Walking past the wooden sign, Xu Tianxi and his three companions moved unhurriedly, entering the Star Dou Great Forest.
ROAR! As expected, a ferocious Yellow-haired Baboon appeared before the four, baring its fangs and claws, lunging at them, ready to unleash its God Power.
WHOOSH! What greeted it was the slow raising of Xu Tianxi's dark, metallic gun barrel.
BANG!
A Level Four Paralysis Soul Guidance Ray shot forth, piercing directly through the Wind Baboon's body. The Wind Baboon instantly slumped to the ground, its path to god-slaying cut short.
Xiao Hongchen walked over and nudged the Wind Baboon, which was sleeping more soundly than a dead pig, a look of disdain on his face:
"What is this? It's just a ten-year Soul Beast. What kind of Soul Beast dares to attack us now?"
Huo Yuhao, seeing a real Soul Beast for the first time, was filled with curiosity: "Is this really just a ten-year Soul Beast? It looked very powerful to me."
"Powerful? What's so powerful about it? I wouldn't even take this kind of Soul Ring if it were given to me for free."
Xiao Hongchen retracted his foot and stood upright, beckoning to Huo Yuhao:
"Don't bother looking. Absorbing a ten-year Soul Ring like this is pointless. Since I said I'd help you get a Soul Ring, it has to be at least a hundred-year one."
He, the esteemed Young Master Xiao, couldn't possibly hunt a Soul Beast for someone and come back with a ten-year Soul Ring. If word got out, he'd lose all face.
"Will a hundred-year Soul Beast be very troublesome?" Huo Yuhao asked with some concern.
"Not at all. It's a simple matter."
Xu Tianxi slowly lowered the hand holding his gun and smiled calmly at Huo Yuhao, signaling him to continue walking.
Compared to the Million Year Soul Beast they were about to encounter, a hundred-year Soul Beast was insignificant.
He still hoped Huo Yuhao could stall Tang San at Shrek for a while. If Huo Yuhao was lucky enough, even a hundred-year Soul Beast of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's caliber, he would dare to procure for Huo Yuhao.
For him to grow as fast as possible, he had to intercept the great opportunities in Huo Yuhao's original path. However, he had no personal grudge against Huo Yuhao. If Huo Yuhao could grow and seek revenge, Xu Tianxi would be happy to see it, though his methods would likely be less efficient than his own.
The White Tiger Duke's Wife, it must be said, died quite swiftly, passing away before Yuhao's cultivation reached full mastery.
Not long after, a joyful voice suddenly echoed in Xu Tianxi's mind.
Finally, Brother has met a Spiritual Soul Master! And two at once! One of them is close to a Soul Ancestor, a top-tier genius! It's a shame Brother can't cry, otherwise, tears would be streaming down my face!
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm!
Xu Tianxi's pupils constricted. He immediately released his Spiritual Power outwards, searching for the traces of this world's only Million Year Soul Beast. Heh heh, no need to search. Brother will come out to meet you himself. I'll knock these people out for you too, alright?
Hearing that Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was about to appear, Xu Tianxi immediately retreated into his consciousness, manipulating his Sea of Spirit to seal off parts of his past life's memories.
It was fine if Electrolux saw his past life's memories; he was a transmigrator anyway. But Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was different. This fellow's goal was to become a god and achieve eternal life, so he wasn't entirely trustworthy. If Tang Buddha were to discover him later and use gentle persuasion and temptation, it wasn't impossible for Tianmeng Ice Silkworm to stab him in the back. He had to remain cautious.
RUMBLE—
The ground vibrated without warning, and cracks appeared on the surface, instantly widening into huge fissures. Pale golden light surged from within, transforming into a massive Spiritual Power shockwave that spread outwards.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's million-year cultivation was indeed extraordinary. Its terrifying Spiritual Power covered every corner of a hundred-mile radius in almost an instant. Xiao Hongchen and his two companions, along with Tang Ya and Bei Bei who were hurrying behind, were all enveloped by the spiritual fluctuations and fell into a daze.
Finally, I've regained some face from these humans! The path to eternal life, here I come!
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, with ten golden stripes on its back, crawled out from underground. Its entire body was white as jade, without any blemish. Its round head was over a meter in diameter, and its plump face was adorned with a smug, mischievous grin.
Looking at the unconscious Xiao Hongchen and his two companions, Xu Tianxi frowned deeply and feigned confusion as he looked at Tianmeng Ice Silkworm:
"Was that you talking to me just now? May I ask who you are?"
This question played right into Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's hands. It nodded at Xu Tianxi, and its voice echoed in Xu Tianxi's mind:
Haha, let me introduce myself. I am the embodiment of heroism and chivalry, the King of Soul Beasts who has cultivated for a million years! You can call me Brother Tianmeng!
How about it? Isn't Brother's body beautiful? You're the first person to see this great being's true form. Aren't you surprised?
Xu Tianxi stared at Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's body and nodded: "Surprised. And then what? Why are you looking for me?"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm: ???
Is this human too calm? Why isn't there any of the excitement I imagined?
At this moment, Xu Tianxi took out a sapphire blue tortoise shell and introduced it: "You call yourself Brother Tianmeng, so let me introduce something too. This is a life-saving item given to me by my Grandmaster. He is an unparalleled king among Sea Soul Beasts, a Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor with over eight hundred thousand years of cultivation."
"If you truly have lived for a million years, you should have heard of the reputation of the Heavenly Tyrant Bixi clan's ancestor."
Back then, the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor had taught Xu Xiaoyun three moves, so calling him Grandmaster was perfectly fine. It was about respecting one's teachers.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm: ???!!!
What's going on? How did the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor and the phrase "human Grandmaster" get connected? This is the first time I've heard such a thing in a million years!
