Hunting Soul Beasts

A few days passed...

Tian Mucheng sat on the bed and opened the box the old man had left him. Inside was a soul bone—an External Soul Bone, the left palm bone of a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.

When he had first opened the box and discovered it was an External Soul Bone, he had been both shocked and surprised. He had originally planned to absorb it after growing stronger, but now there was a more suitable owner. Naturally, his clone should absorb it.

He held the soul bone in his hand, looked at Jin Tianming, who was cultivating, and asked, "Do you want to absorb this External Soul Bone, Tianming?"

There was another point to consider: whether he absorbed a soul bone himself or his clone did, the two would feed back to one another through the Dragon Soul. Simply put, with the Dragon Soul as a medium, they could freely use each other's soul bones.

At his words, Jin Tianming stopped cultivating, rose to his feet, and walked over to sit beside Tian Mucheng. His gaze fell on the soul bone. After considering it for a moment, he said, "This soul bone happens to have a Gold Element attribute, so it suits me. Its ability will also feed back to you, so I'll absorb it."

Seeing that Jin Tianming was willing to absorb it, Tian Mucheng did not object.

After all, he was his own clone. There was nothing to worry about. He handed the soul bone to Jin Tianming.

Jin Tianming accepted the soul bone, sat cross-legged, and began absorbing the External Soul Bone.

Tian Mucheng closed the box and sat on the bed, watching Jin Tianming absorb the soul bone as he fell into thought. Who had killed the old man? Was it because of this soul bone, or some other reason? He feared he would only find the answer after becoming stronger.

"I've reached level ten."

Jin Tianming's voice interrupted Tian Mucheng's thoughts. Coming back to himself, Tian Mucheng asked, "What time is it now?"

"I've been absorbing it for about half an hour." Jin Tianming glanced at the sun outside the window as he answered.

"I see." Tian Mucheng nodded. "Do you want to hunt a soul beast today, or wait a few more days?"

"The sooner we go, the sooner we return. We can also see whether absorbing a soul ring will have any effect on your body," Jin Tianming said, voicing his thoughts. He had split off from the original body's martial soul, the Dragon Soul. Would absorbing a soul ring cause feedback or changes in the original body? He was full of anticipation.

"Then let's go!" Tian Mucheng nodded in agreement. He was also curious about what changes his body would undergo after the Gold Element clone absorbed a soul ring.

No sooner said than done, the two immediately set out.

"Original body, you really are weak!" Jin Tianming said disdainfully as he watched Tian Mucheng lag far behind him. Why is this guy so frail? How's he supposed to get a girlfriend in the future?

Tian Mucheng felt helpless when he heard that. His body truly was like this. If he wanted to change it, he had to seize fortune; otherwise, he would remain weak forever.

Although Jin Tianming spoke with disdain, he still stood in place and waited for him. A few minutes later, Tian Mucheng finally caught up. Supporting himself on Jin Tianming's shoulder, he panted and said, "This body is just like this. There's nothing I can do."

At that, Jin Tianming crouched down. "Get on. I'll carry you."

Tian Mucheng said nothing more and climbed directly onto his back. Jin Tianming carried Tian Mucheng as they continued on their way.

Outer Region of the Star Dou Great Forest

Jin Tianming carried Tian Mucheng to the outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Fortunately, Tian Mucheng lived not far from the Star Dou Great Forest, greatly shortening their travel time.

Jin Tianming slowly set Tian Mucheng down, then suddenly thought of something and asked, "It seems we still don't know this era's timeline."

"That's right!" Only after Jin Tianming's reminder did Tian Mucheng remember the issue of the timeline.

He had had too much on his mind recently and had completely forgotten something so important.

"After we finish hunting soul beasts this time, let's go to Shrek City and confirm it," Jin Tianming said reassuringly.

Tian Mucheng nodded, agreeing with Jin Tianming's suggestion. "Then let's get moving!"

The two immediately entered the Star Dou Great Forest. This time, Tian Mucheng walked in front, because he had a soul ring and was somewhat stronger than Jin Tianming's clone body.

