After a month and a half of long-distance travel, Yu Qing, bringing Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi, once again stepped into the vast and mysterious primordial land of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Gazing at the towering ancient trees that blocked out the sun and the forest permeated with a primal, wild aura, Yu Qing was filled with emotion. In just one short year, this was already his third time venturing deep into this place.
But every visit signified an important Breakthrough and turning point.
This time, Yu Qing did not linger in the outer regions. He wrapped one arm around Duan Xin, held Zi Ruyi's hand with the other, and with a slight mental command, buzz—intense silver light erupted around him, and a stable, profound Spatial Passage instantly formed before the three of them!
Thanks to the increasing mastery of the Star Flash skill and the deepening understanding of the Spatial Law, the Spatial Passage Yu Qing opened now could span distances up to a hundred miles, and its stability far surpassed previous attempts.
With a flash of silver light, the three figures instantly plunged into the passage and vanished.
After several flashes and transits, they had already bypassed the long distance between the Mixed Zone and the Core Zone, silently appearing at the shore of the Lake of Life—the most core and sacred area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Life Aura, so dense it was almost tangible, rushed toward them. The rippling blue lake surface shimmered with a faint green light, and the towering ancient tree at the center of the lake, entirely emerald green and radiating vibrant vitality, was truly refreshing.
"So beautiful," Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi exclaimed, unable to suppress their admiration for the beauty of the place, even though they had been here before.
Yu Qing smiled slightly, offering no further explanation. He stepped forward, and his powerful mental force mixed with a unique spirit power fluctuation spread out across the lake like ripples. He called out softly, "Da Ming, Er Ming."
The lake surface was silent for a moment. Then, boom, two incomparably massive figures suddenly broke through the water, soaring into the sky and sending splashes everywhere.
To the left was the Sky Azure Bull Python, Da Ming, with the head of a bull and the body of a snake, covered entirely in azure scales and sporting a single horn on its head.
To the right was the Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, standing over fifteen meters tall, covered in bulging muscles, and as majestic as a mountain.
"Haha! Yu Qing, what brings you here to see us?" Er Ming was the first to let out a thunderous laugh, the sound rippling the lake water. Although its size was terrifying, its tone was familiar and enthusiastic.
Da Ming was much steadier. Its massive bull eyes looked at Yu Qing, and its voice was low and gentle: "Yu Qing, long time no see. How are Aunt Rou and Xiao Wu doing lately?"
Yu Qing smiled and patted the backs of his two nervous wives' hands to reassure them, then looked up at the two Beast Kings and said, "They are both doing very well. A Rou has already broken through to Rank 96, and Xiao Wu is as energetic as ever. You don't need to worry about them."
"Rank 96?!" Er Ming widened its bell-like eyes and exclaimed in a booming voice, "Aunt Rou's Cultivation speed... that's terrifying! Much faster than ours!"
A look of relief flashed in Da Ming's eyes: "It seems Aunt Rou has truly found her own happiness and belonging." It paused, turning its massive head toward Yu Qing, its tone carrying a hint of imperceptible anticipation. "So... when can Xiao Wu come back to see us? Ever since she left, Er Ming here has been nagging about her all day; my ears are practically calloused."
Er Ming immediately scratched its massive head in embarrassment, letting out a hearty laugh, but it didn't deny it. It truly missed the little one who used to dance on its palm and pull its fur when she was young.
Yu Qing promised, "Don't worry. When I go back this time, I'll talk to A Rou and have her bring Xiao Wu back to see you."
"Good! That's great!" Er Ming happily pounded its solid chest, making a booming, drum-like sound.
After the pleasantries, Da Ming cut to the chase, its bull eyes filled with inquiry: "Yu Qing, you surely didn't just come to visit us, did you? Is there something you need help with?"
