The Sky Blue Bull Python had wanted to explore the secrets of the lake's depths more than once, but years of survival instincts told him that forcing his way in would be risky.
But the current situation left him no room for hesitation.
Er Ming was already dead, and from the fleeting aura he had sensed earlier, Xiao Wu might have also met with misfortune.
Now that he had nothing left, and with human experts hot on his heels, what did a little risk matter?
As he neared the central lake, the Sky Blue Bull Python let out a furious roar, then soared into the sky before plunging headfirst into the lake.
"Let's go, we've come far enough," Sword Douluo raised his hand, stopping the three who were still eager to pursue.
Ci Xue and Snake Lance were naturally pleased with this. They were here to help, and if they ended up adding another hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's collection, it would only make them feel worse.
Dugu Bo, on the other hand, smacked his lips with a hint of regret.
Having just reached the 95th level, he was in desperate need of a battle to test his current strength, but with Sword Douluo around, it seemed he wouldn't get the chance.
Li Xun was still wrapping up the final details.
The chaotic energy had been sorted out and was being steadily absorbed by his body. In his Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, Li Xun had also extinguished the last trace of the Titan Giant Ape's soul.
A wave of comfort washed over him, like soaking in a hot bath on a cold winter night, and his Soul Power level had risen to the 74th level.
Opening his eyes, he saw the concerned face of Bone Douluo. Li Xun smiled and said, "Grandpa Bone, don't worry. I've got experience with this sort of thing."
"Ah! You kid, it's my fault for staying at the sect all these years. I don't know how Old Sword Man let you take such risks," Bone Douluo finally let go of his worries, then secretly cursed Sword Douluo.
"Heh, if you had been the one following him these years, you might have wasted Xiao Xun's talent," a voice came from afar, it was Sword Douluo who had turned back.
The two had a long history of bickering, which seemed to be their way of bonding.
Li Xun was already used to it and didn't intervene. He walked straight to the Titan Giant Ape's body, took out the left arm Soul Bone it had dropped, and began a new round of absorption.
The ownership of this item had already been decided.
Ci Xue and Snake Lance watched Li Xun absorbing the Soul Bone, feeling a mix of bitterness and envy.
That was a hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone! Something countless Soul Masters on the continent dreamed of.
Li Xun was no longer in his childhood, and absorbing the Soul Bone didn't take as much time as the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone had. In just half a day, he was awake.
Exhaling a breath of fresh air, Li Xun slowly opened his eyes.
As expected, his Soul Power had now reached the 78th level. As his level increased, the Soul Power gained from Spirit Rings and Soul Bones would decrease. He remembered that when Tang San was at the 85th level, the sacrifices of Da Ming and Er Ming, along with two Soul Bones, had only raised his Soul Power by five levels, reaching the 90th level.
But Li Xun wasn't worried at all. If two Soul Beasts weren't enough, then four would do. He still had plenty of empty Spirit Ring slots.
With this Soul Hunting mission concluded, Ci Xue and Snake Lance's tasks also came to an end.
However, considering the need for secrecy in what he was about to do, Li Xun and Sword Douluo followed them out of the Star Dou Great Forest.
But when they parted, Li Xun found an excuse to let them return first, and the two of them circled back to the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Xiao Xun, we just hunted a 100,000 Year Soul Beast. Isn't it risky to provoke these Soul Beasts now?" Sword Douluo expressed some concern.
"Sword Grandpa, whether those two Soul Beasts live or die is actually irrelevant. The risk lies entirely in what I'm about to do."
Li Xun smiled. The Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were insignificant to the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, but the Sky Dream Iceworm was a different story.
This guy was like a power bank for many Soul Beasts, and now he was practically a forbidden treasure.
The reason why fierce beasts like Di Tian could increase their strength so much in just ten thousand years was due to the immense energy of the Sky Dream Iceworm. If Li Xun were to steal it, he had no idea how these creatures would react.
However, Li Xun didn't care much. After all, beasts were beasts, and humans were humans. If he had the ability in the future, he might help improve the situation of the Soul Beasts, but not now.
The same went for the human race. Only after he became prosperous would he have the right to talk about other things. Before that, any compassion would only bring trouble.
The Sky Blue Bull Python sank to the bottom of the lake. Although it sensed that the humans above had retreated, it still unwillingly slammed against the barrier separating the lake from the outside.
Suddenly, a chilling aura washed over it, causing it to freeze in place.
The Sky Blue Bull Python could feel that this was a warning, meaning that if it continued, it would face unimaginable calamity.
It was unwilling, intending to keep destroying, but the oppressive aura of the superior being made it dare not act again. Life was precious, and even though the Sky Blue Bull Python was now heartbroken, it had to be driven by the instinct to survive.
The Sky Blue Bull Python let out a mournful cry, then slowly surfaced. It took one last look at the forest facing the direction of the Heaven Dou Empire before heading towards the territory of the Star Luo Empire.
Its location had been exposed, and staying here would be no different from seeking death. It was better to preserve its useful body for future revenge.
In a tavern above the Slaughter City.
Tang Hao nodded as he looked at the corpses scattered on the ground. He knew his son would quickly adapt to this environment.
Tang Xiao, however, frowned. Although he knew the rules of the Slaughter City, he hadn't expected the atmosphere to be so harsh.
"Xiao San, remember that Soul Skills are not allowed in the world below."
Hearing the reminder, Tang San nodded and retracted his Eight Spider Lances. His Soul Power had now reached level 62, and devouring these low-level Soul Masters could no longer bring him any significant improvement.
Clenching his fist, Tang San felt the surging power within him, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
Although Li Xun had always been one step ahead of him, it wouldn't be for much longer. The speed of a Soul Master's improvement became increasingly difficult as they progressed, and Li Xun didn't have his method of devouring to grow stronger. Tang San believed that the gap between them would only grow smaller until he eventually surpassed him.
With a single strike, a dark hole appeared on the tavern floor. Tang San bid farewell to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao before jumping down.
At the same time, a similar scene was unfolding in the Pope's Hall.
"Are you really sure about this?" Bibidong looked at Huliena kneeling before her, her brow furrowed.
"Teacher, I've made up my mind," Huliena said, though there was a hint of fear in her heart, she nodded firmly. "Although Death Canyon is dangerous, if I'm always under the protection of the strong you send, it won't serve as a real trial."
"If I always live under your wing, when will I ever catch up to Li Xun?"
Bibidong sighed, then slowly rose from her throne. "Nana, setting Li Xun as your goal is a mistake. It won't ignite your competitive spirit; it will only lead to greater disappointment."
"Teacher, do you have any recent news about him?" Huliena was taken aback.
Bibidong nodded. "Yesterday, I received news from Heavenly Dou. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has already proposed conditions to join the Spirit Hall."
Huliena's eyes flashed with shock. She knew exactly what this meant.
After a long pause, she said, "Teacher, even if I can't surpass him, I don't want to fall too far behind."
(End of Chapter)