The Ironback Dragon had an even higher age—a staggering 94,000 years!
However, it had suffered a "high-level amputation", with its entire lower body missing from where its left hind leg used to be.
Even its left forepaw was more than half gone.
No need to ask.
These two soul beasts were chosen for Tang Hao.
"You've seen their condition." Da Ming said. "Now, it's up to you."
Tang Lan nodded.
He released two spiritual light spheres, sending them floating toward the two soul beasts.
The Giant Strength Gorilla and the Ironback Dragon growled uneasily.
That was, until the Titan Giant Ape let out a single roar—causing both of them to shudder in fear.
They obediently absorbed the spiritual light spheres.
Inside them was a detailed explanation and incantation for the Soul Spirit Equality Contract.
Once they had finished processing the information—
Tang Lan established a spiritual link, pulling both soul beasts into a private chat channel.
[Tang Lan]:"Both of you, this soul spirit contract offers you rebirth."
[Tang Lan]:"My father, Tang Hao, was once a Rank 96 Titled Douluo—he's not unworthy of you."
[Tang Lan]:"As for myself, well… I'm an upcoming first-class god."
He revealed his Divine Imprint.
The aura of divinity made both soul beasts' eyes shine with excitement!
[Tang Lan]:"As you can see, the moment I reach Rank 99, I can directly ascend to godhood."
[Tang Lan]:"When that happens, I'll be bringing my father to the God Realm. You two will have the chance to follow as well—and gain immortality."
The Giant Strength Gorilla and the Ironback Dragon began breathing heavily!
Originally, given their crippled bodies, they had been nothing more than dead beasts walking in the brutal, survival-of-the-fittest world of soul beasts.
But now—this astronomical fortune had fallen straight into their laps?!
The Giant Strength Gorilla's eyes darted around as a new idea formed.
[Giant Strength Gorilla]:"Human, why don't I become your soul spirit instead?"
The Ironback Dragon's eyes lit up!
Good idea!
It was older than the Giant Strength Gorilla and had dragon bloodline.
Wouldn't that make it the better choice?
But before they could scheme further—
Tang Lan summoned his Life Martial Soul, the Blue Silver Emperor.
Six blood-red soul rings floated beneath him.
Completely shattering their foolish delusions.
They didn't understand how a mere Soul Emperor had six 100,000-year soul rings…
But one thing was certain—he had no interest in them.
The two beasts exchanged glances.
Then, they crawled toward Tang Hao and sniffed at him.
Finally, they nodded toward Tang Lan.
Tang Lan grinned.
As long as you understood soul beasts' psychology, making soul spirits was pretty simple.
He didn't rush to sign the contract immediately.
Instead, he took out a piece of Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma and handed it to the Giant Strength Gorilla.
"Eat this first to recover a bit—raise your age limit."
The Giant Strength Gorilla: "???"
You can do that?!
The Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma was a supreme heavenly treasure, one that held deadly allure for soul beasts.
Without hesitation, the Giant Strength Gorilla grabbed it and shoved it into its mouth, chewing voraciously.
The Ironback Dragon watched with intense envy.
"Tch, dying beasts still get to feast… Lucky bastard."
"No need to be jealous. You'll get one too."
Tang Lan pulled out a strange "small sweet potato."
The moment he did, an immortal herb's aura spread out—causing the Ironback Dragon to fixate on it, unable to look away.
—Earth Dragon Golden Melon!
A top-tier earth-attribute immortal herb that granted the power of "Earth Dragon's Rebirth."
Because it grew deep underground, it was never discovered by Tang San in the original timeline.
Not until Douluo Dalu 2, when it had grown into a 190,000-year-old fearsome beast.
But now…
Tang Lan broke off a small piece of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and tossed it to the Ironback Dragon.
Like a hungry husky being fed, the Ironback Dragon leapt forward and swallowed it whole.
Its eyes narrowed in bliss.
Its aura surged dramatically.
95,000 years…
96,000 years…
97,000 years…
98,000 years…
And then—it stopped.
It was only a 4,000-year increase, but considering its starting point of 94,000 years, that was a massive leap.
Tang Lan calculated for a moment.
Then, he broke off a much larger piece and fed it to the Ironback Dragon.
Its aura exploded upward.
It soared past 99,000 years…
And shattered the final barrier—becoming a 100,000-year soul beast!
"ROOOOAR—!!!"
