With Huyan Zhen's death, the remaining members of the Elephant Armor Sect were greatly alarmed and desperately tried to flee the scene.
However, Yang Wudi no longer needed to focus on Yang Xiong's condition. He went all out, unleashing his Martial Soul True Body. A colossal blood-red giant appeared in the sky, wielding a terrifying Soul-Breaking Spear.
Even though the other two fought with all their might, they were ultimately pierced by the Soul-Breaking Spear. Especially the Soul Douluo—despite using his eighth soul skill, he was no match for Yang Wudi's Soul-Breaking Spear, especially since Yang Wudi had also used his eighth soul skill.
As for the two Soul Sages, they had long been struck down by Yang Wudi and collapsed on the ground.
Huyan Li, realizing the situation was dire, had already fled the scene.
But Yang Wudi did not pursue him. Soon, a figure in dark green emerged from the woods, tossing a frothing Huyan Li next to the remnants of the Elephant Armor Sect. This person was none other than Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo sneered: "You two sure had fun. The Elephant Armor Sect actually dared to provoke you—it seems they've grown tired of living."
Yang Wudi replied: "Old Poison, I didn't expect you to show up. Aren't you afraid of opposing the Elephant Armor Sect and even the Spirit Hall behind them?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly: "The likes of the Elephant Armor Sect are nothing. If they hadn't provoked me, I would've already ensured they died without a grave."
Then Dugu Bo turned to Yang Xiong: "Little monster, I must admit you have some strength. I never imagined Huyan Zhen would die at your hands. I can't even imagine how powerful you'll be when you reach the Title Douluo level. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect truly struck gold with you."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Respected Elder Dugu, you flatter me. My strength is but child's play compared to yours."
Dugu Bo huffed: "Don't pretend in front of me, brat. If you can enter and exit my medicinal garden freely, it means my poison arrays are useless against you. With your current strength, even I might not be able to do much to you."
Yang Xiong merely chuckled and didn't respond further.
Yang Wudi approached Yang Xiong: "Little Xiong, how are you feeling now? You must have realized the true strength of top experts in this world."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Huyan Zhen was indeed formidable, likely possessing the strength of a Title Douluo. No wonder he's the leader of the lower four sects."
"This time, I've exhausted my soul power and sustained significant injuries. I'll need a few days to recover."
Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi were momentarily speechless. Considering what had just transpired, needing only a few days to recover was astonishing.
After all, Yang Xiong was only at level 66, yet he managed to kill Huyan Zhen, who was at level 89. It was hard to believe such a feat could be achieved.
Yang Wudi sighed: "You little monster, fighting someone like Huyan Zhen is necessary. Otherwise, I fear you'll underestimate other experts, and that could lead to trouble later."
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something: "Old Goat, I think Huyan Zhen's defense might even surpass Old Rhino's. Could your Soul-Breaking Spear have broken through his defenses?"
Yang Wudi's expression darkened: "What nonsense is this? That Huyan Zhen was nothing special. My Soul-Breaking Spear could shatter his turtle shell in one hit—unlike you, who spent so much time battling him and even schemed against each other."
"It's only because Huyan Zhen was so dim-witted. Knowing you had a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, he still dared to scheme against you and fight head-on. If he didn't die, who would?"
The two bantered briefly. Yang Xiong then asked: "Old Goat, now that Huyan Zhen is dead and the Elephant Armor Sect has lost so many Soul Douluos and Soul Sages, do you think the sect will collapse?"
Yang Wudi shook his head: "Not necessarily. The Elephant Armor Sect still has at least three Soul Douluos internally. Although they've lost many experts, their total number of soul masters exceeds a thousand. They won't crumble so easily."
"Moreover, the Elephant Armor Sect operates as a family-based sect with strong internal cohesion. Though they'll weaken temporarily, their foundation remains intact. Not to mention, they have the backing of the Spirit Hall—they won't let the sect fall."
Yang Xiong sighed: "It seems I underestimated the strength of the lower four sects. Destroying the Elephant Armor Sect won't be easy."
Hearing Yang Xiong and Yang Wudi casually discussing the downfall of the Elephant Armor Sect, Dugu Bo was left speechless. These two had such bold hearts to speak so nonchalantly about such matters.
After half an hour, Yang Xiong had partially recovered. Ignoring others' gazes, he began searching the corpses of the six members of the Elephant Armor Sect.
Huyan Zhen, as the leader of the Elephant Armor Sect, was truly a treasure trove. His soul-guiding tools contained materials worth hundreds of millions of golden spirit coins, along with numerous valuable herbs and items.
Even more impressive was Huyan Zhen's body—it yielded a total of three fifty-thousand-year soul bones, including an extremely precious torso soul bone and two arm soul bones (left and right).
Even Dugu Bo was stunned. No one expected Huyan Zhen to possess such valuable soul bones. Had they known earlier, Dugu Bo himself might have taken action.
Yang Xiong remarked: "Elder Dugu, why do you look so surprised? Even as a respected Title Douluo, surely you've seen soul bones before."
