Tang Nuan crashed into the massive centipede, as if hungry for its death. Her eighth increasing her combat power to another level. We ripped and tore, trying to eviscerate the beast. Even the centipede found itself smashed to the ground.
Her claws, fangs, tail all of these were used against it. Aiming especially for the more vulnerable legs. Her fangs sank into them at every opportunity. Even as she tried to carve into the beast's carapace.
Gui Mei watched her rampage with a wary look. She had completely lost her temper. It had been a long time since he last saw this.
"My Nuan has really transformed into a vicious berserker once again." the voice of Yue Guan came from his martial soul body. Even as he continued floating waiting for a chance to strike.
Gui Mei glanced at his friend. There was little that could stop her when she got like this. Becoming concerned almost entirely with venting against her enemy. It reminded her of all the trouble from the past.
Yue Guan found himself musing as well. "She has grown quite a bit more lady-like. But she retains her temper as the Bloodstained Crocodile Berserker. Actually, she is even more dangerous. A mother's wrath is something terrible indeed."
The Centipede screeched as one of its legs was wrenched away. In rage, it finally moved fiercely enough to dislodge its attacker.
Tang Nuan found herself crashing into the ruined city. Taking only a moment to rise back up. "Are you going to help me, or keep gossiping like children?" she glared at both of them. Annoyed at their inaction.
Both felt a shiver go down their spines. They became more serious and focused. Otherwise, they might find that temper directed at them. Gui Mei melted into the shadows before launching an attack. Yue Guan released his petal blades at the enemy.
Tang Nuan returned to the fray only a bit calmer. Her lust for blood tempered by concern. Clashing with the beast as her allies took chances to attack.
Yue Guan fired swarms of petal blades at the creature. Bouncing off its body with clangs, leaving tiny marks. Unless they hit existing wounds or the rare crack. Digging into its body like needles, or slowly making new weaknesses.
Gui Mei moved through the shadows with lethal force. Aiming for the weak points he could exploit. Severing a leg when he could, aiming for the growing cracks in others.
Tang Nuan faced the Centipede King head-on. Drawing its attention at all times, letting allies attack it. Even as she took her chances as well.
Minutes passed as their battle continued. The three had been fighting for hours across three separate battles. Now they would be reaching their limits soon.
As for their enemy this time. The massive centipede had been put through the wringer. Parts of its carapace had cracks along it from numerous powerful attacks. Several of its legs had been ripped or cut off, and others were damaged. One of its four eyes had been clawed out by Tang Nuan.
The beast had been heavily damaged, at least seemingly. Yet none of the cracks seeped with pale liquid. None of their attacks had been truly critical to this monster. Its vitality and more importantly defense were terrifying.
"We might kill it from a thousand cuts at this rate." Yue Guan admitted his form had grown less bright. His soul power was nearly gone. Nor would his true body last for much longer at this rate.
"Amongst beasts, its defense truly is top tier. At least compared to what I have faced before. But its attack methods are relatively subpar by comparison." Tang Nuan said as she panted from the effort of the fight.
Its legs like spears, its mouth's bite, and paralyzing breath attack. The force of its body in motion. Finally its most infamous heat ray attack. Yet save for the last the others were easily dealt with. Even the last could be avoided with effort despite its overwhelming power.
Tang Nuan knew that to be true. They hadn't suffered many serious wounds in this battle. A powerful defense, but a more limited offense. That was this creature, though it was still incredibly dangerous.
Then there was the other matter. Tang Nuan looked up clouds had been encroaching on the sky. Like a coffin lid being sealed shut. A feeling of dread began to fill her at the sight. It was a powerful, all-encompassing sandstorm bearing down on them.
"We need to finish this, before that thing arrives. Otherwise, we will face both of them." already dreading that possibility if it came to pass. But they couldn't allow this Centipede to survive.
Not after it came all this way after them, it might do it again. How far would it be willing to go? How much destruction might it reap in the meantime? What an annoying creature, so fiercely persistent.
They returned to the battle. Continuing to whittle down the creature further. Aiming for the cracks they had already inflicted. They could inflict a critical wound there soon enough to end this.
Tang Yuan brought his hammer down on his enemy's head. A crack was heard as a pool of blood spread. He stood over the corpse his gaze steady. Turning to the remaining enemies before them "Six remain."
Bibi Dong stepped in front of him ready for a counterattack. Her predatory gaze locked on their enemies. Since their last act, the situation had changed. They were the ones on the offense. Thinking that she took a step forward towards them.
