Tang Nuan glared at the creature as it emerged from the cave. It wasn't a crocodile king of the swamp. It was certainly close to their level, by her judgment. That made her actually look forward to this a bit.
Unfortunately, she knew this spirit beast was not the biggest threat. No, the human Jiao Feng waiting in the background was. No doubt waiting for the right moment to strike. Perhaps after they had exhausted themselves against this thing, or about to kill it.
They couldn't afford to go all out, but that made winning difficult. This beast was above 90,000 years old, about equal to them. But as a soul beast, it was far stronger physically and in terms of stamina.
They would need to play this carefully. "Gui Mei harass it, Guan Yue take its legs if possible. I will take it on directly." She slammed her fists together as she said that. She charged forward as she activated her skills: Might and Golden Aura.
The crocodile growled in the air as it too charged. A similar aura came over it as Tang Nuan. Increasing its massive strength further, along with its speed. Despite its size, it was much slower than Tang Nuan. When they met the crocodile opened its mouth in an attack.
Tang Nuan, not willing to chance the damage from the bite avoided it. In an instant using her fifth skill as her first attack. The golden illusory tail slammed into the creature's head. Already unleashing her first and third skills.
Stunned from the blow the crocodile stepped back. It took only a second for it to recover. Only to hiss in slight pain. As claws raked its side, and fangs sunk into one of its legs. Both were small wounds, but they hurt.
Tang Nuan noted the results, her first skill barely left a bloodless scratch. Even a thousand cuts wouldn't work normally unless focused. Her third skill drew blood and pierced deeper, but still merely a small wound. Tang Nuan jumped away as it tried to scratch her.
From the crocodile's blind spot, Gui Mei emerged. Using his Fourth Skill: Shadow Movement. "Fifth Skill: Shadow Claws." His hand became long claws made from shadow and ghostly bone. He struck the creature raking a wound on the side.
The crocodile hissed as it rounded itself to strike back. Its powerful long tail moved fast with bone-crushing force. Only for the strike to pass through empty air, hitting nothing. The beast found itself surprised, looking for the annoying human thing that smelled like death.
Gui Mei reappeared away from the crocodile. Shadow Movement his fourth skill acquired from a Shadow Lord. Enhancing his natural martial soul ability to move through the shadows. Increasing his speed, and letting him teleport through the shadows as a medium.
Tang Nuan jumped up as the crocodile looked for Gui Mei. "Sixth Skill: Crocodiles Devouring Lunge." She spoke as she came crashing down on the beast. Aiming to bite into the creature's neck with her skill.
The crocodile sensing the attack tried to move. Stepping away from its previous position as best it could. Yet the attack easily sank into its flesh all the same. It was the most damge in suffered in this fight as blood flowed. These pests were just so infuriating, its temper flared in rage.
Tang Nuan could only tsk at her missed attack. Her fangs managed to sink into it below the more vulnerable neck. Far from being a critical blow against this beast. She ran along its back before jumping off it.
The beast sensing the human on its back twisted its body. It would smash that pest like it had learned to. The crocodile rolled in a frenzy of wrath. Moving several times in rolls before reorienting itself on its feet. Turning its gaze at its enemy once more.
The crocodile realized that its enemies were truly formidable. Roaring into the releasing a powerful bellow that picked up dust. Slamming its feet upon the ground picking up yet more. It sent its power into the air around it and the earth.
Tang Nuan watched this act of seeming frustration almost like a tantrum. Only to realize the sands had been whipped up quite a bit. "The wind has picked up," she realized with rising panic "Get away from it now."
Tang Nuan following her own advice backstepped further. Seeing both Gui Mei and Guan Yue follow her advice. Even as she escaped she felt the rush of a harsh breeze only growing harsher. She hadn't noticed at first the shift in the wind.
The gathering sand around the crocodile stirred by the wind increased. Quickly the sand became a veil shrouding the crocodile from sight. Before that veil imploded outward. Expanding outward until the entire area became shrouded in swirling sand.
Tang Nuan knew this was the Golden Sand Crocodile's most infamous ability, Sandstorm. Allowing them to create sandstorms, and one reason they had sand in their name. Numerous tales and stories existed of people facing sandstorms. Only to then face one such beast within the storm, or rarely multiple.
Looking around she could see why it would be so infamous. She couldn't see much even a few feet before her. It would make fighting that thing more difficult. The wind itself seemed to be growing stronger as well.
Tang Nuan closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to sense it. The small storm dulled the presence of the creature. Even sensing it became difficult for her, let alone her normal senses.
