Chapter 423: The Bond of Grilled Fish, Part 2
As Huo Yu´er stood over the defeated Wind Baboon, a white soul ring began to materialize above the beast's body. She glanced at it briefly but paid it no further attention. Unlike the original Huo Yuhao, she had her sights set on greater opportunities, just as Ye Wen had advised her. This battle was merely training.
As for the idea that excessive hunting could harm future soul masters by depleting spirit beasts? That concept was entirely foreign to Huo Yu´er especially in an era like this one, where unrestrained hunting was practically the norm.
Lacking any spirit abilities, Huo Yu´er hadn't expended much of her spirit energy, only slightly drained from her use of Flash Step. Mostly, she felt the fatigue of her body, but a brief rest was enough to recover her strength.
"Let's keep going. A mere monkey wasn't enough of a challenge," she murmured to herself, stepping forward.
But just as she took that first step, the sky seemed to shift, as though heralding a new development.
"A spirit based human at last! If I had tears, I'd be sobbing right now!" A playful voice echoed in her mind, catching her completely off guard. She had no idea where this voice was coming from.
Then, without warning, the ground beneath her began to tremble. Cracks snaked across the earth, widening until they formed fissures that emitted a faint golden white glow.
"What's happening?! Master, help me!" Faced with the unknown, even Huo Yu´er's courageous spirit wavered, her first reaction was to seek Ye Wen's guidance.
Before she could even finish her plea, Ye Wen's voice came calmly to her mind, saying, "Don't worry, Yu´er. Just watch. This is your destined opportunity."
Reassured, Ye Wen fell silent, leaving her to face what lay ahead. After all, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion was just the beginning; greater opportunities were yet to come, and he wouldn't interfere.
A frigid cold began to seep from the cracks, causing the surrounding air to drop drastically in temperature. The fissures expanded, reaching a diameter of more than five meters in a matter of moments.
Finally, the golden white light revealed its source a large, round headed creature with chubby cheeks, spanning over a meter wide. It was a massive caterpillar.
Huo Yu´er was puzzled; she could only tell that it was some kind of insect, but she didn't know it was a caterpillar, let alone what species.
"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you," said the voice again, as the giant caterpillar lowered its head, stopping about a meter from her.
It continued, "Let me introduce myself. I am the embodiment of valor and chivalry, the soul beast of unparalleled wisdom and beauty, the king among spirit beasts, and a creature of immense power. I've cultivated for a million years, setting the record for the longest lived creature on the continent. You may call me Brother Tianmeng, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion."
Huo Yu´er's eyes went wide with disbelief. "A million year soul beast?"
She hadn't expected that her encounter would be with a talking million year soul beast. In her limited knowledge, wasn't a hundred thousand year beast the strongest there was?
Since Tianmeng Ice Jade Emperor had little offensive power and lacked the fierce aura typical of soul beasts, Huo Yu´er felt her tension ease. Her natural curiosity surfaced as she asked, "Aren't soul beasts limited to one hundred thousand years?"
Tianmeng boasted, "That's why I'm the king among spirit beasts! Impressed? Thrilled? You're the first human to meet me in person."
But his exaggerated self praise did little to endear him to her. Compared to her modest master, who kept a low profile despite his strength, this caterpillar was incredibly arrogant.
"So, why are you here?" she asked, still wary.
Tianmeng's tone grew serious. "I want to become your spirit ring, the first intelligent spirit ring ever on the continent."
"What?" Huo Yu´er was stunned.
Staring blankly at Tianmeng, she was momentarily at a loss for words.
"So this is the true opportunity," she thought. Then, as an afterthought, "How did Master know?"
But that question quickly faded in her mind. She was in no position to turn down such a rare opportunity, especially since her master clearly wanted this for her.
"Alright then, go ahead," Huo Yu´er said, accepting the offer.
Her calm acceptance surprised Tianmeng Ice Jade Emperor. Weren't today's young humans supposed to be weaker minded? After all, he was a million year soul beast voluntarily becoming her spirit ring!
Just then, Tianmeng's massive head turned in the direction of the Star Dou Forest's core.
"Damn it, they found me already! No time to waste," he thought. "She's a little strange, but I don't have any other options. Spirit masters with mental attributes are so rare, and if I get captured, I'm finished."
Resolving himself, Tianmeng lurched forward until his head touched Huo Yu´er's forehead.
As the fusion began, he couldn't help but regret his decision. Despite being a million year beast, his lack of understanding about human capabilities led him to make unrealistic assumptions. After all, the last spirit master he'd tried to fuse with a Titled Douluo had exploded from the sheer energy, showing just how little he knew about human limits.
"Too weak, far too weak! This poor girl… How many seals will I need to create for her body to withstand my power?" Tianmeng groaned internally. The life of an intelligent spirit ring, he realized, wasn't easy.
As his spirit power began to flow into her, an immense mental energy radiated outward, covering a hundred mile radius and paralyzing every being within it.
Even Bei Bei and Tang Ya, who were still following close behind, froze in place, momentarily stunned by the sudden influx of mental power.
In an instant, the entire forest fell deathly silent.
Just then, the previously clear sky darkened ominously, and thunder rolled in the distance.
Up above, sunlight was eclipsed by shadow, and a terrifying pressure descended over the forest.
Hidden nearby, Ye Wen looked up at the sky with a small, knowing smile.
"So, you've arrived at last, Necromancer God Electrolux."
(Chapter Ends)
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