Douluo: The Ultimate Self

At this moment, Yang Xiong carefully examined his body. After absorbing the ten-thousand-year soul ring, his soul power had reached a solid forty-five levels. Of course, this included the contribution of a ten-thousand-year soul ring and a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.

Upon absorbing the soul ring of the Ancient Dragon Elephant, he also gained an excellent soul skill named Dragon Elephant Steel Body.

When this skill was activated, his muscles would swell, and his skin and bones would harden. His body would gain the strength of the Ancient Dragon Elephant, increasing his power and attack by 200%, his defense by 200%, and his ability to withstand pressure by 200%. It was truly a top-tier self-enhancement soul skill.

Yang Xiong was pleasantly surprised upon seeing this soul skill. While he was somewhat familiar with skills that increased strength and defense, this was the first time he had encountered one that enhanced his ability to withstand pressure. Moreover, it seemed highly suitable for his Body Martial Soul—no wonder it came from a legendary spirit beast.

Based on his current soul power, Yang Xiong was confident he could reach level 50 within one to two years, making it much easier to proceed with his next plan.

After confirming his new soul skill, Yang Xiong followed Lin Gong in dissecting the corpse of the Ancient Dragon Elephant. Unfortunately, no soul bones were found.

Just as they were about to leave, Yang Xiong suddenly spoke: "Teacher Lin, haven't the people from the Elephant Armor Sect come to provoke us? I doubt Huyan Zhen is someone who gives up easily."

Lin Gong sneered: "What's so special about Huyan Zhen? Why should you fear him? Though the Elephant Armor Sect did send someone—two other Soul Sages—they've already been scared off by me."

Yang Xiong was puzzled: "Does the Elephant Armor Sect have too many Soul Sages? That makes four already. It seems their operation to hunt spirit beasts isn't simple. I wonder what level of spirit beasts they're targeting."

Lin Gong chuckled: "Who cares about them? The Elephant Armor Sect is just a bunch of big brutes. Though their strength and defense are outstanding, their brains aren't exactly sharp. They rely solely on their tough hides. Judging by Huyan Zhen's current state, he'll probably never break through to become a Title Douluo."

Yang Xiong quickly interjected: "It's said that the Elephant Armor Sect has close ties with the Spirit Hall. Perhaps the Spirit Hall will find ways to help Huyan Zhen break through to Title Douluo. By then, they could become a serious threat to our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. You should know that Huyan Zhen has always been at odds with our sect leader."

Lin Gong frowned: "Little Xiong, do you want to go see what Huyan Zhen and his group are up to?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "No need to guess—they're definitely here to hunt for soul rings. But sending so many experts at once suggests they're after at least a seventh or even eighth soul ring. It wouldn't hurt to take a look. Maybe we can seize an opportunity to snatch something while they're distracted."

Lin Gong glanced at Yang Xiong: "Don't forget, you're only a mere Soul Ancestor. In the eyes of true experts, killing you would be as easy as squashing an ant."

Yang Xiong replied: "We're just taking a quick peek from afar. Who knows, we might stumble upon something useful. Besides, Teacher Lin, your plant-based martial soul should give you superior observation skills in the Great Star Dou Forest compared to those big brutes from the Elephant Armor Sect."

Though Lin Gong hesitated, Yang Xiong's words made him suspect that the boy was up to something mischievous. Still, he ultimately agreed.

However, the two didn't leave the area immediately. Instead, they hid nearby, waiting for something. Sure enough, not long after, another Soul Sage from the Elephant Armor Sect arrived to investigate. It seemed they were planning something significant and didn't want Lin Gong, a Soul Douluo, interfering.

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong exchanged glances, instantly realizing that the Elephant Armor Sect's operation was far from ordinary. This was already the fifth Soul Sage they'd encountered.

The two discreetly followed this Soul Sage, gradually heading deeper into the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest.

After following for a full two hours, they were astonished.

It had to be said, plant-based martial souls were exceptionally advantageous in spirit beast forests. Not only did they enhance perception significantly, but they also provided superior concealment effects. No wonder Tang San always moved effortlessly in such environments.

At this moment, the two remained extremely cautious, hiding while observing from a distance. They saw the Elephant Armor Sect group behaving with great caution. Huyan Zhen was indeed personally present in the Great Star Dou Forest, accompanied by over a dozen burly men. Just looking at them from afar sent shivers down their spines. It seemed that most of the top experts from the Elephant Armor Sect had gathered here.

Especially striking was their tight formation around a massive spirit beast. One of them appeared to be preparing to absorb a soul ring—it was a sixty-thousand-year Earth Demon Bear, clearly meant for at least an eighth soul ring.

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong quietly retreated. Even Lin Gong looked unusually serious: "Little Xiong, it seems the Elephant Armor Sect is about to gain another Soul Sage. There were three Soul Douluo on-site just now, along with nine Soul Sages. That's nearly half of their high-ranking members."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Teacher Lin, if these people from the Elephant Armor Sect were wiped out, even with the backing of the Spirit Hall, would they dare to offend our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect so casually in the future?"

