"What!"
Upon learning of Lin Mu's target, Qian Daoliu's pupils constricted sharply, his face filled with disbelief.
That Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear was at least a 400,000-year-old ferocious beast. Given the terrifying innate talent of the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear clan, its combat strength was almost equivalent to that of a Limit Douluo. Generally speaking, a Titled Douluo possessing even a single 100,000-year Soul Ring was already considered top-tier. He never expected Lin Mu to harbor such immense ambition.
After a moment, Qian Daoliu suppressed his shock and asked seriously, "Are you certain you can absorb the Soul Ring of that Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear?"
Although the two had not met many times, because of Lin Mu's relationship with his granddaughter, he did not want to see the young man explode and die from over-absorption.
"You don't believe me?" Facing Qian Daoliu's doubt, Lin Mu smiled faintly and directly revealed all of his Soul Rings.
Six black and two red!
Seeing such an astonishing configuration, Qian Daoliu took a step back in disbelief, muttering to himself, "As expected of a God Inheritor... but why is there no divine power fluctuation?"
As the High Priest of the Angel God, Qian Daoliu was well aware of the power of the gods. Only gods could increase the age of Soul Rings; Lin Mu's ability to upgrade all his rings to over ten thousand years was proof enough that he was a God Inheritor.
Soon, Qian Daoliu regained his composure, looking at Lin Mu with a complicated expression. He had long suspected this, but now it was completely confirmed. He reflected that if even a prodigy like Lin Mu couldn't reach godhood, then perhaps no human could ever achieve level 100 except through divine inheritance.
"Lin Mu, the one you inherited..." Before he could finish, Qian Daoliu suddenly realized a problem: would rashly inquiring about the god behind Lin Mu offend that deity? If Lin Mu's patron was as powerful as his growth suggested, they were likely much stronger than the Angel God.
Seeing that Qian Daoliu still hadn't agreed, Lin Mu resorted to a threat. "If you're not willing to help, then I'll just have to play with your granddaughter."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu was instantly furious. This guy actually used Xue'er to threaten him! He was truly shameless, and yet, the old man found he couldn't do anything about it.
He took a deep breath to suppress his anger. His expression returned to its previous calm and gentleness as he said lightly, "I can help you, but there is one condition."
"Tell me first."
"I won't make things difficult for you. As long as you guarantee to help Xue'er take full control of the Heaven Dou Empire, I will grant you this favor."
"It's a deal." Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Mu agreed.
Seeing Lin Mu agree so readily, Qian Daoliu felt a flash of doubt. Did this boy have no sense of belonging to the Heaven Dou Empire at all?
In truth, Lin Mu cared very little who sat on the Heaven Dou Empire's throne, as long as the transition didn't harm the common people. Besides, he had already promised Qian Renxue he would help. He hadn't expected to get Qian Daoliu's assistance for free just by re-confirming a promise he'd already made. It was a massive windfall.
"In that case, I will accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest," Qian Daoliu said. He didn't dwell on the matter further; even if Lin Mu hadn't agreed, he likely would have helped anyway. The stronger Lin Mu became, the better he could protect Xue'er.
At this moment, Lin Mu thought of the threat, Beast God Di Tian and noted, "With just the two of us, it might be difficult to hunt down the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear."
"Nonsense! If I had truly gone all out last time, that beast wouldn't have escaped. With your assistance this time, I am absolutely confident we can hunt it down." Qian Daoliu put his hands behind his back, his tone laced with arrogance.
Lin Mu shook his head and explained, "Besides the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, there is an even more powerful Soul Beast. We may have to face several hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts at once."
Qian Daoliu hesitated. Had this boy provoked a group of super ferocious beasts? If so, he would indeed be unable to handle it alone; other elders would need to intervene. He began to regret his decision. If any elder were to perish, Spirit Hall would suffer a great loss to the foundation it had built over centuries.
However, for his granddaughter's future happiness, he had to do everything in his power. "Very well, I will summon the other elders now."
Meanwhile, a group of people ventured into the poisonous miasma of the Sunset Forest.
"Brother, that giant plant is Ah Yin." In mid-air, Tang Hao, riding on Tang Xiao's back, pointed at the Blue Silver Emperor ahead, his face filled with urgency.
Tang Xiao looked in the direction his brother pointed and indeed saw a plant possessing the same aura as Ah Yin. Seeing his sister-in-law in such a tragic state, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
The Seventh Elder commented coldly, "For a mere Blue Silver Grass, you've caused the sect so much trouble! Tang Hao, this is all your doing!"
Faced with the reprimand, Tang Hao remained unusually quiet. He knew he owed the sect everything.
"Seventh Elder, the most important thing right now is to retrieve the sect's Soul Bones," Tang Xiao said firmly.
"Yes, Sect Master!" Since Tang Xiao had spoken, the Seventh Elder suppressed his displeasure. The group descended from the sky.
"Tang Hao, you actually dare to come here again? Didn't my master beat you enough last time?" Before they could land, Dugu Bo flew over from a distance, blocking their path.
Having his wounds exposed in public, Tang Hao was instantly enraged. "I cannot beat Lin Mu, but dealing with you, you old poisoner, is more than enough!"
"You can try." Dugu Bo released his pressure, pressing down on Tang Hao like a mountain.
Sensing the surge of Soul Power, Tang Hao's expression changed drastically. "You actually broke through two levels in a row?"
"How could you possibly fathom the Master's power?" Dugu Bo sneered.
Tang Xiao stepped forward, protecting Tang Hao. He said calmly, "Dugu Bo, if you are willing to leave now, we can let you go."
"Tsk tsk, I remember the Clear Sky Sect was badly burned by Tang Hao's actions. Now you're helping him get revenge? Truly a united front."
The Seventh Elder was furious. If it weren't for the Sect Master's orders and the matter of the Soul Bones, he would never have helped Tang Hao.
"Old Poison, where is Lin Mu now?" Tang Hao's eyes were filled with resentment. His family had been destroyed by Lin Mu.
"Do you think I'd tell you?" Dugu Bo stared at Tang Xiao and threatened, "You'd better not make any rash moves, otherwise, the Master will definitely not let you go."