Chapter 59: The Twin-Headed Demon Soul Lizard
Gemini!
Every wearer of the Gemini Cloth throughout history had one thing in common—they all possessed a rebellious streak. A contradictory blend of good and evil, just like the two contrasting faces carved onto the sides of the Cloth's helmet.
But when it came to choosing a soul ring, Lin Beiya found himself troubled.
After all, there was no such thing as a "Gemini-like" soul beast in the Douluo World.
Truthfully, Lin Beiya wasn't even sure whether his Martial Soul required soul beasts corresponding to zodiac signs.
But for the sake of safety, he had always followed that pattern. For example, the Star-Devouring Sheep and the Golden-Armored Rock Bull—both matched their respective constellations.
Following this logic, Cancer and Pisces were easy enough—just go to the sea and catch something.
But Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius? How was he supposed to manage those? Was he supposed to imagine a vase-shaped soul beast running toward him from afar?
After thinking for a long time, Lin Beiya finally decided to experiment with a new method of soul ring selection—partially.
He flipped through materials in the Spirit Hall's archive and selected a soul beast known as the Twin-Headed Demon Soul Lizard.
Two souls in one body—matching the dual-soul nature of Gemini's twin faces—though in reality, it had little to do with the zodiac sign itself.
After choosing his target, Lin Beiya went to find his long-absent, "cheap" teacher.
Technically, he could have asked one of the Elders from the Douluo Hall to help him hunt his soul ring. Qian Daoliu certainly wouldn't have refused him.
But now that he resided in the Pope's Hall, it was better not to be too closely connected with both sides. The annual supply of Whale Rubber was already the only link he had with the Douluo Hall.
"Teacher, my soul power has reached Rank 30. I need a soul ring to break through to the Soul Elder realm."
"Oh? Faster than I expected. You're only ten years old. Your talent really does live up to the name 'Lin Invincible.'"
Although her tone sounded playful, Lin Beiya didn't see much amusement in Bibi Dong's eyes. In fact, there was even a faint trace of… fear?
A Titled Douluo… afraid of a Soul Elder?
Lin Beiya thought he was imagining things.
But then again, he couldn't shake off the feeling that at some point, a dark, misty aura had begun lingering between the Pope's eyebrows. He'd almost asked several times, "Teacher, your forehead looks blackened—this is an omen of blood disaster!"
But he also knew that saying such a thing might get him slapped straight out of the Spirit Hall.
So he wisely swallowed the words back.
"Teacher exaggerates. I still have to thank you for your constant guidance."
"Heh… I can't take credit. You accomplished everything through your own efforts."
"Go prepare. Tomorrow, I'll have Yue Guan come find you."
"Yes, Teacher."
Lin Beiya wasn't surprised that she would send Yue Guan to assist him. As her direct disciple, this level of treatment was only natural.
After greeting the little fox and Shi Nuo—whom he saw every day—Lin Beiya organized the food and water he would need for soul-hunting, then began meditating to adjust his condition to its peak. Even with a Titled Douluo accompanying him, maintaining good habits was essential.
At dawn the next morning, Lin Beiya arrived early outside the Pope's Hall.
After waiting for a moment, a shrill voice drifted into his ears.
"Little Beiya, long time no see~."
A chill ran down his spine on instinct. He turned around and saw that familiar figure.
Golden standard-issue uniform, iconic orchid-finger gesture—none other than the Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, now one of Bibi Dong's most trusted subordinates.
Lin Beiya simply couldn't understand how someone with the extremely masculine Chrysanthemum martial soul could act like… this.
Could it be like the evil secret manuals in martial arts novels of my past life, where the masculine energy is too abundant and requires "castration" to prevent the body from exploding and dying?
Although he was silently complaining in his heart, Lin Beiya still maintained the most basic manners. He greeted Yue Guan politely.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, I'll be counting on you for this trip."
"It's fine. Back then, most of His Holiness the Pope's soul rings were hunted by Old Ghost and me."
"I have high hopes for you, kid. Keep up the good work!"
Yue Guan covered his mouth and chuckled softly, openly acknowledging Lin Beiya's potential.
Without further small talk, the two boarded a carriage and set off toward the Star Dou Forest.
Along the way, with nothing better to do, Yue Guan casually asked about Lin Beiya's choice of soul ring.
"By the way, Beiya, have you decided what kind of soul beast you want?"
"I have. A Two-Headed Demon Soul Lizard of at least five thousand years."
"What?"
Yue Guan's originally casual expression froze instantly the moment Lin Beiya spoke.
He even wondered for a moment if he had remembered Lin Beiya's cultivation wrong. Was he aiming for his fourth soul ring?
"Elder Chrysanthemum, you didn't mishear. I really do need a soul ring of over five thousand years."
Yue Guan almost retorted, but then he remembered this kid's second soul ring was already nearly at a Soul Elder's limit. Trying to persuade him to "follow the rules" would only make him look foolish.
"Judge for yourself. Even for you, I think you're pushing it."
"No worries. I know my body's limits."
In truth, Lin Beiya's current limit allowed him to absorb a ring close to six thousand years old. But the gap between high-thousand-year and ten-thousand-year soul rings was enormous—there was no need to force himself.
Of course, if they happened to encounter a Two-Headed Demon Soul Lizard perfectly matching his upper limit, he wouldn't mind giving it a try. After all, he hadn't even factored in the twenty-percent all-around boost from the Gold Cloth.
Seeing Lin Beiya so confident, Yue Guan dropped the topic. He could only silently think of his own pitiful third soul ring—barely above a thousand years—and shed silent tears.
This would be Lin Beiya's third time hunting soul rings. Facing this perilous forest once more, he felt almost no tension.
As they entered the forest, Yue Guan scanned the surroundings and sighed.
"The Two-Headed Demon Soul Lizard is extremely rare. We might need quite some time to find one."
Lin Beiya completely agreed. From birth, that species possessed two souls in one body, and those two souls often fought over control. Mutual destruction was common.
Only those with two souls that coexisted peacefully could survive, leading to extremely low numbers.
After all, Two-Headed Demon Soul Lizards did not believe in amicable breakups.
"What we can confirm is that they prey on Brindle Rats and Soft-Bone Rabbits."
"Brindle Rats eat anything, but Soft-Bone Rabbits are strict herbivores. So if we look for areas with thick Blue Silver Grass, we'll definitely find something."
Hearing Lin Beiya's analysis, Yue Guan's eyes lit up.
"I didn't expect you to be so smart, kid. I have even higher hopes for you now."
Lin Beiya pressed his lips together. He really wanted to say: Can you please stop thinking highly of people? You thought highly of Qian Xunji—he got swallowed by Bibi Dong. Then you thought highly of Bibi Dong—she sold you out, and you died miserably.
Basically, anyone Yue Guan approved of never had a good ending…
Closing his eyes, Lin Beiya began sharpening his senses to observe every blade of grass and leaf around them. Following a few Soft-Bone Rabbits—common in the forest—he found several areas dense with Blue Silver Grass.
The two then chose a hiding spot and began a patient ambush.
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End of Chapter