Oscar now had a clearer understanding of his current strength. With his level seventy-nine soul power, combined with all his various advantages, he could easily handle most opponents below rank ninety-five Titled Douluo.
If he really pushed himself, there might even be a chance to defeat,or even slay,one of them.
Of course, that was assuming he didn't use the Life and Death Arena. That ability was practically a divine skill, one that gave Oscar the possibility of overturning any desperate situation.
After resting for a day,and spending the night with Dugu Yan in passion,Oscar set out the next morning for the Star Dou Great Forest.
This time, not only were Oscar and Dugu Yan going, but Elder Niu Gao was accompanying them as well. Thanks to abundant resources, Niu Gao had already broken through to rank ninety.
The other elders had also made great progress, many of them only a single step away from that same breakthrough.
Among them, Xue Qingluan had improved the most. Within a single year, with ample cultivation resources, she had advanced from rank eighty-eight to the peak of rank eighty-nine,just one final step away from rank ninety.
Qin Wenlong and Long Shihu had also advanced from eighty-eight to eighty-nine, each just short of that crucial final step.
Of the three original elders, Niu Gao had already reached ninety, Bai He had reached the peak of eighty-nine, and Yang Wudi had just broken through to eighty-nine. Meng Shu had also advanced from eighty-eight to eighty-nine. These were the people with the best chances of reaching rank ninety next.
Once they did, the Sword Sect would gain several genuine Titled Douluo.
After helping Dugu Yan and Niu Gao obtain their soul rings this time, Oscar planned to personally visit the Extreme North to retrieve the Essence of Extreme Cold that his clone, Ao rong, had once taken from the Skydream Iceworm.
With that heavenly treasure, the elders close to breaking through could advance even further.
Even Gai Yue could use the Essence of Extreme Cold to rise to another level, saving himself years of bitter cultivation.
The movements of the three were kept extremely secret, attracting no attention. As Niu Gao traveled with Oscar and Dugu Yan, he listened to Oscar describe his plan and found himself unsure whether to believe it or not.
Soul Spirit technique? That method had already spread within the Sword Sect,some disciples even had soul spirits themselves. Everyone marveled at the method's miraculous nature, though most could only envy those who possessed one, since soul spirits enhanced a soul master's strength.
Before coming, Niu Gao had already guessed that the young sect master had chosen a soul beast for him to turn into a soul spirit. But a hundred-thousand-year soul beast? As a veteran who had cultivated for decades, he knew full well what a hundred-thousand-year soul beast meant.
The only person he knew to have such a soul ring was Elder Gai Yue.
In the sect, Gai Yue would occasionally spar with them, but they had never seen him go all out. That blood-red, hundred-thousand-year soul ring's true power remained unseen.
If he could get such a ring himself, Niu Gao could hardly imagine how strong he would become.
His Armored Rhinoceros martial soul was already one of the top-tier defensive types. At rank ninety, Niu Gao could withstand the full power attack of any Titled Douluo below rank ninety-five.
If he gained a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, could his defense become the strongest on the entire continent?
The young sect master's promises sounded grand,almost too grand,but when had he ever lied? He had once promised to help them reach rank ninety, and now Niu Gao had indeed achieved it. The sect hadn't been stingy at all; the three brothers had even each received a soul bone as a reward.
On the road, Niu Gao followed Oscar and Dugu Yan like a loyal bodyguard. He knew that his current achievements were entirely due to the Sword Sect's unwavering support.
If the old Clear Sky Sect had been this devoted, wouldn't they have defended it with their lives?
The towering man, nearly two meters tall, scratched his head and asked shyly, "Young sect master, are you really serious about this?"
Oscar sighed and shook his head. "Elder Niu, how many times have I told you already? If you still don't believe it, punch yourself. If it hurts, it's real."
With a thud, Niu Gao punched himself and nodded solemnly. "It hurts! Guess that means it's real!"
Dugu Yan couldn't help but laugh. "Grandpa Niu must be too excited. Even I can hardly believe your sixth soul skill works on soul beasts like that."
Oscar had already told Dugu Yan about the special effects his sixth soul skill had on soul beasts.
This time, her seventh soul ring was also going to come from a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, giving her a boost no smaller than Niu Gao's.
Under the blessing of their movement abilities, the three reached the Star Dou Great Forest by midday.
As they neared the Star Lake region, a terrifying aura swept over them. A massive creature over ten meters long blocked their way,its entire body wreathed in roaring flames, with three huge heads.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast?" Dugu Yan and Niu Gao instantly tensed up.
Oscar stepped forward. "Chi King, it seems your patrols are still as strict as ever."
The three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff blinked in surprise. "Oscar? Is that you?"
Oscar nodded slightly.
"Is this your real body?" the beast asked suspiciously.
Oscar smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
His clone hadn't told them he would be coming, so the fierce beasts hadn't expected his arrival.
Seeing Oscar's calm smile, the Chi King turned its heads toward the fortress. "Follow me."
In disbelief, Dugu Yan and Niu Gao watched as Oscar casually followed the creature into the Star Lake area.
The lake had been transformed into a massive fortress made entirely of dense, living plants. Though made of vegetation, the walls were as hard as steel.
It was the handiwork of the Ten-Thousand-Demon King, one of the fierce beasts. As a plant-type soul beast of the highest tier, it could easily construct such a fortress in the aura-rich Star Lake region.
