A Struggle of Life and Death

Dai Ming charged ferociously toward me, his Martial Soul fusion transforming his fingers into sharp claws. He attacked with unrelenting aggression, aiming straight at me.

However, Dai Ming didn't realize he was trapped in an illusion. When his claws "hit" the target, it wasn't my flesh but the trunk of a tree that he pierced with brutal force.

Before he could react, I swiftly closed the distance, delivering a precise strike with my own golden claws directly to his abdomen.

Injured, Dai Ming staggered back five meters, blood dripping from the deep cuts in his stomach. My physique, tempered over nearly six years with Xiantian energy and enhanced by the activation of my Martial Soul, was far superior to that of an average level-10 Soul Master.

Looking at my injured brother, I felt a moment of disorientation. Not long ago, I had been an ordinary person. Now, my life was at stake in a deadly confrontation with someone who was supposed to be my sibling.

"Dai Mubai, how dare you injure me, you coward! You're nothing but trash beneath me!" Dai Ming shouted, his face twisted with hatred as he stared at his blood-covered hand.

His eyes glowed with an intense red light.

"White Tiger Barrier!"

Two yellow Soul Rings appeared behind him, activating the first ability of his Soul Ring. A white light enveloped his body, further boosting his physical strength and defense.

"Die, you worthless scum!" he roared, charging at me again, now faster and consumed with fury.

I kept my gaze steady on him, my Sharingan draining my Soul Power at an alarming rate. There was no time for hesitation.

When Dai Ming launched another attack, he once again struck an illusion. Replicating my earlier strategy, I attacked the same injured spot.

Clang!

A metallic sound echoed as my claws struck his stomach, causing no damage.

"What a sturdy defense…" I thought, alarmed. Before I could retreat, a swift claw slashed my arm, leaving a deep cut.

"How does it feel, Dai Mubai? To experience the pain of being wounded?" Dai Ming mocked, a grotesque smile spreading across his face as he regained some confidence.

Fortunately, the injury wasn't severe. To my surprise, my body began to heal slowly on its own.

"What do you think of my first ability, White Tiger Barrier? With it activated, you'll never be able to hurt me at your pathetic level-10 strength!" Dai Ming sneered coldly.

Something felt off about him. I couldn't tell if all Soul Masters were like this or if my brother was under some external influence.

This time, I made the first move. In one hand, a piece of paper inscribed with a mystical symbol glowed, increasing my speed by 20% for ten seconds.

"Let's see how strong your defense really is."

The surprise in Dai Ming's eyes was evident. Before he could react, I appeared right in front of him. In my other hand, a second talisman began to shine.

Bang!

A powerful explosion sent Dai Ming flying backward, his body crashing violently into a tree. He remained pinned there, burn marks scattered across his chest.

"Seems like your White Tiger Barrier isn't as strong as you claimed," I declared coldly, adrenaline suppressing any hesitation. If I'd used my full strength from the start, I might have avoided the wound on my arm.

I approached Dai Ming's fallen body slowly, but before I could reach him, a bright white light erupted from his body, rushing toward me.

"White Tiger Light Wave!"

An explosion of light burst in front of my face, stirring up dust and debris that obscured my vision.

"Hahaha, you fool! You're truly careless!" Dai Ming whispered, his voice weak but filled with satisfaction. "It's impossible for someone at your level to survive that attack head-on."

Yet, from within the cloud of dust and debris, a black claw emerged, piercing straight through Dai Ming's heart.

"What…?" he gasped, blood dripping from his mouth as he stared at me with wide eyes.

"You truly are an idiot," I replied, glaring at him coldly. Before I approached, I had activated a barrier talisman and a defense talisman. His attack hadn't even come close to breaking through them.

This was the first time I had taken someone's life. I expected to feel shaken, but I felt nothing. Perhaps it was the adrenaline.

"Haha… Me? An idiot? You're the fool, brother… You won't leave this place alive…" Dai Ming said, his voice faint as he laughed weakly.

I was stunned by his words until a sudden force slammed into me, throwing me hard against a tree. Coughing blood, I rose slowly. Without the defense and shield talismans, I might have been dead or incapacitated.

"What was that…?"

Finally, I saw what had struck me. A massive black bear with furious eyes roared near Dai Ming's body.

But it wasn't alone. In the distance, other beasts began to appear: a white wolf with an agile build, a golden cat the size of a tiger, and even a grotesque dog with a disproportionately long tongue. Many, many beasts surrounded me.

Each of them glared at me with eyes burning with rage.

However, for some reason, the beasts ignored Dai Ming's severely injured body. Yes, that bastard was still alive and, unbelievably, managed to stand up.

