The Second Soul Ring
The golden bamboo forest began to sink.
It wasn't that the entire land suddenly collapsed.
Instead, after the death of the Coiled Dragon Golden Bamboo, its massive root system, which was originally spread all over the ground, lost its support, and a large area of soil loosened as a result.
Black streaks of pollution seeped upwards from the cracks in the ground.
When the golden bamboo shoots came into contact with the black mist, the edges of their leaves quickly darkened.
"Get out of here!"
Gao Yan did not continue examining Gu Jiu's remains.
The Fourth Soul Ring lit up.
The Crimson Armored Bear Martial Soul slammed its palms forward.
Dozens of black bamboo roots blocking the entrance to the mountain crevice were directly shattered.
Yan Feng the way.
"Lin He is looking after Li Man."
"Dong Jian, hold the rear!"
The Soul Hunting team immediately sprang into action.
Yan Feng's black iron round shield was at the forefront.
Lin He helped Li Man, who had just finished absorbing her Soul Ring.
Although the two Yellow Soul Ring had stabilized, Li Man's face remained pale.
The Soul Power brought by the 720-year-old Coiled Dragon Golden Bamboo far exceeded that of the First Soul Ring.
The body completes the absorption.
However, his spirits did not recover immediately.
Behind me.
The underground root system keeps following.
Black roots mingled among the golden bamboo roots, resembling countless snakes gliding along the ground.
Dong Jian stood at the very back.
The Bear Astral Energy Body Protection covered his body.
The first rootlet pierces from the left side.
He didn't try to catch it head-on.
The body feels temporarily lighter.
The first step of the Light-Body Bear Steps.
Avoid direct attacks.
When the right foot lands, the weight sinks down.
My shoulder hit the side of the root.
Bang!
The black roots were knocked askew.
The second one then emerged from underground.
Dong Jian gripped the roots with both hands.
The Sinking Body Stance is deployed.
The roots are pulled backward.
The force travels from the arms to the shoulders, waist, and legs, finally settling into the ground.
He did not attempt to sever the roots.
Simply direct the attack towards the nearby rocks.
Click!
Roots pierced into the mountainside.
It cannot be removed at this time.
How far are we from there?
Dong Jian asked.
"Twenty steps!"
Yan Feng used his round shield to smash through the rubble in front of him.
The exit from the mountain crevice is now in sight.
But suddenly a huge clump of black roots rose from the ground.
Dozens of polluting roots are intertwined.
Completely block the way forward.
Gao Yan prepared to make his move.
Li Man broke free from Lin He's hand.
"I'll do it."
You've just acquired Soul Ring.
Lin He frowned.
"Can only be used once."
Li Man lifted the Green Jade Bamboo.
Two Yellow Soul Ring rose up simultaneously.
The First Soul Ring remained dim.
The Second Soul Ring lit up.
"Second Soul Skill, Dragon Bamboo Piercing Formation!"
She did not unfold the complete Three-Layer Bamboo Formation.
Only on either side of the black root knot, a fixed bamboo shadow is summoned.
The first golden bamboo spear condensed from the left-side array eye.
Whoosh!
The bamboo spear pierced the black root knot.
The golden light did not explode immediately.
Instead, it rapidly penetrates into the gaps between the polluted roots.
The next moment.
The bamboo spear changed direction near the right-hand center of the formation.
Penetrate the root node from the inside in reverse.
Boom!
The black roots broke off simultaneously.
The mountain crevice that had been blocked has reopened.
Li Man swayed slightly.
Lin He immediately helped her up.
"The Second Soul Skill cannot be used for the time being."
"The Soul Ring have just stabilized."
"Forced continuous use will affect the meridians' adaptation."
Li Man nodded.
I didn't try to be brave.
The group quickly passed through the mountain crevice.
The black roots behind them did not continue to pursue.
It seems to be subject to some kind of limitation.
After leaving the golden bamboo forest, the ground tremors gradually subsided.
Gao Yan did not stop.
He led the team forward for several more miles, confirming that there were no Gu Jiu clones or polluted root systems in the vicinity, before letting everyone rest on the spot.
Li Man leaned against the rock.
The Green Jade Bamboo was placed horizontally in front of the knees.
Dong Jian walked up to her.
"How about the Second Soul Skill?"
"It's very powerful."
"The consumption is also very high."
Li Man said:
"Under normal circumstances, it can be used a maximum of three times consecutively."
