Ch.25: Poisonous Swamp

Dugu Xin, determined to change the situation and find a suitable energy source for his fifth soul core, decided to head to the swamp in the middle of the Star Dou Great Forest. He figured that there might be poisonous soul beasts and treasures in the swamp that could serve his purpose. As he entered the swamp, he noticed that something felt off. The normally dangerous jungle swamp had gone strangely quiet. The soul beasts around were generally weaker, mostly newly-promoted thousand-year-level creatures, which was unusual for the inner area of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Dugu Xin contemplated the situation, realizing that there might be a ferocious soul beast here that couldn't tolerate the presence of any potential threats. He felt a pair of dark yellow beast pupils watching him from the depths of the swamp, but they quickly vanished. Unable to locate the source of the gaze, Dugu Xin decided to stop and carefully mobilize his soul power to scan the surroundings. Just as he continued to investigate, a series of strange bubbles suddenly surfaced in a nearby part of the swamp. Out of the murky waters shot a figure at incredible speed, its gaping maw aimed directly at Dugu Xin.

Instinctively, Dugu Xin evaded the attack with the help of his Beast Intent. The ferocity of the assault was astonishing; even though it missed him, it crushed several large stones and snapped a resilient 5.000-year-old hemlock wood tree with ease. Dugu Xin focused his gaze on the attacker and identified it as the Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King, a 60,000-year-level creature. This gigantic crocodile was covered in gray-brown scale armor and sported small dragon-like horns on its head. The crocodile, infuriated that its attack had missed, let out a deafening roar that echoed through the forest. Its soul power surged, and it swung its massive tail, sending the 5.000-year-old tree stump hurtling toward Dugu Xin like a shooting star.

Dugu Xin, effortlessly dodged the incoming attack. The tree stump, gravel, and even parts of the swamp were sent flying, causing collateral damage to countless soul beasts that had recently reached the 1.000-year level. Dugu Xin's soul rings began to shine behind him, and his soul power erupted. Five spirit rings illuminated beneath his feet. The Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King, renowned for its formidable defense, found itself in an unusual situation. Ordinary attacks were futile against it, but Dugu Xin possessed a unique advantage: his ability to slowly poison the giant crocodile.

However, something puzzled Dugu Xin. King-level soul beasts typically disregarded weaker creatures and seldom initiated attacks unless threatened. Yet, there were no 10.000-year-level soul beasts nearby. The Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King roared once more, snapping Dugu Xin back to the present as it lunged towards him.

Thinking quickly, Dugu Xin activated his second spirit skill, "Red Demon Poison Mist." A crimson fog enveloped the area, obstructing the crocodile's vision, reducing its attributes by 10%, and boosting Dugu Xin's attributes by 20%. The poison in the mist inflicted severe muscle pain on the Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King, making it difficult for the massive creature to breathe.

However, the Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King's assault continued as it lunged towards Dugu Xin, its massive jaws wide open. Before it could bite down on its prey, numerous thick tentacles suddenly emerged from the depths of the swamp, entangling the giant crocodile as it fiercely thrashed and struggled, trying to break free. Dugu Xin watched in amazement as the crocodile's powerful attack continued, its movements becoming increasingly desperate. The tentacles constricted around it, and even though the crocodile bit down fiercely, it only seemed to make the fierce creature more spirited, intensifying the entanglement.

Intrigued and puzzled, Dugu Xin activated began to observe the unfolding battle. To his surprise, as he observed the mysterious creature, his martial soul began to resonate—a phenomenon he had never experienced before.

Frustrated and unable to identify the creature, Dugu Xin muttered to himself, "What kind of soul beast is this?"

Suddenly, the voice of Teacher Luo Tian sounded beside him, "It's a Deep-Sea Demon Octopus. I thought these had gone extinct long ago, but it seems there's still one here."

"A Deep-Sea Demon Octopus? By its name, it doesn't sound like a land-based soul beast. How did it end up in this swamp?"

Teacher Luo Tian explained, "The Deep-Sea Demon Octopus was once a dominant species in the ocean, comparable to the Human-Faced Demon Spider in the Star Dou Great Forest. It's known for its cruelty and brutality, annihilating any soul beasts that pose the slightest threat or even those it finds unpleasant. Long ago, its said to have earned the ire of the legendary Sea God, who banished it from the sea to the land. However, as a sea soul beast, it lost its strength and was plagued by its inherent nature. It became a target for hunters among humans and soul beasts, leading to a significant decline in its numbers."

"It's said that a soul master who absorbs the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus will suffer bad luck and an aversion to the sea. Conversely, those who kill the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus, be it a soul beast or a soul master, will receive the Sea God's blessings, making their cultivation smoother. Over the past century, it was believed to have gone extinct, so finding one here…, with its mutated coloration compared to the typical Deep-Sea Demon Octopus, is surprising."

Dugu Xin pondered, "A sea soul beast banished by the Sea God…"

He went on to explain, "The Deep-Sea Demon Octopus, although its 10.000-years weaker, it was once a dominator-level soul beast, boasts an incredibly tough physique. Its tentacles are covered in barbs that can cut an opponent's surface and prevent the absorption of soul power through suction cups. This allows it to repair wounds and enhance its own attacks. This Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile would have trouble defeating the Deep-Sea Demon Chapter even if it were uninjured. Now, with your interference and the poison in its body, the situation is even worse. "

Dugu Xin met Teacher Luo Tian's gaze with unwavering determination. "Teacher, since the appearance of this Deep-Sea Demon Octopus triggered a resonance with my martial soul, I have decided to use it as the material for my 5th Soul Core."

