Chapter 49: The Second Soul Ring — Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion
At the far edge of the northern grasslands, near the border of the Extreme North, Dugu Feng sat cross-legged beside a frozen pond. The emerald diamond-shaped scale on his forehead glowed faintly, radiating the aura of the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Beside him, the two Nine-Segment Emerald Snakes sprawled lazily, basking in the chill air. Dugu Feng appeared calm, eyes closed in meditation, but his mind was razor sharp, scanning the sky above.
Moments later, his gaze brightened. "Just as I thought—here it comes."
Three serpentine auras were more than enough to lure one of the dreaded Serpent King Eagles.
This one was huge, its wingspan exceeding four meters—a four-thousand-year-old soul beast.
"Breakfast is coming," he muttered, smiling. "Let's hunt."
The serpent's thought was mirrored by the eagle's. It had found prey—two serpents and a two-legged creature that reeked of snake essence. Enough to feast.
With a high-pitched cry, the giant eagle folded its wings, talons gleaming bronze as it dived at breathtaking speed.
"Closer—closer…" Dugu Feng whispered.
Its wings snapped upward, then down again, propelling its body like a falling spear. This was its signature strike—compressing its weight into its talons to pierce prey like blades. Its long, scaled legs glistened like polished armor, every strike fatal.
But before it could reach him, it saw the two-legged prey raise his hands. Violet light flashed—twice.
And the two small serpents darted upward.
The eagle's cold eyes glimmered with contempt. All prey struggle before they die.
It leaned into its dive, convinced its superior speed would render those attacks useless. Hunters' instincts—refined by countless kills—told it this kill was already certain.
But this time, it was wrong.
It had met a far more dangerous predator.
Dugu Feng launched only four fingers of his Jade Phosphor Twelve-Finger Art. Two bolts came from his thumbs, fierce and explosive. The eagle dodged them easily.
But the other two, subtle and floating, shifted mid-flight, sinking cleanly into its eyes with impossible precision.
Then came the little snakes it had dismissed—bolting faster than lightning, sinking their fangs deep beneath its feathers into the tender flesh of its wings.
Venom spread instantly. Beating its massive wings frantically, the Serpent King Eagle tried to ascend, but only managed a few hundred meters before plummeting like a stone.
"Haha! Another one for the collection!" Dugu Feng laughed.
From the early days when such prey took him great effort, he had evolved—now, one strike was all it took. His speed had reached one-tenth of a blink—deadly, almost instantaneous.
His control and flexibility had entered a new level. The eagle could barely react, much less escape.
"Congratulations, Young Master," came Old Scorpion's voice from underground, as he emerged with a grin. "You've perfected the second phase of your Jade Phosphor Poison technique.
You can begin training for the third—when even a strand of your hair can carry poison unseen."
Dugu Feng smiled. "Good. Tonight we'll feast on grilled eagle wings. Afterward, I'll start absorbing my second soul ring."
Nearly a year had passed since he first entered the plains. His soul power had now reached level twenty, ready for the next step.
"No problem," Old Scorpion said cheerfully. "Wait till you taste my cooking."
If anything bound the two together, it was their love of food. Over months of travel, they had roasted, fried, and boiled every kind of meat imaginable. Even living rough, Old Scorpion remained refined in taste—so unlike the rougher Old Snake.
In minutes, he had skinned and prepared the carcass with his short blade.
Dugu Feng used that time to sense the state of his four inner energy beads. Their energy had climbed from twenty-five to thirty-six percent—a meager increase, less than one percent per month, even with the help of his two serpents and the Zhu sisters.
The new beads demanded staggering amounts of energy.
At this rate, he estimated it would take more than five years to evolve again—perhaps eight beads in total. Slow, painfully slow.
Still, when he thought of their power and mystery, he couldn't complain. A treasure like this was worth any wait.
The last time he'd accelerated progress, it had been thanks to the Overlord's Poison. Without something that potent—or another heavenly treasure—the process would crawl.
I'll just have to find one, he thought.
The savory fragrance of roasted meat wafted over as Old Scorpion cooked. Dugu Feng tore into a gleaming golden wing, its crispy skin glistening with oils that hissed as they dripped into the grass.
"Nothing like your cooking," he said happily, chewing through the tender flesh.
Between the two of them, the four-meter-long wings were stripped bare in no time. The remaining meat they stored neatly in a soul guide.
Then they set out again, moving swiftly across the frozen wilds.
Dugu Feng had to channel soul power constantly just to keep pace with Old Scorpion's speed.
Days passed. The rivers they crossed were completely frozen, and snow now blanketed the mountain peaks.
They had finally reached the border of the Extreme North.
Yet, the icy wind did not harm Dugu Feng. On the contrary—his Martial Soul seemed invigorated.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent within him stirred, its energy pulsing warmly through his veins, resisting the bitter cold.
Excitement flared in his chest.
After several hours, they stood before a range of ancient mountains, their summits hidden behind endless white.
"Somewhere in these mountains lives a clan of Ice Jade Scorpions," Old Scorpion said proudly. "The one you seek—the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion—is their sovereign. Born once in a century, its bloodline is unique.
But don't worry. With me here, no matter where it hides, we'll find it."
Dugu Feng nodded firmly. He would settle for nothing less than the best. Even if it took time, the perfect spirit beast was worth it.
While he waited at the mountain's base, Old Scorpion vanished, melting into the ice.
The Ice Jade Scorpions rarely roamed—preferring to dwell deep within glaciers and ice caves, their bodies filled with venomous cold.
Finding one would be no simple task.
But Dugu Feng was patient. He knew the hunt had only just begun.
(END CHAPTER)
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