Soon, twenty days passed. Through tireless effort, Gu Xuan finally located the 20,000-year-old Pure White Lotus. This plant-type soul beast possessed weak offensive capabilities; it typically relied on its high cultivation level to intimidate smaller beasts, but its actual combat power was inferior to even a 5,000-year soul beast.
However, the lotus was guarded by a Scarlet Fire Lizard. The two lived in a symbiotic state; plant-type soul beasts with powerful healing abilities often collaborated with formidable soul beasts for protection. This lizard had reached the 20,000-year level, boasting a violent fire attribute.
In Gu Xuan's eyes, this creature was the perfect choice for Ma Bao's fifth soul ring. Ma Bao was already at Rank 48 and would break through to Rank 50 soon. Capturing it now would save them the trouble of searching later.
At Rank 56, Gu Xuan's raw soul power was already on par with a 20,000-year soul beast, and his combat effectiveness was far beyond that. Furthermore, he could now manipulate fire, as he had begun to master the secret techniques inherited from the Fire and Ice Dragon Kings.
The Scarlet Fire Lizard glared at him menacingly. Gu Xuan shielded Ye Lingling behind him and slowly raised his left hand. The Fire Dragon King's crest on the back of his hand emitted a crimson glow, and the Fire Dragon Flame—with a heat intensity nearing the "Ultimate Fire" level—surged.
The moment the flames appeared, Gu Xuan's gaze grew sharp. A pure Draconic pressure crushed down on the lizard, leaving it paralyzed with dread. As a creature with a trace of dragon blood, its survival instinct screamed that it couldn't simply wait to die. Even if the human before it possessed the bloodline of its ultimate ancestors, it wouldn't gamble with its life.
The lizard made a decisive choice: it abandoned the lotus and bolted.
The 20,000-year Pure White Lotus had developed intelligence. Before it could even offer encouragement to its protector, it saw the lizard flee without looking back. It realized then that its trust had been entirely misplaced.
The lizard had barely run a hundred meters when five magnificent soul rings—two yellow, one purple, and two black—rose around Gu Xuan. His fourth black ring flashed, and a three-meter Spatial Portal appeared. He stepped through, his left hand transforming into a savage draconic arm covered in red scales and mystical runes.
A second Spatial Portal opened directly above the escaping lizard. A red dragon claw slammed down, pinning the lizard's head into the dirt with crushing force.
Secret Technique: "Fire Dragon King's Claw!"
One strike. Heavy injury. The lizard was in agony; its majestic fire crest was charred black, one eye was scorched shut, and half its jaw was burned away, exposing sharp teeth and blackened gums. It was a cruel irony for a creature proud of its own fire attributes to be maimed by fire.
This lizard, which could normally handle a Soul Emperor with ease, was now dying, unable to withstand even a single blow from Gu Xuan. After binding the beast, Gu Xuan stored it in his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse.
Returning to Ye Lingling, Gu Xuan used the Fire Dragon Flame to weaken the lotus. Ye Lingling then drew her dagger and ended its life. In this world of survival, the lotus wasn't "wrong," but this was the way of things. A black ring condensed, and Ye Lingling sat down to absorb it.
Three hours later, she opened her eyes. Her soul power had reached Rank 52. She was now the second Soul King in the Emperor Team after Gu Xuan. Having been out for nearly a month, they immediately began their return to Heaven Dou City.
The qualifiers were ending, to be followed by a month-long break before the Promotion Competition. During that stage, fifteen teams from the kingdoms and duchies would arrive to determine the final rankings.
Three days later, Gu Xuan and Ye Lingling arrived at the hotel where the Emperor Team was staying. Yu Tianheng and the others were closely following the qualifiers, as this year's "dark horses" were numerous: the Seven Treasure Team, Godwind Team, Blazing Team, Shrek Team, and the Canghui Team.
Surprisingly, the Canghui Team had become a major threat. Due to the presence of the Seven Treasure Team, the match order had shifted from the original timeline. Shrek had not yet faced Canghui, allowing the latter to remain in the top tier. Just yesterday, Canghui used their trump card—a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill—to defeat the Power Attack Type heavy hitters of the Thunder Academy, knocking them out of the top five.
Fortunately, Shrek was scheduled to face Canghui today. Canghui had lasted this long because their fusion skill created a mental field so strong that even a Soul Emperor would struggle to break free. They could win against any team without a Soul King, and they strategically forfeited against powerhouses like the Seven Treasure or Godwind Teams to save their energy.
What they didn't know was that in the original story, Tang San's Purple Demon Eye broke their technique. Even if Tang San's version was slightly weaker in this timeline, it should still suffice, though the price he would pay might be steeper.
Gu Xuan was most surprised by Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu. The "King of Licking Dogs" had not only won the girl but had achieved a qualitative leap in strength. Gu Xuan could accept this; after all, he had given the boy a lot of advice. Feng Xiaotian's natural talent was immense; even without immortal herbs, he would have caught up to the Shrek Seven Devils in five years in the original story. Without the herbs, the "Shrek Six Devils" were much less formidable compared to a Feng Xiaotian who had finally "stood up."
As for Canghui defeating the Thunder Team, it proved how dangerous their mental fusion was. Without a "cheat" like Tang San's mental skills, almost any team would suffer a crushing defeat. As Gu Xuan processed this news, he suddenly remembered something important.
(End of Chapter)
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