It had been several days since they stepped into the Endless Desert. They had passed through the first area of the desert at some point yesterday. There had still not been a single sign of any of their marks.
Now that they had entered the second area, Tang Yuan had noticed subtle differences. The wind when it blew had increased in speed and intensity. The very air's energy density had increased slightly as well. Tang Yuan felt his normal cultivation benefited slightly from it.
Once more the duny sandscape had changed from what it was. Rocks, and rock formations had become evermore common as they moved. Some of them were massive mounds sticking out in the desert. Yet there was something about them that drew his eye.
Tang Yuan wondered if he was simply imagining that offness. Perhaps it was because of the reputation of this place. This territory was well known as a substantial source of metals. Including a number of exceedingly rare ones such as Meteorite Iron.
"Oasis in the distance we'll head there for our rest. Everyone prepare yourselves for anything." Tang Nuan commanded as she saw the welcome sight in the distance.
Tang Yuan found himself excited this would be their first Oasis. "How far off are we from it?" he asked his mother curiously.
"A few minutes, but we don't know the situation. A place like an oasis is a sizable target for humans, and soul beasts. So prepare for potential combat, or for us to leave in a hurry." Tang Nuan told everyone. As she already considered the worst possibilities that might await them.
As the group stepped from sand to greenery they were at full tension. Ready for anything that might await them in this long-awaited rest spot. More than one story had instilled the need for caution here.
They moved through the small area of prosperity with little issue. As they moved through the rare trees they came to the water. Not a single sign of an issue had made itself known yet. There seemed to be little life in the area either.
Tang Nuan stepped close to the water cautiously. "Dugu Bo can you help me with this?" she asked gesturing to the water.
Dugu Bo understood immediately that it was only right to be cautious. He moved crouching at the water as he caught water in a water skin. Bringing it to his mouth he drinks a sip of the water. As her circulates his soul power slightly, examining the water closely.
After some consideration of it and several minutes with nothing. "It doesn't seem to have been poisoned by anything." the poison master quickly assessed with his experience. So the water itself was not a trap they needed to be wary of. Though "hmm." he considered something for a moment.
Tang Nuan quickly noticed "Have you noticed something?" she asked trusting the notice of this experienced ally.
"The water is not poisoned I'm sure, but my instincts tell me something. I was being watched very discreetly only for about a moment." Dugu Bo said trusting his instincts that had been honed over the years. He very particularly didn't stare at the water to not alert the watcher.
Tang Nuan nodded a very careful and cunning one then. She considered probing the water with her soul power directly. "The problem isn't likely to be the creature itself. Instead, the real issue is dealing with it without damaging the water." The fact that it was hiding from them meant it couldn't kill them easily.
Tang Nuan considered it for a moment, an idea coming to her. "Then we will do that then. Gui Mei, I shall have you handle this then," she told the mostly silent member of their party.
Gui Mei nodded at her "Very well, Sister Nuan." he said simply, before waiting for her to continue her request.
Dugu Bu wondered what she had planned. "What did you have in mind exactly for this?"
So Tang Nuan laid out her plan to her companions. Each of whom found said plan rather risky and reckless. Though it would be rather effective as well.
Only a few minutes later Tang Yuan found himself alone next to the water. Wondering how exactly he became the one to have to do this. Oh, yes his mother came up with the plan he mused. Still, he didn't really feel worried considering the preparations.
As he tried to seem idly, inside the water he was being observed. The creature observed him carefully pulling its attention away. Then it noticed that this youngling was alone, and unguarded. Moving its long body from its lair slowly, and cautiously.
It sensed no one was looking at it, or paying attention. Immediately it took action rushing with high speed to the surface. Striking from the water in a swift strike aiming for a kill. If it didn't end this quickly it would have to run from the elders.
Tang Yuan suddenly grew surprised as a grey metallic beast burst out in attack. "Snake," he shouts out to everyone in an instant. He was slightly shocked at the suddenness of the attack, but not afraid.
