I'll Climb Step by Step to the Top—I'll Become a God!

"Why are you unwilling to bring Xiao Wu back to the Lake of Life?"

Faced with Lin Qing's refusal to bring Xiao Wu back, the Sky Azure Bull Python did not react too intensely.

Instead, it patiently hoped to hear Lin Qing's opinion.

At the very least, it did not believe that Lin Qing, who had a child with Xiao Wu, would harm her.

"Da Ming, I completely understand that you want to protect Xiao Wu with all your heart. I truly do."

Lin Qing first affirmed the other party's intentions, his tone sincere.

That was precisely what the Sky Azure Bull Python had in mind.

Ever since hearing from Lin Qing that Xiao Wu was under the watch of a Titled Douluo, it had not stopped thinking this way.

If Xiao Wu returned to the Lake of Life with him, then it and Er Ming, two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, could protect her better.

"But that path is no longer viable.

"Not only is it unviable, Da Ming, but I have to tell you the truth: even the Lake of Life may not be an absolutely safe place anymore."

"?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous azure eyes suddenly narrowed.

Its pupils turned slightly vertical, and the unmistakable shock within them nearly overflowed.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Are you saying that Er Ming and I can't keep Big Sister Xiao Wu safe even here in the Core Area of the Star Dou Great Forest?"

Its voice unconsciously rose a little.

There was confusion at having its abilities questioned, along with a faint hint of anger.

After all, Er Ming and it were the undisputed kings of this forest, at least on the surface.

At the very least, it was confident that it could protect Xiao Wu from a Titled Douluo.

"The problem isn't whether you and Er Ming are strong enough or capable of protecting her."

Lin Qing's expression grew solemn, carrying the gravity he showed only when deeply considering major matters.

"The problem lies outside, with Spirit Hall."

He enunciated clearly, making sure the other party heard every word.

"Spirit Hall is undeniably the number one power on Douluo Continent today. Its roots run deep, and it has countless experts."

"The Titled Douluo serving under them, openly and secretly combined, are too many to count on two hands."

Looking into the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes, Lin Qing stated the most crucial reason one word at a time.

"And their Pope, that woman standing at the pinnacle of soul masters—I'd wager her gaze has long crossed the layers of forest and settled on you and Er Ming."

"Settled on us?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python was stunned at first.

A cold, blood-tinged chill seeped uncontrollably from the depths of its enormous body and soul.

It was not stupid.

On the contrary, its long life had granted it sufficient wisdom.

With things put this plainly, it immediately understood what being targeted by humanity's strongest power meant for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

What else could it be for?

Nothing more than the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings soul masters dreamed of, along with the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones that would inevitably be produced.

Thinking of this,

the indignation in its heart at being offended grew even stronger, mixed with a trace of absurdity.

"Er Ming and I have quietly remained at the Lake of Life for countless years. We have almost never set foot in human territory, nor have we ever deliberately provoked that so-called Spirit Hall."

"We've stayed out of each other's way. What right do they have to make us targets? Just because we've lived a long time and our Soul Rings are old?"

The logic was so simple and brutal that it made it both angry and powerless.

It was helplessness in the face of humanity's complicated, greedy nature.

"Sigh."

Lin Qing sighed softly.

Though the Sky Azure Bull Python possessed intelligence, it was still limited by being a Soul Beast.

He knew he had to lay everything out completely and explain it in the clearest possible terms.

"The reason is actually not complicated. It is even cruelly realistic."

He organized his thoughts.

"That Pope, like me, is a born possessor of Twin Martial Souls."

"Moreover, she has been a Titled Douluo for many years, and her first Martial Soul has long reached its peak."

Lin Qing looked sharply at the Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous azure eyes, which were filled with confusion.

"Her current goal, and her goal for a long time to come, is to find and kill sufficiently powerful Soul Beasts for her second Martial Soul, which still has few Soul Rings attached, so she can obtain the highest-grade Soul Rings."

"And Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are targets she will never let go."

"You and Er Ming are publicly known as the strongest Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest. With Hundred-Thousand-Year cultivation and reputations that precede you, you would not be difficult to investigate."

Lin Qing's tone carried an almost cruel objectivity.

"To that Pope, who single-mindedly pursues the pinnacle of power and urgently needs top-tier Soul Rings, the two of you are the most conspicuous, most suitable, and most valuable 'targets' on this continent."

"I dare say your names were probably written long ago in heavy red ink on her highest-priority hunting list."

Naturally, Lin Qing was referring to the future Pope Bibi Dong, who would launch the Hunting Soul Operation.

She should already have been secretly undergoing the Rakshasa God's trial,

and killing powerful Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings was an unavoidable step for her to increase her strength and complete the divine trial.

Knowing the plot in advance was sometimes truly a heavy burden, Lin Qing muttered inwardly.

"So, Da Ming, think about what it would mean if you brought Xiao Wu back to the Lake of Life now."

