"It seems you're very lucky today," Tang Yin said to the three girls watching the skirmish unfold below, while Dugu Yan and Zi Zhenzhu still rested in his arms.
"I know about the Ice Devil Titan, but what are those two soul beasts? I've never even heard of anything like them back at the academy," Shui Bing'er asked doubtfully, her phoenix wings fluttering lightly.
Hearing her question, both Dugu Yan and Zhenzhu looked at Tang Yin expectantly.
The Red-Eyed Ice Toad was an extremely rare species said to be extinct, so it was natural that even Tianshui Academy knew nothing about it.
"These aren't ordinary soul beasts," Tang Yin explained. "They're super rare soul beasts possessing both Extreme Ice and Extreme Poison attributes.
At his words, Yan Yan and Zhenzhu's eyes lit up, and they stared eagerly at the two soul beasts locked in battle with the Ice Devil Titan.
Tang Yin continued, "From what I know, they also have a Fire attribute—though it's much weak in comparison to their Ice attribute. Their real strength lies in their potent poison, which is cultivated by absorbing the frigid energy of the heavens and earth."
"Whooo—!" The titan let out a pained roar. It had been tanking the poisonous duo's attacks for far too long, and the accumulating venom was now eating away at its strength.
Seeing that the Ice Devil Titan was already on its last legs, Tang Yin activated his Telepathy, locking onto all three beasts without even lifting a finger.
Vmmm—
In an instant, all three soul beasts froze in place, their eyes turning vacant—they were completely at his mercy.
"Wait for me!"
After gently dropping off the two girls, he shot into the sky. Telepathic waves rippled outward as he scanned the area for more powerful soul beasts with higher cultivation.
About fifty meters to the north, he detected a herd of Snow Mammoths—massive, ancient creatures. Many were decade-millennium old, and six of them had surpassed 50,000 years.
"Spirit Body—Release."
Being the merciful person who supposedly disliked violence, Tang Yin promptly crashed down and flattened six of the strongest mammoths with his Golden Fist, leaving the rest to flee for their lives.
With his body now strong enough to contain the soul power of a 500,000-year soul beast, absorbing six fifty-thousand-year mammoths wasn't nearly enough to cause an overload.
"My luck is off the charts today," he exclaimed upon seeing two soul bones among the dead corpses. "Well… I can only accept this blessing with open arms. Thank you very much," he muttered shamelessly.
Returning to his lovers, Tang Yin used Energy Conversion to elevate the three ten-thousand-year beasts to apex amongst the soul beasts, then began the sacrificial ritual.
The newly advanced 100,000-year Ice Devil Titan was sacrificed to Shui Bing'er, while the two Red-Eyed Ice Toads were sacrificed to Dugu Yan and Zhenzhu.
The two of them absorbed their soul rings in under two hours, proof of the astonishing density of their soul power, strengthened by both the Mysterious Heaven Technique and the Sea God's Trials.
"A domain?!"
Shui Bing'er's sky-blue eyes snapped open, shining with disbelief. "I—I got a domain-type skill! Tang Yin, I love you—mwah!"
The usually cold beauty grabbed his face, kissed him on the lips, and began hopping in excitement like an overjoyed child.
Tang Yin wasn't too surprised by her reaction; after all, he understood why. Bing'er had seen how much Yue'er's low combat strength had skyrocketed because of her domain.
Having a domain was like having a support-type soul master constantly buffing you—amplification, control, and soul skill all in one. Without a domain, you weren't simply fighting at your full potential.
"Tell me about your gains," Tang Yin chuckled, glancing at the two as he asked about their new soul skills.
Bing'er perked up excitedly before the others could speak. "I've reached Level 85! It must be thanks to the two level-increase rewards from the Sea God—I've advanced so fast. And my two skills are:
Ice Phoenix Domain: All enemies without the Extreme Ice attribute have their soul power reduced by 20% and their skills weakened by 25%. But that's not all—my Ice-type skills also receive a 50% amplification.
Ice Devil Titan's Wrath: I can now summon a gigantic frost-arm of the Ice Devil Titan that slams down on enemies within a 300-meter radius, crushing them completely."
Tang Yin shivered at the thought, imagining all her future enemies—and silently mourned for them in his heart.
Dugu Yan grinned, stepping forward to explain. "I've reached Level 86 and also gained two powerful skills:
Ice & Fire Crystal: Ice and fire venom interact to create crystalline shards that erupt from the ground, immobilizing all enemies for at least 10 seconds. This attack also deals damage that ignores enemy defense boosts.
Venom Blast: My Jade Phosphorus Serpent Emperor can unleash a combo of Ice and Fire Poison on enemies, turning their blood into a corrosive mixture that simultaneously burns and freezes them—then boom! They explode."
Tang Yin's eyes widened dramatically, and he muttered in mock terror, "So scary! Women… don't you want to get married?"
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes playfully at his bad acting. "You're immune to poison, or I'd have let you experience it firsthand."
At that moment, Zi Zhenzhu's eyes snapped open—having just finished absorbing her soul ring. She couldn't contain herself any longer and blurted out, "My turn! I've reached Level 84, but I only gained one skill this time:
Ice-Fire Venomserpent's Corkscrew: I can create a pillar of blistering fire in the center of an icy whirlpool, which corrodes enemies and turns them into ice blocks."
Tang Yin shook his head regretfully. "It seems that even with a sacrifice, there's no 100% chance of gaining 2 skills—just like Tang Hao."
