Daming and Tang Lan faced off for several minutes.
Tang Lan remained silent throughout.
But that silence was an answer in itself.
Daming could only sigh helplessly and nod.
He understood now.
Tang Lan had found better options and no longer valued him and his brother.
Unbelievable!
When did 100,000-year-old soul beasts lose their prestige like this?
Fortunately, with Sister Xiao Wu's connection, the host chosen for him was an absolute bug-level genius among this group.
Not only was becoming a god almost guaranteed, but this host also had a deep bond with Tang Lan.
Even if they didn't ascend to godhood, they'd still be taken to the Divine Realm.
After all, immortality was all Daming sought—who the host was didn't really matter.
"A Slowing Domain combined with Shadow Assassination... I truly am a good fit for this girl."
"If that's the case, I agree."
"Once the Star Dou Forest stabilizes, come find me when you need me."
Tang Lan smiled and nodded.
His 100,000-year-old spirit ring was already more than he needed.
If Daming could accept this arrangement, that was for the best.
As for Erming…
"Then I'll offer myself to Sister Xiao Wu through a blood sacrifice," Erming said with a hint of excitement. "Big Brother has to guard the Star Dou Forest, but I don't, right? Can we do the blood sacrifice now?"
He was practically eager for it.
A devoted follower reaching this level of dedication was truly something else.
Xiao Wu was at a loss, looking at Tang Lan in confusion.
This…
In her impression, sacrifices were tragic and solemn.
Let alone a blood sacrifice, the most extreme and domineering form.
Why did it suddenly feel like…
Everyone was afraid of missing their chance?
"Yes, let's do it now."
Tang Lan nodded and continued—
"Xiao Wu is at Level 51, and her fifth spirit ring will be a 100,000-year ring from Erming himself."
"As a 100,000-year-old soul spirit, Erming can provide two to three spirit rings while maintaining full power."
"The sixth spirit ring will likely be an attack-type ring, enhancing Xiao Wu's burst capabilities."
"The seventh spirit ring is for Martial Soul True Body, which won't be affected."
"With three 100,000-year rings as a foundation, absorbing 100,000-year rings for the eighth and ninth ones should be no problem."
"By then, we can time it just right to acquire two divine-bestowed spirit rings."
Divine-bestowed spirit rings?
Xiao Wu was just about to ask.
But before she could—
Erming, unable to contain his excitement, erupted in a surge of blood-colored light, soaring straight into the sky!
A towering crimson pillar of energy enveloped Xiao Wu, freezing the surrounding space in stillness.
An unstoppable force swept everyone—including Snow Empress—a full kilometer away.
Leaving only Xiao Wu, the recipient of the sacrifice, and Tang Lan, who would oversee the soul spirit contract.
The Blood Sacrifice Begins!
Erming poured all of his cultivation, soul power, essence, and soul into Xiao Wu without reservation.
Her power surged exponentially—
Level 52.
Level 53.
Level 54.
Even Tang Lan, witnessing a blood sacrifice for the first time in real life, was amazed.
He couldn't resist taking out his communication soul tool and snapping several pictures.
The Ice and Snow Empresses, however, remained silent.
A blood sacrifice was a far more extreme form of self-sacrifice than a regular offering.
Even though they knew the circumstances, they still couldn't help but feel…
If soul beasts weren't forbidden from becoming gods, would they really have to resort to this?
Watching Tang Lan presiding over the contract, Snow Empress took a deep breath—
And turned away.
She was too old to handle such heart-wrenching sights anymore.
Ice Empress, though eager to watch, still hurried after her.
—What's a spectacle compared to my beloved?
As they walked away, they saw Gu Rong and Wang Dali flying toward them.
Snow Empress frowned slightly.
—Their deal with Tang Lan was best kept secret from too many people.
With a wave of her hand, she conjured a massive ice barrier a thousand meters high, blocking their path.
"It's you?" Gu Rong narrowed his eyes. "What's happening up ahead? That blood-red light…"
"A blood sacrifice," Ice Empress cut in. "Tang Lan is overseeing the soul spirit contract between Xiao Wu and the Titan Giant Ape. Do you still want to go?"
Oh?
Gu Rong and Wang Dali exchanged glances.
They examined the towering pillar of blood-red energy, feeling only its solemnity and grandeur, without much killing intent.
They accepted Ice Empress' explanation without much doubt.
Then, their eyes lingered on the Ice and Snow Empresses.
As Titled Douluos, they could tell the two were not human.
But since Tang Lan had brought them along, and they seemed to coexist peacefully with humans—
It was clear…
They had struck some kind of deal with him.
As a Tang Sect Elder and a Tang Sect strategic partner,
Neither of them would act recklessly.
"Thank you both for informing us," Wang Dali said politely. "I'll head back to settle the base affairs first. Excuse me."
Turning away, Wang Dali left.
But Gu Rong stayed behind.
He descended, choosing to stand guard.
The situation in the Star Dou Forest was beyond his control—and likely didn't require his intervention.
But here, at the Soul Spirit Experiment Base, his Bone Douluo status carried far more weight than the unfamiliar Ice and Snow Empresses.
