Star Dou Dragon Hunt, Purple Lightning Battle

The Star Dou Great Forest was the most vast and dangerous gathering place for Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent. Ancient trees towered overhead, and an aura of primordial wilderness permeated the air. It was both a perilous forbidden land and a dream destination where Soul Masters could obtain powerful Soul Rings.

A group of six was moving cautiously through the depths of the Mixed Zone. Leading them was Yu Boxuan, Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a Titled Douluo. His aura was steady and restrained, his gaze sharp as lightning. His formidable Spiritual Power spread out in invisible ripples, constantly scanning the surroundings to avoid unnecessary trouble while searching for their target.

Following close behind was an old man carrying an emerald-green wooden staff. He was Elder Liu, the clan's Guest Elder, an Level 83 Soul Douluo with the Staff of Life Martial Soul. His presence was the most important safeguard of this Soul Beast hunt.

Beside Elder Liu stood three sturdy middle-aged men, all Soul Sages. One of them bore a five- or six-tenths resemblance to Yu Yuanchen. There was a trace of calmness and refinement between his brows—Yu Mingfeng, Yu Yuanchen's father. Nearing forty, he had only recently, through his own efforts and the clan's resources, barely broken through to Level 71, becoming one of the clan's core pillars. At this moment, beneath his focus on the mission, his eyes held an almost imperceptible concern for his only son.

Yu Yuanchen walked in the middle of the group, focused and calm. He did not relax in the slightest because his grandfather and several powerful figures were protecting him. Instead, he fully expanded his Electric Field Perception and paired it with his Spiritual Power, vigilantly monitoring everything around him. Three years of tempering had long made him accustomed to maintaining the highest degree of alertness in any environment.

They had entered the Star Dou Great Forest half a month ago. Their goal was clear—find a Dragon Species Soul Beast around 35,000 years old, with a pure Dragon Bloodline and a Lightning Attribute or related attribute!

That target was exceptionally demanding. High-Cultivation Level Dragon Species Soul Beasts were already rare, and most occupied the edges of the Core Zone. Their strength was terrifying, and their territorial instincts were intense. Even Yu Boxuan did not dare venture deeply into the Core Zone and provoke its true overlords.

Over the past half month, they had encountered several attacks from Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and discovered a few Dragon Species Soul Beasts that met the criteria. However, their Cultivation Levels were either slightly lacking, or their attributes were not ideal. Until three days ago, based on ancient records and traces of Soul Beast activity, they had identified a special area in the Buffer Zone between the Mixed Zone and the Core Zone—Thunderclap Valley.

Legend said that strange thunder echoed there all year round, drawing many Lightning Attribute Soul Beasts together. It was also possible that powerful Dragon Species dwelled there.

The closer they came to Thunderclap Valley, the more active the Lightning Element in the air became. They could even see stray arcs of electricity leaping through the damp air. Massive Beast Roars also grew more frequent and threatening.

"Careful. We may have entered the territory of some Powerful Being." Yu Boxuan stopped and issued a low warning, his sharp eyes fixed on the Deep Valley.

Everyone immediately held their breath and quietly gathered their Soul Power.

Within Yu Yuanchen's Electric Field Perception, he sensed an incomparably Vast Aura of lightning, carrying both majesty and brutality. Like a sleeping volcano, it lay hidden in the deepest part of the valley. The purity and intensity of that aura far surpassed any Soul Beast they had encountered before.

"It's up ahead." Yu Yuanchen pointed toward an area at the center of the valley filled with jagged rocks, where a Purple Lightning Pool lay in the middle.

The group silently crept closer, using massive boulders to conceal themselves. When they clearly saw the scene beside the Thunder Pool, even Yu Boxuan could not help drawing a sharp breath.

What an imposing and terrifying colossal beast it was!