"Absorption has just been completed."
"One time is the limit."
She looked up at Dong Jian.
"The Soul Power of the Coiled Dragon Golden Bamboo is unpolluted."
"The Key Fragment only experienced one fluctuation during the absorption process."
"It didn't truly invade the Martial Soul."
Dong Jian nodded.
The Key Fragment in the Divine Dragon Secret Realm have fallen silent.
After the Second Soul Ring appeared.
The conditions on the stone tablet also changed.
The Second Soul Ring of Green Bamboo Key is complete.
Dual-key purification condition: Halfway complete.
What remains is his Second Soul Ring.
But Dong Jian did not rush to find a target.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear that Gu Jiu sent previously has already proven this.
The more opportunities are presented to us proactively.
The more likely it is to hide problems.
After resting for a moment, Gao Yan unfolded the map.
"Li Man has obtained Soul Ring."
"The team's overall performance has declined."
We left Dragon Spine Valley along the original route.
Dong Jian did not object.
You can find another Soul Beast that suits you.
Continuing to delve deeper now carries significantly too high a risk.
Li Man suddenly turned her head.
The leaves of the Green Jade Bamboo trembled gently.
There's a large Soul Beast ahead.
Yan Feng gripped the round shield.
"Distance?"
"Very close."
Li Man closed her eyes.
"They're not charging towards us."
It stopped in the middle of the mountain road.
"There is also a stable fluctuation of Soul Power underground."
"It's very heavy."
"It feels like it's constantly being pressed down."
Deep within Dong Jian's consciousness.
The Key Fragment light up simultaneously.
A stone tablet appears, providing a clue.
A second Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear has been detected.
Year: Around 750.
Status: Uncontaminated.
The group walked through the woods ahead.
A narrow mountain path came into view.
The end of the mountain path.
Standing there was Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear, even stronger than the previous one.
Dark gray scales covered his entire back.
The dark gold dragon pattern extends from the shoulder to the tail.
There is an old scar above his right eye.
It did not charge forward recklessly.
He simply stood in the middle of the road.
A low growl.
He warned everyone to leave.
Behind the Ironback Bear.
It is a stone gate half-buried in the mountain wall.
Thick chains Entanglement the surface of the stone gate.
One of the chains connects to the dark gold patterns under the Ironback Bear's feet.
Each breath of the Soul Beast.
A heavy Soul Power would always enter the stone gate along the ground.
"It is supplying power to the seal."
Li Man said.
Dong Jian saw it too.
This Ironback Bear was not bound by chains.
It's more like they chose to stand here voluntarily.
They used their own weight and Soul Power to press down on the stone gate.
Kung Fu Deconstruction cannot read the mind of Soul Beast.
However, it allows one to observe the sequence of movements and forces.
All of the Ironback Bear's attack preparations were aimed at driving it away.
There was no pursuit.
There was no madness.
There was none of the chaos of being forcibly controlled like the first Soul Beast.
It has voluntarily stayed here.
A warning stone tablet then appeared.
The target is connected to the seal at the bottom of the valley.
Hunting down the target.
The first layer of Weight Lock will be temporarily disabled.
Dong Jian frowned.
Gao Yan also discovered anomalies in the stone gate.
"Back off."
Don't irritate it.
"Let's change our route."
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear is indeed a good fit for Dong Jian.
However, the team has no need to break the unknown seal for the sake of Soul Ring.
Dong Jian looked at the Ironback Bear.
He did not draw his weapon.
Li Man walked to his side.
Let's go.
"It suits me perfectly."
Dong Jian said.
"I know."
Li Man looked at the stone gate.
"Suitable Soul Beast."
"That doesn't mean now is a good time to hunt."
This is exactly what Dong Jian said in front of the first Ironback Bear.
He remained silent for a few breaths.
"You're right."
Gao Yan was already preparing to lead the team away.
Suddenly, the chains near the stone gate began to vibrate.
Click.
A crack appeared on the outermost brick.
A grayish-black aura seeped out from the crevice.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear immediately turned around.
Both forefeet stomp on the ground simultaneously.
Boom!
The ground shook.
The heavy Soul Power traveled along the chains into the stone gate.
The gray-black aura was suppressed once again.
The Ironback Bear's body visibly swayed.
Lin He observed for a moment.
It's injured.
It's not an external injury.
"Maintaining the seal for an extended period causes Soul Power and life force to continuously drain away."
