Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

With a flash of white light, Wen Yu's figure disappeared instantly.

The white light caught the attention of most people, and a subtle, almost imperceptible flicker crossed William's eyes.

Has that person also reached Third-level? he wondered.

In Chu Ziling's eyes, standing to the side, a hint of jealousy and nervousness also flashed.

「...」

「Inside the Trial Space. Hmm.」

The same old formula, the same old setup, Wen Yu thought. There isn't much difference from the Level 2 Trial Space, except that this one is a bit larger!

A notification sound chimed in his ears.

"BEEP. The promotion challenge will begin in 30 seconds. Challenger, please prepare."

Wen Yu entered a combat stance and silently picked up his steel saber.

With another flash of white light, a massive snake, nearly a meter thick, appeared in the Challenge Space.

Its cold, reptilian eyes stared intently at Wen Yu, exuding a chilling predatory aura that made one's hair stand on end.

However, against me, that means nothing! Wen Yu thought. With more than double its physical attributes, I can easily crush this snake! After all, snakes aren't exactly known for their physical prowess.

As blood splattered everywhere, the head of the Third-level mutant snake flew a great distance!

The snake's blood sprayed onto the ground of the Trial Space, making a SIZZLING sound. This blood was extremely poisonous!

"So, a dead snake is the only good snake..." Wen Yu remarked calmly, though inwardly, he felt a certain revulsion for such long, slippery creatures.

I will never choose such a creature as a soul pet, ever!

Wen Yu seemed to recall some terrible past event and couldn't help but shudder.

As the bisected snake corpse on the ground gradually stopped twitching, the notification sounded again.

"BEEP. Congratulations to the Challenger for successfully completing the challenge. The promotion process will now begin."

As the notification sound faded, a golden pillar of light shone directly down on Wen Yu and the little Soul Beast.

A comforting warmth enveloped him, and his body felt as if a shackle had been released. A sense of profound ease washed over him from head to toe.

Turning to look at the little Soul Beast, Wen Yu discovered that as his own level increased, its form was also changing.

Its originally round shape seemed to have been stretched, becoming oval, much like an egg.

As Wen Yu watched, two small slits suddenly appeared on the little Soul Beast's body. The slits gradually widened, revealing two tiny dots glinting with Black Light from within.

It's like the little Soul Beast has grown eyes!

As the little Soul Beast gently bumped its body against Wen Yu's cheek, a faint Spiritual Fluctuation was transmitted to his mind.

Master... Master...

Like a young child, the little Soul Beast seemed to only know how to repeat the word 'Master' over and over!

Wen Yu gently patted the little Soul Beast on his shoulder. Comforted by its master, the little Soul Beast gradually settled down. The two eyes that had appeared on its body slowly closed and, after a short while, vanished completely.

What will it eventually become? Wen Yu mused softly to himself.

Seeing these changes in the little Soul Beast, Wen Yu grew even more expectant of what higher-level Soul Beasts would be like.

After observing the little Soul Beast, Wen Yu checked the notifications regarding his promotion again.

"BEEP. Congratulations to the Challenger for successfully completing the challenge. You have been promoted to a Third-level professionist."

"The physical attributes of a Third-level professionist can only be Strengthened using Third-level magic crystals. The upper limit for physical attributes is 200 points. Simultaneously, the exchange for Level 2 magic crystals and Third-level magic crystals is now available at a ratio of 10:1."

"BEEP. Due to the unique nature of the Soul Master profession, the Challenger has not acquired any personal skills."

"BEEP. Congratulations to the Challenger's Soul Beast for advancing to Third-level. Its upper limit for physical attributes is increased to 200 points. Current Soul Beast Attributes: Beast and Darkness dual-attributes. It has also obtained its third skill."

"Darkness Stride (B-Class, Passive Skill): Pitch-dark power enhances the host's speed. Enhancement: twenty percent!"

"BEEP. The host has unlocked the 3rd Soul Realm and can now form a contract with a third soul pet. Host, please note: the success rate of forcibly contracting a soul pet depends on the power disparity between both parties. A soul pet that actively seeks a contract has a 100% success rate. However, soul pets of a higher level than the host cannot be contracted!"

"BEEP. If a contract attempt fails, the contract ability cannot be used again for three days."

"BEEP. When a contracted soul pet dies, the host will suffer a severe Soul Impact, and the corresponding Soul Realm will enter a collapsed state. High-quality magic crystals can be used to nourish the Soul Realm. Only after it is fully nourished can a new soul pet be contracted to that Soul Realm."

With the last notification fading from his mind, the entire promotion process was complete.

In a remarkably short period, Wen Yu had become a Third-level professionist!

Hmm, Darkness Stride, huh? In that case...

Since some of the magic crystals used to Strengthen the Soul Beast were darkness attribute magic crystals, it wasn't surprising for a darkness attribute skill to appear.

Rare magic crystals, such as those with darkness attribute, light attribute, and so on, were not offered for exchange by the Exchange Stone Pillar. Most skills derived from such magic crystals were exceptionally potent. Unfortunately, Darkness Stride clearly wasn't one of them, and moreover, it conflicted with the effects of Rapid Movement!

Wen Yu mentally reviewed the items he possessed and reconsidered all his skills. Finally, he made a decision.

With a flash of teleportation light, Wen Yu reappeared beside the Exchange Stone Pillar.

"Made it?" William asked, looking at Wen Yu with interest.

Wen Yu nodded at William without saying anything more, then turned back to examine the Exchange Stone Pillar.

Now that I've reached Third-level, and I just got so many treasures, I need to properly organize my abilities and Cyclops's, he thought.

"Redeem Skill Forgetting Scroll."

"BEEP. Exchange successful. Cost: 1,000 points. Remaining points: 14,056."

Holding the Skill Forgetting Scroll, Wen Yu tore it open without hesitation.

Listening to the notification in his mind, a faint smile touched the corners of Wen Yu's lips.

Just as I thought.

"BEEP. As the host's profession is unique, its exclusive skill, Soul Realm, cannot be forgotten. Please select a different skill."

"BEEP. Due to the unique nature of the Soul Master profession, the host may choose to forget a Soul Beast's skill."

"Select the Soul Beast's skill: Rapid Movement (C-Class, Passive)."

"BEEP. Skill forgetting successful."

A Black Light enveloped the Soul Beast, then quickly vanished.

The Rapid Movement skill had been erased from the Soul Beast!

Wen Yu opened his space ring and directly took out the S-class Skill - Virtualization, which he had obtained from the Town hl Treasure Land.

He tore open the scroll with both hands, and the notification sounded once more.

"BEEP. As the host's profession is unique, the host cannot acquire new skills personally but can add skills to a Soul Beast. Please specify which Soul Beast is to receive the skill."

"Designate Soul Beast."