Boiling Killing Intent
Sunset Forest!
In just a few words, Chen Xin and Dugu Bo had reached a tacit understanding. Chen Xin then spoke calmly:
"Since we're both here to hunt soul beasts for our juniors, let's each go our separate ways and not interfere with each other."
Dugu Bo nodded in agreement.
"Agreed."
With that, the two parties split up, each choosing a different direction to enter the forest.
Chen Yuan was still thinking about the immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but two major problems stood in his way. First, he didn't recognize most of the types of immortal herbs. Second, he hadn't yet figured out how to bring this matter to light.
He couldn't explain how he knew about the existence of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and its immortal herbs. He also wasn't sure if his requests would convince Chen Xin, or even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to risk a major conflict with Dugu Bo.
If things spiraled out of control, Dugu Bo had the ability to wipe out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, leaving only the Sword and Bone Douluo alive. Conflict was not an option, especially since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't like the Spirit Hall, which had numerous super Douluo-level powerhouses.
If force wasn't an option, then the best approach was to use wit, but that would require a lot of brainpower.
Thinking this, Chen Yuan instinctively glanced back. At that moment, Dugu Yan also curiously looked over. Their eyes met, and Dugu Yan smiled. Chen Yuan returned the smile, leaving a preliminary impression on each other.
Soon, they both looked away. Chen Yuan followed Chen Xin, while Dugu Yan followed Dugu Bo, and both groups quickly moved on.
Both Chen Xin and Dugu Bo were top-tier powerhouses on the continent, Titled Douluo. Even though the Sunset Forest was fraught with danger, there were few soul beasts that could threaten them.
Both parties quickly ventured deep into the forest. As Titled Douluo, their auras were constantly intertwined, allowing them to sense each other's presence.
After all, they had no prior relationship, and now they were both in the soul beast forest, so it was natural to remain cautious.
To reach the level of Titled Douluo, one's talent and temperament had to be top-notch. Trusting others easily was not in their nature.
---
Not long after, Chen Xin and Chen Yuan had explored a large area. Just moments ago, they had spotted an eight-hundred-year-old Armored Beast, which met Chen Xin's expectations but not Chen Yuan's.
So they continued to explore deeper. Suddenly, Chen Yuan spotted a Great Horned Bull. It was nearly four meters long, with a shoulder height of almost two meters. Its muscles were bulging, and its horns gleamed brightly.
Chen Yuan couldn't take his eyes off it. This was the soul beast he wanted. The Great Horned Bull's horns were indestructible and razor-sharp. Combined with the bull's terrifying strength, even top predators in the soul beast forest dared not provoke it.
Especially when the Great Horned Bull entered a frenzied state, its strength increased, and its pain tolerance decreased, making it willing to fight to the death with any enemy. Despite being a herbivore, few carnivores dared to prey on it.
Chen Yuan immediately pointed at the Great Horned Bull and said:
"Teacher, I want this soul beast!"
Chen Xin looked over and then took a sharp breath.
"This Great Horned Bull is at least fifteen hundred years old. Yuan'er, I know your physique is strong, but are you sure you want to absorb a fifteen-hundred-year soul ring for your second soul ring?"
For most soul masters, the limit for a second soul ring was seven hundred and sixty years. Chen Yuan was doubling that. A fifteen-hundred-year soul ring was terrifying!
Chen Yuan fell silent for a moment, but then he spoke with determination:
"Teacher, I believe in the foundation I've built over the past two and a half years, through all the hardships I've endured and the countless amounts of hundred-year and thousand-year whale glue I've consumed."
Chen Xin's expression fluctuated, but seeing Chen Yuan's resolute look, he could only sigh and say:
"Stay here. I'll go deal with the Great Horned Bull."
With that, Chen Xin flew forward, his soul power pressure sweeping out and immediately alerting the Great Horned Bull. Sensing the terrifying aura, the bull didn't dare to stay and resist. It turned and fled at full speed.
The bull was fast, but Chen Xin was faster. Like a white lightning bolt, he caught up to the bull and pointed a sword finger at its head. A surge of sword intent mixed with powerful spiritual energy struck the bull's brain, knocking it unconscious.
Unlike plant soul beasts, animal soul beasts had brains and consciousness, making them vulnerable to spiritual attacks. A strong enough stimulus could render them unconscious, leaving their bodies powerless.
