After obtaining a satisfactory Soul Ring and Soul Bone, Xia Ming and the others did not leave the Star Dou Great Forest.
Instead, they continued searching for a suitable seventh Soul Ring for Zhang Lexuan.
To a Soul Master, the seventh Soul Ring held extraordinary significance.
Unlike the first six Soul Rings, which prioritized compatibility with Soul Skills and the Martial Soul, the seventh Soul Ring primarily pursued the highest possible age.
The power and duration of the Martial Soul Avatar were directly tied to the age of the seventh Soul Ring. The older it was, the stronger the Martial Soul Avatar became.
Of course, for a favored daughter of heaven like Zhang Lexuan, compatibility could not be entirely disregarded.
Her Martial Soul was "Moon," one of the top-tier Martial Souls, and it had certain requirements regarding a soul beast's bloodline, attributes, and even habits.
"Lexuan's seventh Soul Ring should come from a soul beast at least fifty thousand years old." Yan Shaozhe's expression was solemn.
"If we can find one with compatible attributes and an excellent bloodline, then a slightly lower age can be reluctantly accepted.
"But if we wish to pursue the utmost, it would be best to find one over fifty-five thousand years old, perhaps even close to sixty thousand."
Soul beasts over fifty thousand years old were by no means common in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Most occupied territories deep within the forest. They possessed considerable intelligence and were adept at hiding.
Their combat strength was immense, enough to rival or even suppress human Soul Douluo powerhouses.
At the border between the outer reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest's core region and the mixed zone, the four of them searched carefully for another three days.
On this day, moonlight had just risen. Cool moonlight filtered through gaps in the dense canopy, scattering mottled silver radiance below.
When they reached a relatively open forest valley, Elder Song, whose senses were the sharpest, suddenly stopped and raised a hand in warning.
Everyone immediately restrained their auras and concealed themselves.
Following Elder Song's gesture, they saw a massive boulder in the center of the valley.
Upon it stood a gigantic silver-white wolf with a lean, powerful body, its head raised toward the sky as it howled at the moon.
"Awooo—!"
The desolate wolf howl echoed through the silent forest. Wherever its sound waves passed, grass and trees bowed low, while a cold pressure carrying the clear radiance of moonlight spread through the air.
The giant wolf's fur was like the finest silver satin, flowing with watery luster beneath the moonlight.
A crescent-moon mark was clearly visible on its forehead, and its eyes were a rare silvery white.
"A fifty-thousand-year Howling Moon Wolf King!" Elder Zhuang said softly, with a hint of delight in his voice.
"It is close to fifty-five thousand years old. Its attributes are extremely compatible with Lexuan's 'Moon' Martial Soul, and its bloodline is among the best of wolf-type soul beasts. It is undoubtedly an excellent choice for her seventh Soul Ring!"
Satisfaction flashed through Yan Shaozhe's eyes as well. He nodded slightly. "Not bad. It is indeed one of the most suitable targets.
"Once Lexuan absorbs it, her Martial Soul Avatar will surely be extraordinary."
His aura tightened slightly, and a faint golden glow began to circulate around him as he prepared to swiftly subdue the Wolf King.
"Senior Brother, wait."
Just as Yan Shaozhe was about to move, a hand gently pressed against his arm.
Yan Shaozhe turned around and saw Xia Ming looking at him, fervent battle intent flickering in his eyes.
"Could you let me try this Howling Moon Wolf King first?
"Senior Brother and the two elders only need to stand guard for me."
The moment he said this, not only Yan Shaozhe, but also Elder Song, Elder Zhuang, and even Zhang Lexuan herself revealed obvious surprise.
The Howling Moon Wolf King's bloodline was far from weak.
While it could not compare to a soul beast on the level of the Dark-Gold Terrorclaw Bear, it belonged to the second tier just beneath it.
At fifty thousand years old, it was at least equivalent to a human Soul Douluo, perhaps even more troublesome than an ordinary Soul Douluo.
Yet Xia Ming had only just obtained his third Soul Ring and had not been a Soul Elder for long.
A Soul Elder challenging a fifty-thousand-year soul beast comparable to a Soul Douluo?
The gap between them was greater than heaven and earth!
But upon considering his freakish ability to fight above his level, perhaps he truly possessed the strength to clash with it.
Yan Shaozhe exchanged glances with Elder Song and Elder Zhuang. The two elders nodded slightly.
With three Super Douluo present, their spiritual power had already locked onto the battlefield.
Even if something unexpected happened, they would absolutely be able to intervene in an instant and ensure Xia Ming's safety.
"Good!" Yan Shaozhe finally nodded and patted Xia Ming's shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement and anticipation.
"Go. Let us see where your limits truly lie now.
"Remember, this is primarily to temper yourself through real combat and experience the pressure of fighting a soul beast to the death. There is no need to insist on a swift victory."
"Understood." Xia Ming grinned, his battle intent soaring.
With the decision made, Xia Ming no longer concealed himself.
He drew a deep breath and slowly stepped out from the shadows of the dense forest, entering the valley bathed in bright moonlight.
His appearance immediately drew the Howling Moon Wolf King's vigilance.
The Wolf King stopped howling. Its silvery-white eyes coldly swept over this seemingly young human whose aura was strangely heavy, and a warning growl rumbled from its throat.
"Roar—!"
What answered it was a roar that shook the mountains and forest!
Golden light erupted around Xia Ming as the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff Martial Soul instantly possessed him!
Immediately afterward, the dark-gold Domination Domain spread out from him, and his first two Soul Rings lit up at once.
With several enhancements layered upon him, Xia Ming's aura skyrocketed madly as if launched by a rocket!
After obtaining his Soul Ring, Xia Ming already possessed strength and defense no weaker than that of a top-tier Soul Saint.
With the boosts from two Soul Rings stacked atop that, he had reached the level of a Soul Douluo.
"Awooo—!"
The Howling Moon Wolf King was utterly enraged!
A human child with an aura only at the Soul Elder level actually dared to release such pressure and a domain so wantonly before it.
This was a provocation it had never encountered in its long life!
Silver light flashed! The Howling Moon Wolf King vanished from where it stood.
In the next instant, it appeared at Xia Ming's side. A massive claw wreathed in condensed moonlight tore through the air with a piercing shriek as it viciously slammed toward Xia Ming's head!
But Xia Ming neither dodged nor retreated. He shouted, "Good timing!"
He actually twisted at the waist and turned, meeting the wolf claw—larger than his own head—with his left fist wrapped in golden Soul Power!
"Bang—!"
A dull collision like a war drum exploded!
A visible shockwave spread outward in a ring, blasting up the turf and shattered stones from the ground!
Xia Ming's feet sank deep into the earth, plowing two trenches several meters long, yet he stood firm!
At the point where fist and claw collided, golden and silver light furiously annihilated each other!
A trace of disbelief flashed through the Howling Moon Wolf King's eyes.
This human's strength was actually so terrifying?
It could feel the recoil transmitted through its claw, and it was no weaker than the force of a direct collision with a soul beast of the same level.
However, what truly made its heart tremble was yet to come.
Using the recoil to lean back slightly, Xia Ming's eyes blazed as he clenched his right fist.
An imposing force that fused immense spiritual pressure with physical strength suddenly condensed around his fist!
"Reign Over the World!"
Before you continue