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Chapter 87: The Fourth Soul Ring
🕑 Added 2024-11-28 12:20:58 +0000 UTCAlthough the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle had returned to its nest, Yang Zhentian did not attack immediately. Instead, he chose to wait patiently.
Noticing the confusion on his son's face, Yang Zhentian explained, "Podi, remember this: eagle-type soul beasts have better vision at night than during the day. Attacking at night would put me at a disadvantage. The best time to strike is at noon when the sunlight is brightest and most glaring, which reduces their visual advantage."
"Especially for flying soul beasts, you must aim for a one-hit kill. If it escapes, tracking it down again will be almost impossible."
After hearing his father's explanation, Yang Podi thought about it and realized it made perfect sense. His father's vast experience as a Soul Douluo was clear. Furthermore, the place where they were hiding was about half a kilometer away from the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle's nest—well beyond the range of its ability to sense spirit power or scent.
As expected, by noon the next day, the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle had not left its nest and was instead sleeping inside.
After ensuring Yang Podi was hidden securely, Yang Zhentian concealed his presence and approached the eagle's nest carefully.
Even though tiger-type soul beasts were highly sensitive to their surroundings, Yang Zhentian carried Concealment Grass, which masked his aura and allowed him to get closer to the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle.
When he was about 100 meters away, the eagle seemed to sense something. Its ears twitched, and it sniffed the air as if it had detected danger. Its body grew tense and alert.
For a Soul Douluo, 100 meters was an insignificant distance. In an instant, Yang Zhentian erupted into action, his eight spirit rings appearing around him. His eighth spirit ring, a ten-thousand-year ring, lit up as he activated his eighth spirit skill: Shatter.
The Break Soul Spear in his hand seemed to possess an unstoppable force, hurtling toward the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle at lightning speed.
With Yang Zhentian's high-level Soul Douluo strength, his combat power rivaled that of a newly ascended Titled Douluo. The Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle stood no chance.
Although the eagle reacted quickly, trying to dodge, it couldn't fully evade. Yang Zhentian's spear didn't aim for its body but instead targeted its wing.
With a powerful strike, the spear pierced through one of the eagle's wings, severing part of it.
The Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle let out a shrill, pained roar and, despite its injuries, lunged at Yang Zhentian with its tiger-like claws, attempting to shred him.
Yang Zhentian did not retreat. Instead, he thrust his spear forward again. The claws clashed with the Break Soul Spear, but Yang Zhentian remained unmoved. In contrast, the eagle's claws were punctured, leaving a large hole.
Realizing the overwhelming strength of its opponent, the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle tried to retreat. However, Yang Zhentian pressed the attack, launching a series of swift, precise strikes.
Before long, the eagle's body was riddled with deep wounds, bleeding profusely. It was evident that the beast had no chance of winning.
Despite its dire situation, the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle let out a ferocious roar, seemingly preparing to self-destruct in a last-ditch effort.
Yang Zhentian, however, wouldn't allow it. His fifth spirit ring glowed, and the Break Soul Spear transformed, becoming sharper and more menacing. It was his fifth spirit skill: Break.
Before the eagle could complete its self-destruction, Yang Zhentian's spear pierced through its entire body.
The Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle collapsed in a pool of its own blood, still faintly breathing but on the brink of death. Its resilience as a ten-thousand-year tiger-type soul beast was extraordinary.
Yang Zhentian quickly turned and shouted, "Podi, come quickly! The Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle is almost done for!"
Hearing his father's call, Yang Podi emerged from his hiding spot and ran toward the eagle's nest.
"Podi, confirm this carefully," Yang Zhentian said. "This Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle is 12,000 years old. Once you begin absorbing its spirit ring, there's no turning back. If you fail, the consequences could range from permanent disability to death by explosion."
Yang Podi looked at his father, his face resolute. "Father, I've prepared for this for a long time. No matter the risk, I must try. I believe I won't fail."
Seeing the determination on his son's face, Yang Zhentian nodded. He knew his son well; once Yang Podi made up his mind, nothing could change it.
"Very well, begin absorbing the spirit ring. I'll protect you."
Yang Podi looked at the dying eagle, summoned his martial soul, the Break Soul Spear, and thrust it into the creature's eye.
Even in its weakened state, the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle let out a low growl and swung its remaining wing in an attempt to attack.
Yang Podi's third spirit ring lit up as his Break Soul Spear pierced through the eagle's eye and into its brain.
With a final faint roar, the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle collapsed entirely, its remaining eye dimming as its life ended. A black spirit ring floated above its corpse.
Yang Podi glanced at his father before sitting beside the eagle's body, preparing to absorb the spirit ring.
Summoning his martial soul, he followed the method for spirit ring absorption, guiding the black ring into his body.
The pressure was immense, far beyond what he had experienced with his third spirit ring.
In his mind, the shadow of a massive Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle appeared, charging toward him with overwhelming force.
Yang Podi felt as though his body and spirit were being torn apart, like he was in a hellish inferno, teetering on the brink of collapse.
Focusing all his mental energy on the Break Soul Spear, he visualized a colossal spear in his mind. The spear's tip glowed with an unstoppable light, piercing through the tiger-eagle's shadow.
The shadow dissipated and merged into his consciousness, strengthening his spirit.
The black spirit ring gradually integrated into his body, settling around the Break Soul Spear.
The process took an unusually long seven hours. When it finally ended, Yang Podi's body calmed, but he felt that it wasn't truly over.
A searing pain radiated from his back, as though his flesh was being torn apart.
As the pain intensified, two objects burst through his skin. When they fully unfolded, they resembled the wings of the Iron-Feathered Tiger Eagle.
They were external spirit bones: Tiger Eagle Wings.
