Chapter 215: The Taotie Divine Ox
With the reappearance of the Clear Sky Clan, Spirit Hall was growing increasingly frustrated.
In Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong, seated on her throne, wore a grim expression. The plan to crush the three major sects had not yielded the anticipated results. Despite mobilizing six high-ranking worshippers, they failed to subdue the Clear Sky Clan, and their regular Spirit Masters had suffered a three-to-one loss, which left Bibi Dong exasperated, even feeling that the six worshippers had proven themselves useless.
Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was successfully eliminated, the remaining two clans—the Clear Sky Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—had clearly allied with the Heaven Dou Empire, aiming their combined force squarely at Spirit Hall. Now with seven Titled Douluos positioned around Heaven Dou City, it was like trying to infiltrate an impenetrable fortress. Spirit Hall's infiltration plans were at a standstill, as any exposure of Qian Renxue's cover would result in an immediate, combined strike from all three factions—a risk Spirit Hall could not afford.
In addition, investigation by Ghost Douluo had confirmed that amidst the chaos of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's destruction, an unknown figure had looted their three main treasure vaults. Despite all efforts, there was no trace of the culprit's identity.
After lengthy contemplation, Bibi Dong decided to proceed with her new plan for the Seven Sects.
Spirit Hall publicly announced that it would launch an investigation to punish those responsible for the attacks on the two clans (without mentioning the Clear Sky Clan assault). They also declared that due to the damage suffered by the three major clans, a new selection for the Seven Sects would be held one year from now. Should the Clear Sky Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan participate, they would be seen as recognizing Spirit Hall's authority in the Spirit Master world. If they abstained, it would give Bibi Dong a pretext to reshuffle the hierarchy of all spirit factions.
At Heaven's Way Academy, after a round of training, everyone's power had grown significantly. Both Ye Lingling and Yang Pingan reached level ninety after absorbing some exceptional spirit bones; they now needed only a final spirit ring to achieve Titled Douluo status. Niu Meng, having swapped out his spirit bone, remained at level eighty-three, while Dugu Yan advanced to level eighty-five. Yang Tianyue was progressing rapidly, already at level eighty-seven.
Meanwhile, Yang Zhentian continued his seclusion, and it was uncertain when he would emerge, though he was likely to reach level ninety-seven when he did.
Yang Potian received word from Ye Renxin that Tang Hao had been gravely injured, having been forced to use the Great Sumeru Hammer recklessly. This confirmed Yang Potian's suspicion that a fierce battle had indeed taken place involving the Clear Sky Clan, leaving them reduced from seven to five Titled Douluos—an unexpected advantage.
Yang Potian had recently spent time at home, training and awaiting his grandfather Yang Wudi to finish producing the Soul Explosion Pills they would need in abundance. He had initially anticipated visits from both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan, perhaps even Spirit Hall, yet after half a month with no visitors, he decided it was time to depart for the Star Dou Forest to seek new spirit rings.
Early the next morning, the six set off for the Star Dou Forest, while Yang Wushuang, the second elder, remained at the academy, prioritizing the family's security over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Three days later, the group arrived at the Star Dou Forest and headed directly to the core region. The goals were challenging, particularly in finding a 100,000-year-old plant-based spirit beast for Ye Lingling, which was rarer than most. In the meantime, they would consider a 90,000-year-old beast if necessary.
After some searching, the group came across a 94,000-year-old Thunder Dragon. Measuring over thirty meters in length and sparking with electricity wherever it passed, it scorched the earth beneath it. This spirit beast, exceptionally powerful and with a fierce lightning attribute, was a perfect match for Yang Pingan, who now possessed three thunder-aligned spirit bones. Adding a 100,000-year-old thunder attribute spirit ring could greatly amplify his strength, especially given the power of the nine-petal dragon herb he had ingested years prior.
Following a series of precise moves, the group used two Soul Explosion Pills to push the Thunder Dragon to the 100,000-year mark. The Thunder Dragon, however, was extremely quick and fierce, and would not be an easy kill.
Before the Thunder Dragon could fully adapt to its newfound power, the six attacked it in unison. Yang Potian, moving swiftly, wielded his Breaking Soul Spear and struck the Thunder Dragon head-on. Despite its formidable defense, the Thunder Dragon was wounded. The others quickly followed, with Yang Tianyue thrusting her Sea God Trident into the dragon, which, weighing 108,000 pounds, was unstoppable.
Within minutes, they had worn the Thunder Dragon down, and Yang Pingan delivered the final blow, releasing a powerful 100,000-year-old spirit ring.
