Chapter 17: The Nine-Nether Azure Luan Battles Two Alone

“The two below are merely soul beasts just entering their hundred-thousand-year stage; naturally, I have no fear,” Jiuyou Qingluan declared proudly.

There are distinctions even among hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Jiuyou Qingluan meant that those with ordinary bloodlines at that level he could overwhelm one-on-one, win against two, and draw against three. This was the confidence of a naturally born, genetically enhanced soul beast.

Now, with Qian Wenyu as a formidable support, dealing with the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python—both hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—was almost effortless for Jiuyou Qingluan.

Hearing Jiuyou Qingluan’s confident reply, Qian Wenyu nodded in satisfaction and pointed ahead. “Then let’s go, to the deepest part of the Starry Forest.”

“Huh?” Jiuyou Qingluan was momentarily stunned and asked with doubt, “Little girl, didn’t you want me to fight those two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts below? Why head to the deepest part instead?”

Qian Wenyu placed one hand on her hip and gently touched her chin with the other, her voice light and clear. “I’m more curious about what’s in the deepest part of the Starry Forest. Those two soul beasts can wait until we come back.”

Jiuyou Qingluan fell silent for a moment. After inwardly scorning Qian Wenyu’s impulsiveness, he spoke again. “That place won’t run away. Why not catch those two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts first, then go? What will you do if they escape while we’re gone?”

Qian Wenyu pouted, crossed her arms, and turned away with a cold snort. “This princess won’t cry!”

Still, she agreed that Jiuyou Qingluan’s reasoning made sense and resolved to capture the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python before anything else.

Pointing to a distant lake, Qian Wenyu said, “Jiuyou, let’s go over there.”

Hearing this, Jiuyou Qingluan bent forward and flew toward the lake.

Over by the lake, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, both hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, had long noticed Jiuyou Qingluan hovering high above. But soul beasts of their caliber usually respected each other’s territories and rarely engaged in conflict. Therefore, they paid him little mind.

They didn’t expect Jiuyou Qingluan to be an anomaly—recently emerged from underground—who would not abide by the unspoken rules among hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, especially with the human Qian Wenyu accompanying him, making him even less restrained.

Seeing Jiuyou Qingluan fiercely approach, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape realized he was here to cause trouble, and judging by his aggressive demeanor, he might even be ready to fight to the death.

They couldn’t understand why this feathered, glowing blue creature had suddenly appeared in their territory, as they remembered no such soul beast in the Starry Forest.

Though puzzled, they knew better than to dwell on this now. Facing Jiuyou Qingluan’s ferocity, they braced themselves to the fullest.

The Azure Bull Python, with a bull’s head and serpent’s body, rose from the lake. Its massive black-blue serpent body was impressive, and its bull’s head alone spanned over four meters in diameter, with two enormous sharp horns and eyes glowing like lanterns.

“Lethargic Domain,” boomed the Azure Bull Python, releasing a powerful wave of soul energy that spread in all directions.

Immediately after, the Titan Giant Ape, a mountain-sized beast, pounded its chest several times before slamming its fists hard onto the ground, its deep voice resonating:

“Gravity Control Domain.”

In the air, as Jiuyou Qingluan neared the lake, he suddenly felt his speed slow, as if something was holding him back fiercely.

Then, he sensed a heavy gravitational force pressing down on him, like a mountain weighing upon his body.

The dual control domains cast by the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape greatly hampered Jiuyou Qingluan’s speed, causing his charge to fail without result.

“Only you have domains? Then taste my Jiuyou Domain!” Jiuyou Qingluan’s temper flared, azure eyes flickering with teal flames.

As soon as the Jiuyou Domain activated, the sky around the lake shifted to a deep blue, as if dragged into another dimension.

Within this spiritual domain, the Jiuyou wind raged, fanning the flames of the Jiuyou fire. Wherever the flames passed, the lake water dried up and no grass could grow. Amidst the air, the Jiuyou water tilted downward, creating a purified void.

This was a battle of domains. Clearly, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape’s domains were inferior, swallowed by Jiuyou Qingluan’s Jiuyou Domain.

Qian Wenyu watched Jiuyou Qingluan’s overwhelming display, fighting two opponents alone without losing ground, and felt grateful she had decisively used the divine power and the Authority of Rock left by her master to seize him.

Such a mighty soul beast far surpassed even the support Tang San had; she was truly amazed.

Qian Wenyu’s moment of pride was cut short as the Titan Giant Ape, relying on its formidable defense, positioned itself in front of the Azure Bull Python, who was charging up a powerful attack. Immediately, she activated her Rock God Domain, unwilling to give the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts any chance to counterattack.

“Heavenly Motion of Ten Thousand Phenomena!”

Once Qian Wenyu’s Rock God Domain was triggered, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape were thoroughly weakened. The Titan Giant Ape struggled to withstand the assault of wind, fire, and water within the Jiuyou Domain, while the Azure Bull Python’s charged attack slowed considerably.

At that moment, a celestial star plummeted from the sky. The two beasts braced for impact, confident the falling boulder posed little threat.

Unexpectedly, the boulder crashed down between them.

What shocked them further was the energy wave that burst forth upon impact. The instant it touched them, they found themselves immobilized—unable to move, use soul power, or launch any attacks. Their defenses dropped to zero; if attacked now, they could only rely on their physical strength to endure.

With Jiuyou Qingluan present, Qian Wenyu’s role was clearly supportive. Her Heavenly Motion of Ten Thousand Phenomena was merely a light scratch to soul beasts at their level. All she needed was to petrify the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, leaving the rest to Jiuyou Qingluan.

“Jiuyou, the petrification lasts only three seconds. I’m counting on you now. If they’re not dealt with within that time, I’ll unleash Heavenly Motion of Ten Thousand Phenomena again.”

Facing foes with vastly superior strength, Qian Wenyu’s petrification duration was reduced from five to three seconds. Yet she remained confident; once the effect expired, she could reapply it at will within her Rock God Domain, which had no limit on uses.

Then, spreading her silver wings, Qian Wenyu flew away from Jiuyou Qingluan’s back, giving him full space to unleash his power.