Word Count: 2,839 Words
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"ACHOO!"
Somewhere in the Star Dou Forest, all three of the Scarlet King's massive heads let loose a simultaneous, thunderous sneeze.
By the shore of the Lake of Life, Di Tian's face flashed from red to green, then to blue, and finally to black. The colorful display was a marvelous sight. After a long moment, he finally managed to choke out a single sentence:
"Give you an inch and you take a mile, don't you, kid?"
Asking for a Great Beast right off the bat? The sheer audacity!
"Senior, Ultimate Darkness and Ultimate Death would actually make an excellent pairing…"
Ling Bai, undeterred, tried his luck again.
Di Tian said nothing. He simply raised his hand and curled his five fingers, a clear Dragon God's Claw warning!
A wise man knows not to fight when the odds are against him. Ling Bai decisively changed tactics:
"The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is Star Dou's greatest threat and must die. However, its spirit ring would suit me quite well. What do you think, Senior…?"
Di Tian frowned, then slowly nodded after a moment's consideration. "That's acceptable."
Negotiation was fundamentally about compromise. If you wanted to open a window, it was best to first propose tearing off the roof.
The Star Dou Forest wanted the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger dead; whose hand delivered the final blow hardly mattered. Using the tiger's life as a gesture of goodwill cost Di Tian nothing. It was essentially an early investment in Ling Bai with the potential for massive returns.
A flicker of understanding passed through Ling Bai's eyes. He had been testing Di Tian's bottom line. It was clear that despite his affection for Ling Qiuxi, Di Tian hadn't completely lowered his guard. At least for now, he was not willing to stake everything on a single bet.
Self-preservation was only natural, especially given that spirit beasts and humans were traditional enemies. As long as Di Tian and the Star Dou Forest did their part to a reasonable degree, Ling Bai would naturally repay them generously in the future.
"Absorb it right here. I'll stand guard."
With a wave of his hand, Di Tian dropped the unconscious Dark Demon Evil God Tiger before Ling Bai.
"Many thanks, Senior."
Ling Bai summoned the Angel Sword and drove it through the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's skull, ending the life of the continent's most notorious evil spirit beast.
Switching to his second Martial Spirit, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor, he revealed one gray and four red spirit rings that made even Di Tian click his tongue in amazement. No wonder a God had chosen this youth; his spirit ring configuration alone was extraordinary.
A stream of gray energy rose from the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's corpse, coalescing into a ring in midair. With its God-level bloodline, this spirit ring differed dramatically from those of ordinary 100,000-year spirit beasts. A layer of gray miasma shrouded the blood-red ring, radiating an indescribable malevolence that chilled observers to the bone.
Simultaneously, a pitch-black orb floated up from the tiger's massive body, still carrying traces of consciousness. The moment it appeared, it attempted to create a spatial black hole to escape.
A certain God King had fallen for this very trick ten thousand years ago, but Ling Bai had anticipated the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's ploy. He activated Traceless Phantom and snatched the pitch-black orb with one swift hand.
A 100,000-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger inner core!
Purification, inner core, spirit ring, and spirit bone!
One beast, four harvests!
Guided by his spirit power, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's spirit ring enveloped Ling Bai's body. An immense and piercingly cold current immediately stabbed into him, frantically assaulting his meridians and Spiritual Sea.
This frigid current was the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's final act of revenge, saturated with monstrous evil and bitter resentment.
The 100,000-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger far surpassed the 200,000-year Demon Eye Evil Tree in ferocity, and even outmatched some of the lower-ranked Great Beasts. This resentful onslaught made even Ling Bai's formidable constitution tremble violently.
Di Tian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, observing Ling Bai's condition closely and ready to intervene if needed. But as time trickled by, Ling Bai gradually stabilized. The Death Abyss Spider Emperor greedily devoured the inner core's energy, absorbing the evil god bloodline within.
Gray, Red, Red, Red, Red, Red!
The 100,000-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger spirit ring, radiating thick bloody light, settled into the sixth position. A surge of evil aura shot skyward, instantly transforming the vibrant Lake of Life into something sinister and foreboding.
Standing beneath the sun's warm rays, Ling Bai wore a smile that sent chills down even Di Tian's spine.
Ultimate Holy and Ultimate Evil had merged into one, like the light of salvation heralding the world's splendor, yet also like the ash of corruption, the source of all calamities.
"Finally complete…"
He exhaled softly. The inner core contained the essence of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's hundred thousand years of cultivation. Combined with the spirit ring absorption, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor's evil attribute had ascended to Ultimate Evil!
The eight spider lances had transformed from purplish-black to an ominous purplish-gray, their tips a bloodthirsty scarlet. When fully extended, they now exceeded five meters in length. Ling Bai caressed his renewed Death Abyss Spider Lances, finding it hard to put them away.
Condensing his first spirit core had created a limitation. Before breaking through Rank 90, he needed to establish a second spirit core, or his spirit power would remain forever stuck at Rank 89.
Two methods existed for creating the second core: Resonance and Yin-Yang Complement. Ling Bai had naturally chosen the more powerful latter option.