Tang Yuan stepped forward with her. If they attacked her, then he would attempt to kill the attacker. One had already fallen victim to that strategy. They continued to advance slowly waiting to see the reaction to it. That would alter what they would do themselves.
The shield user glared at them as he advanced as well. Confident that he would not fall to these two. Especially not if they chose to come at him head-on. "These brats are cocky. I suppose wounding you is the reason," he said, a smirk on his face directed at his ally.
The second Soul Sect shot him a momentary scathing glare. A shot of pain ran through his back. His gaze turned to the two brats. His eyes were filled with hatred and promises of pain. He could feel the poison in his body scalding and numbing in equal measure.
She was only a brat with three rings. But her poison was beyond anything else. A first ring, the weakest ring was filling him with pain. He felt like he was going to die, the worst part he might actually die from it.
His hand reached into his clothing, he would need to use that thing. His hand found the handle, but he let go a moment later. Not yet he told himself, "I will wait for just the right moment. Only one chance for a surprise use of it." For just a moment his eyes filled with deep unfeeling malice.
Bibi Dong and Tang Yuan moved forward carefully. Waiting to see if their enemies would move or continue waiting as well. It wouldn't be long as the distance between them continued decreasing.
The two had already decided what they would do. Bibi Dong was the one best suited to killing the Soul Sects. Or make it possible to bring them down. She had already severely poisoned two of them, and the others had minor exposure to the poison cloud.
Tang Yuan stepped from behind his friend. Throwing several knives from his hands the moment he did. All aimed to harass the enemy. Well most of them, a few were rather special. Not stopping he continued an onslaught of knives.
The defenders blocked or avoided each of the knives. Dealing with dozens of them. Each was lackluster in effectiveness at least seemingly. Then one got through, piercing the candle user's arm.
Said Soul Grandmaster immediately grimaced in pain. His grasping the handle tenderly. He hesitated before ripping the blade out. A scream of agony leaving his mouth. He looked at the knife it was edged with barb-like edges dripping with red and green.
Tang Yuan glanced at the damage. He was hoping that one would get through in the barrage. He had even asked Dong'er for some of her poison. Coating and filling it with her powerful toxin. In return, it was fragile being slowly consumed by that same toxin.
The two moved forward, Bibi Dong aiming for the unwounded Soul Sect. As she attacked she fired several of her second-skill poison clouds. Firing her third skill at the shield user hoping to catch him.
Tang Yuan bypassed their fight aiming for the others. The two Soul Grandmasters and the two Soul Honors. The weaker two first were critical.
One of the Soul Grandmasters swung his wooden staff. Aiming for Tang Yuan's head passing through the air as he dodged. Even as he continued pressing the attack. He raised his staff thrusting at his enemy with great speed.
Tang Yuan raised his foot at the approaching strike. Slamming it down on the staff pushing onto the ground. The man was pushed heavily off balance by the act. He swung his hammer at the off-guard man. The strike smashed against his face and head with devastating impact.
Tang Yuan turned from the corpse his eyes widening. Unprepared as a burst of fire crashed into him. The flames spread across his body. Not very hot or strong, though his soul veil certainly dampened it.
He faced his enemy the last Grandmaster of the group. The candle user that blast of fire was the second ring. Tang Yuan expended some energy to restore his damaged veil. He had suffered little save heat to his skin.
Tang Yuan did not rush at the candle holder. Taking a few moments to assess the battlefield. The candle holder kept his distance, his arm dripping with blood. One of the Soul Honors was next to him.
Then that left he turned his gaze to Bibi Dong's battle. As expected he thought as he rushed towards them. The two of them were engaged with one another. But Bibi Dong had incurred the wrath of their enemies.
Bibi Dong stepped back as the man brought his shield down. His defense was nigh impossible at direct strike. She brought her legs to bear trying to pierce him. Using her webs at this point was too costly she was running down.
Out of nowhere Tang Yuan passed by them. As he did another presence moved away from them. It was the one Bibi Dong had injured earlier. One of his arms hung limply. Hastily made bandages around the wound stained with blood.
The Soul Honor's right arm was a lizard claw. He had intended to strike Bibi Dong down with her back turned. Instead, he found himself facing this one.
Tang Yuan unleashed attack after attack against the wounded foe. His enemy did his best to avoid them. Tang Yuan activated his third skill his hammer hitting an illusory tail. His enemy's second skill was easily overcome by the heavy blow.
As he stepped back from the strike he unleashed another such strike. His enemy off guard blocked with his third skill. His right arm like claws against his hammer covered in golden light. The claws were stronger than the tail, but not enough.