She tried to use her Spiritual Power to sense it out. That let her sense it better, but its presence was still rather fuzzy. Suddenly she was glad she took interest in her son's training. Unfortunately, it also looked like she would need to redouble her efforts. This power was far too useful not to do so.
"Gui Mei the beast has moved and is heading towards you. This sandstorm is dangerous to allow to continue." Tang Nuan shouted over the roaring winds to him. Hoping he understood her meaning, it was a bit premature though.
Gui Mei hearing her words understood immediately. Crossing his arms over his chest as if holding himself. He took a deep breath as he spoke, "Eight Spirit Skill: Demonic Ghost Wail!" He said his voice growing more ghastly before he unleashed it in full.
From his mouth came a sound horrible as it was terrible. A screech of pure dread that made one feel a sense of dread. The skill radiated around him in a powerful area attack. The sound carried both a spiritual attack, and dark energy draining all.
The force of the wail was such that a large part of the sandstorm was countered. The wail hit the approaching crocodile halting it in its tracks. Yet the skill was primarily one of an area attack rather than a single target.
Even still the screech's dark volume heavily affected the crocodile. Even in terms of volume the crocodile experienced a terrible shock from it. The negative energy hitting it directly sapping it's vitality.
Guan Yue taking the chance provided by his partner made his move. "Eighth Soul Skill: Holy Light Door." The chrysanthemum he held in his hands emitted a shining light. The light gathered at the center and then flew into the air. Like jewels of light in the air before he directed it downward.
The powerful soul skill came rushing at the formidable crocodile. The light crashed into the crocodile with crushing force. This was the most decisive blow of the battle yet. The strongest single attack between the three of them.
As the blow ended the crocodile moved on shaky feet. A number of wounds covered its body dripping with blood. One of its legs the primary target wobbled slightly. The area around that leg had a large part of its scales ripped off. Even more of the beast's scales had been scorched from heat.
Tang Yuan appraised the beast critically assessing the damage. It was certainly worse for wear, yet far from done. Both Gui Mei and Guan Yue had used their eighth soul skills once already.
The amount of spirit power each use of the eighth ability was enormous. Depending on the ability and the level of power it had. Gui Mei likely had enough for six, seven at the most. Yue Guan had at most five likely four, considering how much his took. Not to mention the use of other skills in the battle.
Tang Nuan realized they couldn't continue playing it safe. Otherwise, they would lose too much power before Jiao Zheng acted.
Then it was time Tang Nuan decided to use her own eighth skill. "Eighth Soul Skill: Blood Surge." As her skill activated she let out a breath at the sensation. All physical qualities, spirit skills, and her blood increased by 50%.
Tang Nuan blurred in movement, appearing before the crocodile in an instant. This sensation of power was always so addictive. Now she would make use of that " Dance of Frenzy: Four Steps."
She started with the fifth skill. The tail hit the crocodile in the head once more. This time with far more force forcing its head to the side with a crack. Not stoping unleashing a second strike to the other side of its head. As if it was forced to the other side a third strike sent its head to the ground.
Tang Nuan transitioned to her sixth skill. Lunging at the crocodile sent it into a dizzy spell. The illusory fangs sank deep into its flesh. She stepped backward dodging an attempted bite attack.
Stepping forward once more unleashing her first and third back to back. Her claws cut into its form drawing blood in dozens of cuts. Her bite aimed at those new cuts to dangerous effect.
In the span of less than a handful of minutes, the crocodile became covered in new wounds. Its blood began to stain the sand red as more dripped from its wounds.
The beast slammed a claw onto the ground in a pained rage. The ground shook as spikes broke the earth around its body. They started at a few before quickly multiplying into dozens and then passed a hundred. Each earthen spike a deadly weapon, like impaling spears.
Quick to react, Tang Yuan dodged them all. Moving backwards from the earthen onslaught as the spikes finally stopped. She noted that already a few had crumbled or were particularly jagged.
She used the spikes as she arrived back at the beast. Beginning her dance of death and pain once more. As more blood flowed from the beast in her frenzy of attack.
The crocodile stretched itself, nearly into a circle. Scales on the crocodile suddenly looked like spikes or thorns. Then the crocodile became like a spinning thorny weapon. Charging at Tang Nuan as she tried to dodge.
Tang Nuan was surprised by the sudden attack. She dodged or countered as much of the attack as possible. In surprised defense, she made a single misstep in action. An attack passed her defense as she was sent flying.
Guan Yue watched as Tang Nuan crashed into the rocky wall. Only to realize the crocodile was still attacking, this time him. "Second Soul Skill: Chrysanthemum Barrier." his barrier materialized in an instant.
