NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Communication
"I didn't become friends with the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm," Wang Rui retorted, his tone resembling that of a rebellious teenager arguing with an old father. "I'm using him."
"The Star Dou Forest and the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm share mutual interests. But if we form an alliance based solely on mutual benefits, the other party could betray us at any time for greater gain," he said coldly, his expression nearly indifferent. "Rather than a simple partnership based on profit, I believe in a bond formed by both interest and emotion— I need the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm to see me as a friend."
"Then you could extract its primal power, use it to cultivate the human you favor, and use the rest of its body to make a stew with winter worm and summer grass."
Di Tian rarely made jokes, but the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm probably wouldn't find it funny.
"That's the most efficient way to maximize profits. We get a lavish dinner, and you don't have to worry about watching over your favored human, fearing that the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's influence on them will lead them astray."
"How about this? If you really just want to use that insect, I can go catch it right now and add it to tonight's dinner."
"No, no, no," Wang Rui's stern face immediately fell.
"Alright," he wiped his face. "I admit it; I really did treat a dinner as a friend."
The position of the Emperor Sacred Beast was special. In the Star Dou Forest, there were very few who could be considered his true friends.
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, however, had an easygoing personality. It was mischievous, a real gem of a creature. It was also foolish enough that even if it had some small schemes, others could see right through them.
Even though Wang Rui originally approached the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm with the intention of using it, after thousands of years, he had indeed developed deep feelings for it.
...Although this "friendship" was really quite shallow.
Tianmeng was still concerned that Wang Rui might be punished by Di Tian for letting him go, but little did it know that Wang Rui had already quietly made arrangements with the Beast God of the Star Dou Forest.
Thinking about it, Wang Rui mused, his attitude towards Tianmeng must seem strange to Emperor Tian. It reminded him of a joke from his past life: a vampire elder didn't understand why his child was so kind to humans, just like humans didn't understand why their child befriended a giant chicken drumstick.
After all, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was incredibly appealing. The whole insect didn't resemble a living soul beast at all; it looked more like a rare treasure, almost like a huge, moving ice cream.
Being around the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, Wang Rui's self-control was only proven to be incredibly strong since he hadn't taken a bite.
"If the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm ever does something harmful to Star Dou..." Wang Rui paused. "I'll personally turn it into a stew."
"Then let me do it," Di Tian frowned. "What's the point of a little child like you thinking so much?"
"Even if you want to cultivate a god that supports Star Dou Forest, it can be done by others. Does it really require you to go to the human world? Especially since you plan on going to Shrek City, where you know how dangerous it can be."
"Yes, I can't trust anyone else." Wang Rui nodded calmly. "The human I've chosen is the one with the strongest destiny in thousands of years. I need to guide his fortune. Once the attributes are linked, my fate will inevitably become intertwined with his, so naturally, I need to go to the human world."
"In my human form, I am entirely human, not a single flaw. Even you can't tell I'm a soul beast, let alone anyone else." Wang Rui flashed a grin. "Even a god-level being standing in front of me wouldn't be able to tell I'm a soul beast."
Emperor Tian hummed noncommittally.
"Humans don't have the power of fate. You're giving him the power of fate, essentially giving that human an advantage." The handsome middle-aged man's face was impassive, unable to tell if he was pleased or angry.
"We've discussed this before, Di Tian," Wang Rui shook his head. "The fortune of humans and soul beasts is different. I can grant soul beasts good or bad luck, but I can only affect soul beasts, not humans."
The bad luck given by Emperor Rui can make a bear king choke on cold water, or cause Emperor Tian to sneeze repeatedly, but it cannot affect an ordinary human who has no cultivation.
In any case, the Douluo world favored humans more than soul beasts.
Wang Rui had also seen the memories given to him by Miss Jin Yi. The original Three-Eyed Golden Lion could only judge humans through the power of fate after linking their attributes with Huo Yuhao.
Otherwise, that old bastard Taotie would never have had the power to force his mother, and he and his group of children would have long been cursed to die from choking on their food— this was a complaint left by Miss Jin Yi in her memories.
"The essence of attribute guidance is an exchange. What I can give to that human is the right to control fate." Wang Rui explained. "In terms of fortune, that child is the true son of destiny in the Douluo world, and his status in the human world is similar to my status among soul beasts. We are both favored by fate."
"And I will gain part of his fortune. This part, belonging to humans, will complete my control over the power of fate. With that, I will be able to influence human destiny." Ambition burned fiercely in Wang Rui's golden eyes. "By then, humans will no longer be a threat."
Moreover, guiding human fortune was just a threshold.
Only by completely mastering the power of fate could he comprehend the laws of fate, and ultimately break through the limits of the Douluo world to become... a god!
The power of fate was the most special.
The power of fate might not be restricted by the divine realm, and it was the most likely path to breaking the rule of "soul beasts cannot become gods."
If Wang Rui could truly become the God of Fate, he would have the ability to directly rewrite the laws of the Douluo world!
Changing the world's rules to prevent soul beasts from forming soul rings or bones would be the ultimate way for soul beasts to rid themselves of the threat posed by humans.
But he couldn't tell Emperor Tian this... Emperor Tian himself was still held back by his 900,000-year calamity, and for Wang Rui, who hadn't yet reached the ferocious beast level, it would seem rather arrogant to say such a thing.
"You little brat, you have a theory for everything. I can't win an argument with you." Di Tian sighed.
"Even if you want to guide that human child's attributes, you could bring him back to Star Dou Forest or Beast Sect. Let him stay with the humans who are affiliated with soul beasts… Besides, you still have that avatar made of the Spirit of Gold and Dragon Ginseng. Why don't you have the avatar teach that child?" Di Tian spoke in a deep voice. "As a Sacred Beast, you shouldn't be involved in such dangerous situations."
"The Beast Sect is more closed off. The outside world is better for a human to grow, and that identity also has its own responsibilities," Wang Rui sighed. "Besides, there are some things I need to do myself."
Emperor Tian frowned at Wang Rui, his golden eyes full of unclear emotion, making him look like a high school principal unhappy with a student.
Wang Rui shivered under the gaze.
After a long while, Emperor Tian spoke again. "Is there any other reason, apart from what you've already said?"
Wang Rui's heart skipped a beat.
"No," he shook his head, replying calmly, "Isn't this reason enough to go to the human world?"
...Of course, there was more.
But that reason could never be told to Di Tian or any other soul beast.
Wang Rui stared directly into Di Tian's eyes, silently apologizing and trying his best to keep any signs of nervousness from showing.
"Fine." After a long while, Emperor Tian shook his head, snorted, and reached up to pat Wang Rui's head. "You've grown up, it's normal to have your own secrets. Go ahead, but be sure to stay safe. I don't need to repeat how dangerous the human world is, do I?"
"I understand," Wang Rui nodded. "I'm leaving now. I'll be back around this time next year. I'll need you to come with me to the extreme north."
He whistled, and moments later, a red-feathered eagle, nearly as tall as an adult, swooped down.
Wang Rui leaped up and grabbed the eagle's claws.
With a loud eagle cry, the bird soared into the sky, taking Wang Rui with it.
"Hey, I'm off now—"