I pierced his heart. How is he still alive?

"Surprised, brother? Don't worry, I'll tell you while you're being devoured by these beasts. Kehaha!" Dai Ming murmured like a lunatic, chewing on a green herb.

Even from a distance, I felt immense vitality emanating from the plant. Instinctively, I activated my Analysis ability.

"Green Vital Herb: a plant brimming with vital energy, capable of stabilizing severe injuries. Artificially cultivated. Full analysis available."

Before I could utilize the full analysis, a group of Soul Beasts charged toward me, their fury evident in their eyes. With no alternative, I retrieved the Teleportation Talisman from my spiritual sea and activated it without hesitation.

The beasts passed through the spot where I had been moments before, continuing their frenzied charge in another direction.

Meanwhile, Dai Ming staggered toward the place where I should have been. His face displayed surprise at not finding my body.

Before he could react, a fireball emerged from the trees, heading straight for him.

"White Tiger Barrier!" Dai Ming shouted desperately, crossing his arms to block the attack.

"Bang!"

The explosion echoed through the area, scattering flames around. When the dust settled, I could see he was still standing. Alive, but not unscathed.

"How did you survive the herd of Soul Beasts? How did you launch such a powerful attack?" he asked, disbelief heavy in his eyes.

"Perhaps it's your turn to answer my questions, Dai Ming." My eyes glowed red as I stared at him. Cold sweat dripped down my back; without the Teleportation Talisman, I would have died for the second time today.

Dai Ming, unlike his earlier posture, seemed surprisingly calm. Something had changed in him.

"I didn't want to use this... but I have no choice," he muttered, taking a red pill from his ring. My instincts screamed danger, and without hesitation, I launched another Fireball Talisman. I couldn't afford to drag this fight out.

Dai Ming swallowed the pill before the attack reached him. By the time the fireball arrived, he was no longer in the same spot.

"What speed is this?" Thanks to my Sharingan, I managed to track his movement.

A red aura surrounded Dai Ming. His transformation into a White Tiger had intensified; he was larger, and his hair had turned a deep crimson, like blood.

"Surprised, brother?" he smirked from afar as I watched cautiously.

"What I took is called a Sacrificial Pill. It can only be used below level 40. Temporarily, it raises my power by 10 levels, but there's a price: my Martial Soul will be permanently destroyed." His voice grew increasingly deranged.

I know of some pills in the Douluo Dalu world. Most, however, were introduced in the manhua and primarily appeared in Douluo Dalu 2. There's no mention of any pill like this.

"But don't worry! The Spirit Hall promised me a new Martial Soul, far more powerful than the White Tiger. After I kill you, I'll become their heir. Eventually, I'll become a god!" Dai Ming screamed, laughing uncontrollably. "So die for me, Dai Mubai!" Dai Ming charged at me, insane.

These promises from the Spirit Hall are obviously false. Even if they could fulfill something like that, why would they do it for someone like him? However, in this state, he seemed incapable of listening to reason.

Exploiting his madness, I activated all the Defensive and Speed Talismans I possessed as I retreated, preparing for a final confrontation.

Then, I pulled out an Explosion Talisman. Using my Sharingan, I saw Dai Ming rushing toward me.

"Explosion Talisman!"

I hurled it at him. Despite the explosion, the White Tiger Barrier absorbed most of the impact, causing minimal damage. He kept advancing, unstoppable.

Without hesitation, I used an Electric Talisman. Even with the barrier, the shock paralyzed his movements for a moment, giving me time to retreat.

Immediately, I launched a sequence of attack talismans. They should have been strong enough to injure someone at level 39. Yet, Dai Ming endured everything head-on, even as his arms burst apart and became useless. His madness was palpable. With saliva dripping from his mouth, he charged forward, ready to tear my throat out with his teeth.

With no time to activate another teleportation talisman, I channeled my Soul Power into my third eye. A Sharingan formed on my forehead, releasing a direct spiritual attack at Dai Ming.

Even in his frenzied state, he was forced to stop. Blood began streaming from his eyes and ears.

This is the chance.

Seizing the opening, I advanced. Learning from my mistakes, instead of aiming for the heart, I targeted his neck.

My claws, reinforced with spiritual energy, sliced through effortlessly. Dai Ming's head was sent flying, accompanied by a pillar of blood.

Without wasting time, I deactivated the third eye, fearing I'd enter a berserk state, and used the Teleportation Talisman. Carrying Dai Ming's headless body, I retreated swiftly. I couldn't risk facing another herd of Soul Beasts.

At the site of the battle, only Dai Ming's head remained, lying on the ground. His lifeless eyes stared at the night sky, void of any spark of life.