Sky Dream Ice Silkworm paused, its tiny eyes shifting from Da Ming to Er Ming, then back again.
"You two are Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. The energy within you far exceeds that of ordinary Soul Beasts. If you are willing to Sacrifice yourselves to Xiao Wu and become her Wisdom Soul Rings, the essence of your lives will merge into her body, helping her fill her subsequent Soul Rings and accelerate her cultivation."
Er Ming blinked, his thick fingers unconsciously tightening around the fur on his knee.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm continued, its tone more certain than before:
"Moreover, after the Sacrifice, you will not disappear. Your souls will remain within Xiao Wu's Soul Rings and coexist with her. When she becomes a god, you will become gods alongside her. From then on, you will no longer need to worry about Soul Beast Heavenly Tribulations or fear cultivation bottlenecks. Wherever Sister Xiao Wu goes, you will follow. For all eternity, you will never be separated."
As those final words fell, Er Ming's breathing noticeably grew heavier.
Da Ming still said nothing, but his calm, waterlike snake eyes narrowed slightly.
Watching their reactions, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm knew it had finally struck the right point. It did not urge them further. It merely descended from the air, landed on Er Ming's shoulder, curled itself into a ball, and waited quietly.
That night, neither Da Ming nor Er Ming slept.
Er Ming crouched beneath the ancient tree by the lake, his enormous palm supporting his chin. His yellow eyes stared motionlessly at the rippling water illuminated by moonlight.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's words echoed over and over in his mind. They were like fine needles piercing beneath his thick fur, keeping him awake.
Da Ming coiled himself atop the ancient tree, his snake