Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python

Qiangu Aoshi did not want just any ordinary soul beast.

That was why it had been difficult to find one. Four Soul Sages and eight Soul Emperors had searched the Star Dou Great Forest for five days.

They had gone deep into the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Only then did they find the soul beast Qiangu Aoshi needed in a valley.

Upon seeing the signal, Qiangu Aoshi hurried over.

Within the valley lay a crimson giant snake, roughly ten meters long and as thick around as a water barrel. Its entire body was covered in red scales, and its triangular eyes radiated ferocity and bloodlust.

Qiangu Aoshi raised an eyebrow, delight flashing across his face.

"This is a Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python, one of the dragon breeds. It is nonvenomous and kills its prey by constriction with unmatched strength. It is exactly one of the soul beasts suited to become my fifth soul ring."

"Judging by its size, it should be around thirty thousand years old. It is a little forced, but still acceptable."

"Bishop Liprass, I truly have you to thank this time."

The scarlet-robed bishop called Liprass did not claim credit. He spoke gently.

"It is this old man's honor to be of service to Young Master Aoshi."

Qiangu Aoshi waved a hand.

"I will tell First Father and Second Father of your contributions when we return. For now, help me suppress the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python."

Qiangu Aoshi's words struck right at Liprass's heart. Their efforts to curry favor with Qiangu Aoshi were mainly for the sake of currying favor with Qianjun Douluo and Demon-Subduing Douluo.

At Qiangu Aoshi's command, Liprass and the other two black-robed bishops immediately summoned their martial souls. Forming a simple triangular formation, they closed in on the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python.

The battle erupted quickly!

As a dragon breed, the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python possessed only thirty thousand years of cultivation, but its strength was not to be underestimated.

Yet, facing one Soul Sage and two Soul Emperors, wound after wound was swiftly carved across its body.

Qiangu Aoshi raised his hand. Red light flashed, and the Coiling Dragon Staff appeared in his palm. Four soul rings—yellow, purple, purple, and black—pulsed above and below him.

He poured soul power into the Coiling Dragon Staff. The staff trembled softly, and the dragon patterns on it seemed to come alive, as if they wanted to burst free.

His aura grew stronger and fiercer, as though a giant dragon were lowering its gaze from the nine heavens. The Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python became increasingly restless.

The more anxious one was, the easier it was to expose an opening!

Qiangu Aoshi's gaze sharpened. He moved.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Coiling Dragon Suppression!"

The black soul ring lit up. Qiangu Aoshi planted his staff before him, and rings of viscous airwaves spread outward.

They enveloped the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python, making it feel as though it had fallen into a swamp. No matter how it struggled, it was futile.

"First and Second Soul Skills, Coiling Dragon Oscillation!"

Qiangu Aoshi drew back the Coiling Dragon Staff. His heavy, solemn aura made even the air turn thick.

He swung his staff, unleashing a three-meter dragon-shaped blast of force. It tore through the air with a piercing shriek and struck the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python.

"Hiss—Roar!"

The Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python screamed in pain. Coiling Dragon Shock forcibly knocked enemies back, while Coiling Dragon Sway forcibly stunned them. When the two soul skills fused, the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python was sent flying away in a daze.

"Third Soul Skill, Coiling Dragon Might!"

The Coiling Dragon Staff in Qiangu Aoshi's hand erupted with dazzling red light. His strength and attack power were increased by one hundred percent, and he gained armor-piercing properties that could ignore defense.

Qiangu Aoshi dashed forward, as though enveloped by a crimson dragon.

In the blink of an eye, he caught up with the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python.

The crimson dragon roared and slammed into the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python.

Airwaves churned as wild winds howled!

The Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python gave a mournful cry before being flung away, crashing into the valley wall.

In an instant, clusters of light burst from its body.

Those red spheres of light represented vitality.

Defeating soul masters could cause soul power orbs to drop, while defeating soul beasts could cause vitality orbs to drop.

And there was more!

A deep, pitch-black soul ring also burst from the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python's body.

The Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python was clearly not dead, yet its soul ring had still dropped.

That was also the ability of Qiangu Aoshi's cheat.

Douluo Continent had originally been a world like an online game. Qiangu Aoshi was now like a bug, a gift from Mother Earth.

Liprass and the other two black-robed bishops were shocked once more.

A large part of the reason no one in Spirit Hall dared provoke Qiangu Aoshi was the special nature of his Coiling Dragon Staff.

As long as one lost in battle against him—

Their soul power, soul rings, soul bones, and even their martial souls could be knocked out of their bodies.

That was simply terrifying!

Everyone cultivated so painstakingly, yet one blow from his staff could knock their soul power out. Who would not be afraid?

Qiangu Aoshi took a breath.

"Bishop Liprass, throw this Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python far away. Do not let it disturb my absorption of the soul ring."

"When the other bishops arrive, help protect me together."

Liprass bowed.

"This one understands."

He and the other two black-robed bishops carried off the severely weakened Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python and threw it far away.

At the original spot!

Qiangu Aoshi sat down cross-legged. He first collected the crimson light orbs, absorbing their vitality to strengthen his body, before summoning the black soul ring.

The soul ring entered his body, transforming into rolling heat like magma that surged through his meridians and violently battered his meridians and internal organs.

His face turned slightly pale.

However, Qiangu Aoshi's body had been tempered over many years and was far stronger than ordinary. Since the immense energy of this thirty-thousand-year soul ring had failed to crush his body in one wave, it could only allow itself to be absorbed.

The absorption of the soul ring settled onto the right track!

One hour, three hours, five hours...

The other scarlet-robed and black-robed bishops who had been sent out also returned from all parts of the forest.

They cast envious glances at Liprass. This time, all the credit had fallen upon him.

Then they dutifully stood guard for Qiangu Aoshi.

When Qiangu Aoshi awoke, his aura suddenly erupted. Like an enraged dragon, it roared toward the heavens before being drawn back into his body moments later.

An irrepressible smile curled his lips.

After absorbing his fifth soul ring, his soul power had broken through to level fifty-two.

A twelve-year-old level-fifty-two Soul King!

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan of the Golden Generation were only fit to polish his shoes in front of him.

And there was his fifth soul skill, the Layering Art. Just like how the Red-Scaled Dragon-Tendon Python wrapped around an enemy, layer upon layer, its strength doubling again and again until it constricted its enemy to death.

Now, through the Layering Art, Qiangu Aoshi could also accumulate soul power, stack his strength, and unleash power tenfold or even hundredfold greater.

Qiangu Aoshi braced one hand against the ground and sprang to his feet.

He stretched lazily. His bones crackled throughout his body as he grew a little taller, his shoulders broad and his back straight.

He turned to look at the four scarlet-robed bishops and eight black-robed bishops, all of whom had returned.

"This time, I was able to obtain the soul ring I desired because of your merit and hard work. I have remembered it all, and when we return, I will report it truthfully."

"Now, let us leave the Star Dou Great Forest first."