Dugu Yan did not require a seventh soul ring from the wild. In the month following their return, once she broke through to Rank 70, she directly absorbed the Inner Core of the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent to reach the Soul Saint realm, once again stepping ahead of Gu Xuan. Because she had not absorbed a traditional soul ring, her soul power initially sat at Rank 71.
To their delight, Dugu Yan's seventh soul ring reached the hundred-thousand-year level. Her physical foundation was now robust enough to sustain such a monumental energy source. Had it not been for the unique nature of the Inner Core, which spared her from the typical soul shock of a sentient beast, she might not have met the requirements for a hundred-thousand-year ring so soon.
A year had passed since then, and Dugu Yan's soul power had climbed from Rank 71 to Rank 74. Gaining three ranks in a single year—roughly one rank every four months—was a speed that, while slightly inferior to Gu Xuan's, was still undeniably terrifying for a Soul Saint.
Today, Gu Xuan had set out for the Star Dou Great Forest accompanied by Chen Xin and Gu Rong. Their destination was the deepest part of the forest core; their target was the forest sovereign, the Azure Sky Bull Python.
The existence of the Azure Sky Bull Python was no secret to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. If even a figure like the "Grandmaster" Yu Xiaogang could find mention of it in ancient records, it was only natural that a Great Sect with vast resources would know its location.
On the journey, both Chen Xin and Gu Rong appeared remarkably spirited, as if they were the ones receiving the soul ring. Their excitement was inevitable; as elders, watching Gu Xuan's heaven-defying talent flourish was their greatest pride. Although Gu Xuan's sixth soul ring was already at the hundred-thousand-year level, it had come from the Evil God Bead of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Thus, while he possessed the ring, he did not have a corresponding hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
This time would be different. By hunting the Azure Sky Bull Python, Gu Xuan would not only obtain a hundred-thousand-year ring but also a guaranteed soul bone of the same grade. A matching set of a hundred-thousand-year ring and bone would provide the maximum possible enhancement, laying an indestructible foundation for his future path to divinity.
However, while they spoke of "hunting," that wasn't the entire plan. Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had mastered the Soul Spirit method—though it was still being refined—it would be a concept easily understood by a beast of such high intelligence. If the Azure Sky Bull Python were sensible, Gu Xuan would grant it a chance. His ambition was to unify not just the continent, but the soul beast realm as well, becoming the true master of Douluo. Establishing a foundation through the Soul Spirit method now was a vital strategic move.
Gu Rong, now at the middle stage of Rank 97, had reached a transcendent level of mastery over space. The trio traveled from the sect to the heart of the forest in a mere fifteen minutes. Upon arrival, Gu Rong skillfully navigated toward the core area where the Titan Giant Ape had previously retreated. He still remembered the route vividly from the time he had followed the ape to capture Xiao Wu.
At the core of the Star Dou Great Forest: Lake of Life.
A gargantuan creature over thirty meters long, covered in azure scales with the head of a bull and the body of a python, and a giant ape standing over twenty meters tall suddenly snapped their gazes toward the heavens. In the previously empty sky, a black spatial rift three meters in diameter tore open. Under the watchful eyes of the two forest overlords, three figures stepped out calmly.
Leading them was Gu Rong, standing 2.3 meters tall with a burly frame and a skeletal structure twice that of a normal man. The only blemish on his transcendent aura was his slightly thinning hair. Beside him stood the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, dressed in pristine white. With his snowy hair and youthful features, Chen Xin looked barely in his thirties, resembling a celestial immortal descended to earth—a stark contrast to Gu Rong's rugged appearance.
Behind them was Gu Xuan. His long red hair was tied in a sleek ponytail, with two strands of hair—one blue, one white—falling over his forehead like dragon whiskers. He stood with a wind-swept elegance, his temperament and looks equally peerless.
The moment the Azure Sky Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape saw the trio, they felt as if they were facing a mortal enemy. The soul power within both beasts erupted simultaneously, sending the waters of the Lake of Life surging hundreds of meters into the air.
"Humans! This is not a place for you to tread! Leave at once, or else..." The Azure Sky Bull Python's voice boomed like thunder, but before it could finish, the space around it and the Titan Giant Ape suddenly froze, as if locked in a cage.
"Heh! A pair of little beasts with quite the temper," Gu Rong chuckled. The spatial lock was, of course, his handiwork.
The Azure Sky Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were indeed rare variants; their innate talent made them incredibly powerful. However, they were still only at the hundred-thousand-year level. The Bull Python's strength was comparable to a Rank 96 Super Douluo, while the Giant Ape could rival a Rank 95. Together, they might hold their own against a Rank 97, but "holding one's own" was the limit. Facing powerhouses like Gu Rong and Chen Xin, their strength was merely "average." If a true battle broke out, the two elders wouldn't just win—they would crush them.
The beasts were stunned by Gu Rong's spatial mastery. They knew these humans were powerful, which was why the Bull Python had initially tried to warn them off. They hadn't expected the black-robed man to seal the entire area with a mere wave of his hand. Even if they wanted to break out, it would require a devastating price.
In that instant, the beasts wondered: why had these three suddenly appeared? And when did two such terrifying humans emerge in the world? Was it for their rings and bones? That youth? But he was so young—how could he possibly absorb their rings?
In the blink of an eye, a thousand thoughts crossed the Bull Python's mind, but they coalesced into a single resolve: they would never submit. Even if they were beaten to death and had their bones ripped out, they would never become human soul rings! In their understanding, since the youth couldn't absorb them normally, the only other path was sacrifice, and they would never sacrifice themselves to a human.
Their only regret was that they hadn't had the chance to see their "Sister Xiao Wu" one last time.
Just as the two beasts prepared for a suicidal struggle, Gu Xuan stepped past Gu Rong and Chen Xin. He looked down at the imprisoned sovereigns and spoke.
"Azure Sky Bull Python, I have come today to offer you a grand opportunity."
(End of Chapter)
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