Jade Scale Illusion Serpent (1)
Dugu Yan stood to the side, pouting.
She had only planned to go Soul Hunting Rings alone with her grandfather, but with two more people, especially Lin Chen, she felt a little awkward. But since her grandfather had made the decision, she didn't object.
"Alright, you have half an hour to pack your things and meet at the academy gate." Dugu Bo waved his hand, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a green shadow, leaping over the wall, swirling with a few fallen leaves, and disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye, coming and going without a trace.
As the oppressive aura dissipated, everyone in the martial arts arena finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Impressive! You actually managed to persuade Senior Dugu to take you to Sunset Forest." Yu Tianheng walked over, his tone tinged with envy. "Don't even mention the students; even among the academy's Soul Saint- level instructors, very few can study privately with Senior Dugu. You're truly one of a kind."
"It was just a coincidence." Lin Chen smiled faintly and said nothing more.
The matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the Medicine Garden could not be revealed to anyone. Using the excuse of studying pharmacology and toxicology was the most logical and would not arouse any suspicion.
He turned to look at Xiao Wu, a faint smile in his eyes, "Let's go, Xiao Wu, let's go back and pack our things. When we get to the woods, stay close to me and don't wander off."
"Okay!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
She didn't care about studying pharmacology; as long as she could go to the forest with Brother Lin Chen for training, she was happier than anything else.
At the main gate of the academy, Dugu Bo was already waiting with his hands behind his back, with Dugu Yan standing beside him carrying a small bundle on her back.
Lin Chen and Xiao Wu arrived on time, both dressed in practical clothes that allowed for easy movement, with a thin cloak over them and simple bags on their backs.
"We'll leave once everyone's here." Dugu Bo didn't say much more. With a flicker, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent shadows surrounding him lifted him into the air, and he flew towards the outskirts of the city.
Lin Chen was speechless. This old guy was a Title Titled Douluo, yet he was walking so fast, as if he was afraid we would catch up.
Without further ado, Lin Chen took Xiao Wu's hand, released his initial-stage Chaos Domain, gathered his Soul Power beneath his feet, and chased after her with all his might.
The autumn wind swept through the treetops, swirling up fine, withered leaves that rustled down.
Four figures passed through the forest mist and landed at the outer pass of Sunset Forest.
Everywhere you look, there are towering ancient trees with layered canopies that block out the sun, allowing only slivers of sunlight to filter through the gaps.
The forest was filled with the damp scent of decaying leaves, mixed with a faint, sweet, grassy aroma, and the chill of late autumn crept up my trouser legs.
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back at the mountain pass, his green robes billowing in the wind. His emerald eyes swept across the dense forest, and his voice was hoarse. "Once you enter the forest, conceal your presence. The depths of Sunset Forest are rife with poisonous miasma. Follow my footprints; one wrong step and poisonous weeds and rotting mud will rot your feet."
Having said that, he took the lead and stepped into the forest. His footsteps seemed casual, but he precisely avoided every poisonous fern and every decaying leaf, clearly knowing this forest intimately.
Lin Chen pulled Xiao Wu along behind him, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings discreetly, while the Chaos Shield quietly activated.
The ancient trees had intertwined roots and vines that hung down like curtains. The deeper one went, the stronger the poison in the air became. Ordinary Soul Master would be forced to retreat by the poisonous miasma on the outer perimeter alone.
Only a master of poisons like Dugu Bo could manage this place as his private domain.
"Don't touch that purple-leaved grass on the left." Dugu Bo said calmly without turning his head, "If the sap touches your skin, your whole body will feel numb for half an hour."
Dugu Yan let out an "Oh," and subconsciously moved to the side. Xiao Wu also curiously glanced at her a few more times, memorizing her appearance.
Lin Chen nodded slightly. He had only seen specimens of these poisonous plants in the academy classes, and their wild-grown appearance was more recognizable. He could take advantage of the journey to match them one by one.
After walking deeper into the forest for about half an hour, the trees gradually thinned out, and a damp swamp appeared ahead. A layer of light green foam floated on the surface of the water, and the fishy, sweet smell in the air became stronger.
"It's just ahead." Dugu Bo stopped, his jade-like eyes gazing at the pile of rocks in the center of the swamp. "The three-thousand-year-old Jade Scale Illusion Serpent is hiding in the cracks between the rocks. In late autumn, it's storing up nutrients for winter. It may seem less vigilant, but in reality, it's at its most ferocious and protective of its food, with extremely high aggression."
He paused, then turned to look at Lin Chen, a haughty smile playing on his lips, "Kid, I've heard you did quite well in the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, even leading your team to victory against the Eight Desolations Battle Team, showing your excellent command and control."
Lin Chen bowed slightly. "Senior is too kind. It was just a fluke."
"Whether it's luck or not, we'll find out by trying." Dugu Bo snorted lightly. "This Jade Scale Illusion Serpent is quite venomous and can even create clones. It'll be a good test to see if your resistance to poison has improved. You take Yanyan and Xiao Wu to hunt the Jade Scale Illusion Serpent, and I'll watch from the sidelines. If you really can't handle it, then I'll step in."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan frowned. "Grandpa? You want us to do it ourselves?"
"What? You have a problem with that?" Dugu Bo glanced at her sideways. "With your poor poison control skills, you'd be choked and have to come back if you rushed in against the Jade Scale Illusion Serpent's poisonous mist. I'm right here, what are you afraid of? Real combat is the best lesson, so get ready."
Dugu Yan pursed her lips and remained silent. She knew her grandfather's temper; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
Xiao Wu had no objections. She moved closer to Lin Chen and whispered, "Brother Lin Chen, I believe you."
Lin Chen's heart stirred, knowing that this old monster was testing him, and he bowed slightly. "Then this junior will dare to give it a try."
He turned to the two of them, his tone calm and clear. "Senior Yan, your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison is of the same origin as itss, giving you some resistance. When the poison mist spreads out, don't confront it head-on. Move to the flanks, use your venomous needles to find gaps in its scales, focusing on its weak points like the eye sockets and the seven-inch mark. Don't try to out-poison it. Xiao Wu, use your movement skills to move around and restrain it, looking for opportunities to Charm and harass it, interrupting its charging up. I'll suppress the poison mist, imprison its clones, and lock down its movement."
"Remember, its fangs carry a potent paralyzing poison, and its scales will shed poisonous powder. Never let it get close," Lin Chen warned one last time, his Soul Power rippled slightly beneath his feet, and he took the lead towards the swamp.
As the three approached the pile of rubble, a sharp, piercing screech suddenly came from a crevice in the rocks.
A giant, emerald-green shadow suddenly shot out, as thick as a water bucket and over three zhang long. Its scales gleamed with a cold, metallic emerald luster, and a fleshy growth containing deadly poison protruded from its head. It was the Three Thousand Year Jade Scale Illusion Serpent.
Its vertical pupils were icy cold as it stared intently at the three people who had intruded into its territory. It opened its mouth and spewed out a thick, almost tangible, dark green poisonous mist that swept over the land. The mud and water that touched the mist immediately began to sizzle and bubble.
"They've arrived."
Lin Chen paused, and the first purple Soul Ring suddenly lit up.
Chaos Shield.