The Ironback Dragon's scales gained golden streaks, and its body grew several sizes larger!
It was thrilled beyond belief!
Never in its wildest dreams did it imagine it would become a 100,000-year soul beast in its lifetime!
Its eyes hungrily locked onto the Earth Dragon Golden Melon in Tang Lan's hands.
It wanted more!
But Tang Lan put the herb away.
His tone was calm—yet carried undeniable authority.
"If you exceed 100,100 years, you'll have to face your Heavenly Tribulation immediately."
The Ironback Dragon smacked its lips, a hint of regret in its eyes.
But in the end, it reluctantly gave up.
On the other side—
The Giant Strength Gorilla had finished absorbing most of the medicinal power, raising its age to 95,000 years.
It was now only 5,000 years away from becoming a 100,000-year soul beast.
But…
Its soul realm wasn't strong enough.
Even if it had more immortal herbs, it wouldn't be able to break through in the short term.
Tang Lan shook his head in regret.
Then, he turned to the Ironback Dragon.
"Let's start with you." Tang Lan said. "Although my old man is already a Titled Douluo, we don't know how many soul spirits he can handle."
So there's a limit to the number of soul spirits?
The Ironback Dragon didn't hesitate at all.
It immediately activated the unique skill of 100,000-year soul beasts—Sacrifice!
"BOOM—"
A blood-red radiance erupted into the sky, engulfing Tang Hao.
The sudden surge of energy stirred his deepest memories, making his body tremble slightly.
Once upon a time…
Who would have thought he'd experience a second soul beast sacrifice in his lifetime?
…Wait!
Something wasn't right!
Compared to Ah Yin's sacrifice back then…
The Ironback Dragon's sacrifice was far more forceful and thorough.
It wasn't just sacrificing its soul power, cultivation, and life essence…
It was sacrificing its very soul itself!
This was a Blood Sacrifice—a ritual that completely erased any chance of reincarnation or revival.
Not even a speck of its soul would remain.
Tang Lan was very satisfied.
What an obedient soul beast.
He activated his Soul Spirit Domain, constructing a hexagram array.
Then, he guided Tang Hao and the Ironback Dragon into signing the Soul Spirit Equality Contract.
Something interesting happened.
Because the Ironback Dragon had chosen the most extreme form of sacrifice—
Its soul was already destined to fuse into the soul ring.
So…
Signing the Soul Spirit Equality Contract felt less like a ritual and more like…
A final ticket check before boarding.
It was so smooth that it felt like…
Using a laxative after being constipated for days.
Absolutely effortless!
During the process—
A 100,000-year-old Ironback Dragon left leg bone also fused into Tang Hao.
A blood-red soul ring descended—
Replacing the gray first soul ring on the Clear Sky Hammer.
It enhanced Tang Hao in all aspects.
Additionally—
Since his first soul ring originally only had one ability, which increased the Clear Sky Hammer's weight and durability—
The energy of the newly supplemented 100,000-year soul ring fully stacked onto it.
The Clear Sky Hammer visibly grew thicker and heavier.
Golden patterns spread across its surface—just like the ones on the Ironback Dragon earlier.
Tang Hao's aura skyrocketed, soaring straight to Rank 90—
Where he was finally stopped by the bottleneck.
Tang Hao opened his eyes.
His Clear Sky Hammer's soul rings expanded outward—
Red, Yellow, Gray, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red!
The blood-red soul rings at both ends were incredibly dazzling.
"How do you feel?" Tang Lan asked. "Can your spiritual world still accommodate another soul spirit?"
Before Tang Hao could even answer—
His first soul ring flashed, and the Ironback Dragon emerged from his chest!
Since it was now a spirit entity, its missing limbs were fully restored.
It glanced down at its own corpse on the ground—
Then looked at Tang Hao and gave him a meaningful look.
Tang Hao's expression became strange.
"…Are you sure?"
The Ironback Dragon nodded repeatedly, eyes urging him on.
Tang Hao's eyelid twitched.
But after a moment, he hesitated and said—
"…Uh."
"…The Ironback Dragon says… its body still has some unabsorbed medicinal energy."
"…It wants us to—"
"—hurry up and roast it while it's still warm… so we can absorb some extra soul power."
Tang Lan: (﹃)
Everyone: (●—●)(●—●)(●—●)
…Was it really that generous?!
Truly dedicating its entire being?!
(End of Chapter.)
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X