Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 6: The First Battle

With astonishing speed, the tiny figure darted from a blind spot, their palm as white as jade aimed directly at the soaring wolf demon's eyes.

Tang San's mastery of time, position, and distance was remarkable.

Tang San was acutely aware of the vast difference in natural talent and physical strength between himself and the wolf demon, even though he possessed the profound skills of the Tang Sect and was at the third order of the Mysterious Heaven Technique. A direct confrontation might not favor him, especially considering his youth and limited reserves of vital energy. Were it not for the transformed human's intervention that eliminated one wolf demon, Tang San wouldn't have dared to act against two third-order adversaries. His survival took precedence above all else.

Once committed to action, he understood the importance of a decisive blow.

Distracted by rage, the wolf demon only became aware when Tang San’s palm reached his eyes. He abruptly jerked his head, and his wolf maw lunged toward Tang San.

At that crucial moment, Tang San grabbed the wolf with the other hand, capitalizing on his diminutive stature to alter his trajectory by tugging on the wolf's fur. Nearly somersaulting, he swiftly maneuvered around the chest of the third-rank wolf demon, seamlessly appearing on the opposite side of the wolf.

With his index and middle fingers arranged in a sword-like gesture, the formidable power of the Mysterious Jade Hand surged through him. The two fingers gleamed with a pristine-white jade hue, thrusting like lightning bolts toward the wolf demon's eyes as it pivoted back.

Spurt! The slender fingers penetrated the warm flesh instantly. Tang San knew he was vastly inferior in raw physical strength to this third-order wolf demon. However, it ended once he struck an opponent of similar cultivation in a vital spot.

The Mysterious Heaven Technique's power, channeled through the Mysterious Jade Hand, surged forcefully into the wolf demon's brain. The creature's remaining eye burst open instantly, and his brain became a pulpy mess. The roaring ceased abruptly, and the once strong body of the beast collapsed to the ground.

Tang San's muscles tensed as he executed a deft maneuver, his foot finding leverage against the creature's body. In a fluid motion, he propelled himself away, his body arching gracefully through the air before landing nimbly in a more distant spot.

This strike's remarkable outcome owed itself to his extensive combat experience from his previous life. His current form, small and slender, blended perfectly with the darkness, serving as an ideal camouflage. Additionally, the third-order wolf demon was consumed by extreme rage and found his perception significantly dulled.

In a head-on confrontation, Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand might not even be able to break through the wolf demon's thick skin. However, the eyes were the most fragile area. The wolf demon could not have survived being pierced through the eyes and injected with the energy of the Mysterious Heaven Technique.

Tang San's feet touched down firmly on the ground, and he noticed that the third-order wolf demon had ceased to move. It was only then that he allowed himself a sigh of relief. Rather than rushing to check on the human, he quickly dropped to the ground, pressing an ear against the earth. He lay still, listening intently for any signs of nearby pursuers.

Given his current strength, Tang San knew a head-on battle with a third-order wolf demon would be a formidable challenge. His skills were sharp, but his young body lacked the necessary resilience. A single blow from the wolf demon could prove fatal. In executing that seemingly simple attack moments ago, he had exerted himself to the fullest, elevating his spiritual will to its utmost limit.

No other movements stirred in the surroundings, indicating that the chase for the transforming human had involved only the two third-rank wolf demons. This realization allowed Tang San to breathe another sigh of relief. He would have had no choice but to flee if there had been more.

He approached the human cautiously, every step measured and deliberate.

As he drew closer to the person, he froze when he noticed that the once thick fur had vanished without a trace. The sight caused his heartbeat to rise.

Given his childhood experiences and the unfamiliarity of the transformed human before him, the safest option was to stay still and wait until the wolf demons had departed. Yet, he had chosen to intervene. Part of his decision was driven by the fact that the hunted individual was human. The other important reason was the transformation that had occurred earlier.

In the Douluo Continent, where Tang San originated, Soul Masters wielded unique powers by absorbing beast martial souls. These individuals could enhance their strength by cultivating these martial souls, an integral aspect of their mystical abilities.

