Chu Tianxiu had just finished absorbing the spirit ring when a spatial ripple erupted to his right. Before he or Dugu Bo could fully react, a wave of icy, claw-tipped energy shot from the void, aimed directly at his back.
"Little Soul Egg, behind you!" Dugu Bo shouted, his Titled Douluo reflexes allowing him to issue the warning a split-second faster.
Trusting both the warning and his own honed instincts, Chu Tianxiu threw himself into a forward roll. The claw attack whistled past where he had been, and the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb was knocked from his grasp.
He had underestimated the intelligence of ten-thousand-year soul beasts. There were seven, and the one he had missed possessed spatial attributes, allowing it to traverse the void.
Chu Tianxiu focused intently, his two demon chains weaving defensively around him. Another spatial ripple appeared, and a soul beast leaped from nothingness, making a direct dash for the fallen herb.
It was the size of a calf—small for a ten-thousand-year beast. It resembled a fox, its fur mostly a blackish-purple, but its limbs were a strange, void-like gray. Its bright green eyes gleamed with cunning.
Dugu Bo provided a quick analysis. "That is a Void Nether Fox, roughly twenty-five thousand years old. It can perform short-range spatial jumps, and its claws carry an icy attribute. A natural ambush predator."
Now fully aware and on guard, Chu Tianxiu saw the fox about to seize the herb. His two demon chains shot out like venomous snakes, striking at its back and neck. Forced to abandon its prize to avoid a lethal blow, the fox's limbs glowed gray, and it leaped back into the void, disappearing without a trace.
Unable to pinpoint its location, Chu Tianxiu used his chains to retrieve the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb. 'Spatial attributes are truly formidable. At the same level, they are nearly impossible to counter. I must acquire such an ability for myself one day.'
Seeing the fox was patient, he pondered a strategy. A memory from the Soul Clan's heritage provided inspiration: the Death Barrier Formation. While he lacked the power for the full version, he could manage a basic spatial seal.
He tossed the herb to Dugu Bo for safekeeping. Then, his hands flew through a series of complex soul seals, projecting them into the surrounding void with a torrent of soul power. After consuming half his reserves, the basic formation was complete.
"Old Poison, throw the herb out now."
Though confused, Dugu Bo complied. The moment the herb landed, the Void Fox emerged, locking onto it. But Chu Tianxiu was ready. His two demon chains struck, binding its hind legs and flinging it against a tree with a solid thud.
It shook its head and struggled up, its limbs glowing for another spatial jump. Just as the space began to warp, Chu Tianxiu's pre-set barrier activated. Soul imprints flared, sealing the space around the fox and causing it to rebound off an invisible wall, landing hard.
Seeing his tactic work, Chu Tianxiu looked at the trapped fox with a cool expression. He then remembered his senior sister, Hu Liena, and her demon fox spirit. He had not given her a proper gift yet. A soul bone from this creature would be perfect.
His first black spirit ring glowed. "Soul Suppression!" Immense pressure crashed down on the Void Fox. The 30,000-year power of his first ring exerted a powerful suppressive effect. By the time the fox broke free, its limbs were already bound by the demon chains. With a flick of his wrist, Chu Tianxiu sent it tumbling into the air.
He manipulated the two Nine Nether Demon Chains, unleashing blades of ice and fire. Mid-air and disoriented, the fox's speed was reduced drastically. It was battered by the attacks, the contrasting energies seeping into its organs through the wounds.
When it crashed back to the ground, it could barely stand. Chu Tianxiu commanded the chains to pierce its limbs, eliminating any chance of escape. It could only glare at him with resentful eyes.
He approached. "Do not hate me. Blame your attributes for being so perfectly suited to my needs." He imprinted soul seals into its body. After consideration, he directed all its remaining soul power into its tail. This would guarantee a soul bone; it certainly wasn't because he thought a fox tail would suit his senior sister.
Once the energy was concentrated, he channeled the remainder into the ice-attribute chain and cleanly pierced the Void Nether Fox's throat.
A black spirit ring rose. Chu Tianxiu guided it toward the half-circle of his second ring and began the final absorption.