Da Ming and Er Ming followed suit, engraving their spiritual imprints onto their contracts. At that moment, the contracts were complete!
The once massive bodies of Da Ming and Er Ming suddenly shrank, settling gently on Xiao Wu's left and right shoulders.
Xiao Tian stared in surprise.
"Wow, Da Ming and Er Ming, you two look so cute like this!" Xiao Wu exclaimed excitedly, reaching out to stroke their heads.
Xiao Tian paid no mind, only noting how much like dolls they looked.
"Don't you two want to take human form?" Xiao Tian asked.
Da Ming replied, "Not for now. Transforming would limit our freedom. Unless there's a crisis, we'll keep this size. It's just right."
He grinned, "Honestly, I never imagined being this small—it's a novel and pleasant feeling."
Now they bore a better attitude toward Xiao Tian. Through partial telepathy, they sensed Xiao Tian's genuine feelings for Xiao Wu.
Since Da Ming and Er Ming had become Xiao Tian's souls, their original bodies vanished and two hundred thousand-year-old soul bones appeared before them.
Titan Giant Ape's left arm soul bone!
Azure Bull Python's right arm soul bone!
The two soul bones floated slowly in front of Xiao Tian. Silent for a moment, he resisted the tempting allure of such priceless relics and waved his right hand, letting the soul bones drift to Xiao Wu instead.
"Xiao Wu, these are Da Ming and Er Ming's soul bones. You should accept them."
He felt deeply honored that two ancient soul beasts had become his souls. Coveting these soul bones would be shameful—they belonged to Xiao Wu.
Da Ming and Er Ming stared at Xiao Tian in surprise and then admiration. The temptation of hundred-thousand-year soul bones was immense, yet Xiao Tian showed remarkable restraint—a true swordsman's heart.
Xiao Wu smiled and took the soul bones, but didn't accept them. Instead, she walked over, placed them in Xiao Tian's hands, and said softly,
"Brother, you know that until I fully mature—becoming a true human—I can't absorb soul bones."
"Then I'll wait for you."
Xiao Wu pressed a finger gently to Xiao Tian's lips, silencing him.
"Brother, I know what you want to say. But only when the spirit ring and soul bone combine can they unleash their full power. And only once your strength grows further can you protect me better."
Xiao Tian's heart skipped a beat. Gazing into Xiao Wu's tender eyes, he couldn't help but kiss her lips.
Wuwuwu—
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged bewildered looks.
Xiao Wu hadn't expected the kiss, and the soul bones slipped from her hands. She ritually pushed Xiao Tian away, blushing furiously.
With Da Ming and Er Ming hovering behind them, it was too embarrassing!
But no matter how she pushed, Xiao Tian held her waist tightly, unmoved. Slowly, she matched his rhythm, and the two melted into a passionate kiss.
Da Ming and Er Ming floated with their backs turned, exchanging whispers.
"Brother, isn't Xiao Tian Xiao Wu's human brother?"
"No, they're not related. You can see her feelings for him, and since we have spiritual connections with Xiao Tian too, this isn't surprising."
Minutes later, Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu parted.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu blushed anew, remembering Da Ming and Er Ming were still present.
"Brother, there are people here!" she said shyly.
"We saw nothing!" they said in unison.
Xiao Wu buried her face shyly in Xiao Tian's arms.
"Oh, by the way, Xiao Tian, have you decided who will add your fourth spirit ring?" Da Ming clearly changed the subject.
Picking up the soul bones on the ground, Xiao Tian said without hesitation, "I want a soul skill related to increasing attack speed for my fourth spirit ring."
Da Ming nodded calmly, "Then I will add your fourth spirit ring. I checked, and your first three are all thousand-year-old rings. This fourth one will likely be ten-thousand-year-old."
"About the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring, remember it differs not only in physical pressure but also carries a mental attack."
"Soul rings from dead ten-thousand-year soul beasts bear the hatred from their lifetimes. Generally, only Soul Kings withstand them. But since you practice sword intent, your mental power is strong enough."
"Also, since this forty-thousand-year spirit ring is from us, it won't carry resentful attacks. You can be at ease."
Xiao Tian nodded indifferently, as if familiar with the concept. Da Ming was a bit surprised but felt it fitting given Xiao Tian's many mysteries.
Even with their soul contract and telepathic connection, they didn't know each other's every thought—privacy still existed.
Then Da Ming immersed himself in Xiao Tian's spiritual space. Xiao Tian sat cross-legged, watching as a glowing soul ring slowly appeared on his body.
Over time, its purple hue deepened, darkening into a black ring.
In the end, Xiao Tian's fourth spirit ring was just over ten thousand years old.
Due to soul contract's special nature, soul rings granted this way don't raise the soul master's level as much as normal spirit rings. After absorbing this, Xiao Tian only reached level 41! (Don't rush to judge.)
Xiao Tian was unsurprised by this, having noted this quirk from the system in advance.
He recalled how, even when Huo Yuhao became a Soul Saint after ten thousand years, adding a soul ring from the Eight-Angled Mysterious Ice Grass only granted powerful soul skills without significantly increasing his soul power.
In Xiao Tian's view, this made sense. A soul beast turned spirit isn't truly dead; it's difficult for the spirit to provide enough energy to increase level via soul rings. It's easier to empower soul skills than overall strength.
P.S.
Please consider voting, monthly voting, favoriting, and continuing to read!
Regarding Douluo Dalu II's original novel, it never mentioned Huo Yuhao's Ice Emperor spirit gaining level after absorbing the spirit ring of the Eight-Angled Mysterious Ice Grass. Does this presentation seem reasonable?
After all, this is an equal soul contract. The soul beast isn't actually dead. Thus, it's natural the soul ring gained differs from usual. More detailed explanations will come in later chapters.
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