Ten-Thousand-Year Fourth Ring

Ten-Thousand-Year Fourth Ring

Dugu Bo was once again stunned by Long Chen's words.

The energy surge from a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring was a tremendous trial for any Soul Master.

Even he had waited until his Soul Power reached level fifty before daring to absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

And Long Chen, a Soul Master who had only just reached level forty, was actually so confident.

"Kid, are you really sure you can withstand the energy surge from a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

"Senior, don't worry. I've already made up my mind."

Long Chen smiled faintly, determination shining in his eyes.

He had eaten Whale Rubber, and with the body-tempering effects of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, his body was already far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Master.

Moreover, a few days ago, he had deliberately taken that Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, greatly improving his spiritual power.

So he believed he could withstand the energy surge from a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Dugu Bo furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Fine. Since you're so confident, I'll accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest."

The two set off at once, heading for the Star Dou Great Forest.

They arrived at their destination in less than two days.

Long Chen was quite familiar with this forest. He had visited many times.

However, he had never ventured into its depths.

This time, they needed to find a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. It was hard to encounter one in the outer reaches of the forest, so they would need to go farther in.

Drawing on his extensive experience and keen senses, Dugu Bo led Long Chen toward the forest's center.

After two days of searching, they finally spotted their target in a Secluded Valley.

The Soul Beast was four meters long, with a massive build and ink-black fur. Its eyes glowed a dark red, and a heart-stirring aura radiated from its body.

Dugu Bo said softly:

"It's a Ghost Tiger with ten thousand years of cultivation."

"I'll take that one!"

A flicker of excitement crossed Long Chen's eyes.

"Senior, let me handle this Ghost Tiger myself."

Dugu Bo's expression changed when he heard this.

"What are you talking about, kid? This is a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast with formidable combat strength. It's also faster than most tiger-type Soul Beasts. You've only just reached level forty. You're no match for it."

"How will we know if I don't try?"

Dugu Bo shook his head lightly and smiled.

"You're far too confident, kid. Absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring is one thing, but now you want to hunt a Ghost Tiger with ten thousand years of cultivation all by yourself."

"If I can't deal with it, you can step in afterward."

"You really won't believe it until you're staring death in the face. Fine, go ahead and try."

Under Dugu Bo's gaze, tinged with worry yet full of anticipation, Long Chen sprang forward and faced the Ten-Thousand-Year Ghost Tiger alone.

Long Chen focused his mind, and the Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul appeared before him in an instant.

As his fingertips plucked the strings, a low, mysterious Lute Sound echoed through the valley, striking deep into the Ghost Tiger's soul.

Startled by the sudden music, the Ghost Tiger's eyes blazed red. It let out a furious roar and lunged at Long Chen, moving as swiftly as a bolt of black lightning.

Long Chen was ready for the oncoming assault.

His fingers danced rapidly across the strings. As the Lute Sound surged, a massive Green Xuanwu Phantom appeared, enveloping him completely.

The Ghost Tiger's claws and fangs slammed into the Xuanwu Phantom, stirring ripples but failing to pierce the seemingly fragile yet actually impregnable barrier of light.

Dugu Bo was stunned by the sight.

He hadn't expected Long Chen, a Control System Soul Master, to have such powerful defenses—strong enough to easily withstand the Ten-Thousand-Year Ghost Tiger's attacks.

What astonished Dugu Bo even more was that a massive serpent tail silently emerged from behind the Xuanwu Phantom. It coiled around the Ghost Tiger with effortless agility, restricting its movements.

But the Ghost Tiger was, after all, a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. It wouldn't submit so easily.

It roared repeatedly, Soul Power surging through its body as it broke free of the Xuanwu Phantom's restraints with sheer force.

When it attacked again, its body suddenly split in two, becoming two identical black shadows that struck separately at the Xuanwu Phantom's head and tail.

Facing the Ghost Tiger's cunning counterattack, Long Chen's lips curled into a cold smile.

His fingers moved slightly, and his first Soul Skill sprang into action.

A massive Taotie Phantom appeared out of nowhere, radiating an aura that seemed capable of devouring all things. It collided head-on with the Ghost Tiger's true body.

At the sight of the human-faced, sheep-bodied Taotie Phantom, Dugu Bo was shocked once again.

"What is that? Why are all of this kid Long Chen's Soul Skills so bizarre? What an evil kid."

At Long Chen's command, the Taotie and the Ghost Tiger's true body clashed fiercely, tearing into each other in a frenzy.

Though the ferocious beast was only a phantom, its attacks were as powerful as those of a real creature.

After a fierce struggle, the Taotie displayed overwhelming strength and clamped its jaws around the Ghost Tiger's neck.

The Ghost Tiger struggled in vain against its immense strength. At last, amid a desperate roar, it was completely overpowered and bitten to death.

"H-How is this possible?!"

"He killed a Ghost Tiger with ten thousand years of cultivation using a Hundred-Year Soul Skill!"

Dugu Bo had watched the whole thing, and the expression on his face was beyond mere shock.

He had never imagined that the ferocious beast Long Chen summoned through his Lute Sound could be so powerful.

Long Chen put away the Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul.

Dugu Bo walked over to him.

"Kid, what was that monster you summoned with your music? I've never seen it before."

"It's called Taotie, an Ancient Ferocious Beast."

"Taotie?"

Dugu Bo shook his head.

"Kid, your Soul Skills are far too bizarre. I've lived for seventy or eighty years and never encountered a Soul Master or Soul Skill like yours. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I never would've believed anyone could kill a Soul Beast with ten thousand years of cultivation using a Hundred-Year Soul Skill."

Long Chen smiled but offered no further explanation.

Only then did Dugu Bo realize that Long Chen's confidence came from his own formidable strength.

"All right, get yourself ready. It's time to absorb the Soul Ring. I'll guard you."

"Sure. Thanks."

Wisps of black mist slowly rose from the Ghost Tiger's corpse, gradually gathering in the air to form a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring glowing with black light.

Long Chen steadied himself, drew the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring toward him, and began absorbing it.

As the absorption progressed, torrents of immense energy surged through Long Chen's body, like rivers pouring into the sea, vast and turbulent.

Long Chen felt the tremendous energy crashing through him. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he gritted his teeth and endured.

Dugu Bo watched him closely, ready to deal with any sudden mishap.

Although he trusted Long Chen, absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring remained a tremendous trial for a fourteen-year-old Youth Soul Master who had only just reached level forty.

Time passed second by second. Long Chen's aura gradually steadied, and his Soul Power, which had been fluctuating violently, began to settle.

Dugu Bo silently breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed Long Chen had made it through the most dangerous stage.