The Boundary of Soul Beast Classification

"Soul Bones were born from the resentment of Soul Beasts. Before dying, they must have been filled with thoughts of revenge, and those thoughts would remain within the Soul Bone, entering a Soul Master's body when it was absorbed. When that time came, it would already be fortunate if the Soul Master was not driven mad by the Soul Beast's resentment within the Soul Bone."

"Furthermore, if that Soul Beast had an even fiercer temperament and intended to perish together with its enemy, then after the Soul Master absorbed the Soul Bone, it could detonate the Soul Bone. Even if he did not die, he would still be severely injured!"

"And don't even think about purifying the resentment within the Soul Bone. Once the resentment is purified, the Soul Bone will naturally dissipate like duckweed without roots."

Gu Yuena and Di Tian's eyes were already shining brightly.

"Good! This method is simply too good!"

The two dragons were visibly excited, already seeing the bright future of the Soul Beast Clan beckoning to them.

"However, while this does sound good, and with Spirit Hall in the future, given our standing among Soul Masters across the world, it may not be impossible for Soul Beasts and humans to cease being enemies. But this only resolves the slaughter between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts. The problem of Soul Beasts facing the Soul Beast Heavenly Tribulation remains unsolved."

After giving it some thought, Qian Renxue voiced her opinion.

Ao Zhan's method sounded excellent, but it seemed to solve only man-made disasters, not natural calamities.

"Forget it, little one. Dragon Venerable has already given us a solution that satisfies us greatly. At the very least, the Soul Beast Clan will only need to wait for the heavenly tribulation in the future and no longer live in fear of human hunting," Gu Yuena said with a smile to Qian Renxue.

She had already come to terms with it. Having obtained such a solution, what else could she possibly be dissatisfied with?

A dragon should not be too greedy. Greed brought no good end.

"Who said this method cannot solve the heavenly tribulation?" Ao Zhan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Dragon Venerable, can Alien Energy solve the heavenly tribulation?!" Gu Yuena's purple eyes widened.

The Soul Beast Heavenly Tribulation was a rule inscribed upon the Douluo Plane by the God Realm. Could Alien Energy even solve that?

"Of course. Did you really think I would give you a half-finished solution?"

Ao Zhan was somewhat speechless. He was not Tang San, who, in order to make the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well belong to the Tang family, gave Dugu Bo a treatment that addressed the symptoms but not the cause, then made the man feel deeply grateful to him.

He did not have such poor taste.

"This heavenly tribulation mechanism targets Soul Beasts, but how are Soul Beasts defined? There are countless Soul Beast species—animals and plants alike. So where is the boundary for this classification?" Ao Zhan posed a question.

Azure Luan pondered. "Is it that killing them can yield Spirit Rings and Soul Bones?"

Guang Ling mused, "Perhaps it is possessing intelligence or great strength?"

Ao Zhan shook his head, seemingly dissatisfied with their answers. "Then think about it. What is the difference between Soul Masters and ordinary people?"

"Martial Souls?"

"Strength?"

The worshippers offered their opinions again.

Qian Renxue pursed her lips, her mind racing. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "I know! It's Soul Power! Everyone on the Douluo Continent has a Martial Soul, but only those with Innate Soul Power can become Soul Masters!"

"That's right. Xue'er, you're very clever. It is Soul Power."

Ao Zhan gave Qian Renxue an approving look before explaining, "Since the difference between Soul Masters and ordinary people is whether they possess Soul Power, then the difference between Soul Beasts and ordinary plants and animals is naturally also whether they possess Soul Power."

"So-called intelligence is merely a byproduct of their growing stronger, while the Spirit Rings they produce are simply their Soul Power condensing after death. In other words, what the Soul Beast Heavenly Tribulation truly strikes are nonhuman creatures such as animals and plants that possess Soul Power."

"But what if the energy within a Soul Beast changes from Soul Power into Alien Energy? Would it still be a Soul Beast then? Could it still be called a Soul Beast? It would be more fitting to call it an Alien Beast. Therefore, as long as they cultivate Alien Energy, all problems will be resolved. The Soul Beast Heavenly Tribulation will completely lose its target and never descend again."

Just as Ao Zhan finished speaking, he caught a faint, delicate fragrance drifting toward him.

Then a soft, warm body pressed tightly against him. Her arms wrapped around Ao Zhan's waist, holding him with such force that it seemed she wanted to meld him into her flesh and blood. She trembled slightly.

Di Tian did not even dare breathe loudly, because the person hugging Dragon Venerable was his mistress, Gu Yuena.

If he foolishly spoke up at a time like this, he would definitely face his mistress's retaliation afterward.

Golden Crocodile and the others, meanwhile, stood with their mouths agape.

No, getting excited was one thing, but why were you hugging someone else?

And you were the dignified leader of the Soul Beast Clan, a god-level being, even an outstanding existence within the God Realm. Why were you hugging Ao Zhan like a little girl?

Yet compared with Golden Crocodile and the others' astonishment and Di Tian's reluctance to speak, Qian Renxue was extremely angry. She felt as though her golden hair had turned the color of the Star Dou Forest's treetops, and her head had grown heavy, as though something were sitting on it.

Ao Zhan and Gu Yuena seemed not to notice any of this.

Faced with Gu Yuena throwing herself into his arms, Ao Zhan froze for a moment before patting her trembling shoulder. "Gu Yuena, let go of me."

Gu Yuena's body stiffened, and she slowly released Ao Zhan.

Her cheeks were flushed as she looked at Ao Zhan with watery eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you."

Ao Zhan smiled. "I already said it was a small matter. After all, we're allies, aren't we?"

"Allies... yes, allies." Gu Yuena repeated the word, her eyes growing even brighter.

Just as she was about to say something, a voice interrupted her.

"Brother Zhan, haven't you talked long enough?" Qian Renxue was consumed by jealousy. She hurried to Ao Zhan's side and wrapped herself around his arm.

She was only a ten-year-old girl and had little interest in changing the relationship between the Soul Beast Clan and humanity.

She had come here only because wherever Ao Zhan went, she went as well.

Even though she knew this concerned the Soul Beast Clan's future strength, their counterattack against the God Realm, and avenging the Angel God's ancestor, she did not want to think about any of that right now. All she could see was that someone was scheming against her Brother Zhan and wanted to interfere with the feelings between her and Ao Zhan.

And that person was not even human!

Ao Zhan rubbed Qian Renxue's smooth golden hair. "Doesn't this concern our future plan to counterattack the God Realm? That's why we talked a little longer."

Then, he looked at Gu Yuena. "Gu Yuena, we have the general idea now, but I still need to return and think over how to spread Alien Energy and how to allow Soul Beasts and all humans to awaken Alien Energy. So I'll have to trouble you to wait a while longer."

Gu Yuena shook her head. "It's alright. I've already waited hundreds of thousands of years. I don't mind waiting a little longer. I must also thank Dragon Venerable for exhausting himself for the sake of my Soul Beast Clan. From now on, my Soul Beast Clan will follow Dragon Venerable's lead!"

Di Tian also clasped his fists solemnly. "Thank you, Dragon Venerable."