Chapter 76: Two More Disciples Arrive

Living in a place that resembled a celestial paradise was indeed tempting. However, Zhou Sheng'an still declined. This was Poison Douluo's medicinal garden—he didn't want to take advantage of the man's generosity.

In such an environment, it would be difficult for any normal person not to be swayed.

Poison Douluo was about to persuade him further. After months of getting along, he had been completely won over by Zhou Sheng'an's knowledge and demeanor.

Even though Zhou Sheng'an's strength and age were far inferior to his, it no longer affected their teacher-disciple dynamic.

Zhou Sheng'an declined decisively. Settling at the foot of the mountain would make it easier for him to come and go. If he lived at the peak, just coming down would be a chore.

"Teacher… huh? Who's there?!"

Poison Douluo's expression shifted drastically. His figure flashed and appeared at the gate of the courtyard, gazing down the mountain.

At the same time, Zhou Sheng'an's Blue Silver Perception relayed back information… Two massive beings were approaching rapidly!

Judging by their size and outlines, one appeared to be a giant ape, the other a massive serpent.

Of course, both were easily over ten meters long.

"They're the two overlords of the Star Dou Forest! Why would they show up here? Teacher, we need to leave immediately. Otherwise, with just me, I won't be able to stop them."

Poison Douluo's face turned pale, and he spoke urgently to Zhou Sheng'an.

Zhou Sheng'an shook his head slightly and smiled. "It won't be that bad."

"But they're both hundred-thousand-year soul beasts! Teacher, we're absolutely no match for them!" Poison Douluo said anxiously. If not for his respect for Zhou Sheng'an, he would've forcefully carried him off already.

Zhou Sheng'an's expression remained calm. Just as he was about to speak—

"Master Zhou, please don't leave. My brother and I harbor no ill intent toward you. Quite the opposite—we've come to ask to become your disciples…"

A clear, booming voice echoed up from below like a crashing wave, washing over the entire mountain.

Poison Douluo's face filled with shock as he murmured, "Don't tell me those forest overlords are the ones speaking…"

Zhou Sheng'an gave a slight nod, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's go take a look. Perhaps… you really will gain two more junior brothers."

Poison Douluo's mouth twitched. Becoming senior brother to two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts? Wasn't that a bit too absurd?

Before long, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape arrived outside the courtyard. Their massive, over-ten-meter bodies loomed like two small mountains, completely blocking the entrance. Poison Douluo was dumbfounded.

Only by witnessing it firsthand could one grasp just how terrifying the aura of these two beasts was.

Poison Douluo quickly unleashed his soul power to shield Zhou Sheng'an from the overwhelming pressure.

The Sky Azure Bull Python spoke, "My name is Da Ming. I heard that Master Zhou has considerable knowledge in martial souls. That's why I came to ask… would you be willing to take my brother and me as your disciples? We will repay you with all our strength."

"Roar…" Me too!

Er Ming could only use a roar to express his attitude.

"!!?" Poison Douluo stared at the two beasts in shock. The pressure of being their senior brother was no joke!

Zhou Sheng'an pondered for a moment. Truth be told, he did want to study these two fearsome creatures. More importantly, he was trying to explore a path never walked before—to cultivate soul power not based on martial soul attributes.

Da Ming and Er Ming showing up was like someone delivering a pillow when you were dozing off.

Zhou Sheng'an smiled. "Very well. But you must follow my instructions. If not, we should part ways now."

"Yes, yes!" Da Ming agreed without hesitation.

Poison Douluo looked at Zhou Sheng'an in disbelief. Seriously? You agreed just like that?

Weren't you worried they might have hidden motives…? Well, fine. Considering the mind of a soul beast, it wasn't likely they would come all the way to Sunset Forest just to plot against a little Soul Elder.

"Teacher's talents deserve to be recognized," Poison Douluo muttered, still feeling slightly indignant.

…

[Douluo Calendar, January 13, 2024 — Tianshui Academy of the Heaven Dou Empire was annihilated by a mysterious force!]

[Douluo Calendar, January 23, 2024 — Rumors spread of a powerful faction hunting down beautiful women.]

[Douluo Calendar, January 29, 2024 — Star Luo Empire's Great San Pass was breached. The joint forces of the Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou Empire marched straight in.]

[…]

Qian Renxue stared at the string of historical headlines with little interest.

A shadow crawled out from her own shadow beneath her feet.

The dark version of Qian Renxue grinned and said, "I rather admire Bibi Dong's methods. You should follow her example."

"What do you mean?" Qian Renxue asked with a frown.

"It's simple. Bibi Dong got what she wanted. Naturally, now she wants to prevent others from gaining benefits from Sheng'an and monopolize his secrets for herself."

Dark Qian Renxue spoke casually.

Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes, her expression darkening. What Bibi Dong wanted… obviously had to do with becoming a god! Only secondly did she care about exterminating the Angel Clan.

"She must be having a much easier time on her path to godhood now."

"No, I have to accelerate too. In the simulation, I've already taken over more than half of the Heaven Dou Empire's territory. I'll draft a letter immediately and go recruit forces from other branches of the Spirit Hall!"

Qian Renxue's gaze turned resolute. Bibi Dong was aiming to become a god at Level 100—but she would become the one to overthrow Bibi Dong entirely!

…

Scene shift—outside the thatched cottage.

Da Ming and Er Ming, the two massive beasts, were basking in the sun. Both lay sprawled just outside the courtyard.

Zhou Sheng'an glanced at them and thought to himself, 'It's said that soul beasts beyond two hundred thousand years are called ferocious beasts. By then, they seem to develop the ability to take on human form.'

'Of course, at their core, they're still ferocious beasts. That's fundamentally different from hundred-thousand-year soul beasts who choose to take human form and start over.'

Zhou Sheng'an was bent over his desk writing. His priority was to teach these two big guys how to control their size.

'Could it be that there's a fundamental difference between human and soul beast bodies?' Zhou Sheng'an rubbed his brow.

Just then, Da Ming suddenly lifted his head and looked toward the foot of the mountain. "Teacher, there's a man down there who's about to die. He's still wearing armor—seems like a general from the Heaven Dou Empire."

Zhou Sheng'an replied, "Bring him here, then."

Er Ming was the first to rush out. The rumbling of his steps gradually faded, and before long, the tremors returned.

Er Ming descended from the sky, landing next to Da Ming. The ground shattered beneath them—yet the area around Zhou Sheng'an remained completely untouched.

That alone showed Er Ming's perfect control of his strength. The human in his hand was still alive.

"Who are you?" Zhou Sheng'an motioned for Er Ming to lay the man down as he asked.

Er Ming gently set down the bloodied man, then tiptoed out of the courtyard like a well-behaved child.

"Name unchanged, identity firm—I am the Nine-Lives Dragon of the Heaven Dou Empire, Grand Marshal Ge Long."

Ge Long spoke weakly.

Zhou Sheng'an nodded lightly and said, "So it's Grand Marshal Ge Long. Even though I live deep in the mountains, I've heard of your achievements—leading armies and winning battles. Truly the greatest general of the realm."

Despite being gravely wounded, Ge Long smiled at the compliment.

"Just empty praise…"

…

[Ge Long is recovering from his injuries in your thatched cottage. In his spare time, you two play strategy games for fun—and you almost always win. So Ge Long begins teaching you military theory, hoping to beat you in that domain.]

[One month later, you can match Grand Marshal Ge Long evenly in military simulations.]

[Two months later, Ge Long recovers from his wounds, and you two conduct one final military exercise together…]