...Star Dou Great Forest.
Golden Soul Power surged around Murong Huai. About an hour later, he opened his eyes, a golden glimmer flashing in them.
"Phew, I did it."
Murong Huai's gamble had paid off. His Second Martial Soul, Austin Griffin, was the God of Heavenly Punishment, and was sure to suppress the domineering aura of the Spirit Ring.
Murong Huai slowly rose to his feet. After absorbing the First Soul Ring, he had grown quite a bit taller. Golden light flowed over his right hand, and the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword appeared in it. A deep yellow Spirit Ring materialized, circling around him.
"Brother Murong, you did it!" Bibi Dong hurried over, beaming.
Murong Huai nodded. "Yeah, I absorbed it successfully."
Murong Fuhai walked over and placed a hand on Murong Huai's shoulder to check him over. After confirming that all was well, he nodded.
"Not bad. Huai'er, your physical strength has improved several times over. What about your Soul Skill?"
Murong Huai replied,
"My First Soul Skill is called Sword Emerges Wind and Clouds Move—Ten Thousand Blades Dark Gold Flow. It boosts my attack power by eighty percent and my speed and defense by fifty percent. Each attack also has a five percent chance to ignore any physical defense. It lasts for half an hour."
Hearing the effect of Murong Huai's First Soul Skill, Murong Fuhai nodded.
"Not bad at all. Three powerful boosts, plus a special effect. This is probably the most powerful Soul Skill that Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear could have given you. As for the duration, it'll increase as your level rises."
Murong Huai was quite pleased, too. It was almost on par with Dai Mubai's Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, from the original story—and even a little stronger.
Suddenly remembering something, Murong Huai ran to the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's corpse and searched it from head to toe. Seeing this, Murong Fuhai came over with a smile.
"Huai'er, don't bother looking. Your dad already checked. There's no Spirit Bone."
Murong Huai's enthusiasm faded. He'd been hoping to try his luck and see if he could get an External Soul Bone.
"Let's go. You've all found your Spirit Rings. We should leave this place first."
Murong Huai didn't plan to attach his Second Soul Ring right away. He wanted to get used to his current strength and push his physique to its limit first. Then he could absorb a higher-year Spirit Ring, which would benefit him more in the early stages.
"Roar—"
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, a deafening roar rang out. A Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear as large as a small mountain charged toward them. Chen Xin and Gu Rong cried out in alarm.
"A thirty-thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!"
"Looks like one of the powerful members of that bear's clan?"
Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bears had mighty bloodlines. A hundred-year-old one could fight a thousand-year-old; a thousand-year-old one could fight a ten-thousand-year-old. This thirty-thousand-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear could even take on some weaker Titled Douluo.
Murong Fuhai, however, showed no fear. A cold smile tugged at his lips.
"Hmph. You're asking for death!"
Murong Fuhai stepped forward and flashed above the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. Black Soul Power coated his right leg as he kicked with tremendous force, flipping the bear over.
The beast got back to its feet and glared at Murong Fuhai in the air, letting out a terrifying roar.
"Roar—"
Murong Fuhai paid it no mind. Black light flashed in his eyes, and a terrifying black creature appeared behind him: his Martial Soul, Demonic Flame Heavenly Dragon.
Its winding body was as vast as a mountain range, covered in black scales, each glimmering with an eerie light as if molten rock flowed through the darkness. Its head was held high, its eyes burning like black flames and radiating a destructive pressure. Its razor-sharp claws seemed capable of tearing through space, sending chills down everyone's spines.
The Demonic Flame Heavenly Dragon roared. Then yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and red Spirit Rings descended, circling Murong Fuhai. The full might of a Titled Douluo was on display.
"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!!"
Below, Chen Xin and Gu Rong were stunned when they saw the red ninth Spirit Ring around Murong Fuhai. There were only twenty or thirty Titled Douluo in the world, but no more than a handful possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. Without exception, they were all top-tier powerhouses.
With his powerful Demonic Flame Heavenly Dragon Martial Soul and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, Murong Fuhai could go toe-to-toe with an average Super Douluo despite having only ninety-three levels of Soul Power.