Yu Qing's expression turned serious, and he nodded: "There is indeed something I need to ask. I want to inquire if there are any Spirit Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest that are extremely powerful but whose Lifespan is nearing its end—perhaps due to severe injury, old age, or other reasons—and whose age is... preferably no more than eighty thousand years."
"Hmm?" Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Da Ming's massive bull eyes. It pondered for a moment, seemingly recalling and searching, and only after a long time did it slowly speak: "There are indeed a few such Spirit Beasts. They mostly hide in the deepest parts of the forest or in extremely perilous areas, quietly awaiting the end of their lives. Yu Qing, why are you looking for them?"
Yu Qing did not answer directly but countered with a question: "Da Ming, Er Ming, have you ever considered... that besides hunting Spirit Beasts, are there other possibilities for Spirit Masters to obtain spirit rings?"
Er Ming replied in a booming voice, "Isn't it just hunting and sacrifice? What else could there be?"
Yu Qing smiled slightly and shook his head. He began to elaborate in detail on the philosophy, principles, and operational methods of the Soul Spirit Method to the two Forest Emperors.
As Yu Qing spoke, the initial confusion in Da Ming's and Er Ming's massive pupils was gradually replaced by shock, and finally, they were filled with an expression of incredible astonishment!
"You... are you serious?!" Da Ming and Er Ming exclaimed almost simultaneously, the sound waves shaking the surrounding trees. "There is such a miraculous method in the World? It doesn't require hunting the Spirit Beast, yet it retains its intelligence and partial strength, and can even evolve as the Spirit Master grows?"
This completely overturned their hundreds of thousands of years of understanding regarding the relationship between Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts.
Yu Qing nodded solemnly: "Absolutely true. I have initially perfected this method, but it still requires final practical verification. Therefore, I need to find a willing and suitable Spirit Beast to sign a Spirit Soul Contract with my wife, jointly completing this historic first step."
He looked sincerely at the two Beast Kings: "I promise you that regardless of success or failure, I will do my utmost to ensure the safety and interests of the Spirit Beast party. This action is not for enslavement, but to explore a brand new path where Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts can coexist peacefully and benefit mutually. If successful, the slaughter faced by the Spirit Beast Clan in the future will be greatly reduced."
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged glances, their massive eyes flashing with light, sinking into silence and thought. They were weighing the pros and cons, making a judgment.
Yu Qing did not urge them. He knew this decision was far too significant for Spirit Beasts.
After a moment, Da Ming slowly raised its head, a trace of determination flashing in its bull eyes: "Alright! Yu Qing, we trust you. You helped us survive the Heavenly Tribulation, and you have always held goodwill toward the Spirit Beast Clan. We trust your character and your promise. We will accompany you... to try this unprecedented new path!"
Er Ming also nodded heavily, agreeing in a booming voice: "Exactly! Let's try it; maybe it really will work!"
A great weight was lifted from Yu Qing's heart, and a relieved smile appeared on his face: "Thank you both for your trust."
"Come with us," Da Ming said in a low voice, swinging its massive snake tail and leading the way toward a certain direction in the forest. Er Ming followed closely. Yu Qing, bringing Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi, rose into the air and followed behind the two beasts.
As they went deeper, the surrounding scenery became increasingly primal and rugged. Eventually, they arrived at an area that was desolate, scorching hot, and permeated with the pungent smell of sulfur.
Before them was a massive Volcano Crater. Dark red magma slowly flowed inside the volcano, occasionally bubbling up and bursting, making gurgling sounds and emitting terrifying high temperatures. For thousands of miles around the crater, the earth was cracked and barren, with only black-brown rocks and solidified lava—a scene of utter stillness.
"This is the place." Da Ming stopped, its massive bull eyes looking at the churning magma. It took a deep breath, then let out a low but extremely penetrating long cry:
"Ember Dragon—, Sky Azure has come to visit. Please emerge from the volcano for a talk—"
The sound waves rolled and penetrated deep into the volcano.
