A Bargain Before Death

The Sky Azure Bull Python could sense the threat posed by the two of them. It knew that if they truly fought, it would be no match for them.

It immediately spoke in human language:

"Er Ming was right. The two of us are your targets. It seems we cannot escape this calamity!"

"Since you already know, why waste words? You clearly will not surrender without a fight. Come on!"

Tu Shan Hong Hong replied, unleashing her aura as she immediately joined forces with Yan Lingji to attack!

"Then let us fight!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python let out a long roar toward the heavens, then moved its towering body and launched an attack at Tu Shan Hong Hong and Yan Lingji.

It knew Yan Lingji's aura was slightly weaker, so it made her its primary target!

In the blink of an eye, they had clashed several times. Da Ming's goal was not to break through the encirclement, but to drag one of them down with it.

Because it knew that even if it was lucky enough to escape, those beings in the deepest region would not spare it!

Tu Shan Hong Hong gently swung the Insulation Claw, while streams of crimson mist emanated from Yan Lingji's body. One attacked openly, the other covertly, both striking straight at Da Ming's vital points!

"Moo! Moo! Moo!!!"

Da Ming roared, and azure light suddenly burst forth from its body, slowly condensing into protective barriers around its vital areas.

Then, it violently swung its tail and smashed it heavily toward Yan Lingji once more.

It was now fighting by trading injury for injury, utterly heedless of its life and determined to take one of them down with it!

"Taking me for a soft target, are you? If I do not show my power, you think I'm some sickly cat? Eighth Soul Skill, Piercing Flame Spirit Needles!"

Seeing Da Ming relentlessly attacking her, Yan Lingji erupted. A heart-chilling aura swept in every direction, filling the surroundings with a grim, autumnal killing intent!

Around her, wave after wave of fiery-red and pale-white needle-shaped Soul Power rapidly formed.

Seeing this, Tu Shan Hong Hong also erupted, holding Da Ming back to buy Yan Lingji time!

"Break!"

With a flick of Yan Lingji's finger, tens of thousands of Soul Needles shot straight at her opponent.

In the blink of an eye, countless needle holes appeared across Da Ming's body. Blood splattered everywhere, making for an exceptionally brutal sight!

"Moo!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python let out an incomparably mournful cry of pain. Countless Soul Beasts and people searching for Soul Beasts heard the pained roar of this king of the Star Dou Great Forest.

At the same time, on the other side, the Titan Giant Ape was already covered in wounds.

If not for its tenacious vitality and its ability to draw upon the power of the earth, it would have died long ago!

Long Xiaoyao expressionlessly looked at the severely weakened Titan Giant Ape. He slowly raised his dragon claws, and a flash of black light passed by as the chains vanished!

Er Ming's massive body crashed heavily to the ground. The fear of death had long vanished from its eyes, replaced instead by calmness and regret!

"It seems Da Ming still came to save me. Perhaps I should not have called out. I was the one who harmed it!"

Er Ming let out a low roar, then turned its gaze toward the distant Lin Hao and said:

"You hunted me to obtain a Soul Ring for yourself, right? But your cultivation is too low. You simply cannot absorb my Soul Ring.

We can make a deal. I will sacrifice myself to you. Can you spare Da Ming?"

Lin Hao was not surprised after hearing Er Ming's words. Loyalty and devotion were Er Ming's defining traits!

However, he still shook his head and said loudly:

"This deal cannot be made. First, we did not hunt you and the Sky Azure Bull Python for Soul Rings. Someone paid a price to hire us.

Second, I can only absorb Metal-attribute Soul Rings, and neither you nor the Sky Azure Bull Python fit that requirement. So, sorry!"

Er Ming was initially stunned by those words, but then calmly said:

"Even if you do not absorb Soul Rings, the two Soul Bones dropped by Da Ming and me should be what you want, right?

Da Ming should be fighting your subordinate right now. Although that Titled Douluo is very powerful,

I do not believe he can instantly kill us. What if we choose to self-destruct our Soul Rings and destroy the Soul Bones within our bodies?

Let me tell you a secret for free. The reason Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are guaranteed to drop Soul Bones is that while we are still alive, Soul Bones have already formed within our bodies.

Moreover, Soul Bones can enhance our strength to a certain extent, so we instinctively nurture them.

That is also why Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones are so vastly more powerful than other Soul Bones.

No matter how generous that person's reward may be, there cannot be many things that compare to two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones, can there?"

Although Er Ming was on the verge of death, the vitality flowing from the earth could still keep it alive for a while longer!

"Can I take that as a threat?"

A trace of killing intent flashed through Lin Hao's eyes. He was not worried that Er Ming would self-destruct, nor did he care if it destroyed its Soul Bone.

After all, such a thing had never happened throughout so many years of history. How could these two possibly manage it?

The reason he said so much was that when he saw Er Ming trying to negotiate terms with him, an idea suddenly came to him!

He had suddenly thought of a good way to frame Tang Hao, as well as a reason to move against the Clear Sky Sect in the future.

That was to make Da Ming and Er Ming personally name the culprit who killed them!

"I do not mean to threaten you. I merely have one request that I hope you will agree to.

If you do, I believe Da Ming will have no other thoughts either. You can safely obtain what you want!"

Er Ming calmly explained. It knew that neither it nor Da Ming could survive. Since that was the case, it would be better to exchange their lives for Xiao Wu-jie's lifelong safety.

As soon as Er Ming said this, Lin Hao inwardly rejoiced. It truly was exactly what he wanted. Outwardly, however, he calmly said:

"Fine. State your condition!"

"With your strength, you should not be ordinary people in human society. This should be easy for you to accomplish!

Da Ming and I have an elder sister. Not long ago, she took human form and went to human society. Her true form is a Soft Bone Rabbit.

My condition is simple. I hope that you can protect her in the future and safeguard her until she becomes a Titled Douluo!"

Er Ming stared directly at Lin Hao as it spoke slowly.

"You are not afraid that I will kill her? After all, that would be another 100,000 Year Soul Ring and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!"

Lin Hao did not agree immediately, instead asking a question in return.

"No. My Titan Giant Ape race has a talent that can only be used when near death. I can be certain that you will not!"

Er Ming firmly shook its head. This was why it had chosen to make a deal with Lin Hao. It was not foolish!

"Ha ha, I agree. However, I will only be responsible for her safety. I will not concern myself with any other cultivation resources!"

Lin Hao nodded and agreed.

"No problem. The growth of a Soul Beast is full of hardships to begin with!"

Er Ming did not care about that. As long as it could ensure Xiao Wu-jie would live well in human society and fulfill the wish of the three of them, that was enough!

"Seeing how deep the bond between you is, I will tell you something as well.

I have heard of the Soul Beast you mentioned. If I remember correctly, her name should be Xiao Wu!"

Lin Hao's eyes shifted as he suddenly spoke.

"Yes, it is Xiao Wu-jie. She... how is she now? She has not encountered any danger, has she?"

Upon hearing news of Xiao Wu, Er Ming's emotions finally showed a ripple, enough to reveal how strong their bond was!