Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 87: The Fourth Soul Ring

Although the Ironfeather Tiger Hawk had returned, Yang Zhentian made no immediate move; instead, he continued to wait.

Seeing his son's confusion, Zhentian explained, "Potian, remember this: hawk-type soul beasts have better night vision than humans. If we act at night, the darkness limits us far more than it limits them. The best time to strike is at noon when the sun is brightest. The intense light is hard on hawk-type soul beasts, which makes it harder for them to respond as quickly."

"And for a flying soul beast like this, it's best to go for a single decisive strike. If we allow it the chance to escape, it'll be nearly impossible to track down again."

After hearing his father's strategy, Potian thought it over and realized the wisdom of his father's experience as a Soul Douluo. The two of them were hiding a good distance from the hawk's nest—over half a kilometer—so there was no danger of the Ironfeather Tiger Hawk sensing them from this range.

By the next day at noon, the hawk hadn't left its nest and was even resting. Zhentian hid his son in a secure spot and then began to stealthily approach the hawk's lair.

Although a ten-thousand-year tiger-type soul beast is highly sensitive to any presence, Zhentian carried Concealment Herb, allowing him to get within a hundred meters without detection. At that distance, the Ironfeather Tiger Hawk suddenly tensed, its ears twitching and nose testing the air, as if detecting a hint of danger.

One hundred meters was more than close enough for a Soul Douluo. Zhentian sprang up, his eight soul rings flashing, with his eighth soul ring—a ten-thousand-year ring—activating to launch his skill Shatter. His Soul-Breaking Spear now appeared capable of piercing through anything as he lunged forward with immense force.

Though the hawk reacted with startling speed, it couldn't entirely evade. Zhentian didn't target its body directly but instead aimed at its wing, shattering part of it with his devastating strike.

The Ironfeather Tiger Hawk let out an agonized screech as one of its wings was severely torn. In its fury, it lunged at Zhentian with its claws, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he met its attack head-on, his spear colliding with the hawk's talon and puncturing it deeply.

Realizing it was outmatched, the hawk attempted to flee. Zhentian, however, anticipated this and launched another swift series of strikes, each one landing with brutal precision. Before long, the hawk was covered in deep wounds, its blood staining the nest.

Even in its weakened state, the Ironfeather Tiger Hawk demonstrated its ferocity and dominance. With a final roar, it prepared to unleash a desperate self-destructive move. But Zhentian quickly countered, activating his fifth skill, Pierce, and with an incredible blow, his spear shattered through the hawk's core, piercing it fully. Severely weakened, the hawk lay gasping, its remaining eye dimming as the final spark of life faded from its body. A black soul ring floated above its fallen form.

"Potian, hurry! It's done," Zhentian called, signaling his son to come over.

Potian rushed over to the hawk's nest.

Zhentian gave him a serious look. "Potian, this Ironfeather Tiger Hawk's soul ring is around 12,000 years old. Once you start absorbing it, there's no turning back. If you fail, best case, you'll be crippled; worst case, you could die."

Looking determined, Potian met his father's gaze. "Father, I've prepared for this moment. I won't back down. I know I can succeed."

Zhentian saw his son's unwavering resolve and nodded. "All right, Potian. Begin the absorption—I'll stand guard."

Potian summoned his Soul-Breaking Spear, aiming it at the hawk's eye. Even as it lay dying, the hawk let out a final growl, struggling to swipe at him with its remaining wing. Potian activated his third soul ring skill, thrusting his spear through its eye and into its brain.

With a final groan, the hawk went limp, and its remaining eye faded. A deep black soul ring appeared above its corpse.

Potian sat down beside the hawk's body, preparing to absorb the ring. As the ring's energy entered his body, it unleashed pressure far beyond that of his previous soul rings. In his mind, he envisioned a spectral Ironfeather Tiger Hawk, which pounced at him with ferocious might.

Potian's entire being felt like it was trapped in a hellish blaze, every fiber on the brink of destruction. Gathering all his mental strength, he concentrated it into his Soul-Breaking Spear. In his mind's eye, a massive spectral spear appeared, its piercing aura shattering the tiger hawk's image as it lunged at him.

The hawk's apparition dissolved, its essence seeping into Potian's mind and amplifying his mental energy. Gradually, the black ring settled into his spear, the process taking over seven hours before his body finally steadied.

However, Potian sensed something was amiss. His back was burning with an intense pain, as if something was breaking free from within. With an unbearable ripping sensation, two structures burst from his back—wings resembling those of the Ironfeather Tiger Hawk.

He had gained an external soul bone: Hawk-Tiger Wings.

(End of Chapter)

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