After a moment of silence... Boom! The entire Volcano Crater shook violently, and the magma churned fiercely, as if some colossal creature was about to awaken!
The next moment, a scorching figure suddenly burst through the magma, soaring into the sky and showering fire rain everywhere.
Yu Qing and the two women focused their gaze, unable to help but be amazed by the creature before them.
It was a Dragon nearly twenty meters long, covered entirely in scales that were as crystal clear as rubies yet seemed to have magma flowing within them. It had a pair of massive Dragon Horns on its head, nearly four meters long and shimmering with a metallic, glazed luster. Its slender and powerful body was full of strength and beauty. Its pair of golden vertical pupils were cold and majestic, yet they seemed to burn with an eternal flame, striking fear into the heart.
Its entire body radiated extremely dense Dragon Might and terrifying high temperatures, as if it were a mobile miniature sun! Its power was so strong that it was in no way inferior to some Spirit Beasts who had just entered the hundred thousand years rank.
"Such... such a beautiful Dragon!" Duan Xin couldn't help but exclaim softly. Zi Ruyi's beautiful eyes were also fixed on it.
"Sky Azure, why have you sought me out?" The Dragon spoke. Its voice was cold, carrying a metallic texture, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Yu Qing was slightly startled internally: This Dragon... its age is definitely less than eighty thousand years, yet it can already speak human language. The nobility of its Bloodline must far exceed imagination.
Da Ming was clearly familiar with it, asking in a calm tone: "Ember Dragon, long time no see. Has the Origin Wound within your body improved recently?"
The Spirit Beast named Ember Dragon's pair of golden vertical pupils dimmed slightly, and its voice remained cold: "No. That power is like a maggot attached to the bone, constantly eroding my Origin and Lifespan. What? Sky Azure, did you finally lose patience and come today because you want to drive me out of Star Dou too?" Its tone carried a hint of faint sarcasm.
"No." Da Ming shook its head, its massive bull eyes looking at Yu Qing. "Quite the opposite. I have brought you... a method that might be able to heal your Origin Wound."
Ember Dragon's burning golden pupils suddenly narrowed, its gaze instantly locking onto Yu Qing, and its Dragon Might unconsciously intensified. When it realized Yu Qing was human and sensed the undisguised Spirit Saint aura of the two female human Spirit Masters behind him, towering rage instantly erupted in its cold Dragon eyes.
"Sky Azure—!!" Ember Dragon let out an angry Dragon roar. The ruby-like scales covering its body instantly seemed to ignite, and fierce dark red flames shot into the sky. The terrifying high temperature distorted the air, and it seemed to transform into a mobile, scorching source of fire: "You brought humans here—! Are you trying to hunt me down and take my spirit ring and Spirit Bone?!"
The terrifying Dragon Might and rage pressed down like a tangible force. Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi's faces instantly turned pale, and even Da Ming and Er Ming felt a trace of pressure.
However, Yu Qing's expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward, shielding his wives behind him. He raised his right hand and made a grasping motion toward the enraged Ember Dragon.
"Star Luo Hand"
Buzz—Countless brilliant starlight instantly converged in Yu Qing's palm, transforming into a massive, sky-covering Star Light Handprint. Runes flowed across the Handprint, seeming to contain the Mighty Power to suppress the universe, and it slammed down.
The enraged Ember Dragon only felt the space around it suddenly solidify. An irresistible, terrifying force squeezed in from all directions. Its overwhelming Dragon Flame was actually forcibly suppressed back into its body, and its massive Dragon body was firmly imprisoned in mid-air by the Star Light Giant Hand, unable to even twitch.
"Wha... what?!" Ember Dragon's golden vertical pupils were filled with incredible shock. It struggled desperately, but it was like an ant trying to shake a tree. The strength of this human before it far exceeded its imagination.