As Dugu Xin made his choice, the battle between the Dragon Armored Giant Crocodile King and the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus drew to its conclusion. The crocodile, determined to exact vengeance, roared through its pain and fatigue. With its last reserves of soul power, it tore a large chunk of flesh from the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus's body. In retaliation, the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus, infuriated and fueled by its newfound power, constricted the crocodile's bones with its tentacles. It reached into the crocodile's chest, extracting its heart and devouring it with glee.

Dugu Xin contemplated the battle's outcome. "I guess its strength is indeed higher than expected."

As the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus savored its meal, Dugu Xin acted swiftly. He activated his 4th spirit ring, causing the world to freeze, including the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus itself. With precision, he then activated his 1st spirit ring to fortify his physical prowess. Finally, he employed his 3rd spirit ring, and a black-red dragon emerged with a sorrowful roar, lashing out at the immobilized Deep-Sea Demon Octopus. The 4th spirit ring's influence rendered the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus helpless, unable to react to the sudden onslaught. It endured the full brunt of Dugu Xin's powerful attack, emitting a reluctant and feeble cry as it clung to its dwindling life force, unable to retaliate.

Dugu Xin observed, "It's still alive? Despite its critical condition... The poison from my 3rd spirit ring, now that I'm a level 54 Spirit King, is potent enough to kill a 50,000-year-old spirit beast if it's caught off guard. Truly befitting of a former ruler of the seas."

But even as it clung to its last vestiges of strength, the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus's demise was inevitable. The poison coursed through its body, ravaging its insides. Having destroyed its meridians, it could no longer harness soul power to heal itself. The creature succumbed to the toxic onslaught; its life extinguished. Above its lifeless form, a massive black spirit ring materialized, signifying the end of the 50,000-year-old spirit beast.

Dugu Xin approached the lifeless body of the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus, his mind focused on the task ahead. He settled into a meditation position, preparing to harness the power contained within the 50,000-year-old spirit ring and to stabilize his 5th soul core. He deployed his domain, rendering the world around him monochrome. Concentrating intensely, he compressed his Domain to its utmost limit, reducing it to the size of a thumb. Simultaneously, he drew upon the energy of the 50,000-year-old spirit ring to stabilize and nourish the formation of his soul core.

As he concentrated on the soul core, a remarkable phenomenon occurred. The memories of the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus flooded Dugu Xin's consciousness, unfolding like vivid images in his mind.

...

The Deep-Sea Demon Octopus clan had once thrived in the deep, uncharted realms of the ocean. Fiercely territorial, they clashed continuously with the Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan, the only species favored by the Sea God. In their relentless quest for supremacy, the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus Race had nearly driven the Demon Spirit Great White Sharks to extinction. In the ocean's law of the jungle, only the strongest survived. However, the Sea God deemed the actions of the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus Race as evil and unjust. In a forceful intervention, he brandished his Sea God Trident, inflicting further suffering upon the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus Race, which had already suffered substantial losses from their conflicts with the Demon Spirit Great White Shark Clan.

During the upheaval, the Evil Spirit Orcas tribe seized the opportunity to conquer the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus tribe. The Sea God, used this motive to once again intervene, and forced both races to cease their warfare. Yet, in a final, desperate act, the Ancient Deep-Sea Demon Octopus King, driven by rage and grief, killed the Ancient Demon Spirit Great White Shark King. This act triggered the Sea God's fury, and he prepared to punish the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus clan once more. However, the Ancient Deep-Sea Demon Octopus King was unwilling to witness further suffering among his clansmen. He challenged the Sea God himself, but with a single stroke of the Sea God's power, the 900,000-year-old king perished.

The Sea God imposed a curse upon the Deep-Sea Demon Octopus race, preventing them from reaching beyond the 100,000-year level. Furthermore, he inflicted eternal soul erosion upon them, expelling them from the ocean. Weakened and tormented by soul erosion, they devolved into soul beasts driven by a single instinct: to kill.

...

Dugu Xin's consciousness returned to his spiritual sea, where he stood alongside his martial soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. There, he heard the resounding voice of the Ancient Deep-Sea Demon Octopus King echoing, "Curse the Sea God! Curse Poseidon! I refuse to accept this fate. I cannot reconcile with it!"

Gradually, the voice faded, and tears welled in the eyes of the Ancient Deep-Sea Demon Octopus King as he whispered his final thoughts, "My homeland… the vast sea…" He then disintegrated into energy particles that scattered throughout Dugu Xin's spiritual sea.

As Dugu Xin's focus intensified on forming the Soul Core, an unexpected event unfolded. A strange voice reverberated around him, declaring, "The law of the jungle, the cycle of life and death, even gods are not exempt. I have chosen you, young one, to bear the will of my clan."

Suddenly, a shroud of endless black mist enveloped the surroundings. Before Dugu Xin could react, the mist surged into his spiritual sea, enshrouding his martial soul. A peculiar black dragon head tattoo materialized between his eyebrows. The black mist gradually dissipated, leaving his martial soul completely gray, devoid of its previous vibrant colors. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor within his spiritual sea let out a resounding roar, causing the entire spiritual sea to tremble. Dugu Xin opened his eyes, and they emitted a brilliant golden light. He felt different, transformed. His perception and control had undergone comprehensive improvement, and he could sense the world in intricate detail.

His domain suddenly expanded violently, reaching a radius of 100 meters. The once-vivid surroundings now appeared gray and lifeless, affecting everything in its wake, including even Luo Tian, who felt a 10% decrease in his overall strength and a 30% drop in his speed.