With Yang Tianyue's Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud enveloping them, Yang Pingan took five days to absorb both the ring and an exceptionally rare 100,000-year-old torso bone from the dragon. His weapon, the Breaking Soul Spear, transformed with a powerful lightning property and was rechristened the Thunder Dragon Spear. Yang Pingan reached level ninety-two and awakened a Thunder Domain, a rare and formidable field of power that even the Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Yu Yuanzhen had never achieved.
Their search for a high-level plant-based spirit beast for Ye Lingling continued but with limited success, finding few above 80,000 years. Just as her hopes began to wane, the ground suddenly trembled violently as if a massive creature were approaching, and spirit beasts scattered, fleeing in fear of the impending threat.
The six quickly moved toward the source of the tremor and discovered an enormous bull-like beast lumbering forward, over fifty meters in length and covered in thick, armored scales. Its massive horns jutted out menacingly, while each step left deep impressions in the earth.
Yang Potian examined the creature, and then inhaled sharply. "A 100,000-year Taotie Divine Ox."
Indeed, it was a Taotie Divine Ox. While similar to ordinary ox-type spirit beasts, this one was distinct with its heavily scaled body and formidable horns. Standing over fifteen meters tall, its sheer size made each step shake the earth.
Originally, Yang Potian had considered searching for a Thousand-ton Ant Emperor among earth-type spirit beasts, but finding a Taotie Divine Ox was a stroke of luck, as this beast was far superior, especially as an earth-type spirit beast, to the Thousand-ton Ant Emperor.
This Taotie Divine Ox was a true 100,000-year-old soul beast, vastly superior to any fake 100,000-year beasts. In future generations, Xuanzhi's martial soul was also the Taotie Divine Ox, an elite beast capable of reaching level ninety-nine.
At Yang Potian's command, the six rushed forward to attack the beast.
As their attack began, the Taotie Divine Ox roared, "Humans! How dare you challenge me—you court death!"
With its roar, the very air vibrated, and an immense pressure descended upon the six of them. Clearly, this Taotie Divine Ox possessed the ultimate combination of earth and power attributes, creating an intense gravity field.
Straining under the pressure, Yang Potian summoned his Breaking Soul Spear, unleashing all his soul rings as he thrust forward. However, the Taotie Divine Ox did not flinch, ramming its massive horns against his spear in a collision that shook the space around them.
The force sent Yang Potian flying back five meters. It was the first time since becoming a Titled Douluo that he'd been repelled. The other five also found their movements heavily restricted by the gravity field, slowing their attacks and diminishing their impact. The only effective challenger was Yang Tianyue, whose Sea God's Trident seemed to hold its ground against the Taotie Divine Ox's strength. With a size surpassing 100,000 years, this soul beast's weight alone exceeded the 108,000 jin of her trident.
Yang Potian smiled, exhilarated. The stronger the beast, the greater the gains. Wielding his Breaking Soul Spear, he unleashed a barrage of piercing light aimed at the Taotie Divine Ox, but its defenses were formidable. The spear barely managed to inflict minor cuts on its hide.
Undeterred, Yang Potian shifted his grip, gathering all the spear's energy into a massive beam and launched it in a single strike aimed to pierce the Taotie Divine Ox. Yet, the beast bravely met the attack head-on with its horns, deflecting the blow. Yang Potian felt his anticipation rising.
He activated his weapon's martial soul avatar, the Breaking Soul Spear now larger than ever, and charged at the Taotie Divine Ox. Before it could counter with its horns, he darted above, striking downward and piercing its back, creating a deep gash.
The Taotie Divine Ox let out an agonized bellow, swinging its enormous tail like a weapon capable of splitting mountains. Yang Potian countered with a heavy slice from his spear, severing the ox's tail and prompting another anguished cry.
Nearby, Yang Tianyue and Yang Pingan struck at its underbelly, leaving two additional wounds, though shallow. Yang Potian activated his eighth soul ring, unleashing the skill "Behemoth Break," forming a giant spear of light that flew directly at the Taotie Divine Ox. Even as it struggled to block, the spear pierced through its head, breaking one of its powerful horns.
Finally, the Taotie Divine Ox collapsed, and a massive 100,000-year soul ring appeared, brimming with energy rivaling that of the Golden Behemoth.
Yang Potian exhaled in relief, summoning his primary martial soul and preparing to absorb the ring. Yang Tianyue activated the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, shielding Yang Potian and the Taotie Divine Ox's body from any potential threats.
The soul ring absorption took two days. Once complete, Yang Potian examined the ox's corpse, uncovering a valuable right-arm soul bone. After careful thought, he decided to absorb it as well—its strength-based attributes aligned perfectly with his preferences.
With both the soul ring and soul bone absorbed, Yang Potian's spirit power surged to the peak of level ninety-four, and he sensed that level ninety-five was within reach.
End of Chapter
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