\

Lin Gu thought for a moment, then continued:

"That's right. To make it easier to understand, I get a piece of equipment similar to a Soul Bone after breaking through!"

The two were shocked to hear this. Soul Bones could only be encountered by chance, never sought out. Did that mean Lin Gu's Martial Soul came with nine Soul Bones?

Chrysanthemum Douluo, standing nearby, was equally shocked. No wonder this kid was so generous about giving me the Soul Bone Xiao He gave him. He doesn't lack them at all.

These words made Bibi Dong even more certain that he was a promising seedling, and she said:

"Then how did you obtain your First Soul Ring, with its age of one year ago? By all common sense, this should be impossible in the Soul Master World!"

Lin Gu smiled faintly and patted the [Heartsteel] breastplate on his chest!

"It was all thanks to this, my first piece of equipment, [Heartsteel]. It gave me an incredibly powerful boost to my defense, allowing my body to withstand it!"

Naturally, Lin Gu would not reveal all the secrets of his equipment. Besides, he was already pondering how to "steel" Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong nodded, thinking that must be the case. But was his Martial Soul really that powerful, with equipment similar to Soul Bones? She said:

"All right, then let me test just how strong the defense of the first piece of equipment in your Martial Soul, Equipment Slot, is!"

At this, the corners of Lin Gu's lips lifted slightly. Wonderful! A chance to touch Bibi Dong! As a rank ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, how much health would one "steel" on her add?

His eyes darted as he said:

"Your Holiness, you're a Titled Douluo. How could I possibly be your match? But if you want to test it, why don't we play a game?"

"A game?"

Bibi Dong paused. Seeing Lin Gu pretend to be as mischievous as a six-year-old child, she gave a little amused snort and asked:

"What game? Let's hear it!"

Lin Gu adopted the playful tone of a child and said to Bibi Dong:

"Since we're testing it, let's make it a complete test. How about we each attack the other once, and whoever can't take it first loses? That way, we can test both offense and defense. Your Holiness, you're a Titled Douluo and a grown-up, so let me attack first!"

Hearing this, Bibi Dong could not help covering her mouth and chuckling for a while. What an innocent, straightforward child. Still, that was fine. As long as he was talented, he would become a great asset to Spirit Hall once he grew up. So she said:

"All right, go ahead!"

Beneath her stern exterior, Bibi Dong gradually relaxed. She did not even release her Martial Soul, merely standing there calmly.

Chrysanthemum Douluo also chuckled to himself. He had never imagined that the Pope of Spirit Hall would play such a childish game with a little child.

Seeing this, Lin Gu pretended to exert himself, waving his fists and twisting his wrists before charging forward with great strides and shouting:

"Your Holiness, here I come! Take my punch!"

Lin Gu deliberately threw a punch at her. He had little attack power to begin with, so he simply punched casually, feeling only something soft against his fist, along with a faint milky fragrance.

It seemed his attack had been completely dissipated by that softness.

Bibi Dong frowned slightly. This kid, where was he hitting? Forget it, he's just a child. She said:

"Lin Gu, it's my turn now, isn't it?"

At that moment, Lin Gu was utterly stunned. His health had soared, jumping from 200,186,000 by a full billion in one go!

A billion! A billion!

Was this the health of a rank ninety-nine Limit Douluo? This felt amazing!

Lin Gu now had 1,200,186,000 health.

Converted like that, my First Soul Skill could generate a shield with over three hundred million health. My heavens, what did I have to fear in the early stages now?

Even if Xiao He protected me again now, he would be helpless against me.

It looked like choosing Spirit Hall had been the best decision. By his reckoning, if he "steeled" Qian Daoliu, who was also a rank ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, would he gain even more than from Bibi Dong?

Seeing Lin Gu grinning foolishly to himself, Bibi Dong helplessly spoke again:

"Lin Gu, are you ready? It's my turn to attack!"

Lin Gu nodded and said calmly:

"Solid as a Rock!"

His purple Soul Ring flashed, and an orange shield enveloped him. He said:

"This is my First Soul Skill, Solid as a Rock, an extremely thick health shield. I can also designate one target to receive a shield just like mine. The number can increase as my Soul Power rises!"

Bibi Dong nodded. "A defensive Soul Skill. All right, let me test the strength of your shield."

Bibi Dong extended her hand, and soul pressure rushed toward Lin Gu, squeezing his shield.

At first, Bibi Dong only touched it lightly. After all, he was merely a rank thirteen Soul Master, while she was a rank ninety-nine Peerless Douluo. Crushing him to death would be like crushing an ant.

Bibi Dong was therefore extremely careful.

But when she touched his shield, there was only one feeling in her heart!

Hard!

Far too hard!

As hard as steel!

Bibi Dong's eyes widened, and she continued increasing the intensity of her Soul Power. Purple Soul Power pressed down on Lin Gu as she attempted to break his shield.

Yet it still felt as though she was striking a wall.

Bibi Dong was already shocked. He's only a Soul Master. I've already increased my Soul Power's intensity to the Soul Elder level.

And I still couldn't break his shield.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was also stunned by the sight. As a rank ninety-five Titled Douluo, he naturally saw everything clearly. Lin Gu's shield seemed to have reached the strength of a Soul Elder's, and he could not help exclaiming:

"This kid's shield is so thick. He's only a rank thirteen Soul Master, yet it's already as strong as a Soul Elder's."

Yet the corner of Lin Gu's mouth curled slightly!

A Soul Elder?

Only a Soul Elder?

Having just gained a billion health, however, Lin Gu could hardly wait to use all eighty of his remaining chances to "steel" on Bibi Dong. By the time he arrived at Spirit Hall, he had already saved up eighty-one "steels"!

He had only used one just now, so, taking advantage of a moment when Bibi Dong relaxed, Lin Gu spoke again in a childish manner:

"Your Holiness, you've been attacking for so long. It's my turn!"

Still shocked, Bibi Dong had been about to increase her Soul Power further. Hearing Lin Gu say this, she could only nod, withdraw her Soul Power, and say dotingly:

"All right, it's your turn to attack!"

Lin Gu aimed at the spot, immediately stepped forward, and threw another punch. Once again, his fist met softness.

Another billion health arrived!

Hahahaha!

2,200,186,000 health! My shield had gained another three hundred million health! Hahahaha!

Lin Gu was ecstatic. Wonderful! Bibi Dong definitely wouldn't be able to determine my shield's strength anytime soon.

I could stack plenty more "steel"!

"Steeling" Bibi Dong really felt amazing!