The clash ended as the hammer smashed the claws apart. Tang Yuan did not let up with a third strike to the hand. Causing critical damage to his other arm. The soul master dropped to his knees from the pain. Both arms worthless now from the damage.
"Just end it." the lizard soul master told him. His eyes glared up at him even as the will to fight had left him. Unwilling to beg for his life to his enemy perhaps that was his pride.
Tang Yuan raised his hammer and brought it down on his head. "Four remain now," he said as he turned back. Three of them were immediately noticeable to his gaze. He spotted the other Soul Sect a moment later, but something was off. "Dong'er get away from there," he shouted to her.
Hearing his voice, she didn't wait even a moment to step back from the fight. Trusting her partner's perception of the danger. In a few moments, she was beside Tang Yuan on her guard. She glanced at him in question.
Tang Yuan continued gazing forward. The feeling that Soul Soul Sect gave him had changed. He was more dangerous now somehow "that other Soul Sect be very careful with him now."
The shield user took several breaths. That girl was completely relentless in her bloodlust. Still, it wasn't much longer until she lost her combat ability.
He turned his hand to his current ally. "Are you going to do something or not?" his voice was filled with doubt. This guy was the one with the most worth, yet he too was worth little. A coward the second strongest was a coward.
The Soul Sect felt the glare from his "ally." He kept his gaze pointedly on the brats. He reached into his clothes grasping the handle in his clothes. "It was time," he decided inwardly drawing the blade.
Tang Yuan watched him as he drew something from his clothes. Upon seeing it clearly he instantly identified it as a blade. Yet upon seeing it his breath hitched slightly. As a blacksmith, he could tell that thing was something dark.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed her instincts warning her. Her enhanced senses suddenly smelt the iron scent of blood. A lot of blood so much blood it was sickening.
The Soul Sect raised the dagger examining it with manic glee. Moving forward before bringing it to his comrade's neck. The cut was easily made even as he began to gurgle.
The Soul Sect brought a hand to his neck. Trying to stop the bleeding. His other hand, holding his shield brought it to a counterattack. Deciding to take this traitor down, never mind those brats. He could feel his strength fading, no a great deal had disappeared already.
Smiling with manic glee the blade wielder sank the knife into his ally's chest. The knife sank into his heart with ease. "Now you will become my nourishment."
It raged even as its fangs chewed on bone and flesh. A small snack from its destination. Though he sensed others fleeing elsewhere in its storm. All of them rife with fear, the crocodile could smell it. Easy pickings for one of its might and strength.
Yet it knew they were but morsels. Weak, and so very insignificant to it. Even the strongest was of little nourishment to it. Not worth even the little effort needed.
Nor did the smell of its mate cling to them. Knowing that the crocodile continued to where it sensed others. Their presence was much stronger than the morsels. Yet not on par with those Titled Douluo of the humans. There was another presence one of those crawlers it was close to strong.
The crocodile moved across the sand unmindful of anything else. It came to a place in the rocky form that smelled heavily of humans. A cavernous passage into the humans' lair it realized.
Thinking that it tried to smash into the lair. The opening was too small for one of its size. It brought annoyance to its mind so it simply tore it apart. The human construction was no different from normal stone before its mighty claws.
The beast moved into the tunnel the sandstorm flowing around it. A great deal of sand flowed into the tunnel. The scent was growing stronger with every step. The scent of blood from its mate, and the scent of the ones stained in blood.
Tang Nuan took a few quick shallow breaths. Her soul power and stamina were almost completely gone. She was scraping near the bottom of her reserves. But they had won this fight.
The Centipede King's body was sprayed out unmoving. Cracks littered its formidable armored carapace. They had gouged out three of its eyes over time. Yet despite the damage the monster was still alive.
"It possesses monstrous vitality on top of monstrous defense. Honestly, its defense is likely in the realm of Titled Douluo of the defense path." Tang Yuan admitted as she exited her martial soul body.
The moment she did she nearly fell to the ground. Barely forcing herself to remain standing. She felt so weak, not an ounce of strength left in her limbs. This feeling of powerlessness was something she detested most.
"One of you finish that dam thing please." Without waiting for an answer she plopped down and entered recovery meditation. Once she did the feeling of her soul power was alarming. Less than ten percent, about 4% of her total reserves remained. Recovering would be a long process.
Yue Guan floated over to the centipede. Preparing his eighth skill as his final attack of the day. Afterwards, he needed to recover as well.
The Centipede that was unmoving before pushed its head up. Cracks rapidly spread on its body even where there were none. Sections of its carapace just began falling off. Like an egg breaking to allow new life!!
The thought resounded in Yue Guan's mind like thunder. Did this thing intend to molt right now? If it did what would that mean for them? How many wounds would it heal?
