Although Seahorse Douluo was shocked by Li Xun's statement about killing to create a vacancy in Godhood, the deep affection between the group was truly unbearable for him.
He quickly retreated silently, returning unnoticed to his Seahorse Holy Pillar, ignoring the intimate display between Li Xun and the three women.
After several refusals, Dugu Yan was finally persuaded by Li Xun and the other two.
Seeing her eyes glistening with tears, Li Xun's heart softened, realizing he had indeed been neglecting Dugu Yan.
Holding Dugu Yan in his arms and gently patting her back, Li Xun knew he needed to make some changes going forward.
Some things needed to be revealed earlier to prevent them from overthinking.
The energy of the 100,000-Year Soul Bone was immense, and with Dugu Yan's physique, it couldn't be absorbed quickly. The group left Seahorse Douluo aside and began protecting her during the absorption process.
Having consumed an Immortal Herb, the quality of Dugu Yan's Martial Soul had long been improved. Her current Soul Power was at level 75, one level higher than Ning Rongrong.
Now, with the enhancement from the Sky Blue Bull Python Soul Bone, her Soul Power easily reached level 80.
"Let's go, we'll get a Soul Ring for Sister Yan first."
With a wave of his hand, Li Xun led the three women away, completely missing Seahorse Douluo's stunned expression.
"Then what's the point of me waiting here?" Seahorse Douluo gritted his teeth and snapped off a piece of hard flooring.
Gazing at the sparkling sea, Li Xun didn't take out the Dragon Abyss Boat, instead waiting for Xiao Bai to come greet them.
He did this to use the opportunity to chat with Xiao Bai.
However, it wasn't for his own sake, but for Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan.
Although Xiao Bai was a 100,000-Year Soul Beast, she was still too weak for Li Xun. Each level after 90 required vast amounts of Soul Power, and he didn't want Xiao Bai occupying his last six crucial Soul Rings.
But Xiao Bai was just right for the three women.
Ning Rongrong needed no explanation - with his protection, most of the Sea God Nine Trials would soon be completed.
Although the early rewards were Sea God Affinity, upon completing the nine trials, not only would all her Soul Bones transform into Sea God Divine Armor, but all her Spirit Rings would also increase by 50,000 years.
Though this would only manifest when she reached certain cultivation levels, her path forward was clearly promising.
But Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan were different.
Li Xun bore the trials of both the Sea God and Asura God. As long as his God Trial Marks remained, no god would want to face the combined wrath of the Sea God and Asura God.
Therefore, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan would have to earn their Godhood through their own efforts.
The reason for planning this early was mainly because Li Xun wanted both of them to undergo the trials of a first-class god.
With Zhu Zhuqing's current physique, the God-given Soul Ring reward after passing the Sea God Trial would definitely allow her Eighth Soul Ring to advance to 100,000 years.
Then, if he could find her another 100,000-Year Soul Beast later, she should be stable for first-class Godhood trials.
But with Dugu Yan, it was more difficult.
As a semi-Support Soul Master, she was inherently at a disadvantage. Combined with her previous less-powerful Spirit Ring and Soul Bone configuration, it was unlikely any first-class god would take notice of her.
Therefore, the boost from a 100,000-Year Soul Ring now was crucial.
Once Dugu Yan passes the Sea God Trial, she will have another chance at a God-given Soul Ring. By using it for her ninth Spirit Ring, she would possess two 100,000-Year Soul Rings. With such potential, she would surely catch the attention of many deities.
This was the path Li Xun had laid out for his three women. As a first-class deity, he could bring multiple people to the God Realm. If each of them reached their full capacity...
After mapping everything out in his mind, Li Xun looked up at the sky.
This was his plan—"when one man attains the Dao, even his pets ascend to heaven."
Xiao Bai was quite considerate. Sensing Li Xun's presence, she soon swam over cheerfully.
