The Choice of the Gold and Silver Dragon Martial Soul, Targeting the 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 weight hanging over Lin Qing's heart finally fell away.

His expression turned serious.

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

"As I said before, I do not 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 possible time!"

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

"..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python remained silent.

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

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 Soul Beasts, even if the targets were their competitors, was something that required careful consideration.

A moment later.

The Sky Azure Bull Python slowly spoke.

"Human, I considered this request when you first made it. 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 hunt recklessly without principle. The Soul Beast World has its own rules and ways of survival."

Lin Qing showed his understanding.

"I understand that."

"I am already deeply grateful that you are willing to help."

"Besides, I already have several clear targets in mind. I believe you will not object to the ones I have chosen."

"Oh?"

A trace of surprise flashed through the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes.

"Tell me."

The corners of Lin Qing's lips rose 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 Years Thousand Jun Ant Emperors from the Original Work whom Tang San later killed and used to add his sixth, seventh, and Eighth Soul Ring to the Clear Sky Hammer.

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

Aside from lacking Dragon Bloodline, their power attribute perfectly matched the Ultimate Power of his Golden Dragon Martial Soul.

Lin Qing had already thoroughly considered which Martial Soul should receive Soul Rings first over the past few days.

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.

If he wanted to develop the full potential of this Martial Soul.

The best choice would be to absorb Soul Rings possessing an "Ultimate Attribute" or exceptionally powerful elemental strength.

For example, Extreme Fire, Extreme Ice, and the like.

But Soul Beasts of that level were extremely rare. He could not rush 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 power, or Dragon Bloodline.

The range of Soul Rings he could choose from was much broader!

Moreover, he knew where to find a ready and suitable supply.

The Thousand Jun Ant Emperor Three Brothers—three Ninety Thousand Years power-type Soul Rings, all available as a package deal.

They would make the perfect first three Soul Rings for his Golden Dragon Martial Soul, laying an unshakable foundation!

If I get lucky and can use the Clear Sky Hammer like Tang San did to purify and refine them, triggering a mutation that produces three Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings, I'll hit the jackpot!

Lin Qing happily thought to himself.

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

The way it looked at Lin Qing gained a few more layers of meaning.

"Human, you know quite a lot about the Star Dou Great Forest. I find that surprising."

"Heh heh..."

Lin Qing gave an awkward laugh.

Of course I do. I practically wore out the Original Work.

Not just the two of you—even that big shot, the Silver Dragon King sleeping beneath your lake, along with all those Fierce Beasts hundreds of thousands of years old, are no secret to me.

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

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

On the surface, he merely waved a hand modestly. "I have heard a little."

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

The 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 were considered 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 certainly come to challenge Da Ming and Er Ming's positions.

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

Sure enough, after only a brief moment of contemplation, the Sky Azure Bull Python reached a decision.

"Those three ants truly are troublesome 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 seamless, and they are extremely difficult to deal with. They are also exceptionally skilled at burrowing underground to escape."

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

"If the battle drags on too long, the violent disturbances 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 beside the Lake of Life for countless years.

It understood better than anyone that the Star Dou Great Forest was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface.

Lin Qing had already considered this point as well.

"I have thought about that."

"Although I do not have any Soul Rings, I have recently learned some special techniques from my future Daughter."

He raised his Right Hand.

A faint golden light flowed beneath his skin, and pure, tyrannical Dragon Might erupted from him.

"I believe I can hold one of them back with all my strength and buy time for the two of you to quickly deal with the other two separately."

The Sky Azure Bull Python sensed the dragon aura coming from Lin Qing. Though still immature, it possessed an extremely high rank, and a trace of surprise passed through its eyes.

This human truly had some skill.

"If that is the case, it is feasible."

The Sky Azure Bull Python finally made its decision.

It turned toward the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming, 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 shared between Soul Beasts.

Er Ming quickly pounded its sturdy chest excitedly, producing a deep, muffled boom.

Then, the enormous Forest Overlord set off toward a direction in 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.

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

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

"Found them?" Lin Qing understood what it meant.

Er Ming nodded vigorously.

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

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

The Sky Azure Bull Python motioned 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 rang out.

Its enormous body began to twist as it headed toward the depths of the forest.

The Titan Giant Ape Er Ming led the way ahead.

The view from atop a Giant Beast was exceptionally broad.

At first, the little girls, Rou Rou and Qing Zhu, were somewhat frightened. They clung tightly to Lin Qing or the scales beneath them to feel safe.

But they soon adapted.

They even excitedly watched the sea of forest rushing past beneath them.

"Dad, are we going to beat up Bad Guys?" Lin Wu'er asked excitedly, looking up at him.

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

Lin Qing stroked her head.

"We're mainly helping Dad gain the strength to Become Stronger, so he can protect Mom and you girls. While we're at it, we'll clear out some neighbors who are not very friendly toward your Uncle Da Ming and Uncle Er Ming."

"Okay, okay! Go, Dad!"

Lin Rourou also waved her little fist.

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