Sky-Splitting Mantis

Dugu Yan stood to the side, listening to Yu Tianqing recount his story as she wept, heartbroken by what he had suffered. Her parents were gone too, but she still had a grandfather who loved her dearly, and she had never endured much hardship. Yet this child had been left to wander alone while still so young.

Dugu Yan tugged at Dugu Bo's hand. "Grandpa, if Brother Feng isn't willing to take him in, could you bring him home? He's so pitiful." She worried that Lin Feng might be wary of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's power and would not dare take Yu Tianqing in. But if her grandfather brought him home, then even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had objections, they would not dare do anything.

Lin Feng continued, "Although that was what your father instructed, what do you think? The Wolf Bandits are all dead, but your family's fate was indeed inseparable from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. What are your plans for them in the future?"

Yu Tianqing also thought Lin Feng was worried that taking him in would make an enemy of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Though the hope in his heart had faded, he still answered honestly. "Without strength, there is no point speaking of any attitude. But if I gain strength, I will follow Father's words and not seek revenge on them proactively. However, if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan encounters danger, I will take the chance to kick them while they are down. Thank you, Young Master, for saving my life today. Given my circumstances, I have nothing with which to repay you, but if I have the chance in the future, I will find a way to repay this kindness." With that, he turned and walked toward the Emerald Green Snake.

"Wait," Lin Feng said. "Where are you going? Didn't you plan to pledge loyalty to me?"

Yu Tianqing spun around. "Young Master is worried about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, isn't he? You saved me, and I don't want to bring you trouble. Still, thank you for having someone knock out this Azure Green Snake. Although it isn't a good choice for me, I have no other choice. Even if cultivation becomes much harder in the future, there will still be a chance to make up for it."

Lin Feng chuckled, thinking, Well, well. This kid's trying to play the helpless little act on me, huh? He said, "This Azure Green Snake truly isn't suited to your Martial Soul, but you did go to great lengths to hunt it. Once you absorb this spirit ring, you will at least have the foundation to develop in the Soul Master World. For your later spirit rings, try to absorb only sub-dragon species and dragon-type soul beasts. You may still have a chance to replenish your Martial Soul Origin and increase your strength."

Yu Tianqing had not expected Lin Feng to see through his ploy, and he thought he had ruined everything. Hearing Lin Feng say this, Dugu Yan anxiously grabbed Dugu Bo's hand, about to speak, but Dugu Bo stopped her. He had naturally seen through the boy's little trick—it might fool Dugu Yan, but not him. Besides, judging from Lin Feng's attitude, he did not seem unwilling to keep the boy, so Dugu Bo stopped Dugu Yan from speaking.

Seeing Lin Feng look at him with an amused expression, Yu Tianqing knew that his little scheme had been completely exposed. Yet from Lin Feng's attitude, he felt that Lin Feng was probably willing to take him in. He wanted to say something, but seemed unable to think of what to say, so he awkwardly knelt before Lin Feng again.

Lin Feng stopped teasing him. "All right, get up. From now on, follow me. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is indeed powerful, but they won't come looking for trouble with me over someone like you." Lin Feng truly was not afraid of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Not to mention that his parents together possessed the strength of Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo, whose Martial Soul had evolved, stood right beside him. Perhaps their absolute strength still fell short of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's, but they had no reason to fear them.

Besides, if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly failed to appreciate life, Lin Feng was confident he could poison every last one of them. Dugu Bo might not be able to poison Yu Yuanzhen to death, but that did not mean Lin Feng could not.

Yu Tianqing kowtowed to Lin Feng. "Thank you, Young Master. Tianqing swears upon his Martial Soul that from this day forward, I will serve Young Master faithfully. Should I break this oath, may my Martial Soul shatter and may I die."

"I promise you this," Lin Feng said. "If I ever betray your loyalty in the future, you may leave at any time, and it will not count as betrayal. Don't kneel anymore. There's no need for that among our own people."

"Yes, Young Master. May I take Young Master's surname from now on? My father was right. That surname and generation name were never mine. I no longer wish to have any connection with them."

"Sure. If you don't mind, then from now on, you'll be called Lin Qing."

"Yes. Lin Qing greets Young Master."

Dugu Yan let out a giggle from the side. "Taking your surname and bearing your name—Brother Feng, are you taking a little wife?"

