Chapter 24: Second Soul Ring

Da Huzi's First Soul Ring and Third Soul Ring flare with light, greatly boosting his defense; he takes the front to hard‑counter the Thunder Python's attacks.

Sen Luo and the formal‑clad man attack from the sides, while the remaining Great Soul Masters harass, disrupting the Thunder Python's attack rhythm.

The group coordinates seamlessly and soon leaves several wounds beneath the Thunder Python.

Screech

The Thunder Python roars in anger, trying to swing its body to fling Da Huzi away; the five harassing Great Soul Masters anger it even more than Da Huzi.

The chance has come.

Sen Luo and the formal‑clad man lock eyes; the Thunder Python's agitation reveals its weak point.

Sen Luo's Fourth Soul Ring ignites, making his already massive frame even more exaggerated; the muscles hidden beneath his fur swell like granite, and he emits a low growl, "wu‑wu".

He suddenly stomps the ground and leaps onto the Thunder Python's back, his overwhelming force pinning it firmly to the ground.

The formal‑clad man's Third Soul Ring lights up, radiating violet light; his once slender staff becomes a half‑human‑thick pillar, shimmering with purple luster.

He lifts with both arms and slams down hard on the Thunder Python's seven‑inch spot.

The Thunder Python's body is restrained by Sen Luo, unable to break free for a short time.

Bang bang

The formal‑clad man repeatedly hammers the Thunder Python's seven‑inch spot; faint blood can be seen at the creature's mouth corner.

Sss

The horn gathers Lightning Light, forming concentric currents that surge through its body, aiming to strike Sen Luo on the back and force him to relinquish control.

But with the aid of the Thousand-Year Soul Technique, the currents alone cannot make it let go, let alone the fact that Da Huzi has locked the Thunder Python's tail, fully controlling it.

Yet the concentric currents hurt so much that it cries out in agony.

Bang

Another massive, heavy strike lands on the Thunder Python's seven‑inch spot; its struggling weakens further.

Until its life force grows faint, everyone finally ceases their attacks.

"Soul Master Tie Li, hurry!" Sen Luo shouts toward Tie Li, who is hiding in the distance.

"Alright."

Tie Li also sees the Thunder Python's life nearing its end, and this final blow must be delivered by his own hand.

The Thunder Python's seven‑inch spot is smashed into a bloody mess; beneath the shredded flesh, Sen's white bone can be faintly seen.

"Here, thrust it in through the eye; its skull is very hard."

"Hmm!"

Tie Li takes the dagger Sen Luo hands him and, following his instructions, pierces in from the snake's eye, destroying its brain, and the Thunder Python's last spark of life vanishes completely.

A yellow Soul Ring appears before Tie Li.

A deeper yellow! It signifies an even more perfect attribute.

With Sen Luo's Hunting Soul Group protecting him, Tie Li need not worry about safety; he sits cross‑legged on the ground and begins absorbing the Soul Ring.

The formal‑clad man sees Tie Li fully absorbing the Soul Ring and can no longer hold back, speaking up.

"Boss, this Thunder Python seems to be eight hundred years old."

"Hm? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"The Thunder Python's horn was previously damaged by other Soul Beasts, so its age can't be judged from horn size; I can only estimate, it might be six hundred years of cultivation," the formal‑clad man says uncertainly.

"This..."

At this moment, Tie Li obviously cannot hear the others; his mind is wholly focused on absorbing the Soul Ring.

But this Soul Ring absorption feels somehow different from the last.

A mysterious swelling sensation makes him extremely uncomfortable; every strand of soul power flowing through his body feels like needle‑like stabbing pain.

As Tie Li endures, the Thousand-Year Thunder Python Inner Core within him rotates, strands of energy flowing from the Inner Elixir to every corner of his body, greatly alleviating the scorching sting.

Sen Luo's Hunting Soul Group sighs in relief upon seeing Tie Li absorb the Soul Ring.

"It should be six hundred years old; otherwise he couldn't absorb it," Sen Luo says.

"Hmm, perhaps my judgment was wrong."

But Tie Li remains slow to awaken from his meditation, causing the group's newly relaxed spirits to rise again.

The Soul Master's process of absorbing a Soul Ring is extremely critical; they would never dare disturb Tie Li at this moment, only praying silently for his safety.

The Soul Ring absorption is painful for Tie Li, but with the Thunder Python Inner Core's aid, it stays within his tolerance.

After successfully absorbing the Soul Ring, the energy that had flowed from the Thunder Python Inner Core to his body, which eased the sting, instead surged into the Soul Ring rather than being retained by his body.

This process lasted a full three hours.

Members of Sen Luo's Hunting Soul Group can't help but wipe nonexistent cold sweat from their foreheads; by now they have all sensed something abnormal.

But in this situation they are powerless, relying solely on Tie Li himself.

At that moment, two Soul Rings float up from beneath Tie Li, and he awakens from his meditation.

They bear the yellow luster unique to Hundred-Year Soul Rings, but the second Soul Ring's surface bears a fine purple vein.

It looks inconspicuous, yet it truly exists.

Seeing Tie Li awaken, the leader Sen Luo shows relief and embarrassment in his eyes.

"Soul Master Tie Li, we apologize this time; the Thunder Python's horn was damaged, and we misjudged its age."

Leader Sen Luo pulls a pouch of a hundred Gold Soul Coins from his bosom, intending to use it as compensation.

"At least it was a close call; if possible, Leader Sen Luo, give me that damaged Thunder Python horn as compensation, how about that?"

"That's naturally no problem," Sen Luo laughs heartily.

If it were an intact Thunder Python horn it would certainly be valuable, but this damaged horn's worth has plummeted, making it better suited as a simple favor.

Upon hearing this, Tie Li stops being courteous, draws his dagger, drills into the Thunder Python's skull, and successfully extracts the horn.

After the Thunder Python dies, its whole skeleton becomes loose, making it easy to take off.

Then a large chunk of good meat was dug from the Thunder Python's corpse, about over twenty jin, providing the next rations.

They felt the storage ring on their hand and put both the horn and the Thunder Python Blood Flesh into it.

Next it was the Senluo Hunting Soul Group's turn to clear the battlefield.

Returning from the Star Dou Great Forest to the town, they placed the Thunder Python's massive body on a carriage, and everyone headed back to Longxing City together.

After entering the city gate, Tie Li separated from the members of the Senluo Hunting Soul Group.

This time, the over‑time absorption of a Soul Ring, Tie Li could feel the danger within; without the Thunder Python Inner Core's aid, perhaps he could have stubbornly persisted.

He also felt fortunate to have absorbed a soul bone; the strengthened physique was likewise a key factor.

The Soul Power Level, after absorbing the Soul Ring, broke through to level twenty‑two.

Originally having broken through to the Two‑Ring Great Soul Master, what Tie Li wanted most was to register at the Spirit Hall; a Two‑Ring Great Soul Master receives a monthly stipend of ten Gold Soul Coins.

But not yet; only a year ago he broke through to a One‑Ring Soul Master, and in just that one year he advanced eleven levels—the speed of advancement is absurd.

(End of chapter)