After resting overnight at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the group decided to continue their soul hunting mission. This time, their goal was to find suitable Spirit Rings for Dugu Yan and Marco.
"Yan Yan's Muddy Earth Poison Dragon requires a Spirit Ring with both earth and poison attributes," Dugu Bo unfolded the map. "The swamp to the east has Titan Pythons, which perfectly match the requirements."
Ye Qingwan asked with concern, "Titan Pythons are known for their strength and toxicity. Won't it be too dangerous?"
Dugu Bo confidently smiled, "With Brother Li and me here, dealing with a thousand-year Titan Python won't be a problem."
The team headed east and soon arrived at a swamp area. The swamp was shrouded in mist, with the air filled with the stench of decay and poisonous gases.
"Be careful. Titan Pythons like to lurk in the mud," Dugu Bo reminded.
Suddenly, the mud in front of them churned violently, and a giant python surged into the sky. Its body was as thick as an ancient tree, with earth-yellow scales covered in dark green poisonous spots. Judging by its size, it had about fifteen hundred years of cultivation.
"Perfect for Yan Yan's third Spirit Ring," Dugu Bo nodded.
The Titan Python spotted the intruders and immediately attacked. Its thick tail swept toward the group, sending mud flying everywhere.
"No need for complications," Li Zhaoyan smiled faintly, releasing the pressure of a Titled Douluo.
The powerful Soul Power directly suppressed the Titan Python, rendering it immobile. Trembling under the Soul Power pressure, the python couldn't even struggle.
"Yan Yan, go ahead," Dugu Bo signaled.
Dugu Yan immediately drew a knife from her Soul Tool. Her Muddy Earth Poison Dragon Martial Soul manifested, with the second Spirit Ability "Solid Rock Poison Armor" protecting her entire body. She then struck the Titan Python's vital spot with a single slash.
Under the Soul Power suppression, the Titan Python couldn't resist at all and soon died. A purple Spirit Ring slowly rose.
"A thousand-year Spirit Ring, perfect for Yan Yan's third Spirit Ring," Dugu Bo nodded with satisfaction.
Dugu Yan immediately began absorbing the Spirit Ring. The Muddy Earth Poison Dragon Martial Soul perfectly matched the Titan Python's earth and poison attributes, making the absorption process very smooth.
In just half an hour, Dugu Yan successfully absorbed the Spirit Ring. She opened her eyes excitedly and said, "Third Spirit Ability: Poison Dragon Awakening! All attributes are doubled, and toxin effects are enhanced by two times!"
She demonstrated her new Spirit Ability. The Muddy Earth Poison Dragon was surrounded by intense poisonous mist, the toxic spots on its scales became more prominent, and her overall aura increased significantly.
"Such a powerful enhancement effect!" Ye Lingling exclaimed in amazement.
Dugu Bo nodded with satisfaction, "The Titan Python's Spirit Ring is indeed suitable for the Muddy Earth Poison Dragon."
Next, it was time to find a Spirit Ring for Marco. The group headed west and arrived at an open valley.
"According to records, this valley has Sacred Hall Birds," Yang Wudi said. "The Sacred Hall Bird is a Soul Beast with both light and fire attributes, perfect for Marco's Azure Flame Phoenix."
Li Zhaoyan expanded his Autumn Maple Domain, covering the entire valley with its power. Suddenly, a clear cry came from the sky. A pure white giant bird was forced to reveal itself under the pressure of the domain power.
"It's a Sacred Hall Bird!" Dugu Bo exclaimed with surprise, but then his expression changed. "This aura... it's a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast!"
The Sacred Hall Bird was pure white overall, with snow-like feathers and golden light shimmering along the edges of its wings. Faint flames surrounded its body. Judging by its imposing manner, it indeed had ten-thousand years of cultivation.
Yang Wudi explained: "The Sacred Hall Bird is a rare Soul Beast. Legend says when they approach the end of their lifespan, they burn their Soul Power and fly toward the sun until turning to ashes. The light attribute of this Soul Beast is extremely pure..."