Tang Yuan's shadow rippled like that of water suddenly. The snake found itself suddenly grasped by someone with terrifying strength. Instantly it was forced to the ground powerless to resist.
The creature found itself shocked at the sudden turnaround. Its gaze found the one who did it a human with a chilling aura. His body was emerging from the little one's shadow. What was this human, he smelled like death.
Gui Mei restrained the serpent unflinchingly his soul Douluo strength easily holding it. Waiting for them to tell him what to do with this one. He dragged the remaining part of its body from the water.
Dugu Bo had already begun moving when he heard the word "snake." It meant a possible spirit ring for his son after all. Yet he also couldn't say anything if it was killed, after it tried to kill one of them. So he moved fast to stop its immediate death if necessary.
Gui Mei had already restrained the snake keeping its neck in his grasp. He turned his mostly stoic gaze to Dugu Bo as he approached. "Will this one suffice?" he said holding it toward him, even as it tries to wrap itself around him.
Dugu Bo found himself relieved that the snake was still alive. He began to examine it carefully to determine the worth. A metallic grey type body that seemed to be like iron or steel. It was more than a foot wide, and five meters long.
He could instantly identify the creature as a Greysteel Snake. A creature that held both a deadly poison, and a strong body. Its body grew for periods of time at first, and then compressed itself. Causing both body and poison to grow more potent. "Yes that one is an ideal choice, more than 2,000 years old I believe." he estimated the age of the beast.
The others approached now that the creature had been restrained. All of them heard the small conversation as it happened. Especially the fact that their first target had been acquired.
Dugu Xin quickly moved over close to his father ready to act. He waited for his father to give him the go-ahead to begin. An eye on the snake that would provide a soul ring for him.
Gui Mei moved closer with the snake as it tried to struggle. He simply held on to it preventing its mouth from getting free. Restraining it on the ground for a better chance for Dugu Xin.
Dugu Xin saw that and felt a slight touch on his shoulder from his father. He quickly crouched down next to the snake, and Gui Mei. Taking a breath to prepare himself he drove a dagger into the Greysteel Snake's head. Twisting the blade slightly to ensure the creature's quick death.
As the spirit ring emerged from the creature he let out a sigh as he relaxed. Then he turned to the now standing Xui Mei "Thank you Senior for your help." his expression was grateful as he looked at him.
Gui Mei merely nodded slightly and stepped back slightly. It was best not to be too close during the absorption process. Especially as an individual from another faction than them.
Dugu Xin immediately took a meditative stance as he began. The spirit ring began to circle him as he drew it close. The absorption process had begun, and how long it might last was unknown.
Dugu Bo stood by his son ready to help if it was needed. Once more he also stood ready should a threat become apparent. The common caution afforded when absorbing a spirit ring.
As the father and son concerned themselves with the spirit ring absorption. The others busied themselves with their own actions. Refilling their water skins for the ongoing journey to come. Setting up the camp for further travel in the shade of the trees.
It was several hours later that the soul ring disappeared as its energy was fully absorbed. Only a few minutes more as Dugu Xin finished his absorption completely. The purple spirit ring emerged from his body, as his first two joined it. The absorption had ended with success as he became a Soul Elder.
Tang Yuan and Bibi Dong moved over to check and congratulate him. Observing him closely he had changed slightly. He certainly seemed to be stronger than before at a glance. His cheeks held more color to them than before the absorption, at least for now.
"Brother Xin congratulations on your breakthrough to Soul Elder." Tang Yuan smiled as he congratulated his, acquaintance. Could he call him a friend yet?
"Congratulations Brother Xin on your breakthrough." Bibi Dong gave her congratulations to him as well. Then her face turned curious "What's your soul skill then?" she asked earnestly wanting to know.
Dugu Xin smiled at his friends, as he felt joy at becoming a Soul Elder. "Thank you Brother Yuan, thank you as well Sister Dong. Maybe I can show you my spirit ability?" he looks at his father questioning if he could do so.
