Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Capturing the Sky Dream Iceworm
Yang Podi secretly exclaimed to himself, "Not good!" This SkyDream Iceworm must have woken up long ago. It probably noticed him when he used the Asura Demon Sword to locate it.
A wave of regret surged in Yang Podi's heart. The SkyDream Iceworm's strongest soul skills were its spiritual detection and spiritual interference. As a million-year soul beast, its spiritual power was even stronger than his own. No wonder he had fallen for its trap.
The white object wrapped tightly around Yang Podi. This object radiated a strong divine aura and seemed to be the SkyDream Ice worm's molt.
At the same time, a massive spiritual shock invaded Yang Podi's mind. Even with his current demigod-level strength, a trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His mind seemed to have suffered some kind of tremor, and an enormous iceworm appeared in his consciousness, as though it was about to shatter his soul.
Gritting his teeth, Yang Podi ignored the tremor in his mind. His entire body suddenly glowed red, enveloping the heavens and earth in light—this was the Asura God's radiance.
But even with the immense power of the Asura God's radiance, a divine-level domain, it couldn't penetrate the Dream Ice Silkworm's molt surrounding him. The molt was indeed left behind when the SkyDream Iceworm became a god.
Yang Podi gripped the Asura Demon Sword with both hands and unsheathed it. A dazzling red light spread across the sky, making the world seem as though it was submerged in a sea of blood.
Then, Yang Podi mustered all his strength and slashed at the SkyDream Iceworm's molt, splitting the white object into two.
However, as Yang Podi emerged from the molt, everyone around him seemed puzzled. They all wondered why Yang Podi had suddenly attacked.
Seeing the confusion in their eyes, Yang Podi seemed to realize what had happened. "Oh no! The SkyDream Iceworm must have escaped!"
Everyone was baffled. Snow Emperor quickly asked, "What just happened? We've been here the whole time and didn't see the SkyDream Iceworm leave."
As Snow Emperor finished speaking, the SkyDream Iceworm's body became faintly illusory, and a burst of laughter echoed from the distance.
"You've all fallen victim to the Sky Dream Ice worm's spiritual interference. It has likely already fled. Let's chase it!"
Yang Podi immediately dashed in the direction of the laughter, and the others quickly followed. They hadn't expected the SkyDream Iceworm's spiritual power to be this formidable.
After the group had left, a phantom appeared within the ice layers. A block of cold ice began to transform, gradually taking on the form of an ice silkworm—the SkyDream Iceworm.
At this moment, the SkyDream Iceworm chuckled smugly, "Just a few mortals. I'm the first and only million-year soul beast in history. You think you can catch me?"
But before it could laugh any further, a blood-red sword light suddenly surrounded the SkyDream Iceworm. This light was filled with boundless killing intent, and even as a divine-level soul beast, the SkyDream Iceworm felt the threat of death.
At the same time, a massive yellowish cage appeared in the sky, trapping the SkyDream Iceworm. The cage was densely structured, so solid that not even a fly could escape. No matter how the Dream Ice Silkworm exerted its spiritual power, it couldn't break through the cage.
Yang Podi appeared within the ice layers with the others, smiling faintly as he addressed the SkyDream Iceworm. "Senior, you're indeed skilled. What a clever feint. You almost fooled me. As expected of a million-year soul beast."
The SkyDream Iceworm's expression darkened. "How did you know I hadn't left? You clearly chased after me earlier."
Yang Podi shook his head slightly. "In terms of spiritual power, you may surpass me, but your physical body is just that of an ordinary ice silkworm. You're slow and lack combat ability.
"With the Extreme North sealed off and everyone searching for you, leaving would mean certain death. Hiding here and waiting for an opportunity was your only chance of survival."
Hearing this, the SkyDream Iceworm gulped nervously. The young man before it was terrifying, having seen through all of its thoughts.
The SkyDream Iceworm tried using its spiritual power again, but the cage seemed imbued with special divine energy that completely immobilized it.
Yang Podi smiled faintly and said, "Senior, there's no point in struggling. This cage was specially crafted from extraterrestrial meteoric copper. It blocks spiritual power, and I've infused it with Asura divine power. With your strength, you can't break it."
The SkyDream Iceworm looked aggrieved, almost on the verge of tears, and turned to the Ice Empress for help. "Bing Bing, save me! I don't want to die!"
But the Ice Empress turned her head slightly, ignoring its plea.
Yang Podi addressed the SkyDream Ice worm, "Senior, there's no one here who can save you. I didn't capture you just for your soul ring and bones. Perhaps we can strike a mutually beneficial deal."
Before the SkyDream Iceworm could respond, Yang Podi turned to the Ice Empress and Snow Empress. "Our cooperation has been fruitful. I'll take the SkyDream Iceworm, and we'll split the remaining ten-thousand-year cold marrow in this cave evenly. Does that sound fair?"
Snow Empress nodded. "Agreed. This partnership has been mutually beneficial."
The Ice Empress hesitated before asking, "Yang Podi, this Ice Silkworm is a million-year soul beast and a divine creature of our kind. What do you plan to do with it?"
Yang Podi smiled and replied, "Rest assured, Ice Empress. I have no intention of killing it. I only wish to collaborate with it. Of course, if it refuses, I won't hesitate to take its soul ring and bones. A million-year soul ring is a rare treasure."
