"That soul beast—it's a Rock Serpent, isn't it?" Nan Feihuang asked, his eyes fixed on the massive creature coiled among a pile of rocks, seemingly asleep.
The Rock Serpent, as its name suggested, had a body composed entirely of solid stone. Known for its immense strength and defense, it was a fearsome predator, though its one major weakness was its sluggish speed. Its preferred hunting method involved camouflaging among rocks, blending into the environment seamlessly. Unsuspecting prey often fell victim to its ambush, their fate sealed before they even realized the danger.
But today, the predator had become the prey.
The presence of several high-level soul masters in the area had given away the serpent's hidden aura, allowing the group to turn the tables and ambush it instead.
"It's about 1,500 years old, judging by its size," Blue Snow observed, her sharp eyes scanning the slumbering beast. "That should be suitable as a third soul ring."
Despite Nan Feiling's Ancient Thunder Tome having multiple elemental attributes, Blue Snow had advised against pursuing versatility. Being a jack of all trades often led to mediocrity. Instead, she encouraged specialization. Nan Feiling had thus chosen earth for control and defense, and wind for speed and offense. Mastering these two elements would ensure her strength and effectiveness in battle.
"That settles it!" Nan Tianchen declared decisively. "Feihuang, take the lead. This is a valuable opportunity for you young ones to experience real combat. Your mother and I will keep watch from behind."
Blue Snow nodded in agreement.
Years ago, when Nan Feihuang was only six, she had been reluctant to let him participate directly in hunting soul beasts, fearing for his safety. But at ten years old, he was now a full-fledged soul master. It was time for him to learn the realities of battle firsthand.
"Got it. Let's go! Dian Wei, Third Sister, follow me!" Nan Feihuang leaped forward, his twin-bladed Fang Tian Halberd gleaming with fiery light as he swung it down toward the serpent's vital point—seven inches below its head.
The Rock Serpent, instinctively sensing danger, opened its eyes abruptly. However, it was too late to evade. All it could do was retaliate, its massive tail whipping around to strike at Nan Feihuang's head.
But Nan Feihuang didn't even flinch. He knew he could trust his most dependable shield.
"Clang!"
Dian Wei's twin halberds intercepted the serpent's tail with a resounding clash.
"Ha!" Dian Wei roared, his brute strength surging as he deflected the tail. "First soul skill: Ghost Halberd!"
One of his halberds flew through the air, pinning the serpent's tail to the ground.
The serpent let out an agonized hiss. To think that it, a hunter of the wilderness, would find itself so thoroughly trapped.
Nan Feihuang's Fang Tian Halberd struck true, slamming into the serpent's vulnerable spot. Though its rocky hide was extraordinarily tough, cracks began to spiderweb across the surface. He had held back enough to ensure the serpent wasn't killed—this soul ring was meant for Nan Feiling, after all.
"Shhhhhh!" The Rock Serpent hissed furiously, gray soul power surging around its body as it prepared to unleash a skill.
Above, a rain of massive boulders began to fall—its signature skill: Mountain Collapse.
"Master, focus on attacking!" Dian Wei shouted, his halberds moving like a whirlwind as he shielded Nan Feihuang from the falling rocks.
"Dian the Fool, little brother, let me help!" Nan Feiling's voice rang out as she activated her second soul skill. "Second soul skill: Tailwind Array!"
A gust of wind surged from behind, boosting their speed by 20%. Dian Wei's halberds swung even faster, deflecting every rock with ease, while Nan Feihuang's strikes gained new momentum.
With a smooth sweep, Nan Feihuang's halberd struck the serpent's head, sending it reeling. Its movements grew chaotic, each attack more sluggish than the last.
Executing a defensive technique from his Single-Handed Eighteen Strikes, Nan Feihuang created an impenetrable zone around himself. The serpent's desperate charges were effortlessly repelled, each counterstrike leaving it weaker than before.
Finally, with one last powerful swing, Nan Feihuang shattered the serpent's skull. Its tail was pinned, its head crushed, and its vital points destroyed. The once-mighty predator was now utterly defeated, barely clinging to life.
---
"Impressive coordination," Zhang Lao commented, stroking his beard. "These three children, working together, already rival the strength of an average Soul Elder. And the young prince—his mastery of halberd techniques has reached an exceptional level."
"Hmph, of course," Nan Tianchen puffed up proudly. "After all, he is my son!"
Blue Snow shot him a glare. "The halberd techniques came from my lineage, not yours. If anyone should be proud, it's me."
---
"Third Sister, now's your chance! Before it dies completely—its weakest point is the eyes!" Nan Feihuang called out.
Unlike her brother or Dian Wei, Nan Feiling didn't possess an offensively powerful weapon spirit. Breaking through the serpent's stone-like defense was beyond her capability. Its eyes, however, were a different story.
"Got it!" Nan Feiling nodded, drawing a sharp dagger. With her mastery of the Northern Dipper Phantom Step, her figure blurred, zigzagging toward the serpent in a series of unpredictable shifts.
Her training had paid off. In mere moments, she reached the serpent's side and drove her dagger into its eye with precision.
The serpent writhed in its death throes, its massive body thrashing against the ground. But its movements soon grew sluggish before ceasing altogether.
"It's done," Nan Feihuang confirmed after checking its vitals. "You're up, Third Sister."
Nan Feiling approached the serpent's corpse, placing her palm against its skull. Channeling her soul power, she drew forth a vibrant purple soul ring that encircled her body.
The Ancient Thunder Tome appeared behind her, its pages flipping rapidly before settling on the third. The soul skill granted by the serpent's ring activated—Wrathful Dragon Array.
The skill summoned three earthen dragons that could both attack fiercely and bind enemies, making it a versatile blend of offense and control.
Nan Feiling couldn't help but smile. "With this, I'll be unstoppable!"
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