Murong Fuhai raised a hand. The Martial Soul behind him, the Demonic Flame Heavenly Dragon, roared and charged at the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, wreathed in terrifying demonic flames. The bear was blasted into the air, blood spurting from its body.
Then the Demonic Flame Heavenly Dragon whipped its tail, smashing it squarely in the chest and sending it flying. Bloodied and battered, the bear crashed into a pit of broken stones, utterly unable to fight back.
Just as Murong Fuhai was about to attack again, he seemed to remember something and recalled his Martial Soul.
"Hmph. I'll spare your beastly life for now. When my son needs his Sixth Soul Ring, I'll absorb you. You'd better still be alive then."
Murong Fuhai landed on the ground. The others were dumbstruck. The three children—Murong Huai and the others—couldn't fully grasp what they'd just seen.
But Chen Xin and Gu Rong were utterly shocked. They knew the infamous Demon Dragon Douluo was powerful, but they hadn't expected him to be this terrifying. He'd used no Soul Skills at all, yet defeated a thirty-thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear with just three moves.
Murong Huai was also impressed by his father's strength. If that Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear had faced a Titled Douluo who used a spear or poison, they would have needed to activate their Martial Soul Avatar at the very least to stand against it, even if they didn't go all out.
Murong Huai gave his father a thumbs-up. "Dad, you're awesome!"
Murong Fuhai tossed his hair and waved a hand. "Easy peasy~"
The group left the Star Dou Great Forest. Ning Fengzhi and the others rode back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in their carriage, while Murong Huai and his companions rode back to Spirit City.
On the road, inside the carriage, Bibi Dong turned to Murong Huai and asked,
"Brother Murong, you absorbed a Spirit Ring that was beyond the limit this time. Grandpa Murong and the others must be thrilled!"
Murong Huai smiled.
"Definitely."
Then he added in a low voice,
"But my dad might not be so thrilled..."
"Oh? Why?" Bibi Dong tilted her head in confusion.
Murong Huai didn't answer. He could already picture his father getting scolded by Grandpa Murong. It would definitely go something like this. Ahem.
"You little brat! You..."
Spirit City, Murong Mansion.
"You little brat! You mother—"
In the main hall, Murong Chayue slammed his hand onto the table with a deafening bang.
"You let Huai'er absorb an eight-hundred-year Spirit Ring as his First Soul Ring! You mother—"
Listening to the old man scold his son, while seemingly scolding himself at the same time, Xiao Qingmei saw several dark lines appear above her head.
"Enough with the shouting. Look how you've scared the children!"
But there was a clear edge of anger in Xiao Qingmei's voice. Murong Huai and Bibi Dong hid behind Xianyun. Murong Huai was used to this, but Bibi Dong was seeing this sort of scene for the first time and couldn't help trembling a little.
Seizing the chance to speak, Murong Huai hurriedly said,
"Grandpa, Grandma, I was the one who asked to absorb this Spirit Ring. You know my Martial Soul is unusual. Dad only agreed after weighing the pros and cons."
Hearing this, Murong Fuhai quietly gave Murong Huai a thumbs-up. Murong Huai gave him a reassuring look.
After hearing Murong Huai's explanation, Murong Chayue calmed down. Xiao Qingmei saw this and said,
"Enough. Huai'er absorbed the Spirit Ring successfully and wasn't injured, so let's not dwell on it. That's that."
Murong Chayue and Xiao Qingmei then turned to leave. Murong Fuhai had just breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a sharp gaze on him. He looked over and saw a trace of murderous intent in his wife's eyes. He couldn't help glancing at Murong Huai.
Murong Huai sensed the atmosphere turning ominous, so he grabbed Bibi Dong and ran out. He silently prayed,
"Dad, forgive me for being powerless. I'm making my escape first."
Not long after they left, Murong Fuhai's cries rang out from the main hall.
"Ah, honey, go easy..."
"Don't use the Nine Profound Sword! Aah!!"
"Don't stab me in the kidneys..."
Before you continue