Just as Chu Chengzhou expected, within the pocket space, a silver dragon a thousand zhang long watched everything outside in silence.
Normally, the Silver Dragon King would not awaken, but a human Spirit Master of god-level strength had come to the gate. As the "remnant of the dragon clan, most-wanted criminal of the God Realm," how could the Silver Dragon King ignore it?
When Di Tian returned to the pocket space, the Silver Dragon King snorted in disdain, raised a massive silver claw, and sent out a surge of silvery light that sank into Di Tian's body.
In an instant, the consciousness Di Tian had that was altered by the Void Illusion Realm returned to normal. His pupils contracted and terror flashed in his eyes.
That human Spirit Master's spiritual secret art is vicious. It can even manipulate consciousness!
At the same time, outside, Chu Chengzhou suddenly felt the spiritual link between himself and the Di Tian he controlled snap.
The Silver Dragon King made a move?
Chu Chengzhou thought to himself, tightened his grip on the Nine Heavens Chaos Bow, and raised his guard to the highest level.
Bang!
Inside the pocket space, with his consciousness restored and aware that he had been controlled before, Di Tian dropped to his knees before the Silver Dragon King in shame. "Please punish me, my Lord."
"Forget it. That human Spirit Master's strength is comparable to a divine official's, and he is spiritual-type. It is normal that you are not his match right now."
The Silver Dragon King shook his head and did not blame Di Tian.
Di Tian was not weak, but his cultivation years were not yet eight hundred thousand. Even with many secret arts, his strength was at most barely at god level. How could he be a match for that human Spirit Master outside, whose strength was well above level 100?
After thinking for a moment, the Silver Dragon King said, "Give that iceworm to the human outside.
In another twenty thousand years, the hidden injuries on my body will be fully healed. Now is not the time for our soul beast race to take back dominion. We should avoid conflict with human powerhouses so as not to draw the attention of the gods of the God Realm."
"Yes, my Lord!"
After struggling with heartache, Di Tian still agreed.
That million-year iceworm was a great tonic, but compared to the Lord's safety and the revival plan of the soul beasts, it was insignificant.
For ferocious beasts like them, energy accumulation is not the key to growth. The real key lies in whether they can survive the heavenly tribulation.
Otherwise, if one only has years without matching strength, the faster the years rise, the closer one is to dying under the awe of the heavens.
Outside.
Chu Chengzhou did not wait long. As the lake's surface calmed, a water column suddenly surged. A massive iceworm burst out of the lake.
Its head was round and plump, looking soft and fleshy. Unlike ordinary iceworm soul beasts, it was more than a meter thick and over seven meters long. Its whole body was like white jade, crystal clear, with rippling halos beneath the skin. A pair of golden, shining little eyes sat on its head.
Most striking of all, starting half a meter from its head, golden bands encircled it at intervals. From head to tail, there were ten in total.
"Hahahaha, wuhu, Grandpa Tianmeng is finally free!"
Breaking through the surface of the Lake of Life and recalling his miserable life over the past decades, Tianmeng could not help shedding golden tears from those shining eyes. Then he shook off the tears at the corners of his eyes and romped about like a husky whose owner was away.
Your little iceworm is so happy today.
Mm, I wonder if that little vixen the Ice Empress misses me. Should I go back to the Extreme North and take a look?
Ice Empress: heh, ptui!
"Are you very happy?"
A voice entered Tianmeng's ears.
"Of course!"
In high spirits, Tianmeng answered without thinking.
"How happy? Tell me."
Chu Chengzhou asked again with a smiling look.
!!!
Tianmeng Bingcan froze mid-romp. He turned toward the voice and finally noticed Chu Chengzhou smiling at him from dozens of meters away.
The next second, seeing the nine spirit rings shining on Chu Chengzhou's body, seven red and two gold, Tianmeng's golden eyes widened, and his whole body began to tremble.
Heavens, pure gold spirit rings. Aren't those million-year rings?
Could it be that before me, there were already two million-year soul beasts in the world, and they were hunted by this human Spirit Master?
No, were they sacrificed of their own will?
Otherwise, if not a sacrifice, no Spirit Master could withstand a million-year first spirit ring. Even with a sacrifice, a mere level-10 novice would be hard-pressed to endure the vast energy contained in a million-year ring.
"Do you know why that little black dragon spared you?"
After studying Tianmeng carefully, Chu Chengzhou asked.
Tianmeng: …
Di Tian is such a strong black dragon, and you call him a little black dragon?
"Was it you who made Di Tian and the others spare me?"
Suddenly, Tianmeng grasped the key point. His golden eyes went round again.
"What do you think?"
After a moment of silence, Tianmeng asked, "What do you want?"
There is no free lunch. This human Spirit Master defeated Di Tian and forced him to hand him over. He definitely wasn't being kind and coming to save him.
If not to save him, then it had to be for his million-year spirit ring and spirit bone.
"Little iceworm, let's make a deal. I have a girlfriend who is spiritual-type. I want you to become her ninth spirit ring.
One day when she becomes a god, she will revive you. With us as your backing from then on, no being in this world will dare bully you."
Chu Chengzhou spoke directly.
"Really?"
Tianmeng's eyes lit up.
After decades of a miserable life, no soul beast on the continent understood better than this little silkworm how important it is to have a powerful backer.
If Grandpa Tianmeng had a big backer behind him, would that black lizard Di Tian have dared to bully him?
Once I call in big brother, I'll beat you to death.
Chu Chengzhou pointed at the nine spirit rings shining on his body. "With strength well above level 100 and this ring configuration, do you think I need to lie to you?"
In the next instant, golden light flashed around Tianmeng. He transformed into a handsome youth in white, with golden hair and golden eyes, then flew through the air to Chu Chengzhou, cupped his fists, and bowed excitedly. "Big Brother!"
Seeing Tianmeng drop to his knees and recognize him as big brother on the spot, Chu Chengzhou's mouth twitched.
As expected, just like people, soul beasts who have been battered by society become shameless.
Chu Chengzhou figured that never mind big brother, even calling him dad could probably be negotiated.
After that, Chu Chengzhou left the Star Dou Great Forest with Tianmeng. The next stop was Spirit City.