Amidst the explosion, purple energy collided with the black tiger tail, unleashing a blinding light!
The shockwave spread outwards, uprooting the surrounding fallen leaves and revealing the soil beneath.
Zhu Zhuqing used the momentum to retreat, her body flipping in the air before landing lightly on the branch of a large tree.
Her toes touched the branch, which bent slightly but made no sound.
The Shadow Demonic Tiger's gaze was firmly drawn to Zhu Zhuqing. It spread its wings and transformed into a black lightning bolt, swooping down towards Zhu Zhuqing!
Its speed was astonishing, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air. Even Zhu Zhuqing, who was also skilled in speed, was not as fast as it.
However, Zhu Zhuqing curled her lips into a cold smile, and with a flash, disappeared from the spot.
The branch she had just been standing on was struck by the tiger's claws and snapped with a crash, sending splinters of wood flying everywhere!
The Shadow Demonic Tiger, having missed its target, became even more enraged and frantically searched for Zhu Zhuqing's whereabouts in the forest.
Its tiger-like eyes scanned its surroundings, its nose constantly sniffing the air.
Just then, Xiao Yan made a move.
The Fourth Soul Ring is lit up!
" Cold Fire: The Everfrost Mausoleum!"
The frigid, pale flames suddenly spread out from him, instantly engulfing the Shadow Demonic Tiger!
Temperature plummeted! Ground froze!
The moisture in the air instantly condensed into fine ice crystals, which sparkled in the sunlight!
The Shadow Demonic Tiger's movements suddenly froze! A thin layer of frost quickly covered its fur, and its limbs became much slower!
" Netherworld Lock!"
At the same time, Xiao Yan shouted and his Third Soul Ring lit up!
Four Netherworld Lock emerged from the void and Entanglement the Shadow Demonic Tiger!
The chains were entirely pale, with a Youyou light swirling across their surface, resembling four pale, gigantic pythons, baring their fangs and claws as they lunged at the Shadow Demonic Tiger.
The Shadow Demonic Tiger roared, trying to break free, but the suppression from the Everfrost Mausoleum greatly reduced its speed, making it impossible to evade!
The first chain wrapped around its hind leg!
A second chain wrapped around its waist!
The third chain wrapped around its neck!
The fourth chain bound its wings!
Four chains Entanglement around its body, and the bone-chilling cold instantly invaded its soul, making it almost unable to think!
Its body froze in place, and the flow of its Soul Power completely stopped!
"Roar--!!!"
It roared in pain and struggled desperately, but the chains tightened more and more!
Zhu Zhuqing reappeared, standing behind the Shadow Demonic Tiger!
" Netherworld Shadow Clone!"
Her figure instantly transformed into five afterimages, launching simultaneous attacks on the Shadow Demonic Tiger from several directions!
Each illusory figure was so lifelike that it was impossible to distinguish which was the real body and which was the illusion!
The Shadow Demonic Tiger struggled desperately, waving its claws, but it only managed to shatter a phantom image; all the other attacks landed squarely on its body!
Sizzle! Sizzle!
The sound of claws tearing flesh rang out, and two deep, bone-revealing wounds appeared on the back of the Shadow Demonic Tiger, gushing out blood!
The blood splattered on the ground and instantly froze into ice!
"Roar--!!!"
It let out a piercing scream and struggled even more frantically!
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
The Fifth Soul Ring lights up!
"Azure Lotus - Cold Heart Flame - Green Lotus Flame Pillar!"
A thick pillar of fire, over ten feet in diameter and interwoven with blue and white hues, erupted from beneath the Shadow Demonic Tiger!
The pillar of fire contained the ferocity of the Green Lotus Core Flame and the extreme cold of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. These two completely opposite forces intertwined to create a devastating impact!
The pillar of fire engulfed it instantly!
"Roar--!!!"
The Shadow Demonic Tiger's screams abruptly ceased.
After the flames dissipated, its body fell from mid-air and crashed heavily to the ground.
Its entire body was charred black, and it was completely lifeless.
Its fur was charred, emitting a pungent, burnt smell.
Then, a jet-black Soul Ring floated out from its body and hovered in mid-air.
A Soul Ring that is twelve thousand years old, especially one from a dark-attribute Magical Beast, is naturally not Xiao Yan's best choice.
