CH 21: 200,000-year Flying Nightmare Centipede

"What in the..." Ah Li muttered to himself once he entered the lair of the voice. The name is a lair, but it's not. It's just one huge, giant hole that stretched forward! Even with his senses, Ah Li still couldn't see the end of the tunnel. Heck, even Bibi Dong could barely see the end since her Divine Sense had been weakened!

It was actually surprising how this place was hidden for so long. Well, he did have to go underground through a secret and tricky passage, so he wasn't really surprised since the inside of the passage was also like a maze in itself.

"This guy... Is actually around 80 km..." She said in amazement and shock. She truly had never seen, heard or read about such a giant creature. Even the biggest dragons in the continent are barely 2 or 3 km, yet she suddenly saw a creature who was 80 km in length, and maybe even longer!

"Hello, Ah Li, welcome to my lair. I'm sorry, but I can't show any human courtesy and welcome you to my house, since as you can see, there's nothing here." The creature, who was actually the owner of the voice, spoke calmly and politely.

He was actually a centipede. A giant, gargantuan centipede with dark, pure black armor-like carapace. He had four glowing eyes, long antennae, and a large mouth with sharp teeth. Looking at it, aside from its horrifying length, it was also quite wide. If looked carefully, it could be seen that its width was around 15 meters. It also had two giant, blade-like mandibles that looked like they could tear and shred anything to pieces. It truly was a terrifying creature.

(A/N: Just Elder Centipede from One Punch Man without the face in the forehead, and a lot longer in length. Cause come on, Elder Centipede and Sage Centipede looked awesome as hell! In fact, they're the reason for me coming up with the idea of a centipede Martial Soul.)

"Uhh... Yeah, no, it's alright. It's fine." Ah Li replied, still digesting what he was seeing. If it was him from his previous life, he would definitely be horrified. After all, although he thought that bugs looked very cool, he still wasn't a big fan of being near them. Forget about this giant one that makes him look like the bug.

"You're shocked, I know. But it's alright. I don't mind." He spoke again, but since it was a bit awkward, Ah Li just got to the point :"I know this is a bit straightforward, but I'm not trying to be rude, but so why did you call me? What help do you need?"

"It's alright, no offense taken. Simple, I need your help, because I'm going to die. With your help, there is a way for me to live on." He said :"Allow me to introduce myself. As you've probably guessed, I am a 100,000-year Soul Beast since I can talk. To be specific, a 200,000-year Flying Nightmare Centipede. I don't have a name since I've lived my life in solitude and didn't bother to give myself one either, so call me however you want.

Now, as to what I need your help with, as I've said, I'm going to die, but there's a chance for me to live with your help. Let me explain. Do you know of the heavenly tribulation that a Soul Beast will face every 100,000-years? Probably not. But it's pretty simple, and it is as it sounds.

All Soul Beasts will face a heavenly tribulation for every 100,000-years of their cultivation. And each heavenly tribulation will be more dangerous and deadly than the previous one. However, once a Soul Beast reaches 100,000-years, they will be faced with two choices. One, continue living as a Soul Beast and face the every 100,000-years. Or two, change into a human and cultivate all over again from the beginning."

"Ahh, yeah, I've heard about that! I thought it was a legend though." Ah Li answered. Of course, he had heard it from Bibi Dong when she decided to tell him Xiao Wu's identity. He wouldn't reveal that he knew stuff like that. It would be too suspicious.

"Well, no, it's not. It's actually true, but almost no Soul Beast takes that choice." The Flying Nightmare Centipede continued calmly :"Including me. I wasn't willing to sacrifice all of my hard work, so I decided to continue living as a Soul Beast. But once you refuse to take that path, it will forever be gone. You can never change your decision, even if you advance another 100,000-years. The choice will be offered only once.

However, even now, I still don't regret not taking that path. I told you my age is 200,000-years. So you'll figure out from there that I've already faced two heavenly tribulations. My current state is mostly because of my second heavenly tribulation. Which was actually a few centuries ago.

Back then, when I was going to finally face my heavenly tribulation, I was very confident. After all, Centipede-type Soul Beasts that have reached 100,000-years are some of the strongest creatures in the world. And I, confident in my strength, was positive that I'd pass my heavenly tribulation. However, unexpectedly, when I was in the middle of my heavenly tribulation, an old enemy took the chance to strike."

From how he gritted his teeth in anger, it was obvious that it wasn't a pleasant memory :"Sigh, I was caught off guard. Not only did the bastard attack me when I was in a very vulnerable state, I was also facing my heavenly tribulation. My enemy was also extremely strong. He was a 460,000-year Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear.

So faced with both the heavenly tribulation and that bastard, my chances of survival were extremely slim. I knew that as well. He knew that too, that's why he attacked. But luckily, I managed to survive and escape. But I wasn't that lucky. In the end, I was wounded to the point of being at the brink of death with no way to heal myself or recover.

