The Choice of the Gold and Silver Dragon Martial Soul, Target: Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers

"Human, what do you intend for us to help you with?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python had finally acknowledged Wu'er's identity and asked about the next step.

The heavy stone hanging in Lin Qing's heart finally fell away.

His expression turned serious.

"My plan is simple, but I need your strength."

"Just as I said before, I don't have a single Soul Ring."

"My goal is to absorb Soul Rings with the highest possible cultivation and gain strength capable of matching—or even surpassing—Tang Hao in the shortest time possible!"

"Only then can I safely take Xiao Wu away from Tang Hao's watch and protect her without causing a huge commotion or triggering subsequent chain reactions."

"..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python fell silent.

Lin Qing's meaning was obvious: he wanted Da Ming and Er Ming to hunt Soul Beasts for him, and ones that were at least ten thousand years old.

Light shifted within its enormous azure eyes as it clearly weighed the matter.

Lin Qing did not urge it.

He knew that asking Soul Beasts to help a human hunt other Soul Beasts, even if the targets were their rivals, was something that required careful consideration.

A moment later.

The Sky Azure Bull Python slowly spoke.

"Human, I considered this when you first made the request. Er Ming and I can assist you in obtaining the Soul Rings you need."

It paused, then added a condition in a heavier tone.

"But we will not slaughter indiscriminately without principles. The Soul Beast World has its own rules and ways of survival."

Lin Qing indicated that he understood.

"I understand that."

"I'm already deeply grateful that you're willing to help."

"And I already have several clear targets in mind. I believe you won't object to the ones I've chosen."

"Oh?"

A flicker of surprise passed through the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes.

"Let me hear it."

The corners of Lin Qing's mouth lifted as he spoke the name he had long decided upon.

"My first target is—the Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers."

That was right.

They were the three Ninety-Thousand-Year Thousand Jun Ant Emperors from the original work, the ones Tang San later killed to add his sixth, seventh, and Eighth Soul Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer.

They were top-tier Soul Beasts specialized purely in strength.

Setting aside their lack of Dragon Bloodline, their strength attribute was a perfect match for the Ultimate Power of his Golden Dragon Martial Soul.

Lin Qing had long thought through which Martial Soul should receive Soul Rings first.

The Silver Dragon Martial Soul could control the Nine Great Elements, which sounded impressive.

But it was still far from the Silver Dragon King's ultimate control and the might of Extreme Elements.

To fully bring out this Martial Soul's potential.

The best solution was to absorb Soul Rings possessing "Ultimate Attributes" or exceptionally powerful elemental strength.

Such as Extreme Fire, Extreme Ice, and the like.

But Soul Beasts of that level were exceedingly rare; there was no rushing it.

There were only a few Ultimate Attribute Soul Beasts that he knew of from his memories.

The Golden Dragon was different.

Its requirements were relatively "simple": overwhelming strength, or Dragon Bloodline.

There were far more choices for its Soul Rings!

Moreover, he knew where to find suitable, ready-made targets.

The Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers—three Ninety-Thousand-Year strength-type Soul Rings that could be taken as a package deal.

They were perfect for the first three Soul Rings of his Golden Dragon Martial Soul, giving him an unshakable foundation!

If I'm lucky, I might be able to use the Clear Sky Hammer like Tang San did to purify and refine them, trigger a mutation, and produce three Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings. That would be a massive profit!

Lin Qing thought happily.

At the mention of the Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers, the Sky Azure Bull Python's gaze visibly flickered.

It looked at Lin Qing with several more layers of meaning in its eyes.

"Human, you truly know quite a lot about the Star Dou Great Forest. That surprises me."

"Hehe..."

Lin Qing gave an awkward laugh.

Of course. He had practically read the original work to pieces.

Not just the two of you—even the mighty Silver Dragon King sleeping beneath your lake, along with that bunch of Fierce Beasts hundreds of thousands of years old, were all familiar to him.

Naturally, he could not say that even if it killed him.

It would be troublesome if he alerted those Fierce Beasts below.

On the surface, he merely waved his hand modestly. "I've only heard a little."

