Chapter 96: Ten Thousand Year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear

In the dense forest, scattered sunlight trickled through the gaps in the leaves, casting spots of light onto the ground carpeted with dried leaves, giving the entire forest a slightly dreamlike quality. The forest was filled with a lush, green aura, and the light fluctuated between bright and dim as the leaves swayed.

As the group entered the forest, it was as if they had stepped into an illusion. Birds happily hopped on the branches, and a refreshing scent filled the air. In this forest, time seemed to slow down, as though they had entered a natural training ground.

The terrain within the Star Dou Forest was extremely complex, and there were no paths through the forest. The task of clearing a path naturally fell to Ji Juechen. With his iron sword constantly swinging, he cut through the thorny obstacles in their path.

Xiao Yan followed closely behind Ji Juechen, enhancing his vision and hearing to their utmost, cautiously observing his surroundings.

The vast sea of trees was teeming with all sorts of soul beasts. Every now and then, a soul beast with a fierce aura would burst out from the forest, seemingly intent on attacking Xiao Yan and his companions. However, whenever these soul beasts got within a kilometer of the group, they were intimidated by the aura Xiao Yan simulated and retreated in dejection.

On the verdant forest path, six figures moved slowly. At the forefront, a black-robed youth had a stem of blue silver grass between his lips, his arms folded behind his head, letting the sunlight filter through the leaves and onto his body, appearing leisurely and carefree.

"Brother Yanxiao, there's something I'd like to ask you." Suddenly, Ji Juechen, who was at the front, turned his head and spoke calmly.

Chewing on the slightly bitter blue silver grass root, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Senior, feel free to ask."

Ji Juechen hesitated at first, but then decided to speak, "Brother Yanxiao, the technique you used a few days ago to defeat the White Tiger Soul Emperor with the power of a Grandmaster didn't seem like a soul skill. Was it a soul bone ability?"

"Upon closer thought, it didn't seem like a soul bone ability either. It felt more like a self-created soul technique… Did I guess correctly?"

"Oh? You could tell that I wasn't using a soul ring or soul bone ability?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly, looking at Ji Juechen in surprise. Ever since he had used the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, many had assumed it to be a hundred-thousand-year soul bone skill.

Ji Juechen waved his iron sword with a faint smile towards Xiao Yan, "Brother Yanxiao, your black ruler shares some similarities with my iron sword. Having immersed myself in swordsmanship for years, I can naturally tell that the ruler technique is a self-created soul technique rather than a soul ring or soul bone ability. What I can't fathom is how you, with a Grandmaster's strength, can wield such a powerful self-created soul technique."

"When your soul power reaches my level, I reckon those below the ninety-fifth level Title Douluo won't be able to withstand that ruler technique."

Rubbing his nose, Xiao Yan saw that Ji Juechen was a straightforward person and decided not to conceal the truth, "That ruler technique isn't my own creation but was taught to me by a reclusive master. I see that Brother Ji is quite skilled in sword intent. If I have the chance in the future, I can ask that master for some sword techniques to share with you."

"Is that true?" Hearing this, Ji Juechen was overjoyed and grabbed Xiao Yan's shoulder excitedly, "Brother Yanxiao, if you can get me sword techniques, I will surely follow your lead."

Although Ji Juechen was passionate about swordsmanship, he wasn't foolish. The power of Xiao Yan's ruler technique was immense, and if Xiao Yan indeed sought sword techniques for him, they would undoubtedly rival hundred-thousand-year soul skills.

"Hahaha." Xiao Yan laughed lightly, shaking his head before looking ahead and speaking solemnly, "You don't need to follow my lead. I have an enemy in the Star Luo Empire. When I seek revenge in the future, just lend me your strength."

"Oh? Who is this enemy?" Ji Juechen frowned slightly.

Turning his head, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he said in a chilling voice, "The White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao. In three years, I plan to visit the White Tiger Duke's mansion. If the situation allows, accompany me to Star Luo City."

The White Tiger Duke's mansion was located in Star Luo City. Should Xiao Yan go to settle scores, he would undoubtedly face resistance from various factions. As the saying goes, two fists cannot defeat four hands, so recruiting help in advance to prevent unnecessary trouble was also quite necessary.

"Alright, it's a deal then. Call for me when the time comes." Nodding his head without hesitation, Ji Juechen responded loudly.

Just then, Meng Hongchen came bouncing up behind Xiao Yan, tapping his left shoulder. As Xiao Yan was about to turn, she shifted to his right side, humming, "What are you talking about?"

"Yanxiao, have you found a suitable soul beast yet?"

Xiao Yan turned back to Meng Hongchen and shook his head, "Not yet."

"Sigh… Finding a soul beast is such a hassle. If Grandpa could develop a soul tool that completely replaces soul rings, we wouldn't have to search for soul beasts like this." Meng Hongchen remarked offhandedly, pouting.

"A soul tool to completely replace soul rings?" Xiao Yan was slightly stunned by Meng Hongchen's casual comment, a curious expression emerging as he pondered the idea.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with what I said? Humanity's expansion has constantly encroached on the soul beasts' habitat, hunting them for soul rings. Many high-level soul beasts have been hunted by us. Like you all have millennium soul rings, which take soul beasts a thousand years to form. And the number of high-level soul beasts is also limited!"

