Three days passed quickly, and a group quietly departed from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Yunwu Mountain.
This time, besides Yang Xiong, who was on the verge of becoming a Soul Emperor, all six others were Soul Emperors or higher, including three Title Douluos—making their combined strength incredibly formidable.
Only Yang Xiong and Lin Gong had been to this place before, so Lin Gong led the way. Meanwhile, Bai He arranged for members of the Speed Family to handle reconnaissance. Over ten spies from the Speed Family had already infiltrated Sunset Forest, ready to monitor any abnormalities.
After half a day of travel, the group arrived at a patch of dense, black miasma.
Visibility here was extremely low, with soul beasts being exceedingly rare, and even plants were absent. Moreover, the black miasma was highly toxic.
The group advanced cautiously toward the center of the miasma, where they found an enormous abyss that looked like a man-eating beast.
Typically, only Title Douluos and Bai He could fly, so Sword Douluo summoned multiple Seven Kill Swords. Yang Xiong, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao followed behind Sword Douluo at the rear of the group.
As they approached the bottom of the abyss, they sensed an overwhelmingly terrifying fire-attribute aura. However, this aura was unlike any ordinary flame—it wasn't explosive but instead felt eerily cold and sinister.
When they drew closer, they discovered a horrifying soul beast at the bottom of the abyss.
This soul beast was over fifty meters long, resembling a massive dragon in shape. It had four razor-sharp claws, its body covered in black scales. Its head was even larger than that of the Sky Azure Bull Python, but instead of dragon horns, it bore two enormous bull-like horns.
What was even stranger was that its body was engulfed in black flames. These flames didn't seem to originate from the mortal world—they appeared as if they came straight from hell.
Lin Gong used his Purple Bamboo Spears and soul power to shield the group, his expression turning extremely serious.
"Little Xiong, I never expected it to be an Undead Hellfire Dragon—a top-tier fire-attribute and dark-attribute soul beast. This kind of soul beast was said to have gone extinct long ago. I can't believe one still exists here."
"It's rumored that this soul beast possesses an incredibly resilient lifeforce, practically unkillable. Judging by this one's condition, it's likely just shy of reaching the hundred-thousand-year mark."
"Legends say this soul beast carries both dragon lineage and the bloodline of the divine beast Kui Niu, making its combat power extraordinarily strong. It might even surpass the Sky Azure Bull Python of the Star Dou Forest, and in some ways, it could be even stronger."
Yang Xiong gazed at the Undead Hellfire Dragon, his eyes filled with fiery determination: "Teacher Lin, I think this soul beast is perfect for me. I'll take it."
The surrounding group was astonished. They hadn't anticipated that Yang Xiong would be so bold as to choose such a high-level soul beast for his sixth soul ring. In the history of soul masters, the highest recorded sixth soul ring was barely over twenty thousand years. Yet here he was aiming for a nearly hundred-thousand-year soul beast. No wonder they had gathered so many experts to hunt it down—even Sword Douluo was surprised.
Lin Gong nodded: "Very well. Since you've made your decision, we'll proceed as planned."
Niu Gao quickly interjected: "Old Bamboo, Yang Xiong, are you sure about this? This is practically a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!"
Yang Xiong's expression turned grave as he nodded firmly: "It's him. I have confidence that I can absorb it."
After finalizing their strategy, the group confirmed their plan to deal with the Undead Hellfire Dragon.
Sword Douluo and Yang Wudi struck first. A massive Soul Breaking Spear and Seven Kill Swords descended from the sky, targeting the Undead Hellfire Dragon's head.
This near-hundred-thousand-year soul beast reacted with incredible speed. Seeing the attack, it raised its massive dragon claws to grab the two legendary weapons.
Meanwhile, Lin Gong's dragon-head staff transformed into a ferocious dragon, charging at the Undead Hellfire Dragon with unmatched aggression.
Lin Gong also summoned countless Purple Bamboo Spears, enveloping the entire abyss.
In contrast, Niu Gao transformed into a colossal armored rhinoceros, positioning himself behind the Undead Hellfire Dragon to block its escape route.
Bai He remained on the periphery, keeping watch to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate either. He activated his fifth soul skill: Crimson Blood Dragon Sword, assisting Sword Douluo in the attack.
However, the Undead Hellfire Dragon proved far more formidable than anyone had anticipated. Its massive claws managed to grab hold of both the Soul Breaking Spear and Seven Kill Swords, blocking even the attacks of Sword Douluo and Yang Wudi.
Yang Xiong swung his sword, releasing a crimson-red sword qi, but to no avail—the Undead Hellfire Dragon's scales couldn't be penetrated. Its defense was truly extraordinary.
Seeing their attacks falter, Lin Gong's Purple Bamboo Spears transformed into countless bamboo thorns, attacking the Undead Hellfire Dragon.
But the dragon unleashed boundless black flames, burning the bamboo spears until they turned charred black. Lin Gong even felt as though these flames weren't just burning the bamboo—they were scorching the enemy's soul.
Sword Douluo and Yang Wudi exchanged glances. Instantly, countless Seven Kill Swords appeared in the sky—his sixth soul skill: Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect.
Compared to Yang Xiong's sword qi, Sword Douluo's technique was infinitely more powerful. The Undead Hellfire Dragon's scales were shattered instantly, and numerous wounds appeared across its body.