And now, here I am. In fact, even I am very surprised that I managed to survive for centuries without succumbing to my injuries. Just shows how resilient Centipede-type Soul Beasts are, huh? But well, even if extremely resilient, that still doesn't mean that I'll make it out alive. So here I am. Helplessly waiting for my death with no way to save myself. That is, unless you choose to help me, Ah Li."

"I understand the situation and stuff, but how am I of all people supposed to help?" When he finished explaining, the black haired boy looked at his giant eyes with confusion :"I mean, you must have figured it out yourself. I'm just a boy who isn't even ten years old and has just reached Lv 10. How the hell am I supposed to help when you, a 200,000-year Soul Beast, can't do anything about your situation?"

Although he said that, he still knew of a way, sacrifice. But he was skeptical about that idea. After all, that is death in the end as well. What's the difference between dying now and dying a while later. However, since Flying Nightmare Centipede himself called for him, he figured that there was another way. One that he also knew of, but didn't know how to make it happen.

"You reaching Lv 10 is exactly why I finally approached you." Flying Nightmare Centipede replied :"As I've said, the way to help me was given to me by Crow. He said he'd give it to me only if I choose you. That's why, here we are.

As for what I want to do, I want to become your Soul Ring. But not a normal Soul Ring, since that would mean I'll have to sacrifice for you to be able to absorb my Soul Ring and I'll die anyway. I want to become your intelligent Soul Ring! The first ever Soul Ring that is alive!"

"A what?!" Bibi Dong, who had watched silently from the side, couldn't help but gasp in shock. However, even if she was shocked, only Ah Li could see and hear her. But he himself was surprised too, since he really didn't expect something like this to happen.

A 100,000-year Soul Ring as the 1st Soul Ring from the get go without attaching it to a second Martial Soul or just raising the age of the original 1st Soul Ring. Isn't that just ridiculous? Ah Li also knew of the method for that to happen. The method for the Flying Nightmare Centipede to become his Soul Ring, but still stay alive.

And in the end, his suspicions were correct. Crow really had given the Flying Nightmare Centipede that method. The method to become a Soul Masters Soul Spirit! However, he was still unsure of this succeeding, since he vaguely remembered the condition to have a high aged Soul Spirit was to have a high level of Spiritual Power and physical power.

But Flying Nightmare Centipede said he'd solve that problem by sealing his powers. Ah Li would be able to obtain the true power of his Soul Ring and transform it into a real 200,000-year orange Soul Ring once his body is strong enough. If he really did just put all of his unrestrained strength into Ah Li, it would definitely make him pop like a balloon.

"Then... Do you agree?" Nightmare, Ah Li's simple nickname for him, asked. Although he was very calm and collected, Ah Li and Bibi Dong could also hear the hope and expectations in his voice :"By doing this, not only will your 1st Soul Ring be a 200,000-year orange Soul Ring, but I can also provide 4 or 5 Soul Rings of the same quality in the future! Moreover, it is always guaranteed that a 100,000-year and older Soul Beast will always drop a Soul Bone! So? What do you think? Will you agree?"

Of course he would. He would definitely be retarded if he refused such a heavenly deal. But he still had to make it look like he was thinking about it so he wouldn't look like a naive and foolish kid. Also, if he rushed to a decision without asking for Bibi Dong's opinion, it would definitely dissatisfy her. After all, they were partners now. Although not a romantic one, they were still partners. And she was the brain of the group at that.

"(Sister Goddess, what do you think? Honestly, it would be stupid to miss out on this offer! 4 or 5 200,000-year Soul Rings and a 200,000-year Soul Bone! These are too good to say no to!)" So, he immediately talked to the goddess who immediately nodded as well :"Yeah, you're right. Although I don't fully trust this guy, it would be stupid to refuse.

*Smirking* Also, because of him residing in your Spiritual Sea after this is done, there is no way for him to try any tricks. After all, even if I'm not an awakened Martial Soul and don't have any real powers outside, I'm still like a real god in your Spiritual Sea! If someone tried to mess around in your Spiritual Sea, they'd have to win against me first!"

"(Alright then, it's settled!)" With the decision made, he immediately smiled at Nightmare :"Well then, Nightmare, you've got yourself a deal! As long as you don't betray my trust and make a good team with me, we're all good!"

"Hahahaha! Good, good!" Nightmare immediately laughed. Excitement unhidden in his voice as he nodded at Ah Li :"Alright then, you have my word, Ah Li! Since you're willing to help me and I'm willing to help you, it would be stupid to try and hurt each other! Let's work hard in the future, partner."

"Let's." Ah Li grinned in excitement as Nightmare nodded :"Alright then, I'll start immediately. Normally, the death of a 100,000-year Soul Beast will cause a lot of commotion, but since we're so deep underground, there's no way for anybody to sense what is happening here. So don't worry, and just focus on absorbing my spiritual and life origin. Once that is done, I'll officially be your 1st Soul Spirit and 1st Soul Ring."

"Then what are we waiting for?!" The jet black haired boy smiled wildly :"Bring it!" And with an excited laughter, Nightmare immediately began the process as a crimson light spread around the tunnel and a red barrier covered Ah Li.