Twin Martial Spirits held inherent advantages in creating a second spirit core, and the Seraphim and Death Abyss Spider Emperor—one holy, one evil—were naturally complementary opposites.
In Electrolux's design, the second spirit core would be a Three Ultimate Death Abyss Core corresponding to the Three Ultimate Angel Core: Ultimate Death, Ultimate Evil, and Ultimate Poison.
Now, everything was ready except for Ultimate Poison!
Having lost its spirit ring and inner core, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger crumbled to dust and scattered on the wind, leaving only a gray spirit bone pulsing with sinister light.
A 100,000-year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger torso spirit bone!
Given the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's bloodline level, this torso bone ranked as the finest spirit bone below those of actual Great Beasts. With Di Tian's tacit approval, Ling Bai collected it, though he didn't plan to absorb it. He had better options in mind.
"The Destiny Beast is with Bi Ji. Go find her yourself."
Di Tian pointed toward the Emerald Swan's territory, clearly dismissing him.
Ling Bai gave a slight bow and turned to leave the Lake of Life.
Once Ling Bai had vanished from sight, Di Tian knelt on one knee beside the lake and spoke with deep respect:
"My Lord, I wonder if what this subordinate has done benefits the spirit beast race."
"A mere drop in the bucket."
A serene voice sounded from the silver light flickering over the Lake of Life. "Ever since the Dragon God fell, the Divine Realm decreed that spirit beasts can never become Gods; otherwise, you would have already become the Beast God.
I understand your thinking. You hope to support a God's entry into the Divine Realm who might abolish that rule.
But this is nearly impossible for that child. The Divine Realm is ruled by God Kings. The one who chose him is merely a 1st Class God, one of the two who fell to the Asura Sword ten thousand years ago. He holds little sway in the Divine Realm…"
Di Tian's eyes flickered. "So if we cultivate a God King, we could reverse the spirit beast race's situation."
The voice pondered for a moment before affirming, "The Divine Realm governs multiple planes. At worst, a God King could find an uninhabited planet for the spirit beasts to recuperate on and help build a second home for them."
"A God King, a God King…"
Di Tian sighed deeply. "The Star Dou Forest has endless resources and countless spirit bones. If a God King's successor were willing to stand with the spirit beasts, we would naturally do everything in our power to help them achieve godhood."
"You are far too optimistic."
The voice laughed coldly. "Wasn't that fellow from ten thousand years ago the Asura God King?
Three of Star Dou's 100,000-year spirit beasts sacrificed themselves for him. Ten thousand years have passed; has he helped the spirit beast race even once?
Humans are fickle and ungrateful. The Star Dou Forest absolutely cannot overcommit.
The Emperor Destiny Beast's heart already belongs to a human. The Black Dragon's Reverse Scale protects her for now, keeping the power of destiny safe. But before she ascends to the Divine Realm, that power must be entrusted to another Star Dou spirit beast to prevent it from falling into human control. I believe she will understand.
You all must wait another ten thousand years. When the time comes, I will personally break the shackles set by the Divine Realm, and all spirit beasts will be able to become Gods!"
"Yes, my Lord!"
…
Meanwhile, as Ling Bai walked toward the Emerald Swan's territory, the Death Abyss Bone Dragon flew to meet him. It knelt, spreading its dragon claws to reveal four lustrous spirit bones lying quietly in its palm.
The Death Abyss Bone Dragon hadn't stayed behind merely to look menacing; the spirit bones of the Three Mutant Wolf Apes and the Emerald Demon Bird had been the true prize.
Since spirit beasts could not absorb spirit bones, and for the sake of Di Tian and Ling Qiuxi, the other Great Beasts turned a blind eye to this scavenging. The Death Abyss Bone Dragon had essentially picked up four spirit bones for free.
The Three Mutant Wolf Apes had yielded three left leg bones, and Ling Bai guessed their spirit skill must involve instant teleportation. The Emerald Demon Bird, however, had provided a tremendous surprise by dropping a rare External Spirit Bone!
A 100,000-year Emerald Demon Bird External Spirit Bone, Emerald Wings!
Pack it up!
Pack everything up!
"Senior, please show yourself."
Ling Bai's gaze fell upon a patch of withered yellow vines, which twisted and wove themselves to form the face of the Myriad Demon King.
The Myriad Demon King got straight to the point. "How did you fare with the task I entrusted to you last time?"
Ling Bai didn't bother with suspense. His golden eyes flashed with demonic black-red light as the aura of his external spirit bone, the Demon Eye, emerged.
"Clean and efficient! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
The Myriad Demon King laughed heartily, showing no grief whatsoever over the Demon Eye Evil Tree that was nominally his son.
He had once laid dormant for ten thousand years before devouring the Immortal Spirit Grass he had lived alongside day and night. The Myriad Demon King's cold, ruthless nature was the very source of his power, allowing him to become the continent's number one plant-type spirit beast.
"Here is what I promised you."
Without needing a reminder, the Myriad Demon King fulfilled his end of the bargain. A vine as agile as a spirit snake delivered a fiery red spirit bone to Ling Bai.
