Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Under the cover of night, Chaihe Town was somewhat tranquil.

The only possible benefit of the apocalypse might be this sort of quiet that leans towards deathly silence.

Throughout the entire settlement, apart from a few personnel standing guard, the rest had entered the realm of dreams.

For the majority of people, this was just an ordinary night!

However, in the apocalypse, unusual occurrences were always a possibility.

In the depths of the large mountains near Chaihe Town, as the azure giant eagle stretched its wings high and flew out of the mountain to forage, the ancient tree beneath it slowly opened its eyes!

...

The once-luxuriant ancient tree, from its outward appearance, looked as if it were on the verge of death.

Its withering crown barely supported the Giant Eagle's increasingly larger body, and even its opened eyes had become more and more murky.

The few remaining leaves fluttered desolately in the wind, one or two occasionally drifting down.

But the ancient tree's sacrifices were not in vain!

That reward came today!

As the rustling of leaves carried far on the wind, several creatures in the forest, second in power only to the Giant Eagle, heard the signal sent by the ancient tree! They quickly converged in its direction!

Today, the primary goal was to kill the Giant Eagle! Most importantly, to destroy that... on the Giant Eagle's head...

And of all this, the Giant Eagle, foraging far away, was completely unaware!

A deadly trap had already been set; the war between the mutant beasts was on the verge of erupting!

...

The azure silhouette of the Giant Eagle flickered as it swept at high speed across its Territory!

However, there was nothing at all!

Given its appetite and rate of Evolution, the Giant Eagle had already consumed most of the large creatures within its Territory!

This meant that tonight, the Giant Eagle would go hungry. It also meant that tomorrow, the Giant Eagle would need to expand its Territory!

This expansion would not be limited to the mountains; it would also have to include the only Human settlement in the town!

Hmm, tomorrow I'll go hunting in that Human Race settlement!

The Giant Eagle made up its mind!

As for those bipedal Humans, the Giant Eagle couldn't care less.

With its own strength as a Peak Level 3 mutant beast, hunting a few Humans would be the simplest of tasks!

Empty-taloned, the Giant Eagle flew back to its dwelling – atop the ancient tree's crown!

Looking at the ancient tree below, a flash of mockery passed through the Giant Eagle's eyes!

Even though it knew the ancient tree beneath it had mutated, developed intelligence, and harbored a profound hostility towards it!

But, so what?

In the face of absolute power, everything else was futile!

Closing its eyes quietly, the Giant Eagle entered a dormant state.

This state helped minimize energy consumption.

While the Giant Eagle slept peacefully, a rustling sound reached its ears.

Then, under the Giant Eagle's puzzled gaze, a mutant sheep emerged!

SCREECH! SCREECH!

The Giant Eagle grew excited. After a whole day without food, a meal had unexpectedly delivered itself. This was truly a perfect day!

Seeing the almost two-meter-tall mutant sheep, the Giant Eagle immediately pounced!

Panic and confusion filled the mutant sheep's eyes. Watching the Giant Eagle lunge towards it, the mutant sheep turned to flee.

Unfortunately, the power gap between the Level 2 mutant sheep and the Third-level Giant Eagle was too vast!

When the Giant Eagle's claws clamped onto the mutant sheep, it meant dinner was served, and it also signaled the end of the mutant sheep's life.

But, unseen by the Giant Eagle, a resolute glint flashed in the mutant sheep's eyes!

BOOM!

The mutant sheep's body suddenly swelled and exploded violently!

Bones shattered and flesh scattered, but a creature of this level, even by self-destructing, couldn't cause much damage to the Giant Eagle.

Unfortunately, the mutant sheep's self-destruction was not intended for sheer Lethality!

Poison Blood Blast (A-Class, Active Ability): Self-detonate its body to produce poisonous blood. Any creature contaminated by the poisonous blood will be afflicted with curses such as weakness, paralysis, and slowed movement!

This was the mutant sheep's true purpose!

To use the strength of a Level 2 creature to weaken a Third-level Giant Eagle!

The Giant Eagle fell for it instantly.

Abilities were diverse and myriad, making them impossible to defend against completely. In the apocalypse, one should never assume that what appeared to be cannon fodder was truly cannon fodder!

When a creature fought with its life on the line, the damage it could inflict was limitless!

So, when what the Giant Eagle considered food brought about a significant weakening, it didn't have time to react.

The Giant Eagle's wings trembled. Its eyes glazed over for a moment—the curse had taken effect!

This meant the Giant Eagle had consumed the appetizer prepared for it by the ancient tree.

And the main course was now served!

...

A chorus of roars echoed from all around.

A massive Shadow lunged at the Giant Eagle!

It was a mutant bear!

Although bears were not numerous in the forests of the Northeast, they still existed!

As creatures originally high on Earth's food chain, once mutated, their strength was considerable!

Just like the massive Third-level bear now confronting the Giant Eagle.

Its heavy paw glowed with a red light before striking the Giant Eagle's wing!

Rupturing Claw (C-Class, Active Ability).

This simple offensive ability, backed by the bear's Third-level strength, inflicted substantial damage upon the Giant Eagle!

In an instant, blood sprayed.

The Giant Eagle's blood was surprisingly black and viscous, like crude oil, giving it a sinister and terrifying appearance!

The ancient tree's eyes snapped open. Its roots, buried deep in the mud, swiftly tore free, and countless whipping branches and roots lashed out at the Giant Eagle!

The Giant Eagle stumbled from the impact. Its injured wing could no longer support its enormous body, and it plummeted from a height of about two meters!

I'm hit!

This was the Giant Eagle's first thought!

You dare to hurt me!!!

This was its second thought.

Then, an overwhelming cold enveloped the surroundings.

The Giant Eagle began its counterattack!

Meanwhile, the creatures hidden in the jungle began to slowly close in, surrounding it!

One, ten, a hundred...

All were at least Level 2!

A few Third-level mutant beasts stood at the forefront.

The area fell silent. Over a hundred pairs of eyes, varying in size, coldly stared at the grounded Giant Eagle. Within them, only cold, ruthless killing intent simmered.

Seeing what it had considered mere food now revealing themselves as hunters, the Giant Eagle fell silent!

This was a long-planned ambush!

This was a trap set within its own nest!

This was a coup, a power struggle targeting it, the overlord of this forest!

SCREECH...

The resonant cry of the Giant Eagle spread far and wide!

The Giant Eagle was not prepared to yield.

An intense cold radiated wildly from its body as the Giant Eagle targeted the ancient tree behind it and launched its counterattack!