Yang Wudi activated his third soul skill: Explosion. The Soul Breaking Spear emitted a pitch-black glow, its attack power rising to an unimaginable level, completely shattering one of the dragon's claws in a single strike.
Under continuous assault from the two, the Undead Hellfire Dragon let out a piercing roar.
Realizing the strength of its opponents, it suddenly spoke in a human voice: "Humans, you will not kill me. Even in death, I will not yield."
The group was stunned. For a soul beast not yet at the hundred-thousand-year mark to speak was a testament to its powerful bloodline and strength.
After speaking, the Undead Hellfire Dragon abruptly turned its head, clearly intending to flee.
But before it could muster enough force to break through the encirclement, Niu Gao's armored rhinoceros form blocked its path.
Niu Gao activated his fifth soul skill: Iron Wall.
The colossal armored rhinoceros collided with the Undead Hellfire Dragon, causing the entire abyss to tremble. This was a clash of pure brute force.
Both the Undead Hellfire Dragon and the armored rhinoceros were pushed back several dozen meters. Dragons truly were among the most elite strength-type soul beasts.
The Undead Hellfire Dragon seemed to understand its dire situation. Surrounded by six top-tier experts, survival would be nearly impossible.
At this moment, black flames erupted from its body, carrying a chilling aura that even Yang Xiong found bone-chilling.
Ordinarily, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast possessed power equivalent to a ninety-five-level Title Douluo. Yet this Undead Hellfire Dragon might even surpass that.
Under the influence of the black flames, the Undead Hellfire Dragon's wounds began to heal rapidly. Even the claw shattered by Yang Wudi regenerated completely.
However, compared to before, its aura had diminished slightly, and its soul power had dropped.
Sword Douluo remarked: "This Undead Hellfire Dragon possesses an immortal body. Even if its body is shattered, it can regenerate. But maintaining this state consumes soul power. If we continue our relentless assault, it will inevitably die."
The group exchanged glances and intensified their attacks. While the ability to regenerate was indeed powerful, there was no such thing as true immortality. As long as the consumption exceeded regeneration, its soul power would eventually deplete.
After a full hour of relentless attacks, the Undead Hellfire Dragon finally exhausted its soul power, collapsing weakly to the ground. Under Sword Douluo's suppression, even its spirit was too drained for self-destruction.
The Undead Hellfire Dragon's eyes burned with rage: "Humans, you will not obtain my soul ring."
Unfortunately, despite its unwillingness, all four of its claws had been severed, and even its tail had been shattered. Its body was completely immobilized, wrapped tightly in Purple Bamboo Spears.
Lin Gong urged: "Little Xiong, hurry up. If we don't act quickly, all our efforts will be wasted."
Yang Xiong nodded and moved directly to the dragon's massive head.
The Undead Hellfire Dragon's eyes widened, filled with hatred: "A mere quasi-Soul Emperor dares to claim my soul ring? You're courting death."
Yang Xiong didn't respond. Instead, he took out a fiery red bead from his person—the core of the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent.
The appearance of this fiery bead left everyone astonished, especially due to the terrifying fire-attribute energy it radiated.
The Undead Hellfire Dragon's eyes gleamed with desire upon seeing the bead. As a fire-attribute soul beast, it craved such a treasure immensely.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong used his soul power to lift the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent core and placed it directly into the dragon's mouth.
Niu Gao quickly interjected: "Yang Xiong, what are you doing? This core contains terrifying fire-attribute energy. It might help this Undead Hellfire Dragon break through to its ultimate limit, making it even harder to kill."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Elder Niu Gao, thank you for the reminder. I'm not after a quasi-hundred-thousand-year soul ring—I want a true hundred-thousand-year soul ring."
The group was shocked again. According to Yang Xiong, was he planning to use a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for his sixth? Could his body withstand it?
Lin Gong addressed the group: "Little Xiong and I have analyzed this thoroughly. I've tested his body several times recently, and there's a chance he can absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. That's why we specifically sought out this fire-attribute soul beast."
The group exchanged varied expressions but said nothing further.
Once the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent core entered the Undead Hellfire Dragon's mouth, the fire energy within its body surged explosively. Its body underwent rapid changes, especially its massive head, which experienced an abnormal surge of energy.
Everyone watched intently as the Undead Hellfire Dragon transformed. With the surging energy, the entire abyss trembled, and even the originally black sky was filled with countless lightning bolts, as if breaking through some kind of barrier.
After waiting for an entire day, the previously weakened Undead Hellfire Dragon let out a thunderous roar. Nine massive tumors appeared on its head, seemingly on the verge of hatching. Its originally black flames underwent a qualitative change, becoming even colder and more intense.
Yang Xiong stared intently at the transformation of the flames. It seemed as though the fire had entered another realm, and the dark attribute had evolved similarly.
In an instant, the nine tumors on its head burst open, transforming into nine head-like protrusions. It now appeared to have nine additional heads.
The Undead Hellfire Dragon let out a terrifying roar: "Humans, you will not slay me. Thank you for the treasure. From this day forward, I will become truly immortal—I am the strongest soul beast in existence."
In that instant, the Undead Hellfire Dragon finally broke through to the hundred-thousand-year threshold. Its aura underwent a qualitative transformation, becoming even fiercer and more overwhelming.
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