Dugu Bo nodded his head slightly, at the rather childish request. His son had gained friends on this journey along with a spirit ring. On one hand that was a good thing to have possible friends and connections. He hoped that they would be good friends in the future.
Dugu Xin smiled at the approval of his father. He moved over to his friends to begin telling them with a smile. "It's Green Phospher Bite Strike, a bone-crushing bite that injects poison," he explains with a single sentence.
From there, they all rested at the oasis for the day. This time they had the snake for dinner, which was interesting. Snake was definitely something Tang Yuan never thought he'd have to eat. Yet somehow Dugu Bu and Chrysantheum managed to make it edible, and actually likable.
Their group resumed moving after their time asleep. They had ended their journey early this day when they came across the Oasis. Now they left early as well heading deeper into the desert. Then they could find the stronger beasts for their soul rings.
They pushed their camels forward as they examined the path ahead. The heat of the sun was being kept in check by the wind. Allowing them to continue pushing forward with little difficulty. At least that was the plan they had in mind, but instead.
Dugu Bo suddenly stopped moving sensing something was wrong. Tang Nuan was not much slower in sensing it. Something was wrong with this, very very wrong. Both of them looked at each other meaningfully before looking around. Trying to find why this sense of unease had manifested itself.
"Do you feel it, then Dugu Bo?" Tang Nuan asked her companion. Even as she rapidly raised her guard and looked around.
"Yes, something has placed its attention on us. Something much more dangerous than that little snake from before." Dugu Bo concluded. He felt like something was looking at him like prey, the intent to kill palpable.
Chrysantheum and Ghost both quickly assumed positions as well. Yue Guan assumed a position near the three children ready to defend them. Gui Mei prepared himself to move at a moment's notice if the enemy revealed themself.
"Where are they at exactly?" Dugu Bo asked as he couldn't determine its location. Definitely a powerful opponent then that could act discreetly. This small stretch of the desert was lacking a hiding spot. So either they were far away with good eyes, or "Above?"
They looked up trying to spot a possible enemy in the air. A few flying creatures made this place home. There was not a thing flying that could be seen at least. Which could only mean one thing. Everyone looked down at the ground beneath their feet with trepidation.
Tang Nuan in particular had a grimace on her face. Anything that had burrowed in the ground, and that could still have this effect. "It might be Golden Sand Crocodile, possibly," she said it would not be the worst possibility they might face.
"It could also be one of them." Dugu Bo on the other hand voiced the possibility they all dreaded. Those things were an absolute pain to deal with even with a vast strength difference.
Tang Nuan at the thought could only say "move very carefully forward then. If it surfaces we will determine our actions, but if I don't stop. Then none of you stop either until we escape, or I do." She said her face a visage of seriousness as she spoke her command.
Tang Yuan wondered what exactly they might be dealing with. Though he also knew now really wasn't the time. So he moved his camel along with theirs cautiously and slowly.
That was also when an explosion of sand occurred quite a few meters from them. The sand cloud obscured everything within its massive scope. Yet a shadow could be seen moving slightly within it. Something possessing a great many legs?
As the cloud cleared the creature was revealed in its full monstrous glory. Massive legs kept its body stable like support columns their were dozens of them on each side. Its body was about 60 meters long, divided into multiple segments. Sand fell from it in mass revealing a mainly black chitin with light red-stained parts. Its eyes locked onto them as its two pincers moved at its mouth.
"That's a centipede right. A very very large mean-looking centipede soul beast." Tang Yuan found himself in a stupor looking at it. The thing was the most terrifying living creature he had ever seen in person. It practically radiated oppression as nothing else had.
Tang Nuan grimaced at the sight of the beast "Enough talking everyone make a break for it now." she said barking the order as if their lives depended on it. "Now go, go now."
Tang Yuan supposed that their lives might in fact depend on it. So he properly pulled the reins as his camel moved faster than ever before. Perhaps the camel also realized the terror of the situation.
The others quickly followed his example as they moved as fast as possible. Tang Nuan brought up the rear as everyone else began moving. Looking back only a moment before retreating as well.