It was a left arm bone, crystalline and transparent like a fine work of art. Fire-red lotus patterns covered its surface, and waves of scorching heat emanated from it when Ling Bai took it in his hand.
"I command the plant-type spirit beasts of the Star Dou Forest, so I can only offer you a spirit bone left by a 100,000-year plant-type spirit beast."
The Myriad Demon King explained frankly. "The 100,000-year Blazing Flame Red Lotus is renowned among plant-type spirit beasts. No need for thanks. We each got what we needed."
Blazing Flame Red Lotuses were rare and were among the most offensive plant-type spirit beasts. Its spirit bone skill would undoubtedly be attack-oriented. For the Myriad Demon King to offer this was truly generous.
Ling Bai placed the Blazing Flame Red Lotus spirit bone into his Storage Spirit Guidance Device. As he prepared to leave, a thought suddenly occurred to him:
"Senior Myriad Demon King, how does Star Dou plan to handle that Soul Devouring Spider Emperor?"
"It dared to plot against the Destiny Beast. Naturally, it will be torn to pieces and die in agony!"
The Emperor Destiny Beast's fortune directly affected the Great Beasts' chances of surviving heavenly tribulation. For the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor to target Ling Qiuxi was equivalent to threatening the Great Beasts themselves. The Myriad Demon King guaranteed the spider would suffer thoroughly before death, unlike the quick end granted to the Emerald Demon Bird.
Noticing Ling Bai's eager smile, the Myriad Demon King realized his intention:
"It seems you would like to handle this task yourself."
"Senior's insight is as keen as ever."
Having encountered a 100,000-year evil spirit beast that happened to be a spider, Ling Bai would feel remiss if he did not extract every last drop of value from it.
"Come, show me your methods."
The Myriad Demon King leaned casually against a towering ancient tree and snapped his fingers. The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, thoroughly bound, was delivered before them.
Ling Bai smiled faintly as his purplish-gray Death Abyss Spider Lances emerged from his body, their razor-sharp tips approaching the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor.
Mercy was nonsense. Evil Spirit Masters were rotten oranges, and so were evil spirit beasts!
"Death Spider Emperor… no, I also sense our Soul Devouring Spider clan's aura!" the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor screamed in terror.
The Death Spider Emperor and the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor were both acknowledged emperors among spider-type spirits, but now the Death Abyss Spider Emperor reigned as the only true emperor!
Having inherited the Rakshasa's legacy, its superior bloodline exerted overwhelming pressure, causing the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor to howl in agony as the Death Abyss Spider Lances pierced through its carapace.
The supposedly impenetrable shell cracked like thin porcelain. The moment all eight lances penetrated, the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's entire body seemed to freeze before beginning to tremble violently. Waves of energy flowed through the lances, nourishing them.
The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor had no strength to resist as Ling Bai drained its power. Consumed by terror and despair, its life force rapidly diminished. Its body gradually softened, its legs dangled lifelessly, and its outer shell slowly turned ashen white as a blood-red spirit ring rose above its head.
The 100,000-year Soul Devouring Spider Emperor had fallen!
The Martial Spirit essence of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor rejoiced. In a single day, it had devoured two 100,000-year spirit beasts: the Ultimate Evil Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and the kindred Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. The feast had been utterly satisfying.
Dark Demon Evil God Tiger + Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. The benefits Ling Bai received were by no means small. But because his Seraphim had not yet absorbed its eighth spirit ring, he was still stuck at Rank 80 and had no idea what level his internal spirit power had actually reached.
With a slight push from the Death Abyss Spider Lances, the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's hollow body burst open. A green spirit bone resembling a human skull floated in midair.
The 100,000-year Soul Devouring Spider Emperor skull spirit bone!
Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, Emerald Demon Bird, Blazing Flame Red Lotus!
Four 100,000-year spirit bones!
If he included the 100,000-year Cyclops spirit bone awarded by Zhongli Wu and the dark-attribute 100,000-year spirit bone obtained from killing the Evil Phoenix Douluo, Feng Ling, Ling Bai's collection of 100,000-year spirit bones had become almost commonplace, not to mention his vast hoard of 10,000-year ones!
'They're in for quite a treat...'
Ling Bai smiled. A Spirit Master could absorb six standard spirit bones at most. Rather than letting the extras go to waste, he would let suitable candidates absorb them to enhance the group's overall strength.
Looking back, he found the Myriad Demon King had already vanished. Ling Bai then turned his attention to the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's spirit ring and shook his head with regret.
The seventh spirit ring represented the Martial Spirit Avatar, which unleashed a spirit's origin power. When a Spirit Master's cultivation reached the pinnacle where they no longer relied on spirit skills, the Martial Spirit Avatar became even more crucial than the ninth spirit ring.
The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor was a good match for the Death Abyss Spider Emperor in terms of species, but its age was simply too low. It was not worthy of becoming his Martial Spirit Avatar.
He would rather sacrifice a 100,000-year spirit ring than settle. He would hunt a Great Beast whose cultivation truly satisfied his standards...