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Lan Minghua's flight speed was extremely fast. Before long, he had traveled from Holy Soul Village to the Star Dou Great Forest.
This was his second time entering the forest, yet the roars of soul beasts still echoed endlessly in his ears.
"As expected of the Star Dou Great Forest—its soul beast resources are indeed abundant."
However, the sheer number of them posed a problem for him.
After all, to forge advanced defensive soul tools, the materials needed to be exceptionally tough.
But the Star Dou Great Forest stretched on endlessly, filled with countless types of soul beasts. Finding the right one was easier said than done.
Just as anxiety was rising in his heart, he suddenly sensed an overwhelming and bone-piercing killing intent radiating from deep within the forest.
Lan Minghua lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes instantly locking onto the source of that murderous aura.
"This killing intent… it's coming from the Lake of Life. Could it be the Azure Bull Python?"
He had visited the Star Dou Great Forest once before and was very familiar with the Lake of Life's location.
Moreover, the Titan Giant Ape had died at his hands. Even if the Azure Bull Python were a fool, by now it would have realized something had happened to its companion.
A faint smirk curved Lan Minghua's lips as he murmured, "Truly, no need to wear out iron shoes searching when the prize comes to you effortlessly. I was just worrying about what soul beast to use as material, and now a hundred-thousand-year soul beast has personally delivered itself to my doorstep."
In his eyes, the Azure Bull Python's massive body, its resilient bones, and its gleaming scales were all perfect materials for crafting top-grade soul tools.
In the outside world, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was a priceless treasure. Every part of its body was of immeasurable value.
Lan Minghua chuckled lightly, patting his stomach lazily. "I was originally planning to spare you. But since you've come to me on your own, I'll show mercy and send you to reunite with that little monkey of yours."
With that, he wasted no time and shot toward the Lake of Life, his figure streaking forward like a bolt of lightning.
As he flew, the strong gusts he generated sent dead branches and withered leaves swirling into the air, fluttering about chaotically before rustling back down.
In the blink of an eye, the wide expanse of the Lake of Life appeared before him.
At its center, the Azure Bull Python's colossal body coiled like a small azure mountain.
"Lan Minghua! The moment you dare step into the Star Dou Great Forest again will be the day you die!"
The Azure Bull Python hissed in a low growl, completely unaware that Lan Minghua was already nearby.
Hearing this, Lan Minghua became even more certain that Xiao Wu, that promiscuous rabbit, had met with it.
When it came to such fawning, Lan Minghua could only find it pathetic and laughable.
At once, he spoke up. "Oi, little loach—are you saying you want to kill me?"
The sudden voice made the Azure Bull Python's enormous body tremble, sending ripples spreading across the lake's surface.
It swiftly turned its massive frame, its giant pupils locking fiercely onto Lan Minghua.
The moment it saw him, Xiao Wu's description of his appearance resurfaced in its mind.
"You… you're Lan Minghua?!"
Its voice carried a chilling murderous intent as it struck first.
Its enormous head rose high, unleashing an earth-shaking roar.
The sound was like thunder exploding out of nowhere, rolling across the lake as ripples spread endlessly.
Ancient trees nearby shook violently, leaves rustling down in waves, and even the ground quivered faintly.
Lan Minghua stood still, his dead-fish eyes staring ahead, long hair billowing wildly, his expression completely unchanged.
Before the roar even faded, the Azure Bull Python's massive tail lashed out like an enormous steel whip, sweeping straight toward him.
Yet Lan Minghua's face remained calm and composed, utterly unflustered.
He made no move, simply hovering there quietly in the air.
In the next instant, the tail slammed into his body.
"Boom!"
The strike landed with a resounding thud, as though colliding with an immovable heavenly pillar, but failed to budge him an inch.
Lan Minghua felt the toughness of its tail, and a trace of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"Impressive durability. Today, this treasure of a body will be mine!"
As he spoke, he pressed his right index and middle fingers together, forming a finger sword.
