Lin Rui felt warm all over. A force within him was beginning to stir, while Golden Body Douluo and Du Busi, who were awakening his Martial Soul, felt as though they were about to be drained dry. The six-year-old in front of them was crazily absorbing their Soul Power.
"What kind of Martial Soul does this little guy have?" Du Busi couldn't help asking. But there was nothing he could do. He immediately released his Martial Soul and entered his second form, transforming in an instant into a muscular giant. Nine dazzling Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, red, red, red. His powerful Level 98 aura erupted in an instant.
He wanted to see just how much this kid could absorb.
Golden Body Douluo, caught between the two of them, felt like he was suffering through sheer agony.
Soon, the absorption stopped as abruptly as it had begun. Du Busi noticed at once and quickly pulled his hand back, peering over with curiosity.
Golden Body Douluo also immediately got to his feet. He felt as though Lin Rui was about to suck him dry, while the Sect Master's Soul Power was about to make him burst.
Du Busi paid no attention to Golden Body Douluo beside him. He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Lin Rui. A moment later, his face filled with shock and excitement. "Old Jin, come here."
Hearing the Sect Master call him, Golden Body Douluo stopped adjusting his Soul Power and hurried over. Seeing the changes in Lin Rui, he wore the same expression as Du Busi. "Sect Master, did we just hit the jackpot?"
Smack!
Du Busi smacked him and said irritably, "What do you mean, hit the jackpot? This is a blessing from heaven for our Body Sect!"
He had thought that the six-year-old Lin Rui's Martial Soul would be, at most, Big Stomach—that is, his belly, a Body Martial Soul. But he had never imagined the kid's Martial Soul would be his own body, just like Du Busi's. Wasn't this practically his successor, the future young sect master of the Body Sect?
Lin Rui soon woke up. The two men in front of him were staring at him excitedly, as if he were some priceless treasure. Goosebumps rose all over his body, and he backed away. "You're not going to eat me, are you?"
"Quick, quick, bring out the Soul Power tester!" Du Busi immediately ordered Golden Body Douluo to hand him the Soul Power testing crystal ball. He took it, stepped forward, and spoke in an exceedingly gentle voice. "Come on, little guy. Let's see how much Soul Power you have."
"..." Hearing Du Busi's tone, Lin Rui honestly couldn't take it.
Still, he held out his hand. He hadn't expected his Martial Soul to be his own body.
Then again, he had inherited the Authority of Life. His Martial Soul was bound to be his own body—a Body Martial Soul with the Life Attribute.
No wonder those two in front of him were being so enthusiastic. With talent like his, he was the undisputed choice to become the Body Sect's future heir.
The moment Lin Rui placed his hand on the crystal ball, Soul Power appeared inside it.
"As expected, he has Innate Full Soul Power." Du Busi barely dared to breathe. His gaze grew even more fervent as he looked at Lin Rui.
Who else gets it?
He and Old Jin had gone into the forest to roast some meat, only to stumble across a top-tier heir. This was practically the Body Sect's ancestral gravesite smoking green! He was over the moon.
"Phew..." Du Busi let out a breath, tamping down his overwhelming excitement. He tossed the crystal ball aside and looked at Lin Rui as if he were his own child. "Little guy, what's your name?"
"Lin Rui."
"Good name." Du Busi nodded, then asked, "Do you know what your Martial Soul is?"
"Myself."
"And what Attribute is it?"
"Life Attribute," Lin Rui replied.
"Life Attribute." Du Busi and Golden Body Douluo exchanged a glance. If they weren't mistaken, that had to be the rare Life Attribute, right?
It was as rare as spiritual power—perhaps even rarer. As far as they knew, the only person on the continent with such an Attribute was that one in the Star Luo Empire.
No wonder the little guy could eat so much.
Golden Body Douluo looked at Du Busi. "Sect Master, he's a gem!"
Du Busi nodded, then looked at Lin Rui. "Can I call you A-Rui?"
"Sure." Lin Rui nodded. He understood that he'd be joining the Body Sect today. Well, so be it. It was better than starving to death out in the world.
"Then, little guy, have you heard of the Body Sect?" Du Busi asked again. He was absolutely going to take Lin Rui back to the Body Sect today. He'd drag him back if he had to. This was the Body Sect's future heir!
"No." Lin Rui shook his head. "Is it a nice place?"
Golden Body Douluo immediately stepped forward. "Of course it is, and your Martial Soul is a perfect fit there."
"Do they provide food and lodging?"
"They do, of course. You can eat as much as you want, and I'll personally go catch it for you." For the sake of his future precious disciple, Du Busi was willing to go all out. Whatever Soul Ring the boy needed, he'd personally take him to get it.
He and Old Jin had still been worrying about where the Body Sect's future heir would come from. Now heaven had sent them one. If he didn't treat this little guy like the Ancestor himself, he wouldn't be Du Busi!
Lin Rui thought it over, then replied, "All right. I'll join."
Du Busi and Golden Body Douluo hadn't expected Lin Rui to agree so quickly. They stared blankly for a moment, then grew even happier and burst into laughter.
"Good, good, good." Du Busi gently patted Lin Rui on the shoulder, afraid of hurting the little Ancestor. "Come on, we'll take you back to the sect first, then take you hunting Soul Beasts."
"Okay." Lin Rui nodded. He felt a little sleepy. He hadn't slept well for the past few days, and now that he'd replenished what he'd lost, he needed to rest.
Noticing that Lin Rui seemed off, Du Busi immediately crouched down. "Little guy, come on. I'll carry you back to the sect."
Lin Rui hadn't expected Du Busi to be so enthusiastic. Well, he wouldn't stand on ceremony. He climbed onto Du Busi's back and soon fell asleep in peace.
"Let's go, Old Jin." Du Busi felt Lin Rui fall asleep on his back and immediately called to Golden Body Douluo beside him. Carrying Lin Rui, he flew toward the Body Sect.
He was truly overjoyed today. He'd gone out for some roast meat and found a top-tier heir. It seemed there was no need for the Body Sect to remain in seclusion anymore.
Inside the Sea of Consciousness, Lin Ruo and the others abruptly locked onto that familiar figure.
Lin Rui's outline gradually came into focus. Their taut nerves finally relaxed, and even their breathing grew easier.
Lin Fan was the first to speak, his tone carrying a touch of teasing, though he couldn't hide the smile at the corners of his mouth. "I thought you'd starve to death on the street, you little rascal."
Lin Rui had just steadied himself. Hearing that, he didn't get annoyed. His eyes glimmered with the relief of having survived a calamity, and he waved with a grin. "To be honest, I almost did. I nearly couldn't hold on.
"But heaven helped me out. I actually ran into Du Busi and Golden Body Douluo by pure chance!"
Lin Nuo's eyes lit up at once. Leaning forward half a step, he asked with curiosity, "What happened next?"
Lin Rui straightened abruptly, planted his hands on his hips, and laughed, brimming with pride. "What do you think? I became the Body Sect's heir on the spot! I'd already prepared myself for a hellish start, but who knew things would turn out so wonderfully? Just when the road seemed to end, a new village appeared!"
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