A Special Underground World

Wu Qi stopped in his tracks. "First, I never use my elders' names to stir up trouble everywhere."

"You may have obtained your first Soul Ring at this age, and your talent may indeed be strong, but that is no reason to bully your classmates."

"Second, I do not think much of your strength, nor can I be bothered to spar with you."

"You!"

Qiangu Changkong flew into a rage, and his Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul appeared in his hand.

"First Soul Skill, Pán Lóng Lièyàn."

The Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul was enveloped in blazing flames, gaining fire-attribute offensive power. At the same time, the muscles in Qiangu Changkong's arm swelled slightly.

Clearly, this soul skill also boosted his strength.

As expected of the direct descendant of Qian Jun and Falling Devil Douluo. All the finest traits of the Martial Soul had been concentrated in him.

Wu Qi leaped into the air, spreading the Qing Luan Wings behind his back as he hovered overhead.

The Qing Luan Martial Soul was nothing like Ma Hongjun's pathetic chicken. Even without obtaining a Soul Ring, it still possessed the ability to fly.

The Martial Soul hovered behind him, its cries ringing out one after another.

Its roars carried a trace of sonic attacks, leaving its opponent dazed.

So this was the innate ability Master had mentioned?

The Qing Luan Martial Soul could manipulate sound waves and wind for attacks. Though it had no sound-wave soul skills, the Martial Soul's innate abilities alone were enough to suppress an opponent!

Qiangu Changkong shook his head, steadied himself, and swung the long staff in his hand.

Red sparks scattered from the Coiling Dragon Staff, gradually forming a sea of fire that sought to force Wu Qi down.

"Not a bad tactic." Wu Qi nodded faintly.

Ordinary children were practically helpless against flying Soul Masters.

Qiangu Changkong had played to his Martial Soul's strengths, using flames to seal off Wu Qi's retreat. Such adaptability truly befitted Qian Jun Douluo's grandson.

But without a powerful anti-air method, flying Soul Masters could toy with ground-bound chickens however they pleased.

Wu Qi dived downward, and the Qing Luan Martial Soul moved at an unbelievable speed during the descent.

The instant he landed, Wu Qi grabbed Qiangu Changkong's arm. His wings beat rapidly, cushioning the force of landing while dragging the other boy into the air.

"Aaaah!"

The Coiling Dragon Staff vanished from Qiangu Changkong's hand, and he became tense to the extreme.

He had never flown before. With no ground beneath his feet, he felt utterly unsteady. Panic overwhelmed him, and he struggled frantically.

"You are only a Level Twelve Soul Master. If you fall from this height, you will definitely die," Wu Qi said flatly.

Qiangu Changkong begged repeatedly. "Big Brother, I was wrong. Please put me down. I'm afraid of heights."

"Do not come bother me again. Understand?"

Qiangu Changkong nodded over and over like a pecking chicken.

After returning to the ground, his tense emotions gradually eased.

He still wanted to cause trouble for Wu Qi, but recalling what had just happened, he could only give up resentfully.

Wu Qi ignored him and turned toward the academy library.

These past few days, he had been studying the various types of soul beasts.

Searching for the species of that Little Deer merely added a hint of amusement to his tedious studies.

If he found it, he would gain a small sense of accomplishment. Even if he did not, he would still learn about many kinds of soul beasts, would he not?

The theoretical world of Douluo Continent had created many classifications for soul beasts according to factors such as habits and habitats.

Wu Qi rather agreed with Regional Classification—for example, what soul beasts could be found in swamps, snowfields, and forests.

During Soul Hunting, knowing what region the needed soul beast lived in often made the task far more efficient.

He opened his book and continued reading from where he had left off yesterday.

"Special Classification should be fairly niche, right?"

Special Classification referred to soul beasts that lived in highly unusual environments, making them difficult to categorize clearly.

The first page introduced soul beasts that lived in caves.

These caves did not refer to ordinary caves, but to places with an Underground Ecosystem.

After reading several pages, one soul beast caught his attention—the Venomous Shining Horn Deer.

The book contained a hand-drawn illustration of an Adult Individual.

The Venomous Shining Horn Deer had a pair of Glowing Horns on its head, making it somewhat similar to the soul beast Wu Qi had seen at the estate.

However, this soul beast was not venomous itself. Rather, it could provide Poison Warning, and after someone was poisoned, its blood could even be used as an antidote.

"So miraculous?" Wu Qi grew interested.

As he read more carefully, he discovered that there was very little information on this soul beast. At the end, the discoverer was listed as Azure Phoenix Douluo.

The Primary Soul Master Academy Branch was filled with child students.

No child liked reading such theoretical books, so Wu Qi was alone in the library, undisturbed.

Wu Qi immersed himself in the Ocean of Knowledge and lost track of time.

It was not until late at night that a large hand gently patted his shoulder.

Turning around, he saw that it was none other than Azure Phoenix Douluo.

Since enrolling a month ago, this was the first time the other man had appeared.

Wu Qi greeted him, then hurriedly flipped the book to the page on the Venomous Shining Horn Deer.

"Master, what exactly is the situation with this deer? And where is the Underground World it lives in?"

Azure Phoenix Douluo suddenly smiled.

Wu Qi's constant thirst for knowledge had truly surprised him.

For a child, giving up playtime to pursue Humble Study was an exceptionally rare thing.

"That was a place I accidentally entered years ago."

As he spoke, he patted Wu Qi's back lightly. "Come. We can talk while we walk."

About a hundred years ago, Azure Phoenix Douluo had only been a Soul Elder. During a training expedition, he was ambushed and pursued by enemies into a Mountain Hollow. To survive, he kept venturing deeper inside.

In the end, he was struck by Falling Rocks and fell into an Underground Cave.

When he awoke, his pursuers were gone. The only living creature beside him was a Young Venomous Horned Deer.

Azure Phoenix Douluo had not studied this soul beast much either. He brought the little fellow back and raised it for a hundred years, yet it had not grown any larger.

Strictly speaking, it was already a Hundred-Year Soul Beast, but it still appeared to be in its Juvenile Form.

Studying a soul beast often required the tireless efforts of Dozens of Generations, so Azure Phoenix Douluo could only be said to have made a start.

The Venomous Shining Horn Deer's specific details would need to be researched continuously by future generations.

Wu Qi could not help asking, "Master, what exactly is this Underground World you mentioned?"

Azure Phoenix Douluo sighed. "Fifty years ago, your Grandpa Qian went in to investigate. It seemed to be the resting place of some unknown powerhouse, with many treasures scattered throughout. But it also seemed to reject high-level Soul Masters."

"I went in afterward as well and clearly felt some kind of suppression. The treasures there seemed to have been prepared for New Generation Soul Masters."

"Over the past Fifty years, Spirit Hall has organized nearly ten teams of Genius Soul Masters to explore it. Very few of them made it out alive."

"You know Guǐbào Dǒuluó, right? He entered it back then. The benefits he obtained allowed him, despite having Innate Level Six Soul Power, to successfully break through and become a Title Douluo."

"I did not tell you because I did not want you to take such a risk. The opportunities there are indeed tempting, but too few people come out alive."

There were quite a few Treasure Lands on Douluo Continent. Could this place be a Treasure Land no less remarkable than the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?

Seeing his expression, Azure Phoenix Douluo furrowed his brows. "You do not lack resources. You must not go there and take risks!"