"Nana!"
Su Yu's voice was barely audible, yet it clearly reached Hu Liena's ears.
"I'll take the lead in attacking later and draw its attention."
"Your Bewitchment Soul Skill is particularly effective against this kind of thick-skinned Soul Beast!"
"You can try to disrupt its movements later and limit its mobility as much as possible."
A flash of determination crossed Hu Liena's eyes as she quickly nodded:
"Alright! I understand."
Her fingertips twitched slightly, Soul Power gathering in her palm, ready to release her Spirit Ability at any moment.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros seemed completely unaware, still ambling forward leisurely, occasionally using its nose to push aside obstructing bushes.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns on its bluish-gray back, while the curved black horn on its nose glinted with a dangerous cold light in the shadows.
"Nana! Get ready to engage!"
"Mm!"
"Wood Release: Impaling Technique!"
Su Yu shouted in a low voice, Soul Power abruptly condensing in his palm.
Two slender wooden spikes glowing with a faint blue light appeared in his hands, which he then hurled fiercely toward the Ironclad Rhinoceros' head!
Although the Ironclad Rhinoceros was massive, its reactions were exceptionally sharp.
Sensing the lethal threat, it abruptly lowered its head, using the sturdy black horn on its forehead to accurately strike one of the wooden spikes!
"Crack!"
A crisp sound echoed as the wooden spike was forcibly knocked away, shattering into fragments that scattered across the forest.
But the other spike seized this opportunity, grazing past its ear and embedding itself deeply into a nearby tree trunk.
"Roar—!"
The Ironclad Rhinoceros was thoroughly enraged, letting out a deafening roar.
Its murky eyes instantly locked onto Su Yu, its hooves pawing at the ground as it charged forward with unstoppable momentum. Its heavy body smashed through the bushes along the way, stirring up a foul-smelling gust of wind!
"Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison!"
Su Yu slammed both hands onto the ground, and massive wooden pillars erupted from the earth, clamping down on the Ironclad Rhinoceros.
"Now!"
Su Yu's figure slid sideways like a ghost as he simultaneously shouted to Hu Liena:
"Nana!"
Hu Liena had long been poised for action, the Fox Spirit Avatar behind her letting out a sharp cry.
Her eyes suddenly lit up with a bewitching purple glow, Soul Power transforming into invisible waves surging toward the Ironclad Rhinoceros:
"First Soul Skill: Demon Fox Bewitchment!"
The Ironclad Rhinoceros' charging momentum noticeably faltered, its gaze becoming momentarily dazed.
Though it lasted only a brief moment, it was enough to give Su Yu an opportunity. He pushed off a tree trunk with his toes, leaping into the air.
Several thicker wooden spikes materialized in his hands, shooting toward the Ironclad Rhinoceros' relatively softer abdomen like a torrential downpour!
"Roar!"
Multiple wooden spikes brutally pierced the Ironclad Rhinoceros' abdomen, causing sharp pain.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros, which had been momentarily stunned by Hu Liena's bewitchment, instantly broke free from the control.
Its black nostrils flared as it breathed heavily, its murky eyes turning crimson as it stared fixedly at Su Yu.
The next moment, it abruptly raised its front hooves, its massive body shaking violently as it attempted to dislodge the wooden spikes from its abdomen.
The intense pain drove it into a complete frenzy, its hooves flailing wildly as it charged recklessly toward where Su Yu had landed.
The hard rhinoceros horn gleamed viciously in the sunlight, as if intent on completely shattering Su Yu before it.
"Brother Su Yu, be careful!"
Seeing this, Hu Liena's heart tightened, and she quickly channeled her Soul Power again. Purple light swirled in her eyes as she attempted to disrupt the Ironclad Rhinoceros' movements once more.
Su Yu sidestepped swiftly, "Splintering Wood Technique!" A wooden spike materialized in his hand, thrusting precisely into the wound on the Ironclad Rhinoceros' abdomen.
Thud—
The wooden spike pierced deeper into the injury than the first strike.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros roared in agony, its massive body twisting violently as it attempted to slam into Su Yu with its broad frame.
"Now!"
Su Yu shouted sharply, his wrist twisting abruptly. The wooden spike embedded in the beast's abdomen snapped audibly, leaving half of it lodged in the flesh.
Instantly, the remaining wooden spike inside the Ironclad Rhinoceros seemed to come alive.
It rapidly grew and branched out within the creature's body like a frenzy!
Delicate wooden fibers spread like spiderwebs, tearing through surrounding muscles as excruciating pain washed over the Ironclad Rhinoceros in waves.
"ROAR—!!!"
This roar was more desperate than any before, carrying the despair of impending death.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros completely lost control, spinning wildly in place.
Its hooves scrabbled chaotically, digging deep pits in the ground with each powerful strike.
Nearby shrubs and young trees were crushed to splinters, sending leaves and soil flying in the chaotic scene.
Hu Liena seized this fleeting opportunity, circling behind the Ironclad Rhinoceros to concentrate her Soul Power in her palm before striking hard at its hind leg joint!
The Ironclad Rhinoceros stiffened abruptly, searing pain shooting through its rear leg.
Its supporting strength weakened immediately, causing the massive body to tilt uncontrollably to one side.
The next moment, the skin on its abdomen bulged violently before several thick wooden spikes burst through with wet, bloody sounds, embedding themselves deep into the ground.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros swayed, the last glimmer of light fading from its crimson eyes.
It emitted a weak whimper before collapsing heavily to the ground, stirring up clouds of dust.
Bright red blood continuously flowed from its mouth, soaking the earth beneath as its limbs twitched faintly before falling completely still.
Hu Liena withdrew her palm and stood steady, fine beads of sweat dotting her temples while her chest heaved with heavy breaths.
Her eyes shone with excitement as she gazed at the fallen Ironclad Rhinoceros.
Su Yu stepped forward slowly, observing the blood gushing from the beast's abdomen and the now-dormant wooden spikes within. He let out a long sigh of relief.
"This is our first Hundred-Year Soul Beast hunt together. At least we've secured dinner for tonight."
Su Yu said with a smile, pulling a sharp knife from his Soul Guidance Device.
With practiced movements, he carved out several thick cuts of tenderloin from the Ironclad Rhinoceros, wrapped them in clean animal hide, and stored them back in the Soul Guidance Device.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros meat was firm and wild-tasting, yet rich with Soul Power—a rare supplement for Soul Masters.
"Nana, let's go."
Su Yu dusted off his hands, his gaze turning toward the depths of the forest.
"With water and woods nearby, we might find wild fruits or edible mushrooms to enhance our dinner flavors."
Hu Liena's face still glowed with post-battle flush. She nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with eagerness:
"Alright!"
After an intense battle and with ample food secured,
The tension in her heart had completely dissipated, replaced only by anticipation for the exploration ahead.
Soon three days had passed. During these three days, Su Yu and Hu Liena worked together to kill seven or eight Soul Beasts over six hundred years old.
Xiao Yi, hidden in the shadows, witnessed everything. His fingers caressed the jade talisman in his sleeve, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Truly worthy of being the disciple personally chosen by His Holiness the Pope. Not only was her talent exceptional, but her adaptability in battle and steady temperament far surpassed her peers.