Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

"Impossible!"

Before Su Chen could answer, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm shook its head vigorously, as if trying to convince itself. "You're only level 20—how could you survive those two monsters?!"

"No, no, no, impossible, impossible—it's just impossible!"

Tianmeng seemed to be attempting to convince itself, squeezing out a forced smile as it feigned calmness. "Young man, I admit that you are indeed powerful, but you know, even a Titled Douluo would struggle against such foes..."

Its words abruptly trailed off.

A deliberately suppressed fluctuation of soul power emanated from Su Chen, and the pale white energy brushed against Tianmeng's face. It instinctively felt a wave of comfort, as if the weariness and depression of the past few days had been momentarily relieved.

However, Tianmeng paid little attention to the soothing sensation at that moment. Its golden bean-like eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the silver-haired boy before it.

More specifically, it was the soul ring on his body—radiating with a distinct purple light.

"Y-Your first soul ring...i-is a thousand years?"

At that instant, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's worldview was shaken.

A first soul ring of a thousand years!

It had never encountered anything like it before. It didn't even possess a second soul ring!

But how could this be possible?

Tianmeng's lips trembled. It wanted to call this impossible, but the undeniable reality before it demanded belief.

Soon, however, it realized that its previous conclusion had collapsed far too soon.

In the next few minutes, the silver-haired boy demonstrated what it truly meant to be a monster.

Dozens of clones identical to the original body appeared. Tianmeng focused all of its mind, trying to detect a difference between the clones and the original, but couldn't tell them apart.

No matter how much it searched, the soul power fluctuations and life force levels of each were exactly the same.

There was also the bizarre ability to transform into a rabbit, or into blue silver grass and flowers. When Su Chen shifted into these forms, his aura changed along with it.

Whether in the form of a rabbit or a wooden stake, the transformation was seamless. Unless one concentrated very carefully, the slight differences would be almost impossible to detect.

But who would ever suspect a piece of blue silver grass in the Star Dou Great Forest?

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was thoroughly stunned when the boy even transformed into a round, chubby silkworm.

It finally grasped the terrifying nature of this ability.

Unless one possessed an extremely keen perception or the ability to see through illusions like Su Chen, this shape-shifting ability was utterly unsolvable!

At last, Tianmeng understood why Su Chen had been able to escape the pursuit of the two monsters.

Because Su Chen was a more terrifying monster than they were.

"Big Brother!"

Without hesitation, Tianmeng lowered its posture in respect.

This call of "Big Brother" came from the depths of its heart.

Its savior wasn't a Titled Douluo, but someone whose future achievements would undoubtedly surpass even those of a Titled Douluo, a spirit master with a God-level Potential.

For the first time, the distant word "god" felt within reach.

If someone like Su Chen couldn't become a god, then no one else in this world could.

"Get up, there's no need for this."

Su Chen extended his hand to help Tianmeng up, patting its head with a hint of satisfaction.

At this moment, Tianmeng was far from the clever, profit-driven character it would become after ten thousand years.

In its curiosity about everything, there was a trace of naivety and innocence.

Had this been ten thousand years later, Su Chen would have likely needed to resort to coercion, inducement, or some other means.

Of course, Su Chen didn't want to resort to such methods. After all, living with such an intelligent life day in and day out would only create seeds of disaster for the future if coercion was used.

Although he could control Tianmeng completely, would a soul ring earned through such methods still be considered a wisdom soul ring?

Given the current situation, things were ideal.

"Brother, I am, of course, very willing to sacrifice. But in doing so, my mental concealment ability will fail, so it's better to..."

After the initial joy, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's chubby face grew serious.

It turned its gaze toward Su Chen, speaking earnestly. "Because of my soul power, your magical transformation abilities might reveal flaws for a short time."

Now that it had decided to follow Su Chen, it had to consider how to navigate the present situation.

In Tianmeng's opinion, it would be best to remain hidden and act with caution.

As long as time is long enough, those two would naturally return.

Having been a natural treasure in the in the forest for so long, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm knew some secrets.

Unexpectedly, the boy shook his head and refused.

"No, we must leave here as soon as possible."

Before deciding to absorb Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, hiding would have been the best course of action. However, if it was to be collected as a soul ring, then hiding was no longer an option.

No matter what, the Linwu Silkworm was just a thousand-year soul beast, and the Xiong Jun and Chi Wang chasing him were nothing more than a matter of face. But Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was different. Its importance to the Great Fierce Land was far beyond that of the Linwu Silkworm. Unless Su Chen could remain there for hundreds or thousands of years like Tianmeng, the beasts would never give up.

At that point, even the Spirit Hall would be forced to abandon him.

Even if he managed to take it out, how would he absorb it naturally?

Even a Douluo like Qian Daoliu, who had already broken through the limits of power, would be tempted to approach a million-year-old soul beast.

As long as there was even the slightest flaw, everything managed by the Spirit Hall would collapse, and Su Chen would be implicated.

Therefore, resolving the situation here was the best option.

"Tianmeng, I won't force you to follow me. If you don't wish to, I will leave on my own once my soul power has recovered."

Su Chen paused, looking at the pair of small golden eyes, and spoke seriously.

"Stay here, and you will be safe."

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm fell silent after hearing this.

Of course, it understood that staying here would be safe. As long as it remained hidden, unless the beasts tore the entire forest apart, it would be left in peace for thousands of years.

But after seeing a human capable of becoming a god, how could it be content to stay hidden in this narrow cave for millennia?

What about after ten thousand years?

Should it just continue waiting?

In this life, was there only one choice for it—remain hidden or be forced to perish?

No!

It wasn't willing!

In that case, why not take a gamble?

Even if it lost the bet, it...

Wait, if it became a soul ring, would it truly die if it lost?

Tianmeng Ice Silkworm instinctively felt fear. It took two steps back, but then it stopped.

After a moment, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm looked up and met the boy's gaze.

"Master, may I ask your name?"

Su Chen thought for a moment before responding, "My name is Su Chen."

"Hello, Brother Su Chen, I am Tianmeng."

It took a deep breath, and its body suddenly became faintly translucent. The immense and terrifying soul power began to rise, slowly transforming into a brilliant stream of light like a galaxy. The light rushed toward Su Chen.

"Brother Su Chen, hurry."