Da Ming's Conditions, Lin Hui Breaks Through Level 40, and Searches for a New Soul Beast to Capture
Unlike the Titan Giant Ape's fiery temper, the Sky Azure Bull Python had remained silent. What Lin Hui had said was indeed the truth.
The Sky Azure Bull Python spoke slowly.
"Every Soul Master gains several Soul Rings as they cultivate, and each Soul Ring is obtained at the cost of at least one Soul Beast's life. Soul Beasts struggle to survive for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, only to be hunted down in a single night because Soul Masters need Soul Rings."
"The future of us Soul Beasts really doesn't look good..."
"Maybe in tens of thousands of years, we'll even go extinct!"
The Titan Giant Ape was so anxious he nearly blurted out what he was thinking: Why is Big Brother only bolstering someone else's spirit and undermining his own?
"Big Brother!"
"But," the Sky Azure Bull Python roared again, "you're still not worthy of having us become your Soul Beasts!"
Hearing that there might be room for negotiation, Lin Hui hurriedly asked,
"What must I do to prove I'm worthy of becoming your partner?"
The Sky Azure Bull Python fell into thought for a moment.
"Xiao Wu's mother was killed by people from Spirit Hall. If, within five years, you can bring me the head of a Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall, and you've reached at least the Soul Emperor rank, I'll willingly let you capture me."
"Remember, you must kill that Titled Douluo with your own hands!"
The Titan Giant Ape looked at the Sky Azure Bull Python in confusion.
"Big Brother, have you really thought this through?"
The Sky Azure Bull Python spoke sadly.
"I've often wondered what the future holds for us Soul Beasts. If we don't make plans soon and stake everything on a fight, I'm afraid neither of us will escape death."
"After I'm gone, you'll be responsible for protecting this forest!"
The Titan Giant Ape, too, was overcome with reluctance.
Then he remembered that reaching Soul Emperor rank within five years was as hard as scaling the heavens, let alone bringing back the head of a Titled Douluo. Even the two of them would find it difficult to kill one, never mind this little brat.
Realizing that it was all but impossible, the Titan Giant Ape's mood instantly lifted.
Lin Hui readily agreed to the Sky Azure Bull Python's terms as well.
"All right, Senior Sky Azure Bull Python. As long as there's even the slightest chance, I'll do everything I can."
But Lin Hui was still troubled by the terms the Sky Azure Bull Python had set.
He was currently Level 39, which meant he had to gain at least twenty-one levels within five years—more than four levels every year.
And the higher a Soul Master's level, the harder it was to break through.
However, if he captured Soul Beasts with exceptionally high cultivation levels for his fourth and fifth Soul Rings, their Soul Power could flow back into him as he gained those rings, helping him break through.
Just as he'd gained nine levels after capturing Tian Meng!
With the added help of a few Immortal Herbs, reaching Level 60 within five years seemed entirely possible.
The hardest part was getting the head of a Titled Douluo.
Still, the Sky Azure Bull Python had left him some leeway. It had insisted that he kill the target himself, but hadn't said whether he could bring along helpers, gang up on the target, or use skills.
That condition seemed more like a comprehensive test of his abilities.
Lin Hui turned to the Titan Giant Ape and asked,
"Senior Titan Giant Ape, what would I have to do to prove I'm worthy of becoming your partner?"
The Titan Giant Ape proudly turned his head away.
"Hmph! Dream on! I'd rather starve to death or jump off a cliff than become your slave!"
Hearing that, Lin Hui decided not to force the issue.
After all, as long as the Sky Azure Bull Python and Xiao Wu were on his side, he could think of some way to get the Titan Giant Ape to come around.
Xiao Wu had been away from the Star Dou Forest for six years. Since this was a rare chance to return, she wanted to spend more time with Da Ming and Er Ming. So she pleaded with Lin Hui,
"Lin Hui, can we stay here a little longer?"
Lin Hui thought it over briefly.
"I'm already Level 39. Before long, I'll be able to capture a new Soul Beast and get my fourth Soul Ring. Coming back to the Star Dou Forest after that would be a hassle, so we might as well stay here."
"Besides, you're almost Level 30 too. Once your Soul Ring manifests on its own, we can protect you while you absorb it."
What was more, Soul Power was especially dense near Lake of Life, making cultivation much faster than in the outside world.
"Yay! You're so good to me!"
Hearing Lin Hui say that, Xiao Wu immediately threw her arms around him.
Lin Hui froze. He could feel the swell of Xiao Wu's chest against him.
"Xiao Wu, you..."
"What about me?" Xiao Wu stared straight at Lin Hui with wide eyes, not shying away at all.
"You seem to have grown..." Lin Hui's face turned slightly red.
Xiao Wu's ears flushed instantly, too.
"You... How can you think such dirty thoughts!"
Shy, Xiao Wu immediately ran off.
For the next few months, Lin Hui and Xiao Wu stayed near Lake of Life. The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape were there as well, so no Soul Beasts dared approach, and it was very safe.
When they were hungry, they caught fish and picked wild fruit. When they were thirsty, they drank from Lake of Life. It was a carefree life.
When they got bored, they played with the rabbit...
Over at Shrek, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others had already planned to head for the Star Dou Forest, but two things held them up.
First, Ma Hongjun's injuries were healing more slowly than they'd expected. After all, he'd broken more than twenty bones. It was only thanks to Dai Mubai's quick discovery that Ma Hongjun had survived.
Second, Tang San was taking much longer than expected to break through from Level 29 to Level 30.
After all, Xiao Wu wasn't by his side anymore. Every night, as he gazed at the full moon in the sky, he found himself missing her.
"Xiao Wu, where are you now? Is Lin Hui taking good care of you?"
At the thought, another trace of sadness crossed Tang San's face, and he could never focus completely on his cultivation.
Yu Xiaogang soon arrived at Shrek Academy too. In front of the new students, he rebuilt his authority. After all, at Notting Academy, Lin Hui had repeatedly humiliated him, and in the end, nearly all the teachers and students had turned against him.
Now that he was at a new academy, he swore he would prove himself.
Finally, one morning, just as Yu Xiaogang was about to have them go for a run, Tang San turned to the others in Shrek and announced in surprise,
"Dean Flender, Teacher, I broke through to Level 30 this morning. We can head to the Star Dou Forest to hunt a Soul Beast for my Soul Ring right away!"
Hearing that, Yu Xiaogang was delighted.
"You reached Level 30 at just twelve, Xiao San. You really are my disciple—a monster among monsters!"
Even though Tang San's breakthrough had nothing to do with him, he shamelessly took credit for it all the same.
Of course, Yu Xiaogang had no idea that Lin Hui had already reached Level 39 months ago and was now pushing for Level 40.
"All right," Flender said after thinking it over. "Tomorrow, you'll go to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring. Teacher Zhao will lead you. This will also be a test for your group."
Tang San asked urgently,
"Dean Flender, if we run into Xiao Wu, could you have Teacher Zhao help..."
Flender thought it over. Xiao Wu had probably already left by now, so he agreed without a second thought.
"Don't worry. I'll tell Old Zhao that if he sees Xiao Wu, he should help you snatch her back from Lin Hui!"
At that moment, Xiao Wu was sitting on Er Ming's shoulder, admiring the scenery of the Star Dou Forest.
Below her, Lin Hui was sitting in meditation. Suddenly, he opened his eyes too.
"I've broken through to Level 40. I can capture a new Soul Beast!"