"Lin Mu, the Grand Worship sent us to help you," Golden Crocodile Douluo said, feigning composure.
Hearing this, Lin Mu looked up at Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others, a hint of exasperation flashing in his eyes. He said irritably, "Then what are you all standing there for?"
Seeing Lin Mu's attitude, Golden Crocodile Douluo's face immediately showed signs of displeasure. How dare a mere junior order him around like this? If he weren't uncertain about the Grand Worship's true relationship with this person, he would definitely have taught this guy a lesson.
Aside from Golden Crocodile Douluo, Azure Luan Douluo and Mighty Lion Douluo were also a little annoyed. However, the other three Worship Elders didn't care much; after all, Lin Mu's strength had already reached a level comparable to their own.
"Bipolar Static Domain!"
Before the Worship Elders could make a move, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had already activated their Martial Soul Fusion. Eighteen Soul Rings instantly condensed into a massive golden and silver two-tone halo, enveloping Xiong Jun in the sky. Within the Bipolar Static Domain, space itself was nearly frozen. Xiong Jun, already severely injured, found himself unable to break free.
Only then did the bear realize he had been tricked; this human had deliberately lured him into a trap.
"Attack together!" Lin Mu shouted, activating his eighth Soul Ring once more. The Qilin Molten Axe in his hand suddenly grew a hundred times larger, condensing countless scorching flames that seemed to contain world-destroying power.
At the same time, several elders also unleashed their eighth or ninth Soul Skills. The Coiling Dragon Staff, the Glowing Feather Bow, the Golden Lion, the Azure Luan, and the Golden Crocodile King, these top-tier Martial Souls manifested, unleashing their strongest attacks on Xiong Jun.
As everyone finished their charge, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo immediately withdrew the Bipolar Static Domain. The next moment, Xiong Jun, seeing the Soul Skills closing in from all directions, let out a furious roar and swung his Sky-Tearing Claw toward Lin Mu.
Lin Mu's Soul Skill was fully charged. The hundred-meter-long molten flame axe slammed down.
BOOM!!!!!
The two destructive attacks collided, unleashing a deafening explosion that shook the heavens and earth; the tremors were felt for miles. Combined with the Soul Skills of Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others, the surrounding area was transformed into a scene of utter devastation. Xiong Jun, at the center of the explosion, was now on the verge of death.
A moment later, Lin Mu flashed to Xiong Jun's side and said calmly, "If you are willing to sacrifice yourself to me now, I can resurrect you after I become a god."
"You're dreaming! I will never believe you again!"
"I didn't break our agreement. You ran away first. Since you didn't confront me head-on, the original agreement naturally became invalid."
Hearing Lin Mu's explanation, Xiong Jun fell into deep thought, as if there was some truth to it. Then, Lin Mu added, "Anyway, you're already doomed. As long as you willingly sacrifice yourself to me now, I not only guarantee to resurrect you, but I will also make you stronger, and even set you free, provided if you are willing to leave."
These words struck a chord deep within Xiong Jun, and he was finally tempted. If even Lin Mu couldn't become a god, then no one in the world could.
Without another word, an incomparably powerful, vast, and soul-stirring energy erupted from Xiong Jun's body! Dark golden light soared into the sky as immense life energy and Soul Power surged toward Lin Mu like rivers flowing into the sea.
Soon, a red Soul Ring containing boundless pressure slowly condensed within the light and, as if drawn by his power, enveloped Lin Mu's head. Under the watchful eyes of the gathered experts, Lin Mu sat cross-legged, absorbing the 400,000-year Soul Ring.
"I can't even imagine how powerful the Soul Skill this Soul Ring will grant him," the Falling Devil Douluo sighed, his eyes filled with envy. Even a 100,000-year Soul Ring would be enough to push him to level 97 or give him a chance at level 99 in the future.
"Besides the Soul Ring, a 400,000-year-old Soul Bone will definitely drop as well." As he said this, Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes began to shine. If he could absorb such a bone, his Soul Power would surely break through to level 99, making him even stronger than the Grand Worship.
Upon hearing about the potential 400,000-year-old Soul Bone, the other elders also became envious. Faced with such a treasure, no one could resist its allure. Seeing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance and tacitly stood guard on either side of Lin Mu. Without Lin Mu's pills, they would never have reached level 96. They were willing to do anything for a leader who looked out for them.
Azure Luan Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, and Glowing Feather Douluo remained silent, knowing full well that even if they fought for the Soul Bone, it wouldn't be their turn. Thousand Jun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo were brothers; together, they were no weaker than Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Qian Jun, Xiang Mo, the Grand Worship only asked us to help him hunt for Soul Rings, but he didn't mention the ownership of the Soul Bone," Golden Crocodile Douluo whispered. "Once I absorb this bone, my strength will increase greatly. Then, I'll help you both hunt 100,000-year-old Soul Beasts."
Upon hearing this, Falling Devil Douluo looked at his elder brother. Although they could no longer absorb new rings, a 100,000-year Soul Bone would still be a massive boost. After a moment of contemplation, Thousand Jun Douluo shook his head and said calmly, "Second Worship, this matter still needs to be discussed with the Grand Worship. We brothers cannot comply."
Although the prize was tempting, offending Lin Mu was not worth the risk. Moreover, the Grand Worship was clearly going to great lengths to help Lin Mu, suggesting their relationship was extremely close. Seeing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed and gave up. The sacrifice process could not be interrupted, and with two level 96 Titled Douluos standing guard, he couldn't easily act.
After some time, Lin Mu finished absorbing the ring, and his Soul Power soared to level 93. Just then, two beams of light, one red and one green, appeared from nowhere and entered his brow. A powerful voice rang in his mind.
"Having achieved the Titled Douluo level with fire-attribute, mastered the Ultimate Fire, and being under thirty years old, you are qualified to inherit the divine status of the Fire God."
'Fire God?' Lin Mu was shocked. In the original plot, even Ma Hongjun couldn't fully inherit the Fire God position, yet here the god was offering it to him.
Just as he was processing this, another voice rang out.
"Having achieved the Titled Douluo level with wind-attribute, reached speeds exceeding the speed of sound, and being under thirty years old, you are qualified to inherit the divine status of the Wind God."
'What the hell?' Lin Mu was completely dumbfounded. How could there be another one? Although he possessed both attributes, he only had one Martial Soul. Why was he attracting two divine inheritances?
Meanwhile, in a certain region of the God Realm, two gods were arguing endlessly.
"His primordial flame is the Ultimate Fire! It's most suitable for my position as the Fire God. He might even surpass the Sea God in the future!"
"Bullshit! He's clearly better suited for my position as the Wind God. His speed has reached three times the speed of sound. If he inherits my status, even a God-King won't be able to catch him!"
"Running away is a minor skill! Strength is the only truth. How about we have a contest? Whoever wins gets the successor!"
"Fine! You won't even get a chance to touch me!"
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Mu wasn't particularly willing to inherit either of the two gods who had offered themselves. Although they were both first class gods, they weren't quite what he had in mind. After all, he already possessed four attributes, and possibly more in the future.