Lin Gong couldn't help but respond: "Little Xiong, aren't you overestimating my abilities? If we're discovered by the Elephant Armor Sect, they might surround and attack us. I don't care, but you'd probably struggle to escape."

Yang Xiong replied: "We won't need to lift a finger. This is the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest. While there may not be many things here, there are plenty of top-tier spirit beasts. If we lure two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, how many of these Elephant Armor Sect members do you think will survive?"

Lin Gong frowned: "Where in the world would there be so many hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts? Besides, they have three Soul Douluo. Even ordinary top-tier spirit beasts would be hard-pressed to defeat them."

Yang Xiong's expression turned unusually cold: "If I hadn't seen the Elephant Armor Sect's situation, I might have ignored it. But since I've discovered this opportunity, at least half of these people from the Elephant Armor Sect must die. Otherwise, our trip here would be wasted."

At this moment, Yang Xiong recalled the original storyline—the battle that led to the destruction of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Huyan Zhen had been at the forefront, leading an assault of a thousand soul masters against the sect. If he wasn't seeking revenge against Huyan Zhen before, how could he miss this chance now?

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong were now deep in the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest, surrounded by towering trees. The area was dimly lit, with extremely low visibility. The air was thick with dense energy, making it an ideal place for cultivation.

Yang Xiong thought carefully: "Teacher Lin, I estimate that the person from the Elephant Armor Sect who's about to become a Soul Douluo is absorbing a sixty-thousand-year soul ring. It will likely take at least three days, right?"

Lin Gong nodded: "More or less. The Earth Demon Bear is an excellent power-type spirit beast, quite suited to the Elephant Armor Sect's martial soul. Absorbing such a spirit beast's soul ring takes at least three to five days. From the looks of it, they've only just begun."

Yang Xiong hardened his resolve: "Teacher Lin, let's head to the Lake of Life. We might encounter some familiar spirit beasts there. Then we won't need to lift a finger ourselves."

Lin Gong's face darkened: "Do you actually have acquaintances among the spirit beasts?"

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Teacher Lin, have you forgotten? I have a classmate who's a hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast. Maybe I'll run into her."

Hearing this, Lin Gong sighed involuntarily: "Then I'll humor you this time. I'm sure these old bones of mine will end up being dragged into your schemes sooner or later."

True to their plan, the two cautiously ventured deeper into the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest. This place was rightly called the Forbidden Zone of Life, teeming with terrifying spirit beasts. Even Yang Xiong felt a chill, and Lin Gong appeared visibly nervous.

After walking over thirty kilometers through the core zone, they finally arrived near a massive lake.

The area was saturated with dense life energy, forming a mist that severely reduced visibility. Even Lin Gong hesitated to approach the water—who knew what terrifying spirit beasts might emerge?

Yang Xiong grinned at Lin Gong: "Teacher Lin, it's almost time for you to make your move."

The usually composed Lin Gong revealed a rare hint of resentment, feeling that Yang Xiong had ill intentions and was practically asking him to court death.

However, they had already planned everything. Sure enough, Lin Gong's expression turned deadly serious as he revealed his two yellow, three purple, and three black soul rings. The aura of a top-tier Soul Douluo erupted, seemingly issuing a challenge.

In truth, a top-tier Soul Douluo was insignificant in the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest, where top-tier spirit beasts roamed freely. Releasing one's martial soul and aura here was akin to courting death, which partly explained Lin Gong's resentful expression.

As Lin Gong unleashed his martial soul and soul power, countless roars echoed from afar. A terrifying tiger's roar followed by a mighty dragon's cry signaled the presence of numerous top-tier spirit beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest. After all, the core zone spanned only a few dozen kilometers.

However, Yang Xiong's aura seemed directed specifically toward the Lake of Life. Only here could they find what Yang Xiong sought.

As Lin Gong released his aura, the ground began to tremble slightly—likely provoked by some ferocious spirit beasts intent on teaching him a lesson.

But at this moment, a shadow flashed across the lake's surface. The water began to boil, and a massive bull's head gradually emerged from the center.

This bull's head was enormous, with a diameter exceeding four meters. It sported two massive horns, and its body was a gigantic serpent tens of meters long, as thick as a water barrel. Its eyes glowed like two enormous lanterns, and its entire body radiated an overwhelmingly terrifying energy, akin to thunder.

Even standing behind Lin Gong, Yang Xiong felt as though his entire body was immobilized. His soul power was completely suppressed, akin to how an ordinary person would feel in the presence of a top-tier expert. This pressure was even stronger than that of the Sword Douluo.

As for Lin Gong, his face turned ashen. Releasing his soul power had summoned such a monstrous creature. If this Azure Bull Python attacked, even he might not escape.

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