Yun Yibai studied the remaining trapped Zhuqing Ice Toads. Of the two extraordinary ones, one was about 18,000 years old, the other around 40,000 years old—ancient by any measure. Their toxins, especially that of the 40K-year-old, were enough to threaten even a Title Douluo, yet they'd been subdued thanks to the Fragrant Qiluo celestial herb.
Zhuqing Ice Toads had forsaken close-range abilities to fully invest in poison. Against those who mastered its antidotes—extreme ice, extreme fire, extreme poison, or the celestial herb—their great advantage became a grave weakness.
The trapped beasts still glared with burning resentment in their fiery eyes. Yun Yibai remained calm.
Yang Wudi noticed Yun Yibai's reserved stance: "Yibai, what are you thinking?"
Yun Yibai grinned—they were all men among beasts, and inspiration had struck.
Yun Yibai: "I have an idea. Rumor says:
If a soul beast dies with anger, absorbing its ring is hard, but it's more likely to drop its soul bone.
But if a soul beast 'surrenders'—voluntarily dies—the soul ring is absorbed flawlessly, and spirit bone is almost guaranteed."
Yang Wudi nodded, "I've heard that too."
Du Gu Bo perked up—this would benefit Du Gu Yan. Yun Yibai powered up, lightning crackling around his hands.
As bolts struck, the Ice Toads convulsed in agony. The lightning wasn't breaking flesh, but shattering their spirits—more tormenting to their souls. The 3,000-year-old toad fell first; a 1,000-year spirit ring emerged.
Only the two ancient ones remained, their hate blazing.
Yun Yibai: "Two senior titans—keep watch while I amplify the lightning. Their lives may struggle on, but…"
He boosted his lightning prowess, cycling a new aura. Yang and Du watched, awed.
Time stretched… Then Du Gu Bo cut him off: "Enough—if you continue, the 10,000-year toad will die before we absorb it."
Yang Wudi thought: This kid has soul power to spare… Nearly zapped away immortal beasts!
Yun Yibai placed the 10K-year toad before Du Gu Yan, right in front of the 40K-year one—to intensify its hatred. A family of four, now all destroyed—deep resentment.
The 40K-year toad trembled, eyes burning with hatred, ready to fight.
Du Gu Bo: "It wants to self-annihilate? Not so easy in front of me."
Yun Yibai: "Yan Yan—show me if two consecutive Zhuqing rings can raise your poison to extreme."
Whether weaponised or not, poison was Du Gu Yan's scythe. And a 10K-year-old toxin was nirvana.
Du Gu Yan's blade severed the weakened toad's head. A black spirit ring emerged—her second ring from this lineup.
Yun Yibai arranged the three corpses in front of her. He drew a clean knife from his soul tool and dissected them, stirring rancor in the 40K-year-old one.
One… Two... Three... Nothing. No extra ring.
He stood, eyeing the 40K-year toad—his golden vault. He left it for Du Gu Yan—the superstition being that since she'd absorbed two earlier toads, she had the best chance.
(Yes… superstition.)
The soul ring ritual began anew. As Du Gu Yan woke from a trance, poison began radiating from her like mist.
Du Gu Bo saw it, aghast: "Poison self-emerging in this cold land!"
Only he could pull off such a feat—and he was a Title Douluo while Du Gu Yan was just a Soul King—two levels apart.
If she could do this, it'd prove her qualitative leap in poison. Du Gu Bo recalled his own seventh spirit ring breakthrough. Poison isn't simple; toxins differ. Zhuqing Ice Toad toxin surpassed even the Emerald Snake's.