NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Forced to Submit
That plant would be a much better fit for the Child of Nature than he would!
Once the idea struck, the Ten Thousand Beast King didn't hesitate.
If they needed to present the Child of Nature with a gift, then the king among plant-type soul beasts from the Sun Moon Continent—the Blue Silver Emperor—was the ideal choice. Naturally, this plant was his long-standing rival, destined to clash with him.
The Blue Silver Emperor was about to face its 200,000-year soul beast tribulation.
Among plants, only one ruler could exist in any territory.
The Blue Silver Emperor, the sovereign of all Blue Silver Grass, was without a shred of doubt his rival.
Although the Ten Thousand Beast King's power far exceeded that of the Blue Silver Emperor, the latter's bloodline was superior.
The Ten Thousand Beast King had only risen to power by merging with a celestial herb that altered his bloodline, granting him his current strength.
But this Blue Silver Emperor might someday surpass him and take his place.
Now, with the opponent in a vulnerable state, he could present it as a sacrifice to the Child of Nature!
A win-win-win situation!
Thus, the three beasts disguised themselves and crossed the Douluo Continent, heading straight for the Sun Moon Continent.
In a secluded valley covered in Blue Silver Grass, a vibrant green carpet of bluish-sliver grass spread across the earth, resembling a paradise hidden from the world.
At that moment, a unique Blue Silver Grass plant among them began to tremble sharply.
It was as if an immense danger had descended upon it.
"What… who's there? Or rather… which beasts?"
Indeed, true danger had arrived!
From Douluo Continent to Sun Moon Continent, it had only taken a moment for the Ten Thousand Beast King, Bear Lord, and Scarlet King to arrive.
Unleashing their terrifying aura without restraint, they filled the surrounding area with their menacing presence.
Soul beasts within thousands of miles felt this oppressive force and instinctively prostrated themselves.
At that moment, a low voice echoed from all directions, as though every blade of Blue Silver Grass was amplifying it: "What have I done to earn the attention of you three esteemed ones?"
As the sovereign of the plant realm, the Blue Silver Emperor extended his presence through every blade of Blue Silver Grass in the valley, turning them into his eyes.
It could be said that there was no news in the world he could not uncover.
"Wildfires may rage, yet they can't consume me; with spring's breeze, I'm reborn anew."
Such was the Blue Silver Grass's resilient life force, able to grow in even the harshest environments.
Anywhere the Blue Silver Grass existed, it connected back to him, enabling him to gather knowledge from all around—even some secrets from the Star Dou Forest.
The Ten Thousand Beast King grinned. "As the sovereign of the plant realm, of course, you're worthy of notice."
In the presence of the Ten Thousand Beast King, however, the Blue Silver Emperor dared not claim the title of "sovereign."
A deep, resigned voice replied, "And what choice do I have?"
"I see that you're struggling to face the next heavenly tribulation. Why not fulfill your purpose by sacrificing yourself to empower the Child of Nature?"
"Perhaps that Child of Nature carries the potential to become a god and might even lead you to godhood."
Confronted by these three fierce beasts, one of whom was an even stronger plant-type soul beast, the Blue Silver Emperor knew escape was impossible. Resigned, he transformed into an ordinary Blue Silver Grass and let himself fall into the Ten Thousand Beast King's hand.
"Do I even have the option to refuse?"
The Ten Thousand Beast King laughed heartily. "Good, good! Wise is the one who knows when to yield!"
"We will certainly reward you generously!"
---
Su Yunrou hadn't joined them this time; instead, she returned to inform the village chief. After all, a round trip to the Star Dou Forest would take some time, and notifying him would prevent unnecessary worry.
With a Soul Douluo protector, there was no real danger!
The Star Dou Forest lay at the heart of the three empires, with Shrek Academy in distant sight on the horizon.
Three days later, a luxurious carriage stopped outside the Star Dou Forest.
