Contracting Xuanjia
However, contrary to the imagined tranquil and peaceful habitat, the atmosphere in the basin was somewhat tense at this moment.
Around the massive body of the dragon turtle, dozens of smaller Rock Armor Beast gathered uneasily, their backs to the dragon turtle and their faces towards a dark cave area on the outer edge of the basin, emitting low, wary hisses.
In addition to the smell of earth and stones, the air also carried a faint, almost imperceptible, fishy stench and a restless atmosphere.
Before anyone could get close, the enormous Black Armor Dragon Turtle slowly opened its eyes. They were eyes like ancient topaz, calm and wise, yet carrying a lingering weariness and worry.
Its gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo, a hint of solemnity flashing in its eyes, but it did not show any hostility.
Its gaze finally settled on the Little Jade on Yan Zu's shoulder, and on the faint aura of the Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flowing around Ning Rongrong.
Yan Zu forward and respectfully bowed according to the communication method of the Soul Spirit Contract: "Junior Yan Zu has come with a companion, with no ill intentions. This is my companion Ning Rongrong, Martial Soul the Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, specializing in defense and protective support. We hope to discuss the matter of the Soul Spirit Contract with you, senior." He then explained the meaning of the Soul Spirit Contract.
[Soul Spirit ----Contract----] The dragon turtle's gaze lingered on Ning Rongrong for a longer time, as if carefully sensing the aura of her Martial Soul. [I can feel the protective intent within that light----it does indeed resonate somewhat with my path----however----]
Its massive head turned toward the dark cave on the outskirts of the basin, its topaz eyes filled with even greater worry. "My people are facing a threat. If I cannot resolve this problem, I will not be at peace, and I will have no heart to care about anything else."
"May I ask, senior, what kind of threat is it?" Yan Zu followed its gaze and had already guessed what it meant.
[Cave Demon Spider.] The dragon turtle's voice was heavy. [A group of greedy predators, skilled at burrowing and breaking through armor, feeding on our offspring. Recently, a spider king nearly 30,000 years old was born in their clan, leading the swarm, and their attacks are becoming increasingly ferocious. Though I am not afraid, my offspring—] It glanced at the tense, uneasy Rock Armor Beast around it, [I cannot protect them all at all times.]
Yan Zu and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance, Ning Rongrong's eyes revealing both sympathy and determination. Yan Zu pondered and said, "Senior, if we can help you resolve the threat of the Cave Demon Spider and protect your clan, would you be willing to consider signing an equal Soul Spirit Contract with Rongrong?"
The Dragon Turtle gave Yan Zu a deep look, then glanced at Ning Rongrong, and then at the two terrifying Titled Douluo behind her. It slowly said, "[If you can truly eliminate this calamity and protect my offspring—I, Black Armor, am willing to sign a contract with this young girl who possesses the light of protection.]"
"It's a deal!" Ning Rongrong's clear voice rang out. She stepped forward, her Glazed Tile- clear eyes firm and resolute. "Senior Black Armor, we will definitely help you!"
The battle lasted for about half an hour. From the depths of the cave came earth-shattering roars and sword cries, as Sword Douluo fought fiercely with the Spider King. At the edge of the basin, under Dugu Bo's poison array and the combined defense of the others, the Spider Tide was unable to break through the Rock Armor Beast's defenses, and instead left behind a large number of corpses.
Finally, a sharp and shrill scream came from the depths of the cave, then stopped abruptly. Immediately afterward, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, dressed in snow-white robes, stepped out into the air, carrying a huge, ferocious spider head that exuded a terrifying aura—it was the 30,000-year-old Spider King! His sword aura remained, and his eyes were as sharp as ever, clearly indicating that he had not expended too much effort.
With the Spider King dead, the remaining demonic spiders were immediately leaderless. Under Dugu Bo's poison array and the counterattack of the others, they quickly collapsed and fled back into the depths of the cave, never daring to show their faces again.
Crisis averted!
The dragon turtle looked at Ning Rongrong, its gaze gentle yet firm. "I have witnessed your strength and character. You have kept your promise; now, it is my turn to fulfill my agreement."
It looked at Ning Rongrong, "Are you willing to sign an equal Soul Spirit Contract with me? My Soul Ring can grant you the world's most powerful defensive abilities; my Soul Spirit is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and protect everything you cherish."
Ning Rongrong's pretty face flushed with excitement, and she nodded vigorously. "I do! Senior Dragon Turtle, thank you!"
The contract ceremony was calm and solemn. With the cooperation of the Black Armor Dragon Turtle, Ning Rongrong successfully absorbed the deep and heavy black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. The medicinal power she had previously stored up erupted, and her Soul Power stabilized at level 46.
She also acquired her Fourth Soul Skill, "Defense": Single-target defense boost, which can instantly increase the target's defense by 60%.
Immediately afterward, Ning Rongrong's mind stirred, and her Fourth Soul Ring glowed with a gentle, dark yellow light. The light condensed before her, transforming into a dragon turtle Soul Spirit about two meters long, composed entirely of translucent dark yellow energy, with a thick carapace and a calm demeanor. It was a miniature version of Black Armor!
The Black Armor Soul Spirit opened its eyes, nodded gently to Ning Rongrong, and emitted a mild mental fluctuation: [Contractor.]
"Senior Black Armor," Ning Rongrong said happily, stroking the smooth energy armor on the Soul Spirit's back, "I look forward to your guidance in the future!"
The Black Armor Soul Spirit then turned to Yan Zu, Sword Douluo, and the others, nodding slightly in greeting.
