Earth Dragon Python, Thunderous Hell Vine

However, not long after they left, a dull thunderous explosion suddenly erupted from the heart of Thunderbolt Canyon. Two blue bolts of lightning, like startled dragons, struck down in response.

The force of it threw all the soul beasts within Thunderbolt Canyon into unrest, and they began fleeing endlessly toward the outer regions.

Watching the large number of soul beasts escape, Dugu Bo wrapped an arm around Ji Wuming and Dugu Yan each, then leaped onto a towering tree.

"Kid Ji, take a good look at the fleeing soul beasts and see which one would be suitable as Yanyan's Third Soul Ring."

"Yanyan, you need to examine them carefully too. Opportunities to find a soul ring this easily are rare!"

Dugu Bo extended the spiritual power of a Titled Douluo outward, searching the surroundings for a suitable soul beast.

Ji Wuming also probed with his spiritual power. Suddenly, the old man and the young man both fixed their eyes on a seven-meter giant python, brown all over and crawling swiftly forward. They spoke in unison.

"It's an Earth Dragon Python!!!"

"Where? Where is it?"

Dugu Yan looked excitedly toward where Ji Wuming and Dugu Bo were staring, yet she could not see the Earth Dragon Python at all.

Under Dugu Bo's guidance during this period, Dugu Yan had come to understand Earth Dragon Pythons quite well. They were among the few Sub-Dragon Species soul beasts in Thunderbolt Canyon, and also among the few snakes primarily aligned with the earth attribute.

To adapt to the environment here, they had deliberately abandoned their venom and cultivated the earth attribute instead, using it to withstand lightning assaults. Moreover, due to their Sub-Dragon Bloodline, they possessed not only agility but also tremendous strength.

Ji Wuming pointed in a direction, signaling Dugu Yan to look there, then added, "Little sister, judging by its appearance, this Earth Dragon Python is between 1,800 and 1,900 years old. It's just right for your Third Soul Ring!"

However, Dugu Bo frowned deeply. The limit for a Third Soul Ring was just over 1,700 years, while this soul beast had clearly exceeded that limit by around a hundred years. Attempting to absorb it could very well endanger her life.

Ji Wuming also saw the concern in his heart and immediately explained, "After absorbing the Immortal Herb, little sister's Martial Soul not only evolved, but her physique also underwent a qualitative leap. Absorbing a soul ring that exceeds her limit by a little over a hundred years won't be a problem."

"Suitable soul beasts are hard to find, and ones that suit me are even harder to find. Grandfather, didn't you say before that an Earth Dragon Python was one of the more suitable soul beasts for me? Then I'll choose it."

Dugu Bo still had some concerns over Dugu Yan's decision, but he ultimately decided to let her try. After all, he had personally experienced the effects of an Immortal Herb.

It was not until two minutes later that the Earth Dragon Python finally entered Dugu Yan's field of vision. Only then did Dugu Bo make up his mind. Suitable soul beasts were exceedingly difficult to find, and Sub-Dragon Species soul beasts were even rarer.

He immediately flew down from the tree, releasing the aura of a Titled Douluo. The fleeing soul beasts before him all chose to detour around him.

Before the Earth Dragon Python, mixed among the fleeing herd, could react, a fist slammed into its vital point. It was sent flying backward and crashed through a massive tree, snapping it in half.

"Hiss—"

The tremendous force made the Earth Dragon Python let out a pained hiss. Just as it was about to use all its strength to escape Dugu Bo's clutches, Dugu Bo followed with Medusa's Gaze. A streak of green light shot toward it, completely petrifying the rear half of its body.

Dragging its immensely heavy body, it could not even use its soul skills. Seeing the Earth Dragon Python still struggling, Dugu Bo threw three direct punches, knocking the dragon python completely unconscious.

Dugu Bo hoisted the Earth Dragon Python over his shoulder and leaped back into the tree, arriving beside Dugu Yan.

"Yanyan, kill it. Let this Earth Dragon Python become your Third Soul Ring!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Dugu Yan took out an entirely green dagger and stabbed it into the Earth Dragon Python's vital point. A Purple Soul Ring emerged.

Dugu Yan calmed herself and sat cross-legged, using her soul power to draw the Purple Soul Ring above her head. The absorption process went extremely smoothly, without the slightest pain. Even her height increased noticeably, while certain parts of her body became fuller and more shapely.

Less than two hours later, Dugu Yan opened her beautiful eyes. Looking at her grandfather and Ji Wuming, who had been guarding her side, she beamed with joy.

"Grandfather, my Soul Power Level has risen all the way to level 36!"

"Oh! Level 33—"

Dugu Bo suddenly realized something was wrong and stared at his granddaughter in astonishment.

"What did you say? Level 36? Shouldn't it be between level 32 and level 33? How could it rise by three levels at once?"

Dugu Bo turned to look at Ji Wuming, who was staring intently toward the area where lightning raged. In an instant, he thought once more of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. After taking one, even his soul power had risen three consecutive levels. Its effect on younger children would naturally be even greater.

From the looks of it, without counting the increase in Soul Power Level gained from adding a soul ring, one Earth Dragon Golden Melon had boosted Yanyan's soul power by nearly seven or eight levels.

Ji Wuming had eaten two of them. Just how far would his soul power rise? Could it be that after absorbing his Fourth Soul Ring, he would immediately go on to absorb his Fifth Soul Ring?

"Brother Ji, seeing how serious you look, could there be a soul beast you need at the center of Thunderbolt Canyon?"

Facing Dugu Yan, who had her hands behind her back and was leaning forward to ask, Ji Wuming replied, "That's right. There should be a soul beast I want at the center of the thunderstorm!"

"Could it be the Thunderous Hell Vine?"

Looking at the thunderstorm at the center of Thunderbolt Canyon, whose power still had not diminished, Dugu Bo had roughly guessed Ji Wuming's intentions.

"That's right. It's the Thunderous Hell Vine. Judging from this thunderstorm that shows no sign of weakening, the Thunderous Hell Vine should be there."

Hearing Ji Wuming's certain tone, Dugu Bo was truly astonished. He had briefly told the two of them about the Thunderous Hell Vine before, but he never expected Ji Wuming to choose this top-tier plant-type soul beast as his Fourth Soul Ring.

And judging by this thunderstorm, if the Thunderous Hell Vine truly was there, its age would certainly not be low.

Dugu Bo looked at Ji Wuming in surprise and said again, "Kid Ji, if there really is a Thunderous Hell Vine there, it won't be less than ten thousand years old. Can your Fourth Soul Ring truly withstand a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

The moment Dugu Yan heard that Ji Wuming intended to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast as his fourth ring, her eyes filled with worry.

"Brother Ji, absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring as your Fourth Soul Ring—isn't that too risky? Why don't we choose one with a lower age, perhaps a six- or seven-thousand-year soul ring? That wouldn't exceed the limit by too much."

"Senior, little sister, have faith in me. I absorbed two Immortal Herbs, and my second and Third Soul Rings are both Thunder Attribute Soul Rings, giving me a natural resistance to Lightning Force. Besides, my Martial Soul is an exceptionally domineering existence. I can withstand a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's soul ring."

Ji Wuming's gaze was incomparably firm. In truth, his deepest secret was that his Third Soul Ring was already a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. That gave him even greater confidence in absorbing the Thunderous Hell Vine.

An extra chapter today. There will be two more updates tonight. The release time has now been adjusted to between eight and nine in the evening. There will be at least two updates daily; whether there are three depends on whether I get stuck on the plot.