You two stay behind to hatch the eggs

Su Ling's gaze locked onto the Myriad Demon King. "If a plant soul beast were willing to become my soul ring right now, I'd be more than happy."

Myriad Demon King: You might as well just read out my ID number.

"Our Soul Beast Clan isn't your backyard. You can't just take whoever you want."

Gu Yue glanced at the Myriad Demon King beside her, and a perfect idea came into her mind. "You can have him, but you'll have to offer something of equivalent value."

Hearing that Gu Yue was unwilling to hand him over for nothing, the Myriad Demon King wept streams of aged tears. I've drifted through half my life without ever finding a worthy lord. The very next second, her words took a turn.

So I'm just a bargaining chip for my lord? Boohoo, it must be because my cultivation is too low and I'm too weak that my lord is doing this. If only I worked a little harder...

Snowflakes drifted, the north wind howled, and heaven and earth stretched out in boundless desolation.

"After all, the Myriad Demon King is one of our Soul Beast Clan's strongest fighters. I absolutely won't allow anything that weakens our Soul Beast Clan for nothing!"

Gu Yue wore a resolute expression, her tone carrying a hint of refusal to brook any objection.

At that moment, Di Tian and Xiong Jun both stood rooted to the spot, crying with tears and snot streaming down their faces.

"Boohoo, our lord has finally grown up."

"I knew our lord wouldn't just stand by and watch our Soul Beast Clan decline. Boohoo."

The two close brothers embraced each other with deep affection. Their lord had grown up and could handle things on her own now, so they could retire without having to worry about the soul beasts' livelihood every day.

Something of equivalent value?

Su Ling was stumped for a moment. Where was he supposed to find something he could exchange for the Myriad Demon King?

Gu Yue had already taken the two most precious eggs he had. Could it be... she had her eye on his immortal herbs?

Immortal herbs gathered the essence of heaven and earth. For humans, they could cleanse the marrow and improve soul power. If someone already had decent talent, consuming an immortal herb could even qualify them to become a god. Although the others' ascensions to godhood, apart from Tang San's, had all been rather watered down, the effects of immortal herbs still couldn't be underestimated. What effects they had on soul beasts, however, was unknown.

"Then... how about I trade an immortal herb for him?" Su Ling had originally intended to offer three outright, but on second thought, Gu Yue probably wasn't that clever. Anything he could save was worth saving.

"Deal!" Gu Yue hadn't intended to make things difficult for Su Ling in the first place. She just wanted to see whether immortal herbs tasted good.

"No!" The Myriad Demon King dropped painfully to his knees. Could it be... could it be that he was worth only a single immortal herb in his lord's heart?

She might as well have the Silver Dragon King put him in her mouth and chew him like a betel nut to see whether he could improve her cultivation. At least-at least he should be worth two immortal herbs! Didn't he, the Myriad Demon King, have his dignity?

"My lord, isn't this a little inappropriate...? We should at least ask for two," Di Tian said quietly from the side. He wanted a taste of immortal herbs too.

"No, it should be three!" Xiong Jun chimed in from the side.

This put Gu Yue in a difficult position. What do you two stupid beasts mean by this? Are you questioning my decision?

Heaven knows, we're just hungry! While satisfying your own cravings, my lord, you should spare a thought for us two loyal beasts of burden too.

The Scarlet King had also wanted to step forward and raise the price, but when he caught sight of Gu Yue's troubled expression, he immediately stopped.

Those two big idiots call me stupid every day, little knowing that I'm the best at reading people's expressions. Watch how your canine brother uses worldly wisdom to climb, step by step, into the Silver Dragon King's inner circle.

After what Di Tian and Xiong Jun said, Su Ling's conscience also began to prick him. They'll all be my soul rings eventually anyway. There's nothing wrong with giving them two more immortal herbs.

"This is an immortal-grade Delicate Silk Fragrance and two singular velvet sky chrysanthemums. They're just right for you."

Xiong Jun and Di Tian were both strength-type soul beasts, so the singular velvet sky chrysanthemums should give the two beasts a considerable boost. As for the Delicate Silk Fragrance, Su Ling had simply handed it over at random. He didn't know what effects it had, but it should taste pretty good to soul beasts.

Gu Yue had also taken a liking to the Delicate Silk Fragrance at first sight. Even she was deeply drawn to the scent it gave off.

"All right, you two can have one chrysanthemum each." Hearing Gu Yue say this, Di Tian and Xiong Jun were both overjoyed. Although the singular velvet sky chrysanthemums clearly wouldn't taste as good as the Delicate Silk Fragrance, they could sense that the energy contained within them was highly compatible with their own, and they harbored no complaints whatsoever.

Scarlet King: Snowflakes drifted, the north wind howled, and heaven and earth stretched out in boundless desolation.

"Where did this stray dog come from?" Seeing the Scarlet King staring greedily at the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum in his hand, Xiong Jun sent him flying with a kick.

"All right, you three, come with me."

With the matter of the two dragon eggs settled, it was time for Su Ling to leave. "Stop!"

Gu Yue stopped the three who were about to leave with Su Ling. "Bi Ji and Zi JI can't go. You two are staying here to hatch the eggs. Once the little dragons hatch, you can leave."

Goosey: ???

Bi Ji had imagined someday incubating the goose eggs she and Su Ling laid, but she hadn't expected to be incubating dragon eggs.

Zi JI: ???

My lord, aren't you a female dragon yourself? Can't you hatch the eggs yourself?

Su Ling had no objections. He didn't have any spare soul ring slots right now anyway. Even if Bi Ji and Zi JI came with him, who knew how many years and months would pass before he could absorb them?

"You don't have any objections, do you?"

"None at all!" Bi Ji and Zi JI each picked an egg they liked the look of, then returned beneath the Lake of Life to brood over them. Xiong Jun and Di Tian also returned to the Lake of Life to absorb their singular velvet sky chrysanthemums.

"Scarlet King, you and these two soul beasts will guard the entrance for now." Gu Yue then returned to the Lake of Life as well.

Looking at the Delicate Silk Fragrance in her hand, Gu Yue kept feeling that she had forgotten something. Whatever. This immortal herb smells wonderful.

By the time Su Ling and his two companions left the Star Dou Great Forest, it was already dusk the following day, so they simply found a random unlicensed inn to stay at.

Of course, what the three failed to notice was a petite figure secretly following behind them.

Watching Su Ling walk in with Snow Ji and Dugu Yan, the proprietor was filled with envy.

Damn brat, how old are you, bringing two beauties here to get a room? Can you even handle it? But envy aside, the proprietor was a dab hand at doing business.

"Three of your best rooms, please." Su Ling took out three Gold Soul Coins.

This inn was located near the Star Dou Great Forest and catered to soul masters coming to hunt for soul rings. Thus, although it operated without a license, neither its decor nor its service was lacking. Who didn't know that the wealthiest people on the Douluo Continent were the esteemed soul masters?

Hmm? This little bastard really knows how to put on an act. I've seen more than enough little perverts like you. Let me lend you a rod of support!

"I'm terribly sorry, but we only have one room with a large bed left. Would the three of you be willing to make do?"