Chapter 26: Second Soul Skill, Flesh Thorns
Lin Yang flipped up and stood atop the carriage, his gaze sweeping across the figures emerging from the darkness in the distance.
This group of bandits numbered about twenty, dressed in a ragtag fashion and wielding blades and axes, their eyes flashing with greed and malice.
However, it was certain that this was just a motley crew composed of Soul Masters and bandits.
Among the dozens of people, only two or three were surrounded by White Soul Rings.
"Form a formation! Protect the cargo!"
Phil also saw those greedy hyenas.
Although nervous, he had traveled the north and south for many years, so he immediately steadied his mind and shouted sternly.
The guards quickly backed against the carriages, their spears pointed outward in unison, forming a simple defensive circle.
"Lord Lin."
Hearing Phil's shout, a sharp light flashed in Lin Yang's eyes, and two yellow Soul Rings shone brightly in the darkness beneath his feet.
This was naturally the result of Lin Yang using "Blindfold" to distort their senses.
If he truly revealed the colors of two thousand-year spirit rings, it would be far too shocking.
Even so, two hundred-year spirit rings, a standard combination, still caused a massive stir among the bandits.
"A Soul Master! There's a Two-Ring Great Soul Master!"
A bandit cried out in shock.
Those who were originally blinded by greed, upon seeing those two yellow Soul Rings symbolizing power and rank,
felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them, and fear surged in their eyes.
Just as some began to hesitate, a Ghost-headed Greatsword instantly split a bandit in half.
A one-eyed burly man, surrounded by one white and one yellow Soul Ring, looked coldly at the others around him, his face twisted with ferocity.
"Let's see who else dares to retreat!"
Seeing this, the bandits could only grit their teeth and charge forward.
Charging might not result in death, but not charging certainly would.
Lin Yang didn't care what they thought; his second Soul Ring quickly lit up.
Lin Yang casually flicked a drop of blood, which rapidly mutated in the air, turning into blood-red thorns.
Demon God Body Second Soul Skill: Flesh Thorns!
These thorns grew and spread wildly at an incredible speed.
Densely covered in spikes, they were hard yet possessed great resilience, like living caltrops.
These thorns acted like a giant net, descending upon the bandits.
The sharp spikes easily pierced skin and tore through flesh.
Upon absorbing fresh blood, the thorns would immediately take root, growing and reproducing by feeding on the blood.
Until the host was completely dead!
Accompanied by cries of agony, the bandits at the very front were instantly submerged in a forest of thorns.
"This guy is tough! Take out that kid first!"
The one-eyed burly man roared.
He knew very well that they couldn't drag this out any longer; if they did, the morale of his men would completely collapse.
He charged toward Lin Yang with great strides, his Soul Power erupting.
As the White Soul Ring flickered, a faint white light rose from his Ghost-headed Greatsword.
Stomping hard on the ground, the man leaped into the air, his strike heavy as if he intended to split both Lin Yang and the carriage apart.
Lin Yang's expression remained unchanged. With a slight movement of his fingertips, several thorns suddenly shot through the air from behind the man, skillfully Binding his legs.
As the spikes pierced his flesh, the one-eyed man's expression changed drastically. He shifted his blade's momentum, slashing left and right in an attempt to cut the brambles.
But when his Martial Soul struck the brambles, it actually made a faint sound of clashing metal.
"What kind of damn Martial Soul is this?"
The one-eyed man was both shocked and furious; his First Soul Skill couldn't even manage to damage them?
On the other side, the other bandits had already engaged the caravan guards in battle.
Shouts of slaughter, the clashing of weapons, and screams of pain instantly added a touch of blood to the wilderness.
"Die for me!"
A bandit who looked like a skinny monkey was very agile, surrounded by a single White Soul Ring.
In two or three steps, he rushed in front of a guard and swung his hand; the guard's leather armor was instantly torn in half like paper.
Lin Yang's brow furrowed slightly, and with a thought,
three to five brambles suddenly branched out from the forest of thorns, whipping toward those One-Ring Soul Masters.
Those bandits were instantly whipped until their flesh was torn open, stumbling back, and the pressure on the guards immediately eased.
"Bastard, your opponent is me!" the one-eyed man screamed in rage.
Taking advantage of Lin Yang's distraction, his Soul Power surged, and his Second Soul Skill lit up,
"Second Soul Skill, Berserk Slash!"
Dark red light burst from the Ghost-headed Greatsword, and the blade seemed to expand significantly.
Carrying a tragic and violent aura, it slashed directly at Lin Yang himself.
Clearly, since he couldn't cut the brambles Binding him, he thought to eliminate Lin Yang, the Soul Master, first.
Once Lin Yang died, the Soul skills would naturally break on its own.
However, facing the one-eyed man's desperate strike, Lin Yang didn't even look, merely letting out a bored yawn.
Just then, the one-eyed man's charging, burly frame suddenly stiffened, his remaining eye bulging in disbelief.
Puchi! Puchi!
In the next instant, spine-chilling sounds erupted densely from his body.
Countless sharp, blood-red brambles frantically burst out from the one-eyed man's mouth, eyes, and even his entire body.
The brambles were covered in warm blood, which dripped onto the ground, splashing in small crimson flowers.
In just the blink of an eye, this fierce bandit was turned into a mangled wreck.
Thorns continued to grow upon it, like ropes meant for reaping souls.
Such a horrific scene caused the entire battlefield to fall into a deathly silence.
Whether it was the bandits or the caravan, everyone's gaze toward Lin Yang was now filled with terror and horror.
Clang!
A greatsword was thrown onto the ground, instantly making a piercing noise.
A bandit, pale as a Demon, clutched his head and screamed hoarsely,
"I... I surrender! Don't kill me!"
This cry was like a falling domino.
Clang, clang... Weapons hit the ground one after another.
The remaining bandits seemed to have all their strength drained, throwing down their weapons one by one.
Squatting on the ground with their heads in their hands like quails, they trembled uncontrollably.
Near the camp, only heavy breathing, suppressed sobbing, and cries of pain remained.
"L-Lord Lin..."
Phil walked over, suppressing his internal discomfort, and looked at Lin Yang's face cautiously.
"How should... how should these people be handled?"
Lin Yang's gaze swept indifferently over the surviving captives; everyone instinctively avoided his eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
Lin Yang's face held no expression as he simply waved his hand casually.
"Do as you see fit!"
After saying that, he ignored everything behind him and flipped back into his carriage.
All subsequent matters were shut out of the carriage.
Lin Yang had no interest in knowing how Phil handled the surrendered bandits.
He could clearly feel that during the rest of the journey, others looked at him with reverence and caution.
The day after encountering the bandits, the caravan officially entered the Star Luo Empire, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their expressions relaxing significantly.
On the fifth day, the caravan entered the Pelagi Kingdom.
In the kingdom's capital, Pelagi City, Lin Yang watched the fawning Phil, took the payment which was twice the original amount, and officially parted ways with the caravan.