Chapter 144: Red Blood Thunder Dragon

After basically resolving Dugu Bo as a hidden threat and leaving half a backup for the sect, Yang Xiong left together with Lin Gong.

With Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi's research on poison, the two should be able to communicate everything that follows.

However, Lin Gong and Yang Wudi looked at Dugu Bo as if they were seeing a big fool; judging from the current situation, Yang Xiong took out so many Spirit Herbs, probably all obtained from Dugu Bo's Medicine Garden. Unfortunately, Dugu Bo himself has a treasure mountain but is unaware, which instead cheapened Yang Xiong, the little fellow.

In just one day, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong arrived in the Star Dou Great Forest, preparing for Yang Xiong to hunt for the Fifth Soul Ring.

According to Yang Xiong's plan, the Fifth Soul Ring should be about 30,000 to 40,000 years old, preferably with Fire Attribute and Water Attribute; top Soul Beasts of other attributes can also be considered.

After completing the absorption of the Fourth Soul Ring, Yang Xiong began to gradually master Wood Attribute, Earth Attribute, and Metal Attribute energies through the Soul Ring, and especially after merging these three energies into the Spiral Sphere, the entire Spiral Sphere seemed to undergo a qualitative change.

Not only did the Spiral Sphere itself become much more powerful, but the three attributes did not fully blend; instead they generated a certain repelling force, and the collision of different elemental energies seemed as if about to explode.

Even the Five Organs Six Bowels seemed to have become considerably stronger; the spleen appeared to be reinforced, and the body's endurance improved somewhat, aligning with the bearing of Earth Attribute.

To obtain a suitable Soul Ring this time, only Xingdou Da Senlin Hexin Qu has them, as it contains the top-tier Soul Beasts.

Actually, Yang Xiong also considered other Soul Beast Forests; according to his estimate, premium Fire Attribute Soul Beasts are generally found in volcanic regions, while premium Water Attribute Soul Beasts are best sought in the ocean or the ice‑bound forests of Extreme North.

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong quickly arrived at Xingdou Da Senlin Hexin Qu.

The two were extremely cautious; this place is fraught with danger everywhere, and even with Lin Gong's strength, one cannot be careless.

Regarding the age Yang Xiong chooses for the Soul Ring, Lin Gong no longer wishes to comment; Yang Xiong seems to repeatedly surpass his expectations, and asking further would perhaps be a slap in the face.

After more than ten days of searching in the Star Dou Great Forest, Yang Xiong finally found a Soul Beast that suited him perfectly.

It was a very peculiar canyon, the ground entirely charred, the sky overcast with dense clouds, starkly unlike the lush forests elsewhere, and even the fauna were relatively scarce.

The air seemed filled with terrifying Lightning Element, and after Yang Xiong and Lin Gong quietly approached, they discovered a massive cavern housing a special Soul Beast over thirty meters long.

It was a dragon, a Red Blood Thunder Dragon, its entire body covered in lightning, its eyes a blood‑red hue; no wonder the surrounding environment was so unusual.

Yang Xiong stared intently at the Red Blood Thunder Dragon; the Lightning Attribute is reputed as one of the strongest destructive forces, especially within the Star Dou Great Forest, otherwise this Red Blood Thunder Dragon would likely have been hunted to death long ago.

By length, this Red Blood Thunder Dragon should be about 42,000 years old, an absolute top-tier Soul Beast, and its power is terrifying; in all aspects it is not inferior to those elite Soul Beasts, and even against any Soul Beast under 100,000 years it can hold its own in battle.

Lin Gong's mouth twitched: "Xiao Xiong, aren't you overestimating yourself a bit? This Red Blood Thunder Dragon is already 42,000 years old; especially its Dragon Clan bloodline and attributes are extremely strong, it could probably serve as the Seventh Soul Ring of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, even the Eighth Soul Ring."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Precisely because it is strong enough, I want to make it my Fifth Soul Ring; otherwise I wouldn't consider it."

This Red Blood Thunder Dragon not only has a strong bloodline, but is also a pure Power-Type Soul Beast with the strongest Lightning Attribute, truly a top-tier Soul Beast.

Lin Gong shook his head helplessly and finally approached the Red Blood Thunder Dragon quietly.

Suddenly, Lin Gong erupted, instantly summoning Purple Splendor Bamboo and eight Soul Rings, and without hesitation used his second soul skill: Purple Bamboo Ten Thousand Stabs.

Countless Purple Splendor Bamboos coalesced on the ground, each razor‑sharp as if to envelop the entire Red Blood Thunder Dragon; the tips bore faint violet aura, likely able to corrode the enemy's defense.

The Red Blood Thunder Dragon reacted with extreme speed, instantly sensing danger; its whole body was instantly covered in thunder. When the Purple Splendor Bamboo collided with the dragon's thunder, it quickly turned to ash, not even piercing its skin.

Even Lin Gong found it odd; the Red Blood Thunder Dragon's attack and defense were frighteningly strong. Although Lin Gong's release of his second soul skill served as a probe, he is nevertheless a Soul Douluo‑level master, and even ordinary attacks are not easily resisted.

Especially, Lightning Attribute can essentially subdue all other attributes.

