Qian Renxue followed Lin Gu's gaze and saw a secluded paradise deep within the forest.
There was a deep lake within it. Soul Power was abundant here, and the flowers, grass, and trees grew far more vigorously than those outside.
"Xiao Gu, what is this place?"
Lin Gu looked over but saw no sign of the Titan Giant Ape or the Sky Azure Bull Python. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw Qian Jun and Demon Subduing Douluo rush nervously in front of them, shielding them behind their backs as they said:
"Xiao Xue, Xiao Gu, leave now! This place is dangerous. There are enormous fluctuations of Soul Power everywhere."
Sure enough, no sooner had the two Douluo finished speaking than an enormous Soul Beast appeared in Star Lake. He rose with a low rumble, slowly emerging from the lake, his towering body as tall as a mountain.
With the head of a bull and the body of a serpent, he was none other than the Sky Azure Bull Python. He looked toward the four of them and released tremendous Soul Power as he said:
"Humans, this is no place for you. Leave at once!"
"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! With that size and Soul Power, he's probably even stronger than an ordinary hundred-thousand-year beast! Xiao Gu, Xiao Xue, the two of us are no match for him. Run!"
As Qian Jun spoke, he moved to take the two of them away.
But suddenly, an orange shield appeared around him. Not only Qian Jun, but Jiang Mo and Qian Renxue also gained orange shields.
"First Soul Skill: Solid as a Rock!"
Lin Gu released his Soul Skill and activated Martial Soul Possession as he stepped forward, a purple Soul Ring appearing around him.
"Xiao Gu, what are you doing? Why aren't you giving yourself a shield?" Qian Renxue asked worriedly at the sight.
But Lin Gu smiled calmly and said to the three behind him:
"I don't need one. Lord Sixth Worshipper, Lord Seventh Worshipper, and Sister Xiao Xue, I hope you won't interfere. Just leave this to me!"
Seeing Lin Gu's resolute gaze, Qian Renxue nodded. Qian Jun and Jiang Mo still wanted to stop him, but Qian Renxue held them back.
"Qian Jun, Demon Subduing Douluo, let Xiao Gu go. He has his own plans."
Seeing this, the two said nothing more, merely watching Lin Gu walk toward the Sky Azure Bull Python with complete composure.
At that moment, the earth trembled, and another giant ape came running from nearby, his body as large as the Sky Azure Bull Python's.
This gave Qian Jun, Jiang Mo, and Qian Renxue quite a fright!
"Two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, both stronger than ordinary hundred-thousand-year beasts! Their ages have probably already exceeded a hundred thousand years. Xiao Gu!"
Qian Jun spoke up, while Qian Renxue watched worriedly and Jiang Mo stood ready to act at any moment.
But Lin Gu merely nodded to indicate that everything was fine, then leaped onto a large tree, gazing calmly at the two enormous Soul Beasts.
At that moment, a kill quest triggered before Lin Gu's eyes:
[Kill quest: Kill and absorb the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python! Reward: twenty thousand gold coins!]
"Twenty thousand gold coins! Fantastic. Bring it on!" Lin Gu gave a crooked smile as he looked at the two enormous prey before him!
Seeing this, and seeing that he was a seven-year-old child, the Titan Giant Ape said:
"Human, leave this place, or we won't hold back."
But Lin Gu remained composed and slowly stepped forward.
The Titan Giant Ape instantly let out a furious roar. The surrounding trees and mountain ground shook, as he intended to frighten this person away.
Yet Lin Gu remained unmoved. Seeing this, the Titan Giant Ape said:
"Human child, what are you doing here? Leave now, or I'll swallow you in one bite."
Lin Gu clapped his hands, leaped onto a tree, and said calmly:
"What am I doing here? As a Soul Master, what do you think I'm here for? Naturally, I'm hunting a Soul Ring for myself. Which of you two will become my Second Soul Ring?"
At these words, the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python could not help throwing back their heads and laughing. The Sky Azure Bull Python said disdainfully:
"Human child, go home. You think you can hunt us? Even those two Titled Douluo behind you might not be a match for us. Leave. We'll spare your life on account of your ignorance."
But after hearing this, Lin Gu merely chuckled, flexed his fists, and said calmly:
"How about this? Let's make a bet. I'll fight the two of you Soul Beasts. If I win, you become my Soul Rings. If I lose, you can do whatever you like with me."
After these words, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape threw back their heads and laughed again, thinking he was simply asking for suffering. The Titan Giant Ape glanced at the Sky Azure Bull Python, then stepped forward and said:
"All right, then I'll teach you ignorant human a lesson."
He thought to himself, Those two Titled Douluo behind him will protect him anyway. He's only a level-twenty Soul Master. I'll just scare him off in a moment. He truly has no idea how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is.
Then he roared furiously and threw a punch.
But what happened next left both the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python dumbfounded, because Lin Gu blocked it effortlessly with just one finger.
Yes, it was that seven-year-old child's index finger, looking so frail that a gust of wind might snap it.
Yet that single finger stopped the Titan Giant Ape's boulder-like fist.
And Lin Gu's health only dipped slightly, by a hundred million.
To Lin Gu, this was merely a tickle, but an ordinary Soul Master would naturally have lost their life.
Only after seeing this did Qian Jun, Jiang Mo, and Qian Renxue standing nearby feel reassured.
Qian Renxue nodded. Presumably, his First Soul Skill not only had a powerful shield, but strengthened his own physical body as well.
With Lin Gu's trillion health, his physical toughness had long since become extraordinary. Whether he used a shield made little difference.
At that moment, Lin Gu flicked his finger lightly. His ideal method was to have the two of them sacrifice themselves, which would cause the least harm, especially to Qian Renxue.
Having blocked the attack with that single finger, he activated one [Heartsteel] effect with a thought.
He watched his health immediately rise by 2.5 billion.
2.5 billion. Beautiful! With over five hundred activations, wouldn't that add more than another trillion health? Fantastic!
Lin Gu was wild with joy. This is wonderful. I'll just stand still and let them feed me health.
Then he said:
"Giant ape, this won't do. How can you beat me with such a light punch? Besides, didn't I tell you both to attack together? One of you alone is too easy for me."
The Titan Giant Ape's face was filled with astonishment. Even a Titled Douluo wouldn't dare block his punch like that, would they? With just one finger?
The Titan Giant Ape swallowed. This person was extraordinary. A seven-year-old child-had humans already become this powerful?
He refused to believe it, so he shouted:
"Human, you dare underestimate me? Now I'm going to get serious."
The Titan Giant Ape leaped into the air, the earth trembling. His arms swung down from above as his Soul Power erupted, and he shouted:
"Titan Sky Shatter! Human, if this strike kills you, blame your own ignorance!"
Like a falling meteor, the Titan Giant Ape smashed down heavily toward Lin Gu.
Lin Gu raised both hands to brace himself and caught the blow head-on!
Lin Gu looked at his health bar. His health had fallen by fifty billion, and he nodded:
"Not bad. That strike was more like it. Again, again."
The Titan Giant Ape was dumbfounded. This had been his full-powered strike. Even a Titled Douluo of Level 98 or above wouldn't dare block it like this.
Yet Lin Gu's health of over 1.2 trillion had only fallen by fifty billion. He hadn't even activated his shield, and he had also gained five billion health.
There are still over five hundred [Heartsteel] activations left. I'll take my time playing with you and use every one on you two.
The Titan Giant Ape went berserk and delivered several more blows in succession.
The corner of Lin Gu's mouth curled upward. I can't keep letting you hit me. I need to take the initiative too. Once I've finished "steeling," you'll be my Soul Rings.