The creature looked at them running for only a few moments, and then it moved. Suddenly it changed from standing still to moving at terrifying speeds. All its legs, and its massive body made it seem like a runaway train. A train that would crush everything in its path to get to its meal.
Tang Yuan didn't need to look back to know that the monster was terrifyingly fast. Especially for something that was that size, and had such mass. "Somebody explain what that thing is please?" he kept his eyes on what was in front of him and focused even as he asked.
Dugu Bo who was the closest spoke "It's a Giant Sand Centipede rather a Giant Sand Centupede King most likely. They are one of the top predators of the eternal desert, and one of its major calamities." he explained in his normally calm voice quite hectic.
"Amongst centipedes, they are the strongest existence by a wide margin. That thing is a true Super Soul Beast without a doubt, and of high age. The fact it's carapace is turning red means it's close to 100,000 years old. Likely with cultivation above 90,000 years." he continued his frantic explanation.
It was an incredibly powerful creature then, and Tang Yuan could understand that. Yet was it so strong as to force four Soul Douluo to retreat from it. He supposed he could ask more after they ran from the dam thing.
The centipede accelerated slightly determined not to allow its prey to escape. It knew if it managed to consume even one of the strong ones! It would instantly gain a thousands of years' worth of cultivation. The thought sent it into a frenzy of palatable bestial hunger.
Tang Yuan gulped as he made the mistake of looking back at the thing. Definitely the scariest thing he had ever seen. At least the strongest that didn't bother restraining itself. He put more pressure on the reins to move even faster, but "we aren't going fast enough."
Chrysantheum looked back at the creature as well before responding. "These creatures could never outrun that thing. We just need to conserve our stamina as much as possible," the slightly childish senior said with a serious expression.
Than Yue Guan raised his hand in the air as his martial soul manifested. His Singular Velvet Sky Chrysantheum materialized floating in his hand. The yellow flower was a most fragrant plant even as the petals were as sharp as blades. "Let's stack the board." his normally childish tone was serious.
"5th Soul Skill Hurricane Receiving the Sky." as he spoke his martial soul released a wave of petals being sent at the beast. Like a petal tornado obscuring everything, except each petal was like a blade.
At first, the cloud of petals obscures the beast's visage from view. None of them relaxes well aware they can't afford to. Then the Giant Sand Centipede King re-emerged from the cloud as if it were merely a sand cloud.
"Tch, not even a scratch." Chrysantheum found that a bitter pill to swallow. He hadn't expected much, but that thing hadn't really even noticed the attack. "That really leaves a boo-boo on my pride."
Tang Nuan narrowed her eyes " Its exoskeleton is its defining feature, getting through that is no easy feat." she reminded them. That thing's defense was the strongest of all beasts outside the core region.
Tang Yuan looking ahead grimaced at a large rock formation. Without thinking much they split up going around the sides as quickly as possible. They couldn't afford to slow down even a smidge, but that should slow it down.
The creature simply kept barrelling forward at its full land speed. Crashing into the rock formation with unstoppable force. The sound was heard by all of them as they continued moving.
Looking back in time to see the rock formation broken into pieces. As the beast just keeps on barrelling forward after them. Tang Yuan supposes it might be madder now based on the screech leaving its mouth. It certainly sped up even more it was still unscratched.
Tang Yuan certainly could see how tough this thing was in terms of defense. Its ferocity was terrifying, but he wasn't sure about its intelligence. It was a being that seemed to barrel into anything in its path.
The centipede screeched in wrath as it continued its pursuit. This prey was annoying it was great riding on those weaklings. As rage gathered in its body, it halted its pursuit.
Tang Yuan noticed that the monster had stopped moving. "It's stopped moving," he yelled unsure of what it was planning, that was far too easy. The sense he got was that there was no way it would stop that easily.
The Soul Douluos immediately understood what was happening. That last bump must have driven it to a proper rage. They could no longer play it safe, all four moved from their camels. The children found themselves surprised as they were suddenly grabbed by the adults.