The two intervened because many of the materials on the Shadow Demonic Tiger were quite valuable.
Since we've encountered it, there's no way we can let it go.
After spending some time carefully cutting up and storing the valuable parts of the Shadow Demonic Tiger, the two continued deeper into the area.
Over the next three days, they ventured deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest, but their luck wasn't as good as it had been at the beginning. In those three days, they encountered only a handful of Magical Beast.
The first day yielded nothing.
The next day, they encountered a 22,000-year-old Purple Lightning Demonic Marten.
The demonic sable was as fast as lightning, even faster than Xu Mu by a third.
Its entire body is purple, with faint arcs of electricity flickering in its fur, and its eyes are like two purple gems.
More importantly, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing originally didn't want to pay attention to it, but the creature regarded them as prey.
It took the two of them a full hour to trap and kill it.
The Purple Lightning Demonic Marten Sable was too fast; the two of them couldn't lock onto it with their attacks.
Finally, Xiao Yan spared no expense in expending a large amount of Soul Power to Ice Seal the entire area with the Everfrost Mausoleum, greatly reducing its speed. Only then did Zhu Zhuqing seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
The lifespan of the Soul Ring is approaching 22,000 years.
Unfortunately, it doesn't match Xiao Yan's Martial Soul attributes.
"Let's go further in." Xiao Yan glanced at the dark Soul Ring in the air with a hint of regret, and finally continued to walk deeper into the area with Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing did not object; this was the norm for Soul Master to hunt for Soul Ring.
On the third day, they ventured deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
The trees here are much thicker, each requiring several people to encircle it.
Thick vines, as thick as an arm, Entanglement the tree trunk, some of which were even slowly wriggling—they were alive, some kind of Plant-type Soul Beast.
The air was thick with the stench of blood and the distinctive stench of animals, making one want to vomit.
Huge footprints and signs of battle were visible everywhere on the ground. In some places, trees were uprooted and huge craters were blasted into the ground.
Xiao Yan stopped, closed his eyes, and unleashed his full Spiritual Soul Power.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a hint of excitement flashing in them.
"Ahead, about five miles away, there is a Soul Beast. Judging from its aura, it should be close to thirty thousand years old."
Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted slightly.
Soul Beast that are over 30,000 years old have strength approaching that of Soul Saint level experts.
"The aura is very strong, much stronger than those we encountered before. Moreover... that aura carries a violent quality, it should be some kind of top-tier Soul Beast."
"Walk."
The two of them moved silently in that direction.
Five miles is a short distance, and we'll arrive quickly.
When they saw the Soul Beast, they couldn't help but gasp.
That was an incredibly large Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!
The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear a top-tier Soul Beast, possessing immense strength and astonishing defense; its claws can tear through steel.
The creature before us was a full five zhang tall, its entire body covered in dark golden fur that gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
Its limbs are as thick as pillars, and its two sharp claws are over ten feet long, like ten huge scythes.
It was lying in front of a huge cave, seemingly asleep.
But that faint yet palpable pressure made both Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing feel a chill run down their spines.
The oppressive force was so real that it made it hard to breathe.
"More than 35,000 years." Xiao Yan's gaze fell on the Terrorclaw Bear's massive, scythe-like claws. He spoke in a deep voice, paused, and added, "At least."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression also turned somewhat serious.
The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, with a history of 35,000 years, is absolutely comparable in strength to Soul Saint.
In addition, given the naturally powerful physique of Soul Beast, even ordinary Soul Saint would probably have no choice but to flee for their lives if they encountered one.
The limit for Soul Master's Sixth Soul Ring is generally around ten thousand years.
"If it's that, are you confident you can absorb it?"
Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment, then nodded. His Fourth Soul Ring was already a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and with his Twin Martial Souls, he was fully capable of withstanding the lifespan of this Soul Ring.
"That's it!" Zhu Zhuqing made a quick decision.
"If the two of us work together Xiao Xin, we should be able to kill it."
"Alright, Xiao Xin. This beast's defenses are too strong; our attacks will have a hard time breaking through them."
Xiao Yan explained to Zhu Zhuqing:
"However, this Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear also has a weakness."
"Eyes, mouth, and..." Xiao Yan pointed to the belly of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.
"There. The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's fur is tough, but its belly is relatively soft. If we can hit there, we have a chance."