"Lucky us. A Golden Armored Earth Crocodile, about 400 years old." As a Limit Douluo, Qian Daoliu had long since picked out the Martial Souls the three of them needed.
He had paused to let everyone ask questions because he meant to wake the sleeping Golden Armored Earth Crocodile. At first, Qian Daoliu had planned to have them fight it and rouse the beast that way.
But Qian Yu's shot had been deafening. The sleeping Golden Armored Earth Crocodile had jolted awake at the gunshot, and now rage clouded its mind. It charged at Qian Yu and the others.
The three of them steadied themselves and watched.
A streak of golden light surged from the muddy ditch. The century-old Golden Armored Earth Crocodile crouched on the slope. Its body was covered in ridged scales like gilded armor, hard as forged iron. Its vertical pupils gleamed coldly, like quenched gold, and its short snout bristled with icy teeth.
"Not good. It's a 400-year-old Golden Armored Earth Crocodile." Qian Renxue, who had spent the longest time by Qian Daoliu's side, lived up to her reputation. Her theoretical knowledge was extensive, and she recognized the Spirit Beast at a glance. It was a century-old menace from the outer reaches of Star Dou, known for living alone and tolerating no trespassers.
Hearing that this was the ideal Spirit Beast for him, Jin Guang's eyes lit up. He was already thinking about how to turn it into his First Soul Ring.
Qian Yu and Qian Renxue, however, furrowed their brows.
There was still a gap between theory and reality. When they truly felt the powerful aura of the 400-year-old Golden Armored Earth Crocodile, both of them couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
"Xiao Xue, stay airborne and harass it with attacks."
"Jin Guang, you're responsible for close-quarters combat."
But Qian Yu quickly showed the calm of a special forces king. After a brief moment of thought, he had already come up with a plan.
"Not bad." Hidden nearby, Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and nodded again and again.
"Why do I have to be the meat shield?" Jin Guang was clearly unhappy.
"Just do what you're told. If you keep this up, I'll fly away with Brother Qian Yu." Qian Renxue wasn't about to indulge Jin Guang.
As she spoke, she started to fly off with Qian Yu.
"I'll do it, I'll do it." With the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile right in front of him, Jin Guang steeled himself and summoned his Martial Soul. "Come forth, Golden Crocodile King." The phantom of a dark-gold crocodile head appeared behind him, its scales forged like black iron and its jaws gleaming coldly. As his Martial Soul manifested, Jin Guang's body grew larger, and his defense and attack power rose with it.
Jin Guang gritted his teeth and charged into close combat with the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile.
Seeing Jin Guang comply, Qian Renxue took flight, drew a small sword from her body, then hurtled toward the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile.
Her sword struck the beast, sending sparks flying. The tremendous impact sent Qian Renxue bouncing away, while the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile kept charging at Jin Guang without even raising its head.
"Damn that bug! Its scales are so hard!" Her first strike had failed. With a cold look, Qian Renxue prepared to charge in again.
"Xiao Xue!" Jin Guang and Qian Yu cried out in alarm.
"I'm fine." Qian Renxue steadied herself in midair before coming to a stop.
There was no denying it: a 400-year-old Golden Armored Earth Crocodile was terrifying.
"Qian Yu, you bastard! Hurry up and think of something!" Jin Guang was holding his own as he clashed violently with the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile, but the beast was clearly crushing him in every way.
"Xiao Xue, carry me up." Qian Yu had watched the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile's movements for a while. It was tough-skinned and quick on its feet.
"Okay." Qian Renxue blushed. The strength of a level-20 Soul Grandmaster made the task seem effortless.
Feeling the firm muscles in Qian Yu's arms, Qian Renxue's cheeks grew hot. The moment they touched, their souls seemed to tremble. Somehow, a mysterious summons appeared to link them.
"Qian Renxue, this is a matter of life and death. What are you thinking about?"
But this was a matter of life and death, so Qian Yu didn't dwell on it.
"Xiao Xue, fly us above the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile." Right now, Qian Yu had only one thing on his mind: defeating the beast.