"By the way, what age soul beast do you want to absorb?" Tian Mucheng asked. He still did not know what kind of soul ring Jin Tianming intended to absorb.

Jin Tianming thought for a moment before replying, "At least an eight-hundred-year Gold Element or strength-type soul beast."

"Original body, if you can't manage it, I can choose a lower-grade soul ring." Jin Tianming remembered that Tian Mucheng's Soul Power was only level twelve. Though it had risen a level because of him, it was still far too weak in his eyes. After all, even if he died, he could return to the original body. But if the original body died, then he would truly be finished as well.

Upon hearing Jin Tianming's words, Tian Mucheng walked straight behind him and said, "Let me see how strong your External Soul Bone is."

Jin Tianming: "..."

Tian Mucheng's behavior left him rather speechless, but he still stepped forward. As a clone, protecting the original body was also a responsibility.

The two walked into the forest one behind the other.

The Star Dou Great Forest was the largest gathering place for soul beasts on the Douluo Continent, home to countless kinds of soul beasts.

They soon arrived at the place where Tian Mucheng had previously hunted the Golden Armored Ape, intending to see whether there were any other Golden Armored Apes nearby.

Although this type of soul beast was not particularly strong, its Gold Element attribute was quite good.

"Looks like there are no other Golden Armored Apes." Jin Tianming surveyed the surroundings, then turned to Tian Mucheng and asked, "Should we continue deeper?"

"Continue." Tian Mucheng nodded without hesitation. "My body isn't that frail."

Getting a soul ring for Jin Tianming was the most important matter at the moment. As for what kind of feedback it would bring, they could only find out after he absorbed it.

He could not delay Jin Tianming's and his own development because of his physical condition.

Body: "..."

Jin Tianming nodded and immediately summoned his External Soul Bone to clear the way. Tian Mucheng vigilantly watched their surroundings.

The two walked for a long time. Along the way, Jin Tianming killed several soul beasts that were only around a dozen years old. He did not even spare these white soul rings a glance. To him, only soul rings of eight or nine hundred years were worth absorbing.

"It's coming!"

Jin Tianming's heart sank. Sensing a dangerous aura from ahead, he immediately shielded Tian Mucheng behind him and stared sharply forward.

A massive gorilla appeared before them.

"This soul beast has Gold Element energy in its body." Jin Tianming's perception of the Gold Element was extremely keen.

The aura radiating from the gorilla let him detect the presence of the Gold Element.

Tian Mucheng was startled when he heard that. He had not expected their luck to be so good. The one he had encountered before was a Gold Element ape, while the one Jin Tianming had encountered this time was a Gold Element gorilla.

This gorilla's strength should not be weak. At the very least, it was stronger than the soul beast that had provided his first soul ring.

"Can you handle it alone?" Tian Mucheng asked worriedly. If Jin Tianming could not manage on his own, he could also summon the Dreadclaw Bear's External Soul Bone to assist in battle.

"Original body, protect yourself. I alone am enough."

Jin Tianming possessed a powerful physique and was confident that he would not lose to the soul beast before him. He put away his soul bone, clenched his fists, and advanced toward the gorilla.

The huge gorilla, covered in thick fur, had been standing there quietly. Then it suddenly seemed to sense Jin Tianming's hostility.

Its eyes, as large as bronze bells, widened round, flashing with furious light.

The next moment, the gorilla let out a deafening roar, as though it were about to shatter the entire mountain forest.

It viciously pounded its chest with its thick arms, producing dull booming impacts like war drums. With each movement, nearby branches and leaves were shaken loose, swirling through the air. Then the gorilla forcefully kicked off the ground, its massive body soaring high into the air before pouncing at Jin Tianming like a small mountain.

It swung a fist as huge as a boulder, carrying a howling gale as it smashed down at Jin Tianming with overwhelming force. Facing the soul beast's attack, Jin Tianming remained calm.

He clenched his fist, and a layer of golden scales gradually covered it. Then he threw a punch.