Chapter 155: Chapter 154: The Unique Soul Spirit Contract, and Da Ming and Er Ming's Approval!
Xiao Wu immediately teleported to Da Ming's head, leaving space for Su Ming and Er Ming's sparring session.
Er Ming, towering like a mountain, stood motionless, watching Su Ming. Since he was merely acting as a sparring partner, he had no intention of attacking first.
Su Ming, however, decided to unleash his full power from the start, skipping any probing moves. After all, there was no point in testing when he knew he couldn't defeat a Titan Giant Ape at approximately Rank 95 strength as a mere Soul Ancestor.
This battle wasn't about winning—it was a chance to test his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and, incidentally, surprise them with his abilities. Nevertheless, Su Ming also wanted to see if his current Wood Release could pose any threat to Er Ming.
In his heart, Su Ming silently communicated with Ah Yin:
"Ah Yin, I'm going to use your Blue Silver Domain. Let me see its effects!"
Ah Yin's gentle voice responded, "Alright!"
Immediately, Su Ming activated Ah Yin's ability. Without Tang San or Tang Hao around, this was his first attempt at using the Blue Silver Domain. He wondered how much it would amplify his Wood Release.
"Blue Silver Domain!"
In an instant, a blue-silver aura spread outward, centered on Su Ming.
Both Da Ming and Er Ming were stunned.
"This… is a domain?"
Da Ming's eyes widened as he observed Su Ming's domain. He was shocked that someone at the Soul Ancestor rank could possess a domain. Yet, something about this domain felt peculiar—familiar, even—as if it wasn't entirely Su Ming's own power.
Da Ming's sharp eyes caught sight of the Blue Silver Grass sprouting enthusiastically within the domain, as though rejoicing.
It suddenly dawned on him—could this be the long-lost Blue Silver Emperor's domain?
As the ruler of the Star Dou Forest, Da Ming had a deep understanding of the forest's ten-thousand-year soul beasts. Though weak as a species, the Blue Silver Grass had an absolute monarch: the ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor.
However, the Blue Silver Emperor's presence had vanished many years ago. Why was its domain now appearing around Su Ming? How could Su Ming use it?
Da Ming turned to Su Ming, asking directly, "Su Ming, why do you have the Blue Silver Domain? What is your relationship with the Blue Silver Emperor?"
Su Ming's gaze sharpened, silently marveling at Da Ming's perceptiveness in recognizing the domain.
Without hesitation, Su Ming's fourth soul ring lit up. From it emerged a strikingly beautiful woman. Her delicate features carried a trace of sorrow, evoking a protective instinct in those who saw her. She exuded the warmth of a kind elder sister.
Ah Yin's strength had greatly recovered, now reaching a five-thousand-year level. Her form was no longer as ethereal as when she had only two thousand years of cultivation.
This was Xiao Wu's first time seeing Ah Yin in this form. Her gentle demeanor reminded Xiao Wu of her own mother.
In the original story, as Tang San's wife, Xiao Wu naturally became Ah Yin's daughter-in-law. Beyond her biological mother, Ah Rou, Xiao Wu had also gained two godmothers in Ah Yin and Liu Erlong. Because Ah Yin's temperament was so similar to Ah Rou's, Xiao Wu felt a stronger kinship with her, sensing maternal care.
Meanwhile, Da Ming and Er Ming were dumbfounded to see a woman emerge from Su Ming's soul ring.
"What kind of technique is this?"
Su Ming thought that since Da Ming had already identified the domain, he might as well let Ah Yin reveal herself. He then explained the concept of soul spirits to Da Ming and Er Ming, leaving them utterly astonished.
They couldn't believe Su Ming had developed not only the Soul Power Body Tempering Technique and a unique pair of eyes but also conceived a method to temporarily ease the conflict between humans and soul beasts.
No wonder Su Ming claimed he wasn't interested in their soul rings or bones. If the soul spirit method were popularized, it could indeed mitigate many of the existing conflicts.
Though this method had its flaws, it was still far superior to the current state of affairs. Due to relentless hunting by soul masters, the number of soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest had already dwindled significantly.
Su Ming wasn't lying when he said he wasn't interested in their soul rings or bones. His approach to soul rings leaned entirely toward auxiliary and enhancement capabilities. Da Ming and Er Ming's soul rings weren't a good match for him, and even if they were, his relationship with Xiao Wu meant he wouldn't harbor such thoughts toward them.
A suitable soul ring could always be found elsewhere, but a soft, sweet, and obedient girlfriend was much harder to come by!
Da Ming finally addressed Su Ming, saying,
"Su Ming, I sincerely thank you for coming up with this method. Even if you cannot revive Xiao Wu's mother in the future, your concept of soul spirits has earned you and Xiao Wu our approval!"
"I hope we can live to see the day you popularize this method."
Su Ming hadn't expected Da Ming and Er Ming to approve of him just from explaining the soul spirit concept. It was far beyond his expectations—he hadn't even showcased his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan abilities yet!
To be fair, Su Ming had hoped to use Kamui to make an impression. But their approval didn't deter him from showing off. If anything, it gave him a chance to make Xiao Wu admire him even more.
Ultimately, Da Ming and Er Ming's recognition felt unexpected yet reasonable.
The system's soul spirit contract was a mutual agreement, not a master-servant bond. It treated soul masters and soul beasts as equals.
Moreover, this modified contract had an additional feature: though the soul beast's physical body would temporarily disappear upon forming the bond, it could later be reconstituted.
If the bonded soul master possessed unparalleled talent, the soul beast could even reconstruct its body and ascend to the Divine Realm alongside the master.
If the soul master's life was cut short, the soul beast wouldn't perish alongside them. Instead, it would expend half its cultivation to reform its body and survive.
This method differed from the one spread during Huo Yuhao's era, where a soul beast would die if its master did—a fundamentally unfair arrangement.
Thus, when Su Ming revealed his method, Da Ming acknowledged that it brought more benefits than drawbacks to soul beasts.