has a cultivation of over 500,000 years—about equal to a Control-Type Ultimate Douluo. Tough, but not invincible. As long as we avoid his control abilities, he's manageable."
"Don't worry," Tianmeng added. "Among soul beasts, only those far below him can be controlled by him. At his level, Control-types don't dominate the battlefield anymore. He can suppress 200,000- or 300,000-year beasts, or a level 97 human Titled Douluo, but he's no real threat to someone like me."
"And Bear Lord?" Xiao Qiang asked.
"He's always clashed with Di Tian, but doesn't dare challenge him directly. If Di Tian falls, Bear Lord would be next in line as king—not the Ten Thousand Demon King. That coward lacks ambition."
"Then how should we approach this, Brother Tianmeng?"
"Simple. Hit them hard and fast. The Ten Thousand Demon King relies on poison and mass plant control. But your Sharingan resists toxins naturally, and we won't give him time for a coordinated defense. Originally, I planned to just capture Zi Ji—but since her escort came too, we'll take him as a bonus. One more ring, one more soul bone."
With the decision made, Tianmeng launched himself toward the Ten Thousand Demon King. Sensing the threat, the plant-type beast immediately extended hundreds of vines in defense. At the same time, he rooted himself into the forest floor, channeling the forest's energy and signaling his allies via plant-based soul beasts.
He made the best decision he could, but it wasn't enough.
Tianmeng wielded his sword with lethal precision. Like Xiao Qiang, he'd trained under Xue Di. Though he couldn't match her in pure skill, his technique was more than enough to carve through the Ten Thousand Demon King's vines. Dozens of tendrils were sliced in an instant.
Zi Ji sensed the danger and tried to transform to intervene—but before she could finish, a spear shot out and skewered her, immobilizing her.
Seeing Tianmeng approach, panic surged through the Ten Thousand Demon King's mind. He began shouting in desperation.
"Wait—don't kill me! You don't have to absorb my soul ring! If you need one, I can—"
"Lie down."
Tianmeng didn't let him finish. As he closed in, the sword vanished and a brick appeared in his hand—one crafted from a 100,000-year soul bone, powered by the magic of Electrolux and Xiao Qiang's Mangekyō Sharingan.
All of Tianmeng's spiritual and soul power converged on the brick.
With a crunch, the brick met the Ten Thousand Demon King's skull. Dazed, the beast's eyes rolled back.
Tianmeng didn't stop.
He slammed the brick down dozens more times, venting years of pain and humiliation. Whether it was fury or catharsis, he only stopped when Zi Ji, finally breaking free from the spear, leapt toward him.
Too late.
The black chain appeared again and pierced through both her and the Ten Thousand Demon King, binding them. Their soul power became sluggish and uncontrollable.
A spatial rift opened—Electrolux's undead space. Tianmeng hurled them inside without resistance.
A roar erupted behind them.
"How dare you!"
Di Tian's furious voice echoed through the forest.
Tianmeng sneered, turning his head.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
He smirked, golden Sharingan gleaming.
"Remember my name—Soul Destroying Life."