Chapter 9: Challenge
Feeling the speed of their journey, Bibi Han stated that the Douluo Continent was still somewhat behind in development. Even though their carriage was pulled by a thousand-year-old Chasing Horse—a tamed soul beast capable of traveling thousands of miles a day—it was still far inferior to the airplanes of Blue Star.
Inside the carriage, Bibi Han asked,
"Mother, what kind of spirit ring should I obtain?"
Bibi Dong smiled warmly and replied,
"To know what kind of spirit ring you should absorb, you must first understand the characteristics of your martial soul. Han'er, do you know its traits?"
Bibi Han released his Blue Silver God martial soul.
The entire carriage instantly felt more serene as Blue Silver Grass sprouted from both sides, breaking through the floor and swaying gently.
"Life," Bibi Han said.
Bibi Dong nodded.
"Yes, whether in a desert or a snow-covered mountain, it can grow as long as there is a bit of soil and nutrients. Its traits naturally make it suited for healing."
Hearing this, Bibi Han suddenly recalled the original story—Tang San's battle with Tang Lieyang. It was said there were Blue Silver Grass plants on the mountaintop, though few in number. Tang San's birth mother, Ah Yin, had wandered the land as a healer, tending to the wounded among both humans and soul beasts.
His heart ached at the thought—Mother…
Sensing something was wrong, Bibi Dong, with her sharp Title Douluo perception, asked,
"Han'er, what's the matter? Do you feel unwell?"
"No… I just think that after working so hard, I might end up as nothing more than a small support role, hiding behind my teammates. It feels… uncomfortable."
"You foolish child. Blue Silver Grass can do more than just heal—it can also control."
How did Tang Hao and Ah Yin evade Spirit Hall's pursuit for so many years? It was precisely because of the overwhelming control of the Blue Silver Emperor, leaving no trace behind.
Bibi Dong's mind wandered. Blue Silver Emperor, Blue Silver Emperor… You use control for healing, while I use control for poison. Yet your son has become my adopted child. Fate truly works in strange ways…
—
A few days later, the group entered the Star Dou Forest.
The moment they stepped in, Bibi Han felt as though he had returned home. His Blue Silver Domain activated on its own, and countless Blue Silver Grass plants grew wildly. An unparalleled comfort washed over them, and the exhaustion of the entire group vanished completely.
Ju Douluo remarked,
"Amazing… I feel better than before, and all my functions are at their peak."
The others nodded in agreement.
Bibi Dong asked,
"Xiao Han, what abilities do you have within this domain?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I've only discovered that the healing effect of my martial soul becomes stronger. There may be other possibilities that I'll need to explore gradually. Also, in the forest, my domain consumes only half the soul power, and I can keep it active much longer."
Looking at the swaying Blue Silver Grass, Bibi Dong said,
"It's likely because the surrounding grass is sharing part of your soul power."
The group split into three teams. Bibi Han stayed with Bibi Dong, while Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo went to capture a soul beast around 700 years old for him.
Before long, Ju Douluo returned, carrying a beast that resembled a sacred light unicorn.
Bibi Han wasn't surprised. It was common knowledge in Spirit Hall that animal-type soul beasts could absorb plant-type ones, and vice versa. Even his teacher had absorbed an animal-type ring before.
"This is a sacred light unicorn, about 720 years old," Ju Douluo said, tossing it to the ground. The creature was already dying, a deep wound across its neck.
"Han'er, take the dagger. You must kill it yourself to obtain its ring," Bibi Dong instructed.
Bibihan took the dagger, pity flickering in his eyes, but with one swift strike, the unicorn fell completely still. A soul ring rose into the air.
"Mother, what should I do next?"
"Focus your mind, then use your martial soul to absorb it."
As Bibi Han pulled the soul ring toward himself with his mind, he frowned and stopped.
"Han'er, what's wrong?"
"My martial soul seems to be telling me that the age of this ring is too low—it refuses to absorb it."
Everyone was stunned. While a martial soul was indeed part of one's body, none of them had ever heard of it directly warning its master before.
"Xiao Han, are you sure you heard it correctly?"
Bibi Han nodded firmly.
"What should we do now, Your Majesty?" Ju Douluo asked.
"Keep searching until we find the most suitable one," Bibi Dong replied.
"But Mother, doesn't that mean we'll end up killing many soul beasts indiscriminately?"
Bibi Dong replied indifferently,
"Soul beasts exist to strengthen soul masters. Their lives are insignificant. And these are only low-level soul beasts—unless they are high-level, it's not considered reckless slaughter."
Bibi Han thought for a moment.
"Mother, I suddenly have an idea. I'll pass the information to the Blue Silver Grass and let them guide me to the most suitable soul beast."
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up.
"Very well. Do it."
Guided by the silver-blue grass, they soon arrived at a place where a plant over three meters tall grew.
"This is a Soul Vine," Ju Douluo explained.
Soul Vines drain the soul power of any creature they entangle, using it to strengthen themselves. When they reach ten thousand years of age, they can also absorb a creature's life force—making them truly malevolent soul beasts.
"This one is perfect," Bibihan said.
Bibi Dong shook her head slightly.
"Plants that naturally absorb soul power are extremely resilient, making them excellent control-type rings. However, its age is too high. Judging by its height, it's over three thousand years old—beyond the limit for a typical third ring, and unsuitable for a fourth ring."
"Han'er, choose one with a lower age."
"No, Mother. It's fine. My martial soul is showing a sort of… desire for it."
"And Mother, you should know about Martial Soul Suppression."
As the name suggests, Martial Soul Suppression means that a higher-grade martial soul of the same type can suppress a lower-grade one. Just like in the original story, when the Blue Silver Emperor sighed and the Soul King's Ghost Vine couldn't even move.
"I believe with Martial Soul Suppression and my physical strength, I can do it. Even a Soul Master won't be able to match me. Mother, believe me."