Xiao Xiao's Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Spirit, Encountering an Auspicious Beast

"By the way, where's Mu En?"

Above the clouds over Star Dou Forest outside Shrek Academy, Xia Liang asked as he flew with Xiao Xiao.

"Teacher went out."

Xiao Xiao answered. Mu En had returned earlier, then left again.

"Mm. What are your requirements for a soul beast?"

Xia Liang wanted to see what kind of soul beast Xiao Xiao wanted.

"Preferably one with a dragon bloodline, focused on offense or strength."

Xiao Xiao answered almost without hesitation. She had clearly already considered the matter, and someone had already given her recommendations for her future soul rings.

"Mm, but soul beasts with dragon bloodlines aren't easy to find. It might take a while."

Xia Liang replied. Soul beasts with dragon bloodlines were indeed difficult to find. Even in Star Dou Forest, dragon bloodlines were a rare branch. Not every scaled soul beast could claim even a trace of dragon blood.

Still, shouldn't Xiao Xiao be looking for soul beasts with powerful defenses, like bears, turtles, or tortoises? Given her current soul ring configuration, she should be choosing soul beasts that suited the characteristics of her martial soul.

At that moment, Azure Phoenix's voice entered Xiao Xiao's mind.

"I thought the senior you mentioned would at most stand at the pinnacle of the mortal world. I never expected..."

"Senior Azure Phoenix, what is it?"

Xiao Xiao had known Xia Liang would be powerful, but Azure Phoenix's words made her realize something was wrong.

"Your senior isn't at the pinnacle of the mortal world. He stands at the pinnacle of this world. He should have already reached the god level, but he simply cannot use that power on Douluo Continent."

Azure Phoenix spoke. She had initially guessed that Xia Liang was the strongest among all living beings, but he was actually the strongest in the world.

The gap between those two was enormous. There were only two possible explanations: Xia Liang was an incarnation of the world's consciousness, or he was a deity hiding on Douluo Continent and unable to use his full strength.

Either way, Xia Liang's strength was unquestionably formidable.

A god!?

Wait, she was standing beside a god?

Upon hearing that Xia Liang was a god, Xiao Xiao actually began to tremble a little.

Xia Liang naturally noticed, but he did not care.

"Beast God, did you become a god during the era of the Dragon God?"

Being so close to Xiao Xiao, Xia Liang had already noticed that the divine aura on the other party was identical to the aura on Xiao Xiao's martial soul. If he was right, she might be the Beast God.

But a deity like the Beast God could only have been one from before the Dragon God's fall.

"Mm. It seems you know a little about the history of our Divine Realm, my friend."

Azure Phoenix transformed into an azure bird and landed on Xiao Xiao's shoulder.

She had already been discovered. It would be impolite not to show herself now.

"A little."

Xia Liang replied. He knew most of the Divine Realm's history.

"Then which God King imposed this restriction on the beast race?"

Azure Phoenix tilted her head, her black eyes fixed on Xia Liang. Which God King had imposed such a restriction? And this cultivation system on Douluo Continent—wasn't this driving the beast race to extinction?

If the God King of the beast race still existed, or if the dragon race still remained, then the God King who had restricted the beast race from becoming gods would surely be their enemy.

Xia Liang: "..."

Xia Liang fell silent for a moment before quickly giving an answer.

"The Dragon God."

Azure Phoenix: "????"

Azure Phoenix froze where she crouched on Xiao Xiao's shoulder. Her tail feathers puffed up slightly, and her black eyes widened.

I just woke up. Are you trying to fool me?

"Mm. It sounds a little absurd, but the Dragon God really did establish the rule himself. Once you recover, you can go to the Divine Realm and ask around. It shouldn't be a secret among first-class gods."

Lower-ranking gods might not know, since information about God Kings was not exactly common knowledge. However, some first-class gods had participated in that battle, so quite a few gods should know. A little inquiry would reveal the truth.

Azure Phoenix: "..."

