The Sacrifice Begins!

"But that's impossible!"

Before Su Chen could answer, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm shook his head like a rattle drum. "You're only level twenty. How could you possibly have survived those two monsters!!!"

"No, no, no. Impossible, impossible. Anyway, it's just impossible!"

Tian Meng seemed to have convinced himself. He forced out a smile and feigned composure. "Kid, I admit you're really impressive, but you know, something like this... Titled Douluo are simply impossib—"

His voice abruptly cut off.

A deliberately suppressed wave of Soul Power quietly spread out. Pale white energy brushed over his face, and Sky Dream Ice Silkworm instinctively felt utterly refreshed, as though the exhaustion and oppression of recent days had eased considerably.

But Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had no time to savor that intoxicating sensation. His golden bead-like eyes shrank to pinpoints as he stared fixedly at the silver-haired youth before him.

Or rather, at the soul ring radiating purple light around him.

"A Thousand-Year first soul ring?"

At that moment, the little silkworm's worldview suffered a tremendous blow.

A first ring that was a Thousand-Year Soul Beast ring—and only one at that!

He did not even have a second soul ring.

But how was that possible?

Tian Meng's lips trembled. He wanted to keep saying it was impossible, but the ironclad truth lay before his eyes. No matter how absurd it was, he had no choice but to believe it.

Yet he soon realized that his worldview had shattered too early.

Over the next two minutes, the silver-haired youth thoroughly demonstrated what a true monster was.

Dozens of clones entirely indistinguishable from the original. Even when Tian Meng concentrated his spiritual power to the utmost, he could not tell the original apart from the clones.

No matter how he probed them, their Soul Power fluctuations and life levels were completely identical.

There was also that strange ability to turn into a little rabbit. The silver-haired youth transformed into things such as Blue Silver Grass and flowers as well.

Whenever he assumed a corresponding form, his aura changed along with it.

It was as if he truly were a rabbit, a wooden stake.

Unless one focused completely on examining him, it was impossible to detect that faint, subtle difference.

But who in the Star Dou Forest would pay attention to a patch of Blue Silver Grass that could be found everywhere?

When the youth finally transformed into a round, plump silkworm, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was completely numb.

He deeply realized just how terrifying this ability was.

Unless someone possessed extraordinarily powerful perception, or an ability like the youth's that could see through things, this transformation ability was practically impossible to counter!

Tian Meng finally understood why this silver-haired youth had been able to escape the pursuit of those two great monsters.

Because he himself was an even more freakish monster than they were.

"Big Brother!!"

Without hesitation, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm lowered his stance.

He called out "Big Brother" with complete sincerity.

His lifesaver was not a Titled Douluo, but his future achievements would definitely surpass those of a Titled Douluo!

Becoming a god...

For the first time, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm felt that this distant phrase was so close to him.

If a monster like Big Brother could not become a god, then no one in this world could.

"Get up. There's no need for this."

Su Chen reached out to help Tian Meng up, patted his head, and nodded in satisfaction.

The current Tian Meng clearly had yet to develop the self-interested, somewhat cunning personality he would possess ten thousand years later.

His curiosity toward all things even carried a touch of innocence and naïve foolishness.

After Su Chen had displayed sufficient talent, coupled with the karmic bond of saving his life, Tian Meng had completely given him his loyalty.

If this were ten thousand years later, it probably would not have been so easy.

By then, some coercion, inducement, or other methods would have been unavoidable.

Such as forbidden sealing techniques like the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.

Of course, if possible, Su Chen did not want to use coercive methods on an intelligent lifeform who would be by his side day and night. That would only sow trouble for the future.

He could certainly control him completely, but could such a soul ring still be called a Wisdom Soul Ring?

The current situation was naturally the best possible outcome.

"Big Brother, I'm naturally more than willing to sacrifice myself, but during the process, my spiritual concealment ability will also fail. So it would be best if we..."

After the initial joy faded, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's chubby face grew somewhat serious.

He looked earnestly at Su Chen. "And because my Soul Power will be mixed into yours, Big Brother, your miraculous transformation ability will probably reveal flaws for a while as well."

Since he had decided to follow Su Chen, he had to consider how they could break out of their current predicament.

In Tian Meng's view, the best course of action was to hide here and avoid making any rash moves.

As long as enough time passed, those two fellows would naturally leave.

Having served as a heavenly treasure in the Land of Great Evil for so long, he knew a thing or two about certain secrets.

But to his surprise, the youth shook his head and refused.

"No, we need to leave this place as soon as possible."

Before deciding to absorb Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, hiding was certainly the best method. But once he took him in as a soul ring, that method would no longer work.

No matter what, Linwu Silkworm was only a Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Lord Bear and Scarlet King hunting him down was ultimately just a matter of pride.

But Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was different. His importance to the Land of Great Evil was on an entirely different level from Linwu Silkworm's. Unless Su Chen could remain in this place for hundreds or thousands of years like Tian Meng, the ferocious beasts would never let the matter rest.

At that point, even Spirit Hall would have no choice but to abandon him.

Even taking ten thousand steps back, if he brought Tian Meng out, how could he absorb him in a reasonable manner?

A soul beast nearing a million years in cultivation—even a Douluo like Qian Daoliu, who had long since surpassed his limits, would probably be unable to resist being tempted.

If he revealed even the slightest flaw, everything he had built in Spirit Hall would collapse, and Su Xiao would be implicated as well.

Therefore, resolving the problem here was the best choice.

"Tian Meng, I won't force you to come with me. If you're unwilling, then once my Soul Power recovers, I'll leave on my own."

Su Chen pondered for a moment, then looked seriously into those glittering golden little eyes.

"Staying here, you'll be safe."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm fell silent at those words.

Of course he knew he was safe here. As long as he did not go out, unless the ferocious beasts turned the entire great forest upside down, they would not find him even after another thousand or ten thousand years.

But after seeing a human who truly possessed the potential to become a god, how could he be willing to remain cooped up in this narrow underground cave for thousands upon thousands of years?!

What about ten thousand years from now?

Would he continue waiting?

Was his only choice in life to lie around like a corpse, or be forced to lie around like a corpse?

No!

He was unwilling!

In that case, why not take a gamble?

Even if he lost the gamble, he...

Wuwu, after becoming a soul ring, losing the gamble really did seem to mean death!

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm instinctively felt afraid.

He shrank back two steps, but his body suddenly stopped.

A moment later, the ice silkworm met the youth's gaze.

"Phew... Big Brother, can you tell me your name?"

"Mm, my name is Su Chen."

"Big Brother Su Chen, hello. I-I'm Tian Meng."

He took a deep breath. His body suddenly became somewhat illusory, while immense and terrifying Soul Power fluctuations slowly rose, transforming into a dazzling stream of light like a galaxy as it surged toward the youth.

"Big Brother Su Chen, hurry up."

"I'm afraid I'll regret it."