Chapter 177 Tang San, Having Tasted the Sweetness of Success
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, in the dense woods.
Sunlight filtered through the layers of tree canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
The air was filled with the damp scent of earth and the fresh fragrance of plants; occasionally, a few birdsongs drifted from afar, quickly disappearing into the depths of the forest.
Liu Erlong walked at the forefront.
Today she wore a tight-fitting, dark blue outfit that accentuated her shapely figure. Her long hair was tied up high, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate features.
She was like a restrained flame, seemingly calm, yet poised to erupt at any moment.
Her steps were steady and light, barely making a sound as she walked on the fallen leaves.
But her dark eyes constantly and vigilantly observed her surroundings.
Tang San followed closely behind.
They had been in this forest for over a month.
Over the past month, they encountered numerous spirit beasts, but their luck seemed poor, finding only two suitable for the Clear Sky Hammer.
One was a 2,400-year-old Ironback Wolf, which gave Tang San his first spirit ring.
The other was a 4,000-year-old Rock Armored Giant Rhinoceros, which gave Tang San his second spirit ring.
Frankly, this age was already very high for ordinary people.
After all, most spirit masters’ first spirit rings were only a few hundred years old. Tang San had directly jumped to a thousand years, which was a truly astonishing achievement.
But Tang San wasn’t satisfied.
He had tasted the sweetness of success.
When he first absorbed the 2,000-year-old spirit ring, he was cautious, afraid of any problems. But when that purple spirit ring successfully merged into his body, when that massive energy surged into his meridians, when his spirit power jumped from level 32 to level 34...
He felt an unprecedented thrill.
That feeling of ascending to the heavens in one step, that exhilarating surge of power, was irresistible.
So the second time, he chose the four-thousand-year spirit ring without hesitation.
Success.
Success again.
His spirit power jumped from level thirty-four to level thirty-six.
At this moment, Tang San felt the surging spirit power within him, his heart filled with excitement.
Indeed, switching to the Clear Sky Hammer was the right decision!
What Blue Silver Grass? What useless spirit?
Only the Clear Sky Hammer was his true power!
Although the tearing pain during spirit ring absorption was indeed unbearable, especially the second time he absorbed the four-thousand-year spirit ring, he felt as if his meridians were about to burst.
As spirit power flowed through his meridians, an occasional throbbing, tight, and sluggish sensation would surge up. Immediately following was a fine, needle-like stinging pain that shot along his meridians to his dantian.
The feeling was like someone was randomly pricking him with needles.
But Tang San merely frowned, casually rubbed his chest, and didn’t take it seriously.
It was just that absorbing two high-level soul rings in a short period of time had caused his soul power to surge too rapidly, making his meridians feel a bit strained.
He comforted himself with this thought.
With the all-powerful Xuan Tian Gong, he believed this wasn’t a big problem.
The Xuan Tian Gong could neutralize all poisons, heal injuries, and accelerate cultivation—what couldn’t it do?
A burning ambition blazed in Tang San’s eyes.
He followed behind Liu Erlong, his gaze involuntarily falling on the beautiful figure ahead.
He couldn’t fathom Liu Erlong’s cultivation level.
But judging from the decisiveness of her attacks, she was at least a Soul Saint, or even higher.
With such a powerful figure helping, the hope of rescuing his teacher and Xiao Wu seemed to have increased significantly.
As for that Jiang Bai...
A shadow of malice flashed in Tang San’s eyes.
Just wait and see.
"When I become stronger, when I become a Title Douluo..."
"I will make you pay the price."
"Tang San."
Liu Erlong suddenly spoke, interrupting Tang San’s thoughts.
She stopped, raised her hand, and gestured for him to stop.
"We’ve gone too far. Further ahead is the area where ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts roam."
Her voice was soft, but Tang San heard her clearly.
"Pay attention, be careful."
Tang San immediately stopped, held his breath, and nodded.
The two continued forward, but their steps were lighter, their breathing slower.
They walked for a while longer, about two or three hundred meters.
Liu Erlong suddenly stopped again.
She closed her eyes, her spiritual energy probing forward.
A moment later, she opened her eyes, a hint of joy flashing within them.
"There’s a soul beast about 500 meters ahead."
She turned to Tang San. "Its aura should be around 7,000 years old."
Tang San’s eyes lit up. "7,000 years?"
Liu Erlong nodded. "It should suit you. How about it, dare to absorb it?"
Tang San took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. "What kind of soul beast is it?"
Liu Erlong shook her head. "Not sure yet. We’ll have to get closer to be sure."
She waved her hand. "Keep going, be careful."
The two of them moved forward quietly.
Finally, they saw it.
It was a giant python.
Pitch black, covered with dark gold patterns that gleamed metallically in the sunlight. It was at least ten meters long and as thick as a bucket, coiled on a huge ancient tree, its triangular head slightly raised.
A pair of cold, vertical pupils stared intently at them.
A dark gold python.
7,600 years of cultivation.
Liu Erlong’s eyes lit up, and she whispered, "That’s it!"
The Dark Golden Python, a top-tier snake-type spirit beast.
While not possessing the most elite bloodline, its strength lies in its balanced attributes—power, speed, and venom are all formidable. Moreover, its hide is extremely tough, making it an excellent material for crafting armor.
For a powerful offensive spirit like the Clear Sky Hammer, the Dark Golden Python’s spirit ring is perfectly suited.
It increases strength, enhances defense, and even adds some venomous attacks.
Liu Erlong looked at Tang San: "That’s it, what do you think?"
Tang San stared at the giant python, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
Seven thousand six hundred years!
Even higher than he expected!
If he could successfully absorb it...
"Okay!" He nodded vigorously.
Liu Erlong nodded: "Okay, you wait here."
She stretched her limbs, making crisp "crackling" sounds: "After I’ve almost finished off the snake, you deliver the final blow."
Tang San nodded: "Understood!"
Liu Erlong took a deep breath, her soul power surging!
Seven soul rings slowly rose beneath her feet.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black!
A seven-ring Soul Saint!
A gigantic phantom of a fire dragon appeared behind her!
The fire dragon was entirely crimson, its scales clearly defined, its whiskers fluttering, and its fiery dragon eyes looked down at the dark golden python, roaring to the sky!
"Roar—!!!"
The dragon’s roar shook the heavens!
A terrifying pressure, like a tangible tsunami, crushed towards the dark golden python!
The dark golden python was startled by the sudden surge of power, its body tensing abruptly, a flicker of fear flashing in its cold, vertical pupils!
It opened its blood-red maw, revealing two half-meter-long fangs, and spewed a cloud of dark green poisonous mist at Liu Erlong!
The poisonous mist spread, instantly withering leaves and sizzling the ground!
Liu Erlong coldly snorted.
Her figure flashed!
Her speed was astonishing, like a streak of dark blue lightning, instantly piercing through the poisonous mist!
She threw a punch!
"Bang—!!!"
The punch slammed heavily into the dark golden python, causing it to cough up a mouthful of acidic liquid in pain!
The dark golden python, in agony, let out a shrill hiss!
It twisted its body frantically, lunging at Liu Erlong!
Liu Erlong neither dodged nor evaded; instead, a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.
Perfect timing!
She charged towards the giant python!