"Brother, you're finally awake!" Ning Rongrong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and immediately hugged Li Xun. She had been terrified just moments ago.
Even Zhu Zhuqing, the strongest among the three of them, couldn't possibly defeat the Three-Eyed Magic Fox, let alone herself, who was a support-type Soul Master.
"Don't be afraid," Li Xun nodded at Meng Yiran and then quickly comforted Ning Rongrong.
Zhu Zhuqing swiftly moved to Li Xun's side. Unlike Ning Rongrong, this usually quiet girl just stood there silently, her big eyes fixed on Li Xun.
"Leave the rest to me," Li Xun had a lot to say, but seeing Zhu Zhuqing's exhausted appearance, he condensed it all into one sentence.
"Mm," Zhu Zhuqing smiled, dispersing the sharp sword in her hand and retracting her Martial Soul.
Li Xun glanced around at the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes that had destroyed the cage. One yellow, two purple, and one black Spirit Rings appeared beneath his feet.
The vine cage he had just set up was already shattered, and seven Three-Eyed Magic Foxes were baring their teeth at them.
The innate abilities of these Soul Beasts were mainly focused on cloning, and their actual attack power wasn't very high, nor did they possess other offensive skills.
The reason they were so formidable was entirely due to the amplification from their age.
"Brother Li Xun, although there appear to be seven Three-Eyed Magic Foxes, only one is its true body," Zhu Zhuqing reminded him from the side.
"Got it," Li Xun flashed a smile at Zhu Zhuqing, clapped his hands, and thick vines erupted from the ground, instantly enveloping both them and the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes.
To prevent the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes from escaping, he deliberately expanded the range of his skill, preparing to catch them all in one fell swoop.
Wood Release was the natural counter to Soul Beasts like these, which lacked group skills and had weak attack power. This counter wasn't about attributes but sheer numbers.
As the cage took shape, Li Xun lightly tapped the ground with his foot. Vines surged like earth dragons, churning the soil and instantly breaking through the surface, wrapping around the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes.
The Three-Eyed Magic Foxes let out a long howl, and the seven figures quickly scattered to avoid the vine attacks, while also slashing at the plants with their sharp claws.
Although the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes had no other skills, their fifty thousand years of cultivation were indeed formidable. Each attack could shatter the vines coming at them.
Let's test my new ability with you.
Li Xun clasped his hands together, and his Soul Power flowed rapidly within him. Strands of electricity crackled around his body, then transformed into energy that flowed into the vines.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Dark Forest Lightning Prison."
This was Li Xun's new ability. Unlike the extreme fire and ice brought by the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb and the Fierce Fire Apricot Delicate Frond, which required internal conversion, the lightning power from the Thunder Hell Vine was transformed directly from Li Xun's Soul Power.
With just a thought, part of his Soul Power would convert into lightning energy, which then intertwined with his Soul Power and merged into the plants.
The vines, now enhanced with lightning Soul Power, began to spark with electricity on their surfaces. The power of these currents continued to grow as Li Xun supplied more Soul Power.
One of the Three-Eyed Magic Foxes shattered a vine attacking it with a swipe of its claw, only to be jolted by the electricity, its fur standing on end. Although the electric current on the vines couldn't harm it, it greatly restricted its movements.
While it trembled, the surrounding vines closed in.
The Three-Eyed Magic Fox let out a strange cry and quickly used both its mouth and claws to fend off the attacks. However, the more it resisted, the more constrained it became. It wanted to summon its other clones for help, but they were also too preoccupied to assist.
Those clones only possessed fifty percent of its abilities and were even more vulnerable to the vines.
It considered fleeing but found that the vines surrounding the perimeter had been reinforced tightly, with even stronger electric currents running through them.
The Three-Eyed Magic Fox glanced at Li Xun, a cold glint flashing in its eyes. It knew that if things continued this way, it would surely meet its end.
With a forceful swipe of its claws, it shattered the vines entangling it, enduring the numbing sensation from the electric currents. Its eyes gleaming with determination, the fox leaped into the air with its hind legs, pouncing toward Li Xun.
However, just as it reached mid-air, it felt its hind leg tighten, followed by a massive surge of electricity coursing through its entire body.
The Three-Eyed Magic Fox trembled and convulsed, struggling to look back. It saw a thick vine had already wrapped around its hind leg, and during this brief pause, more vines were rapidly climbing toward it.
The fox let out a mournful howl, trying to break free but finding it futile. Suspended in mid-air, its body numb and convulsing, it couldn't muster any strength.
Seeing the Three-Eyed Magic Fox gradually enveloped by the vines, Li Xun smiled faintly. He noticed that canine Soul Beasts loved to leap—whether it was the Gale Devil Wolf or this fox.
With a thought, sharp vines suddenly sprouted from the ground, standing upright directly beneath the Three-Eyed Magic Fox. Li Xun then controlled the vines to descend, impaling the fox.
As the main body died, the remaining clones instantly dissipated, and a pitch-black Spirit Ring appeared above the fox's body.
Li Xun felt a pang of regret, thinking it was somewhat wasteful.
Just as he was about to turn away, he noticed a pink glow emanating from the fox's head, immediately catching his attention.
"A Soul Bone?" Li Xun manipulated the vines to bring the fox closer to him and carefully extracted the Soul Bone.
"A Soul Bone! And a precious Head Soul Bone at that!" Meng Yiran exclaimed, staring at the pink-glowing Soul Bone in Li Xun's hand.
Among Soul Bones, External Soul Bones were the most valuable, followed by Torso Bones and Head Bones.
She had already thought it was outrageous that Li Xun had killed a 50,000-year Soul Beast, but she hadn't expected it to drop such a precious Soul Bone.
Moreover, this Soul Bone was as old as 50,000 years, which was quite significant even for a typical Titled Expert.
Compared to Meng Yiran's excitement, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing remained much calmer.
"Brother, I didn't expect your luck to be this good," Ning Rongrong said with a smile, leaning closer to Li Xun and glancing at the pink Soul Bone. "You should absorb it now. We'll guard you."
Based on Li Xun's earlier performance, she felt that her own 100,000-year Soul Bone might not be out of reach.
Having just broken through to Soul Honour and already capable of slaying a 50,000-year Soul Beast, Li Xun would surely be able to help her hunt a 100,000-year Soul Beast when he became a Titled Expert, right?
As for becoming a god, she hadn't even considered it.
With this thought, Ning Rongrong felt her future was bright, and there was no need for her to train desperately.
"Let's talk about it when we get back. I wonder what's always going on in that little head of yours," Li Xun said, noticing the mysterious glint in Ning Rongrong's eyes. He flicked her forehead with his finger.
The massive form of the Sky Blue Bull Python was clearly visible from the cliff top.
It's often said that someone will always carry the burden for you, but that doesn't mean you should push them to their limits. If this drags on any longer, even Sword Douluo might not be able to hold out.
"It's nothing," Ning Rongrong replied, rubbing her forehead and pouting. She wanted to argue but held back, considering the difference in their strengths and future plans.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but chuckle softly, covering her mouth with her hand. She enjoyed these light-hearted moments when they were all together.
"I don't plan to absorb this Soul Bone myself. You and Zhu Zhuqing can decide who gets it," Li Xun said as he stored the Soul Bone in his Soul Guiding Device. He then manipulated a vine to extend endlessly into the sky, using
it as a signal for Sword Douluo.
"Brother, you're not planning to absorb this Soul Bone?"
(End of Chapter)