"Father." Dugu Xin exclaims in surprise at the sudden change. His father
"Senior Chrysantheum?" Bibi Dong asks as she was picked up from the camel. She quickly found herself being carried gently, but incredibly fast.
Their speed rapidly increased as the elders ran with their Soul Douluo physique. The camels meanwhile, found themselves without passengers suddenly. Confusion filled them even as they continued moving away. Trying to run to the sides away from that thing.
The centipede was uncaring of the sudden change, or the growing distance of its prey. As a faint red light began to gather in its mouth slowly. As moments trickled by the light grew larger and brighter.
Tang Yuan was being held by his mother allowing him to look back at the centipede. He couldn't help thinking about that old trope involving giant monsters. Suddenly pulling something like this out to attack, but could it really be that? As the light in the creature's mouth increases with distance "Is that really a beam attack?"
Suddenly the Giant Sand Centipede King's preparation came to an end. It closed its mouth for a moment before leaning forward slightly. As the beast's presence reached its peak a terrifying blast of power flew from its mouth. The red beam crossed a distance of nearly a hundred meters in mere moments.
As it did Tang Nuan, and the others sped up even further. The beam hit a dozen meters from them glassing the sand where it touched. As the centipede tried to adjust to hit the target, the meters of sand became glass. Until finally the beam lost its power after a few moments.
Tang Yuan had panicked as the beam fired afraid that it would mean their end. He saw why they had abandoned the camels, may they survive this. "So what exactly is the plan to escape that thing," he asked his mother. A powerful exoskeleton paired with a heat laser, so running really was best.
"At that level fighting it is like facing a hundred-thousand-year-old beast. Especially with the armor and that Heat Beam. Unfortunately, they are tenacious, that thing will follow us for a long time. Unless we find a way to leave it behind us." she told him as she kept a fast pace.
The centipede had already returned it's pursuit rapidly closing the distance. Annoyed that its attack didn't hit and weaken its prey. The beast realized it could not afford to use its attack again, those troublesome humans. It had hoped to kill the weaklings, believing the humans were slow.
As they continued running the soul masters knew they couldn't afford to keep this up forever. That thing would either catch up, or they would run out of stamina. Either way would lead to a dire battle, at least with the children present.
After half an hour of running a mountain had appeared, looming in the distance. "We can try to use that mountain to escape that thing." If the mountain were solid enough that thing would not be able to burrow through.
That was the plan they originally had in mind at first seeing the approaching Mountain. Yet as they got closer they noticed holes dotting the mountain. Caves carved into the massive mountain, and yet it didn't make sense for there to be so many.
Seeing creatures moving around the mountain at different points. They realized "that's not a natural mountain, that's an ant fortress." Dugu Bo spoke what they all realized first. That made things more tricky, but it also provided a chance to escape.
"We will infiltrate the ant mound to escape our pursuer." Tang Nuan said as each of them made a beeline for the mountain. She took a single look back the centipede had managed to close the distance during the chase.
The group rushes into one of the entrances of the ant fortress as they arrive. Finally, as they stopped moving the adults let Tang Yuan, Bibi Dong, and Dugu Xin down. They could take a proper breath now for at least a few moments.
"That was so much fun." Bibi Dong shouted as she smiled at the last few minutes. True it was also terrifying, but that made it exhilarating as well. "Let's do it again sometime without the giant centipede."
Dugu Xin found himself trying to calm down from that crazy event. He looked at Bibi Dong with wonder "Sister Dong is very brave."
"While I would like to say we can relax, we can't at least not yet. Come on we need to move deeper into the nest if we hope to escape." Tang Nuan immediately told them as she ushered them along. Before the centipede could catch up and siege the fortress.
Tang Yuan followed his mother as she began to move further. "With how easily it burst through a rock formation several meters thick. It could easily break parts of the mound open." The thought was rather concerning, but he had to consider the danger.
