The Thousand-Year Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard, Xue Chen's First Soul Ring! (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Red King," Di Tian said in a deep voice, "you are responsible for this mission.

Head to the Far North immediately. Use this scale to locate the target and bring it back to the Star Dou Forest safe and sound!

Remember, the target's safety is the absolute priority. Do not fail!"

All three of Red King's heads wore solemn expressions simultaneously. The middle head lowered, carefully using its energy to receive the precious silver scale, and replied in a deep voice: "Understood!!!"

Upon hearing this, Bi Ji added softly:

"The Far North is bitterly cold and is the territory of the Snow Emperor. You must act with caution, Red King, and avoid conflict whenever possible."

Zi Ji also spoke coldly:

"If any blind fools stand in your way, I can provide backup if necessary."

Though she did not state it explicitly, the aura of slaughter in her words made it clear she could transform into a terrifying combat force at any moment.

Bear Lord snorted. Although he was dissatisfied that he wasn't the one sent, he knew the gravity of the matter and muttered:

"Go quickly and return quickly. Don't delay."

The Ten Thousand Demon King's projection of will flickered slightly, as if calculating something, but he remained silent.

Di Tian nodded at Bi Ji and Zi Ji's remarks, then gave his final order to Red King:

"Time is of the essence. Depart at once!"

"Yes!"

Red King said no more. After identifying the north, he sped away at incredible velocity.

By the lake, the remaining Great Beasts had their own thoughts, but all understood that the peace of the Star Dou Forest might soon be shattered by this journey to the Far North.

Di Tian gazed at the horizon, his golden pupils infinitely deep. Now, all that remained was to guard and wait.

In the Far North, across the vast and boundless ice plains.

Xiao Bai had resumed his true form as a Titan Snow Demon Bear, massive as a small mountain; every step he took caused the ice to tremble slightly.

Xue Chen sat on his broad, flat shoulder, his small legs dangling in the air. His clear eyes scanned the vast, snow-white world below, searching for the target of his hunt: the Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard.

This was the target he had chosen for his first soul ring.

The Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard, a branch of the Thunder Dragon bloodline, was a powerful, unique, and notorious soul beast of the Far North.

It was not an ice-attribute creature, but rather possessed the rare thunder attribute. It bore a pair of illusory wings on its back formed from lightning energy, granting it extreme speed and elusive movements.

More importantly, it was vicious by nature and the nightmare of many soul beast cubs in the Far North. It fed specifically on the young, making it a common enemy of the region.

Choosing it was undoubtedly a well-considered decision.

In truth, Xue Chen had harbored a subtle, internal conflict.

Although he craved power and needed a soul ring, Mother Snow Emperor, Aunt Ice Emperor, and Xiao Bai were all soul beasts—the guardians and keepers of order in this Far North.

While they supported his growth and never stopped him from hunting soul beasts to obtain rings—as that was the rule of this world—he could feel that deep down, they felt an imperceptible reluctance toward their own kind being hunted.

He did not want to cause them distress or sadness because of himself.

As it happened, the appearance of this Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard perfectly resolved his psychological burden.

"Preying on soul beast cubs... you really are a villain."

Xue Chen muttered to himself, the hesitation in his eyes vanishing completely, replaced by the resolve of someone ridding the world of a scourge.

"Hunting you will not only grant me a thunder-attribute soul ring suited to my needs and boost my strength, but it will also remove a menace for the soul beasts of the Far North. It's killing two birds with one stone!"

With that thought, the pressure in his heart dissipated, leaving only anticipation and excitement for obtaining his first soul ring.

If his Thunder Dragon Emperor Martial Soul and Radiant Thunder Dragon Spear could absorb a soul ring of the same thunder element, the effect would surely be superb.

"Xiao Bai, which direction should we search?"

Xue Chen patted Xiao Bai's thick, warm fur and asked aloud.

Xiao Bai lowered his massive bear head, his nostrils twitching as he sensed the subtle flow of air. He replied in a muffled voice:

"According to the direction Mother pointed out, the Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard likes to frequent the Ice Rift Valley. The terrain there is complex, making it easy to hide and ambush.

We shall head that way. Little Chen, focus on sensing the surrounding fluctuations of lightning elements; that creature's aura should be quite unique."

"Got it!"

Xue Chen nodded vigorously, centering his mind as he began to perceive his surroundings.

Possessing a twin Thunder Martial Soul, his sensitivity to lightning elements far exceeded that of an ordinary person, which would undoubtedly greatly increase the efficiency of their search.

One bear and one boy, with a clear goal in mind, trod upon the eternal ice and advanced steadily toward the Ice Rift Valley.

The wind and snow continued, but a burning flame ignited in Xue Chen's heart. The first chapter of his journey as a soul master was about to begin.

Guided by Xue Chen's keen perception of the thunder elements, Xiao Bai carried him deep into the Ice Rift Valley.

Flanked by steep ice cliffs, they finally rounded a massive ice pillar to reveal a relatively open ice platform ahead.

"Over there!" Xue Chen lowered his voice, pointing to the front left.

Xiao Bai looked in the direction indicated and saw a lizard-like soul beast, several meters long and covered in deep blue scales, lying quietly on a flat, giant slab of ice, seemingly dozing.

On its back was a pair of structures made of pure lightning energy, resembling wings of light, with electricity occasionally flickering across them. This was their target—the Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard!

Xiao Bai gently placed Xue Chen onto the ice, and then its massive body suddenly reared up. The gentle look in its bear eyes was instantly replaced by a fierce, malevolent aura!

It took a deep breath, its chest expanding, and then unleashed a deafening roar at the unsuspecting Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard!

"ROAR—!!!"

The sound waves hit like a physical impact, carrying a frigid current as they slammed into the Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard.

Before it could even react, its slender body stiffened, twitched once, and then went completely limp.

Blue foam spilled from its mouth, nose, and eyes; it had been knocked unconscious by that terrifying roar.

Just then, two "boom" sounds echoed from outside the canyon...

"Huh... what was that sound?" Xue Chen looked up at the sky, puzzled but not dwelling on it.

Xiao Bai had clearly held back most of its power; otherwise, this roar would have caused the Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard to explode on the spot.

This soul beast was truly unlucky to run into Xiao Bai, one of the three great sovereigns of the Far North, while just trying to take a nap.

Xue Chen watched, dumbfounded, before clapping his hands in excitement:

"Amazing, Xiao Bai! You took it down with just one shout!"

Hearing the praise, Xiao Bai immediately shed its fierce expression. Its massive bear head shook bashfully, and its giant body began to shrink, returning to a more compact form.

It then trotted over to the unconscious Thunder Wing Dragon Lizard and sniffed it with its nose.

Assessing the creature's size and the faint energy fluctuations it emitted, a look of concern appeared on the bear's face:

"Judging by its size and aura, it has about three thousand years of cultivation. Xiao Chen, this is your first soul ring, and the limit for you human soul masters is usually around four hundred years. Are you... really sure you can absorb this? It's too risky! How about we go look for something else instead..."