Oh, right! How did I not think of that?

"Bi Ji, you..."

Ling Xuqing looked at Bi Ji kneeling before him, a complicated light flickering in his eyes.

He could feel the sincerity and resolve deep within Bi Ji's soul.

But Bi Ji shook her head, cutting him off.

She raised her head and gazed at Ling Xuqing with burning eyes, her voice firm and clear:

"Young Master, there's no need to dissuade me."

"I've lived for hundreds of thousands of years and witnessed far too many partings and deaths."

"I know full well that in this world where the weak are prey to the strong, only by following a true powerhouse can one see hope for the future."

"You and my lord are that hope."

Bi Ji's eyes brimmed with fervor and devotion:

"If you're willing to accept me, Young Master, I'll become the blade in your hand and carve a path through every obstacle. I'll become the shield at your back and protect you from every storm!"

"Even if I'm reduced to ashes, I'll never refuse!"

With that, Bi Ji bowed her head to the ground once more, then quietly awaited Ling Xuqing's answer.

The entire cavern fell silent.

Only the sound of water from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well echoed softly through the cave.

"Young Master..." Bi Ji raised her head, her voice filled with unquestionable resolve. "You may think my cultivation isn't high enough and that I'm unworthy of becoming your Soul Spirit. But don't forget, I'm a healing-type Soul Beast!"

"Among the entire Soul Beast Clan, there's no one more suited to you than me!"

Bi Ji's voice echoed through the cave, brimming with confidence and determination. "I possess the most extraordinary life-healing power. I can provide you with the strongest endurance and recovery. And besides..."

She paused, wisdom gleaming in her eyes. "My lord said that if I'm willing to become your contracted Soul Spirit, then once you become a god, I'll be able to share your Godhood!"

"How could I let someone else have such a wonderful opportunity?!"

Bi Ji's words rang out with conviction, leaving everyone present stunned.

That's right—sharing Godhood!

On Douluo Continent, Soul Beasts couldn't become gods. It was an ironclad rule.

But the Young Master was different!

Zi JI's eyes suddenly widened. She slapped her thigh and cried out in shock, "Oh, right! How did I not think of that?!"

Everyone turned to look at Zi JI.

Zi JI trembled with excitement. "Soul Beasts can't become gods, but the Young Master is the Dragon God's successor! He received personal guidance from the Dragon God, fused with the Golden Dragon King's source power and bloodline, and possesses the dragon clan's supreme treasure, the Ascending Dragon Pillar! He's sure to become a god in the future!"

"If we become the Young Master's Soul Spirits, won't we become gods along with him?!"

Unprecedented fervor blazed in Zi JI's eyes. "And the Dragon God was the Supreme God King! Once the Young Master becomes the new Dragon God, if we share his Godhood, won't we become Supreme God Kings too?!"

The more Zi JI thought about it, the more excited she became. She stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and called out to Ling Xuqing:

"Young Master! I'm willing to offer myself too!"

"I'm the Hell Demon Dragon King. I'm a dragon, so my origins match yours!"

"I'm even more suited to you than the Emerald Swan!"

"Please accept me, Young Master!"

The entire cavern fell silent once again.

Xiao Wu and Ah Yin stared wide-eyed, their mouths open enough to fit an egg.

They looked from Bi Ji to Zi JI, utterly dumbfounded.

This... this was too crazy!

The two great Ferocious Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest had offered themselves willingly—and were fighting over who got to do it?!

Gu Yuena stood to one side, watching the absurd scene unfold. Her head was pounding.

She helplessly rubbed her temples, feeling completely numb.

"This... this... you've all gone mad..."

Gu Yuena grumbled inwardly.

Ling Xuqing was also at a loss for words at this sudden turn of events.

He looked at Bi Ji and Zi JI kneeling on the ground, unable to think of anything to say.

"Ahem..." Ling Xuqing cleared his throat twice, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere. "You... should both get up first."

Bi Ji and Zi JI exchanged a glance and rose at the same time, but they kept their eyes fixed on Ling Xuqing, neither willing to yield.

Ling Xuqing shook his head helplessly and looked to Gu Yuena, sending her a pleading glance.

Gu Yuena sighed and stepped forward, speaking gently. "Are you sure?"

"This isn't a game. Once you become my brother's Soul Spirits, your fates will be bound to his. You'll lose all your freedom. Have you both thought this through?"

Bi Ji answered with unwavering resolve, "My lord, I've made up my mind."

Zi JI said, "My lord, even if I offer myself to the Young Master, I can still follow him and you. There's no difference."

"So I'm willing."

Gu Yuena shook her head. "Bi Ji, Zi JI, my brother and I understand how you feel. But..."

"Do you have no regrets?"

"This subordinate has no regrets!"

Gu Yuena nodded, then turned her gaze back to Bi Ji:

"Good. I believe you. However..."

"Bi Ji is a healing-type Soul Beast. Her extraordinary life-healing power is crucial to my brother."

"Moreover, Bi Ji's life attribute can provide the Golden Overlord Spear with the supreme life and light attributes it needs most."

"Ah Yin has life-healing abilities too, but right now, she's only bound by a soul contract and hasn't provided a Soul Ring."

"And the Blue Silver Emperor's healing abilities naturally can't compare to Bi Ji's extraordinary life-healing power."

"Besides, Bi Ji also provides the light attribute and purification power, and even grants my brother the ability to regenerate."

"These are all things my brother needs most right now."

Gu Yuena's words caused some of the fervor in Zi JI's eyes to fade.

She lowered her head, unable to deny that Gu Yuena was right.

Ling Xuqing nodded too. He looked at Bi Ji, his eyes filled with gratitude and solemnity. "Bi Ji, have you made up your mind?"

Bi Ji raised her head, determination filling her eyes:

"Young Master, I'm willing to offer myself for you and help shoulder your burdens!"

Ling Xuqing took a deep breath and reached out to gently help Bi Ji up. "All right. I accept you!"

Tears instantly welled in Bi Ji's eyes. She said excitedly, "Thank you for granting my wish, Young Master!"

"Bi Ji will do everything in her power to assist you and help you become the new Dragon God!"

Ling Xuqing smiled slightly. He held Bi Ji's hand and spoke gently. "Bi Ji, begin."

Bi Ji nodded and closed her eyes. Brilliant emerald light blossomed from her body.

Just then, Zi JI suddenly tugged at Ling Xuqing's sleeve. She gazed at him pitifully, her voice laced with grievance:

"Th-then what about me?"

"Young Master, I want to as well!"

"Young Master, I followed you all the way from Nuoding City to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I may not have earned merit, but I've worked hard, haven't I?"

"Young Master, you can't leave me behind!"

"You can't abandon me!"

Seeing Zi JI's wounded expression, Ling Xuqing couldn't help laughing.

He reached out and tousled her hair, gently reassuring her. "Don't worry, Zi JI. I'll remember your loyalty."

"You'll have plenty of chances in the future."

Hearing this, hope reignited in Zi JI's eyes.

She nodded vigorously. "Mm! Zi JI will make sure to do well!"

Ling Xuqing smiled, then turned and led Bi Ji by the hand toward the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Bi Ji, are you ready?" Ling Xuqing asked softly.

Bi Ji took a deep breath, determination filling her eyes. "I'm ready, Young Master!"

With that, dazzling light unlike anything before burst from Bi Ji's body...