The crocodile slammed into the barrier, stopping for a moment. Before the crocodile's spin ended with a tail strike. The tail strike instantly shattered the barrier, heading right for Guan Yue.
Guan Yue took the moment provided, moving back from the attack. Dodging the crocodile tail in that moment. Guan Yue breathed in relief as he took a moment before. "Fifth Soul Skill: Golden Pistil" petal blades were fired in droves at the crocodile.
The crocodile found itself pelted with petals like knives. They dug into its body with lethal intent, digging into the wounds. Unwilling to take more the beast roarded unleashing a blast of wind. Scattering the petals away from itself. Before unleashing a direct roar at Guan Yue as well.
Guan Yue found himself forced back by the roar that was a blast of wind. This creature still had quite a bit of vitality. Even if it had been heavily wounded by their attacks.
As he recovered he found the crocodile had disappeared. Looking at the field a cloud of dust quickly faded. Immediately, he spotted a recently dug hole of considerable size. It had gone underground!
Jiao Bao, stood waiting ready for the coming signal. She'd better hurry up, to think he would be made to do this. He should have been involved in the primary battle. Instead, he was given this little chore the kidnapping of a little brat.
The fact that Dugu Bo was involved made a Soul Douluo necessary. Yet it cost him a chance to slay one of the others. Instead, he would face the weakest of the four Soul Douluo. That he was a poisoner only added to the lack of prestige.
That dam Jiao Zheng always commanded him like just another subordinate. All because he was born several years earlier. His brother had only grown more domineering and tyrannical in recent years. Not even hiding his looking down on him over the years.
Yet what could he do? That bastard, through several years, had reached level 89. Where he was only at level 83 a six-level gap. Not even considering the inherited spirit bones of their clan. Not to mention the difference in martial soul quality now.
This event would only strengthen him. He would grow his bloodline using that woman's own. His own bloodline had by contrast been subtly and steadily controlled. That he would acquire treasure from the ruins was even worse.
Wu Xianling chose that moment to send the signal to her allies. Sensing the signal they moved. A healer, a defensive soul master, and Wu Xianling would counter Dugu Bo. All to eliminate them and secure the brat. Then what if he killed the brat instead?
They moved smashing through the wall; martial souls activated. Wu Xianling jumped backward to join them. Her six spirit rings appeared with her martial soul, the Silver Fan.
Dugu Bo activated his own martial soul in response. His eight spirit rings circled him. His skin became scaly smooth with a tinge of green. His eyes becoming peircingly serpent like in gaze. He kept his legs at his own discretion for now.
He glanced at his opponents, four of them now. Wu Xianling was a Soul Emperor, with a fan martial soul. Then two other Soul Emperors stood at the ready. One with a defensive shield, the other with a healing martial soul.
The greatest threat was the Soul Douluo with a crocodile martial soul. His poison would not be as effective against him. "Third Soul Skill: Jade Phosphor Enchanted Formation." he activated the skill, spreading his poison into the air. This would obscure his presence and poison them.
Wu Xianling spread her fan as she waved in a dance. "Second Soul Skill: Wind Gust." The wind moved by her fan became a powerful gust. All the gathered poison was cleared from around them. Most of it was sent right back at Dugu Bo.
Jiao Bao smirked; she really was an ideal defense against airborne poison. His brother could make a plan; he would give him that. The man thought as he rocketed forward to crush his opponent. "Fifth Soul Skill: Crushing Bite." A crocodile head appeared at his fist.
Dugu Bo snorted stepping back into the poison cloud. Even his shadow in the cloud vanished after a moment. The crocodile fist sailed helplessly through the cloud.
Jiao Bao frowned, stepping back from the poisonous air. He wouldn't expose himself to the poison so recklessly. Even if it would take time. "Woman, deal with the poison," he commanded her.
"My name is Wu Xianling," she retorted to his brusque, insulting tone. Even as she eyed the poison still spreading. She used her skill once more to clear it away once more. As she did, her eyes widened the hairs on her neck standing up. She sensed the intent to kill.
Blood flew into the air, only a few drops. The offending target a hand extended like talons. Dugu Bo had appeared like a silent assassin, his fingers his blade. Then before retaliation could happen he stepped back into the poison.
Wu Xianling felt a cold sweat at the attack. If not for the hint of killing intent that slipped out. That strike would have been far more dangerous to her. She glared at the poison with anger. Even if their was only a small hint of poison present.
A warm feeling suddenly spread at the wound as it healed. She glanced at their healer. An acquaintance of hers if of shared circumstances. One with anti-poison skills and normal healing.