To prevent any unexpected incidents, he decided to stay.
The Titan Giant Ape was no Ironback Dragon—that fraud.
It was a true 100,000-year-old beast, an exceptional variant among soul beasts—one that could slay ten-thousand-year-old beasts even at just a thousand years old!
Its immense cultivation,
combined with soul beast transformation, the Nine Yang Divine Technique's cleansing, and celestial herbs refining her meridians,
further enhanced Xiao Wu's physique significantly.
The entire process lasted for three full hours before the contract was finally complete.
The Titan Giant Ape's massive body crashed to the ground, drained of all strength.
Tang Lan stored it in his spatial ring—to be used for revival in the future.
Meanwhile, all of its essence condensed into a blood-red spirit ring, encircling Xiao Wu's feet.
A flash of crimson light—
Erming leaped out from Xiao Wu's body, his form still enormous, forming a stark contrast with the petite girl.
Once Daming confirmed everything was in order,
Tang Lan finally spoke—
"Erming, considering the difference in gender between you and Xiao Wu—"
"To avoid any awkwardness, I'll seal you within the spirit ring most of the time."
"The seal is configured so that both you and Xiao Wu can remove it at will, and you'll still be able to communicate mentally."
"However, you won't be able to observe the outside world from within."
The underlying message?
Xiao Wu is my woman. Stay in your lane, don't pop out randomly.
If it were any other ferocious beast, this kind of restriction would never be tolerated.
But Erming?
He endured it!
—Being with Sister Xiao Wu, even if it meant staying locked in a little dark room, was absolutely worth it!
In a muffled voice, he declared, "A hundred or two hundred years is nothing. Sister Xiao Wu, I'll wait for you to revive me!"
With that, he willingly retreated into the depths of the spirit ring.
Tang Lan, satisfied, placed the Sealing Soul of Vast Sea on it, leaving a small opening—
If forced open, he would immediately sense it, even without being present.
After settling that matter,
Tang Lan turned to Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, how's the harvest?"
Xiao Wu, feeling a little guilty about Erming being "locked up," quickly brightened at the question.
She flashed a radiant smile and released her full aura—
Level 62?!
A staggering 11-level increase!
Not bad at all.
She then demonstrated her two new 100,000-year sixth spirit abilities—
Sixth Spirit Ability: Child of the Earth!
As long as she was standing on the ground, she could continuously regenerate her energy.
This included soul power, stamina, vitality, and all physical states—
A passive effect that greatly enhanced endurance.
Even during training, it provided an acceleration boost.
Sixth Spirit Ability: Titan's Leap!
Xiao Wu specifically chose this ability.
Its effect? Simple.
Using immense physical power, she could leap toward an enemy,
forcing them into the air through pure gravitational force.
It dealt no direct damage,
but launched opponents into the air, making it the perfect combo with her fifth spirit ability: Eightfold Burst Suplex!
Additionally, the Titan Giant Ape's right arm bone granted her two spirit bone abilities—
Gravity Quagmire
Instantly increases or decreases gravity in a localized area.
Though smaller in range than the Gravity Domain, its instantaneous intensity was far higher.
By rapidly adjusting gravity, she could disrupt her opponent's control over their own body,
making them easier to launch and grapple into submission.
Titan Sky Cannon
By manipulating gravity, she could compress air into a devastating energy blast,
unleashing an attack powered by the Titan Giant Ape's full force!
A pure offense-type spirit bone ability,
giving Xiao Wu a finishing move to seal the deal.
"Damn!" Tang Lan whistled in admiration. "At this rate, you might actually beat me up! Hahaha!"
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes.
Sure, her new spirit abilities and setup were fantastic.
She could probably fight above her level against Seven-Ring Spirit Saints.
But against an Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, she'd still struggle.
And Tang Lan?
He could beat up Titled Douluos!
At that moment,
the Ice and Snow Empresses, along with Gu Rong, approached.
"Still taking contracts?" Snow Empress took the initiative.
"Let Ice Empress become your spirit first. Once our mission in the Extreme North is complete, I'll offer myself through a blood sacrifice."
With Daming and Erming setting a precedent,
she was worried that Ice Empress might miss the opportunity to hitch a ride on Tang Lan's express train.
Tang Lan chuckled.
"Don't worry, I've already saved spots for both of you."
"However—"
"Before that, you'll need to come with me to the Extreme North first."
"We'll do the blood sacrifice together there, ensuring the ultimate purity of your ice element."
Snow Empress hesitated briefly.
Ice Empress, however, grabbed her hand tightly.
"Snow Empress, let's do it together later, okay?"
For Ice Empress, a major reason for becoming Tang Lan's spirit was that it allowed her to stay with Snow Empress.
If Snow Empress had to go with someone else…
Then she would switch as well!
Seeing Ice Empress' determination,
Snow Empress sighed and nodded in agreement.
The next moment,
a system notification flashed before Tang Lan's eyes—
The Grand Prize Has Arrived!
[Host...]
[Reward: ""!]
—End of Chapter—