After sorting out his newfound power, Tianlin prepared to return to the sect.
At this moment, Skydream Ice Silkworm reminded him, "Xiao Tian, bring the Behemoth's body back. Its flesh is great for body tempering. It may not help you much now, but your sect disciples can benefit."
Tianlin was startled. "Brother Skydream, you and this Behemoth are both soul beasts. Isn't it enough that it died? Must you let it be eaten by humans too?"
"What's the problem? In the soul beast world, the strong eat the weak," Skydream frowned. "Xiao Tian, your strength increases daily, but your mindset seems to be lagging."
"What do you mean?" Tianlin asked, confused.
Skydream shook his head. "Never mind. I'll think of something else. This won't do."
Skydream had a habit of not finishing his sentences—probably learned from Ning Fengzhi. Tianlin didn't press further. He stored the Behemoth's body in his soul tool and left Gale Valley.
...
Upon Tianlin's return, Chen Xin finally relaxed. He hadn't slept or eaten these days, constantly worrying.
Gu Rong teased him for being a tsundere, pretending to let Tianlin walk his path while worrying nonstop.
"Little monster, you must have been hunting your sixth soul ring these days, sneaking off by yourself. Come, show us what good stuff you got!" Dugu Bo asked with interest.
"Old monster, I'll show you, but sit tight—don't get scared," Tianlin said, summoning his Demon Sword.
The previous configuration of one yellow, two purple, and two black rings was already unique. When the sixth red ring appeared, everyone was dumbfounded.
They'd seen Tianlin's million-year soul ring before, but that was a sacrifice. This 100,000-year ring was self-hunted—meaning something completely different.
Even the weakest 100,000-year soul beast rivals a Title Douluo. Ancient types like Titan Giant Ape, even at the start of 100,000 years, can fight above rank 95 Title Douluos.
Could Tianlin bridge such a gap?
After Tianlin explained what happened, everyone understood. Chen Xin was especially pleased. "Well done, Xiao Tian! Only Fengzhi could have thought of using the heavenly tribulation to kill a 100,000-year beast."
From setting up in Gale Valley, to luring away in the Star Dou Forest, shifting the battlefield, and finally using the thunder tribulation—it was as if Tianlin combined Chen Xin's and Ning Fengzhi's strengths.
Being stared at by so many top experts, Tianlin felt a bit embarrassed, but he didn't forget business. He took out a radiant soul bone from his soul tool.
"Master, Uncle Ning, everyone, look—this is the 100,000-year torso bone from the Behemoth I hunted."
"Torso bone!" Ning Fengzhi and the others were overjoyed. Tianlin's luck was extraordinary.
Only Chen Xin was dissatisfied. "Xiao Tian, since you absorbed the 100,000-year ring, why not absorb the bone too? Don't you know a man's wealth is his ruin'? If you're discovered on your way back, you'll be in deadly danger."
"Because I don't intend to absorb it." Tianlin handed the bone to Chen Xin. "Master, I hope you'll absorb this bone."
"What did you say?" Chen Xin was furious. "Absorbing both the ring and bone from the same beast yields the best effect. I taught you this! Besides, this bone's earth power perfectly matches you. Don't give up such a chance for filial piety."
"My potential is at its end, even with this bone. But you still have a broader future," Chen Xin lectured. Even Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and the others agreed.
Tianlin listened quietly, then said, "I know how much this bone could help me. But compared to my future achievements, I want my family to be safe even more."
Ning Fengzhi frowned. "What do you mean? Are we in danger?"
Sure enough, Ning Fengzhi caught on first. Tianlin nodded. "Yes, Uncle Ning. My million-year skull has a skill called 'Future Sight Skill.' Recently, I used it to look at the sect's future."
"What I saw was the sect being wiped out by people in black. Thousands died. Master fought until his arm was severed just to preserve a spark of hope."
Tianlin exaggerated the original plot, warning them of the upcoming Soul-Hunting Operation.
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi lost his composure.
Tianlin continued, "I saw several Title Douluos—their martial souls were a golden crocodile, serpent spear, stinger dolphin, flame eagle, and bloodthirsty demon bear. The strongest was the Crocodile Douluo—with a 100,000-year ring."
"Golden Crocodile Douluo!" Chen Xin blurted out. He'd heard of him—a formidable presence even older than his father.
None doubted Tianlin's words now. He couldn't possibly know of Golden Crocodile Douluo's existence otherwise.
"Spirit Hall!"
Gu Rong clenched his teeth. All those people Tianlin described were from Spirit Hall—who else would want to wipe out the sect?
"But why would Golden Crocodile come? He's been retired for decades." Yin Yang's face was grim.
"It's because of me!" Dugu Bo sighed. He'd been too high-profile, showing off his Snow Swan Kiss poison. Spirit Hall could guess that only a rank 97+ Douluo could break it—so Golden Crocodile was dispatched to kill him swiftly, preventing him from using the poison in desperate revenge.
Golden Crocodile was there to kill him in one blow. To be honest, Dugu Bo doubted he could survive even a single move.
The atmosphere in the great hall became heavy. Thankfully, Tianlin had the Future Sight Skill; otherwise, they'd be caught completely off guard.
Tianlin pressed, "So, Master, you must absorb this soul bone. No matter how great my potential is, how high could my rank be by then? If I had ten more years, I'd dare attack Spirit Hall myself, but it's too late. Against Title Douluos with 100,000-year rings and bones, only you—after absorbing this soul bone—can stand against them. You are our sect's strongest fighter."
"Forgive my moral coercion, Master. For everyone's safety, you must not lose. If you do, it's the end for the entire sect."
Tianlin passed the soul bone to Chen Xin, under immense pressure.
"Uncle Sword, take it. Tianlin is right—no matter his potential, we need strength now to protect him. Soul bones can be found again, but lost loved ones can never be replaced," Ning Fengzhi persuaded.
Chen Xin no longer hesitated. "Fine. Let's fight Spirit Hall to the end."