Yu Qing looked at it calmly, his voice clearly entering its ears: "Calm down, Ember Dragon. If I wanted to kill you for your spirit ring, I wouldn't need all this trouble, nor would I need to ask the Sky Azure Bull Python for an introduction. I did come this time to obtain the seventh spirit ring for my wife, but absolutely not through hunting."
Ember Dragon stopped its futile struggle, but the vigilance and coldness in its Dragon eyes did not diminish in the slightest: "Not hunting? Then... is it sacrifice?" Its tone carried deep sarcasm.
It was absolutely impossible for it to willingly sacrifice itself to a human!
Yu Qing shook his head: "Nor is it sacrifice. It is a... brand new method, one that surpasses your understanding." His gaze deepened: "This method is called the Soul Spirit Method, which I have dedicated myself to researching—a method that can change the fate and structure of Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts."
"Soul Spirit... Method?" A trace of confusion flashed in Ember Dragon's eyes.
"Relax your mind and do not resist." As Yu Qing spoke, a soft light lit up on his fingertip. He pointed into the air, and that spot of light submerged into Ember Dragon's glabella.
A large amount of information regarding the Soul Spirit Method—its principles, contract methods, the rights and interests of both parties, future growth potential, and even potential risks—surged into Ember Dragon's consciousness like a tide.
Ember Dragon's massive Dragon body trembled violently. Its golden vertical pupils were first filled with extreme shock and disbelief, which then transformed into deep astonishment and... a hint of uncontrollable excitement.
Retaining its intelligence, sharing growth, and even having the chance to reshape its body—this... this was simply... a method of salvation tailor-made for a Spirit Beast like itself, trapped in desperation.
The struggle in its heart reached its Peak. Five thousand years ago, it fought a hundred thousand years Hell Demon Dog for territory. Although it barely won, relying on its pure Dragon Clan Bloodline and talent, it was afflicted by the opponent's Origin Curse.
This curse, like a tumor attached to the bone, has continuously eroded its Origin and devoured its Lifespan for five thousand years. Originally, it had at least tens of thousands of years left to live, but now... its Lifespan is less than a hundred years and is still rapidly declining. It was forced to hide here, barely suppressing the curse by relying on the power of the Earth Fire, clinging to life and awaiting its final demise.
And this Soul Spirit Method before it was undoubtedly the only light in the darkness.
Yu Qing saw the fierce struggle in its eyes and spoke at the right moment, his voice carrying a convincing magic: "You can rest assured. The Contractor I chose for you has exceptional talent. She has already advanced to Spirit Saint at a young age and has great hope of challenging the Rank 99 super Douluo Realm in the future. She absolutely has enough potential to bear your power and will never bury the pride of you, the Ember Dragon. By then, you will not only be able to break free from the Origin Wound but also ascend to the Peak with her, witness a broader World, and perhaps even... glimpse that legendary Divine Rank Domain!"
Yu Qing's words struck fiercely at Ember Dragon's mental defenses, like a final blow.
The Sky Azure Bull Python, standing nearby, also spoke in a deep voice at this moment, its tone carrying undeniable weight: "Ember Dragon, the reason I brought him to see you is because I trust him. To be frank, Er Ming and I were able to safely pass the hundred thousand years Heavenly Tribulation entirely thanks to Yu Qing's help. He holds great goodwill toward us Spirit Beasts. His promise is trustworthy."
Da Ming's words became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
All the struggle, hesitation, and vigilance in Ember Dragon's eyes... vanished completely. Its massive Dragon head slowly lowered. Its pair of golden vertical pupils, burning with flame, looked at Yu Qing with extreme seriousness, and then slowly swept over the two female Spirit Masters behind Yu Qing, who were nervous yet had clear and resolute eyes.
After a long time, it let out a long and complex Dragon roar, its voice carrying a hint of relief, a hint of anticipation, and a hint of the Dragon Clan's pride:
"Alright..."
"I... Ember Dragon... shall use this remaining body and Dragon Soul... to trust you this once and try your... Epoch-making Soul Spirit Method!"
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