"Huh? Aren't you that violent but pretty sister from before?" Tran stared in surprise at the short-haired girl, never expecting to bump into her here.

"Well, thanks for calling me pretty, little brother..." Veins bulged on the short-haired girl's forehead, clearly bothered by the "violent" label. "You've grown even prettier lately—I almost didn't recognize you."

"I don't want it either," Tran complained. "Who knew this face would keep getting weirder as I age..."

"Enough chit-chat. Let's get serious—what are you doing here?" the short-haired girl cut in.

"It's a long story..." Tran trailed off, lost in thought. "Anyway, a lot happened. Now I have to rescue someone here."

"Rescue someone from the Leit Family? They're about to be swallowed up, but still powerful. You actually came here to save someone?" The short-haired girl was shocked. Don't underestimate them—their leaders were still strong, even if the members were weak.

"Powerful? Really? I don't care. I already rescued them. I'm leaving. Bye..." Tran turned and walked toward Shiniang and Alice.

"Hey! Wait a—" "BOOM!" The short-haired girl's words were cut off by an explosion.

Everyone turned. The evil Soul Beast had risen again, molten lava oozing over its body. Its broken hand had become a golden claw, and dark red eyes radiated endless killing intent.

The moment it stood, the temperature spiked. The ground beneath its feet melted, sinking into a deep pit.

"ROAR!!!" The upgraded Soul Beast bellowed, jaws gaping with flickering light inside.

"Run! This Soul Beast evolved—it's in its complete form now!" The suited middle-aged man darted back, warning Tran and the others.

Tran was still admiring the beast's cool design when the short-haired girl grabbed his shirt and yanked him away.

"Are you stupid? Standing that close will burn you alive!" she snapped irritably.

"Huh? Really? Thanks," Tran replied. He felt no danger—maybe he wasn't strong enough to sense it sharply.

She dragged him to Shiniang and Alice. It was a safe distance.

"No matter what happens, stay put. Take them and run far away now!" Her tone was dead serious.

"Okay, okay," Tran answered, hoisting Shiniang onto his back.

The short-haired girl raced back to the battlefield, pulling off her gloves and readying herself.

The suited man held two talisman papers, trying to approach the Soul Beast. But it wasn't weak anymore. Before, its power hovered between S Rank and SS Rank—almost SS Rank. That's why Shiniang had been helpless against it, collapsing after just two skills.

Now, it was truly SS Rank! At least for Superpower. Earth had other powers too—different from Superpower but deadlier to otherworldly beings. What were they? That's for later...

The middle-aged man used his Superpower to zip around the beast. Each footfall left a deep imprint on the ground.

"Ada! My seals are set! Strike when I suppress it!" he yelled after circling the beast, hand seals formed at every spot.

"Got it!" Ada crouched like a cat, poised to attack.

The evolved Soul Beast's intelligence had sharpened. Sensing trouble, it charged the man at blinding speed.

"How so fast! It's over!" he thought desperately. His final hand seal wasn't done—interruption would ruin everything.

Just as he braced for impact, a figure appeared. A staff slammed the beast away. The Soul Beast rolled, stunned, then glared at the newcomer—Tran, gripping a staff.

Those few seconds let the man finish his seals. "Go, Ada!"

Yellow light pinned the Soul Beast down. It lost its fury, struggling to stand.

Ada flashed before it, fists hammering its face. Explosions crackled with each punch. Cracks spiderwebbed across its tough hide as it howled in pain.

"This thing's so hard!" Ada grumbled between blows.

"It's the king of otherworldly Soul Beasts! Without our special abilities, we couldn't hold it!" the man gritted out, crouched and straining to maintain the seals.

"Sister Ada! Backup's here!" A young voice rang out. A white-robed man appeared—clear-browed, bright-eyed, long sword in hand. He looked like a classic immortal cultivator! Well, in a xianxia novel anyway... In 3300, that outfit was pure flexing.

"Yubin? You're here. Others?" Ada didn't glance at him, impatience flickering on her brow.

"I flew ahead on my sword. Leave this monster to me." Yubin waved his hands. Four flying swords shot toward the beast, weaving through air and slicing wounds with sword energy.

"Huh? These guys are strong? All SS Rank?" Tran watched from the sidelines after his earlier swing. Others were handling it—he didn't need to jump in.

"Young brother, thanks for before," the suited man said to Tran.

"No problem, uncle. Just a small thing... Are you all SS Rank?" Tran's eyes sparkled—he'd always dreamed of seeing real SS Rank power.

"Hardly. We're only A Rank in Superpower. But we counter these creatures well—attack power's ten times stronger than same-rank foes," the man explained.

"Whoa! That's like a cheat code?" Tran was disappointed they weren't SS Rank but fascinated by their edge.

The man fell silent.

Ada and Yubin had battered the Soul Beast into submission. When it stopped resisting, they halted.

"Sister Ada, you did great. Dinner after this?" Yubin smiled. It was like grinning at a wall—Ada ignored him, muttering "No" as she walked to Tran.

"Little brother, didn't I tell you not to come?" Ada's voice held no blame, just playful scolding. Tran had just saved her teacher, after all.

"Stop calling me little brother! I have a name—Tran!"

"Fine, little brother Tran," Ada chuckled. "I'm Ada. This is my teacher, Ford Vidal." She gestured to the man.

Ford was tidying his seals—cleaning up the battlefield.

Suddenly, the Soul Beast lunged up, jaws charging an energy blast. As everyone froze, a figure raised a staff and roared, "Demon! Taste old Tran's stick!"

The beast's mouth snapped shut—but the beam exploded inside it.