The Fifth Ring

Long Chen's Fourth Soul Ring had come from a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

So he had high expectations for the Fifth Soul Ring he was about to obtain. At the very least, it had to come from a Soul Beast with at least thirty thousand years of cultivation.

The four continued toward the center of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Dense trees blotted out the sky, and sunlight filtered through sparse gaps in the canopy, casting dappled shadows.

The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves. Occasionally, the low growl of a Soul Beast broke the silence, lending the forest an air of mystery and danger.

"Everyone, be careful. We're already very close to the center of the forest, where Soul Beasts tend to have higher cultivation."

Ye Tianming warned them.

He warily scanned their surroundings.

As a Soul Master on the verge of becoming a War Soul Douluo, his senses were sharp. He could feel faint fluctuations of Soul Power in the air around them.

Just as they continued onward, the heavy sound of footsteps, accompanied by trees crashing down, came from nearby.

"Stop! A Soul Beast is coming!"

Ye Tianming's expression changed. He quickly moved in front of the others to shield them, staring intently in the direction of the noise.

Before long, a gigantic creature appeared in their line of sight.

It was a One-Horned Rhinoceros, five meters long.

Thick gray armor covered its body, and the contours of its muscles showed faintly beneath its skin, as if every inch of it held explosive strength.

A massive horn jutted from its head, gleaming coldly. Its eyes were full of savage cruelty.

"Forty thousand years! This One-Horned Rhinoceros has forty thousand years of cultivation!"

Ye Tianming exclaimed under his breath.

He knew how terrifying this kind of Soul Beast was. It possessed incredible strength and tough skin, making it extremely difficult to deal with.

But a fervent gleam flashed in Long Chen's eyes.

"Uncle, it came at just the right time. Let it be my Fifth Soul Ring."

Ye Tianming paused.

Ye Tianming had accompanied Long Chen when he obtained each of his first three Soul Rings.

Dugu Bo had accompanied him the fourth time.

Ye Tianming knew that Long Chen's physical condition was beyond that of an ordinary Soul Master. His Second, Third, and Fourth Soul Rings had all exceeded what an ordinary Soul Master could withstand.

After taking several Immortal Herbs, Long Chen's body and mental strength had undoubtedly grown even stronger.

Ye Tianming believed he could withstand the energy impact of a forty-thousand-year Soul Ring.

"Xiao Chen, the fact that you're considering this shows you have confidence in yourself. It's certainly a good challenge. I support you."

After speaking, Ye Tianming turned to Ye Susu and Ye Lingling behind him and instructed them:

"Susu, protect Lingling. I'll help Xiao Chen hunt that Soul Beast."

Long Chen hurriedly said:

"Uncle, let me hunt it on my own."

"What?!"

Ye Tianming was startled.

"Xiao Chen, I know you're strong. You hunted that Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast by yourself last time. But this One-Horned Rhinoceros has forty thousand years of cultivation. It's no ordinary Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast."

"Uncle, you've forgotten that my Fourth Soul Skill is a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill. Just like last time, if I can't handle it, you can step in."

Long Chen smiled calmly, looking completely confident.

Ye Tianming nodded.

"All right, then. Be careful."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

After speaking, Long Chen took a deep breath.

Then he slowly raised both hands, and the Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul appeared before him.

The black lute gleamed faintly.

His Fourth Soul Ring lit up as well, shimmering with a deep black light.

His Fourth Soul Skill, Demonic Sound Summons Taowu, activated.

As the notes danced, a massive Taowu Phantom appeared out of thin air.

Its fangs bared, it let out a deafening roar.

Ye Tianming and the two women were stunned by the sight.

This was their first time seeing Long Chen's Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill.

As soon as the Taowu Phantom appeared, it charged straight at the One-Horned Rhinoceros.

The two collided in an instant, sending dust flying.

The One-Horned Rhinoceros refused to back down. It thrust its sturdy horn at the Taowu Phantom, and the two launched into a fierce brawl.

Though the Taowu was only a phantom, its fighting strength was undiminished. Every attack carried tremendous force, and it fought the One-Horned Rhinoceros to a standstill.

As he controlled the Taowu to keep the One-Horned Rhinoceros occupied, Long Chen searched for the perfect opportunity to attack.

The One-Horned Rhinoceros was strong and sturdy, but under the Taowu's relentless assault, it gradually began to tire.

As his First Soul Ring lit up, a Taotie Phantom appeared out of thin air.

The two Ferocious Beasts attacked the One-Horned Rhinoceros from either side.

The One-Horned Rhinoceros suddenly cried out in pain, a trace of fear flashing in its eyes—but it was too late.

The Taowu seized its chance and opened its enormous jaws, clamping down on the One-Horned Rhinoceros's neck. Its tremendous strength nearly snapped the creature's neck.

The One-Horned Rhinoceros struggled a few times, then finally collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground and sending a violent tremor through the earth.

The battle was over.

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

The Taotie and Taowu Phantoms vanished as well.

Wisps of black mist slowly rose from the One-Horned Rhinoceros's corpse.

Ye Tianming and the two women were all astonished by the sight.

Long Chen had just killed a Soul Beast with forty thousand years of cultivation all by himself.

His strength far surpassed that of other Soul Masters at the same level.

Every Soul Skill he possessed seemed to have unimaginable power.

Hunting this forty-thousand-year Soul Beast had also cost Long Chen a considerable amount of Soul Power.

Ye Lingling hurried over and asked with concern:

"Brother Chen, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I've only used up some Soul Power."

"I'll help you recover."

After speaking, Ye Lingling quickly summoned the Sacred Hearts Begonia Martial Soul.

Gentle golden light poured from the petals of the Sacred Hearts Begonia, drifting down over Long Chen until it completely enveloped him.

A warm force flowed into Long Chen's body, helping him quickly recover the Soul Power he had expended in battle.

Feeling his Soul Power rapidly returning, Long Chen smiled at Ye Lingling.

"Lingling, it's wonderful having you here. I'll be back to my best in no time."

Ye Tianming and Ye Susu came over too. They looked at the fallen One-Horned Rhinoceros, their eyes full of admiration.

"Xiao Chen gets stronger and stronger."

With Ye Lingling's help, Long Chen returned to his best condition in just a short while.

By then, the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring had already taken shape.

"Xiao Chen, go absorb the Soul Ring. We'll guard you."

Long Chen nodded without a word.

He walked over to the One-Horned Rhinoceros's corpse, closed his eyes, and began absorbing the Soul Ring.

The moment the Soul Ring entered his body, Long Chen felt an immense surge of energy erupt within him, rushing wildly through his meridians.

With sheer willpower, he gradually brought that energy under control.

Ye Tianming and the two women watched Long Chen. Seeing his calm expression and steady breathing, they finally relaxed.

The three stood quietly guard nearby.

Time seemed to stand still, and everything around them was utterly silent.

After an unknown length of time, when the last trace of light faded, Long Chen slowly opened his eyes.