Qian Renxue carried Qian Yu into the air as Jin Guang continued to struggle with the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile. He had fallen completely behind and would likely be finished in less than half a minute.
This was the spot. Qian Yu had the Desert Eagle in hand.
He held his breath and focused.
Bang! Bang! He fired twice.
The bullets grazed Jin Guang's cheek and flew toward the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile's eyes.
"Qian Yu, you bastard!" Qian Yu's bullets had grazed Jin Guang's face again, leaving his ears aching from the shots.
Qian Yu's Soul Power was already almost half depleted. Just four more bullets would drain it completely.
Fortunately, both bullets followed the same trajectory. The first hit the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile's right eyelid, and the second pierced through it and into the beast's skull.
The Golden Armored Earth Crocodile looked up at Qian Yu, disbelief plain on its face.
The next second, it crashed to the ground.
Jin Guang's Martial Soul vanished, and he collapsed limply onto the ground. He no longer had the strength to absorb a Spirit Ring.
"What now?" Qian Renxue didn't know what to do either.
The Golden Armored Earth Crocodile was on the verge of death. Qian Yu signaled for Qian Renxue to take him down, and she landed beside the beast.
Bang! Bang! Two more shots, and the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile was dead. A yellow Spirit Ring slowly took shape.
"Qian Yu, you bastard! I worked my ass off taking the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile's hits, and you stole my Spirit Ring..." Jin Guang gritted his teeth and cursed at Qian Yu from the ground. Before he could finish, he passed out.
"Sorry." Qian Renxue mourned over Jin Guang's limp body.
"Brother Qian Yu, hurry and absorb your First Soul Ring. The Golden Armored Earth Crocodile excels at offense and defense, so it's perfect for your first ring." Qian Renxue urged him.
"Mm." Qian Yu didn't refuse.
The timing really had been too perfect.
"Jin Guang, you can't blame me. If anything, blame yourself for not having enough stamina." Qian Yu silently mourned him.
With that, Qian Yu sat cross-legged and released his Soul Power to draw in the Spirit Ring. The yellow Spirit Ring contracted and solidified, then settled around his Martial Soul. Holy energy surged into his body as his bones cracked and his meridians burned.
Half an hour later, Qian Yu opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of stale air. He seemed like a different person.
"Brother Qian Yu, you did it! Tell me about your first Soul Skill and Soul Power Level." Seeing Qian Yu wake, Qian Renxue hurried over, beaming with delight.
Feeling Qian Renxue's joy and the changes in his body, Qian Yu said, "My first Soul Skill is Golden Armor Reinforcement. It increases my strength by 30% and my physical defense by 40%. As for my Soul Power Level, it went up by two, bringing me to level 12."
"Wow, no wonder a 400-year-old Golden Armored Earth Crocodile is so powerful. The skill it gave you is incredible, and the Soul Power boost is just as amazing."
"Brother Qian Yu, your Desert Eagle is terrifying. Don't point it at me, okay?" Qian Renxue was already acting familiar, playfully pouting at Qian Yu.
"Okay, okay." Qian Yu couldn't resist her pout.
He quickly changed the subject. "Jin Guang's unconscious. Judging by his injuries, I doubt we can continue Soul Hunting this time."
"Yeah, that guy's useless. He passed out after taking just a few hits from the Golden Armored Earth Crocodile," Qian Renxue said indignantly.
In his sleep, Jin Guang was just about to wake when he heard Qian Renxue putting him down. He was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood, then passed out again.
"Xiao Xue." Qian Daoliu couldn't leave things alone any longer. He appeared and examined Jin Guang. Seeing that the injuries were only superficial, he finally relaxed.
He cursed inwardly too. Useless fool. What a disappointment. Fortunately, Jin Guang didn't hear him this time.
"Grandpa, what do we do now?" Qian Renxue ran to Qian Daoliu's side, acting spoiled.
"Xiao Xue, your Spirit Rings follow a set system. Just follow the Angel Inheritance. I'll lead you all to quickly hunt two suitable Spirit Beasts, then we'll head back." Qian Daoliu declared firmly.
Before you continue