In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
During this time, Lin Mu successfully broke through to Level 79, only one level away from becoming a Soul Douluo. It was time to consider the matter of his eighth soul ring.
Undoubtedly, the eighth soul ring would require more than 100,000 years of cultivation to match his standards. However, there were very few 100,000-year-old soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Aside from those hidden "Ferocious Beasts," he could probably only target the Azure Bull Python.
With his current strength, plus Dugu Bo's assistance, dealing with the Azure Bull Python wouldn't be difficult.
As for Xiao Wu's opinion, he didn't care much. Rather than letting Bibi Dong take the ring, he'd rather absorb it himself; he could always find a way to revive the beast later when he ascended to godhood.
However, there was a crucial problem: Lin Mu had already offended Di Tian and Bi Ji. If he were to enter the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest again, it would likely cause considerable trouble.
Fortunately, he had only recently broken through to Level 79 and still needed time to cultivate before reaching Level 80, so he could slowly devise a plan.
That morning, Lin Mu arrived at the Royal Fighting Team's training ground on time.
After the first two phases of training, the Royal Fighting Team had undergone a complete transformation. Ordinary Soul Ancestor teams were no match for them, and they could even defeat a Soul Emperor-level teacher.
However, they were still a bit short of the strength needed to defeat the Spirit Hall Golden Generation team.
For this final phase, Lin Mu planned to personally supervise so that they would feel true pressure and break through their limits.
At this moment, Yu Tianheng stepped forward, looking at Lin Mu with some trepidation, and asked, "Teacher Lin Mu, how will we train next?"
A month ago, he had already made some guesses, but deep down, he dared not believe them.
If it was really what he thought, then the next period of training would be a nightmare.
"The Great Soul Arena is no longer suitable for you. With your current strength, even if you challenged a Soul Ancestor team again, it would be difficult to feel any pressure."
Lin Mu paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued, "Next, I will personally train you. As long as you can last three minutes against me, winning the championship will be a piece of cake."
"What?!"
Yu Tianheng and the others' pupils constricted sharply. Although they had expected it, hearing this confirmation still filled them with panic.
'What a joke!'
Even the Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't last three minutes against Lin Mu; how could they possibly withstand it?
"Is this guy crazy?"
Qian Renxue was equally incredulous. The highest-ranking member of the Royal Fighting Team was only Level 43; they couldn't possibly withstand a single move from Lin Mu.
Seeing their reactions, Lin Mu remained calm, adding, "Don't worry, I won't use my Martial Soul, and I won't go too far."
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; at least they didn't have to worry about dying.
Only Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan remained grave. They knew best how terrifying Lin Mu's physical power was; even without using his Martial Soul, he was beyond their capabilities.
Although they had cultivated to Level 40 or above, they still lacked the confidence to withstand even a single serious move from Lin Mu.
However, Lin Mu didn't give them a chance to object, stating with finality, "I'll give you five minutes to discuss tactics."
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, completely lacking the courage to face their teacher.
Tang San was the first to react. He knew his master's personality well; Lin Mu was a man of his word and would act as soon as the time was up. It was better to think of a countermeasure immediately.
"Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, and Oslo, you'll be responsible for restraining my Master. I'll cooperate with you to buy time for Shi Mò and Shi Mó's Martial Soul Fusion. Only then will we have a chance."
Upon hearing Tang San's plan, Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, and Oslo's expressions changed drastically.
With their limited strength, how could they possibly stop Lin Mu? They would likely be severely injured in just one round.
But upon further reflection, it seemed there was no better way. Only when the Shi brothers fused their spirits, relying on the divine might of the Black Turtle, would they have a sliver of hope to resist.
"Tang San, what should I do?" Dugu Yan asked.
Tang San's battle plan didn't mention her, which made her somewhat resentful.
"Yeah, Tang San, you didn't arrange for Ye Lingling either. She should be the key to this training, right?" Yu Tianheng chimed in.
Tang San shook his head, saying seriously, "If nothing unexpected happens, Master won't let Ye Lingling participate. The others will stay in the rear and assist after the Shi brothers fuse."
This was a tactful way of putting it; in reality, he thought Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing were completely useless against Lin Mu, at best, cannon fodder.
First of all, even without using his martial soul, Master wouldn't be afraid of Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Venom thanks to his Qilin Fire properties.
Although Xiao Wu possessed a teleportation skill, her attacks were close-quarters combat, and her second soul skill, Charm, wouldn't work given the huge difference in mental strength.
And Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was less than Level 30, so she was barely worth mentioning in this context.
After listening to Tang San's detailed explanation, Yu Tianheng and the others felt increasingly heavy-hearted. If Ye Lingling didn't participate, they wouldn't last three minutes.
After a moment, Yu Tianheng took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "In that case, we can only do as you say."
Back then, Teacher Lin Mu's punch sent him flying, and ever since, it had been like a dark cloud hanging over his head. He had to overcome this psychological shadow.
When the allotted time was up, Lin Mu returned to the group and said, "Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, you two don't need to participate."
Hearing this arrangement, everyone's hearts sank. It was just as Tang San had predicted.
After a short pause, Lin Mu added, "Lingling, you can heal anyone who can no longer fight."
With the evolved Nine Heart Begonia present, there was no need to worry about permanent injuries.
Ye Lingling readily agreed to his arrangement, but Zhu Zhuqing was unwilling and volunteered, "Teacher Lin Mu, I want to participate in this training."
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's determined expression, Lin Mu thought for a moment and agreed to her request.
"Training begins."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Mu moved, flashing past like a whirlwind. He locked onto the nearest target, Yu Feng, and kicked him directly in the abdomen.
Bang!!
Before he could react, Yu Feng shot away like a cannonball, finally crashing heavily to the ground.
Seeing this, everyone's expression changed drastically. 'This is what he calls not using full force?!'
Without time to think, Yu Tianheng and Oslo immediately rushed toward Lin Mu, trying to buy some time.
At the same time, dozens of Blue Silver Grass vines spread to Lin Mu's feet in a pincer attack, this was Tang San's tactic.
The moment the vines touched Lin Mu's legs, Tang San decisively used Crystallization.
On the other side, the Shi brothers had already clasped their hands together; if the others could just hold him off for a moment, they could complete their Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
However, at that moment, an incredibly terrifying gravity suddenly pressed down on them, forcibly interrupting the fusion process.
It was the second skill of the Titan Giant Ape Left Arm Bone: Gravity Mud Swamp.
Compared to Titan Skybreaker, Lin Mu rarely used Gravity Mud Swamp. This skill wasn't very effective against Titled Douluos, but it was extremely powerful against lower-level Soul Masters.
In fact, Lin Mu had already held back, only applying three times normal gravity. If he had used his full power, it would have completely rendered everyone incapacitated instantly.