Third Soul Skill, Kotoamatsukami!

"Yes!" Scarlet King answered respectfully. Turning around, he transformed into a crimson bolt of lightning and vanished into the depths of the forest.

Du Busi, Long Aotian, and Dai Tu were all stunned.

They had not expected Di Tian to be so straightforward, so... generous.

He was directly sending his subordinate ferocious beasts to capture soul beasts and deliver them here for them to kill and absorb their soul rings?

Even Titled Douluo might not receive such treatment, right?

"Di Tian, isn't this... a little inappropriate?" Du Busi rubbed his hands together. Though his mouth said "inappropriate," his expression clearly said, "Hurry, bring more."

Di Tian glanced at him and said indifferently, "The Auspicious Beast's life is worth this price. Besides..."

He paused and looked at Dai Tu, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes. "I'm very interested in this kid's martial soul. The Tree of Life... may be useful to the Star Dou Great Forest in the future. Consider it... an early investment."

Dai Tu remained silent.

He knew Di Tian was telling the truth. The Tree of Life Martial Soul—especially a Tree of Life with the Goddess of Life's inheritance—might hold even greater significance for soul beasts than he had imagined.

Soul beasts had a difficult path of cultivation, and one of their greatest bottlenecks was their life level.

The Tree of Life, however, could elevate one's life level. It might even... help soul beasts break through the limits of their bloodlines and evolve.

This was a transaction.

In exchange for treating the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, he had gained Di Tian's friendship, the goodwill of the Star Dou Great Forest, and... potentially deeper cooperation in the future.

Scarlet King was highly efficient.

In less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, he returned.

He did not return alone. He dragged back a whole string of "things."

In his left hand, he dragged a giant bear more than fifty meters long, its entire body covered in dark golden scales.

The giant bear was still struggling, but its limbs were tightly bound by crimson flaming chains, and its mouth had been sealed. It could only let out muffled whimpers, its eyes filled with fear and despair.

"Dark Gold Bear, fifty-three thousand years old. Strength type. Strong defense, fierce attacks. Most suitable for assault-type soul masters."

Scarlet King tossed the giant bear to the ground as if throwing away a sack of trash.

Then, with a flick of his right hand, he threw out two smaller soul beasts.

One was silver-white all over, shaped like a fox but with three tails.

Its eyes were an unusual silver-white, and within its pupils, stars seemed to swirl. It was mysterious and eerie. At this moment, Scarlet King had restrained it with Soul Power, and it had curled into a trembling ball.

"Three-Tailed Illusion Fox, eighteen thousand years old. Spiritual type. Skilled in illusions and spiritual attacks. Most suitable for eye-type martial souls," Scarlet King introduced.

The other was emerald green, shaped like an elk, but with antlers resembling two miniature ancient trees.

Its aura was gentle and rich, radiating dense life force. Even while restrained, there was not much fear in its eyes. Instead, it possessed a calm acceptance of fate.

"Emerald Spirit Deer, fifteen thousand years old. Healing type. It possesses immense vitality and is most suitable for healing-type plant martial souls," Scarlet King added.

"This one belongs to the same clan as the one young friend Dai Tu killed before, but it is older and more effective."

Long Aotian stared at the three soul beasts on the ground, his eyes going wide.

A fifty-thousand-year Dark Gold Bear—such quality would make even Titled Douluo fight to the death over it outside! The eighteen-thousand-year Three-Tailed Illusion Fox and the fifteen-thousand-year Emerald Spirit Deer were also treasures among treasures!

Damn... we hit the jackpot!

Long Aotian nearly failed to suppress his grin.

He walked up to the Dark Gold Bear and looked at the former forest overlord, now sprawled on the ground like a dead dog. Excitement flashed through his eyes, along with a trace of... pity.

But that trace of pity was quickly replaced by resolve.

The world of soul masters was one where the strong preyed on the weak. Soul beasts hunted humans, and humans hunted soul beasts. It was only natural. Since he had chosen this path, he could not afford to be soft-hearted.

Long Aotian raised his hand and struck the Dark Gold Bear's forehead with his palm, shattering its brain.

A pitch-black soul ring rose from the giant bear's corpse, radiating terrifying power fluctuations.

Long Aotian sat cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

Dai Tu also walked over to the two ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

He looked first at the Three-Tailed Illusion Fox. Its eyes were very special. Within those silver-white pupils, countless tiny specks of starlight seemed to revolve. Looking at them for too long made one dizzy, as if even one's soul would be sucked inside.

It was highly suitable for the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Dai Tu raised his hand and pressed it against the Three-Tailed Illusion Fox's forehead. Soul Power surged forth, ending its life.

A deep black soul ring rose up, giving off mysterious spiritual fluctuations.

Then, he looked at the Emerald Spirit Deer.

The soul beast looked at him. In its emerald eyes were reflected his face and the phantom image of the Tree of Life behind him. It did not struggle or fear him. It merely watched Dai Tu quietly, and there was even a trace of... relief in its eyes?

Dai Tu was silent for two seconds before ending its life as well.

Another deep black soul ring rose, radiating gentle life-force fluctuations.

Dai Tu sat cross-legged and began by absorbing the Three-Tailed Illusion Fox's soul ring.

The process went very smoothly. The Mangekyō Sharingan was naturally adept at spiritual power and possessed an innate affinity for illusions and spiritual attacks.

Although the Three-Tailed Illusion Fox's soul ring contained tremendous energy, before his demonic Mangekyō, it was as docile as a kitten. There was almost no resistance before it was completely absorbed.

His Soul Power rose from level thirty to level thirty-three.

Moreover, he gained an entirely new soul skill.

"Third Soul Skill, Kotoamatsukami."

Dai Tu opened his eyes. The scarlet Mangekyō pattern within them slowly turned, and an eerie gleam flashed deep in his pupils.

He could feel that the effect of this soul skill was utterly heaven-defying.

Alter memories, implant will, Distortion perception.

As long as he had sufficient Soul Power and spiritual power, he could even... turn one person completely into another. He could make enemies become friends, turn foes into loyal dogs, and make the entire world operate according to his will.

It was a terrifying ability.

But it also had restrictions.

It could only be used twice within a year. Furthermore, against targets whose spiritual power far surpassed his own, its effects would be greatly weakened, and it might even cause backlash.

Even so, it was still a... divine skill capable of changing the course of battle, perhaps even changing fate itself.

Dai Tu took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, then began absorbing the Emerald Spirit Deer's soul ring.

This time, the absorption was even faster.

The Tree of Life Martial Soul was highly compatible with the Emerald Spirit Deer's attributes. Almost as soon as the soul ring's energy entered his body, it was greedily absorbed, converted, and fused by the Tree of Life.

The Mark of Life between his brows also heated slightly, supplying pure life energy and helping him rapidly digest this massive power.

His Soul Power rose from level thirty-three to level thirty-five, then rose again to level thirty-six.

He advanced three levels in a row.

Moreover, the Tree of Life's third soul skill was successfully obtained.

"Third Soul Skill, Deep Forest Emergence."

With a thought from Dai Tu, the Tree of Life Martial Soul appeared behind him, and three soul rings—two purple and one black—rose in sequence.

P.S. I've already figured out how to deal with Wang Dong... hehehe.

Are you looking forward to Tang San's appearance? And Dai Mubai too!