"This mound is incredibly durable, one of the strongest fortresses. Still, that beast will likely be able to penetrate the defenses with effort." Chrysantheum voices as they began moving through the tunnel. He kept his guard up only a matter of time before they met the inhabitants.
They quickly came to a divide of tunnels one going down. The others led throughout the mountain no doubt. The middle would lead them to a lower level of a maze of tunnels. Just as they considered that a loud bang resounded at the beginning of the tunnel.
"That would be our pursuer I would guess." Tang Yuan spoke guessing it was here. Then a loud racket only increased from the beginning of the tunnel. The Giant Sand Centipede King must have been trying to force its way in.
Looking back down the tunnel they found a terrifying sight. The giant centipede was attempting to force itself through the opening. However, the tunnel was too small and the material was strong. Making the centipedes' endeavor incredibly difficult. But they needed to move now right now before it broke through, or it used its Heat Beam to cut through.
Chrysantheum turned his head to one of the tunnels as he heard a sound. "Sounds like the inhabitants have been alerted to the centipede or us," he said not that it mattered, they were also intruders.
Tang Yuan felt tense as they entered the tunnel ready for battle his martial soul ready. It would only be a matter of time before they meet the ants.
As they moved deeper into the mountain, they found even more tunnels. Yet they tried to move deeper to get away from the centipede. Finally, the inevitable meeting that they had been dreading came about.
There were a dozen all a little smaller than the scorpion they faced days ago. Their carapace was a mix of red and black covering the entire body. Supporting their bodies were six short yet sturdy legs. Their eyes locked onto them with fierce killing intent.
Tang Nuan looked at them in consideration. That species was Armored Ants her husband had told her stories of them. They were worker ants the oldest was the equivalent of about 2,000 years old. They weren't overwhelmingly strong at this level.
"You three deal with those dozen by yourselves. We will step in if you need us to," she commanded the three children after looking at Dugu Bo considering it involved his son. Seeing him not say anything she commanded the children.
Tang Yuan supposed that this was more training. He activated his spirit abilities for the battle. "Dong'er would you start us off then?" he asked her.
Bibi Dong grimaced as she activated her martial soul. She had only gotten even more uncomfortable with the transformation. "Very well. First Soul Skill: Poison Cloud." Her voice turned cold and predatory. A small bubble of poison grows from her hands and mouth as she launches it.
The bubbles travel a few meters to the ants before bursting. As the bubble burst a sickly green cloud of poison spread. The cloud enveloped most of the ants save for those at the edges. After a few moments, the cloud fell apart disappearing. Yet the damage had been done the ants were poisoned now, and suffered for it.
With that opening move, they burst forward while there oponets were disoriented. Tang Yuan engaged one of the unpoisoned ants directly with his hammer. Keeping an eye on the others near him.
Bibi Dong rushed into the middle "Second Soul Skill: Poison Lance." One of her spider legs rose covered in green poison. The lance-like leg pierces the shell of an ant easily. A far more lethal dose of poison is injected into it. In mere moments the ant dies from the strike and poison.
Eleven remain Tang Yuan counts idly in his mind. He brings his hammer down on one of the weaker ants in several blows. Now ten he thought before returning his focus to the unweakened ant.
Dugu Xin unleashed his third soul skill "Green Phosphor Bite Strike." he rushes forward the shadow of his martial soul biting down on an ant. The bite injected poison even as it broke the ant with crushing force.
With the three of them acting they manage to eliminate half in mere minutes. Individually they weren't very strong, especially after being severely poisoned. Yet this was only twelve out of hundreds, thousands, or perhaps tens of thousands. Sheer numbers, and constant battles would be the greatest threats they faced.
Tang Yuan swung his hammer as his lightning flowed from it. The strike shocks an ant to death or it was crushed. This battle seemed to be ending soon, and yet this would only be the first of many more.
Elsewhere deep in the ant fortress a pair of crimson eyes opened. They observed the battle raging outside, and the invaders inside. Through the eyes of her subjects that would always be possible. "My children, my subjects we have invaders, threats to our home." she transmitted to her forces.