The Sky Azure Bull Python expertly used the communication soul tool, causing the collective brain shutdown of Tang Hao and the other two.
They were frozen in a long state of shock.
—The kind where their jaws literally dropped to the ground.
Tang Lan glanced at them,
then silently took out his own communication soul tool and snapped a few photos for "memories."
Especially Tang Hao—he zoomed in for several close-ups, taking a burst of shots.
Only after that did he put it away in satisfaction.
"Da Ming, I came this time to check on the progress."
Da Ming rolled his eyes in a very human-like manner.
"It's only been two months. How could we possibly unify the entire Star Dou Forest already?"
"But most of the soul beasts in the core area have already submitted to us."
"As for the evil soul beasts, such as the Man-Faced Demon Spider, we've driven them to the outer perimeter."
"They will hunt the soul beasts there, creating large-scale chaos."
"Afterward, the ten-thousand-year soul beasts we've recruited will systematically subdue those lower-tier soul beasts."
"At this pace, we should be able to unify the Star Dou Forest in about six more months."
Tang Lan gave Da Ming a thumbs-up.
Not bad!
They even used strategy.
"There should be a batch of elderly or disabled soul beasts by now, right?" Tang Lan asked.
Da Ming nodded.
"Then compile a list."
"When I return from the Extreme North, we can begin the first large-scale signing of equal soul spirit contracts."
Da Ming once again pulled out his massive communication soul tool, tapped it a few times with his tendrils—
Whoosh—
Ding—
Tang Lan received a message.
He pulled it up to check—it was a complete list.
It included the soul beasts' names, ages, attributes, preferred contract genders, and even their taste preferences.
Tang Lan was so impressed that he gave another thumbs-up.
Da Ming really handled this flawlessly!
Tang Lan immediately forwarded it to Zhao Wuji.
He instructed him to keep an eye out within Tang Sect—if anyone suitable appeared, they should hold off on obtaining a soul ring for now.
"By the way, Da Ming, can you call over a batch of high-tier soul beasts?" Tang Lan said. "I used up quite a bit of life force rushing over here, so I need to replenish it by absorbing theirs."
Da Ming: "…"
Tang Lan's request was so outrageous that even he found it absurd!
At the same time—
He suddenly recalled the terrifying rumor circulating in the Star Dou Forest recently.
He couldn't help but ask, "Did you, on both of your trips into the core area, absorb the life force of soul beasts along the way and then leave them behind?"
Tang Lan nodded matter-of-factly.
—He didn't go on a killing spree or anything, he just took a little sip.
Da Ming's eyelid twitched.
No doubt about it.
The so-called "Evil Soul Beast" in the rumors…
Was standing right in front of him!
Da Ming speechlessly explained the situation.
Tang Lan listened, utterly dumbfounded.
So soul beasts could also spread exaggerated rumors?
Wasn't this just slandering an innocent man out of thin air?!
"Well, perfect timing. If I bring over a group of high-tier soul beasts, it'll help clear up this so-called evil legend."
Da Ming pulled out his "brick-sized cellphone" and started summoning reinforcements.
After putting it away,
he casually asked, "With me holding down the fort here in Star Dou Forest, when do you want Er Ming to offer himself in sacrifice to you?"
Tang Hao and the other two, who had just barely recovered from their shock, widened their eyes again!
What the hell?!
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast was asking a human whether another hundred-thousand-year soul beast should sacrifice itself to him?!
Sky Azure Bull Python, do you even hear yourself?!
This is way too ridiculous!!!
And yet—
Tang Lan actually shook his head and refused!
"I have my innate soul ring, so I'm not in a hurry to get a soul ring for my second martial soul. Let Er Ming stay in Star Dou Forest and help you out for now."
Re! Ject! Ed!
Tang Lan… he rejected it?!
The sacrifice of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!!!
Forget Oscar and Shui Bing'er.
Even Tang Hao felt like his mind was shattering.
Wait, hold on—
You…
I…
He…
How could you refuse that?!
Their brains crashed once again.
