"Forget it, their divine trials don't start until level 99 anyway. If there's no better option, I'll consider them later."
Having made up his mind, Lin Mu opened his eyes and stood up quickly. He placed Xiong Jun's corpse into his Ruyi Hundred Treasure Purse. This success was largely due to Xiong Jun's sacrifice; if the chance arose in the future, Lin Mu intended to revive him.
Then, Lin Mu turned his gaze toward Golden Crocodile Douluo, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness. During his absorption of the soul ring, he had sensed the movements outside and heard the conversation clearly. Golden Crocodile Douluo had actually dared to covet Xiong Jun's soul bone. Had the sacrifice process been interruptible, that old man might have already made his move.
Sensing Lin Mu's hostility, Golden Crocodile Douluo panicked and involuntarily took two steps back, struggling to remain composed. "Lin Mu, I've already helped you hunt for your soul ring. What more do you want?"
"Old man, considering your help, I will spare your life, but you must take one of my attacks," Lin Mu said ruthlessly.
Golden Crocodile Douluo swallowed hard. Lin Mu's strength was already comparable to a Super Douluo before; now, after absorbing a 400,000-year soul ring, his power likely surpassed his own. But if he didn't agree, Lin Mu might attack regardless. Even if he sought help from the Grand Worship, Qian Daoliu would likely not side with him. He hadn't expected a momentary lapse in judgment to bring him such peril.
"Young friend Lin Mu, that was my recklessness. I hope you will show mercy."
As soon as he finished speaking, Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately activated his Martial Soul Avatar. The giant Golden Crocodile coiled into a defensive circle, exposing its hardest scales, and began to spin rapidly.
Seeing this, Lin Mu decisively activated his ninth soul ring.
The sky suddenly darkened as a gigantic phantom of a Fire Qilin appeared. Although only half of its body was visible, it exuded the aura of a primordial divine beast. It stretched out its forelimbs, thick as pillars supporting the heavens, and swung a claw fiercely at the Golden Crocodile King.
BOOM!!
In an instant, the world seemed to change color. Space itself appeared to be annihilated by this heaven-burning claw. Even with Golden Crocodile Douluo using his strongest defense, his Martial Soul Avatar was easily shattered. He was sent flying hundreds of meters like a cannonball, coughing up blood mid-air.
"Second Brother!"
Seeing that Golden Crocodile Douluo was powerless against this single move, the other worship elders were filled with disbelief. Although they knew Lin Mu's strength would increase, they hadn't expected him to reach the level of a Limit Douluo so suddenly.
"I'll go check on the other side of the battle. You can do as you please."
After saying that, Lin Mu switched to his Hurricane Armor and transformed into a hurricane, vanishing from the area. The other worship elders hesitated for a moment before rushing to check on Golden Crocodile Douluo's condition. After all, he was their second brother; they couldn't just let him die.
A while later, Lin Mu arrived at the battlefield where Di Tian and Qian Daoliu were engaged. The moment he appeared, the two stopped fighting almost simultaneously and created distance. From their auras, it was clear that Qian Daoliu had taken more damage.
Lin Mu flew over and handed more than ten Blue Silver Pills to the Grand Worship. After all, Qian Daoliu was Qian Renxue's grandfather and had helped with the hunt; Lin Mu couldn't just stand by. Without hesitation, Qian Daoliu swallowed the pills. His eyes widened in shock as he looked at Lin Mu, these strange leaves were actually restoring his life force.
At this moment, Di Tian gave Lin Mu a long, deep look before turning and leaving decisively.
Lin Mu was puzzled by the retreat. It felt too coincidental; why were only Di Tian and Xiong Jun present, with no other ferocious beasts in sight? If the beasts had attacked together, the humans might not have won so easily.
Under the treatment of the pills, Qian Daoliu's injuries recovered by nearly half. He looked at Lin Mu and asked, "You've absorbed the soul ring of that Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, haven't you?"
"That's right. My Soul Power has reached the peak of level 93." Lin Mu nodded. To save time, he hadn't yet fused the soul bone. Once he did, his power would likely reach level 95 or higher.
Qian Daoliu was filled with emotion. At this rate, Lin Mu would reach level 100 and achieve godhood in just a few years. If he wanted his granddaughter to keep up, he would have to start the Angel God Trial as soon as possible.
"Thanks to your efforts today, I will fulfill my part of the agreement," Lin Mu said solemnly. "I will help 'Xue Qinghe' take full control of the Heaven Dou Empire."
Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction. All the trouble he had gone to was to pave the way for his granddaughter.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be returning with you. Farewell." Before the Grand Worship could react, Lin Mu transformed into a streak of azure light and disappeared into the distance.
Lin Mu soon arrived at the village where Tang San and Xiao Wu were waiting. He picked them up and flew deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest. Eventually, they arrived above a massive lake.
Sensing Xiao Wu's presence, the Azure Bull Python suddenly leaped out of the water, revealing its massive bull head and half of its python body.
"Da Ming!" Xiao Wu shouted excitedly, using teleportation to land on the lakeshore.
Tang San scrutinized the beast with piercing eyes, his heart stirring at the sight. The Azure Bull Python brought its head close to Xiao Wu and spoke in a deep, human voice: "Sister Xiao Wu, you're finally back. Er Ming, he..."
Before it could finish, it sensed a familiar aura and its gaze snapped to Lin Mu. "Human, did you kill Er Ming?!"
Lin Mu remained calm. After absorbing Xiong Jun's ring, he had no reason to fear the Azure Bull Python.
Xiao Wu quickly stepped in front of the beast to block its path, explaining hurriedly: "Da Ming, it's a misunderstanding! Er Ming attacked first, but he can be resurrected!"
The Azure Bull Python's lantern-like eyes filled with disbelief. If this human had killed Er Ming, why didn't Sister Xiao Wu harbor any hatred? Had she forgotten her identity as a soul beast?
Lin Mu stepped forward and said calmly, "I have already obtained a divine inheritance. Once I reach level 100 and become a god, I can resurrect the Titan Giant Ape for Xiao Wu's sake."
The two humans and the soul beast were momentarily stunned. After a moment, Xiao Wu looked up at the Azure Bull Python and made a startling suggestion: "Da Ming, why don't you sacrifice yourself to my brother in the future? That way, we can all reunite in the God Realm."