The entire fortress encompassed a ten-kilometer radius around the lake, divided into various strongholds and sections. Da Ming and Er Ming usually oversaw the area, teaching other soul beasts the method of soul spirits.
Dugu Yan approached Oscar and whispered, "These are the fierce beasts you mentioned from the depths of the forest?"
Oscar nodded. "Yes. They revealed themselves about a year ago. We've reached an agreement,barely allies, but trustworthy."
Niu Gao was amazed. "Young sect master, the Sword Sect truly is incredible. Cooperating with creatures of this level,this must be the first time in history!"
At rank ninety himself, Niu Gao could sense how terrifying that soul beast's power was. Even an ordinary Titled Douluo couldn't defeat it.
Oscar smiled. "The world is changing. To advance faster, cooperation is essential. Soul beasts and humans have always been enemies, but in truth, we're both beings of the same continent. To me, there's little difference between the two."
The Chi King's eyes brightened at those words. That was precisely why they acknowledged Oscar.
Niu Gao nodded thoughtfully, though he couldn't yet completely shift his old mindset. Still, he knew that following the young sect master meant everything would fall into place.
At the lake, Da Ming, Er Ming, and the Ant Emperor brothers were away, working with the Bear King to subdue more soul beast clans. Only the Chi King guarded Star Lake now.
"Chi King, I'll take them to absorb their soul rings first," Oscar said.
"Do as you please," the Chi King replied.
Oscar then led Dugu Yan and Niu Gao to a nearby canyon, where the hundred-thousand-year Mammoth and Dugu Yan's future soul ring awaited.
As they entered, Niu Gao sensed numerous terrifying auras from within the canyon, and his face paled slightly.
Fortunately, the beasts remained within their own territories, merely observing the newcomers curiously.
A hundred-thousand-year White Tiger whispered to a nearby firebird, "The Third Alliance Leader is here. They must be here for soul spirits."
The firebird nodded. "Those chosen by the Third Alliance Leader are all special. I just hope my future partner will have the strength to reach that realm."
The tiger chuckled. "We're already lucky to have reached this point. Being able to continue living as soul spirits is a blessing. Still, I too hope my partner is worthy."
Their conversation continued as Oscar, Dugu Yan, and Niu Gao arrived at the Mammoth's territory.
The massive beast greeted them with a deep rumble. "Third Alliance Leader, is this my partner?"
Oscar nodded. "Elder Niu has already reached rank ninety. With the two of you together, your names will surely echo across the continent."
The Mammoth's eyes flickered with a hint of regret. Becoming a soul spirit meant survival, but deep down, it still longed for a partner capable of reaching the divine realm.
Oscar had explained the choices to them long ago,some beasts would bond with prodigies destined for greatness, others with powerful elders who might not reach the highest realm but would still become Titled Douluo.
Even so, the Mammoth felt content.
"I understand, Third Alliance Leader," it rumbled respectfully.
Oscar turned to Niu Gao. "Elder Niu, I'll leave you here. You're already familiar with the soul spirit process."
Niu Gao nodded. "Understood."
Oscar left with Dugu Yan, while Niu Gao stared at the towering Mammoth before him.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast,and one perfectly suited for his defensive martial soul.
He scratched his head. "Uh… hello?"
The Mammoth stared blankly at the simple-minded human. Was this really his partner?
"We both know the soul spirit process," the Mammoth said. "Let's begin. Show me your potential. Perhaps together, we can reach even higher."
Niu Gao was pleasantly surprised. "Alright! I won't let you down!"
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan's seventh ring was prepared from a hundred-thousand-year Earth Dragon Emperor. When Oscar first approached it, it had been so proud it refused to cooperate even when injured.
It took the personal persuasion,and fists,of Da Ming and Er Ming to convince it. After taking the Black Gold Sausage beyond its limits, it finally reached the hundred-thousand-year threshold.
When it saw Oscar arriving with Dugu Yan, the dragon grew visibly excited. It wasn't stupid,it could sense the immense power in this young woman's body, and the fact that she was holding hands with the Third Alliance Leader?
Could this be his woman?
If so, it might be following someone destined to ascend to godhood!
"Third Alliance Leader, is she one of the God-Making candidates?" the dragon asked eagerly.
Oscar nodded. "Yes. I'd say I've treated you well, haven't I?"
The dragon almost trembled with joy. "More than well! You're my savior!"
The "God-Making Plan" had long circulated among the soul beasts. Many of them were old or heavily injured. To accompany a human genius toward godhood was their final hope.
The dragon looked at Dugu Yan with burning eyes. "From today on, you're my boss! I'll follow you to the ends of the world!"
Dugu Yan felt awkward under its enthusiasm and glanced helplessly at Oscar.
Oscar chuckled. "It's just a bit stubborn, but it means well. It knows you're one of the God-Making candidates, so it's just excited."
He gently squeezed her hand. "You already know the soul spirit process. I'll leave you to it. I need to visit the Lord of Soul Beasts,there's something I want to show it."
Dugu Yan nodded. "Go ahead. When you return, I'll already be a Soul Sage."
Oscar smiled. Dark wings spread from his back as he took off into the air.
The Earth Dragon Emperor watched him go, then turned eagerly to Dugu Yan. "Let's begin, boss! I can't wait!"
Dugu Yan frowned. "Mind your words. Otherwise, your Third Alliance Leader knows plenty of ways to discipline a soul spirit."
The dragon shivered. "Yes, yes! I'm just… excited. Please don't be angry, boss…"
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