"What's a core?"
Before Chen Junting could answer, the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent lashed out—its massive tail whipping toward Gu Tianchen with bone-shattering force! Instantly, Gu Tianchen's defensive barrier trembled under the impact.
Seeing its first strike fail, the serpent's grotesque maw gaped wide—and from its throat erupted a violet-red energy beam, like a volcanic blast, roaring straight at Gu Tianchen.
Even so, the Invincible Barrier held firm.
Hssss—!
Frustrated that both attacks had been blocked, the serpent's eyes blazed with humiliation and rage. Its tail snapped back—then slammed down again, aiming to crush the barrier.
ROOOAR—!
But with a dragon's roar, Bao Jun lunged from the side, sinking his fangs deep into the serpent's tail—piercing through scales and flesh alike.
At the same time, Mad King slashed with his Dark Gold Terror Claws, the razor-sharp strikes seemingly capable of tearing the beast in half.
Yet this was no ordinary soul beast—it was a Primordial Chaos Beast, mutated by eons in the toxic blood sea. It wouldn't fall so easily.
"This thing's terrifyingly strong!"
Gu Tianchen landed beside Chen Junting, eyes grim as he watched the chaotic battle between serpent, dragon, and bear. "This monster must be equivalent to a 90,000+ year soul beast."
"We need to end this quickly."
Feeling his soul power drain rapidly, Chen Junting dove from the air, Seven Murder Sword gripped tight in his right hand, overwhelming aura surging around him.
"The Heavenly Gate splits Chu's river wide—azure waters eastward surge and turn!"
Under the effect of his Soul-Stealing Deathblow soul bone skill, Chen Junting slashed at the serpent—still pinned by Bao Jun. A blade of pure sword qi shot forth, cleaving the air like a celestial sword splitting mountain peaks!
Sensing danger, the serpent twisted its agile body—briefly breaking free from both spirit souls—and evaded the initial strike.
Hisss—!
But just as it seemed to mock them, the sword qi curved midair, returning with undiminished sharpness—now aimed to shred its scales!
Hissss—!
The serpent let out a pained shriek. It could feel a clinging, corrosive force—like a parasite burrowing into its bones—slowly poisoning it toward death.
Rage consumed it completely.
Unbeknownst to it, this was exactly what Chen Junting had been waiting for.
"Gwaaah—gwaaah—!"
It shrieked furiously, arching its body like a bow—its nine fleshy tumors locking onto Chen Junting. Yet its cry drew only ridicule.
"Why does it sound like a frog!?" Gu Tianchen blurted.
That single comment maxed out its hatred.
In an instant, the serpent abandoned Chen Junting—swiveling toward Gu Tianchen. All nine tumors burst simultaneously, launching nine streams of violet-red fluid. Midair, they fused and compressed into a single fist-sized violet-red orb, hurtling down like a meteor!
That tiny sphere radiated overwhelming peril.
Just then—a fixed-charge soul-engineered artillery shell slammed in, primed to detonate in the next heartbeat.
And in that split second, a fleeting glint flashed in Chen Junting's eyes—as if, by unseen threads, he severed the serpent's connection to its core.
Unaware, Gu Tianchen immediately leapt in front of Chen Junting. Ignoring his dwindling soul power, he reinforced the Invincible Barrier once more.
But then—Chen Junting's voice whispered in his ear:
"Quick—catch that core!"
BOOOOM—!
The eighth-rank fixed-charge shell detonated!
Before the smoke even cleared, Gu Tianchen's voice rang out:
"You just used an eighth-rank shell like that!?"
"This isn't a place to linger. Better finish fast."
As the dust settled, the once-frenzied Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent—moments ago ready to die fighting—was gone.
Its upper body had crumbled into glittering powder, scattering on the wind. The lower half, unsupported, snapped into segments and plummeted into the abyss.
At that moment, a speck of violet-red sailed toward them. Chen Junting reached out—catching the serpent's core in his palm before tucking it away.
Gu Tianchen, still shielded, stared at the violet-black orb he'd thrown to Chen Junting and asked, puzzled:
"Is this the core you mentioned? What's it for?"
Chen Junting didn't hide anything. "This core alone can nullify all snake venom and suppress any serpent-type creature. And—this core can also serve as a soul ring. If Xin absorbs it, his martial soul should evolve."
Gu Tianchen's eyes widened.
"That powerful!?"
"Exactly. He might even use it to elevate his poison attribute to Ultimate Poison."
Having already decided to gift the core to Dugu Xin upon his breakthrough to Level 70, Chen Junting stored it safely in his soul tool.
With the serpent slain, the rest of Hell Road became surprisingly smooth. As they descended, the air grew steadily hotter.
After another half-hour, they finally spotted the exit: an elliptical curtain of white light shimmering on the cavern ceiling—their journey's end.
If they'd passed through here ten thousand years ago, they might've gained the Killing God Domain. But now…?
"Stay close!"
Chen Junting whipped out a soul-engineered tether, binding himself and Gu Tianchen together. With utmost vigilance, he shot forward—whoosh!—vanishing into the white light.
...
God Realm
Soft halos of light, like a mother's gentle touch, brushed against the ever-shifting clouds of divine energy—lending the ethereal space a strangely tangible beauty.
Under different divine laws, the realm was partitioned into distinct domains. In one area where the rules shimmered ocean-blue, and the mist carried the scent of the deep sea, a colossal divine palace stood faintly visible.
Nine-colored auras radiated from it—proclaiming its master's authority.
Inside, a man with flowing blue hair turned his gaze, his violet-tinged eyes piercing through dimensions—as if seeing everything.
"Brother San?"
The pink-gowned woman, whose scorpion-tail braid he'd been weaving, noticed his hands still. She turned, curious.
"Did something happen?"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)