Yan Feng said:
Even if we don't hunt them.
"It won't last long either."
Everyone fell silent.
Gu Jiu led them here.
Perhaps it's not about sending Soul Beast directly.
Instead, they knew that the sliplock was nearing its limit.
Gao Yan walked to the side of the stone gate.
The chain was not touched.
Only observe the Soul Power patterns on the ground.
"Once it dies."
The first layer of the seal will fail.
"But it may not be fully open."
We need to know if other forces can be used as a temporary substitute.
The Key Fragment in Dong Jian's consciousness vibrated slightly.
The black and white animal patterns emitted a glow.
The stone tablet serves as a reminder once again.
Black-and-White Earth Suppression.
The Panda Martial Soul can temporarily take over the Weight Lock.
Dong Jian immediately informed Li Man.
They did not continue to conceal it.
Li Man squatted down.
The Green Jade Bamboo lightly touched the ground.
She could sense that the Ironback Bear's Soul Power didn't directly enter the stone gate.
Instead, it first passes through six underground nodes.
Then they converge onto the chains.
"If your black and white Soul Power enters these nodes."
"May temporarily replace the Ironback Bear."
Gao Yan turned his head.
"Possible?"
Dong Jian replied:
"My Martial Soul resonates with the stone gate."
"But I haven't actually tried it."
"No."
Gao Yan directly denied it.
"Unknown Seal."
"Unknown alternative."
"Any misstep could unleash the deepest vulnerabilities."
Dong Jian did not argue.
Gao Yan is the team leader.
This judgment is quite reasonable.
Li Man pointed to the feet of the Ironback Bear.
Even if I leave now.
How long can it last at most?
Lin He checked again.
"Based on the current life fluctuations."
"One month."
"It could be even shorter."
Li Man continued:
Gu Jiu already knows about this seal.
"The Return to One Society might also know."
"Let it die naturally."
The situation couldn't be safer than it is now.
Gao Yan frowned.
"So you plan to hunt him down here and then use Dong Jian to replace the seal?"
"Test it first."
Dong Jian said:
"Not direct hunting."
"I will only take over one node."
"The Ironback Bear still maintains the rest of its body."
"If the fluctuations at the stone gate increase."
"Stop immediately."
Yan Feng looked at Gao Yan.
"Short-term test."
I stood guard at the stone gate.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll use the round shield to suppress the first impact."
Lin He also said:
"The Ironback Bear is nearing its limit."
"If it is not dealt with."
"Even after its death, we still cannot be certain what will happen to the seal."
Gao Yan pondered for a long time.
Finally, he raised his hand.
"Test only one node."
"Ten breaths."
"Dong Jian is not allowed to approach the chains."
"Li Man is only responsible for fixing the Soul Power channels."
"Any contamination, loss of control, or mental abnormality."
"Terminate immediately."
Dong Jian and Li Man nodded simultaneously.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear did not attack.
It seemed to sense the earth-suppressing power within Dong Jian's martial spirit.
She just stared at him warily.
Li Man unleashed her First Soul Skill.
Two fixed bamboo shadows fell on the side of the stone gate.
The bamboo and rattan did not Entanglement the Ironback Bear.
It only connects to the first underground node.
"Meridian Suppression Formation."
Dong Jian landed on both feet.
The Sinking Body Stance is deployed.
The Panda Martial Soul appeared behind him.
Black Soul Power slowly entered the bamboo vines.
It flows along a fixed route towards the underground node.
The moment of contact.
Dong Jian's body suddenly sank.
It felt as if the weight of the entire mountain was pressing down on my shoulders.
Behind the stone gate.
Something is hitting something outwards.
The first node does not only bear the weight of the chain.
There's also the rebound from the bottom of the valley.
Dong Jian's knees were bent.
The right leg was not allowed to bear the weight alone.
The shoulders, spine, waist, and legs form a complete structure.
The weight is transferred to the ground.
One breath.
Two breaths.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear noticed that the first node had been taken over.
The dark gold patterns underfoot contracted on their own.
It withdraws some of its Soul Power from the first node.
The stone gate did not vibrate.
The chains were not loose.
Five breaths.
Sweat beaded on Dong Jian's forehead.
The ten breaths have ended.
Li Man immediately cut the bamboo vines.
Dong Jian withdrew his Soul Power.
The first node was taken over by Ironback Bear again.
No abnormalities occurred during the entire process.
