The Titan Giant Ape charged over at once. Though its body was enormous, it moved with incredible speed.
"Not good!" Lin Hui was startled. Although he had expected to encounter the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python in the core area, he was still quite shocked when he truly came face-to-face with a full-fledged Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
As for Tian Meng? That little bug probably couldn't even beat a Man-Dala Snake. It was only a bit stronger in mental power.
"Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, use Soul Shock!"
When the Titan Giant Ape approached, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had already hidden behind Lin Hui's legs. Only after hearing the new order did it come forward.
An immensely powerful mental attack shot toward the Titan Giant Ape's head.
Unlike Soul Skills bestowed by Soul Rings, Tian Meng still had nearly a million years of cultivation. As a result, the mental attack it unleashed was far stronger than the mental attacks bestowed upon Soul Masters through Soul Rings.
As for the Titan Giant Ape, after sensing the cultivation levels of the enemies before it, it hadn't taken them seriously at all.
And so, Soul Shock struck it head-on!
The Titan Giant Ape's head felt as if it had been struck by a boulder. The world spun around it, and it let out a pained roar.
"What kind of Soul Skill is this? It can actually damage the origin of my soul!"
"Ah, it hurts so much!"
Just then, Lin Hui gave another order.
"Run!"
Tian Meng's dozens of legs sprang into action, and it scurried away, sobbing the whole way.
"Ah, if Bing'er were here, she'd take care of them all with a single move!"
One human and three beasts turned and fled, but they had barely taken a few steps before the Sky Azure Bull Python blocked their way.
The Sky Azure Bull Python had a snake's body and an ox's head. It was even larger than the Titan Giant Ape, looming like a mountain range. Its massive body blocked the sunlight pouring down from the sky, casting a long shadow.
Lin Hui and the others stood right in that shadow.
"Xiao Wu, can you explain things to Da Ming and Er Ming?" Lin Hui asked.
Even with the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's mental attack, they could only hold Da Ming and Er Ming back. Killing them was simply impossible.
And if any of these little minnows were hit even once by either of the two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, they'd be done for.
Xiao Wu immediately stepped forward.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, things aren't the way you think. They're my friends, and I willingly let Lin Hui capture me."
The Sky Azure Bull Python was especially confused.
"Sister Xiao Wu, Er Ming and I are here. There's no need to be afraid. Killing a mere human would be effortless for us!"
Xiao Wu hurriedly replied.
"It's true. I was about to be captured by a Titled Douluo back then, and becoming Lin Hui's Soul Beast actually helped me escape."
At that, the two gradually calmed down.
Xiao Wu patiently explained the whole story to Da Ming and Er Ming.
She told them about her two other companions as well: the Blue Silver Emperor and the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.
"How did this kid manage to capture so many powerful Soul Beasts? Two that are a hundred thousand years old, and one that's a million years old!" After hearing Xiao Wu's explanation, the Titan Giant Ape was stunned.
"And the Blue Silver Emperor—didn't she perish a few years ago? Could this be a newly emerged Blue Silver Emperor?" The Titan Giant Ape asked, puzzled.
Of course, Lin Hui hadn't told Xiao Wu the full story of Ah Yin's origins. Ah Yin's identity was too special, and he still wanted to keep some secrets.
"You're a million-year-old Soul Beast? Is that true?" The Sky Azure Bull Python lowered its ox head, its nostrils pointed at Tian Meng on the ground. As soon as it finished speaking, its breath blew Tian Meng over.
"Of course! If you think about it, I should count as your senior. Even more powerful Soul Beasts than you fell into slumber for all sorts of reasons. That's why you're the overlords of this forest in this era." Tian Meng put on the airs of a senior.
The Titan Giant Ape chimed in.
"That Soul Shock just now was incredibly powerful. It even managed to hurt me! Its mental power is definitely far greater than mine! That alone makes it entirely possible that it's a million-year-old Soul Beast!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python also recalled the past. A Soul Beast of its stature couldn't possibly be unaware of the Ferocious Beasts' slumber.
"Speaking of which, I've heard similar rumors too. There are Soul Beasts in this forest more powerful than us. I've just never seen one with my own eyes."
The Sky Azure Bull Python turned to Xiao Wu again and asked,
"Sister Xiao Wu, what do you plan to do now? Even if you became Lin Hui's Soul Beast because of an accident, now that you've returned to this forest, no one will stop you if you want your freedom!"
"I..." Xiao Wu hesitated and lowered her head.
To be honest, aside from occasionally taking advantage of her, Lin Hui hadn't mistreated her much.
In fact, she'd even found the time she spent with him quite enjoyable.
Besides, she'd taken human form because she wanted to cultivate to level one hundred and become a god. If she left Lin Hui, she'd probably find it hard to fit into human society, and her level would be difficult to raise too.
That meant her chance of becoming a god would be all but gone.
What's more, she'd already seen Lin Hui's talent. His strength was already far beyond that of his peers. In a few years, it wasn't impossible that he could become a god. And as long as she stayed by his side, she'd have a good chance of setting foot in the Divine Realm too.
Seeing Xiao Wu hesitate, Lin Hui remembered what Ah Yin had told him when he used the Green Wood Liquid at Notting Academy.
He and the female Soul Beasts still lacked a contract that reached deep into their souls.
Although the Soul Beasts he'd subdued wouldn't harm him and would obey his orders,
that certainly wasn't the same as the kind of loyalty that would make them willingly give their lives for him.
It seemed that if he got the chance, he'd have to offer up his body after all.
He had to ensure the loyalty of this team!
After a moment's thought, Xiao Wu finally gave her answer.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, I still want to stay by his side. This may be the only chance in my life to enter the Divine Realm!"
Lin Hui was quite pleased with her answer.
Lin Hui held out his hand to the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.
"My Martial Soul can subdue powerful Soul Beasts that are over ten thousand years old. I'm sure you've seen my strength for yourselves. Would you be willing to join us and become my companions?"
The Titan Giant Ape immediately pounded the ground in anger. Lin Hui felt the earth shake beneath him.
"Kid, you're arrogant! If we became your Soul Beasts, wouldn't we have to obey your orders from then on? What freedom would we have?"
Lin Hui explained,
"I won't hurt you. We'll be companions who fight together! Besides, if you become my Soul Beasts, you'll be able to enter the Divine Realm and gain eternal life after I become a god!"
"Every hundred thousand years, Soul Beasts like you must endure a heavenly tribulation. How many more do you think you can withstand?"
"What's more, countless Soul Masters covet your Soul Rings and Soul Bones. Even in the Star Dou Forest, you won't be safe forever!"