Hundred-Thousand-Year Fire Cloud Crane

"The Hundred-Thousand-Year Fire Cloud Crane, a Fire-Attribute Soul Beast." Han Yu stroked his chin.

If he could obtain its soul ring, it would surely grant him an excellent soul skill. Perhaps, beyond the system helping to strengthen his martial soul, this Fire-Attribute Soul Beast might even trigger another mutation in his martial soul.

As a transmigrator, Han Yu knew that once soul beasts entered the hundred-thousand-year stage and safely survived for another thousand years, they would face a Heavenly Tribulation.

If they successfully overcame it, their lifespans would increase by another hundred thousand years, and their cultivation could break through to two hundred thousand years.

As for this Fire Cloud Crane, it had suddenly gone mad, attacking humans and other soul beasts. It must have been because the great tribulation was approaching and it lacked the strength to resist it, leaving it with no choice but to search for treasures.

Han Yu could not be certain whether that was the case, so he asked, "Dean, when this soul beast first appeared a thousand years ago, had it just broken through to the hundred-thousand-year level?"

Pei Feng laughed heartily. "Director Han, your guess is correct. Back when I worked at Spirit Hall, I happened to come across an ancient book that recorded this Fire Cloud Crane. It was indeed as you suspected. And this kind of soul beast is exceptionally rare. I doubt there is a second one."

Han Yu let out a sigh of relief.

If its end was truly near, then he had at least a ninety percent chance of succeeding.

"Hehe, I heard from that old fellow Alto that you intend to research Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts?" Pei Feng asked.

Han Yu nodded in confirmation.

"Mm, not bad. If you want to become Dean, you must achieve something in Soul Master Theoretical Research. Researching Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts will provide a theory sufficient to convince those fellows in the Empire."

The Dean wants me to be his successor?

Han Yu thought of what the other man had done today, and the answer was obvious.

But he had no desire to be trapped here for the rest of his life.

Still, after considering it for a while, he did not voice his thoughts.

His savings were currently limited, not enough to support him roaming the continent. As long as he did not resign, his salary would not be lacking.

"Alright, there's no need to be so surprised. You're only a little over twenty, you cultivate so diligently, and you've now reached the Soul Ancestor Realm. You are indeed qualified to serve as Dean."

"Dean, I—"

"There is no need to say more. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast possesses strength comparable to a powerful Titled Douluo. Be extremely careful on this trip. Observe only from afar. Even if you fail to research anything, I have other subjects for you to study."

"Go without worry. This period will count as paid research leave."

Dean, I wanted to say that I don't want to inherit your position.

With things having reached this point, Han Yu could not say much more.

After nodding in agreement, he left the academy, hired a carriage, and headed for the Star Dou Great Forest.

Soul Beast Town before the Star Dou Great Forest had now been taken over by the Heaven Dou Imperial Army and Spirit Hall's guards.

Other than soul masters who needed to break through, no one was permitted to enter.

Using his advancement as an excuse, Han Yu entered without any obstruction.

The place where the Hundred-Thousand-Year Fire Cloud Crane appeared was far from here. Otherwise, he likely would not have had the chance to get in.

"The path of cultivation is a struggle against others and against heaven. Besides, I'm trying to reverse the heavenly order. If I can't obtain this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, I may have no future at all."

If he failed the mission, the system would kill him. If he forcibly took Xiao Wu's soul ring, Tang Hao would kill him.

Looking at it this way, seeking another soul beast was the choice with the lowest level of danger.

Knowing full well that he lacked strength, Han Yu did not dare venture recklessly into the forest.

He followed the outermost edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, steadily drawing closer to the location Alto had given him.

If he wanted the other party to sacrifice itself to him, he first had to meet it.

As for whether it would give him a chance to speak, Han Yu believed that as long as he said the right keywords, it would definitely hear him out.

Even a desperate person would clutch at any remedy, let alone a soul beast.

Several days passed quietly. Relying on his martial soul's innate affinity with fire attributes, he found the right destination.

Not far ahead of him, a crane-type soul beast with a wingspan of several dozen meters, its entire body bathed in flames, was attacking something within the forest.

There was no time to waste.

Han Yu shouted at the top of his lungs, "I know your Heavenly Tribulation is approaching. I have a way to help you."

From such a great distance, the Fire Cloud Crane could hear him, but could not make out what he was saying.

"Human, you seek death!" The Fire Cloud Crane let out a shrill cry and sped toward Han Yu.

The next instant, it flapped its wings, and flames swept across the sky.

"I know your Heavenly Tribulation is approaching. I have a way to help you." Han Yu closed his eyes and shouted again.

One second, two seconds.

The flames did not consume him. Instead, a massive figure landed before him.

A true Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Han Yu's throat bobbed as he struggled to remain calm.

"Human brat, you actually know about the Heavenly Tribulation. Tell me what method you have. If I, the Emperor, am not satisfied, your death day will come."

"I think you'll be the one who dies."

"Human, you seek death." The Fire Cloud Crane immediately flew into a rage.

"A thousand years ago, you broke through to the hundred-thousand-year level. A thousand years later happens to be when the first Heavenly Tribulation descends. If I'm not mistaken, you sustained quite a few hidden injuries in your body during your early campaigns. When facing the Heavenly Tribulation, you will ultimately be reduced to nothing."

Upon hearing this, the Fire Cloud Crane did not become enraged.

Seeing Han Yu's confident demeanor, it knew that this human truly knew something.

"Then tell me, how should I, the Emperor, overcome the Heavenly Tribulation? If I succeed, even though you are human, I am still willing to become brothers with you."

"I have no way."

Han Yu shook his head.

The Heavenly Tribulation had been decreed by the God Realm. As a mere mortal, he had no authority to stop it.

"Are you toying with me, the Emperor?!" The Fire Cloud Crane's expression turned extremely ugly.

"Unless you choose to undergo Transformation immediately. But you likely have many enemies in the soul beast world. Once you transform, you will surely die."

Seeing the hesitation in the Fire Cloud Crane's eyes, Han Yu continued, "I have a method that can exempt you from the Heavenly Tribulation and allow you to advance directly into a Divine Beast."

"Human child, are you joking?" A Divine Beast was the goal every soul beast pursued. If becoming a Divine Beast were truly so easy, would soul beasts still have to remain cooped up on Douluo Continent?

"I am not joking."

After pondering for a moment, the Fire Cloud Crane asked, "Human, tell me your method. If I, the Emperor, succeed, I will cover all your cultivation resources."

Han Yu feigned a sigh. "You won't agree to this method. I might as well not say it."

The Fire Cloud Crane's curiosity had long since been piqued. Even if Han Yu said it, it would be more inclined to think it over than believe he was lying.

"Human, I, the Emperor, swear that regardless of whether your method works, I will allow you to leave safely. If I break this oath, may a lightning tribulation descend upon me and reduce me to ashes."

Han Yu laughed inwardly.

Playing hard to get had worked.

"The method is simple. You sacrifice yourself to me as an investment. I can swear upon my martial soul that once I become a Divine Being, I will revive you in the God Realm. At that time, you will be a true Divine Beast."