The Bronze Dragon Crocodile's corpse lay sprawled across the gravel-strewn ground, its blood staining the dark-red rocks.
A purple Soul Ring hovered above the corpse, its light flowing with an oppressive, weighty aura.
It was the unique aura of a Soul Ring over two thousand years old.
"A purple Soul Ring!"
Ma Hongjun jumped up excitedly.
"Brother Wen, your third Soul Ring is purple!"
"Quiet."
Flender shot him a glare.
"You can't be disturbed while absorbing a Soul Ring."
Ma Hongjun hurriedly covered his mouth, though his eyes still sparkled brightly.
Flender walked over to Fu Wen and regarded the deep-purple Soul Ring with a solemn expression. "Xiao Wen, a two-thousand-year Soul Ring is stronger than any you've absorbed before. Are you sure you can withstand it?"
"I can."
Fu Wen's answer was brief.
"Then begin."
Flender stepped back several paces, leaving the space to Fu Wen.
Fu Wen sat down cross-legged and summoned his China Divine Crocodile Martial Soul.
Two deep-yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet. The first Soul Ring was four hundred and thirty years old, while the second was nine hundred years old.
Now, the third Soul Ring was waiting for him.
He took a deep breath and used his will to draw the deep-purple Soul Ring toward him.
The Soul Ring slowly floated over and settled around the Divine Crocodile Phantom.
The next second, a surging torrent of energy flooded into his body.
This energy was more than twice as powerful as that of the nine-hundred-year Soul Ring.
It was like an ancient beast rampaging through his meridians, intent on tearing his body apart.
Fu Wen's face instantly reddened, and veins bulged across his forehead.
"It's begun."
Zhao Wuji frowned.
"The energy of a two-thousand-year Soul Ring is no joke."
Flender said nothing, but