In mere moments large parts of the carapace had fallen away. Its back had split open down the middle. The centipede emerged from the damaged carapace. Its new carapace was soft-looking and noticeably weaker.
Once more the injuries it had accumulated had healed to a degree. But many of them remained or evidence remained. The centipede had a hundred legs once more. But the new ones were noticeably smaller.
Yue Guan took that moment to unleash his Gate of Light. The attack crashed down on the newly recovered centipede. Unprepared for the attack after its new recovery.
The strike sent the centipede crashing into the ground. The damage was severe this time. The centipede's carapace had yet to harden and was fragile. They needed to attack now at its weakest.
Yet even still Yue Guan exited his martial soul body. Retreating to Tang Yuan with the energy he still had. His reserves were nearly empty. Only thanks to activating it for this battle had it lasted so long.
Even still they were not defeated. Gui Mei had reserved his energy all through the battles. He had plenty enough to finish the weakened centipede. Especially now that it's hard shell had been removed.
At least that was what the three of them imagined. But unfortunately they had forgotten that another was set to join them. Rather they believed they still had time to flee. After all they had not sensed even a hint of that powerful presence. Until just now.
From high up on the mountain path a blast sand appeared. It was coming from the entrance of the city they realized. The sand did not stop it was practically endless. The storm above began to blow more sand into the area as well.
That wasn't what they focused on. They could sense it now even it it's presence was a bit fuzzy. A massive wild bestial presence drawing closer. It was slightly unstable appearing stronger and weaker at times.
Tang Nuan recognised this just from earlier today. That crocodile had hidden itself in a sandstorm. But not to this extent only now that it was so close did they notice it. Once more the full brunt of the storm was still not present. She had made a misjudgment.
An echoing thud came from the stone wall. With that sound, the sand only increased in density and speed. The sand began to swirl and expand around that area. They spotted a faint shadow in the swirling sand.
Then something emerged from the sand. It plummeted from the cliff crashing down into the ruined city. A dust cloud covered it for a few moments. Even as sand began swirling around it once more.
It was similar to the Golden Sand Crocodile from earlier. But at least two sizes larger than that. Its presence easily outweighed its size by a wide margin. Its scales were dark and lustrous gold, and its fangs were each like spears.
Then the sand covered it's form completely once more. Spreading rapidly to cover a large portion of the town. Weaker buildings collapsed as the sand hit them. Even the sturdier ones began to shake.
Four of them watched the creature in the storm. It's hostility and bloodlust were clear to them even when hidden.
The Centipede was the first to react to the threat. It's own situation not being rather good. Beginning by gathering soul power once more in its mouth. The red light was noticeably weaker than previous times. But still strong as the beast fired the beam.
The attack cut through the raging sandstorm. The centipede directed it at the end and moved it through the cloud. Until most of the cloud had been cut by the attack. In a way that the one hiding should have been hurt as well, but.
The ground around the centipede fractured. Then it began to spin? Solid ground became a whirlpool of sand on the ground. Rapidly growing larger and larger. With futile struggles the Centipede tried to escape the sudden turn.
Then it emerged from the sudden feature. It's massive body snapped at the off balance creature. Fangs sinking into its carapace easily as if it was not even present. It was true that the carapace was new and weaker, but still.
The crocodile tightened its jaws into the creatures form. Driving its fangs deeper into its body. The centipede struggled screeching and thrashing as if in its death throes. Then the crocodile glowed with light a if placed its full power behind the bite.
They watched astonished and terrified as the powerful creature was so helpless. As its struggles only grew liquid began to drip from its body. Until finally "snap," it felt as if an imagined sound resounded. As the centipede was bitten in half.
The two halves separated; the lower still held by the other. Even as the upper half still alive tried to crawl away. It would not survive that was obvious. Tang Nuan wondered if they would be joining it soon.
"It would seem it was wise to come. You guys have certainly been put through the wringer." A somewhat childish voice spoke. Carrying with it the hint of a chill. The area grew colder and frost even started to appear.
The voice brought both relief and fear to Tang Nuan. She turned to find a welcome face. "Senior Guanling I hope my son is safe?" she asked concerned for her child above all.
Guanling Douluo gazed at her with a hint of surprise. Then he though better of it, "a mother is a mother after all," he thought. His smaller stature moved in front of the three of them.
Outwardly he spoke "They engaged a group of enemies. All of them on the lower end of course. I only had to help at the very end of the battle. However I believed they would be safer there than here." he told the worried mother to assuage her concerns.
