"Leave your space rings, and you can go," Gu Changqing said coldly.
In reality, capturing both Yan Luotian and Scorpion Poison Master completely wasn't impossible.
However, with Gu Changqing's current cultivation at the first layer of Foundation Establishment, equivalent to a Dou Spirit, or roughly a two or three-star Dou Spirit, he could fight above his level due to his perfect foundation, his comprehension of various elemental forces, and the power of the Heavenly Dao. Slaying a Dou King would be an easy task, but taking down a Dou Ancestor would give some challenge. With both Scorpion Poison Master and Yan Luotian being Dou Ancestor experts, he might only be able to capture one if they were determined to escape.
"Heh, young master, asking for our space rings is rather greedy, isn't it? How about this: I am willing to offer a low-grade Earth-rank poison-type Dou Skill as compensation. Let's consider it a gesture of friendship," Scorpion Poison Master said, his eyes flickering. He produced a light gray scroll from his space ring and handed it over to Gu Changqing with a smile.
"Hmph."
"To dare use such despicable tactics before me! In that case, you stay!" Gu Changqing's eyes turned cold. He clenched his hand, and a green longsword materialized in his grip. The next moment, he vanished from his spot.
"Not good!"
The instant Gu Changqing disappeared, Scorpion Poison Master sensed something was wrong. He hadn't expected Gu Changqing to be so alert. Realizing the scroll he had handed over was laced with poison, he quickly thrust his black staff into the ground, sending out a wave of gray Dou Qi to form a defensive barrier. At the same time, he swiftly moved sideways.
Swish!
As Scorpion Poison Master barely dodged, Gu Changqing's green longsword struck the ground where he had been standing, leaving a clear crack in the space.
"Hiss—"
Seeing the damage, Scorpion Poison Master gasped. The strength of this opponent was formidable. While Dou Ancestor can initially master space-related powers, including basic spatial locks, Gu Changqing's ability to shatter space with a single sword stroke was terrifying!
Whoosh!
Gu Changqing didn't give Scorpion Poison Master time to think further. His figure vanished once again.
"Blood Soul Poison Barrier!"
Scorpion Poison Master shouted, raising his black staff to project a massive scorpion head, creating a gigantic gray barrier around him.
Sizzling!
Gu Changqing reappeared beside the gray barrier and sliced through it with a single sword strike, creating a large gap.
"Blood Soul Scorpion Poison Hand!"
Scorpion Poison Master acted quickly, forming a giant gray scorpion claw from his Dou Qi and slashing it towards Gu Changqing.
"Trivial techniques!"
Gu Changqing's eyes flashed with disdain. His green longsword, glowing with a mysterious light, slashed through Scorpion Poison Master's giant gray scorpion claw, severing one of its sharp pincers.
Crack!
Crack!
"Since you insist on this, receive a move from me—Misty Sword Technique, Nine Heavens Sword Dance!"
Having sliced through all the gray scorpion claws, Gu Changqing shouted. His figure split into numerous shadows in mid-air, each adopting a different sword pose, with each holding a green longsword emitting colorful light.
"Slash!"
As Gu Changqing commanded, countless sword-wielding figures attacked Scorpion Poison Master from all directions.
"Blood Soul Technique!"
"Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor Soul, Merge!"
Scorpion Poison Master, taking no chances, threw his black staff into the air. It transformed into a gigantic gray light screen to block Gu Changqing's attacks. Meanwhile, his hands quickly formed complex seals. His upper garments exploded, revealing a fierce blood-red scorpion tattoo.
The blood-red scorpion tattoo seemed alive, releasing a monstrous aura. As Scorpion Poison Master completed the seals, the tattoo's lines wriggled and entered his body, causing his form to swell visibly. His arms twisted grotesquely, exposing bones as his body morphed into a half-man, half-scorpion blood beast.
"This Scorpion Poison Master obtained the Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor's soul. It seems to be from a powerful Scorpion Emperor on the verge of reaching Dou Ancestor. Integrating it with his body through the Blood Soul Technique could match a five-star Dou Ancestor in power!" Yan Luotian commented, recognizing the Blood Soul Technique's strength. This technique required not only a powerful magical beast's soul but also its blood and flesh, making it a formidable yet forbidden cultivation method.
Sizzle!
Sizzle!
Gu Changqing's sword dance had shattered Scorpion Poison Master's gray barrier, and colorful sword lights streaked towards the central blood beast.
"Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor's Claws, Kill!"
Scorpion Poison Master roared, his two massive blood-red scorpion claws, infused with overwhelming blood light, slashing at Gu Changqing's colorful sword lights.
Crack crack!
Gu Changqing's strength was still limited by his current cultivation level, equivalent to a Dou Spirit. Despite his high-quality energy, when facing Scorpion Poison Master's five-star Dou Ancestor strength head-on, his attacks were shattered by the blood-red scorpion claws.
However, the blood-red claws were not faring well either, with Gu Changqing's sword lights cutting narrow slashes into them.
"Good lad, you have some skill. But if you think you can stop me with this, you're still lacking!"
"Blood Soul Technique, Blood Soul Sky Splitting Kill!"
Scorpion Poison Master roared to the sky. A monstrous blood light and killing intent erupted from him as his figure and blood-red scorpion claws merged into a giant spinning blood-red vortex, charging towards Gu Changqing.