Dugu Bo's face darkened: "Brat, do you think soul bones grow on trees? These three are likely the heritage soul bones of the Elephant Armor Sect. How fortunate for you to get them so cheaply."
However, when Yang Xiong searched the other four bodies, he grew speechless. Though their soul-guiding tools had some valuables, their worth was negligible. They didn't even have a single soul bone—not even a hair.
In the end, Yang Xiong retrieved a ten-thousand-year head soul bone from Huyan Li's corpse. It likely originated from the Emperor Golden Elephant and was undoubtedly one of the finest ten-thousand-year head soul bones.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened: "Huyan Zhen's audacity knows no bounds. To give a child such a head soul bone—wasn't he afraid it would harm him?"
Yang Xiong looked at Dugu Bo with disdain: "Elder Dugu, your information is outdated. This soul bone was revealed during the Soul Master Tournament four years ago. I remember you were one of the judges—how could you not know about this?"
Dugu Bo's expression froze: "I'm busy. Why would I concern myself with trivial matters involving children? Besides, a mere ten-thousand-year soul bone holds no interest for me."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head. Dugu Bo was incredibly prideful and difficult to communicate with.
However, after some thought, Yang Xiong decided not to dwell on it. He handed the head soul bone to Dugu Bo and gave Huyan Zhen's right arm soul bone to Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi protested: "Little Xiong, you're the one who killed Huyan Zhen. All the soul bones should belong to you."
Yang Xiong rolled his eyes: "Old Goat, if you hadn't restrained the other four, I would've fled long ago. How could I have faced Huyan Zhen alone?"
"Old Goat, do you want it or not? If you don't, I'll give it to someone else."
Yang Wudi quickly accepted the soul bone: "Of course I want it! Who wouldn't want such a top-tier soul bone?"
Yang Xiong felt somewhat exasperated. He seemed to particularly attract arm soul bones—he already had two on his body, not counting the one he'd given to his older brother.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo also swiftly took the head soul bone: "Such a thing is worth keeping. At the very least, it's a ten-thousand-year soul bone. It could even benefit Yan Yan."
After collecting everything, Yang Xiong set fire to Huyan Zhen and the others' corpses, reducing them to ashes.
"Elder Dugu, since we're here, won't you invite me to your place for a visit?"
Dugu Bo's expression stiffened: "You brat, what's there to see in my medicinal garden? Wouldn't it be better to visit my residence in Tian Dou City?"
Yang Xiong laughed: "There's nothing interesting in Tian Dou City. Your medicinal garden is far better. Cultivating there is incredibly beneficial."
Dugu Bo was left speechless. In the end, he reluctantly led Yang Wudi and Yang Xiong to the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
It was clear that Dugu Bo was extremely unwilling. After all, Yang Xiong had once ransacked the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, leaving a shadow in Dugu Bo's mind. Now that he had finally grown some poisonous herbs, was this brat planning to raid it again?
Upon arriving at the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo appeared quite familiar with the surroundings. The two old men quickly began studying the poisonous herbs together.
Yang Xiong surveyed the area. Sure enough, the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well was once again filled with various poisonous herbs, all thriving remarkably well. Truly, this place was a haven for plant growth.
To everyone's astonishment, Yang Xiong suddenly stripped off his clothes and leapt into the spring of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well. Both Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi stared in shock—they knew how dangerous the spring was and couldn't approach it themselves.
After re-entering the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Xiong planned to use the spring's energy to temper his body further while repairing the damaged Xuanming Armor with the dual ice-fire energy.
Ever since absorbing the dragon claw external soul bones for both arms, Yang Xiong had felt a strange change in his body. His arms seemed unable to absorb any more soul bones, even though he had obtained several arm soul bones—they held no appeal whatsoever.
All these changes stemmed from the ice-fire tempering process, especially the last session, which caused his external soul bone to evolve into the Ice-Fire Dragon Claw. His arms had undergone some subtle transformation, seemingly forming a connection with the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Moreover, his battle with Huyan Zhen had damaged not only the Xuanming Armor but also the Ice-Fire Dragon Claw to varying degrees. Both required gradual repair.
After soaking in the spring of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well for over ten days, the intense ice-fire energy surged through his body, washing over his torso and arms like a burning flame. Powerful ice-fire energy flooded into his soul bones.
One day, Yang Xiong felt as though his arms and torso were about to explode, as if something within was swelling to burst forth.
Suddenly, Yang Xiong roared. Three soul bones began cracking, eventually shattering into pieces. Gradually, new soul bones emerged in their place.
Yang Xiong's face lit up with joy. After this transformation, the three external soul bones had become significantly stronger, both in power and age. The Xuanming Armor, in particular, seemed to have reached the fifty-thousand-year level.
The Ice-Fire Dragon Claw was slightly weaker but still reached the thirty-thousand-year level.
If Yang Xiong were to face Huyan Zhen again now, it wouldn't be nearly as difficult.
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