Since Xia Liang had said so, the matter was probably true. But the Dragon God...

"Did that pea-sized brain of his finally rust over?"

Azure Phoenix truly felt that something had gone wrong with the Dragon God's mind. A restriction like this had been created by a beast deity? Wasn't that betrayal?

"Forget it. I'll investigate it once I return to the Divine Realm."

Azure Phoenix said. Xia Liang was not a god from this side, so he probably only knew the general details. Once her true body recovered, she would go ask Little Green.

"Are you sure you want a dragon bloodline?"

"I'm sure. Don't worry, I know dragon bloodlines quite well."

"Mm."

Xia Liang's spiritual power swept across Star Dou Forest. They were currently in the mixed zone, where there were still quite a few ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

Soon, Xia Liang discovered a soul beast by a pond that was highly suitable for Xiao Xiao.

The cave was hidden among several ancient trees with tangled roots, its entrance mostly obscured by hanging vines. It would be easily overlooked without close inspection. The space inside was wide and dry, with flattened dead grass and broken bones spread across the ground. At the deepest part of the cave, a huge figure lay on its side in a corner.

"A forty-thousand-year Golden Dragon Ao."

It had a dragon's head and a golden back, its four legs like four pillars cast from gold. Its dragon bloodline was exceptionally strong. By sheer coincidence, this Golden Dragon Ao was seriously injured. Without some great opportunity, it might not survive the next hundred years.

"This one is indeed good."

Azure Phoenix caught the scent of the Golden Dragon Ao and agreed that it was suitable. The dragon bloodline within its body was very pure.

"Xiao Xiao, do you know about soul spirits?"

Xia Liang asked. He had just considered it. Since he wanted soul spirits to shine brilliantly, the more there were, the better. With the right time, place, and circumstances, they could see whether this Golden Dragon Ao was willing to become a soul spirit.

"The ones from the Extreme North? I know a little. Senior, are you from the Spirit Pagoda?"

Xiao Xiao had naturally heard of the Spirit Pagoda and was extremely curious about the legendary soul spirits. They had been described in incredibly mysterious terms.

"Mm. If this Golden Dragon Ao is willing, I can help you form a contract with it."

Xia Liang said. If the Golden Dragon Ao would rather die than agree, then there was nothing he could do. He could only kill it and obtain its soul ring.

In the Extreme North, the Snow Empress communicated with the soul beasts, and most soul beasts nearing death would agree out of respect for her.

"Really?"

Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up. She had thought soul spirits existed only in the Extreme North.

"The discovery of soul spirits has eased the conflict between soul beasts and soul masters."

Azure Phoenix said thoughtfully, while looking at Xia Liang.

"Indeed. It counts as a great contribution."

"Mm."

Xiao Xiao could not understand what the two were talking about. She merely looked forward to her soul spirit.

"We're here. I'll go down and ask."

"Roar—"

Before Xia Liang even reached the cave entrance, a deafening roar exploded from the depths of the cave. The entire ground trembled slightly, and ripples spread across the surface of the pond from the force of the roar.

The Golden Dragon Ao strode out from the depths of the cave. Every step drove the ground down by half an inch as it glared furiously at Xia Liang descending from the sky.

Most soul beasts possessed an innate hostility toward humans. The instant the Golden Dragon Ao saw Xia Liang, it knew this human was looking for death!

"This won't be easy to discuss..."

Looking at the Golden Dragon Ao below, Xia Liang knew this conversation might not go smoothly. The last time he had experience communicating with animals was when he had tamed wolves.

"Let's suppress it first."

Xia Liang extended one hand, directly altering the gravity around them. The Golden Dragon Ao felt as if a mountain had fallen onto its body.

Just as Xia Liang increased the pressure, two auras appeared nearby. One was ultimate fire, while the other was ultimate light.

Xia Liang: "..."

Why had he run into this guy?

Forget it. This was a good chance to talk to Di Tian about the Spirit Pagoda.