Instantly, an overwhelming sword aura erupted, piercing straight into the heavens. The clouds above shattered apart in that very moment.
The sword aura hummed, shaking both heaven and earth.
Seeing this, the Azure Bull Python was seized by an intense unease, its massive body twisting nervously.
But the flames of vengeance burned too fiercely, instantly consuming its fear.
It raised its gigantic serpent head high and spewed out a breath of azure energy that surged into the sky.
The once clear, cloudless heavens abruptly darkened as rolling thunderclouds gathered, exuding a sense of dreadful terror.
"Rumble!"
Azure lightning flashed within the clouds, dyeing the entire sky a shade of blue.
"Heavenly Azure Annihilation Lightning!"
With its thunderous bellow, the lightning struck down with the power to destroy everything, crashing toward Lan Minghua.
Yet Lan Minghua did not flinch, nor did he evade. He simply stood his ground, his calm gaze meeting the incoming lightning.
But just as the devastating thunder was about to strike, he moved.
The sword aura around him surged, condensing in an instant into a longsword that thrust skyward.
The moment the azure lightning collided with the sword, it vanished like melting snow.
With a sharp "swish," a massive gash was torn open in the storm-shrouded sky.
The Azure Bull Python's immense pupils trembled violently—it hadn't imagined that its Heavenly Azure Annihilation Lightning would be broken so effortlessly.
Lan Minghua found its shocked expression amusing.
Seriously? You came seeking revenge without even considering if your strength was sufficient? Or did you think that someone capable of instantly killing the Titan Giant Ape wouldn't be able to do the same to you?
Lan Minghua was utterly speechless. It was time to end this.
His movement was simple—with his fingers as a sword, he casually slashed toward the Azure Bull Python.
The motion was neither fast nor fierce, almost like swatting away an insignificant insect.
Yet within that seemingly careless strike, the sword of condensed aura tore through space like lightning, cleaving straight for the serpent's neck.
The speed was too great—the Azure Bull Python had no time to react.
The instant the blade touched its neck, it sliced through without any resistance.
The incredibly tough scales and muscles were as fragile as paper before this strike.
In the giant serpent's eyes, murderous rage was instantly replaced with sheer terror.
It didn't even have time to let out a final hiss. Its massive head, frozen in disbelief, slowly parted from its body.
Blood erupted like a fountain from the severed neck, dyeing the lake crimson in an instant.
The clear water turned a deep blood-red, and the stench of blood filled the air.
The overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, the hundred-thousand-year soul beast Azure Bull Python—had fallen.
Lan Minghua glanced down at the corpse. With a beckoning motion of his hand, he pulled it into his Devouring Pouch.
The moment the body vanished, the once vibrant Star Dou Great Forest fell into a dead silence, as if a mute button had been pressed.
Frowning, Lan Minghua swept his gaze around. Suddenly, an earth-shaking roar echoed out from an unknown direction.
The sound was filled with wrath, as if it could shatter heaven and earth.
In the next instant, countless powerful soul beast auras surged like a tidal wave from all directions.
The mighty creatures that had slumbered deep within the forest had been awakened by the Azure Bull Python's death.
They roared threats at Lan Minghua, their killing intent saturating the air.
Lan Minghua sneered coldly. "What the hell are you roaring at? Shut up!"
Before his words had even faded, his aura soared, releasing the full force of his soul power, which was nearing Rank 100.
Under the crushing pressure, the entire Star Dou Great Forest was instantly silenced.
The powerful soul beasts that had just been so menacing fell deathly quiet, completely suppressed by the overwhelming might. It was as if they had never appeared at all.
Lan Minghua gave a disdainful laugh. "If you don't have the strength, then don't make a sound. Otherwise, you'll be next."
After mocking the hidden soul beasts, he turned and left the forest.
Long after he was gone, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, a pair of colossal golden eyes suddenly opened.
"Human… once this king fully awakens, I will settle this score with you!"
(End of Chapter)