Xu Tianxi casually waved at the Tongtian Baxia, wondering if this sea turtle soul beast would be like Xu Sanshi's Golden Tortoise, secretly a hundred-thousand-year-old treasure beast in disguise.
Unfortunately, although the Tongtian Baxia nodded in a very human-like manner, it didn't speak.
So much for hoping for a stroke of luck. Xu Tianxi sulked inwardly.
"As long as you understand us, that's good enough. My grandson and I don't need your soul ring, and we have no intention of refining you. We're just curious about what happened to you. So relax a little—I'll help treat your wounds."
Xu Xiaoyun pulled out a small jade vial, placed one hand gently on the Baxia's head, and dripped a glistening green liquid onto the cracks of its shell. A red mist immediately rose as it began reacting.
"Aaaagh! That stings! Be gentle, will you?!"
The Tongtian Baxia, who had been holding back, suddenly cried out in pain. Its massive body spasmed violently but was firmly restrained by Xu Xiaoyun's grip.
"Oh?"
Xu Tianxi's eyes lit up. He crouched beside the beast, smiling.
"So this gallant and tragically displaced turtle brother can speak after all?"
The sea beast, touched to encounter such a refined and perceptive human, raised its head to say something—but then hesitated, shrank its dragon head a little, and muttered:
"Handsome young human... about what I just said... Can we pretend that was a slip of the tongue?"
Xu Tianxi's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Of course... Not a chance."
That one line shattered the Baxia's hopes of playing dumb. Still smiling, Xu Tianxi said:
"Come, come—tell us how you ended up like this. We've got time, and who knows, we might run into each other again."
A talking high-tier sea turtle soul beast—adorable and intelligent. If soul spirit technology became available one day, he'd absolutely try to form a contract with one. The Tongtian Baxia Clan were the undisputed kings of sea turtles.
...Though hopefully they weren't devout followers of the Tang God King. If they were, he'd have to think twice.
The Tongtian Baxia drooped its head and sighed, looking pitiful.
"I honestly don't know. A few days ago, I was just munching on sea grass and sunbathing on an island like usual. Then out of nowhere, a terrifying Deep Sea Demonic Whale charged into our territory, kicking up a storm! Total chaos!"
"A bunch of us got injured or even killed and eaten. It's been ages since any sea soul beast dared attack our clan—but this thing? Completely insane. A slaughtering maniac!"
"We know all the local Demonic Whales, but this one was different. Her power far exceeded the 100,000-year Demonic Whales I knew. She's definitely a Ferocious Beast."
"I charged at her, tried to fight, but just one swipe of her tail nearly cost me my life..."
A Ferocious Beast-level Deep Sea Demonic Whale... targeting a species like the Tongtian Baxia, which was revered as an auspicious beast?
Xu Tianxi's mind flashed to a terrifying figure from the future: the Demonic Whale Empress, a million-year soul beast and future Holy Spirit Cult leader.
That whale had gone mad after her mate—the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King—was ambushed, blinded, and slaughtered by a certain self-proclaimed righteous faction. Without his protection, she went berserk, devouring other sea soul beasts to increase her strength.
Honestly, it was the former Sea God and the so-called Tang God King who had caused this. While the Whale King lay peacefully asleep at home, those hypocrites stabbed him in the eye, ripped his soul ring, and took his soul bone—triggering the catastrophe.
And as for blaming her for eating sea soul beasts to grow stronger? Ridiculous. The Whale King never even left the house! Lazy as he was, even the Demonic Great White Shark Xiao Bai used to mock him for waiting around with his mouth open for prey to deliver itself.
A whale that doesn't eat meat? What kind of whale is that?
And really—just killing a soul beast is fine. People kill for rings and bones all the time. But labeling that as evil? Now that's disgusting.
On the Douluo Continent, even the gentlest herbivorous soul beast has chewed on a few Blue Silver Grass strands, right?
...Okay, maybe not the picky ones. Some high-bloodline beasts wouldn't touch low-nutrient plants.
While Xu Tianxi ranted mentally, the Tongtian Baxia couldn't stop venting either. Once it started, it poured out everything it'd suffered over the last few days.
"You wouldn't believe how strong that evil whale was! Right after the attack started, two of our 100,000-year elders rushed to help, but even together, they couldn't defeat her!"
"Then my father—who's transcended two heavenly tribulations—came out to fight her. And he still couldn't win! Only after several more elders joined did we manage to stabilize the situation."
"Us younger ones couldn't withstand the shockwaves, so my father tried to teleport us away with spatial magic—but that demon whale interrupted the spell! My grandfather, Tongtian Baxia Ancestor, had to step in to stabilize the portal. That's how I ended up here..."
The sea turtle gritted its teeth, hatred burning in its eyes. It was clear—if it had the strength, it would rip that Demonic Whale apart.
Snorting furiously, it continued, switching to ranting about the Evil Soul Masters:
"I'd just woken up on a nearby island last night when a group of those creepy, black-robed human soul masters found me!"
"I may have 90,000 years of cultivation, but my body's still in pieces. I'm half-dead. Those bastards fired Fixed Soul Cannon Shells at me the moment they saw me! Then they hunted me all day and night… sob... I'm so miserable..."
