Under Di Tian's guidance, Bai Chen entered a cavern deep within the Great Ferocious Land.
At the very end of the cave—
He saw it.
A massive silkworm-like creature, bound tightly by multicolored chains.
It was the first true million-year soul beast in Douluo history—
Tianmeng Iceworm.
There had once been rumors that the Deep Sea Demon Whale King was the first million-year soul beast.
But according to Tianmeng's own account in Douluo II, when he broke through to one million years, the plane's will informed him that he was the first.
Considering the Demon Whale King did not grant Tang San a second martial soul or four soul skills, it was clear he hadn't truly reached the million-year threshold.
However—
By Tianmeng's own timeline, during the Douluo I era he should not yet have reached one million years.
His appearance confirmed it.
Nine golden patterns marked his body.
The tenth was faint—unfinished.
Bai Chen turned to Di Tian.
"Di Tian, approximately how many years of cultivation does he have?"
Di Tian glanced at the Iceworm.
"About nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand years."
As expected.
Bai Chen felt relieved.
Although Tianmeng would only break through one million years ten thousand years later, that entire period was spent being drained relentlessly by the ferocious beasts.
For ten thousand years, his energy had been harvested continuously.
The fact that he still progressed at all was astonishing.
It appeared that over those ten thousand years, he gained roughly one thousand years of cultivation—just enough to cross the final barrier.
Good.
If he were lacking ten thousand years, that would be troublesome.
But one thousand?
That was manageable.
Bai Chen asked earnestly,
"Di Tian, could you use the Lake of Life's energy to push him past the million-year threshold?"
"You know that the difference between ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine years and one hundred thousand years is qualitative. The same applies here. I hope he can truly reach one million."
Di Tian was silent for a moment.
"…I will consult the Lord. You may negotiate with him first."
He turned and left the cave.
Bai Chen approached the massive Iceworm and crouched down.
"Hello, Brother Tianmeng."
The Iceworm's enormous body trembled.
"Huh? Who are you? Are you calling me?"
"…Right."
The name "Tianmeng" was self-given after his million-year breakthrough.
Meaning—
He didn't know it yet.
Bai Chen smiled.
"Of course. What, you don't think it sounds handsome?"
"Hmm… Tianmeng… Tianmeng…"
The Iceworm chuckled.
"That's a cool name! From now on, that's what I'll call myself!"
He sounded genuinely delighted.
"You're not a soul beast. Why is a human here?"
"It's a long story."
Bai Chen sighed lightly.
"Let's just say the Three-Eyed Golden Lion brought me. After learning about your situation, I want to help you escape."
"Really?! How?!"
Hope flared instantly within the Iceworm.
He had been trapped for ages, seeing no future.
Now—
A human offered possibility.
Bai Chen spoke seriously.
"There is a method."
He proceeded to explain the concept of the Intelligent Soul Ring and the God-Making Plan—ideas Tianmeng himself would later conceive in Douluo II.
After listening carefully, the Iceworm hesitated.
"It's a good idea… but developing something like that would take time. Can you live that long?"
He was a genius.
The foundation of Spirit Souls was built upon his Intelligent Soul Ring theory.
Even so—
Creating it instantly was impossible.
Humans lived far too briefly.
What if Bai Chen died before it was complete?
"No problem."
Bai Chen waved casually.
"I can provide you with a similar technology. You can refine and optimize it."
The technology he referred to was—
Spirit Souls.
A system perfected by Electrolux using Intelligent Soul Rings as a base.
Spirit Souls surpassed Intelligent Soul Rings in many aspects.
However—
Intelligent Soul Rings had one advantage:
Extreme compression of soul beast power.
That was how Huo Yuhao, at only his second ring, absorbed the Ice Empress—a feat impossible with conventional Spirit Souls.
If Intelligent Soul Rings could evolve into Spirit Souls—
Then Spirit Souls could certainly be reverse-engineered into Intelligent Soul Rings.
Bai Chen could wait.
Securing Tianmeng was worth it.
The Iceworm was tempted.
"Alright. When will you give me this technology?"
"As soon as possible. Use this time to conceptualize your version."
They discussed details deep into the night.
Only after hours of planning did Bai Chen exit the cave.
Outside—
The Silver Dragon King and Di Tian were waiting.
The Silver Dragon King spoke calmly.
"I have discussed this with Di Tian. You want us to use resources to elevate Tianmeng to one million years."
"We can."
"But you must demonstrate value."
"I heard your conversation. Very well—exchange it for the Spirit Soul technology. Do you object?"
"No."
Bai Chen never intended to conceal it.
This was precisely his bargaining chip.
"Then cultivate here."
"Until your future self completes the Spirit Soul system, you may not leave the Great Ferocious Land."
"Yes."
Bai Chen nodded respectfully and walked away.
The Silver Dragon King watched him go.
Her gaze grew weary.
During his negotiation with Tianmeng, she had spoken at length with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
She now understood the dire state of soul beasts twenty thousand years later.
Humans possessed creativity and adaptive intelligence.
That was the widening gap.
For now—
She could only trust Bai Chen.
With a quiet sigh, the Silver Dragon King closed her eyes once more.