Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 36: The Titan Python

Seeing that his son was satisfied with his new spirit ring, Yang Zhentian said, "Son, let's head back now. We've been out here for a few days already."

"Dad, I'd like to stay a bit longer. I want to train here in Sunset Forest for a while," Yang Potian replied.

Zhentian raised an eyebrow. "You're already a Grand Spirit Master. You could go to the Spirit Arena for battles, which would be a much safer place to gain experience. Why train here?"

Potian hesitated, thinking, How could I tell him I'm looking for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Finally, he said, "Dad, when we came to the forest, I felt… well, I felt something very familiar, like something here is drawing me in."

Zhentian's interest was piqued. Before the Haotian Sect battle, Potian had felt something similar and insisted on leaving for Heaven Dou City, ultimately saving the family from serious losses. Was this another instance of that instinct?

"What exactly are you feeling, son? Could it be a spirit beast casting some kind of illusion on you?"

"Dad, if I'd been enchanted, wouldn't you, a Soul Sage, have noticed?" Potian retorted with a smile.

After talking it over, Zhentian finally agreed to stay and train a bit longer in the forest.

Potian recalled that the original story hadn't mentioned the specific location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, only that it was hidden by poisonous mists, some of which had been created by Dugu Bo. Potian figured that if he could find an area saturated with toxic gases, he might locate the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

And so, the two continued exploring Sunset Forest. Even as they ventured into the core areas, they found no trace of any place dense with poison. They did, however, encounter formidable spirit beasts, including some with power levels of seventy to eighty thousand years, which drove them to flee immediately. Such creatures were beyond the capability of a single Soul Sage to handle, and even a Titled Douluo might struggle with them.

They also frequently encountered ten-thousand-year spirit beasts, typically coming across several each day. Although they encountered plenty of powerful strength-based beasts, neither of them had any need for one at the moment, especially since Zhentian was only at the 76th level and would need years to reach Soul Douluo.

One day, as they passed a swampy area, both of them suddenly stopped.

"Dad, do you notice how strange it is here? Normally, a swamp like this would be full of spirit beasts, but here it's eerily quiet—not even the sound of insects."

Zhentian didn't reply at first but instead took Potian's hand, quietly backing them out of the swamp. When they were finally a safe distance away, he said, "Son, you're absolutely right. That swamp was very odd. There's something dangerous hidden in there."

Potian thought for a moment. "Dad, what if we throw a live spirit beast in there? That way, we'd know what's lurking."

"Good idea. Stay here. I'll catch a small spirit beast."

Zhentian soon returned with a Soft-Boned Rabbit, a common spirit beast in forests. Soft-Boned Rabbits reproduced quickly and were practically pests in some areas, though they were also a common food source for the people of Douluo Continent. After all, aside from their speed, these rabbits had few advantages.

Potian chuckled to himself, wondering how Xiao Wu and her mother managed to reach the ten-thousand-year level despite being such vulnerable creatures. Considering all the human and spirit beast predators after them, their survival in the perilous Star Dou Great Forest was quite miraculous.

Zhentian tossed the ten-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit into the center of the swamp as if he were throwing a javelin. The rabbit trembled as it landed, clearly sensing imminent danger.

All of a sudden, an enormous head emerged from the swamp, snapping up the rabbit in one bite. The creature's head alone was five meters wide, with eyes the size of lanterns and sharp teeth lining its maw. On top of its head were two small but formidable-looking horns.

"Dad, what is that thing? It looks terrifying," Potian whispered.

Zhentian swallowed hard. "It's a good thing we kept our distance. That's a Titan Python, one of the most powerful serpents. Judging by the size of its head, it must be at least a hundred meters long—perhaps even a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast."

Zhentian explained, "The Titan Python is usually lazy, preferring to lie dormant in cool, damp places. That entire swamp must be its territory, which explains why there's no other life around."

"Titan Pythons have immense strength, comparable to the strongest bear-type spirit beasts. They can even adjust their body temperature to blend into their surroundings, making it hard for even a Titled Douluo to detect them."

Potian shuddered, feeling a cold sweat break out. I didn't expect a creature like this to be hiding in Sunset Forest.

"If it's so powerful, why hasn't anyone tried to capture it, Dad? Hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts are incredibly valuable."

"Son, think about how vast that swamp is. There might even be a snake den below. Hunting it would be exceptionally dangerous."

"Dad, is the Titan Python poisonous?"

"Not particularly, and any poison it has is something we could easily counter. But son, why are you so interested in poison all of a sudden? If you'd like, I can teach you how to make poisons when we get back."

They decided to leave the area, putting some distance between themselves and the Titan Python. Even though they were far enough away that it couldn't sense them, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Once they had found a safe clearing, Potian's mind was racing. Although he had studied alchemy and poisons for two years, he had never actually practiced mixing them. He wasn't particularly interested in specializing in poison-making either, despite his father and grandfather's encouragement. After all, poison was deeply rooted in the family's heritage, and they hoped he would follow in that tradition.

"Son, maybe we should head home. It seems like Sunset Forest is even more dangerous than we thought."

Potian thought carefully before replying, "Dad, my main reason for being here is to search for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Zhentian was taken aback. "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? While ancient texts do mention it, no one has ever actually found it. And who's to say it's even in Sunset Forest?"

The Yang clan's ancient texts contained scattered references to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but they were vague, and many dismissed it as a myth.

(End of Chapter)

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