Gao Yan inspects the stone gate.
"It can be replaced."
"But ten breaths is already close to your limit."
Dong Jian said:
"There was no Soul Ring enhancement just now."
"The patterns of the nodes are not fully understood either."
Li Man shook her head.
Even if he obtains his Second Soul Ring.
"It doesn't necessarily mean it can be maintained for half an hour."
"Furthermore, there's no guarantee that the Second Soul Skill will be able to suppress the seal again."
That's the biggest risk.
After hunting down the Ironback Bear.
Dong Jian must absorb the Soul Ring alone.
External nodes cannot be maintained during the absorption process.
The only way to temporarily delay the situation is through Shimen himself, Yan Feng, and Gao Yan.
Absorption complete.
If the Second Soul Skill cannot withstand the Weight Lock.
The seal will still break.
Gao Yan looked at Dong Jian.
"Exit now."
"There's still time."
Dong Jian was also hesitant.
It's not that I'm afraid of absorbing Soul Ring.
Rather, they are unsure whether they are qualified to gamble with an unknown seal for a Soul Ring.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear suddenly turned its head.
A grayish-black aura reappeared in the cracks of the stone gate.
It raised its bear paw.
Stomping heavily on the ground.
Ground shaking.
The gray-black aura was suppressed once again.
But this time...
It spat out blood.
He knelt down on one knee.
The dark gold patterns quickly faded.
Lin He's expression changed.
Its vitality is rapidly declining.
"It won't last more than three days."
Gu Jiu's voice suddenly came from the mountain wall.
There was no one in sight.
The sounds came from all directions.
"Number Zero."
"It's been waiting for you."
"Kill it."
"I've got your second lock."
Gao Yan shouted angrily:
"Shut up!"
The Crimson Armored Bear unleashed its Soul Power upon the mountain wall.
The sound disappeared briefly.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear did not continue to warn the group to leave.
It slowly raised its head.
He looked at Dong Jian.
Then he turned around.
It used its front paws to dig a shallow pit next to the stone gate.
Several broken bear bones were buried in the pit.
Different years.
Different sizes.
All of them are adorned with dark gold dragon patterns.
This is not the first Ironback Bear to guard the seal.
It's not just generation after generation.
When each live lock is nearing the end of its lifespan.
They all have to wait for the next one to inherit.
But now.
No new Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear have appeared in the valley.
Pollution, hunting, and the Return to One Society Experiment.
Let this generation be the last.
Ironback Bear looked at Dong Jian again.
They did not voluntarily bow their heads and give their lives.
They were merely assuming a fighting stance.
It needs a successor who can defeat it.
Gao Yan finally made a decision.
"They can be hunted."
"But proceed according to my plan."
Within half an hour.
"If Dong Jian doesn't complete the absorption of the Soul Ring."
"Everyone must evacuate."
A second crack has appeared in the stone gate.
"Retreat immediately."
Dong Jian.
"The final blow must be delivered by you."
"You can only absorb Soul Ring yourself."
Dong Jian nodded.
"Clear."
"Li Man."
You've just acquired Soul Ring.
"Only the First Soul Skill can be used to restrict the route."
"Do not use your Second Soul Skill to severely injure the target."
"Clear."
Yan Feng guards the stone gate.
Lin He observes the seal and Dong Jian's physical condition.
"I only restrict Ironback Bear from leaving the mountain trails."
It won't defeat it for you.
Gao Yan retreated.
The battlefield is now in Dong Jian's hands.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear lands on all fours.
The dark gold dragon pattern lit up again.
Even when life is nearing its end.
It is still a 750-year-old Soul Beast.
Dong Jian unleashes the Panda Martial Soul.
The First Soul Ring rose.
"Come."
The Ironback Bear led the charge.
The speed is not fast.
Each step, however, caused the mountain path to tremble.
Dong Jian did not block the shot head-on.
My legs feel lighter.
The first step of the Light-Body Bear Steps.
Avoid the bear's paw.
The second step is to go around to the side.
The dragon patterns on the Ironback Bear's carapace suddenly lit up.
A ground tremor erupted from beneath our feet.
Dong Jian's legs felt numb.
The third step of the Light-Body Bear Steps was forcibly interrupted.
The bear's paw swept across.
"First Soul Skill, Bear Astral Energy Body Protection!"
Bang!
Dong Jian was photographed several meters away.
The Sinking Body Stance deploys instantly upon landing.
