Chapter 29: Sky Azure Bull Python — I'll Take Your Soul Ring!
To know your enemy is to know yourself; only then can you remain undefeated.
To capture the Sky Azure Bull Python smoothly, Gui Mei had crafted a meticulous plan.
He and Yue Guan could combine their powers to unleash their Martial Soul Fusion Skill — Polar Static Domain.
The ability was devastatingly powerful, yet it came with a fatal flaw.
Once activated, everything within the domain — allies and enemies alike — would be frozen in place. Neither of them could move or act until the effect ended.
Thus, while this domain could trap enemies perfectly, they themselves couldn't strike the final blow. That task usually fell to their teammates, who would use the immobilization window to finish off the opponent.
However, to obtain a soul ring, the soul beast had to be slain personally. Which meant he couldn't rely on this ability for the hunt.
Ever since awakening his second martial soul, he had been searching for a way to overcome this shortcoming.
So far, no solution had been found — but he refused to give up. He would keep experimenting until he succeeded.
"From what I know," he began, "that Titan Giant Ape possesses immense strength. Its most fearsome technique is its Gravity Control Domain — it can freely manipulate the pull of gravity itself. Old Chrysanthemum, that one's yours. Remember, don't get too close. Just keep it occupied and draw its attention."
Yue Guan smirked confidently. "Relax, Old Ghost. I'll make sure it has plenty of fun with me."
Gui Mei continued calmly, "Old Poison, you'll assist me in taking down the Sky Azure Bull Python. That creature wields water, lightning, and spiritual attributes — its power is extraordinary. It also possesses a terrifying domain ability: the Slow Domain. So keep your distance. Attack from afar — close combat is suicide."
"Understood."
A flicker of surprise flashed across Dugu Bo's face.
"Old Ghost, how do you know so much about those two soul beasts? Have you fought them before?"
Gui Mei chuckled. "If I told you I fought them in a dream, would you believe me?"
Dugu Bo laughed and shook his head. "Forget it, I'll just take your word for it."
Unknowingly, the three had ventured deep into the forest.
To locate the Lake of Life more quickly, they rose into the air. From above, the view was far clearer.
"Old Ghost, look — over there!" Yue Guan suddenly shouted in excitement.
Following his gaze, Gui Mei spotted a small, gleaming lake not far away.
Dense forest surrounded it, and the water shimmered with faint azure light.
From above, the lake looked like a flawless blue gem embedded in the heart of the forest.
"It seems that's the place. Let's go take a look."
They slowed their flight, descending carefully toward the lakeshore.
For an instant, even the air felt frozen in place. The silence was so profound that they could hear each other's breathing.
At first glance, the lake seemed tranquil and bottomless.
Its surface was smooth as glass, perfectly mirroring the lush trees and the birds gliding overhead — beauty untouched by the mortal world.
Yet beneath that calm façade lurked a power that could shake heaven and earth.
Gui Mei's sharp eyes narrowed.
He could feel it — the Sky Azure Bull Python was right here, within this lake.
"Old Chrysanthemum, Old Poison... this is the place."
Yue Guan's expression turned solemn, the playfulness gone from his face.
Dugu Bo gave a silent nod, soul power circulating within his body as he readied himself for battle.
The lake remained eerily still, yet the tension in the air thickened by the second.
Then, a breeze swept across the surface, rippling the mirror-like water.
Moments later, the ground began to tremble violently, as if a colossal mountain was slowly advancing toward them from the depths.
The surrounding trees quivered, leaves rustling in fear.
Gui Mei and his companions tensed immediately, eyes locked on the direction of the approaching quake.
Not far off, the dense forest was torn aside by a colossal hand, and a gargantuan creature emerged.
Its massive form looked like a moving hill; every step it took made the earth tremble.
Muscles coiled like knotted ropes across its body, each seeming to contain destructive force.
Its hide was a deep, brooding brown — as if draped in heavy steel armor — and in the sunlight, it reflected a cold metallic sheen, giving it an aura of indestructibility.
The beast's head was huge and ferocious. A pair of blood-red eyes burned like coals, radiating boundless savagery and fury.
"This… is a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!! It's insanely powerful!"
Seeing such a majestic and terrifying soul beast for the first time, Dugu Bo's eyes widened, and his heartbeat quickened.
"Old Ghost, I'll go meet it!" Yue Guan's voice buzzed with excitement.
He had just broken through to rank ninety-seven — the perfect opportunity to test himself against a hundred-thousand-year beast.
"Old Chrysanthemum, stick to the plan. Don't be reckless." Gui Mei warned.
"Got it. That bull-headed thing should appear soon too — watch yourself." Yue Guan shot back, then blurred into motion like an afterimage and appeared overhead.
He hovered above the lake as a gigantic, ornate chrysanthemum unfurled behind him, golden petals spilling dazzling light across the water.
"Titan Giant Ape, will you fight me?" Yue Guan called out.
The Titan Giant Ape had long since noticed them. As one of the forest's overlords, it would not tolerate mortals violating its domain.
"You insolent humans! Trespassing in our territory — you are seeking death!" The ape reared back and unleashed a thunderous roar that rolled through the trees like distant lightning.
Dugu Bo started again — the beast could speak.
Yue Guan did not flinch.
"Titan Giant Ape, don't hide — you had a partner, yes? Bring it out." His tone left no room for cowardice.
At that moment, the placid lake shuddered.
Gui Mei and Dugu Bo felt a tremendous surge of soul power. They exchanged a look and vanished into the air in an instant.
A clear, ethereal voice rose from the water: "Humans, you dare insult the forest's overlords. You are seeking death!"
A massive whirlpool opened at the lake's center. Water boiled and erupted, sending plumes high into the air.
From the churning depths rose an enormous form — the bull-headed serpent, its body towering into view.
It was the Sky Azure Bull Python, close to two hundred thousand years in cultivation!
The bull's head alone exceeded four meters across; its twin eyes shone like lanterns.
Its serpentine body was immense and dark teal, covered in thick scales that flashed with a cold, metallic luster.
The moment the Sky Azure Bull Python appeared, the lake's atmosphere collapsed inward; the air thickened as if time itself had slowed.
Gui Mei hovered in midair, voice cold and steady: "Sky Azure Bull Python — you finally show yourself."
As his words faded, his first soul ring flared to life.
The ring's brilliant radiance bathed the surrounding space in a vivid, bloody red.
Both the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python froze — stunned.
That aura… they knew it intimately.
It was the aura of Xiao Wu — daydreamed about in sleepless longing!!!
"Xiao Wu's soul ring!… You actually killed Xiao Wu! I will tear you limb from limb!!!"
—
End of Chapter