The Red Blood Thunder Dragon grew unusually angry, its Dragon Claws lunging at Lin Gong. Even though Lin Gong summoned countless Purple Splendor Bamboos, under the overwhelming thunder they were quickly blackened by lightning, then became brittle, and were pierced outright by a single claw.

Yang Xiong was also shocked; this was the first time he saw Lin Gong's Purple Splendor Bamboo shattered, and his assumptions were somewhat overturned.

Yet Lin Gong was undaunted, summoning countless Purple Splendor Bamboos again; each shot toward the Red Blood Thunder Dragon like a sword. As the dragon approached, all the Purple Splendor Bamboos explosively burst, creating terrifying explosive force that even the dragon's might was blown away.

This was Lin Gong's fourth soul skill: Purple Splendor Bamboo Explosion; although merely a Thousand-Year Soul Technique, its power was astonishing.

The Red Blood Thunder Dragon seemed provoked, emitting a massive dragon roar; its huge tail swung directly at Lin Gong, like Thunder Ten Thousand Pounds.

Lin Gong sneered, his Seventh Soul Ring flashing, revealing his Seventh soul skill: Purple Splendor True Form.

The sky instantly filled with countless massive purple bamboos; each not only razor‑sharp but also enormously thick, and Lin Gong's power seemed to surge dramatically at that moment.

The one‑on‑one battle between man and dragon was extremely fierce; even with Lin Gong's EightyNine Level Soul Douluo strength, he could not gain a significant advantage in the short term.

After a full half hour, Lin Gong finally began to gain the upper hand; even Yang Xiong had not expected the Red Blood Thunder Dragon to be this strong, wishing he had brought more experts.

When the battle finally ended, the Red Blood Thunder Dragon collapsed, barely breathing, while Lin Gong's consumption was enormous, even employing his eighth soul skill.

Yang Xiong hurriedly took out Dragon Tea Leaf and gave it to Lin Gong to ingest.

Lin Gong finally breathed a sigh of relief: "You little fellow have hidden quite a lot, even Dragon Tea Leaf, such a good thing."

But you must think carefully, this Red Blood Thunder Dragon's strength exceeds our expectations; it will be hard to find a rival among Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.

Especially, this Red Blood Thunder Dragon's Lightning Attribute is extremely strong, and Lightning Attribute is one of the most domineering energies in the world; I estimate that even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would need at least a Seventh Soul Ring to absorb it.

A determined glint appeared in Yang Xiong's eyes: "Teacher Lin, I have great confidence in myself; especially I think this Thunder Dragon suits me perfectly, and I don't want to miss this opportunity."

Lin Gong sighed: "You little fellow have always pursued the ultimate Soul Ring configuration; I can barely handle this dragon, but acquiring the next Soul Ring will not be that easy. I can hardly imagine what ages your final Soul Rings will need to reach."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Anyway, I already have a plan; if needed, I can just call a few more people. Moreover, Teacher Lin, you are already EightyNine Level, and if you break through to Title Douluo, your strength should increase dramatically."

Lin Gong gave a wry smile: "Fine, I suspect what kind of monster you little guy reincarnated as; I hope this arrogance doesn't end up harming you."

Yang Xiong did not hesitate, swiftly moving to the Red Blood Thunder Dragon's front.

Given the formidable defense of a 40,000‑year Soul Beast, even Yang Xiong's full effort might not break through.

But at this moment, Yang Xiong wanted to test the true power of his Spiral Sphere.

A basketball‑sized Spiral Sphere coalesced on Yang Xiong's body; originally it was a plain pale blue, but as Yang Xiong's energy infused, pale blue gradually blended with gold, green, and earth‑yellow hues.

The three energies spun rapidly within the Spiral Sphere, colliding swiftly with each other; the entire sphere became unusually unstable, emitting a harsh tearing sound as if some collision were occurring.

When Yang Xiong pushed his soul power to the limit, he hurled his full force at the Red Blood Thunder Dragon's head.

The Spiral Sphere collided with the dragon's head and exploded outright; despite being Yang Xiong's soul skill, the massive explosion hurled Yang Xiong himself over ten meters.

Especially Yang Xiong's right hand felt excruciating pain, as if the entire arm were being torn apart.

The opposing Red Blood Thunder Dragon fared even worse; targeting its head's eyes, they were blown into fragments, and even the massive dragon head split in half, brain matter and blood spilling onto the ground, leaving a huge black Soul Ring on the corpse.

Lin Gong, standing nearby, was unusually surprised: "Xiao Xiongzi, that move is quite interesting; I didn't expect such a technique. I wonder, if you later break through to Title Douluo, will its power reach that of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Technique?"

Yang Xiong couldn't help laughing: "Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Technique? If it doesn't even have that power, why would I keep researching?"

Lin Gong was speechless upon hearing that; Yang Xiong really does love to brag a bit—does he actually know the power of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Technique?

Yang Xiong moved directly beside the Red Blood Thunder Dragon, sitting cross‑legged, ready to begin absorbing the Soul Ring.

Sure enough, as Yang Xiong drew the Red Blood Thunder Dragon's Soul Ring onto his martial soul, a surge of energy instantly spread through his body; he seemed immersed in thunder, every cell and fiber of bone feeling struck by lightning, instantly entering a numb state.

And the terrifying energy surged into the body in an instant; the originally Silver skin instantly turned as if struck by lightning, and the whole body became a charred black color.

(End of chapter)