Star Dou Forest, a 40,000-Year Black Poison Stinger Snake?

Only after confirming that Xue Qinghe's group had completely left Ling Tian Sect's territory did the atmosphere in the hall ease slightly.

"Sect Master, this Xue Qinghe..."

Gu Rong looked toward the entrance, his brows faintly furrowed.

"Faced with the pressure from so many Titled Douluo, she remained utterly composed and even conversed with a smile.

Such temperament is not something an ordinary imperial crown prince should possess."

"She is deeply calculating—a ruthless character."

Meng Shu echoed solemnly.

Han Yu chuckled softly, toying with the teacup in his hand.

"Pay her no mind.

Her thoughts are currently focused on taking control of the Heaven Dou imperial power without shedding blood.

As long as we do not take the initiative to expose her cards, she will never dare provoke us at such a critical juncture."

With that, Han Yu rose to his feet. His gaze swept across everyone in the hall, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is already in our hands, and we now have the key to Sea God Island.

But before that, we must first improve our sect's raw strength."

He turned to Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang.

"Senior Meng, Senior Chao, go back and make your preparations.

Tomorrow morning, my grandfather, Elder Dugu, and I will personally lead you to Star Dou Forest."

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance, each seeing wild joy in the other's eyes.

Two Titled Douluo would be leading the party.

Moreover, Gu Rong was a peak rank ninety-six Super Douluo.

This would absolutely allow them to obtain the finest possible soul rings!

The two dropped to one knee in unison, their voices loud and clear.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for granting us this opportunity!

We would not hesitate to die for the sect!"

"No need to be so formal."

Han Yu waved his hand with a light smile.

Once Meng Shu obtained his soul ring and broke through to Titled Douluo, he would naturally be promoted to Supreme Elder. Being overly demanding would not be a good idea.

"Go rest. Restore your spirits, and we depart tomorrow morning."

Han Yu spoke calmly.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang saluted again, then left the hall with excited expressions.

Only Han Yu, Gu Rong, and Dugu Bo remained in the hall.

Dugu Bo looked at Han Yu and asked.

"Sect Master, what age are you planning for Dragon Duke's ninth soul ring?"

"Over seventy thousand years, preferably an eighty-thousand-year subspecies dragon."

Han Yu lightly tapped his fingers against the table.

"As for Senior Chao's seventh soul ring—the one for her Martial Soul Avatar—a top-tier serpent over thirty thousand years old would be most suitable.

The two of them possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. The higher the quality of their soul rings, the greater the increase in the fusion's power."

Gu Rong grinned, a trace of battle intent flashing through his eyes.

"An eighty-thousand-year subspecies dragon will not be easy to find, and they have fierce tempers.

But with this old man and Old Poison here, even a hundred-thousand-year one would be worth confronting head-on!"

Han Yu chuckled.

"Let's not set our sights on a hundred-thousand-year one yet. If we truly provoke those creatures in the depths of Star Dou Forest, we will not gain anything good from it at our current strength.

We'll take it one step at a time."

As for the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape.

With their current strength.

Even if they could defeat them, they would have to pay an enormous price.

Han Yu had no intention of hunting a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring for Meng Shu.

Would it not be better to leave the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape for himself to hunt in the future?

The next morning.

Outside Ling Tian Sect, five figures stood against the wind.

"Let's go."

Han Yu gave the order.

Gu Rong tore forward with both hands. Surging spatial Soul Power enveloped everyone, and they vanished from where they stood in an instant.

After several spatial jumps.

At the boundary between the mixed zone and the core zone of Star Dou Forest.

A spatial rift appeared, and the five of them landed steadily.

Dugu Bo snorted. A faint green glow flickered around him as a thin poisonous miasma spread close to the ground.

Several thousand-year soul beasts lurking in the surrounding grass caught the scent and immediately fled in panic.

"Old Poison's talent for clearing the field certainly saves effort."

Gu Rong teased.

"It saves those blind beasts from bothering the Sect Master."

Dugu Bo replied blandly.

Han Yu surveyed the surroundings, then turned to Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang.

"Senior Meng, your Dragon Head Cane favors powerful attacks and armor penetration.

Senior Chao, your Snake Blade favors poison and agility. Do you have any soul beasts in mind?"

Meng Shu pondered for a moment before answering respectfully.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, if we can find a Dark Gold Armored Dragon or a Destruction Demon Dragon over seventy thousand years old, that would naturally be ideal.

But such exotic beasts can only be encountered by chance. This old man will leave everything to the Sect Master's decision."

Chao Tianxiang followed up.

"If there is a Mandala Snake King or Black Poison Stinger Snake over thirty thousand years old, this subordinate will be completely satisfied."

"The demands are not high. They should be met."

Han Yu nodded, looking into the depths of the forest.

"Grandfather, Elder Dugu."

"Here."

The two answered in unison.

A smile tugged at Han Yu's lips.

"Release your auras.

Startle every high-level soul beast within a hundred li.

That will save us from searching around like headless flies. Let them come out on their own so we can choose."

"Excellent!

This old man's hands have been itching for action!"

Gu Rong burst into laughter and stepped forward.

Boom—!

In that instant, the terrifying pressure of a rank ninety-six Super Douluo and a rank ninety-two Poison Douluo.

Swept forth without restraint like two world-destroying storms, surging straight into the depths of Star Dou Forest!

The terrifying pressure swept through like a hurricane, and the dense forest within a hundred li instantly fell deathly silent.

Then.

"Roar—!"

"Hisss—!"

From the depths of the forest came waves of terrified beast roars.

Countless low- and mid-level soul beasts fled frantically toward the outskirts like a tide, kicking up dust that filled the sky.

Gu Rong crossed his arms and laughed.

"They sure run fast, but I do not see any big fish brave enough to show themselves."

Dugu Bo suddenly raised an eyebrow, his gaze locking onto a dark green swamp to their right.

"What is the rush? Isn't one coming now?

Its poison is not weak either."

Han Yu followed his gaze, his tone calm.

"What is it?"

"From the stench of rot mixed into this fishy wind, it should be a Black Poison Stinger Snake."

Dugu Bo chuckled, disdain flashing through his eyes.

"Judging by its size, it is over twenty meters long. Its age should be just above forty thousand years.

Senior Chao, this suits you perfectly, does it not?"

At those words, Chao Tianxiang's face filled with wild joy, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Forty thousand years!

That is exactly at the limit of what this old woman can endure. It is perfect!"

"Since it suits you, take it."

Han Yu gave a slight nod and ordered.

"Elder Dugu, leave it to you. Keep it alive."

"Rest assured, Sect Master. Playing with snakes before this old man? It is still far too green."

Dugu Bo sneered, transforming into a green blur as he shot into the swamp.

Only a dozen or so breaths passed.

With a muffled boom.

A giant snake covered in black, spiked scales, with an enormous venomous stinger growing from its tail.

Wrapped in a cloud of green poison mist, it slammed viciously down before the group.

The giant snake writhed in agony, but it could not break free from Dugu Bo's poisonous suppression. It was already on the verge of death.