"That's great, Rongrong!" Xiao Wu happily hugged Ning Rongrong. Everyone came forward to congratulate her.
At this point, only one objective remained. Chen Xin's gaze drifted deeper into the forest. "Finally, it's time to obtain the Eighth Soul Ring for Erlong."
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, on the edge of an active volcano, the air is scorching and distorted, the ground cracks, and dark red magma flows slowly through the fissures, emitting the smell of sulfur.
A 75,000-year-old Lava Earth Core Python, over 30 meters long, with its thickest part requiring three people to encircle it. This is the most suitable Soul Beast that Yan Zu can find for his teacher.
The Lava Earth Core Python was covered in thick, dark red scales that resembled cooled lava, with golden-red light shining through the gaps between the scales, as if magma flowed within its body.
It has a pair of short horns like volcanic rock on its head, and its eyes are like two balls of molten gold, majestic and ferocious. Most of its body is coiled inside the crater, with only its ferocious upper body showing, and it exudes terrifying heat and dragon might.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo unleashed the pressure of Titled Douluo, locking onto the Lava Earth Core Python. However, this Soul Beast, possessing some dragon blood, was extremely arrogant. Facing two peak human experts, it showed fear in its eyes but not the slightest hint of submission.
"Human, so what if you're Titled Douluo?" The Earthcore Python's voice was like rolling magma, deep and scorching. "I flow with earth fire and dragon blood. I would rather be burned to ashes here than submit to the weak! If you want my Soul Ring and Soul Bone, take them with your strength!"
Its scales exploded, and golden-red magma energy surged forth, seemingly threatening to self-destruct and return to the earth's veins.
Liu Erlong stepped forward, her Scarlet Flame Dragon King Martial Soul activating within her. Fiery red dragon scales covered her entire body, and her dragon might surged forth, rivaling that of the Earthcore Python: "I, Liu Erlong, don't need your submission! What I want are partners to fight alongside you!"
The Earthcore Python's golden dragon eyes stared at Liu Erlong, sensing the pure and violent dragon flame aura in her Martial Soul, as well as her unwavering fighting spirit. A hint of approval flashed in its eyes.
But this was immediately replaced by arrogance. "Level 80? Your Soul Power is weak, you haven't even reached the eighth ring, you're just a slightly stronger Soul Saint. I have lived for 75,000 years, tempered by the earth's fire, how can you humans be worthy of talking about standing shoulder to shoulder with me? You want to sign a contract with me? Fine! Unless you can defeat me alone!" It deliberately emphasized the word "alone", its huge head raised, full of provocation.
Liu Erlong's face darkened. She was strong-willed and easily provoked; even knowing the odds were slim, she was on the verge of agreeing. Yan Zu, however, stepped in front of her, addressing the Earthcore Python loudly, "Senior, you are mistaken!"
The Earthcore Python turned its gaze to Yan Zu, sensing the pure and auspicious aura emanating from Little Jade on his shoulder, as well as the calm and extraordinary Soul Power fluctuations within Yan Zu himself. Slightly intrigued, it asked, "Oh? What do you have to say, young one?"
Yan Zu, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands and said, "Senior is Lava Earth Core Python, possessing dragon blood, controlling earth fire, and possessing great supernatural powers. Although my teacher has reached the peak of Soul Saint and his Martial Soul is a true dragon, he has not yet obtained his Eighth Soul Ring. Compared to Senior, his total Soul Power and physical strength are indeed inferior. Senior's proposal of a one-on-one duel may seem fair, but in reality, he has already taken full advantage of his race and age. This—"
"I doubt that could be considered the demeanor of a true strongman."
The Earthcore Python, its thoughts exposed by Yan Zu, let out a cold snort and unleashed a volcanic breath, the scorching air rushing towards us. "Sharp-tongued! Then, in your opinion, what constitutes fairness?"
Yan Zu smiled slightly, his eyes clear and firm. "This junior is not talented, but I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, Master, and together we will challenge you, Senior! Although I am only a level 55 Soul King, I have some means of self-defense and support. Thus, two against one, Senior fighting against a Soul Saint and a Soul King, will be a truly evenly matched test! Senior's reputation is illustrious; surely you will not fear our weak combination?"
"A provocation?" The giant head of the Earthcore Python approached, its molten gold pupils fixed on Yan Zu. The intense heat made Yan Zu's hair curl slightly, but he remained motionless.
"So what if I add a mere level 55 Soul King? It's just another cloud of ashes! Fine! I'll grant your request! You two, master and disciple, will join forces! If you win, let alone a Soul Spirit Contract, I'll even acknowledge you as my masters! But if you lose—" It glanced at Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo, "Then please keep your promise and leave with your people!"
"It's a deal!" Liu Erlong and Yan Zu said in unison. Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo exchanged a glance, nodded slightly, and stepped back a hundred meters, indicating that they would not interfere, and also to prevent the Earthcore Python from going back on its word after defeat or the battle from spreading too widely.
The Earthcore Python launched the first attack, its massive body suddenly emerging completely from the crater, sending up a shower of lava and debris. Its long tail, like a burning giant whip, swept towards Liu Erlong and Yan Zu with immense force and terrifying heat! "Lava Tail Whip!"
"Third Soul Skill: Fire Dragon's Fury!" Liu Erlong instantly activated her amplification, her body partially Dragon Transformation, her muscles bulging, her body covered in dragon scales, her strength and speed increasing dramatically. She did not retreat, but instead clenched her fists and fiercely met the attack. "First Soul Skill: Fire Dragon's Claw!" Her hands transformed into ferocious dragon claws, burning with crimson flames.