Dugu Bo, now privately considering the boy as a potential future relative, addressed him with a forced amiability. "How about it, do you need my help to obtain a spirit ring? If you agree to meet my Yan—"
Chu Tianxiu cut him off bluntly. "Unnecessary. I will handle it myself."
Ignoring the rebuffed Dugu Bo, Chu Tianxiu sat on a nearby rock, deep in thought. He focused his mind inward.
'System, what spirit beast would be optimal for my second spirit ring?'
'Useless system.'
Withdrawing his consciousness, Chu Tianxiu recalled the method Tang San had used in the original story to attract spirit beasts for the Shrek Seven Devils here. An idea sparked. He retrieved the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb from his storage.
"Old Poison, lend me your Nine-Section Jadeite," he instructed.
Dugu Bo was surprised. "Grandson-in-law, how did you know I possess a Nine-Section Jadeite?" Chu Tianxiu thought, 'Of course I know. If not for me, Tang San would have swindled you out of it eventually.'
"That is irrelevant. Are you lending it or not? And I am not your grandson-in-law."
Though annoyed, Dugu Bo summoned the creature. A nimble, jade-green snake with nine segments and curious scarlet eyes appeared in his palm.
"This is a rare species I collected," Dugu Bo said, a hint of pride returning. "It is called the Nine-Section Jadeite. Its venom is potent enough to slaughter a city. Be careful."
"Help me extract a few drops of its venom onto the Fragrant Silk Immortal Petal," Chu Tianxiu directed.
Dugu Bo complied, placing the snake's fangs on the petals. Two drops of translucent venom dripped onto the herb.
Instantly, a refreshing, incredibly alluring fragrance began to radiate in all directions.
"What is the purpose of this?" Dugu Bo asked, curious.
"When the Nine-Section Jadeite's venom contacts the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb, it produces a scent that draws all nearby spirit beasts. With your poison barrier containing them, my selection process becomes more efficient."
As he spoke, roars and tremors echoed around them. Soul beasts surged from all directions, their eyes burning with desire for the herb in his hand. A fierce wolf charged the barrier, only to be instantly engulfed by the poisonous mist, collapsing as a deep purple spirit ring rose from its body.
The other beasts halted, trapped by the barrier but unwilling to leave.
Dugu Bo was stunned. The defensive poison array he was so proud of was being used as a cruel, efficient hunting tool by this child. 'Truly terrifying.'
Observing the gathered thousand-year and ten-thousand-year soul beasts, Chu Tianxiu quickly dismissed the weaker ones, focusing on the six ten-thousand-year beasts:
An 11,000-year-old Blade Mantis.
A 14,000-year-old Cave Demon Spider.
A 15,000-year-old Sharp-Toothed Crocodile.
A 17,000-year-old Thunder Lion.
A 23,000-year-old Crimson Flame Demon Bull.
A 24,000-year-old Four-Winged White Crane.
After analysis, he chose the Crimson Flame Demon Bull. While the crane was older, the bull's raw attack power and physical strength were far superior, and its fire attribute could further strengthen one of his newly tempered Nine Nether Demon Chains.
His soul imprints lit up. The two Demon Chains, one dark blue and one deep red, materialized. He grasped their ends and hurled them, one wrapping around the bull's horns, the other around its forelegs. He pulled.
The Crimson Flame Demon Bull, enraged by this audacious attack from a "weak" human, dug its hooves into the ground, its eyes bloodshot, snorting plumes of white steam. It pulled back, matching his strength.
This ten-thousand-year beast had intelligence. Realizing it could not charge in, it decided to pull the human out to claim the herb. It increased its effort.
Chu Tianxiu felt the strain, his arm muscles bulging. He did not use soul power, relying purely on physical strength. The stalemate lasted a full hour. Chu Tianxiu began to tire, while the demon bull seemed to have stamina to spare.
The bull, sensing the chains slacken, displayed a mocking sneer on its bovine face.
'My physical body is still inferior to a 20,000-year soul beast,' he acknowledged.
Another soul imprint lit up. Chu Tianxiu performed Martial Soul Possession. His height instantly increased. Feeling the surge of power, he channeled his soul power. The bull, caught off guard by the sudden immense force from the chains, was yanked into the air and slammed hard into the ground by Chu Tianxiu's guiding pull.
BOOM! Dust flew. The bull was dazed.
Chu Tianxiu discarded the broken horn in his hand. He soul-controlled the two Demon Chains, stabbing them towards the bull's heart. The chains, tempered by the Ice Grass and Fiery Blossom, pierced through its tough hide as easily as cutting tofu, precisely striking its heart.
A black spirit ring rose from the corpse. Chu Tianxiu deactivated his possession and summoned his first spirit ring. The black ring appeared beneath his feet. He guided the bull's spirit ring to merge with his own and began the absorption.
Dugu Bo, watching nearby, gasped. "A… a ten-thousand-year first ring!"
Chu Tianxiu easily withstood the bull's soul impact. A quarter-hour later, two black spirit rings—one full, one a half-circle—appeared beneath his feet.
He let out a long breath, stood up, and surveyed the remaining spirit beasts, considering his next target. A sudden spatial fluctuation behind him signaled an abrupt change.