"Since it's a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast, we should let it go." Li Zhaoyan prepared to withdraw his domain.
"Wait!" Marco suddenly spoke up, "Father, I want to absorb this Spirit Ring."
Everyone looked at him in surprise. Ye Qingwan urgently said: "Marco, this is a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring! It carries soul shock that a Soul Ancestor cannot withstand!"
Marco said firmly: "I have an inexplicable feeling that this Sacred Hall Bird is extremely compatible with my Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit. After consuming the Nirvana Marrow Cleansing Flower, my physical constitution is sufficient to withstand a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring."
Dugu Bo frowned: "Soul shock cannot be resisted by physical constitution alone—it's an attack that directly targets the soul."
"I'm confident." Marco took out the Autumn Water Piercing Gaze Dew, "With the help of this Immortal Herb, my mental power should be enough to counter the soul shock."
After carefully observing the Sacred Hall Bird, Yang Wudi said: "The light attribute of the Sacred Hall Bird does indeed match well with the Azure Flame Phoenix. But the risk of a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring is simply too great..."
Under Marco's insistence, Li Zhaoyan finally sighed: "Since you're so determined, go ahead and try. But at the first sign of danger, I'll immediately intervene to stop it."
With everyone working together, the Sacred Hall Bird was subdued. A pitch-black ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring slowly rose.
Marco consumed the Autumn Water Piercing Gaze Dew and began absorbing the Spirit Ring.
The moment the Spirit Ring's energy poured in, Marco felt tremendous pressure. The energy of a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring far exceeded anything he had experienced before, making his body feel like it was about to burst.
Even more terrifying was the soul shock—the Sacred Hall Bird's remnant consciousness roared in his mind, transforming into a white light that charged straight toward his spiritual sea.
"Not good!" Li Zhaoyan prepared to intervene.
At this critical moment, the Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit within Marco's body automatically protected its master. A wisp of Azure Flame ignited in his spiritual sea, taking the form of a Phoenix.
The white light formed by the Sacred Hall Bird's remnant consciousness crashed into the Azure Flame Phoenix, but the Phoenix let out a clear cry, spread its wings, and directly suppressed the white light. The Azure Flame burned, completely eliminating the Sacred Hall Bird's remnant consciousness.
"This is... the Martial Soul automatically protecting its master?" Dugu Bo exclaimed in shock.
With the soul shock crisis resolved, Marco began fully absorbing the Spirit Ring's energy. The effects of the Nirvana Marrow Cleansing Flower were activated, and golden-red light surged from his body, repairing the damage caused by the Spirit Ring energy impact.
Stimulated by the ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring, the Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit underwent transformation, with golden-red light growing increasingly prominent within the Azure Flame.
As time passed minute by minute under everyone's tense gazes, Marco finally succeeded in absorbing the Spirit Ring.
When he opened his eyes, the pitch-black color of his fourth Spirit Ring shocked everyone.
"A ten-thousand-year fourth ring!" Dugu Bo was the first to exclaim, "You've created a miracle!"
Li Zhaoyan excitedly patted his son's shoulder: "Well done! Your Martial Soul automatically protected you!"
Ye Qingwan wept tears of joy: "Marco, you were absolutely amazing!"
Marco felt the surging Soul Power within his body and the clearly improved quality of his Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit. However, instead of immediately demonstrating his new Spirit Ability, he first focused on stabilizing his newly broken-through realm.
"How incredible!" Dugu Yan exclaimed in amazement. "A ten-thousand-year fourth ring - there's no precedent for this across the entire continent!"
Ye Lingling also said happily, "Brother's Martial Soul quality has improved so much!"
As the sun set in the west, the group began their journey back. This soul hunting operation had yielded tremendous gains, with Marco particularly creating the miracle of a ten-thousand-year fourth ring.