Beside Jiang Bai stood not only himself but also a slightly older youth. Though thin, his eyes shone with determination.
Jiang Bai recalled that this was the captain of the Dou Ling Team from Huo Yuhao's generation in the Soul Master Competition — Gu Zhujian.
His martial soul was the Purple Radiance Bamboo.
At this moment, he had also entered the Spirit Ancestor rank to obtain his fourth soul skill. After all, he was a proud talent from the Dou Ling Academy, so this treatment was not surprising.
However, it seemed that he had ultimately been interrupted by Ma Xiaotao, who had broken his limbs. So, did that mean he was just tagging along?
"Once we enter the Star Dou Forest, make sure to stay close to me! Don't wander off!"
This was mainly directed at Jiang Bai, as children often had an intense curiosity, and it wouldn't be good if he ran off.
He was simply looking to find a suitable plant-type soul beast, and only in the outer area of the forest. As a Soul Douluo, he could easily navigate the outer circle of the Star Dou Forest without fear.
There shouldn't be any soul beasts over ten thousand years old there.
As they walked deeper into the Star Dou Forest, Jiang Bai curiously scanned his surroundings. Towering trees and all sorts of soul beasts dazzled his senses.
He had never seen such a scene in his past life.
"Let's find a soul beast for Gu Zhujian first!"
The fourth soul ring for Gu Zhujian had an extreme age limit of 5,000 to 6,000 years. As a talented individual from the Dou Ling Empire, he certainly wouldn't settle for anything less.
As they walked through the Star Dou Forest, the aura of a Soul Douluo spirit master radiated from him, causing ordinary soul beasts to shy away and take a detour.
"Is luck really that good?"
"Gu Zhujian, your soul beast has arrived!"
At the edge of the cliff below, there was a robust and resilient vine with a tough, dragon-scale-like skin, interwoven in dark red and purplish hues. It crackled with electricity, and on ordinary days, it lay in silence.
However, as soon as birds or beasts landed nearby, two thick vines would suddenly spring into action.
A 5,500-year-old Thunderflame Inferno Vine!
Gu Zhujian's small face lit up with excitement. "This is it!"
With a flash, the Soul Douluo-level figure moved next to the Thunderflame Inferno Vine. With just a casual strike, he severely injured it, leaving it with only a sliver of life.
In the presence of a Soul Douluo, the vine had no chance to resist.
Seeing this, Gu Zhujian summoned his martial soul, the Purple Radiant Bamboo. Using his third soul skill, he swiftly finished off the plant-type soul beast.
After its death, a purple soul ring then floated above its corpse.
"I'll protect you. Hurry and absorb it."
"Jiang Bai's soul ring can wait until Gu Zhujian has successfully absorbed this one."
"It's fine, I'm not in a hurry." Jiang Bai curiously walked closer to the Thunderflame Inferno Vine, watching the purple soul ring rise. He couldn't help but feel amazed.
He truly didn't understand how this mechanism worked!
Jiang Bai pondered, "What would happen if I absorbed it?"
Perhaps it would explode.
Right now, Jiang Bai was very cautious about his life. Although many travelers boasted that their first soul ring was a striking blend of black and vibrant colors, he didn't want to risk his life. He just wanted a normal one—something safe.
After all, the divine test would provide for him later.
Why take the risk of absorbing a soul ring that exceeds my limits? It's not worth dying for!
Shaking off the thought, he casually picked up a small stick and began prodding at the corpse of the Thunderflame Inferno Vine, curious to see if it might yield some equipment!
Unfortunately, plant-type soul beasts were the least likely to produce soul bones.
After a long wait, Gu Zhujian finally opened his eyes, and beneath his feet, a purple thousand-year soul ring shimmered brightly.
"Elder, I did it!"
"That's great! Now let's go find another plant-type soul beast."
Just then, a thunderous dragon roar echoed in their ears, followed by an overwhelming soundwave.
"Here it comes! The Child of Nature!"