It was over ten meters long, its entire body covered in Deep Purple scales. The edges of those scales gleamed with a cold metallic luster, with faint lightning flowing across them. Its shape resembled the giant dragons of Western Mythology more closely. Its limbs were robust and powerful, its claws dug deeply into the ground, and a pair of enormous Flesh Wings rested folded at its sides. Its long tail was like a steel whip, casually carving deep trenches into the earth with every swing.

The most striking part was its head. Its fierce Dragon Horns thrust toward the heavens, and when its Dragon Jaw opened and closed, purple lightning could be seen flickering inside. Its Dragon Eyes were shut as though it were dozing, yet the Dragon Might naturally radiating from it had already made the surrounding air thick and heavy.

It lay beside the Thunder Pool. With each breath, the purple lightning within the pool surged into its mouth and nostrils like living creatures, tempering its body.

"Purple Lightning Dragon! Judging by its size and presence, its Cultivation Level is definitely over 30,000 years!" Yu Mingfeng's voice carried both excitement and gravity. "And it's an exceptionally pure-blooded subdragon. Legend says it has the potential to evolve into a true dragon! Its control over thunder is also extremely strong, and its Lightning Attribute is incredibly close to Ultimate Thunder. If Chen'er absorbs its Soul Ring, it will be of enormous benefit to him. It will definitely grant him an exceptionally powerful Soul Skill."

A scorching light erupted in Yu Boxuan's eyes. "That's the one! Judging by its energy fluctuations, it should be between 32,000 and 35,000 years old. It perfectly suits Chen'er's needs!"

The target was right before them, but the difficulty of hunting it was obvious. The aura radiating from this Purple Lightning Dragon already approached that of a Level 85 Soul Douluo among human Soul Masters! Furthermore, Dragon Species Soul Beasts usually possessed greater combat strength than human Soul Masters of the same level.

"Follow the plan!" Yu Boxuan swiftly issued his orders. "Elder Liu, you'll provide support and healing. Ensure Chen'er's safety at all costs. Mingfeng, you three will restrain it from the flanks, disrupt its movements, and look for chances to strike its Wing Roots and Joints! I'll take it head-on! Chen'er, act according to the situation, but make sure the final blow is yours!"

"Yes!" everyone answered solemnly.

Yu Boxuan took a deep breath. The vast aura of a Titled Douluo was no longer concealed as it burst forth with a roar! His Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul possessed him, his burly body growing taller once again as Blue Dragon Scales covered him. Thick Electric Pythons wound around his body, and Nine Soul Rings rose one after another—Two Yellow, Two Purple, Five Black. His overwhelming pressure swept toward the dozing Purple Lightning Dragon like a storm!

"Roar—!!"

Almost the instant Yu Boxuan's aura erupted, the Purple Lightning Dragon abruptly opened its Dragon Eyes! They were Vertical Pupils filled entirely with purple lightning, brimming with rage at the invasion of its territory and endless savagery! It unleashed an earth-shaking roar, its Sound Wave mixed with thunder, causing the entire valley to tremble!

It recognized the threat posed by the powerful human before it. Its enormous body instantly rose upright, and its wings spread violently, blotting out the sky! Purple lightning surged from its body like a tide, making it seem as if the Thunder God had descended to the world!

There was no needless probing. The battle instantly reached a fever pitch!

Yu Boxuan's seventh Soul Ring lit up as he directly unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming into a massive Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and charging fiercely at the Purple Lightning Dragon! A clash between dragons was the most primal confrontation between power and power!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Blue lightning and purple thunder collided and annihilated each other madly. Every collision erupted with a world-shaking blast, while the resulting energy shockwaves easily hurled and shattered the surrounding boulders. Though Yu Boxuan's Cultivation Level was slightly higher, the Purple Lightning Dragon's formidable body and pure Dragon Bloodline allowed it to hold its ground for the moment!