He paused, reflecting, then muttered his own assumption aloud. "It's probably because Dugu Yan's Ice & Fire Soul Core is similar to the Red-Eyed Ice Toad's innate skill. Since Zi Zhenzhu only has Ice and Poison attributes, she gained just one skill."
Bing'er and Zhenzhu pondered briefly and nodded in understanding, while Dugu Yan didn't care about the reason—being strong was what mattered most to her.
---
The next day,
Tang Yin and the three girls regrouped with the others, and the group resumed their journey toward the Star Dou Forest.
The girls were growing restless—they had heard of the three girls' harvest and were eager to become stronger as quickly as possible.
The trip stretched on for two long weeks, with the dense forest gradually drawing closer on the horizon, its familiar outline stirring memories of past adventures.
They watched Tang Yin's steadfast back and couldn't help but feel fortunate. It was because of him that their progress had been so rapid, their potential unlocked far beyond what they could have achieved alone.
He had reshaped their fates, making them stronger, braver, and more capable than they had ever imagined, offering them the chance to truly flourish—
With that thought, they continued following Tang Yin, who used his Telepathy radar to locate suitable soul beasts and control them, carefully avoiding any unnecessary fights.
It wasn't that he didn't want to fight, but he couldn't risk getting his lovers killed—the forest was teeming with powerful beasts.
'Plus engaging with a powerful beasts could draw the attention of Gu Yuena and her loyal bodyguard, Di Tian, who rested deep within the forest's center.' He thought inwardly.
He was certain his body wouldn't withstand either their spatial attacks or the divine and law-based powers comparable to a god.
Shaking his head Tang Yin's eyes gleamed with ambition. "Once I become a god I'll be unstoppable. Who can stop me? None."
Just like usual, Tang Yin expertly controlled the suitable beasts, absorbing the soul powers of higher-aged beasts to enhance the weaker ones to an apex-tier soul beast.
He discovered so many rare and powerful beasts that even he felt a pang of envy—but his love for his companions stopped him from hoarding them all for himself.
Three days later, nine 100,000-year-old soul beasts followed the group, their massive forms casting long shadows over the forest as they reached more than ten kilometers away from the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Tang Yin didn't hesitate and commenced.
The first sacrifice went to Xiao Wu: the Three-Eyed Charm Fox. After absorbing she became a level 85 Soul Douluo and gained two skills:
Charming Gaze, Traps enemies in a fatal dream when they make eye contact. She can instantly Kill weaker enemies with her gaze.
Quadruple, Creates four clones with 90% of her strength, sharing information in real time. Each clone can wield two of her soul skills. It takes 20% of soul power to activate.
Next, the Phantom Moon Rabbit—a Shadow-type beast—sacrificed to Zhu Zhuqing under Xiao Wu's scrutinizing gaze. When the surge finally settled, Zhuqing stood as a Level 86 Soul Douluo, the soul rings granting her two new soul skills:
Phantom Armor, Darkness envelops Zhuqing, reducing physical damage by 50% and all elemental damage by 25% for three hours.
Phantom Strike, She disappears from enemy perception completely; only foes with 300% greater mental power than Zhuqing can detect her. Her soul power sustains this state until the first strike begins.
The Nine-Colored Deer— a sacred-attribute beast—was sacrificed to Ning Rongrong. She also reached Level 85 but gained one skill:
Divine Light Protection, Transforming into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda allows her to block nine attacks from soul skills under the ninth soul ring. The attacks' is absorbed and converted into her protective aura.
Afterwards, the Stone Golem King, an earth-attribute beast, was sacrificed to Meng Yiran. Her cultivation reached Level 86 but she was also unlucky to be granted with one skill:
Earth Dragon Golem, She can summon giant golems that consume 5% of her soul power. They control the earth to attack and defend but last for only fifty minutes.
The Sacred Emerald Swan was then sacrificed to Ye Lingling whose level shot upto 85 and granted her a support skill:
Soul Power Recovery, Increases allies soul power recovery by 45%, scalable with her soul rings. Costs 7% of her soul power per use. Her soul skills followed her unique 1:5 soul power cost ratio.
A 100,000-year-old Iron-Horned Bear was sacrificed to Xiao Mei, pushing her cultivation to Level 86 and imbued her with a soul skill—
Meteor Horn, Her head grows a metal horn with unstoppable piercing power and a ten-second, 500% body reinforcement.
Even soul beasts Tang Yin coveted most were not spared like the swiftest Azura Peng was sacrificed to Bai Chenxian, raising her to Level 85 and granted her a soul skill—
Azura Rush Strike, Grants flight and agility matching the fastest beast, enabling strikes that pierce through with sheer swiftness rather than raw power.
The Flame Lord which is same as Yan's Martial Soul was sacrificed to Huo Wu. Her level rose to Level 85 and she gained one skill:
Volcanic Transformation, allows Huo Wu to become the colossal Flame Lord, unleashing devastating attacks that combine Extreme Earth and Ultimate Fire attributes.
Finally, the Silver Bloodhound, a Spiritual-type beast, was sacrificed to Tang Yuehua, raising her to Level 85 and granted her one skill:
Wailing Hymn, a one-time, soul-shattering attack that can instantly kill and absorb the enemies' soul power.
With each sacrifice, the forest seemed to wail, and the power of Tang Yin's companions surged, their combined strength reshaping the very conception of strength in the Continent.