Chapter 8 Su Mo Absorbs the First Soul Ring, Absorbing Blood Qi
The Blood Moon Howling Wolf raised its head, its body low, baring its snow-white fangs, and letting out a low growl from its throat.
It didn't pounce immediately.
Perhaps sensing danger, it chose to retreat step by step, its blood-red pupils full of wariness.
However, it only took a few steps back.
Golden Crocodile Douluo released only a hint of pressure, and the Blood Moon Howling Wolf felt as if it were being crushed by an invisible mountain; its limbs went weak, and its entire body slumped heavily onto the ground.
It struggled desperately but couldn't move an inch, only able to lie there, letting out helpless whimpers, its pupils filled with terror.
"Blood Moon Howling Wolf," Golden Crocodile Douluo began. "An attack system Soul Beast with a berserk ability. Its combat power soars under the moonlight, making it a good match for your Martial Soul, Xiao Mo."
He paused, a hint of regret in his tone: "Unfortunately, it has seven hundred years of cultivation."
"Although you've consumed Whale Glue and your physical fitness is much stronger than your peers, a seven-hundred-year Soul Ring still exceeds the limit by too much. It would be too dangerous to absorb it recklessly."
Su Mo looked at the Blood Moon Howling Wolf lying on the ground and remained silent for a moment.
Then he looked up at Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile Douluo: "Grandpa Gold Crocodile, Teacher, I want this one."
"No," Qian Xunji refused almost immediately. "Seven hundred years is too dangerous."
He looked at Su Mo with a serious expression: "You have a Weapon Spirit; your physical fitness isn't as good as a Beast Martial Soul Soul Master."
"Just now, Dong'er absorbing a five-hundred-year Soul Ring was already her limit. For you, a Weapon Spirit user, to absorb a seven-hundred-year one carries too much risk."
"Your teacher is right," Golden Crocodile Douluo agreed. "Xiao Mo, Grandpa Gold Crocodile will find you another one with a suitable age. There are plenty of Soul Beasts in this forest; we don't need this one."
"Teacher, Grandpa Gold Crocodile." Su Mo's expression was firm. "Trust me, I can do it. My Martial Soul... it is yearning for this Soul Beast."
Su Mo wasn't lying.
The Asura Demon Sword inside him was faintly stirring.
He couldn't say exactly what it was, but he could feel that he could absorb this Soul Beast.
Qian Xunji frowned and looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Golden Crocodile Douluo pondered for a moment, then looked into Su Mo's serious eyes.
Su Mo's Martial Soul was a God-level Martial Soul; perhaps there really was something special about it?
Finally, he nodded slightly: "Let him try."
"Alright." Qian Xunji was silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement. "But if there's any sign of discomfort, I will stop it immediately."
"Yes, Teacher," Su Mo replied.
Bibi Dong stood to the side, looking at her teacher, then at Grandpa Gold Crocodile, and finally resting her gaze on Su Mo.
She opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately said nothing, though a hint of worry appeared in her bright eyes.
A moment later, the Blood Moon Howling Wolf lay on the ground, on the verge of death.
Su Mo didn't take out a dagger like Bibi Dong had; instead, he raised his right hand.
Dark red light condensed in his palm, and the Asura Demon Sword slowly emerged.
The sword was three feet long and three inches wide, entirely dark red, with its blade covered in intricate Magic Patterns.
The moment this sword appeared, an unprecedented terror suddenly surged in the blood-red pupils of the Blood Moon Howling Wolf lying on the ground.
It wasn't the fear of death, but an instinctive fear that made its soul tremble.
The Blood Moon Howling Wolf let out a shrill, low howl, wanting to flee, but it was already dying and couldn't move at all.
Su Mo gripped the sword and walked toward the Blood Moon Howling Wolf step by step.
Unlike Bibi Dong, there wasn't a hint of fear on his face; even facing a Soul Beast several times larger than himself, his eyes held only calmness.
Su Mo walked up to it and suddenly thrust his hand forward.
The dark red blade pierced through the Blood Moon Howling Wolf's throat.
The Blood Moon Howling Wolf twitched a few times, the light in its blood-red pupils gradually fading and turning dull before finally dispersing.
However, a bizarre scene occurred.
Normally, when a throat is pierced by a sharp sword, blood should gush out.
But at this moment, not a single drop of blood flowed from the Blood Moon Howling Wolf's wound.
Instead, a wisp of extremely faint blood-colored mist slowly seeped out from the wound.
The mist was so faint it was almost invisible, but it definitely existed.
The moment the mist touched the blade, it vanished without a trace, as if sucked in by the Asura Demon Sword.
Su Mo only felt the Asura Demon Sword in his hand tremble slightly.
The vibration was very light, but he could clearly feel that it was satisfaction and pleasure.
The Magic Patterns on the blade flickered slightly, and the dark red light flowed for a moment before returning to stillness.
And Su Mo also felt the Soul Power within his body increase by a fraction.
Though it was only a tiny bit, he felt it clearly.
Su Mo understood; this was perhaps the ability of the Asura Demon Sword Martial Soul.
The Asura God was originally a god of slaughter, so his Asura Demon Sword Martial Soul could absorb that blood mist to enhance his strength.
Su Mo guessed that perhaps as long as he continued to kill, his strength would grow stronger and stronger. When his Killing Intent accumulated to a certain level, he might even awaken a Domain—he just didn't know if it would be the Slaughter God Domain.
He silently noted this discovery in his heart, keeping his expression calm.
Fortunately, in this era, awakening an evil Martial Soul didn't automatically define one as an Evil Spirit Master.
Otherwise, Bibi Dong, who possessed the two evil Martial Souls, the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul Eating Spider Emperor, could never have been taken as a disciple by Qian Xunji, let alone become the future Pope.
A Martial Soul is innate; whether it is good or evil depends entirely on the path the Soul Master chooses to take.
Being able to rely on slaughter for cultivation and actively choosing to rely on slaughter for cultivation were two different things.
Not far away, Qian Xunji and Golden Crocodile Douluo took in the whole scene.
They exchanged a glance, both seeing a deep meaning in each other's eyes.
That sword was actively absorbing blood qi.
Both of them knew very well what this meant.
Su Mo's Martial Soul could cultivate through slaughter. If he took the wrong path or if his mind was influenced by Killing Intent, he would very likely become a Fallen Spirit Master.
Qian Xunji walked forward, looked at Su Mo, and said seriously, "Xiao Mo, you just killed that Soul Beast. Did the power in your body increase?"
Su Mo looked up to meet Qian Xunji's gaze and nodded. "Yes, Teacher."
Seeing that Su Mo's eyes were clear and seemingly unaffected, Qian Xunji continued, "You must remember, a Martial Soul is innate, but the path is yours to walk."
"In the future, you must never actively rely on slaughter to cultivate."
"One of the duties of the Spirit Hall is to crack down on those Fallen Spirit Masters who kill innocents indiscriminately for the sake of cultivation. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Su Mo nodded seriously. "Don't worry, Teacher. I will never kill the innocent indiscriminately."
Qian Xunji looked into his eyes; they were clear and firm.
After a moment, he nodded slightly, his expression softening. "Alright, prepare to absorb the Soul Ring."