"Long time no see!" Xiao Bai leaped out of the sea, transforming into her human form as she approached Li Xun.
"It really has been a while. From the looks of it, life has been good for you Demon Soul Great White Sharks since the Evil Spirit Tiger Whale Group disappeared," Li Xun teased.
Zhu Zhuqing and the other two quickly greeted Xiao Bai as well.
"What? Did you just remember to ask for your reward?"
Xiao Bai's eyes sparkled mischievously before she grinned and slung an arm over Li Xun's shoulder. "But it's not too late now!"
"I'm in a good mood today. I've collected plenty of treasures from sunken human ships. Wait here—I'll have my clan bring them up."
After saying this, Xiao Bai sent out a ripple invisible to humans into the sea. The water surface stirred, and faint outlines of many Demon Soul Great White Shark fins could be seen.
"You might have to wait a bit. They're a bit slow and might take some time."
"Now, tell me your real purpose. Don't tell me you came just for this? Are you asking me to help you hunt for a Soul Ring?"
Xiao Bai then shifted her gaze to the three women. Through her perception, she quickly noticed something different about Dugu Yan. "Go on, what kind of Soul Ring are you looking for?"
Dugu Yan thought for a moment. "Given my current physique, I can withstand a Soul Ring of up to around 80,000 years. Preferably, the Soul Beast's ability should involve toxicity and aggression."
"That's easy. The ocean may lack other Soul Beasts, but finding toxic ones is no problem." Xiao Bai laughed and patted her chest confidently, as if to say, "Leave it to me."
Li Xun smiled at their familiar interaction and wrapped his arm around Xiao Bai's shoulder in return. To an outsider, they looked like a pair of good buddies with their arms around each other.
The three women, somewhat bewildered, stared blankly for a moment before their eyes flickered with wariness.
Was Li Xun interested in Xiao Bai? But she was a Soul Beast!
"Xiao Bai, do you want to become a deity?" Li Xun paid no mind to the women's stares, instead looking at Xiao Bai with a meaningful smile.
Xiao Bai was taken aback by his words and gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Of course I do! What kind of scheme are you plotting now?"
"What scheme? If I'm coming to you, it's definitely for something good." Still holding her, Li Xun used his free hand to flick her forehead playfully.
"Something good? I'm well aware of how difficult it is for Soul Beasts to become deities. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King was incredibly powerful, yet he still failed. How do you plan to help me ascend?"
Xiao Bai struggled briefly but couldn't break free, sighing as she rubbed her forehead.
"If we take you up with us, wouldn't that make you a deity?" Li Xun shook his head in mock disappointment. "You Soul Beasts are so rigid. Haven't you heard the saying?"
"What saying?"
"Sacrifice and coast your way to godhood."
"Isn't this much easier than you bitterly cultivating for millions of years while constantly facing the dangers of the Heavenly Tribulation?" Li Xun revealed a row of sparkling white teeth.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan also came to their senses. The three women looked at Xiao Bai with peculiar expressions.
"Lying flat through sacrifice to achieve godhood?"
Xiao Bai was momentarily stunned upon hearing this statement for the first time, but soon understood, his eyes filled with suspicion: "Are you trying to trick me into sacrificing myself to you?"
"How could it be a trick? You've seen the progress of Rongrong and my Sea God Nine Trials. Don't you believe we can pass the God Trial?" Li Xun patted Xiao Bai's shoulder.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Bai still felt the risk was too great and shook his head repeatedly: "Who can say for sure until the very end? I've seen plenty of Soul Masters die during the God Trial over the years."
"Is that so? Then what do you think about our chances of passing now?"
Li Xun smiled as various colored lights flashed beneath his feet.
Nine Spirit Rings appeared one after another: yellow, purple, purple, black, black, red, red, red, red.
Through continuous experimentation, Li Xun had discovered that when trying to pressure others, the most effective method was to make the Spirit Rings appear gradually.
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