Persuading Da Ming and Er Ming to Join

The Titan Giant Ape charged forward immediately; despite its massive frame, it moved with startling speed.

"Oh no!" Lin Hui was taken aback. Although he had anticipated the possibility of encountering the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python in the core zone, he was still quite shocked to come face-to-face with a true Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

As for Tian Meng? That little bug probably couldn't even beat a Man-Dala Snake; its only real merit was its formidable mental power.

"Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, use Soul Shock!"

Seeing the Titan Giant Ape closing in, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, which had been hiding behind Lin Hui's legs, stepped forward upon hearing the command.

A massive surge of mental energy blasted toward the Titan Giant Ape's head.

Unlike soul skills granted by soul rings, Tian Meng still possessed nearly a million years of cultivation, so the mental attack it unleashed was far more powerful than any attack a soul master could manifest through a ring.

The Titan Giant Ape, having sensed the cultivation levels of its enemies, had not taken them seriously in the slightest.

Consequently, the Soul Shock struck true!

The Titan Giant Ape's head felt as if it had been struck by a massive boulder; the world spun, and it let out a howl of agony.

"What kind of soul skill is this? It actually managed to damage my soul origin!"

"Ah, it hurts so much!"

At that moment, Lin Hui issued another order.

"Run!"

Tian Meng's dozens of legs scrambled nimbly as it fled, wailing all the way.

"Ah, if only Bing'er were here, she would have taken them down in a single move!"

The human and his three beasts took off at full speed, but they hadn't gone far before the Sky Azure Bull Python blocked their path.

The Sky Azure Bull Python possessed a serpent's body and a bull's head, its size even more gargantuan than the Titan Giant Ape. It loomed like a mountain, its massive form blotting out the sunlight from above and casting a long, dark shadow.

Lin Hui and his companions stood trapped within that shadow.

"Xiao Wu, can you explain things to Da Ming and Er Ming?" Lin Hui asked.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's mental attack could only delay the two beasts; killing them was impossible.

If they were struck even once by either of these Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, they would be finished.

Xiao Wu stepped forward immediately.

"Da Ming, Er Ming, it's not what you think. They are my friends, and I became Lin Hui's soul beast of my own volition."

The Sky Azure Bull Python looked on, deeply confused.

"Sister Xiao Wu, with Er Ming and me here, you have nothing to fear. We could crush this mere human without the slightest effort!"

Xiao Wu spoke up urgently.

"It's true. I was about to be captured by a Title Douluo at the time, and becoming Lin Hui's soul beast actually saved my life."

The two beasts gradually calmed down.

Xiao Wu patiently explained the entire sequence of events to Da Ming and Er Ming.

She included her other two companions, the Blue Silver Emperor and the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

"How did this kid manage to capture so many powerful soul beasts? Two Hundred-Thousand-Year ones, and a Million-Year one!" After hearing Xiao Wu's explanation, the Titan Giant Ape was stunned!

"And the Blue Silver Emperor? Didn't she fall years ago? Could this be a newly emerged Blue Silver Emperor?" the Titan Giant Ape wondered aloud.

Of course, Lin Hui hadn't told Xiao Wu the full truth about Ah Yin's origins; her identity was too unique, and he still needed to keep some secrets.

"You are a Million-Year Soul Beast, is that true?" The Sky Azure Bull Python lowered its massive head, pointing its nostrils at Tian Meng on the ground. As soon as it spoke, the force of its breath blew Tian Meng over.

"That's right! Come to think of it, I'm your senior! The soul beasts stronger than you have all fallen into slumber for various reasons, which is why you are the masters of this forest only in this era," Tian Meng boasted, putting on airs.

The Titan Giant Ape chimed in.

"Its Soul Shock from earlier was incredibly powerful—it actually managed to hurt me! Its mental power is definitely far superior to mine! From that perspective, it is indeed possible that it is a Million-Year Soul Beast!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python recalled the past; a beast of its caliber could not be ignorant of the legends regarding the slumbering Great Beasts.

"Come to think of it, I have heard similar rumors. There are soul beasts in this forest even more powerful than us, though I have never seen them with my own eyes."

The Sky Azure Bull Python then asked Xiao Wu.

"Sister Xiao Wu, what are your plans? Even if you became Lin Hui's soul beast by accident, now that you have returned to this forest, if you want your freedom, no one can stop you!"

"I..." Xiao Wu hesitated, lowering her head.

To be honest, aside from occasionally taking liberties with her, Lin Hui hadn't mistreated her.

In fact, she had found their time together quite enjoyable.

Moreover, she had transformed into human form specifically to reach level 100 and become a god; if she left Lin Hui, it would be difficult for her to integrate into the human world, and her level would be hard to raise.

If that happened, she would lose her chance to attain godhood.

Furthermore, she had witnessed Lin Hui's talent; his strength already far surpassed his peers. In a few years, it was not impossible for him to reach godhood. As long as she stayed by his side, she had a high chance of stepping into the God Realm.

Seeing Xiao Wu's hesitation, Lin Hui recalled what Ah Yin had told him when he used the Green Wood Liquid at Notting Academy.

He and his female soul beasts were still missing a contract of the soul.

Even if the soul beasts he had currently subdued would not harm him and would obey his commands, this was by no means the kind of loyalty that would lead them to sacrifice their lives for him.

It seemed that if the opportunity arose, he would still have to sell his body, so to speak?

He had to ensure the loyalty of this team!

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Wu finally gave her reply.

"Da Ming, Er Ming, I still want to stay by his side. This might be the only chance I have in this lifetime to enter the God Realm!"

Hearing this response, Lin Hui was very satisfied.

Lin Hui reached out his hand and said to the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, "My martial soul can subdue powerful soul beasts over ten thousand years old. You have surely witnessed my strength; I wonder if you are willing to join us and become my partners!"

The Titan Giant Ape immediately pounded the ground in anger, and Lin Hui felt the earth tremble beneath him.

"Brat, how arrogant! To become your soul beasts—wouldn't that mean we would have to obey your every command from now on? What freedom would we have left then!"

Lin Hui explained, "I will not harm you; we will be partners fighting side by side! Furthermore, as long as you become my soul beasts, once I ascend to godhood, you will also be able to enter the God Realm and attain eternal life!"

"For soul beasts like you, you must endure a heavenly tribulation every one hundred thousand years. How many more do you think you can withstand?"

"Besides, there are countless soul masters coveting your soul rings and soul bones. Even in the Star Dou Forest, you will not be safe forever!"