Chapter 85: Silver Horned Tyrannosaur

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong entered the Sunset Forest and quickly arrived in an area filled with black miasma, where visibility was extremely low and even the air contained traces of deadly poison.

Back then, Yang Xiong searched everywhere for the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, and was especially thrilled when he encountered black miasma.

Unfortunately this place was not the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, but rather an endless abyss, and the last time Yang Xiong ventured into this black miasma, he immediately ran into a ferocious soul beast.

The beast probably thought Yang Xiong was trying to invade its territory and chased him for a long time; if Yang Xiong had not mastered Teleportation and run faster, he would likely have been killed, and even then he would have taken a hit that shattered countless bones—making it the most dangerous encounter.

After carefully searching through the black miasma, the two finally discovered a massive cavern.

From a distance, it was a massive dragon-like creature over twenty meters long, its body shining with a dark metallic luster like refined iron, covered in metal-like scales with virtually no gaps; its dragon claws were extremely sharp, and a pair of silver dragon horns on its head stood out sharply.

This soul beast was the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur, arguably a top‑tier dragon‑type soul beast; not only is its strength formidable, its attack power is immense, and its sharp dragon claws glint with a faint cold light, marking it as a premium Metal Attribute soul beast that also possesses the Dragon Clan's formidable power.

Lin Gong opened very solemnly: "Lin Xiong, you need to think this through; this Silver-horned Tyrannosaur is already four thousand three hundred years old, and purely in terms of combat power it already surpasses ordinary Ten-thousand Year Soul Beasts. This beast's Third Soul Ring, let alone a normal Soul Master's Fourth Soul Ring, might not even be absorbable."

Yang Xiong's gaze was equally heavy: "Teacher Lin, do you think I have ever done anything I wasn't sure about? Since I chose this Silver-horned Tyrannosaur, I have my own confidence."

Lin Gong shook his head: "Absorbing a Soul Ring isn't that simple; the later the ring, the stronger its energy, and it also depends on the beast's own strength. This Silver-horned Tyrannosaur is extremely powerful in both offense and defense, likely already at the pinnacle among soul beasts. If you're not careful, you could be killed outright."

Yang Xiong said: "Teacher Lin, I am very confident I can absorb this Soul Ring; my body's resilience should be clearer than others'."

Lin Gong sighed: "Very well, since you little brat is being headstrong, I'll risk my old bones to help you. If you die or get maimed, at worst I'll support you for life."

Yang Xiong couldn't help but give Lin Gong a glare; why does this old fellow distrust him so much, as if he's bound to fail? Moreover, you old man, who knows who might end up supporting whom for a lifetime.

Lin Gong leapt forward alone, and instantly two yellow, three purple, and three black Soul Rings appeared on his body, along with a massive Purple Emperor Bamboo.

The Silver-horned Tyrannosaur reacted extremely quickly, soon sensing an intrusion into its territory. Even when facing a Soul Douluo strongman, it gave no quarter, charging straight ahead; its massive dragon claws struck with full force, leaving a glaring gouge on the huge Purple Emperor Bamboo.

Even Yang Xiong was astonished; the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur's attack power was stronger than he imagined, especially its terrifying Metal Attribute. If it faced a soul beast of equal rank, its dragon claws could ignore defense—truly the highest‑grade Metal Attribute soul beast. Its strength was even more terrifying; a single strike bent the Purple Emperor Bamboo into a bow shape.

But Lin Gong, worthy of a Soul Douluo master, in an instant filled the sky with countless Purple Emperor Bamboos, each like a spear, nearly enveloping everything around; even the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur's formidable defense could not withstand them.

The ground likewise sprouted countless Purple Emperor Bamboos, forming a massive bamboo forest, with the bamboos between them resembling a huge cage.

At this moment, the Single-horned Tyrannosaur realized the enemy's strength, ramming around with all its might while roaring, yet it could not break through the Purple Royal Clan to escape.

Within just a few minutes, the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur was completely surrounded by Purple Emperor Bamboos, its body immobilized, with several massive bamboos lodged in it, and red blood spilling across the ground.

Yang Xiong finally approached, looked at Teacher Lin and couldn't help teasing: "Teacher Lin, are you a strong‑attack or a control Soul Master? Why does your Purple Emperor Bamboo's control seem far stronger than its attack?"

Lin Gong, full of pride, said: "You kid only reads books and doesn't understand the martial soul. Though you know the Purple Emperor Bamboo, what is its greatest characteristic?"

Yang Xiong thought before answering: "The main trait of bamboo‑type martial souls and soul beasts is their toughness, or compressive resistance; offense is secondary. In terms of control ability, they're not inferior to the Zhi Lin Soul Douluo of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Lin Gong instantly bristled, beard fluttering, eyes narrowed: "Zhi Lin Soul Douluo is only Level 83, while I'm Level 87; are you underestimating me, kid?"

