"You killed and stole the soul rings and soul bones of our 100,000-year-old kin, and you still have the nerve to complain?"
Xiao Bai stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Lin Mu with undisguised displeasure. As the Queen of the Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan, she couldn't tolerate soul masters slaughtering high-level soul beasts in such large numbers. Who was to say this man wouldn't eventually turn his predatory gaze toward her?
"It is only natural for soul masters to hunt soul beasts," Lin Mu replied, unfazed by her provocation. He felt somewhat speechless; in his eyes, these 100,000-year-old soul beasts, despite their long lives, often lacked even basic logic. "Even if we set that aside, doesn't your great white shark clan have natural enemies? Haven't you ever preyed on other soul beasts?"
"We do it for survival, unlike you," Xiao Bai retorted. She raised her chin confidently. "Anyway, it's just wrong for you to hunt us soul beasts!"
"Is that so? The Sea God himself was once a soul master. Do you think he never absorbed a soul bone?"
Xiao Bai froze. She didn't dare question a supreme being like the Sea God. However, she quickly realized she was being led into a rhetorical trap.
"Lord Sea God is the master of these vast waters! How dare you desecrate his name? It is a divine honor for those soul beasts to become his soul rings and soul bones!" She puffed out her chest, appearing genuinely proud of the sacrifice.
Lin Mu's lips curled into a meaningful smile. Soul beasts are ultimately just soul beasts, he thought. 'They can never truly become the masters of their own fate because they are too easy to tame.'
As long as a soul master possessed sufficient strength, most beasts would eventually submit.
"I have no intention of blaspheming the Sea God," Lin Mu said, taking a few steps forward. His gaze turned sharp, fixed on her like a predator eyeing its next meal. "But surely I can 'blaspheme' you? We happen to be a bit short on 100,000-year-old soul bones. How about you donate yours?"
Even with her usual boldness, Xiao Bai trembled. The devilish intensity in Lin Mu's eyes forced her to stagger back several steps. Though she didn't know his exact Level, she knew that if he could truly slay many 100,000-year-old soul beasts, she would definitely lose.
"This is Sea God Island!" she stammered, her previous arrogance vanishing into a timid, hesitant demeanor. "You dare attack me here? Aren't you afraid of incurring the Sea God's wrath?"
Lin Mu remained unimpressed. "Why don't we find out? Let's see if your 'Lord' actually descends to save you."
Xiao Bai swallowed hard. It seemed this Great Demon King had no intention of letting her go. She cursed her own impulsiveness for joining the fray.
"Don't think for a second that I'm afraid of you!" she shouted, her trembling voice betraying her fear.
In response, Lin Mu's eyes flashed. Nine soul rings suddenly erupted around him, swirling in a configuration that defied all logic: one black, seven red, and one brilliant gold. The crimson light turned the night into a blood-colored landscape.
"Seven... seven 100,000-year-old soul rings?!"
Xiao Bai was utterly dumbfounded. This was not a configuration any mortal soul master should possess. Not even the Legendary Sea God had such a terrifying soul ring configuration. To her, there were only two possibilities: either he possessed Twin Martial Souls, or he had completed divine trials. Regardless, she had provoked a disaster. This man was likely someone even the High Priestess, Bo Saixi, would struggle to handle.
"I don't want you to think I'm bullying you," Lin Mu said calmly. "So pick any one of them as your opponent."
"What?" Xiao Bai blinked, confused. There were no other warriors nearby, and she knew Yu Tianheng and the others weren't her match.
Lin Mu didn't wait for her to process the offer. He summoned all seven of his soul spirits at once.
In an instant, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, Zi Ji, and the Azure Bull Python materialized around him. Each one radiated the staggering pressure from a 100,000-year-old to a million-year-old soul beast. The air became heavy, thick with the combined might of seven soul spirits.
"How is this possible!"
Xiao Bai's mind went blank. She felt a primal fear that reached the very marrow of her bones. Not far away, Yu Tianheng and the rest of the team were equally shocked. They knew Lin Mu was strong, but this was a level of power that felt truly invincible.
After several minutes, Xiao Bai finally managed to whisper, "Are these... soul beasts? No, they have no physical bodies. Are they in a soul state?"
Under the collective intimidation of the Seven Soul Spirits, two of which were nearly at the Million-Year Level, Xiao Bai lost all will to resist. Not even the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians could stand against this lineup.
Suddenly, a figure teleported into the clearing, shielding Xiao Bai. It was Xiao Wu. She looked at Lin Mu with a hint of displeasure. "Teacher Lin Mu, please stop scaring Xiao Bai."
After half a year on the island, Xiao Wu and Xiao Bai had become close friends. Lin Mu's expression remained neutral; he wasn't surprised. High-level soul beasts often found it easier to bond with one another.
A miniature, "chibi" version of the Azure Bull Python floated over to Xiao Wu. "Sister Xiao Wu, it's been a long time."
"Da Ming? How have you been?" Xiao Wu reached out and gently patted the dragon-headed serpent's head. The small Azure Bull Python didn't resist, leaning into the touch.
"Master treats us very well," Da Ming replied earnestly. "He lets us out every day."
Originally, Da Ming had only agreed to become a soul spirit to eventually enter the God Realm and find a way to revive Er Ming. But after these few years, he felt the decision was the best one he had ever made. Even a million-year-old soul beast powerhouse like the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was eager to bring his family into Lin Mu's service; Da Ming felt lucky to have a spot.
"Master?" Xiao Wu frowned slightly. Da Ming was like a brother to her; hearing him call Lin Mu "Master" felt strange.
Xiao Bai watched the interaction with wide, confused eyes. "Xiao Wu... is this your brother? Why is he like this?"
"This is called a soul spirit," Xiao Wu explained, though she didn't fully grasp the complex mechanics herself. "It's a way for a soul master and a soul beast to coexist eternally."
Xiao Bai gave an awkward, sheepish smile. She realized she had completely misunderstood Lin Mu. Compared to the traditional, brutal way of obtaining soul rings and soul bones, Lin Mu's method was infinitely more beneficial to the soul beasts race.