Thump—
A dull sound echoed through the air.
No matter how gently it was handled, the sheer massive size of the Sky Blue Bull Python inevitably produced noise when it made contact with the ground.
It was just after nightfall, and most soldiers hadn't yet fallen asleep. Hearing the sentry's exclamation and the strange noise, they immediately began emerging from their barracks.
"Holy shit, this thing seems to be alive!"
The Sky Blue Bull Python's size was overwhelmingly huge—even coiled into a ball, it remained a spectacular sight.
One soldier seemed to recall something and quickly shared with those nearby: "Look at its head—doesn't it resemble the legendary dragon?"
"It really does!" someone confirmed, comparing it to their memory.
With deer-like antlers and an ox-like face, the Sky Blue Bull Python bore a closer resemblance to traditional Eastern dragons than other draconic creatures on the continent.
"How many years must this Soul Beast have lived?" Many wore expressions of awe and astonishment.
Li Xun didn't shoo the soldiers away, allowing them to approach and observe. Then, before the Sky Blue Bull Python could regain consciousness, he and the Sky Dream Iceworm channeled a surge of mental energy into its Spiritual Sea of Consciousness.
The tenacity of a 100,000-year Soul Beast's life force was such that even if it stood still and let these soldiers hack at it, it would take a day or two to bring down. Using Military Armament would only speed up the process slightly.
This was evident from how the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape had been pursued for days by Bibidong and the Spirit Hall.
As the mental energy forcibly pierced into its Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, the Sky Blue Bull Piper slipped back into deep confusion.
If the Sky Blue Bull Python had been conscious, even with Skydream's assistance, Li Xun couldn't have achieved such an effect with mental energy alone.
However, ever since its capture, they had taken advantage of its unconscious state during the return journey to repeatedly invade its mind. Layer upon layer of mental intrusion had been added, and Li Xun wasn't sure if the Sky Blue Bull Python would end up brain-damaged.
Just then, some familiar faces gathered around.
Among them, Li Xun spotted Yang Wudi, the Dragon-Serpent Couple, Meng Yiran, Huo Wu, Shui Bing'er... and Oscar.
As for Feng Xiaotian, Li Xun simply ignored him.
Everyone stared in shock at the Sky Blue Bull Python, murmuring praises in disbelief.
"Is this... the Emperor Soul Beast of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sky Blue Bull Python?"
Snake Granny's hand trembled slightly as she gripped her staff, her aged eyes filled with incredulity.
"There's no mistake. I could never forget that scene from my dreams!" Dragon Duke clenched his beard tightly, memories flooding back of the time in the Star Dou Great Forest when he and his wife, alongside Sword Douluo, had joined forces against the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python.
"Unbelievable... truly unbelievable..." Snake Granny murmured, her eyes glazing over with reminiscence.
Back then, they had nearly been severely injured by the Titan Giant Ape in a single blow. Yet now, the even more formidable Sky Blue Bull Python had been captured alive by these individuals.
They knew all too well the terror of a 100,000-year Soul Beast—killing one was already immensely difficult, let alone capturing it alive.
Meng Yiran circled the Sky Blue Bull Python repeatedly, her own memories resurfacing. Her young face couldn't conceal her astonishment. Perhaps because so many years had passed since their last meeting, she didn't dare step forward to greet Li Xun.
This made the Dragon-Serpent Couple, who had snapped out of their daze, secretly stomp their feet in frustration. They quickly pulled their granddaughter forward.
"Seniors, Yiran, it's been a long time," Li Xun greeted them with a smile, addressing each in turn.
"Indeed, it has been several years. I never imagined that young boy from back then would grow into such a handsome young man."
Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang looked Li Xun up and down, nodding approvingly with an expression that clearly regarded him as potential grandson-in-law material.
After the incident in Star Dou Great Forest concluded, they had visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School once. However, at that time Li Xun hadn't yet expanded Xunyang Pavilion. Although both sides expressed intentions to cooperate, it remained merely verbal promises of mutual support.
Later, though some shares were transferred to formalize the partnership, the two parties never met again, maintaining only occasional correspondence and report exchanges.
"You two elders appear to be in excellent health as well." Li Xun smiled with graceful courtesy.
What followed was some casual conversation.
Li Xun was actually quite surprised by the Dragon-Serpent Couple's arrival. Though Heavenly Dou held the advantage in the war between the two empires, battlefields weren't dueling grounds where one could stop at will - misfortune could easily lead to death even for the skilled.
Still, since they had come, they deserved his respect.
"Long time no see."
As the Dragon-Serpent Couple moved away to chat with Sword Douluo and others, Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er approached gracefully.
Being around the same age, the two showed no signs of formality.
"What brings you here?"
Before Li Xun could speak, Ning Rongrong grew restless and quickly stepped forward to intercept Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan also approached from the side.
When the Dragon-Serpent Couple had been subtly introducing Meng Yiran earlier, they hadn't been particularly concerned.
Mainly because Li Xun had shown no interest, and additionally because Meng Yiran wasn't exceptionally beautiful.
But Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er were different.
These two were top-tier beauties, with Shui Bing'er's appearance and figure rivaling their own.
"Having joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, we feel uneasy about enjoying benefits without making contributions!"
Huo Wu twisted her waist as she turned, bypassing Ning Rongrong to reach Li Xun's side: "So we've come to risk our lives at the frontlines, partly to earn our Soul Bones."
Li Xun knew Huo Wu had a fiery personality, but hadn't expected her to be so bold, completely ignoring the warning glances from Ning Rongrong and the other two.
Glancing at the slender arm now resting on his shoulder: "Think carefully. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is investing in your future, not demanding immediate returns."
"The battlefield is different from the Soul Master Competition. No enemy will go easy on you because you're young."
Li Xun could already feel Feng Xiaotian's nearly broken gaze.
It seemed the young man still hadn't won Huo Wu's affection after all these years.
But thinking about it, that made sense. When he had crushed all opponents during the competition, the merged Blazing Academy had surrendered directly. Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian probably never made that bet.
Perhaps back then, he had been an insurmountable obstacle in their eyes. Probably still was.
Shui Bing'er was more reserved, not as bold as Huo Wu. She tucked her sky-blue hair behind her ear:
"If Soul Masters remain in greenhouses, no matter how outstanding they are, they'll ultimately remain flowers. Since we dared to come, we've mentally prepared ourselves."
"Exactly! I heard someone has even managed to kill a Titled Expert. If we don't hurry to improve, we might have to bow and address you as 'Your Excellency' next time we meet."
Huo Wu picked up where Shui Bing'er left off, ignoring Ning Rongrong's murderous glare as she breathed near Li Xun's ear: "Isn't that right~! Your Excellency Thousand Hands Asura?"
"Thousand Hands Asura Your Excellency? Me?" Li Xun turned his head to look at Huo Wu. "What's going on?"
He knew about Thousand Hands Asura, though he hadn't seen that person for a long time. But how did this title suddenly become attached to him?
Though he didn't really want this title anyway.
"You didn't know?" Huo Wu was momentarily stunned, then said with a cheerful smile, "This Title Douluo was assigned to you in advance by the common folk based on your Spirit Avatar."
"Rumors say your Spirit Avatar stands six to seven hundred meters tall with a thousand arms. We came here specifically to witness it."
"That's somewhat exaggerated. It's not six to seven hundred meters tall yet."
Rumors always become more exaggerated as they spread. Who knows how far they'll deviate eventually? Li Xun quickly clarified the facts.
(End of Chapter)