"Only this one?"
He frowned slightly, the disappointment on his face undisguised.
He had already completed the Ice and Fire Body Refinement, forged an indestructible physique, and evolved the Eight Spider Lances.
After searching for so long, all they had found was a ten-thousand-year Exploding Sound Demon Dragon?
"That's not all."
Ning Fengzhi laughed and said, "Other Exploding Sound Demon Dragons have also been sighted in the Star Dou Great Forest. However, the Soul Master teams that encountered them didn't dare get close. Judging only by their aura, they estimated those beasts to be at least… forty to fifty thousand years old."
"Forty to fifty thousand years?"
Bai Mu's eyes lit up with interest.
The Exploding Sound Demon Dragon was already extremely rare. For one to reach forty or fifty thousand years was even more extraordinary.
After all, even among powerful Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bears, aside from the Bear King, there weren't many ten-thousand-year-old individuals.
"Brother Mu, are you planning to absorb such a high-aged soul beast directly as your fifth soul ring?"
Qian Renxue asked. "With that kind of age, only a Soul Saint could safely absorb it, right?"
"Young man, I know you're a genius, but listen to my advice."
Gu Rong couldn't help but pour cold water on the idea. "Every additional ten thousand years causes a qualitative leap in a soul beast's strength."
His expression was solemn. "Especially dragon-type soul beasts. Even if they're sub-dragon species, their bloodline can awaken once every ten thousand years."
"A forty- to fifty-thousand-year Exploding Sound Demon Dragon may well be stronger than an ordinary seventy- to eighty-thousand-year soul beast."
"Old Bone is right."
Chen Xin also spoke, something rare for him. "Leaving aside whether you can endure the soul shock, your body may not withstand the terrifying energy contained within that soul ring."
"Although you possess a beast spirit, it's a beast spirit separated from your body. No matter how exceptional your talent is, you're still not comparable to a true beast-spirit master."
Their concern was sincere.
Although Bai Mu had never explicitly agreed to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi and the others could sense that his attitude had been softening.
More importantly, based on recent observations, Bai Mu had almost no contact with other factions.
Even with the Crown Prince, he maintained a perfectly measured distance.
Aside from being somewhat fond of women, he was nearly flawless.
Naturally, they genuinely valued this future prodigy.
"Thank you for your concern, seniors."
Bai Mu stood up and bowed respectfully. "But I have my own plans."
He turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Please tell me the exact location of that demon dragon, Sect Master."
"Are you sure?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned. "You intend to hunt a thirty- to fifty-thousand-year Exploding Sound Demon Dragon on your own?"
Gu Rong interjected, "Since we have nothing urgent to do anyway, why don't… this old man go with you?"
A Titled Douluo personally escorting a soul hunt—such treatment was something very few on the continent could enjoy.
But Bai Mu shook his head with a smile.
"I think I can manage. I've been cultivating diligently recently and gained some new insights."
"Zygarde and I have both made considerable progress. We should be able to handle it. If things truly go wrong, I'll trouble you two seniors then."
He spoke calmly, his eyes filled with absolute confidence.
Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin exchanged glances, but ultimately didn't insist.
Geniuses like Bai Mu had their own pride and judgment.
They were currently in a "honeymoon period." It wasn't the right time to push too hard.
Once he joined the sect, there would be plenty of time.
"As long as he's one of our own, there's no problem," they thought.
"Alright."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I'll have someone draw a detailed map of the location and send it to your residence tomorrow."
"When Brother Mu returns from his soul hunt, I'll host a banquet in your honor."
Qian Renxue then spoke gently, "At that time, I can also report to my father, His Majesty, and have you promoted in rank. I'll arrange a residence for you as well—it will make things much more convenient in Tiandou City."
"Then I thank Your Highness."
Bai Mu smiled and cupped his hands.
Suddenly, he paused, stepped a little closer to Qian Renxue, and asked curiously,
"For some reason… I feel that Your Highness's scent is a bit different from before?"
Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly.
Ever since Bai Mu mentioned her scent during their last meeting, she had adjusted her aura.
"Is that so?"
She forced herself to remain calm. "Perhaps I've been somewhat exhausted lately from acting as regent and handling state affairs."
"I see. Then Your Highness must take good care of your health."
Bai Mu seemed to realize something, but didn't pursue it further.
Qian Renxue secretly let out a sigh of relief and asked,
"When does Brother Mu plan to depart for the soul hunt?"
"In the next few days."
Bai Mu replied casually. "Once everything is ready, I'll set off."
That evening, another challenge letter arrived.
The paper was gilded, the handwriting neat and powerful, and the content brief—same place, see you at midnight.
"A young lady like you, not sleeping at night and instead challenging me to a duel in the wilderness? Is that really appropriate?"
Bai Mu smiled faintly and wrote back: "I'm tired. I'm not going. I'll wait until I become a Soul King."
He casually placed the letter on the stone table in the courtyard.
Soon after, the letter vanished.
"Tired? Hmph. You didn't do anything all day and you're already tired?"
In the Sunset Forest, Qian Renxue looked at the letter in her hand, chuckled, and asked,
"Where is he?"
"He secretly went to the Dugu residence again…"
The Serpent Spear Douluo replied with his eyes lowered.
"Damn it! And this is what you call being tired?!"
Qian Renxue flew into a rage and burned the letter.
Damn it.
Am I really that unappealing?
You'd rather go see her than spend time with me?
——
Early the next morning.
Bai Mu left Tiandou City alone, carrying the map sent by Ning Fengzhi.
After leaving the city, he once again rode Zygarde south, heading straight for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Returning to the forest, Bai Mu felt as though he had come home.
They quickly began their search within the forest.
Several days later, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.
Following the markings on the map, Bai Mu finally found a peculiar canyon.
The mountain walls, rocks, and trees were all covered in cracks, as though shattered by high-frequency vibrations.
"This is the place."
Bai Mu concealed his aura, followed behind with Xiao Ruan, and sent Enhancement and Z2 ahead to scout.
As they ventured deeper, a strange buzzing sound gradually reached their ears.
The closer they approached, the clearer the sound became, until even the air itself began to vibrate.
At the center of a clearing deep within the canyon lay a massive creature.
It was over fifteen meters long, its entire body covered in thick gray-white scales, each etched with spiral patterns.
At first glance, its form bore some avian characteristics.
Most striking were the folds along its neck, which rippled with each breath, sending visible waves through the surrounding air.
Exploding Sound Demon Dragon.
"Forty thousand years… no, even more than that."
Bai Mu narrowed his eyes.
Judging by its size, the sheen of its scales, and the nearly tangible sonic field surrounding it—
This beast was at least fifty-five thousand years old.
--------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapters on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic