Chapter 8: Voluntary Sacrifice

Soul beasts can actively offer themselves as sacrifices in ways beyond the kind of bowing down to become soul rings, as that certain Divine King Tang had done.

For example, soul beasts and soul masters can form contracts. Some powerful soul beasts can even become a soul master’s second martial soul, but such opportunities are rare and hard to come by.

“Beibei, be careful. Soul beasts are cunning; maybe they’re trying to lure you into a trap with this method!”

Liu Erlong didn’t understand the sacrificial nature of soul beasts, nor how spiritual soul masters communicated with them.

In her view, soul beasts and humans were almost entirely opposed, with no possibility of reconciliation.

Therefore, she worried that Jiang Beibei, being so young, might be deceived by the soul beasts.

“Mom, don’t worry. These soul beasts are very friendly. Beibei can feel that they truly want to be her partners!”

Though Jiang Beibei said this, in her heart she thought, “Soul beasts aren’t nearly as cunning as humans…”

“Hmm.”

Seeing her confidence, Liu Erlong stopped pressing further and instead focused more intently on the group of soul beasts before them, prepared to intervene at any sign of danger.

Jiang Beibei slowly extended her hands, using her innate alluring bone martial soul to begin establishing contact with the soul beasts.

Though she said she could communicate, most of these soul beasts were very weak, barely awakened in intelligence, able only to express simple goodwill rather than structured language.

The signals she received were mostly phrases like “like,” “cling,” and “partner.”

The soul beasts over five hundred years old—like the Nether Lizard Liu Erlong had previously eyed—expressed themselves much more clearly.

“Sacrifice,” or more accurately, they wished to express the idea of coexistence as partners.

“Everyone, you like Beibei so much, and Beibei is happy, but Beibei is only level 20 right now and can only have two soul rings, so…”

At that moment, Jiang Beibei looked exactly like a kindergarten teacher coaxing children, soothing the soul beasts as if they were little ones.

If other soul masters had seen this scene, their jaws would probably have dropped.

Hearing that there were only two spots available, the weaker soul beasts showed disappointed expressions, which made Liu Erlong’s face grow complicated.

Then, the soul beasts lined up orderly from weakest to strongest and began slowly approaching Jiang Beibei.

The unusual scene made Liu Erlong nervous; she immediately took a battle stance, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

“Mom, they’re just here to say goodbye to Beibei. It’s okay,” Jiang Beibei suddenly comforted her, easing her tension somewhat.

“Say goodbye?”

As Liu Erlong wondered, the lead soul beast—a ten-year-old Wind Wolf—had already reached Jiang Beibei.

Unexpectedly, it nudged her palm with its forehead like a puppy and then looked back several times, reluctant to leave.

“This… Beibei’s martial soul is really extraordinary…”

Liu Erlong could think of no other word to describe it.

After the Wind Wolf left, the other soul beasts also said their farewells in their own affectionate ways.

Soon, only three of the strongest soul beasts remained on the clearing.

Besides the Nether Lizard, the other two were even stronger: a Mandala Snake over seven hundred years old and a Wind Spirit Fox approaching a thousand years.

“If you become Beibei’s soul rings, you will lose your freedom and your bodies. Are you truly willing?” Jiang Beibei asked gently.

“Active sacrifice,” in the traditional sense, meant the soul beast’s physical body died, existing only in spirit form.

If the soul master who accepted the sacrifice died, the soul beast would vanish from this world as well.

The three remaining soul beasts showed no hesitation; they lowered their bodies in agreement.

“Thank you…”

Jiang Beibei murmured softly. The three beasts seemed to understand and simultaneously stepped back, beginning to showcase their abilities as if flexing muscles.

The Nether Lizard’s originally crimson eyes gradually darkened to ink black. Several large stones nearby began to levitate silently under its will.

“Telekinesis — a fine spiritual ability!” Liu Erlong whispered, confirming her judgment that this soul beast would make a suitable first soul ring for Jiang Beibei, not too old to overwhelm her.

Grateful for the advice, Jiang Beibei nodded but then shook her head at the Nether Lizard.

“Beibei’s soul power is level 20. Your skill is excellent, but your age is just a little short. Thank you for your effort!”

“Wuwu…”

At her words, the stones controlled by the Nether Lizard fell to the ground. A humanlike look of disappointment crossed its face as it whimpered twice and retreated back into the forest.

“Beibei?”

Liu Erlong grew anxious at the thought of letting the most suitable soul beast go. She moved to caution her when the remaining two “lucky” soul beasts suddenly bared their teeth at her — a soul emperor.

“Looking for death?”

How dare they? The dignity of the Fire Dragon Soul Emperor could never be challenged!

Liu Erlong, hot-tempered, was about to strike when Jiang Beibei hurriedly stopped her.

“Mom, don’t!”

“Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing simply misunderstood what you meant.”

Sure enough, when Liu Erlong halted, the two soul beasts withdrew their aggression.

Now unsure of the situation, Liu Erlong felt somewhat embarrassed.

To avoid further incidents, Jiang Beibei signaled for them to demonstrate their abilities so she could quickly choose suitable soul beast partners.

Following her command, the Mandala Snake coiled around a massive tree thick enough for two people to embrace. Then it twisted its powerful body fiercely, snapping the tree into pieces.

But it wasn’t done. It exhaled a purple poison gas at a nearby tree, which began dissolving at an alarming rate — the toxin was terrifyingly potent.

Seeing the Mandala Snake’s impressive display, the Wind Spirit Fox was unwilling to be outdone.

Its eyes shifted from crimson to pink, and it let out a piercing howl, clearly targeting the Mandala Snake.

The proud Mandala Snake immediately stiffened under this control, its body writhing uncontrollably, then toppled headfirst from the tree toward the ground.

“This skill is… charm? Such strong control ability!”

Liu Erlong had seen soul beasts fight before, but never so clearly and up close.

The spiritual skills displayed by this nearly thousand-year-old Wind Spirit Fox far surpassed those of the Nether Lizard.

“No!”

Just as the Mandala Snake was about to be seriously injured, Jiang Beibei cried out in distress.

“Whoosh!”

Her voice had an effect. Another sharp howl from the Wind Spirit Fox immediately ended its control over the Mandala Snake, narrowly saving it from a severe injury.