After some discussion, the remaining ten-thousand-year cold marrow was evenly divided, leaving each side with a substantial share.
Yang Podi couldn't help but marvel, "Just how much cold marrow has this SkyDream Iceworm consumed? Even the leftovers amount to over twenty portions. At this rate, the entire ice cave must have been filled with cold marrow, which it used to reach the million-year level. What a waste!"
Yang Podi instructed Yang Wudi, "Grandfather, take our share of the cold marrow. We can refine it into pills later. It should yield a considerable amount of elixirs."
Then he addressed the group, "This ice cave may no longer have any cold marrow, but it's still an excellent cultivation ground. Each of us should be able to raise our soul power by one level here."
The group nodded in agreement. The cave was indeed rich in spiritual energy, which explained the formation of so much cold marrow.
Yang Wudi collected the thirteen portions of cold marrow allocated to their group. Everyone then settled in to cultivate.
Meanwhile, Yang Podi stared at the caged SkyDream Iceworm, making it feel increasingly uneasy.
The SkyDream Iceworm nervously muttered, "Kid, don't come any closer. What are you trying to do? Help! Someone save me!"
Yang Podi calmly sat outside the cage, smiling as he said, "Senior, no one can save you now. You might as well cooperate with me."
The SkyDream Iceworm hesitated before saying, "Kid, is this how you ask for cooperation? Shouldn't you show some sincerity first?"
Yang Podi shook his head. "Isn't this cage my show of sincerity? Do you know how much effort it took to craft this? The extraterrestrial meteoric copper was hard to obtain, and I infused the cage with Asura divine power. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to contain a million-year soul beast like you."
"What do you think of this sincerity, senior? If you think it's insufficient, I have other methods. Judging by your body's unique properties and energy, I'm sure other high-level soul beasts could absorb your energy. If I trade you to the fierce beasts of the Star Dou Forest, I might receive quite a generous reward in return."
Hearing this, the SkyDream Iceworm began sweating profusely. Eventually, it spoke hesitantly, "Let's not go that far. Honestly, I think working with you sounds better. Those fierce beasts in the Star Dou Forest are way too violent. I wouldn't dare to mess with them."
"Senior," Yang Podi continued, "my Heavenly Academy is now collaborating with the Extreme North. As a member of the Extreme North, don't you think you should show some sincerity as well?"
The SkyDream Iceworm hesitated. "Why are you even cooperating with the Extreme North's soul beasts? Aren't you currently collaborating with Ice Empress and Snow Empress?"
Yang Podi nodded. "Our Heavenly Academy is located near the Extreme North, so we are practically neighbors. As the saying goes, 'A close neighbor is better than a distant relative.' Forming an alliance benefits both sides, allowing us to assist each other in times of external threats."
"Besides," Yang Podi added with a slight smile, "this is my first collaboration with Ice Empress and Snow Empress, and the content of our cooperation just happens to be capturing you."
The SkyDream Iceworm swallowed nervously. "What exactly do you want me to do? I don't want to die."
Yang Podi's expression turned serious. "It is said that when a Million-year soul beast sacrifices itself, it can form an intelligent spirit ring and potentially help a soul master create a second martial soul. Am I right?"
The SkyDream Iceworm's face was filled with panic. "Who told you that nonsense? That's complete rubbish! I'm just a normal soul beast. How could I possibly help a soul master form a second martial soul?"
"If that's just a rumor," Yang Podi said nonchalantly, "then I'll have no choice but to kill you and directly absorb your spirit ring and spirit bone. But that would be quite a waste."
"Kid," the Ice Jade Scorpion Emperor retorted, "even though you're powerful, I am still a Million-year soul beast. No soul master on the entire Douluo Continent has ever been able to absorb my spirit ring or spirit bone. The energy would surely cause their bodies to explode."
Yang Podi responded calmly, "Senior, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm a twin martial soul user, and with my Limit Douluo-level strength, I believe I can withstand the energy of a Million-year spirit ring."
With that, Yang Podi released his primary martial soul, revealing seven dazzling red spirit rings, each representing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. The sheer sight of them made the SkyDream Iceworm.
Finally, the SkyDream Iceworm softened its tone. "Kid, what exactly do you want from me? How do you want me to cooperate?"
Yang Podi smiled faintly. "Now that's the right attitude. Cooperation benefits both parties. My younger sister, Yang Tianyue, has just reached level ninety. If you were to sacrifice yourself to her, you could help her form a second martial soul. That would allow her to quickly reach level ninety-nine."
"Let me also mention," Yang Podi continued, "my sister is the heir of the Sea God. She has already completed the first seven of the nine Sea God Trials. Once she finishes the final two, she will become the new Sea God. When she ascends to the God Realm, she can resurrect you as a true divine beast, granting you eternal life."
Hearing these words, the Sky Dream Iceworm's eyes darted around, clearly attempting to devise an escape plan.
Yang Podi shook his head slightly. This SkyDream Iceworm had yet to experience the harsh lessons of the world or the torment it would endure ten thousand years later at the hands of the fierce beasts. Clearly, it was still unwilling to sacrifice itself.