"You're sure?" Da Ming asked in a deep voice. "You're going to the Extreme North this time to deal with those three legendary beasts, aren't you?"
"Mhm." Tang Lan pointed at Shui Bing'er. "My goal is to convince the Ice Emperor to sacrifice herself to Bing'er."
Shui Bing'er: (●—●)
Oscar: Σ(っQДQ;)っ
Sacrifice?
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!
Sect Master, are you serious?!
Shui Bing'er felt like an enormous surprise had just smacked her in the face, leaving her completely dazed.
Oscar, on the other hand, was filled with longing—since he was tagging along, did this mean he might also get a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to sacrifice itself for him?
Tang Hao, despite already knowing about this plan, was still momentarily at a loss for words.
His son's thinking was truly wild!
Da Ming pondered for a moment and nodded.
"The Ice Emperor is already at 380,000 years. The 400,000-year tribulation will be nearly impossible for her to survive."
"There's a chance to persuade her."
"But…"
"The Ice Emperor and Snow Emperor share a close bond. If you make a move on the Ice Emperor in the Extreme North, the Snow Emperor won't just stand by and watch."
"As a 690,000-year-old fearsome beast, the Snow Emperor is a naturally born Ice Sky Snow Maiden. In the Extreme North, she has the perfect environment for battle. Even a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo would struggle to do more than barely hold their own."
"Are you still going?"
Hearing this insider information…
Tang Hao's first reaction was—no chance, absolutely no chance!
Even though he had his Ring Detonation divine skill, his current rank had dropped.
Even if he replenished two ten-thousand-year soul rings, his highest level would still only be Rank 95.
Fighting a 380,000-year-old Ice Emperor? That was barely manageable.
A 690,000-year-old Snow Emperor? Absolutely impossible!
"Sect Master!" Shui Bing'er said, her voice trembling. "Maybe… we should drop this?"
If even a Rank 99 Douluo couldn't win, why walk into certain death?
Yet, Tang Lan simply smiled without saying a word.
The Snow Emperor was indeed powerful.
But unfortunately…
He had a trump card that completely countered her.
He just couldn't explain it to the others.
Looking Shui Bing'er straight in the eye, he said calmly—
"What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Shui Bing'er froze.
From Tang Lan's tone…
He still hadn't given up?!
Her breathing became rapid.
Tang Lan's intelligence was among the very best in the world.
Even after learning about the Snow Emperor's existence, his expression remained completely indifferent.
He must have a plan!
Looking back at Tang Lan's astonishing battle record, had he ever done anything without confidence?
Then what was she afraid of?
Shui Bing'er puffed out her chest and declared loudly, "I will follow the Sect Master to the end—never retreating, even in death!"
Only then did Tang Lan nod in satisfaction.
Turning to Da Ming, he said casually—
"I never do anything I'm not confident in."
"And even if things really go south, escaping won't be a problem."
Even gods could barely keep up with his Blood Escape Technique.
A mere Snow Emperor was nothing to fear.
Da Ming locked eyes with Tang Lan for a few seconds, then nodded slightly, saying no more.
Thud— Thud— Thud—
Heavy, rhythmic footsteps echoed.
The Titan Giant Ape burst through the dense forest, landing with a crash, gripping a soul beast in each hand.
The moment its gaze locked onto Tang Hao, its eyes flashed with murderous intent!
Tang Hao was startled, thinking it was an ambush.
He instantly summoned the Clear Sky Hammer again!
—Only to have his arm pressed down once more by Tang Lan.
Realizing the situation, Tang Hao awkwardly dismissed his martial soul.
…Was this another one of his beasts?
But the Titan Giant Ape still wouldn't stop glaring at Tang Hao.
"Er Ming!" Da Ming called out. "Don't delay the important matters!"
Only then did Er Ming reluctantly shift his gaze away.
He lowered the two soul beasts in his hands—a Giant Strength Gorilla and an Ironback Dragon.
The Giant Strength Gorilla was around 84,000 years old, but its left arm had been completely severed at the root, and even part of its head was missing.
As for the Ironback Dragon—
"Oh?"