Chen Xin turned and waved his hand, calling out:
"Yuan'er, come over!"
Chen Yuan quickly ran over and soon stood beside Chen Xin.
Chen Xin asked again to confirm:
"Yuan'er, are you sure you want to absorb this fifteen-hundred-year soul ring?"
Chen Yuan nodded firmly.
"I'm sure!"
He then summoned his martial soul, and a yellow soul ring rose from his feet. Chen Yuan raised the Seven Kill Sword and with a single strike, cut off half of the Great Horned Bull's head.
Blood gushed out, and the bull instantly stopped breathing. A milky white energy flowed out of its body, gathering to form a purple soul ring. It was magnificent and dazzling, a world apart from the yellow soul ring.
Chen Yuan immediately sat down cross-legged and began to absorb the soul ring. The purple soul ring floated over, settling onto the Seven Kill Sword and quickly merging into it. A tremendous amount of soul ring energy surged into his body.
---
At the same time, on the other side of the forest!
Dugu Bo took a sharp breath. He couldn't hear the conversation between Chen Yuan and Chen Xin, but he could sense that Chen Yuan was absorbing a thousand-year soul ring for his second soul ring. This was an earth-shattering event, completely defying the common knowledge of soul masters.
Dugu Yan asked curiously:
"Grandpa, what's wrong?"
Dugu Bo didn't hide it:
"That boy with Chen Xin, Chen Yuan, is absorbing a thousand-year soul ring for his second soul ring. These major sects are unbelievable. Do they have so many geniuses that they're willing to risk losing a few?"
Dugu Yan's eyes widened in shock. A second soul ring, a thousand-year soul ring? Chen Yuan's actions made her heart race, and she couldn't help but feel nervous.
At that moment, Dugu Bo frowned. A surge of sword intent suddenly erupted, cutting off his perception. He realized this was a warning from Chen Xin. He snorted and said:
"Yan Yan, let's not talk about that boy anymore. Whether he lives or dies is none of our concern. Grandpa will take you to find a suitable soul beast for your third soul ring."
Dugu Yan nodded, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. She was curious, very curious, about whether Chen Yuan would survive. His bold actions had left a deep impression on her.
---
Back to Chen Yuan, he was in danger. The energy inside his body was running wild. Although his body was strong and hadn't burst apart immediately, the pain was real. If he gave up now, the rampaging energy would leave him with lifelong scars. There was no turning back.
He could only endure the intense pain and try to enter a meditative state to speed up the absorption of the soul ring energy.
Who would have thought this process would last four hours? Fortunately, his willpower was strong, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.
After successfully absorbing the soul ring, the suffering finally paid off. Every cell in Chen Yuan's body seemed to cheer as his physical attributes skyrocketed, improving by leaps and bounds.
When he opened his eyes, he let out a long breath of relief, but thinking of his gains, he couldn't help but smile.
Seeing him awake, Chen Xin sighed in relief and asked:
"You finally woke up. Tsk tsk, I didn't think you'd actually pull it off. How are the gains?"
Chen Yuan looked up at Chen Xin and smiled:
"Thank you for protecting me, Teacher. My gains are huge. The Seven Kill Sword has become even harder, and its sharpness has greatly improved. I also gained a powerful second soul skill called 'Boiling Killing Intent'!"
At this, Chen Yuan's eyes sparkled:
"It's a berserk skill. When activated, all attributes increase by 100%—strength, speed, resistance… and the pain tolerance of the body decreases significantly, greatly enhancing combat ability."
"However, there's a downside. The killing intent from the sword constantly flows into me, repeatedly impacting my consciousness. It might affect my mental state, making me want to kill every enemy in sight. It's a bit dangerous and needs to be used carefully."
(PS: The amplification might seem exaggerated, but compared to the thousand-year soul skill 'White Tiger King's Vajra Transformation,' which doubles all attributes and lasts for over half an hour, 'Boiling Killing Intent' feels fairly balanced.)
Chen Xin's eyes widened, and even he couldn't help but take a sharp breath. Such an exaggerated amplification could completely turn the tide of a battle. He had to admit, this was truly a skill worthy of the risk of absorbing a fifteen-hundred-year soul ring.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,594
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