"Attack!" Yu Mingfeng shouted in a low voice. He and the other two Soul Sages simultaneously unleashed their Martial Soul Avatars and attacked from the flanks. Their targets were clear: they were not trying to deal fatal damage, but continuously harassing the Purple Lightning Dragon's wing connections and limb Joints, restricting its Flying Ability and mobility.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Lightning Chain Bind!"

"Fifth Soul Skill, Sky-Rending Claw!"

"Sixth Soul Skill, Mad Thunder Shock Blast!"

The lights of various Soul Skills flashed. Though they could not inflict much damage on the Purple Lightning Dragon's sturdy scales, they successfully drew part of its attention. It had no choice but to divide its focus to deal with them, creating more opportunities for Yu Boxuan to attack.

Elder Liu stood at a safer distance, waving the Staff of Life. Emerald-green light stretched out like the toughest threads, linking every companion ahead of him. He was ready at any moment to heal whatever wounds they might suffer. At the same time, he occasionally cast Support Soul Skills to bolster everyone's defense or speed.

Yu Yuanchen did not hurry to join the battle. Like the most patient Hunter, he concealed himself behind a massive boulder, watching the battle with sharp eyes. His Electric Field Perception operated at full force, analyzing the Purple Lightning Dragon's energy flow, attack habits, and weaknesses in its defense.

This Purple Lightning Dragon was indeed terrifyingly powerful. Its purple lightning carried an unusual penetrating and numbing effect. Even Yu Boxuan's Tyrant Dragon body did not feel good after taking several strikes. Its Dragon Breath was also immensely powerful. With a single exhalation, it fired a Purple Lightning Pillar as thick as a water barrel, incinerating everything in its path.

The battle was exceptionally brutal. Several Charred wounds had appeared on Yu Boxuan's body, while Yu Mingfeng and the other two men had been struck several times by the dragon's tail in their Soul Sage forms. Their auras were disordered, and they could only barely hold on with Elder Liu's Light of Life.

"We can't drag this out any longer!" A fierce glint flashed through Yu Boxuan's eyes. He knew they had to end this quickly. If they attracted other powerful Soul Beasts, or if someone on their side was Critically Wounded, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Ninth Soul Skill, Thunder Dragon Descends!"

He used his strongest Ninth Soul Skill once more! A massive Thunder Dragon Shadow roared as it charged toward the Purple Lightning Dragon!

The Purple Lightning Dragon also sensed the deadly threat. It let out an even more violent roar as the purple lightning around its body compressed inward madly, condensing in its mouth into a Deep Purple lightning ball no larger than a fist, yet radiating Destructive Waves! This was a condensation of its Origin Power!

"Rumble—!!!"

The Ninth Soul Skill and the Origin Lightning Ball collided explosively!

This explosion was ten times more violent than any before it! The blinding light instantly robbed everyone of their sight, and the terrifying energy storm swept through the entire valley. More than half the water in the Thunder Pool was vaporized! The ground was forcibly carved three feet lower!

Yu Boxuan groaned, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as he staggered backward. The Purple Lightning Dragon was in even worse shape. Its condensed Origin Lightning Ball had been forcibly shattered, and the backlash covered its enormous body in Cracks. Purple blood streamed out like a small river, its aura instantly weakening by more than half. One Flesh Wing had been blown into a mangled mess, clearly robbing it of its Flying Ability.

Now!

Yu Yuanchen, who had been waiting for this chance, shot out with brilliant light blazing from his eyes! Like thunder that had accumulated power for a long time, he shot out from his hiding place in an instant! The four Soul Rings beneath him shone brilliantly at the same time, pushing his condition to its peak!

"Wrath of Thunder! Thunderous Might! Thunder God Power!"

He did not use any offensive Soul Skills. Instead, he poured all his power—his Soul Power, his initially awakened Thick Blood Qi, and that crucial thread of Thunder God Power—into his dragon-transformed right arm! His entire right arm instantly expanded by a full circle. Its scales changed from blue to dark, and the faint Purple-Gold Hue at their edges became clearer than ever, as though a miniature purple-gold divine dragon had awakened within his arm!

