Upon hearing about mutated Martial Souls, everyone present, being experienced Soul Masters, understood the concept well.
Seeing the group deep in thought, Ning Rongrong continued, "In the world of soul beasts, mutated soul beasts are usually unwelcome in their groups. The nature of mutations is similar to that of Soul Masters—some are beneficial, others detrimental."
Her finger pressed a button on the control panel, zooming in on the Striped Swordfish on the screen.
"This fish's speed and strength suggest a beneficial mutation. It's far from its group, possibly exiled."
"Is it suitable for my soul ring?" Wang Quan Fugui asked, his expression serious, most concerned about his soul ring.
"I'm not certain," Ning Rongrong said after a moment's thought. "Its soul power fluctuations indicate around 80,000 years, possibly due to the beneficial mutation, allowing it to exhibit strength close to a Title Douluo."
Judging by the electric arcs around the mutated Striped Swordfish, it likely had lightning attributes. When moving at high speed, it seemed to blend into nature, suggesting water attributes and perhaps some form of elemental control.
Ning Rongrong looked at Wang Quan Fugui and said, "Whether it's a perfect match depends on whether you're willing to take the gamble."
Mutated soul beasts, if discovered, were usually beneficial mutations, considered optimizations.
As for detrimental mutations, they were often exiled and didn't survive long.
In a world of survival of the fittest, lacking self-preservation and being cast out made survival unlikely.
A 10,000-year soul ring was generally stronger than a 1,000-year one, but it depended on the soul beast. For example, a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's 1,000-year soul ring could rival a 10,000-year one.
So, sometimes, the age of a soul ring wasn't the only factor—it involved a bit of gambling.
The deep sea was a forbidden zone for humans. Even after reading all the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's books, Ning Rongrong knew little about such soul beasts.
While the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had treasure identification abilities, it wasn't like an in-game appraisal.
Ning Rongrong paused, and Wang Quan Fugui fell into thought.
Gambling could turn a bicycle into a motorcycle, but failure was a risk.
This wasn't just any soul ring—it was the ninth, typically a Soul Master's strongest skill.
"If you're hesitant, we can look for others," Ning Rongrong said with a smile, trying not to pressure Wang Quan Fugui.
"No, I'll take it!" Wang Quan Fugui gritted his teeth. "Life and death are fated, wealth and honor are in the heavens. I, Wang Quan Fugui, will bet on this once in my life."
Mutated soul beasts were rare, and he had a feeling this one would grant a good skill.
"Alright, then good luck," Ning Rongrong said, keeping it brief.
Since Wang Quan Fugui, who needed the soul ring, had decided, no one had objections.
However, whether they could take down an 80,000-year soul beast in the deep sea was uncertain.
Zi Zhenzhu's eyes showed caution. Even with the latest model of the Zi Zhenzhu, she wasn't confident in killing a mutated soul beast with near-Title Douluo strength.
Perhaps this five-meter soul beast had weak defenses.
One shot might take it down.
After all, size often influenced a soul beast's defensive capabilities.
The Striped Swordfish excelled in attack and speed.
But defense? That was lacking.
"I hope this mutated swordfish inherited the typical Striped Swordfish's weaker defense," Zi Zhenzhu thought, holding her breath as she carefully maneuvered the Zi Zhenzhu closer.
Then, "Fixed soul tool, charging—"
The mutated Striped Swordfish with blue spots didn't notice the Zi Zhenzhu's approach.
"Fire!"
The main cannon unleashed a shockwave.
A straight beam of light surged forward.
It created ripples in the deep sea, leaving a trail of dense bubbles.
The seabed grew brighter.
Sensing danger, electric patterns spread across the Striped Swordfish's body.
Electric sparks from its skin formed a hemispherical barrier.
The moment the soul tool's attack was about to hit, the barrier, formed by electricity and surrounding water, created a special force field, altering the attack's trajectory. It slid off at an angle, grazing past the Striped Swordfish and shooting into the deep sea behind.
"How is that possible!" Zi Zhenzhu was shocked.
If the mutated swordfish had blocked the main cannon with defense or its own attack, she wouldn't have been so surprised. But it deflected the cannon's angle, and in a panic, no less.
"A special force field formed by electricity," Ning Rongrong murmured words the others didn't understand.
As the soul tool was about to hit, the Striped Swordfish used its electricity and the surrounding water to simulate a force field, altering the attack's path.
"Damn it, again!" Zi Zhenzhu turned the Zi Zhenzhu, firing two level 7 soul tool attacks in a parabolic arc from both sides, targeting the mutated Striped Swordfish simultaneously.
This time, the swordfish didn't use its force field.
Leaving an afterimage, it appeared in front of the Zi Zhenzhu in a blink.
Seeing the glowing blue spots, Zi Zhenzhu's face paled. She quickly maneuvered the Zi Zhenzhu to pull back, speeding toward the surface.
Fighting in the deep sea was disadvantageous.
After provoking it, they fled. The Striped Swordfish, furious, watched the Zi Zhenzhu grow smaller in its sight, its body trembling with rage.
Leaving another afterimage, it chased the Zi Zhenzhu at high speed.
Admittedly, compared to attack and defense, the Zi Zhenzhu's true strength was its escape ability.
In the ocean, your attack and defense could be lacking, but your ability to flee had to be top-notch.
Otherwise, you'd end up buried at sea.
One chased, the other fled.
The Zi Zhenzhu went full throttle, occasionally firing soul tool attacks from its sides.
However, the Striped Swordfish, like it had iron teeth and copper jaws, either dodged with incredible speed or, when unable to evade, raised its force field to deflect the incoming beams.
"No way to handle it."
Ning Rongrong frowned, watching the Striped Swordfish closing in on the screen.
With the Zi Zhenzhu's current capabilities, winning was impossible.
They'd have to reach the surface to have a chance.
A deep-sea soul beast with such terrifying speed and strength was tough to deal with!
Speaking of which, it was odd that Tang San and his group could defeat the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
With that kind of strength, even if it couldn't win, couldn't it escape?
Perhaps it was thanks to the Sea Cucumber Heart.
With that, you could breathe underwater.
Just like her.
"Hm?" Ning Rongrong's brows furrowed again. "That feeling again."
Was someone watching her?
She extended all her senses to their maximum, as finely as possible.
"No overly powerful soul beasts nearby, but this sense of danger…"
"Wait!" Ning Rongrong suddenly realized. "The surveillance is a gaze—it doesn't need a physical presence."
She recalled the small fish and shrimp around when she felt that gaze.
Could it be…
"I see, that's how they're watching?"
Was it a Soul Master or a soul beast?
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath. Whether a Soul Master or a soul beast, they were likely being targeted.
They needed to handle this quickly and leave.
"Zi Zhenzhu, stop the ship. No need to run."
"I'll deal with this fish."