Yu Tianyan's original plan was to find a thousand-year-old Dragon-Horned Rhino King for his third soul ring. But after seeing the terrifying potential of the Thunderous Fury skill, he changed his mind. If he activated the third soul skill while using the first and second at full power, the amplification effect would be overwhelming.
He didn't need attack skills. As long as his body and soul could withstand the pressure, that terrifying lightning would be enough to defeat any opponent of the same level.
Had he not taken the Dragon Blood Sword Grass earlier, he likely would have gone with the Dragon-Horned Rhino. That soul beast was famous for its amplification skills and would've certainly boosted his first two soul rings.
Crocodile Dragons typically lived in the swamps north of the Star Dou Great Forest.
As night fell, the group of three decided to rest for the night, giving Dugu Bo and Liu Erlong time to recover their soul strength before heading deeper into the forest.
Dugu Bo took the first watch. During the second half of the night, Yu Tianyan quietly took Liu Erlong outside the tent to stargaze. Whether they truly gazed at the stars or not was up for debate—Yu Tianyan was only ten years old, after all. Dugu Bo didn't believe he was capable of much else.
By the time they reached the northern part of the forest the next afternoon, they were all exhausted. They had crossed nearly the entire Star Dou Great Forest from south to north. Even Yu Tianyan, who usually relied on flight, couldn't hold on and lay slumped across Liu Erlong's back.
Dugu Bo, lacking a flying soul bone, had been relying solely on soul power. When they finally reached their destination, he looked completely drained.
A swamp spread out before them. Powerful soul energy rippled under the surface, and a few mud-covered Crocodile Dragons crawled along the edges.
These soul beasts had heads resembling dragons, covered in black scales. As sub-dragon species, they were well known for their tough defenses.
Without a word, Liu Erlong grabbed a Crocodile Dragon under 3,000 years old and slammed it down in front of Yu Tianyan.
"This one's good. Go ahead."
Dugu Bo's face twitched. The dragon had clear burn marks on its belly, and its head looked clean—too clean. Clearly, it had already been beaten half to death.
Still, he voiced his concern.
"Dean Liu, I think this one's been cultivating for around 2,800 years. Maybe we should find one a bit younger?"
The words were meant as a reminder to Yu Tianyan, but in truth, he was directing them at Liu Erlong—hoping she'd consider the boy's safety and choose something closer to 2,000 years.
Yu Tianyan turned to them, smiling softly.
"Senior Dugu, Sister… trust me. I'm not someone who jokes with my life. I have reasons to live."
A deep purple light rose from the Crocodile Dragon's corpse and slowly formed into a transparent soul ring.
Before Liu Erlong could respond, Dugu Bo's face darkened with realization.
What kind of kid says things like that to his 'sister'? And what kind of sister lets him?
Liu Erlong gritted her teeth. The moisture in her eyes was quickly evaporated by the heat radiating from her body. She lowered her head for a moment, then suddenly straightened.
With a roar, she hurled the Crocodile Dragon's body high into the sky.
Hopefully, it didn't land on a passing soul beast.
Yu Tianyan scratched his cheek awkwardly. His actual plan was to find a 4,000-year-old beast and use strange fire and celestial herbs to raise it to 5,000 years. He hadn't expected Liu Erlong—who knew him so well—to guess everything so easily.
Dugu Bo's train of thought was completely derailed. His eyelids twitched as he stared at the 4,000-year-old Crocodile Dragon in front of them. For an average soul master, this kind of soul beast was overkill for a fourth ring, let alone a third.
A crack of thunder echoed through the swamp.
Blue and white lightning wrapped around Yu Tianyan. A yellow and purple ring glowed at his feet.
"Thousand-year ring?" Dugu Bo gasped.
Suddenly he remembered—he'd heard rumors about a dual-thousand-year lightning spirit user at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
Ignoring Dugu Bo's shock, Yu Tianyan raised his hand. Under Liu Erlong's intense gaze, a torrent of lightning burst from his palm and struck the Crocodile Dragon's head.
The thunder fried its brain instantly.
Dugu Bo was dumbfounded. This child just dismissed a 2,800-year-old beast as too weak?
"Hey, kid," Dugu Bo spoke seriously. "I don't know how strong your body is, but don't underestimate the power difference between soul beasts. Every extra hundred years means a big jump. And this is a sub-dragon, after all. Even 2,800 years is dangerous."
"Um, kid…" he paused, realizing Yu Tianyan wasn't even listening. Seeing the boy's confidence, Dugu Bo began to believe he really could do it.
Liu Erlong could barely stand the boy's soft gaze, especially with Dugu Bo right there watching.
"What if you fail, Xiaoyan? You're not living just for yourself. If something happens to you…"
Liu Erlong's voice trailed off. Dugu Bo looked over in shock.
But then Liu Erlong smiled and turned to Dugu Bo.
"Don't worry, Senior. With Xiaoyan's current body, he can handle this spirit ring."
The Crocodile Dragon's soul energy was clearly intense, but Liu Erlong didn't hesitate. When Dugu Bo tried to argue, she cut him off coldly.
"No more discussion. This is the one."
With that, she turned back toward the swamp, and a blast of flame lit the air. Moments later, she returned dragging a Crocodile Dragon twice the size of the previous one.
Same scorched belly, same clean head, same unconscious state.
Yu Tianyan sat cross-legged. In his sea of consciousness, dragon roars echoed. Blue-white lightning surged around him as the purple soul ring slowly merged with his existing ones.
"Yu Tianyan, don't you dare get hurt!" Liu Erlong shouted.
But Yu Tianyan had already entered the absorption state. He couldn't respond.
Liu Erlong, knowing his every habit, used a final burst of flame to clear the mud and open the beast's defenses, making it easier for the lightning to enter its body.
Last time, the two external soul bones had saved him during the second soul ring. Without them, he might have exploded on the spot. She never wanted to see him in such pain again.
Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically. A terrifying thought crossed his mind.
And then Yu Tianyan's next words shattered any doubts he had.
Lightning flashed in the boy's eyes.
"I'll be fine. Why would I leave you alone in this world? Trust me. You always do, don't you?"
A child under eleven years old, absorbing a third soul ring from a beast nearing 3,000 years?
Dugu Bo stood there stunned, staring at him.
Yu Tianyan looked back with a helpless expression.
"Sister, come on… can't we push it a bit further? How about 4,000 years?"
Dugu Bo realized with a sigh that his granddaughter had no chance anymore.
He used to think Liu Erlong was simply helping raise a little brother. Now, thinking back to her forced smile when she agreed to that marriage…
She wasn't raising a brother. She was raising a man.
"Dean Liu," Dugu Bo muttered, green eyes flashing. "You've really been hiding something."
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