If this world had abilities akin to those in the Douluo Continent, it would significantly boost his strength and facilitate his integration into this new environment.

Tang San bent down, intending to turn the person over. Just then, the figure on the ground unexpectedly rolled over, and a claw swung at him. In that instant, as they both maneuvered in close quarters, the dim light briefly illuminated their faces, allowing them a fleeting glance at one another.

The other person's claw halted mid-swing, not following through with the attack. In response, Tang San instantly sprang up, swiftly moving out of the person's reach.

"You're a human?" The young man’s voice came out hoarse. He seemed to be in his twenties, his features pale yet strikingly handsome. Blood trickled from his mouth and nose, hinting at his weakened state.

As he spoke, his hand fell limply to his side. Tang San could now clearly see a large, gruesome wound across the person's chest and abdomen. Intestines spilled out from the gash, with a significant amount of blood.

Tang San nodded in acknowledgment and quickly closed the distance between them. The young man lay on the ground, seemingly drained of all strength, his face ashen. He gasped for air, and his pupils were beginning to dilate—a sign of his dire condition.

Without hesitation, Tang San sprang into action. He recognized that the person's immediate crisis was the excessive blood loss and the severe damage to his internal organs. Given the limitations of his current abilities, saving him was beyond his reach. The best he could do was to prolong the person's life temporarily.

Tang San acted swiftly, first tying together the broken intestines that were spilling out and carefully placing them back into the abdomen. Next, he tore a piece of cloth from the person's clothing and pressed it firmly against the wound to stem the bleeding. Lastly, he placed his other hand on the person's chest, channeling the power of his Mysterious Heaven Technique. Tang San wanted to protect and stabilize the man's vital energy, providing a crucial lifeline in this dire situation.

As Tang San's efforts took effect, the person's difficult breathing began to ease, and a flicker of light returned to his eyes. In a tone tinged with disbelief, he murmured, "You... you're just a child... you..."

Tang San uttered solemnly, "Your injuries are beyond healing. Tell me your last wishes, and I’ll do my best. Before that, though, I need you to answer a question."

The young man was briefly taken aback by the calmness in Tang San’s voice, which radiated a wisdom far beyond his years. However, he quickly nodded, unwavering in his determination. "Very well," he said. "Ask away. If I can help you, I’ll also ask for your help in return."

Without a doubt, the encounter marked a significant departure from Tang San's previous experiences in this unfamiliar world. This individual displayed exceptional rationality and clarity of thought. He had not been born into the life of servitude that many others suffered.

Tang San wasted no time asking his most pressing question: "How did you gain the ability to transform just now, and how can I acquire it as well?"

The young man paused momentarily, surprised by the inquiry. "You don't know about the Demonic God Transformation? And yet, you managed to kill that wolf demon?"

"Demonic God Transformation? I don’t know what that is. I did this using my innate abilities," Tang San replied. Nevertheless, he held those three words, "Demonic God Transformation," firmly in his thoughts, determined to unravel their meaning.

The young man's eyes instantly lit up with curiosity. "Did you spontaneously awaken the Demonic God Transformation? Tell me, what's your unique ability?"

Tang San furrowed his brow and replied, "Right now, I’m asking questions here."

After a few deep breaths, the young man explained, "The Demonic God Transformation is a formidable power that appears when humans, and either demons or nymphs, become connected by blood, and it’s passed down that bloodline."

Tang San's heart sank as he sought clarification. "Are you suggesting it involves mixed bloodlines?"

The young man wore a bitter smile as he continued, "Indeed, this is the only way we can get some power. And usually, those with mixed bloodlines don’t acknowledge their human side. Most who possess the Demonic God Transformation choose to become subordinates of the demons and nymphs. After all, becoming the serfs of demons grants them a status far higher than that of ordinary humans. But some of us don’t identify as demons or nymphs. We only seek to give humans the ability to stand independently, free from enslavement. So, we rebelled.

“My mission was to assassinate the Wind Wolf Lord, but I made an error in judgment and was severely injured. That's how I ended up like this."