Yang Xiong laughed: "You two have different focuses. Zhi Lin's Soul Douluo martial soul, Heavenly Blue Vine, is excellent in the subtle control of soul power; its Heavenly Blue Vine martial soul is special, probably the strongest control Soul Master I've ever seen."

"Teacher Lin, your Purple Emperor Bamboo has greater attack power; its toughness is extreme and it's razor‑sharp. You can use it as both strong‑attack and defense, whereas Zhi Lin Soul Douluo has many limitations—his Heavenly Blue Vine even fears fire and blades, which can't compare to your Purple Emperor Bamboo at all."

Lin Gong said: "Kid, you haven't read those books in vain, but judging by your look, you have no intention of continuing your studies."

"Stop worrying about that for now; prepare to absorb the Soul Ring. You'd better think it over; you can still regret now, but once you start absorbing, even I won't be able to help you."

Without another word, Yang Xiong approached the massive Silver-horned Tyrannosaur, observing it up close; the beast now looked even more ferocious, its eyes filled with rage, a faint murmur still emanating from its mouth—truly a top‑grade dragon‑type soul beast, undeniably fierce.

Yang Xiong drew a long spear and drove it straight into the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur's eyes; after several thrusts, the beast, with a look of unwillingness, finally ceased struggling, and a purple Soul Ring flashed into view.

Lin Gong showed a hint of worry: "Xiao Xiong, why are you so fixated on the Soul Ring's age?"

Yang Xiong sat down beside the Silver-horned Tyrannosaur, summoned his martial soul and Soul Ring, his whole body turning silver, and immediately began absorbing the ring.

The Soul Ring's energy was indeed formidable and wildly violent; merely drawing the ring to the Soul Ring slot in his body seemed to unleash an immense force that surged in, making his whole body feel as if immersed in magma, his blood boiling, even his skin seeming about to split.

A powerful energy flooded all his meridians, each feeling as if scorched, his entire body seeming on the verge of collapse.

At that critical moment, all his soul power was drawn in, as if entering a massive Yin Yang Fish; as the energy entered, the Yin Yang Fish grew, and his body seemed to break through some shackles.

This is the Yin Yang Meditation Method, also called Tai Chi; Tai Chi contains a famous saying: "One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things!"

The soul power flowing into the body is like a single drop of water among all things, gradually merging into the Tai Chi, causing the Yin Yang Fish to expand.

Beside him, Lin Gong saw Yang Xiong's expression grow solemn; his body, which had become extremely volatile, suddenly calmed, leaving him a bit puzzled.

"What does this kid's body mean? It feels like his surrounding soul power is a single whole, and even the Soul Ring's energy merges rapidly into him—different from others."

When Yang Xiong finished fully absorbing the Soul Ring, he felt considerably refreshed; the surrounding miasma seemed to dissipate, and the sky revealed a canopy of stars, as if the world suddenly expanded infinitely.

Yang Xiong especially felt the Yin Yang Meditation Method becoming more complete and smooth, as if previously inaccessible meridians in his body had been opened.

Yang Xiong knew this must be the so‑called Eight Extraordinary Meridians; although he couldn't achieve full meridian openness, it was far stronger than before, and even his cultivation speed would improve.

Beside him, Lin Gong clicked his tongue in amazement: "Yang Xiong, I underestimated you; this is a full four‑thousand‑three‑hundred‑year Soul Ring. I didn't expect you to absorb it successfully, and you show no side effects. Your body is far stronger than I imagined."

Yang Xiong asked, puzzled: "Teacher Lin, didn't you think I was confident, which is why you let me absorb it? Did you not think I could succeed just now?"

Lin Gong snorted coldly: "Who could have confidence in that situation? This is four‑thousand‑three‑hundred years, more than twice a normal Soul Master's Third Soul Ring."

"Back then I said Yu Xiaogang's Soul Ring age figures were unreliable; the first three Soul Rings were even precise to the exact year. Who can tell the exact age of an ordinary soul beast?"

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Teacher Lin, how can we take those rumors from the Soul Master World as absolute truth? Moreover, as Soul Masters evolve, especially with increasing focus on physical quality, Yu Xiaogang's theories will inevitably be discarded."

Lin Gong sighed: "You're optimistic. As you said, those theories might have been correct then, but they'll eventually be discarded."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "That's the point. After ten thousand years, the Body Sect's Seventh Soul Ring can reach one hundred thousand years. The so‑called theories are like Blue Star's physics—impressive at the time, but later proven wrong."

Lin Gong snorted: "I can't stand Yu Xiaogang's attitude; everyone can see where his knowledge comes from, many of his theories are wrong, yet he remains arrogantly proud. His teaching feels misleading."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Take the essence, discard the dregs. Yu Xiaogang has indeed read many books, but his skill is too low to grasp the gap between high‑level and low‑level Soul Masters, so he easily spouts fallacies."

At that moment, Yang Xiong, who had been expressionless, suddenly felt something shift within him; his hands throbbed with excruciating pain, as if his palms were being torn apart.

(End of Chapter)