There was another reason he had chosen the Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers: their relationship with the two apparent "Forest Kings" before him was not particularly good.

Those three brothers had always coveted the treasured land around the Lake of Life.

Relying on their combined strength, which was enough to contend with Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, they counted as an extremely powerful force near the Core Area of the Star Dou Great Forest.

If any one of them broke through to one hundred thousand years, it would definitely challenge Da Ming and Er Ming's status.

From the standpoint of competition, the Sky Azure Bull Python truly had no reason to object.

Sure enough, after only a brief contemplation, the Sky Azure Bull Python made its decision.

"Those three ants truly are unruly fellows. Er Ming and I will help you."

But it immediately raised a practical difficulty.

"However, the three brothers have always advanced and retreated together. Their coordination is flawless, and they are extremely troublesome. Their ability to burrow underground and escape is also exceptionally strong."

"Even if Er Ming and I act, we cannot eliminate all three at once within an extremely short period of time."

"If the battle drags on too long, the violent fluctuations may attract other troublesome fellows."

That was not a situation the Sky Azure Bull Python wanted to see.

As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had lived by the Lake of Life for countless years.

It knew better than anyone that the Star Dou Great Forest was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Lin Qing had already considered that point as well.

"I've thought about that."

"Although I don't have any Soul Rings, I recently learned some special techniques from my future daughter."

He raised his right hand.

Golden light faintly flowed beneath his skin as a pure and tyrannical Dragon Might erupted.

"I believe I can hold one of them off with all my strength, buying the two of you time to swiftly deal with the other two separately."

The Sky Azure Bull Python sensed the young yet extremely high-ranking dragon aura emanating from Lin Qing, and a trace of surprise flashed through its eyes.

This human truly had some skills.

"In that case, it is feasible."

The Sky Azure Bull Python finally made its decision.

It turned toward the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming beside it, who had long since grown impatient and was scratching the ground with its thick fingers, then let out several low roars.

They were using the method of communication between Soul Beasts.

Er Ming quickly pounded its thick chest excitedly, producing a dull boom.

Then, the enormous Forest Overlord set off toward a direction deep within the forest with earth-shaking strides.

The Sky Azure Bull Python had sent it to locate the exact position of the Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers' nest.

The wait was not long.

Only half a day later.

Amid heavy footsteps drawing closer and the crashing sounds of trees breaking, the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming's pitch-black figure appeared by the Lake of Life once more.

It roared several times at the Sky Azure Bull Python and Lin Qing, gesturing with simple hand signals.

"Found them?"

Lin Qing understood what it meant.

Er Ming nodded forcefully.

It patted its chest, meaning, "Follow me."

This time, both Da Ming and Er Ming set out together.

The Sky Azure Bull Python gestured for Lin Qing and the three children to climb onto its head.

Lin Qing picked up Qing Zhu and Rou Rou, while Wu'er nimbly climbed up by herself.

Sitting atop its broad head covered in fine azure scales, the two little girls excitedly wrapped their small hands around its two great horns.

"Hold on tight."

The Sky Azure Bull Python's deep voice sounded.

Its immense body began to writhe as it headed deeper into the forest.

The Titan Giant Ape Er Ming cleared the way ahead.

The view from atop the giant beast's head was exceptionally broad.

At first, the little girls Rou Rou and Qing Zhu were somewhat frightened. They only felt safe when they tightly gripped Lin Qing or the scales beneath them.

But they quickly adapted.

They even began excitedly watching the sea of forest rushing past below.

"Dad, are we going to beat up Bad Guys?" Lin Wu'er asked excitedly, tilting her head up.

"We're not going to beat up Bad Guys."

Lin Qing stroked her head.

"We're mainly going to help Dad obtain the power to become stronger, so I can protect Mom and you girls. And while we're at it, we'll clean up some neighbors who aren't very friendly toward your Uncles Da Ming and Er Ming."

"Okay, Dad, go!"

Lin Rourou also waved her little fist.

Lin Qingzhu quietly leaned against Lin Qing's chest and softly said, "Be careful."