Ma Hongjun nodded in acknowledgment. While his Evil Fire Phoenix had its flaws, subduing a non-aggressive creature like the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent was no challenge for him.
"Here it comes."
From her perch in the tree, Zhu Zhuqing's voice cut through the air. Her claws gleamed alongside the activation of her first soul ring as she unleashed a Ghost Shadow Strike at the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent.
Sensing danger, the serpent swiftly mobilized a portion of the energy stored in its bulbous crest, narrowly evading Zhu Zhuqing's attack.
Though her strike missed its target—the energy core—the serpent's body bore a fresh wound. Realizing it was outmatched, the serpent wasted no time, angling its head and spitting out a cloud of seven-colored mist toward Zhu Zhuqing while the red glow in its crest intensified. It prepared to flee in the opposite direction.
"Careful!" Dai Mubai shouted to warn Zhu Zhuqing.
Ignoring the warning, Zhu Zhuqing sped out of the mist's range just as Ning Rongrong activated her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and called out, "Seven Treasures shine! Second, speed!"
With her speed dramatically enhanced, Zhu Zhuqing escaped the mist with ease.
Tang San, noticing the serpent's attempt to escape, quickly directed, "Fatty, now! Release your martial soul's aura and attack it!"
Ma Hongjun nodded, unleashing the full force of his Evil Fire Phoenix and firing a Phoenix Fire Line at the serpent.
Feeling the oppressive aura of its natural predator, the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent froze mid-escape, paralyzed by fear.
Tang San, activating his Purple Demon Eye, seized the opportunity. His Blue Silver Grass lashed out, binding the serpent tightly.
Panicked, the serpent rapidly activated the energy within its crest in a desperate attempt to break free. Tang San, anticipating this, deployed his second soul skill: Parasite.
The Blue Silver Grass seeds scattered across the serpent's body sprouted madly, their thorns piercing its flesh, drawing blood, and injecting paralyzing toxins. Although the toxins only slightly slowed the serpent, it was enough to tip the scales.
With the serpent restrained, Dai Mubai called out, "Quick! Fatty, Zhuqing, surround it with me and block its escape!"
After a prolonged struggle, the energy within the serpent's crest finally ran dry. The Blue Silver Grass's paralysis effect began to take hold, leaving the serpent motionless, glaring at its captors with resigned hostility.
Zhao Wuji, observing their coordinated effort, let out a rare grin. To ensure the serpent couldn't recover and escape, he delivered a decisive blow, knocking it unconscious.
Tang San turned to Oscar. "Little Ao, hurry! Absorb its soul ring now."
Oscar's face lit up with excitement. His third soul ring was within reach. Without delay, he rushed over to join them.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu stood beside Su Ming, her mood visibly downcast. Her eyes glimmered with sorrow as she murmured, "Must we hunt soul beasts? Why must soul masters rely on killing soul beasts to grow stronger?"
Su Ming wrapped an arm around her shoulders, sighing softly. "Xiao Wu, I understand your pain, but this is the law of survival in this world: the strong prey on the weak."
He continued, "If I remember correctly, even though you can condense soul rings on your own, it only works for the first six. Starting with the seventh soul ring, you'd need to hunt soul beasts as well."
Xiao Wu's face turned pale. "I can only condense the first six?"
She had been unaware of this limitation, assuming she could continue indefinitely. Thinking back, though, she realized her mother had only condensed six rings before her untimely death, without reaching the seventieth level.
Su Ming added, "Ultimately, this all comes down to the rules of this world's plane. These laws bind soul masters, forcing them to hunt soul beasts for power. If only they could condense soul rings like you do."
Xiao Wu glanced up at him, her voice trembling. "Brother, is there a way to change this?"
Su Ming shook his head lightly. Changing the fundamental rules of the plane was no trivial matter. Even if he ascended to godhood, the odds of success were slim. Without allies among the gods, reshaping these laws would be an impossible task.
However, if he could rally enough divine allies in the future, it might be worth a try.
Su Ming didn't share these thoughts with Xiao Wu, knowing the uncertainties of the future. Instead, he resolved to focus on the present.
Fortunately, his system had provided a method to form contracts with soul spirits. If he could disseminate this method, it could temporarily alleviate the conflict between soul masters and soul beasts, or at least slow the extinction of soul beasts.
During that time, Su Ming hoped to work on altering the rules of the plane or developing artificial soul rings. These measures could ease tensions further.
As for complete coexistence, Su Ming dismissed the idea as unrealistic. Conflict between soul masters and soul beasts was inevitable, and eliminating it entirely could have unintended consequences.
For soul masters, the absence of challenges and life-or-death trials might weaken them. For soul beasts, constant peace could lead to unchecked growth, upsetting the balance of power.
Even as a god, Su Ming knew he couldn't continuously intervene to maintain balance. Only in critical situations would he step in; otherwise, he would allow natural development.
Still, one question lingered in Su Ming's mind: why could Xiao Wu, as a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, condense soul rings for only the first six levels? Was it a limitation of her inherent strength, or was there another reason?
Understanding this principle, combined with his system's help, might pave the way for creating artificial soul rings in the future.
But for now, this idea was far from achievable. Su Ming set it aside, focusing on the challenges at hand.
[T/N:
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