"By Sister Yan's logic, then I already have three little wives: Lin An, Lin Jian, and Lin Qing." As he spoke, he pointed at the people corresponding to those names. Going along with Dugu Yan's joke, he introduced Lin An and Lin Jian to Lin Qing. Then he introduced Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan to Lin Qing as well. When Lin Feng introduced Dugu Bo, Lin Qing was shaken. He had not expected him to be a Titled Douluo. No wonder Young Master said he did not care about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

After introducing everyone, Lin Feng continued, "Let's go. We'll first help A-Jian hunt a spirit ring." Then he told Lin Qing, "Forget about this Azure Green Snake. Put your First Spirit Ring aside for now; there's no rush. Once we return, you should first nurse your body back to health. Then I'll help evolve your Martial Soul, and only afterward will we obtain your First Spirit Ring. Since you're following me now, I will naturally arrange the best cultivation path for you."

The group set out, and soon arrived at the territory of one of their targets. The soul beast Lin Feng had chosen for Lin Jian's Second Spirit Ring was a four-thousand-year Sky-Splitting Mantis. By normal standards, that exceeded the limit by more than three thousand years, but for Lin Jian, who had absorbed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and undergone body tempering at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, it was not difficult. Lin Feng had encountered this Sky-Splitting Mantis while training in the Star Dou Great Forest, and fortunately, it had not moved away.

It was unclear whether this Sky-Splitting Mantis had just fought someone, but half of its left scythe-like forelimb was broken, leaving only its right one usable. Lin Feng had originally intended to let Lin An take it down, but after seeing the look Dugu Bo gave him, he changed his mind and asked Dugu Yan, "Sister Yan, interested in fighting it?" Seeing the eager expression on Dugu Yan's face, Lin Feng knew he had asked a pointless question.

Dugu Yan unleashed her Martial Soul and the Eight Spider Lances, rushing forward as the battle erupted instantly. The mantis swung its lone arm, sending a fierce Wind Blade slicing through the air. Azure scales shimmered across Dugu Yan's body as her Third Soul Skill, Poison Dragon Bind, activated. Several poisonous water dragon claws burst from the ground. Though the mantis nimbly dodged them, they successfully restricted its range of movement.

Relying on its speed, the Sky-Splitting Mantis launched a frenzied assault, its lone scythe weaving a curtain of light. Dugu Yan pushed the Eight Spider Lances to their limits, as though she had gained eight extra arms. Sparks flew as the spider lances clashed against the scythe. Dugu Yan still could not wield the Eight Spider Lances as naturally as her own limbs, but fortunately, she had eight of them, while the Sky-Splitting Mantis had only one arm left. Otherwise, she might truly have been unable to withstand it.

Dugu Yan seized an opening and breathed out Frost Poison Dragon Breath. The freezing poisonous mist slowed the mantis's movements. Then, spotting its weakness, she thrust out the Eight Spider Lances like lightning, precisely piercing its right shoulder, joints, and other vital points. The terrifying venom inherent in the Eight Spider Lances mixed with the Azure Water Dragon Viper's neurotoxin and flooded into the mantis's body like a burst dam. The mantis was instantly paralyzed. Its massive body crashed to the ground, and though it struggled madly, it could no longer rise. Dugu Yan panted as she withdrew the Eight Spider Lances, then turned back and gave everyone a proud look.

Lin Feng gave Dugu Yan a thumbs-up. "Sister Yan is amazing!" Then he looked at Lin Jian and signaled that it was his turn.

Lin Jian cupped his hands toward Dugu Yan. "Lin Jian thanks Miss Dugu." He then walked over to the fallen Sky-Splitting Mantis, ended its life with a punch, and began absorbing its spirit ring.

At that moment, Lin Feng suddenly remembered something and said to Han Ping, "Uncle Han, do you remember that after we encountered this mantis here last time, there was a pond twenty li east of here? There was a Rock Armor Dragon Turtle over three thousand years old there, nearly four thousand, I think."

Han Ping thought for a moment. "That's right, it was there. You fought it back then and complained that its turtle shell was too thick."

"Then I remembered correctly. Uncle Han, please take Lin An there. Let Lin An get some practice too. If that dragon turtle is still there, knock it out and bring it back. It's very suitable for A-Qing's Second Spirit Ring, and it'll save us another trip next time." As he spoke, he handed Han Ping a Soul Tool capable of storing living creatures.

"No problem," Han Ping said. Then he took Lin An to search for the Rock Armor Dragon Turtle.