"A thousand years ago, soul beasts were generally more powerful than humans on the continent. But today, I can confidently say that soul beasts are no longer as powerful as they were a thousand years ago. Too many high-level soul beasts have become our soul rings. So, what about in another thousand years? Will the continent be the same? Will we still be able to hunt soul beasts freely in the forests? I can assure you, in another thousand years, even ten-year soul rings will be a luxury. Soul beasts will ultimately be domesticated and completely subjugated by us humans."

"When that time comes, all soul masters might only have ten-year soul rings, and even hundred-year soul rings could become unattainable. Then, how will we enhance our strength? Creating a soul tool that can replace soul rings would fundamentally solve the impending scarcity of soul beast resources."

Meng Hongchen's unintentional words struck a chord with Xiao Yan. He had considered introducing Dou Qi training here, but due to the world's rules, even he had to rely on hunting soul beasts to advance his soul power and further his Dou Qi cultivation.

If a soul tool could be created to replace soul rings, many issues could be resolved before breaking the world's rules.

Instead of just thinking, action was needed. Once he acquired the soul ring and returned to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Xiao Yan planned to start researching such soul tools and other things he dreamed of—like airplanes, missiles, and tanks...

Under the coordinated use of Xiao Yan's spiritual detection sharing and simulation skills, the group had not encountered any soul beast attacks until they reached the mixed area of the Star Dou Forest.

Entering the mixed area, Xiao Yan's expression became serious. Although he could simulate soul skills to intimidate some ten-thousand-year soul beasts, there was no guarantee that stronger ones wouldn't ignore his simulated aura. This was the territory of ten-thousand-year soul beasts, and they were terrifying, with the weakest comparable to Soul Kings, far beyond the capability of millennium soul beasts.

Ten-thousand-year soul beasts possessed intelligence not much inferior to humans, making them formidable not only in combat strength but also in strategy, like the wolf-type soul beasts known for their cunning.

Reaching the ten-thousand-year level marked the first major transformation for most soul beasts, affecting all aspects. For instance, within the same species, a freshly broken ten-thousand-year soul beast and a nine-thousand-nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine-year soul beast had a world of difference, not even on the same level.

Of course, this refers to the same species; different species vary. For example, a millennium Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear could easily kill a ten-thousand-year Mandala Snake. This also highlights soul beast hierarchy differences.

Some soul beasts have powerful bloodlines, with millennium cultivation comparable to ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

Overall, though, ten thousand years is the threshold for most soul beasts' first metamorphosis, with the second being at the hundred-thousand-year level.

In the mixed area, the frequency of soul beast sightings decreased. Unlike before, where a few steps would reveal a weak soul beast.

Each ten-thousand-year soul beast had its own territory. Xiao Yan, through spiritual detection, identified two ten-thousand-year soul beasts along the way but didn't disturb them since they weren't spiritual attribute soul beasts.

Xiao Yan's group didn't disturb them, and these two soul beasts didn't attack. Soul beasts had strong territorial instincts but were also very perceptive.

Especially ten-thousand-year soul beasts, their crisis sensing ability far exceeded that of soul masters of the same level. They clearly sensed the aura emanating from Xiao Yan through simulation, knowing it was an untouchable presence, with only one outcome if provoked—death!

In such circumstances, with Xiao Yan and his companions showing no hostility, the soul beasts naturally refrained from attacking. They weren't foolish; ten-thousand-year soul beasts had intelligence not much lower than average humans. 

Hours passed without finding a suitable soul beast.

The group continued forward until they saw a massive beehive ahead, with yellow honey occasionally dripping and splattering on the ground, releasing a rich fragrance.

"Millennium Jade Yellow Bee's honey?" Ji Juechen, leading the way, recognized the origin of the hive immediately. Licking his lips, he flashed forward, swinging his iron sword to split the hive in two, the fierce sword aura instantly reducing the Jade Yellow Bees to dust.

He stepped forward, picked up the hive, and retrieved a jade bowl from his soul tool, pouring the translucent honey into it. Millennium Jade Yellow Bee's honey was considered a rare treasure.

Ji Juechen offered a bowl to Xiao Yan, "Brother Yanxiao, this honey is precious. Have some."

Xiao Yan didn't hesitate, accepting the jade bowl and taking a sip. It was sweet, with a rich yet subtle fragrance, spreading throughout his mouth with a pure, natural essence.

Just then, a commotion arose not far away.

"It seems a soul beast is coming." Xiao Yan's spiritual detection shared, revealing a five-meter-tall bear with dark golden fur emerging from the forest. Its massive frame was imposing, especially its sharp claws glistening with a cold shine, its huge head sniffing the air.

"It's a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear." Xiao Yan immediately recognized the soul beast standing at the pinnacle of its kind, its long, sharp claws the most formidable attack method, capable of tearing a dragon apart.

The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear loved honey, especially that produced by high-grade soul beasts, its favorite.

This bear often raided beehives for honey, even enduring stings without changing its habits, showing its love for honey.

The Jade Yellow Bee's honey, among many bee-type soul beast honeys, was unique, with a lasting fragrance and a sweet yet not cloying taste, highly attractive to the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to use his simulation skill to drive away the ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, his spiritual detection shared detected another presence—a golden streak of light, like a small sun rushing through the forest.

"A spiritual attribute ten-thousand-year soul beast? It seems perfect for my third soul ring." In Xiao Yan's spiritual detection, a soul beast with golden fur appeared not far away.

To avoid scaring this soul beast off, Xiao Yan abandoned his simulation skill, contemplating a plan...

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