The remaining impact reached the ground.
No injuries were reported.
The Ironback Bear doesn't give you time to recover.
Step on the ground again.
The shockwave spread along the mountain road.
Dong Jian finally understood its fighting style.
It doesn't involve directly injuring people through shockwaves.
Instead, the first step is to disrupt the opponent's balance.
Then, the bear uses its paws and carapace to complete the impact.
Li Man's two bamboo shadows rose from the left and right.
The bamboo vines failed to entangle the Ironback Bear's body.
It simply lies across the next spot where it will land.
The Ironback Bear changed direction on its own initiative.
Dong Jian seized the moment of pause.
Weight increased in the right shoulder.
Mountain-Leaning Collision!
His shoulder collided with the dragon-patterned back armor.
Bang!
Dong Jian's arm went numb from the shock.
The back armor provides far superior defense compared to other parts of the body.
Kung Fu Deconstruction and Quick Observation.
Before each ground tremor caused by the Ironback Bear.
The force will first pass through the right forefoot.
Then the dragon pattern flows down the shoulder and onto the ground.
Right foreleg.
This is precisely the point at which it begins to exert its power.
Dong Jian did not attempt to strike the carapace again.
When the second oscillation occurs.
He voluntarily deployed the Sinking Body Stance.
Keep your feet still.
Allow the shockwave to travel through your body and into the ground.
The center of gravity was not disrupted.
The Ironback Bear's paw descended.
Dong Jian Circular Force Redirection.
Place both hands on the bear's wrists.
Shift the force outward.
At the same time, step your right foot into the inside of its front leg.
The shoulders gain weight.
Bang!
The right foreleg bends for the first time.
The Ironback Bear roared.
The dragon patterns on his back burst forth.
His body suddenly spun around.
Dong Jian was hit and thrown into the air.
Bear Astral Energy Body Protection absorbed the impact.
The power within the protective aura began to accumulate.
Li Man moved bamboo and rattan.
Restrict the Ironback Bear's pursuit route.
Dong Jian landed.
The Light-Body Bear Steps only take two steps.
We do not pursue continuous bursts of success.
The first step is approaching.
The second step is to stop in front of the Ironback Bear.
The right forefoot was raised again.
A period of upheaval is imminent.
"Now."
Dong Jian Sinking Body Stance and pressed down.
Do not avoid shocks.
Instead, he caught it with his feet.
Ground forces enter the body.
The impact accumulated within Bear Astral Energy Body Protection also converged at the same time.
He did not put all his strength into one leg.
Instead, it forms a complete cycle along the shoulders, waist, and feet.
The Ironback Bear's paw descended.
Dong Jian deliberately bumped into its chest.
Mountain-Leaning Collision!
Boom!
The impact did not land on the carapace.
Instead, it bursts forth from the point where the right foreleg connects to the chest.
The Ironback Bear rolled over onto its side.
The right foreleg completely lost its support.
Dong Jian did not stop.
Grab the side of its neck that is exposed when it rolls over.
The Soul Hunting's Dagger pierced through.
The Ironback Bear did not die immediately.
He still wanted to raise his left palm.
But in the end, he slowly put it down.
There was no resentment in his eyes.
I'm just exhausted.
Dong Jian gripped the short knife tightly.
The final blow.
The Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear stopped breathing.
A Yellow Soul Ring rose from the corpse.
At the same instant.
The dark gold patterns in front of the stone gate have all gone out.
Click!
The first chain broke.
The mountainside shook violently.
A dark gray aura surged wildly from the cracks in the stone door.
Yan Feng immediately used his round shield to block the door gap.
Gao Yan used his Fourth Soul Skill to strike above the chains.
They forcibly pressed down on the stone gate.
"Dong Jian!"
Absorb immediately!
Dong Jian sat down cross-legged.
Tracing Soul Ring.
A yellow halo slowly descended upon the Panda Martial Soul.
The moment the Soul Ring touches the body.
The immense weight crashed into the meridians.
outside world.
In the crack of the stone gate.
A giant claw covered in black and white fur slowly extended.
The five fingers are slender.
The surface of the knuckles is covered with snake-like scales.
Li Man looked at that hand.
His complexion changed.
In the resonant scene.
The black and white Soul Beast suspended by chains clearly only had bear paws.
There are no snake scales.
What's behind the stone gate.
No, it's not that.
Or rather --
Beneath the seal.
There is more than one existence.