Er Ming stood there, looking completely miserable.
He didn't want to apologize, but he also didn't want to upset Xiao Wu.
So, he just stood there, awkwardly frozen in place.
Da Ming Steps In
Seeing this, Da Ming sighed and decided to step in.
"Er Ming, focus your senses. This human's spirit rings—none of them come from hunted soul beasts."
"If I'm not mistaken, you've inherited some soul beast bloodline and can condense innate spirit rings yourself, right?"
Er Ming blinked in shock.
He leaned closer to Tang Lan and took a deep sniff.
Then, his eyes widened in disbelief!
「There's no resentment from soul beasts?!」
「Is this human… also a soul beast?!」
「Wait, no!」
「He doesn't have the aura of a hundred-thousand-year-old beast…」
「Could he be… half-human, half-beast? The offspring of a human and a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast?!」
Tang Lan: 'Bro, Are You Insulting Me?'
Tang Lan's eyebrows twitched violently.
Everything Er Ming said was technically true, but why did it sound like an insult?!
Or maybe…
Was Er Ming talking recklessly because he thought Tang Lan couldn't understand him?
With how blunt Er Ming was, that was totally possible.
At the same time—
Tang Lan was impressed by Da Ming's keen insight.
After just a short interaction, Da Ming had already figured out 80-90% of the truth.
So, Tang Lan stopped pretending.
He directly summoned his martial soul and revealed his six spirit rings.
Red!
Red!
Red!
Red!
Red!
Red!
SIX 100,000-YEAR SPIRIT RINGS!
Da Ming, Er Ming, and Xiao Wu were all completely dumbfounded!
Da Ming & Er Ming: 'WHAT THE HELL?!'
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!!
Even putting everything else aside—
How was it even possible for a first spirit ring to be 100,000 years?!
Even Xiao Wu, who knew Tang Lan's background, was shaking with disbelief.
"B-Brother!" Xiao Wu stammered. "Did you… strengthen your body to the 100,000-year level?!"
Tang Lan's Ultimate Flex
Tang Lan didn't answer verbally.
Instead, he revealed his luxurious spirit bone set.
Da Ming, Er Ming, and Xiao Wu froze in shock again.
Er Ming: 'ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!'
This wasn't just overpowered—
This was downright ridiculous!
Eight spirit bones?!
Six external spirit bones?!
Two 100,000-year spirit bones?!
Even soul beasts were doubting their own existence at this point!
After a long silence—
Da Ming, ever the composed one, sighed deeply and muttered—
"Human, you have the potential to become a god."
Tang Lan's Divine Revelation
That was just Da Ming speaking his thoughts aloud—
But…
"Potential?"
"Heh."
Tang Lan activated his Life Mark, letting its brilliant life energy radiate outward.
Da Ming was instantly entranced by the glow.
Then, Tang Lan spoke—
"I have already received the acknowledgment of the Life God King."
"Once I reach Rank 99, I will inherit the God of Fate and become a First-Class Deity."
Da Ming: ヽ(ー_ー)ノ
Er Ming: (﹃)
Xiao Wu: (ω)
Xiao Wu's Excitement
Xiao Wu rushed forward and threw herself into Tang Lan's arms.
"Brother! Is it true?" She looked up at him with wide eyes. "You really received the Life God King's acknowledgment? You'll become a god at Rank 99?"
Tang Lan nodded firmly.
"Woooohooo—" Xiao Wu cheered excitedly, hugging him tightly. "That's amazing! My brother will definitely become a god! Hehehe—"
Da Ming & Er Ming: Existential Crisis
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged complicated glances.
For soul beasts…
Becoming a god was impossible.
Yet, something that was forever out of their reach was so effortless for Tang Lan.
The contrast was…
Hard to accept.
A Gift for Xiao Wu
Tang Lan ignored their inner struggles.
Once Xiao Wu calmed down, he took out a special immortal herb.
A pure white flower, glowing with a soft luster—like a pristine lotus floating on water.
Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone
Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with fascination at first sight.
"This is the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone," Tang Lan explained. "It strengthens muscles and bones, clears meridians, and enhances internal energy flow. Just eat the petals first, then absorb the nectar with internal energy."
Xiao Wu pouted slightly.
"Brother, this flower is so pretty… Do I really have to eat it?"
"If you don't eat it, you'll have to level up on your own." Tang Lan shrugged. "Want me to come back for you in a few years instead?"
Xiao Wu: NOPE!
The thought of waiting years to reunite with Tang Lan made Xiao Wu's ears droop.
Without hesitation, she popped the petals into her mouth and drank the nectar.
A surge of powerful medicinal energy spread through her body, making her skin glow with a faint jade hue.
She quickly sat down cross-legged to absorb the energy—
Her aura slowly rising.