But that tortoise shell clearly emanated an aura unique to top-tier Soul Beasts. Its energy level was far above the Ice Emperor's, so its owner must have been a Ferocious Beast over five hundred thousand years old.
You, you, you, aren't you human? How are you related to that old dragon turtle?
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was utterly bewildered. Back when it was in the Far North Land, it had heard some legends about Sea Soul Beasts, and among them was the ancestor of the Heavenly Tyrant Bixi clan. Its strength was definitely above the Ice Emperor's and certainly not below the Snow Empress's!
A fight between him and the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor would probably be a nine-to-one split. He would charge nine times, and the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor would swallow him whole, receiving a generous gift package of a million years of cultivation.
"I am human, but my ancestor was a Hundred Thousand Year Sea Soul Beast who transformed into a human. My Grandmaster thought my ancestor was a promising talent, so he specially went out to sea to guide him. I happened to be there at the time and befriended his grandson, earning my Grandmaster's favor and this bestowed treasure."
Xu Tianxi said these words, whose truth he himself didn't know, without batting an eyelid, shocking Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
The origin of the Black Tortoise Bloodline was unknown, so fabricating a Sea Soul Beast lineage was fine. After all, the Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor had indeed promised to protect his life.
Before you can get investment, you have to show off your strength. That's the only way to secure a more equal position for yourself.
This was also what made Tianmeng Ice Silkworm make up his mind, indicating that his stock was absolutely a top-quality, risk-free investment.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's eyes darted around. How wonderful, this human even has such a powerful backer. Life's going to be good from now on, he thought, and his voice became incredibly solemn:
"Brother will become your Soul Ring, an unprecedented Intelligent Soul Ring on Douluo Continent!"
Xu Tianxi seemed to be deliberately testing Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's patience, asking one question after another:
"But I'm still at peak Level 38. Even if you sacrifice yourself, I can't absorb you. Besides, you're alive and well, why would you want to be a Soul Ring for no reason?"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm: "...
This human's focus is so strange. I can't waste any more time with him. I need to get this done quickly before those annoying guys show up.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm looked warily into the depths of the forest, then turned back to Xu Tianxi:
"Don't ask so many questions. Brother doesn't have much time. You can absorb the Soul Ring whenever you want; it's a great thing for you anyway. Don't move, Brother will be gentle."
Before Xu Tianxi could speak again, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm suddenly jumped up. Ten golden halos quickly detached from his body, enveloping Xu Tianxi. His true form also transformed into streaks of white light, surging towards Xu Tianxi.
This human truly lives up to his lineage from Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor. His body can easily withstand a Soul Ring of over fifteen thousand years. Good, good, Brother won't have to exert too much effort.
Just as Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was secretly congratulating himself, the clear sky suddenly turned dark. A thunderous roar exploded, and an immense pressure descended from the heavens.
"This level of pressure, could it be Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor? Old Long Tortoise, don't mess around, Brother didn't harm your disciple's descendant—"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm looked up in horror, thinking Heavenly Tyrant Ancestor had come to intervene, and immediately shouted loudly.
The immense pressure ignored him, transforming into a gray airflow that shot into Xu Tianxi's glabella and surged into his Sea of Spirit.
"~! So you're not the Old Long Tortoise, and you dare to snatch someone from Brother?"
Only then did Tianmeng Ice Silkworm realize he had mistaken the person. Annoyed, he used his vast Spiritual Power to try and expel the gray airflow.
"Grasping the Sun and Moon, Plucking Stars, there is no one else like me in this world. I never thought this old man could still have a trace of a remnant soul left."
An ancient voice emanated from the gray airflow, carrying an indescribable majesty and radiating an arrogance that seemed to look down on the world.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's pitifully weak attacks had no effect on it. His Spiritual Power also completely surged into Xu Tianxi's body during this time, leaving behind only Exuviae.
"Phew~ phew! Forget it, no matter what, Brother has finally escaped the clutches of those bastards. Plan complete!"
Giving up on the impossible target, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm looked proudly into the depths of the forest, cheering for his newfound freedom and the activation of the God Creation Plan.
This human's talent is exceptionally high. With his support, plus a Second Martial Soul, Ice Emperor, the chance of becoming a god must be—
"Wait a minute, how do you have a Second Martial Soul?"
Just as Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was happily envisioning the future, he was stunned to find that the vacant slot he had prepared for Xu Tianxi's Second Martial Soul seemed unnecessary. Besides his Spiritual Martial Soul, the other party already had a Second Martial Soul, and its quality was exceptionally high.
If he hadn't sensed wrong, his Second Martial Soul had an Ultimate attribute, and it was Ultimate Water!?
In the Sea of Spirit, where the Clear Moon hung high, Xu Tianxi's consciousness opened his eyes. First, he surveyed the rapidly expanding Sea of Spirit, then looked up to answer Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's question.
"I just told you, my ancestors were Hundred Thousand Year Sea Soul Beasts. I possess the Black Tortoise Bloodline, so having Twin Martial Souls is also quite reasonable, isn't it?"
"No, your ancestors were Black Tortoise? And Ultimate Water? Why haven't I heard of that?"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's consciousness materialized into a human form, his eye twitching uncontrollably.
Damn it, this kid's talent is a bit too good!
"I'm not too clear on that either. The Ancient Texts just record it that way," Xu Tianxi said, scratching his hair thoughtfully.
Brother Tianmeng was completely speechless. He pressed his temples, deep in Meditation for a while, and finally murmured:
"Fortunately, the difference between Ultimate Water and Ultimate Ice isn't too great. They should be able to transform into each other. With some effort, it might just work..."
"Brother Tianmeng, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, just thinking of something great for you!"