"Not only would it fail to protect her as you imagine, but because you and Er Ming have already become targets, it might instead bring even greater danger directly to her side!"

Lin Qing said gravely.

"At the same time, she would completely lose her chance to train and grow in the Human World, and gain the ability to truly protect herself."

"That would be no different from keeping her in a cage that seemed safe but was actually filled with dangers on every side."

At the end, he spread his hands, his face showing a trace of helplessness toward the rules of fate.

There was no helping it.

For a Shaped Soul Beast rebuilding through human form to level up and grow, it had to integrate into human society and experience the everyday world,

The rule sounded quite bizarre, but it was an iron law.

Unless it possessed some special ability.

Otherwise, a Shaped Soul Beast that remained among Soul Beasts could scarcely achieve effective growth.

"..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python fell completely silent.

It sank into an unprecedentedly long silence.

Its enormous head, comparable to a small hill, lowered as it cast a vast, heavy, trembling shadow at the edge of the firelight.

A crushing sense of powerlessness nearly suffocated it and left its mind dazed.

So, without realizing it, Er Ming and it, the two overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest, were no longer a solid support and bulwark capable of protecting Big Sister Xiao Wu as she grew safely.

Instead, because of their own "value," they had become the source most likely to bring about catastrophic disaster.

They had become beacons drawing the attention of humanity's top hunters.

This cold and cruel realization made it miserable, yet it was impossible to refute.

Lin Qing's words were logically clear and struck straight at the heart of the matter.

It could not help but consider them carefully.

Crack!

Another bright spark burst from the campfire, making the emotions in the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes flicker uncertainly.

A long time passed.

"Sigh..."

A heavy, lingering sigh tinged with moisture emerged from deep within the Sky Azure Bull Python's throat.

"Perhaps you are right. I made everything seem too simple."

It spoke gloomily.

Its voice was lower than before, carrying the exhaustion of someone who had recognized reality.

"Simply thinking of hiding Big Sister Xiao Wu away is not a fundamental solution."

"Danger will not disappear on its own just because we close our eyes."

Having understood everything, the Sky Azure Bull Python raised its enormous head again.

For the first time, those azure eyes, which had watched the passage of countless years and endured innumerable storms and changes, clearly revealed profound confusion and uncertainty.

"Lin Qing, how do you think Big Sister Xiao Wu should be protected?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python's thoughts became clearer as well, and questions came one after another.

"In human territory, Titled Douluo are watching covetously and can see through Big Sister Xiao Wu's identity."

"And now, figures like Spirit Hall's Pope are secretly coveting Er Ming and me, which will likewise affect Big Sister Xiao Wu."

Its enormous eyes were filled with worry.

Wouldn't that leave her trapped between two impossible choices?

Neither side seemed safe.

"Then what about you? How do you intend to protect her?"

Its blazing gaze fixed on Lin Qing, not missing the slightest change in his expression.

The Sky Azure Bull Python wanted to know what Lin Qing was thinking.

"Though your abilities are astonishing now, against a behemoth like Spirit Hall, two fists can hardly beat four hands. You are still alone and too weak, aren't you?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python's question was blunt and realistic, even somewhat sharp.

But it had to ask clearly.

This concerned Big Sister Xiao Wu's future life and death. There could be no vagueness or blind optimism.

Unexpectedly—

Faced with this near-interrogation, Lin Qing showed no discouragement or difficulty at all. Instead, the corners of his mouth curled upward in a grin.

Lit by the dancing campfire, that smile carried an almost sharp edge and arrogance.

"Of course it isn't enough! We've barely begun, Da Ming."

He sprang to his feet.

With his back to the campfire and the Sky Azure Bull Python, he faced the green lake, which reflected a shattered river of stars and stretched into unfathomable depths.

"My goal has never been merely to deal with them or withstand them."

"That kind of passive defense may last for a while, but not forever."

He turned around.

The firelight shone upon him from the front.

It outlined his tall figure with a wavering golden edge,

and his expression could not be seen clearly,

but his eyes shone with startling brightness, as if two tiny flames burned within them.

"What I want is to take the initiative and climb step by step to the very top."

He raised one hand and slowly clenched it.

"I want to become stronger than everyone else—strong enough that the entire Spirit Hall will have to think twice upon hearing my name and dare not act rashly."

"Strong enough that opponents on Tang Hao's level can only watch from afar, unable to even entertain the thought of becoming my enemy."

"Strong enough that I will have the power to change some of the rotten rules in this world and establish a new, more reasonable order myself!"

Then his tone abruptly shifted.

"And if I have to set a goal for this path of defying the heavens..."

His voice took on a desperate resolve that left no path of retreat.

"Then I think I will have to touch that realm which exists only in legends and ancient records—"

His gaze flashed like lightning as he stared directly into the Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous, shocked eyes.

"I want to become a God!"