This had been a sudden idea of his. In the early stages of Dou San, Tang Da'er's strength had practically relied entirely on his Golden Dragon Claw. It was not only indestructible and immensely powerful, but also carried a Shattering Effect. Furthermore, when he cultivated alongside a classmate with a Bone Dragon Martial Soul, it had even allowed that classmate to briefly awaken a similar Bone Dragon Claw.

Now, using Thunder God Power to stimulate his bloodline and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Dragon Transformation Secret Method as support, he enhanced his right hand with Thunder God Power and abundant Qi and Blood, awakening his own true Thunder Dragon Claw. Its power and defense surpassed even ordinary Dragon Claws formed through the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique, and it possessed a Shattering Effect. When its claw tips pierced a target, they unleashed a Dragon Power Shockwave, splitting the target's surface into scale-patterned wounds laced with numbness. When fragments such as rocks flew outward, they would be coated in lightning, dealing Secondary Damage to the surroundings.

Overall, it might not match the Golden Dragon Claw, but it was still an enormous Combat Power Boost for him. In this state, he was nearly invincible below the Soul Sage rank—excluding Geniuses like Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, who could fight across levels. Even if Long Li stood before him, he was confident he could easily take him down. Against an ordinary Soul Sage who had not activated a Martial Soul Avatar, he could still put up a fight.

He charged like a meteor toward the Critically Wounded Purple Lightning Dragon, his target aimed directly at the relatively vulnerable Inverse Scale on its neck!

Though the Purple Lightning Dragon had suffered severe injuries, the pride of the dragon race left it unwilling to submit. It struggled to raise its head, opened its enormous mouth, and attempted one final counterattack by spewing out its remaining lightning.

However, Yu Yuanchen was too fast, and his timing was too precise! At the moment when its old strength had been exhausted and new strength had not yet arisen, Yu Yuanchen's fist, carrying all his power, struck its Inverse Scale like a City-Breaking Giant Cone!

"Crack!"

A clear sound of Bone Fracture rang out! The Purple Lightning Dragon's final resistance was mercilessly shattered. The light in its massive Dragon Eyes rapidly dimmed, filled with unwillingness and disbelief. It could never have imagined that it would fall to a human whose aura was so "weak."

With an unwilling mournful cry, the Purple Lightning Dragon's enormous body crashed to the ground, sending dust soaring into the sky.

An incomparably profound Soul Ring, black with purple, with noble purple lightning dancing along its edges, slowly condensed above its corpse. It radiated an immense energy that made hearts tremble, along with pure Dragon Might!

Yu Yuanchen stood beside the Purple Lightning Dragon's corpse, breathing heavily. His face was somewhat pale from that instantaneous burst of power, but his azure-blue eyes shone with astonishing brilliance.

He had succeeded! With the assistance of the clan's powerful figures, he had completed a Level-Crossing Hunt of a pure-blooded 32,000-Year Purple Lightning Dragon!

Yu Boxuan and the others quickly gathered around. Seeing the profound Soul Ring and Yu Yuanchen unharmed, they all let out sighs of relief, smiles of satisfaction appearing on their faces. Yu Mingfeng looked at his son, his eyes filled with pride.

"Quickly, adjust your condition and prepare to Absorb Soul Ring!" Yu Boxuan suppressed his injuries and urged him in a deep voice. At the same time, he, Elder Liu, Yu Mingfeng, and the others formed a Triangular Formation around Yu Yuanchen, vigilantly watching the surroundings. The commotion from the hunt had been too great. They had to leave as soon as possible.

Yu Yuanchen took a deep breath and sat cross-legged before the Purple Lightning Dragon's Soul Ring, his gaze firm.

He knew that absorbing this Soul Ring would be a battle even more difficult than hunting it. But he feared nothing.

His fifth Soul Ring, a 32,000-Year Purple Lightning Dragon! He Must Obtain it.