The Undying Netherfire Dragon
Three days quickly passed, and a group of people quietly left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Cloud Mist Mountain.
This time, aside from Yang Xiong, who was a quasi–Soul Emperor, the original six members were all experts at least at the Soul Douluo level. Among them were even three Titled Douluo, making the team's strength formidable.
Only Yang Xiong and Lin Gong had been to that place before, so Lin Gong led the way. Bai He assigned the agility-type clan to gather intelligence. More than ten scouts from that clan had already infiltrated the Sunset Forest, ready to confirm any unusual activity there at any moment.
After half a day's journey, they reached a strange black miasma.
Visibility here was extremely low. Not only were soul beasts rare, but there were not even plants, and the black miasma was highly poisonous.
The group carefully made their way toward the center of the miasma. Sure enough, in the middle lay a massive abyss, like a giant beast ready to devour anyone who approached.
Normally, only Titled Douluo and Bai He could fly, so Sword Douluo summoned several Seven Kill Swords for transport. Yang Xiong, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao followed at the rear of the formation.
As they drew closer to the bottom of the abyss, they could feel an immensely powerful fire-type aura. However, it was unlike normal flames,it wasn't explosive but instead had a sinister, chilling quality.
When they finally got close enough, they saw a terrifying soul beast.
This soul beast was over fifty meters long and resembled a giant dragon. It had four razor-sharp claws, was covered in black scales, and its head was even larger than that of the Titan Giant Ape. Instead of dragon horns, it had a pair of massive ox horns.
What was stranger still was the black flame covering its entire body. This flame did not seem to come from the mortal world,it felt like it had emerged straight from the depths of hell.
Lin Gong wrapped the group in his Purple Sovereign Bamboo and soul power, his expression grave.
"Xiaoxiong, I didn't expect this to be an Undying Netherflame Dragon, a rare soul beast with top-tier fire and darkness attributes. It was thought to be extinct, but it seems one still exists here."
"It is said that this soul beast has terrifying vitality,almost impossible to kill. Judging from its condition, it's just shy of reaching the hundred-thousand-year mark."
"This beast possesses dragon blood and also the bloodline of the divine Kui Niu. Its combat strength may not be weaker than the Azure Bull Python in Star Dou Forest. In some ways, it may even be stronger."
Yang Xiong's eyes burned with determination as he looked at the beast. "Teacher Lin, I think this soul beast is perfect for me. I choose it."
The others were shocked. Yang Xiong was aiming for such a high-aged soul beast for his sixth soul ring. In soul master history, the longest lifespan for a sixth ring was just over twenty thousand years. This one was close to a hundred thousand! No wonder so many experts had gathered, even Sword Douluo looked surprised.
Lin Gong nodded. "Alright. Since you've decided, we'll follow the plan."
Niu Gao frowned. "Old Bamboo, Yang Xiong, are you sure? This is almost a hundred-thousand-year soul beast."
Yang Xiong nodded firmly. "I'm sure. I have confidence I can absorb it."
After arranging their strategy, they launched the assault.
Sword Douluo and Yang Wudi attacked first. The massive Breaking Soul Spear and Seven Kill Sword descended from the sky toward the dragon's head.
The quasi–hundred-thousand-year dragon reacted instantly, catching both weapons with its enormous claws.
Lin Gong's dragon-headed staff transformed into a mighty dragon that lunged at the beast.
Purple Sovereign Bamboo surrounded the abyss, sealing the area.
Niu Gao turned into an Armored Giant Rhinoceros and blocked the dragon's escape route.
Bai He stood guard at the perimeter, ready for any surprises.
Yang Xiong unleashed his fifth soul skill, Scarlet Blood Dragon Sword, and struck alongside Sword Douluo.
But the dragon's defense was terrifying,the sword aura couldn't even scratch its scales.
Seeing their attacks blocked, Lin Gong's bamboo turned into countless spears, but the black flames burned them to ash, and even seemed to scorch the soul itself.
Sword Douluo used his sixth soul skill, Myriad Swords Return to One, breaking through the dragon's scales and leaving deep wounds.
Yang Wudi's third soul skill, Burst, empowered his spear, shattering one of the dragon's claws.
The dragon roared in agony and, to everyone's shock, spoke in a human voice: "Humans, you will never kill me. Even in death, I will not yield."
It then tried to flee, but Niu Gao's Iron Wall skill blocked its path. The collision between the two shook the entire abyss.
Realizing its dire situation, the dragon's black flames suddenly flared skyward, carrying a chilling cold. Under the flames, its wounds healed instantly,even the broken claw regrew. But its soul power dropped significantly.
Sword Douluo explained, "Its undying body lets it recover from any injury, but it consumes soul power. If we keep pressing, it will die."
After an hour of relentless attacks, the dragon's soul power was exhausted. Sword Douluo suppressed its spiritual power, leaving it unable to even self-destruct.
Pinned by the bamboo and with all limbs severed, the dragon glared in hatred. "Human, you'll never have my soul ring."
Lin Gong urged, "Xiaoxiong, quickly. We can't waste time."
Yang Xiong stepped up to the dragon's head, unfazed by its threats. From his body, he produced a fiery-red bead,the inner core of the Ten-Headed Fierce Sun Serpent.
The dragon's eyes showed hunger at the sight of such a fire-attribute treasure.
Ignoring Niu Gao's warning that this might help the dragon break through, Yang Xiong replied with a smile, "I'm not after a quasi–hundred-thousand-year ring. I want a true hundred-thousand-year soul ring."
Lin Gong explained to the others that they had already tested Yang Xiong's body and believed he might withstand it.
After swallowing the core, the dragon's fire attribute energy surged violently, the abyss shook, and black clouds split with lightning.
A day later, the weakened dragon roared. Nine large lumps formed on its head, bursting open into nine new heads. Its black flames transformed, becoming both colder and hotter.
Laughing wildly, it declared, "Humans, thanks for the gift. From today on, I am truly immortal and the strongest soul beast in the world!"
In that moment, the Undying Netherflame Dragon finally broke through the hundred-thousand-year threshold, its aura becoming even more terrifying.