Wu Xianling decided to step things up. "Sixth Skill: Silver Fairy Wind." She waved her fan gently as a far more powerful wind was released. The wind carried slight sparkles of light as if wind of silver. The poison was quickly dispersed by the wind.
Dugu Bo found himself exposed to their gaze. Seems he could no longer play it safe with that skill now. His eyes widened, sensing the movement of air. Dodging slightly as a thin slash of wind cut some of his hair, cutting it close. He saw a vindictive look in her eyes with a calm smile.
Jiao Bao laughed as he watched Dugu Bo dodge the slashes. He rushed forward, ready to join the battle. His fists clashing out ready to crush that weakling poison master. "Not so tough without your poison, you weakling." his fist aimed to crush him where he stood.
Dugu Bo dodged the blow. Not even bothering to deny his words. He was well aware of his weaker body among Soul Douluo. Poison would do that to someone, of course. Yet he couldn't afford to overwhelm this fool too much, not yet.
As the battle continued, Dugu Bo led his opponent on a chase. More and more slashes had to be dodged with punches and kicks. As he tried to launch an attack on the group. Only to be met with a fully focused defensive shield. Forced to escape from attacks from that combo as their wounds were healed.
It was a formidable combination of four. The weaker three all focused on a single matter to best him. Then, in an instant that dominance changed as they stopped. A scream rang out from that area; it seemed it was time.
As the scheme came to an end. Another had only just begun. A shadow moved through the room unseen by all. Making its way to its target.
Tang Nuan regained her composure, her head throbbing from the hit. Her soul power veil had softened the hit, plus her natural defense. But that was painful.
Her skill had run its course and taken its toll. She could manage two more uses, three if she pushed. Past that, her blood energy wouldn't be enough.
Tang Nuan glanced at the battlefield. Yue Guan was on guard, but their opponent was missing. It must have gone underground to catch its breath. She dropped from her crater on the rock wall.
Guan Yue tilted his head slightly, sensing her. "I hope your owies aren't too bad, little Nuan," he said conversationally. He continued trying to sense where the crocodile would emerge.
Tang Nuan winced at the words. "No I.." Her head turned to where she sensed it.
The ground far away from them suddenly burst open. The crocodile emerged in an instant, steadying itself. Some of its smaller wounds had already disappeared.
The beast reared its head into the sky, letting out a powerful roar. Its soul power fluctuated as it did so in a very noticeable manner. The roar seemed to be carried by the wind far and wide, with soul power infusing it.
Tang Nuan tensed at the sound. Recognising what it might be in an instant. If it was then things would go to a next level of difficulty.
"Lady Yuan, what exactly is that thing intending to do?" he hoped she would tell him something other than his first guess. Otherwise the senior really might need to make a move.
"It's most definitely a call for help. As much as I want to say otherwise, or deny it. That really is the only thing I can think of, unfortunately." Tang Nuan wished she wasn't certain. But denying it further would do nothing; they needed to act now.
Jiao Zheng, who was watching hummed at the turn of events. He had been expecting this as a possibility from the beginning. Now that it was going to appear his city was going to fall. "What a shame. Oh well, I can make another if I want."
Suddenly everyone sensed something from the direction of the city. Another powerful aura with little control of its presence. Most definitely a soul beast of some power comparable to this crocodile.
Jiao Zheng looked towards the city with uncertainty. Was it already coming to meet its mate? Only then might it make sense for its early arrival. "No wait, this feeling is different from a crocodile. Once more it's not quite as strong as expected. Another beast?"
Tang Nuan and her companions realized much the same. Only they recognised the presence to a degree, this being the second time sensing it.
"The Centipede King from a week ago." Guan Yue immediately realized. It must have tracked them. What a tenacious creature, or perhaps simply stubborn.
In the city, things had already become chaotic. The massive Centipede King moved through the city. Uncaring of the damage or death brought in its wake.
Screams rang as people ran from the creature in terror. Others froze in terror, huddled hiding in buildings and alleys, hoping not to be stepped on.
It had suddenly broken through the gates and rock. Immediately going on a rampage through the city. Despite attempts by soul masters in stopping it. Most were no different from normal people before it, sheep to the slaughter.
It killed indiscriminately, like crushing bugs in its way. Devouring a few that caught its eye for nourishment. Drawing ever closer to its next stage of development. It continued looking for the stronger ones it expected to be here. Yet it sensed others as well, nearly as scrumptious.
It turned its gaze to the massive chamber in the middle of this human nest. It sensed a great many there, including its kind. Yet turning its senses elsewhere. It sensed one of the strong humans it had chased here.