They watched as one of the biggest threats died. A betrayal between allies on the battlefield. It should have been celebrated by them. Yet, Tang Yuan had the feeling that it wouldn't make things easier. No this was going to make things harder somehow.
As they watched the now dead Soul Sect began to wither. His body began to grow smaller as if losing something. The metallic scent of blood filled the air a hint of sickening sweetness to it.
Tang Yuan made an assumption based on what he had seen. "Blood, that dagger must devour blood." he whispered to Bibi Dong. It must have been an artifact of some kind designed with devouring abilities.
The betrayed casually pushed his victim's body away. Letting it fall to the floor like garbage. A manic smiled clear on his face his eyes shining with madness. Holding the dagger into the air looking at it with obsession.
Despite being removed from the body no blood dripped from it. The knife was longer for piercing. Made from red material, or stained that way. It looked like small veins or channels ran across its form. Red liquid seemed to flow into the hilt. In the center of the hilt was a large ruby a dark crimson as if of blood.
The man turned to his compatriots charging them with abandon. His speed seemed to have increased from before. He quickly arrived before them. He swung the knife a bloody slash leaving the blade.
The slash was countered by the Soul Honor. Only for him to be pierced by the blade itself, shriveling quickly. The last Grandmaster tried to run away in terror. Sadly the blade found his flesh as well.
Tang Yuan could not find much joy in the scene. Their enimes had been reduced to one. Yet it left a bitter taste in his mouth to watch such a betrayal. What a cruel fate to endure, now they would they have to face him as well.
Tang Yuan blinked. Then he blinked once more in surprise. Someone had appeared behind their enemy.
The manic smile on that murderer's face froze. He had only a moment to realize before… why did everything feel numb? That was his last thought as he lost awareness.
"I had not intended to intervene unless necessary. But this counted in my opinion." Guanling Douluo spoke as he turned to them. His face cold as he turned to the knife and new ice sculpture.
Tang Yuan could only let out a sigh of relief. Bowing his head filled with gratitude "thank you senior for your help. Also for being present to assist us." He could recognise this as a classic let them experience hardship to grow thing.
Bibi Dong in contrast puffed up her cheeks. A slight "hmhm," exited her lips as she turned her head away. He eyes glancing back with a pointed glare.
Tang Yuan could practically read her meaning. "I'm upset with you. Now apologize, or coax me to forgive you." That was part of the meaning he felt.
He felt bemused by the sight he could never do that. Then again he wasn't the beloved disciple of the pope. Nor did he feel he was nearly as cute as herself. He watched her softly enjoying her showing her spoiled, childish side so blatantly.
Guanling Douluo smiled at this maiden for a moment. He would love to stay and coax her. Aware it was partly a game to her anyway.
Then his face became sterner "Tang Yuan, Dong'er the others need my help as well. I have to go. You will be safer here than with me." he told them his tone brooking no argument.
Bibi Dong's pouting ended as she understood the seriousness. She nodded in ascent of the orders. "Then I will wait for Brother Guanling's return. Along with your apology." she spoke seriously at first adding the last part with cheekiness.
Guanling smiled at that. Before casting a meaningful gaze at Tang Yuan. His gaze landing on the sole individual to surrender. Deeming her a non-threat to them now he left with some peace of mind.
Unseen by all the frozen statue experienced a change. The dagger held out by it specifically. The jewel upon the blade suddenly cracked slightly. Yet that was only a reasonable development as intended.
The thought of what happened ran through his mind. He turned to the three Soul Douluo. They too had suffered from this trip even if it had also been prosperous.
Turning his full gaze on the enemy after assessing the three of them. Despite how exhausted they were he found nothing to complain about. They had fought two nearly 100,000-year-old beasts killing one. On top of a level 89 Soul Douluo if he wasn't mistaken.
It was honestly an impressive showing. Especially considering one was also a Super-tier soul beast. Honestly, it likely wouldn't die to a normal 100,000 beast. Though it wouldn't win either.
Then again this crocodile was not a normal 100,000-year-old beast. It was at least halfway to its next tribulation, maybe. He had never encountered one of this level before. At least as strong as a level 94 Titled Douluo in terms of cultivation.
Of course beasts were always more difficult to rank. They were basically the equivalent of always being in one's martial soul's true body. As a result they could never be matched unless one used the seven skill. At least, technically, at the same level.
This one would definitely be an uphill fight. "You three recover away from here," he commanded them. His soul rings appeared around him as he prepared for battle.
The crocodile recognised him as an enemy and did the same. Tensing itself ready to strike once they began. Examining him closely with human-like intelligence reflected in reprillian eyes.