Xu Xiaoyun and Xu Tianxi exchanged looks.
Xu Tianxi (with his eyes):
Master Ancestor... he said his dad and grandpa are Ferocious Beasts. You believe that?
Xu Xiaoyun (nodding):
The Tongtian Baxia Clan is famous for longevity and auspicious aura. They descend from Baxia, one of the Nine Dragon Sons. Their racial talent rivals even the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan. It's not surprising to have two Ferocious Beasts in the lineage. The clan leader—called the Tongtian Baxia Ancestor—is said to be at least 600,000 years old.
Xu Tianxi:
So what do we do with this guy? We can't hurt him, right? If his elders show up, we're screwed.
"No problem," Xu Xiaoyun replied calmly.
"Our Xuanming Clan specializes in raising turtles. We love these old boys. If his elders come, we'll return him. If not, we can keep him around to ward off evil spirits at home. Doesn't take much effort."
He then pulled out a thick book and handed it to Xu Tianxi.
"Here, read this: our family's ancestral turtle-care guide."
Xu Tianxi squinted at the cover:
The Complete Guide to Nurturing Millennia-Old Turtles – Compiled by Generations of Xuanming Clan Heads
Flipping it open, it detailed everything from domestication to healing strange ailments. The book even listed old turtles the clan had raised in the past. Sometimes they'd shave bits off their shells to make herbal jelly—very nourishing.
"Ahem… dear human friends," the Tongtian Baxia interjected.
"I truly appreciate your help. I already sent a distress signal to my clan a day ago. I can sense that my elders are on their way. When they arrive, they'll definitely reward you."
The turtle, still recovering, sipped from Xu Xiaoyun's jade vial, slowly regaining strength. Its weak voice carried sincerity.
Xu Xiaoyun waved it off, righteously:
"There's no need to mention that. Those Evil Soul Masters who chased you are the scum of humanity. It's our duty to eliminate them."
Xu Tianxi's eyes sparkled. He reached out a hand in friendship.
"Oh elegant turtle brother, might we exchange contact info? I've long admired the Tongtian Baxia Clan. I'd love to stay in touch."
"Also, if you could tell us where that crazy whale is now, we'd like to steer clear. No need to get caught in the crossfire."
If that Demonic Whale could invade the Baxia's sacred ground and battle a 200,000+ year Ferocious Beast and several 100,000-year beasts, then even if she wasn't the Demonic Whale Empress, her power likely rivaled a Rank 98 Super Douluo.
Even Xu Xiaoyun furrowed his brows. His Black Tortoise Martial Soul allowed him to channel oceanic power and even challenge Limit Douluo—but against a top-tier sea soul beast?
"Of course!" the Tongtian Baxia said, touched.
"Our clan always welcomes guests. You saved me, so you're our friends now. I'll guide you next time!"
Tears welled in his eyes. So there were good humans out there! Not everyone drooled over soul rings and bones.
The elder clearly didn't need them, and the younger guy… he might, someday—but his fighting style was clearly spiritual and didn't match their soul rings.
Perfect. No reason to fear. Time to make friends!
"By the way," the Baxia added,
"My elders say that spirit-type soul masters often have weak bodies. Yours isn't bad, but there's room to grow. When my grandfather arrives, I'll ask if there's anything suitable to help you improve."
The turtle began to float casually in the water, radiating relaxed confidence.
Xu Tianxi muttered to himself—this 90,000-year turtle was way too naïve. Easy to fool. Then asked:
"So, when are your elders arriving?"
"Soon! I think in ten—"
"Ten minutes?"
"Nine, eight, seven…"
"Tianxi, watch out!"
Xu Xiaoyun suddenly shoved Xu Tianxi and the Tongtian Baxia aside. His body snapped around like a blade drawn from its sheath. Nine soul rings flared. He raised both hands, and behind him, a towering Black Tortoise projection rose—turtle body, serpent tail, awe-inspiring and divine.
"ROAR—!"
The Black Tortoise bellowed as Xu Xiaoyun clapped his palms together. A thousand-meter-tall tidal wave surged forth, shaped like a palm, crashing into a series of oncoming water tornadoes.
Far behind, Xu Tianxi clearly sensed terrifying spiritual fluctuations within Xu Xiaoyun's attack—far beyond his understanding. The Black Tortoise projection behind him felt like a real divine beast, exuding suppressive might.
"He didn't use a soul skill, but it had this much force. Was that a powerful battle technique?" he wondered.
BOOM—!!
The waves and tornadoes clashed. Xu Xiaoyun staggered back three steps midair, face grim.
"This aura… It's… your grandfather?"
The Tongtian Baxia peeked its head out and recognized the figure among the storm:
"That's my grandfather — the Tongtian Baxia Ancestor!"
"Then go stop him! We don't want to get friendly fire from your 'thank you gift'!"
"Don't worry—this is how we Baxia say thanks. We 'get along' with our benefactors."
He patted Xu Tianxi on the shoulder with a dragon-clawed flipper, perfectly calm