"One of the Lower Four Sects, the Elephant Armored Sect, has always been close to Spirit Hall. They've clearly stated that they'll fully support Spirit Hall in reselecting the Seven Great Sects. Sect Master Huyan Zhen personally sent a letter saying that the Elephant Armored Sect is ready to follow Spirit Hall's orders at any time and is willing to serve as Spirit Hall's vanguard."
"The other three sects—the White Tiger Sect, Wind Sword Sect, and Fire Leopard Sect—haven't clearly said they'll participate, but they haven't refused either."
"Some fairly powerful sects that aren't among the Seven Great Sects, on the other hand, have been very enthusiastic and said they'll take part in the reselection."
These sects had long been suffocated under the Seven Great Sects' thumb. The Seven Great Sects had seized nearly all the resources and poached their talented members.
They had choked down their resentment for too long, nursed their hatred for too long, and waited for too long.
Spirit Hall had given them an opportunity, and they wouldn't let it slip by.
"Mm." She answered and handed the list to Gu Qingshan.
Gu Qingshan took it and glanced over it casually. It was basically the same as what he remembered from the original novel in his previous life.
The Elephant Armored Sect: Huyan Zhen's defensive sect. Their strength was average, but they were obedient—the most loyal dogs in Spirit Hall's kennel.
The White Tiger Sect was somewhat stronger than the Elephant Armored Sect, but it was an opportunistic fence-sitter that followed whoever held the upper hand.
The Wind Sword Sect was fast and hit hard, but had poor defenses. It was a typical assassin-style sect.
The Fire Leopard Sect hit hard but was unreliable, with explosive attacks but little staying power.
There were also some fairly powerful sects, such as the Holy Dragon Sect, Black Tiger Sect, Rock Antelope Sect, Sparrow Bee Sect, and others.
Gu Qingshan returned the list to Bibi Dong and said, "Just as expected, the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't come."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wants to come but doesn't dare. Most of the Lower Four Sects are watching and waiting, while the second- and third-rate sects are going wild."
Bibi Dong set the list on the table and lightly tapped the paper with her slender fingers.
"If the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan don't come, the reselection of the Seven Great Sects will carry far less weight."
Gu Qingshan said, "Don't worry, Teacher. Leave it to me. I guarantee not a single one of the Upper Three Sects will be left out!"
"Good."
Gu Qingshan returned to the Star Dou Great Forest, accompanied by Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.
This time, their target was the Soul Bones of Da Ming and Er Ming.
The group hurried through the Star Dou Great Forest, heading toward its core region.
As they advanced, Bibi Dong asked, "Qingshan, there really are Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest."
"But Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are extremely intelligent. They won't be easy to find. How are we going to track them down?"
Gu Qingshan smiled mysteriously. "Teacher, do you remember Xiao Wu? The rabbit I killed at Shrek."
"There are two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, and they're close to that rabbit."
"As long as I release the rabbit's aura, they'll come straight to us."
Bibi Dong shook her head. "You little rascal, always so crafty. I wonder who you take after."
Gu Qingshan said, "Hehe, it's all thanks to your teaching, Teacher."
Bibi Dong: "..."
Soon, the four arrived at the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, beside the Lake of Life.
Mist rolled over the lake, occasionally lifted by a gentle breeze to reveal the dark green water beneath.
Following the plan they'd discussed beforehand, Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo hid in the trees along the shore.
Gu Qingshan stood by the water and took a deep breath.
He released his Thorn Shield Martial Soul. A huge, dark-gold shield appeared before his left arm, the thorn patterns across its face glowing a deep red.
His Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.
One purple, five black, and one red.
The most striking was the blood-red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
It sat at the very end of his Soul Ring sequence, the largest of them all, revolving slowly. It stood out vividly beside the still lake.
Xiao Wu's aura—the aura of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit—spread from Gu Qingshan in every direction.
Deep in the woods across the lake, a giant ape as large as a mountain suddenly opened its eyes.
Its nostrils twitched. A familiar scent hung in the air.
"Roar! It's Sister Xiao Wu! Sister Xiao Wu's back!"
Titan Giant Ape rose from the undergrowth and rushed excitedly toward the source of the scent.
In the middle of the lake, another pair of eyes opened beneath the water.
They were even larger than Titan Giant Ape's. Its head was that of a bull, its body that of a serpent, and its scales were dark blue-green.
Da Ming's senses were sharper than Er Ming's.
Xiao Wu.
That was Xiao Wu's scent, but something was wrong!
It lifted its head out of the lake, sending water splashing several yards into the air.
Its enormous blue eyes shone like two bright lanterns. Its gaze swept across the lake and soon found the boy standing on the shore.
At that moment, Titan Giant Ape arrived, crashing out of the forest with its massive body.
The auras of two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts met above the Lake of Life, forming a terrifying pressure that could make any Soul Master below the rank of Titled Douluo suffocate on the spot.
Da Ming and Er Ming stared fixedly at the boy's feet. Their enormous bodies trembled violently as they looked at the blood-red Soul Ring.
That was Sister Xiao Wu's...
"Sister Xiao Wu's Soul Ring... Human... You killed Sister Xiao Wu?"
Er Ming couldn't believe it. Sister Xiao Wu really was dead—this human boy had even absorbed her Soul Ring.
Da Ming, meanwhile, was consumed by grief. It had warned Xiao Wu long ago not to trust humans. Humans were all rotten!
But Xiao Wu hadn't believed it. She'd insisted that there were good humans, too.
Now Xiao Wu knew the truth. The price had been her life.
"Roar! Er Ming, kill that human!"
Gu Qingshan stood where he was, watching the mountain of flesh charging at him. He chewed up a Blue Silver Leaf and swallowed it.
"Wait a little longer," he sent back telepathically. "Let them get closer."
Bibi Dong watched the two Soul Beasts, their ferocious auras surging sky-high, and stood ready to strike at any moment.
Enraged, Er Ming charged first, swinging its enormous fist down to pound the human before it into mincemeat.
Just before Er Ming's fist came down, light flashed from Gu Qingshan's right arm, and he vanished from the spot. It was Xiao Wu's Soul Bone's Flash ability.
"Boom!"
The ground was blasted into a huge crater, dirt flying in every direction.
When Gu Qingshan vanished, Er Ming roared at the sky and frantically scanned its surroundings.
The human boy stood atop the canopy of a tree ten yards away.
Faint golden light still flickered on his right arm.
"Roar!"
Not only had this man killed Sister Xiao Wu, he had also absorbed her Soul Ring and fused with her Soul Bone, claiming everything that had belonged to her.
This man had to die!
Er Ming charged toward Gu Qingshan. Its body was like a moving mountain, and trees exploded along its path.
Its fists swung wildly, one after another, each punch faster than the last.
It only wanted to knock the human from the treetop, then crush him underfoot and tear him to shreds.
Gu Qingshan kept flashing between the treetops without fighting back, drawing Er Ming deeper into the forest.
At the same time, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo appeared together to block Sky Azure Bull Python, which was pursuing them from behind.
Bibi Dong stayed close, ready to support Gu Qingshan. He had killed a Titled Douluo before, but a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was no easy prey. Its vitality was immense.
Killing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was far more difficult than killing a Titled Douluo.
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