The centipede decided to attack the massive chamber first. Sensing a great deal of nutrition within. Then it could hunt the stronger ones. Moving quickly, it dove at the colosseum, shattering large parts of it.
"Tang Yuan is over there along with Bibi Dong. We need to deal with this thing." Tang Nuan voiced her worry. Even knowing that Senior and Dugu Bo were present. She made a decision "Guan Yue, Gui Mei we are going to finish this battle now."
Both of them looked at her, understanding her meaning. Their soul power surged as they prepared themselves. They moved closer as their soul power began to intermingle. Like threads being woven together in seamless fabric. Turning into streams and then into rivers, mixing in color.
The colors of gold and black, the elements of light and darkness, the power of life and death. Polar opposites intertwined in a bipolar form of static nature. Transforming into a clashing form of power. They spoke together in union: "Fusion: Polar Static Domain" each appearing on either side of the crocodile.
The crocodile realized the danger far too late. Finding itself contained by the powerful domain, unable to budge a centimeter. Pressure was applied on it from both sides of the domain. The two poles were each pulling it towards them, creating the effect.
Tang Nuan taking advantage of that moment, decided to use it. Holding her left arm up as something appeared on her arm. Made of what seemed to be crystal or a gemstone it was like an armed claw. The spirit bone from her eighth soul ring hunt.
Then she rushed at her target. She activated her first soul skill, Crocodile's Claw Strike. Activating the skill of the soul bone, Tyrant's Claw in tandem with it. Making both ever stronger.
Her claw struck as the domain faded away. Her strike held pinpoint accuracy. Aiming for exactly where the weak point should be on the neck. Piercing right through the scales and into its body.
The final deathblow of the battle had been delivered. The proof of that fact emerged from the crocodile's body. A truly massive soul ring circling around most of its body, save the tail.
The ring was of a similar shade to Tang Nuan's eighth ring. With a difference of three faint red lines tracing it from both sides. A fourth fainter line could be seen as well. Proving the beast to have been between 93,000 and 94,000 years old.
Tang Nuan took a sigh of relief at the victory. But she did not let her guard down yet. Jiao Zheng was still waiting to take action. Tang Nuan used her power to scan the crocodile closely. With one this old, the chance… there it was.
She moved over to the left leg of the crocodile. Using a knife to cut open the left leg. She directed her power into the wound, carefully maneuvering it. Finally, her short tendril touched it, wrapping several around it. After a few minutes, she pulled the glowing bone from the wound.
It floated in her hand a nigh-priceless treasure that led sects to ruin. The blood river treasure, in this case still dripping with blood. Suddenly, the treasure in their hands increased again. This trip had been the most profitable in her life by far, and the most fraught.
Tang Nuan took action immediately. Cutting the beast up into larger pieces. Stuffing them into her largest capacity storage device. She didn't have time to be gentle or organised. Tail, legs, head, and divided body with some effort on her part.
She let out a sigh at her success. Fitting it all was a surprise on her part, honestly. She would see it properly processed later. For now, they needed to prepare for the next step.
"I will take the first shift. I trust you two can hold him if necessary" Tang Nuan asked. Seeing them nod she took a meditative stance to quickly recover soul power. She would return as close as possible to her peak.
"I can't allow that unfortunately lovely Nuan," a voice spoke before she could start. Jiao Zheng appeared suddenly before them. His clothes were less flowing than yesterday, more combat-ready. And he wore golden armor on his arms and legs.
"So finely going to be naughty you bad guy." Guan Yue spoke insultingly. Hoping to draw attention as Tang Yuan recovered as much as possible. All three of them still had their martial soul body ready, but so did he.
Gui Mei gazed coldly at the man from the shadows. Knowing several of their abilities had been seen. He would take action the moment he moved.
Jiao Zheng smiled charmingly at them as always. This time it had a noticeable bite and menace to it. A true smiling crocodile this guy, maybe even when killing.
Suddenly, he stomped the ground as his spirit rings appeared. Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, and Deep Black. Scales grew upon his body as he grew slightly in size. Most noticeably tiny horns emerged on his head.
"So your family has gone this far on the path of dragonhood." Tang Nuan spoke as she rose from her meditation. Observing the emerging dragonic features he possessed.
Jiao Zheng smiled at her, his teeth a maw of teeth. His dragonic eyes filled with pride and arrogance. A shadow of his martial soul appeared behind him. Similar to Tang Nuan's or the Sand Crocodile, but more dragonic. "Jiao Zheng, level 89 soul master. My martial soul is the Sand Jiao."