Chapter 3: The Skyfire Fox

Hearing Yan's suggestion, Xie Yue and Hu Liena were both stunned.

Splitting up meant taking on greater risks and uncertainties.

Although Hu Liena was still angry, she had to admit that Yan's suggestion made sense.

This time, Bibi Dong had not given them much time—only three months.

If they stayed together all the time without facing any challenges on their own, the training wouldn't achieve the desired results.

"Fine, we'll split up! Don't think we need your fire attributes. Just wait and see, I'll definitely get my fourth soul ring before you!" Hu Liena's words were still tinged with lingering anger.

Among the three of them, Yan was the least worried about his situation. As a fire attribute soul master, his fiery aura was intimidating to most soul beasts, forcing even ten-thousand-year beasts to avoid him—unless they were extremely powerful or also possessed fire attributes.

Hu Liena shot Yan a glare before turning and leaving without looking back.

Xie Yue watched his sister's retreating figure before glancing at Yan, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Yan, be careful and complete your task quickly. We'll regroup soon."

"Yeah, you too," Yan responded. He knew Xie Yue doted on his sister; even if they were to act separately, he'd surely be watching over Hu Liena, never venturing too far from her.

After all, Hu Liena was his only family in this world. No matter what, he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Watching Xie Yue leave, Yan embarked on his own journey.

By noon, Yan reached a clear river to collect water. He bent down and caught his reflection in the still water.

His fiery red hair flowed in the wind, his muscular body etched with flame patterns, and his dark red eyes exuded confidence and determination.

Though his appearance might seem intimidating, it was full of masculinity and an indescribable allure.

Yan was quite satisfied with his new appearance.

After replenishing himself with water and nutrients, he continued toward the center of the canyon, where most of the ferocious soul beasts were concentrated.

Along the way, Yan encountered several soul beasts, but most were under a thousand years old. They seemed to sense Yan's powerful aura and refrained from attacking him.

Yan, having no intention to fight, left them be, and both sides remained undisturbed.

As night fell, Yan found a quiet clearing. He set up a tent and lit a campfire to drive away the cold and insects.

After finishing everything, instead of lying down to rest, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began practicing a set of Tai Chi cultivation techniques he had learned in his previous life.

Originally, he had learned these techniques to relax amidst the chaotic demands of life. Now, in this new world, he wanted to see if these internal martial arts still worked.

"Tai Chi cultivates the harmony of yin and yang, merging spirit and energy..."

As Yan focused his thoughts, he felt a mysterious energy circulating within him, a peculiar sensation.

"As expected, my soul power can complement Tai Chi. It seems practicing more will definitely benefit my strength."

Just as Yan was reveling in this realization, he suddenly sensed an eerie energy fluctuation nearby.

Immediately alert, he gathered his mental strength and used the ground beneath his feet to detect the source of the fluctuation.

As a fire and earth attribute soul master, Yan's current mental strength allowed him to sense changes within a two-hundred-meter radius through the ground.

As the energy wave approached, he clearly felt the presence of a large demonic wolf sneaking toward him.

The wolf had about three thousand years of cultivation, radiating an intense aura.

Fortunately, it was a lone wolf, not a pack.

When the wolf was within a hundred meters, it suddenly accelerated and charged toward Yan.

Unfazed, Yan instantly released his Firelord martial spirit, his body surrounded by flames, making him look like a man of fire.

The demonic wolf snarled and leaped toward him, intending to bring him down.

However, Yan was well-prepared. At the right moment, he unleashed his first soul skill, *Hellfire Lava Surge*.

A searing column of lava shot up from the ground like a fiery dragon, striking the wolf head-on.

"Awwooo—"

With a pitiful howl, the wolf was thrown to the ground by the powerful eruption of lava.

Without hesitation, Yan followed up with his second soul skill, *Granite Strike*.

Massive granite boulders fell from the sky, crashing down onto the already fallen wolf, pinning it under the heavy stones with no escape.

Seizing the moment, Yan unleashed his third soul skill, *Hellfire Blaze*.

An intense flame suddenly ignited, enveloping the wolf trapped beneath the rocks.

The flames scorched the wolf's body, causing it to let out agonizing cries as its flesh was seared away.

The pitiful howls quickly faded, swallowed by the flames and disappearing into the night.

With the battle over, Yan retracted his martial spirit.

Moments later, a purple mist rose from the wolf's charred remains, slowly condensing into a radiant purple soul ring.

Unfortunately, it wasn't useful to him right now.

Reflecting on the fight, Yan's excitement hadn't yet subsided.

He had felt the harshness and challenge of this world, but he had also experienced the satisfaction of defeating a strong enemy.

That satisfaction didn't come solely from victory but from the affirmation of his strength and the growth in his confidence.

The world of Douluo was one where the weak were prey to the strong—without ascending to godhood, one remained an insect.

Only by becoming a top-tier powerhouse could one truly control their own fate.

Yan silently swore to himself that he would become one of this world's strongest.

***

One month later.

After weeks of grueling training, Yan had matured and gained confidence, finally breaking through to level forty.

Now, he was ready to hunt for a suitable soul beast to acquire his fourth soul ring.

Since he possessed both fire and earth attributes, fire-type and strength-based soul beasts were viable targets for him.

Naturally, fire attribute beasts were his best choice.

Cautiously, Yan proceeded through the canyon. The closer he got to the center, the more dangerous it became.

As he was walking, he suddenly felt a powerful energy fluctuation up ahead.

Carefully, he approached.

As he drew nearer, he discovered an intense battle unfolding not far away.

A red Skyfire Fox was locked in combat with a fierce two-headed demon serpent.

From the formidable aura both emitted, they had around six thousand years of cultivation each.

The Skyfire Fox was a fire-type soul beast, its entire body ablaze with red flames, resembling a fox but with a pair of wings.