Setting Up a Protective Barrier
Tang Lan waved his hand.
A blue-purple soul barrier—the Seagod's Soul Shield—enveloped Xiao Wu, protecting her from outside interference.
Then, he turned to Da Ming and Er Ming.
Time to make some moves.
A Serious Topic, But Why Is He Smiling?
Tang Lan asked casually, "Da Ming, Er Ming, you two haven't undergone your hundred-thousand-year tribulation yet, right?"
Da Ming nodded and answered—
"After reaching a hundred-thousand-year lifespan, we must undergo the tribulation within a thousand years."
"Most of us choose to face it at year 999, when we have the best chance of survival."
Tang Lan's lips curled into a confident smile.
Got them.
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged confused glances—
Why is he smiling about something this serious?
The Forbidden Truth About Soul Beasts
Tang Lan leaned forward slightly.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, you both know that Dragon God forbids soul beasts from becoming gods, right?"
Silence.
Upon reaching a hundred-thousand-year lifespan, they had both learned of this cruel rule.
But…
What could they do about it?
A Tempting Proposal
Tang Lan spoke slowly—
"I've created a new type of spirit ring, called a Soul Spirit."
"A Soul Spirit allows a soul beast's spirit to merge into a soul ring and co-exist with the host."
"If the host ascends to godhood, the soul beast naturally transforms into a divine spirit."
As he finished speaking, he activated his Life Mark, letting its divine radiance shimmer.
No more words were needed.
Er Ming: The Immediate Rage Quit
Da Ming's eyes flickered with realization.
But Er Ming exploded in anger!
「You despicable human!」
「You want to turn us into your spirit rings?!」
「I knew it! Humans can't be trusted!」
「All humans deserve to die!!!」
"Buzz—"
Er Ming unleashed his Gravity Control Domain, focusing a hundredfold pressure onto Tang Lan!
The stones beneath Tang Lan's feet shattered instantly.
But Tang Lan didn't even flinch—
Only a faint golden glow flickered across his body.
Unbreakable Vajra Body!
Then, he stepped forward with his left foot.
"BOOM—"
A white shockwave spread out, completely nullifying the gravity domain.
Meteor Annihilation Step!
Da Ming Shuts It Down
Er Ming was about to go berserk—
"Enough!" Da Ming's voice boomed. "When will you learn to stop acting rashly?!"
Er Ming looked at Da Ming in disbelief.
「Big Bro! This human wants to make us his spirit rings, and you—」
"It's a Soul Spirit!" Da Ming emphasized. "Stand aside and listen first!"
Er Ming's eyes widened.
His big brother was siding with a human?!
His spiritual energy fluctuated wildly, his thoughts chaotic and unreadable.
Tang Lan could sense his emotions—
And he was sure they weren't compliments.
Da Ming's Challenge
Da Ming turned his gaze to Tang Lan.
"Human, prove what you say."
Enter the Test Subject: Jing Ling
Tang Lan raised a hand—
Summoning his tool—Jing Ling.
Then, he lifted the seal from the Vast Sea Soul Imprisonment.
Jing Ling slowly opened his eyes.
And the first thing he saw—
Was a furious Titan Giant Ape and an unwavering Azure Bull Python.
(●—●)
Jing Ling rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't hallucinating.
Then, he closed them again and laid back down.
Nope.
This dream is way too horrifying.
"SMACK—"
Tang Lan slapped him awake.
"Don't be scared, they're on our side." Tang Lan said. "Summon your Soul Spirit."
Jing Ling held his head, dazed.
He looked at Tang Lan—
Then at the two legendary soul beasts.
His brain short-circuited.
Jing Ling's Internal Panic
My Sect Master…
Is this how wild his connections are?!
Wait…
Is he planning to make these two into HIS Soul Spirits?!
HOLY SH—!!!
His breath quickened at the thought.
Even if they weren't his Soul Spirits, Tang Lan was his boss—
That meant he was still indirectly benefiting!
With newfound excitement, Jing Ling summoned his martial soul and activated his third spirit ring.
The Soul Spirit Demonstration
A flash of black light—
A Soul Spirit—Mountain Flesh Elephant—jumped out from his chest, lazily yawning.
Then—
It froze completely.
Da Ming and Er Ming immediately leaned in from both sides, their massive eyes scanning it like X-ray machines.
Soul Spirit: Pure Terror
The Mountain Flesh Elephant shuddered violently.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
Its pitiful eyes darted to Jing Ling, practically begging for help.
Save me!!!
Jing Ling…
Simply shrugged and raised both hands in surrender.
Bro, I can't help you either.
Soul Spirit's Final Thought
"…"
I've really got the worst fcking luck with my host.*