Douluo Continent: I, Long Aotian, will not be a supporting character.

Time flew by as Long Yuanba reminisced about the past. Before they knew it, the group of five had arrived at the mixed zone.

Vina's third spirit ring requires a thousand-year spirit ring, while Long Aotian's third spirit ring requires a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. The mixed zone is inhabited by ten-thousand-year spirit beasts and thousand-year spirit beasts, which can just meet their needs.

On this day, after resting briefly by a stream in the forest, the group continued their search for suitable soul beasts, following the direction of the stream.

Soon after, as the stream turned at a mountain obstacle, a small pool of water appeared ahead.

The gathered moisture rushed towards us, carrying a faint, refreshing fragrance that invigorated us.

In the pool, several large lotus leaves lay prostrate on the surface, and a blue-green lotus flower the size of a washbasin swayed gracefully in the water, emitting a faint fragrance.

With a hint of surprise in her eyes, Ao Yu said, "It's actually a very rare Emerald Lotus, Nana, your third soul ring has been found."

Ao Yumou explained, "The Emerald Lotus is a supportive plant-type soul beast. Its lotus seeds have the effect of restoring soul power. If a soul beast eats its lotus seeds, it can also increase its soul power and lifespan. Therefore, the Emerald Lotus is considered a top-quality natural treasure, and it's quite rare. Generally, soul beasts will devour the Emerald Lotus to nourish themselves when they encounter it. I never expected to find one here."

"It has about twenty lotus stamens, which represents more than two thousand years of history."

"Nana, this Emerald Lotus is perfect for your third soul ring."

Upon hearing Ao Yumou's introduction, Vina's little face lit up with joy.

"The Emerald Lotus doesn't have much offensive power. Aotian, go help Nana and pull that Emerald Lotus out."

Long Aotian nodded, then leaped into the pool. The pool wasn't deep, only reaching Long Aotian's waist. Long Aotian walked up to the Emerald Lotus.

As if sensing its impending fate, the Emerald Lotus flower swayed violently, as if in prayer.

Long Aotian reached into the water, found the root of the Emerald Lotus, and then pulled it up with a little force.

Long Aotian brought back a complete jade lotus, including its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seedpods.

"Nana, it's your turn." Long Aotian handed the Emerald Lotus to Vina.

Vina looked up at Long Aotian and smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Brother Ao."

The younger generation of the Body Sect either call Long Aotian "Boss" or "Brother Long," while "Brother Ao" is Vina's exclusive nickname for Long Aotian.

"Nana, all you need to do is pluck the lotus flower from the Emerald Lotus," Ao Yumou reminded her from the side.

Vina nodded, reached out and folded the Emerald Lotus flower. A purple spirit ring floated out, and Vina sat down cross-legged to begin absorbing the spirit ring.

Long Aotian dried his clothes with his soul power and stood aside, waiting for Vina to absorb the soul ring.

Two hours later, Vina completed the absorption of her third spirit ring.

Seeing Vina open her eyes, Long Aotian asked, "Nana, how effective is the third soul skill this Emerald Lotus has given you?"

"My third soul skill is called Emerald Lotus Heart. After use, it will produce three lotus seeds. After consuming the lotus seeds, one lotus seed can instantly restore all the soul power of a Soul Master. It is also effective against Soul Sect and Soul King, but it can only restore a portion of their soul power."

"This soul skill will improve as my level increases. When I reach the fourth ring Soul Master level, it will produce four lotus seeds that restore all the soul power of a Soul Master. At the fifth ring level, it will produce five lotus seeds that restore all the soul power of a Soul King, and so on."

"However, I can only use this soul skill once a day, and I can only use it again the next day."

"This skill is arguably the best support-type soul skill. This means that your future teammates' sustained combat ability will be at least twice that of their peers. The Emerald Lotus truly lives up to its reputation as a rare soul beast of the highest caliber; the soul skills it produces are indeed excellent."

"Aotian, Nana's soul skill is now extremely beneficial to you!"

After Vina finished speaking, Poisonous Death commented.

Poison is sure to kill. This soul skill is a godsend for Long Aotian. Long Aotian has many trump cards to deal with Soul Kings, but unfortunately, the total soul power of a Great Soul Master who has not yet broken through to the third ring is too low to use them all. Now, with Vina's Emerald Lotus Heart, he has at least more opportunities to use his trump cards.

"Brother Ao, Nana can help you more in the future," Vina said, looking up at Long Aotian.

Long Aotian patted Vina's head and said, "Nana is amazing!"

Vina rubbed against Long Aotian's palm like a kitten.

Long Yuanba and Ao Yumou watched the two interact with expressions of satisfaction and maternal smiles.

"Let's go. Next, we need to find Aotian's third spirit ring," Du Bisi said, interrupting the two's interaction.

Over the next few days, the group continued searching for a suitable third spirit ring for Long Aotian in the mixed zone. After several days of searching, they arrived at the junction of the mixed zone and the core zone, where the number of ten-thousand-year spirit beasts had greatly increased.

On this day, a soul beast entered Ao Yumou's energy perception range.

"Attention, a soul beast has appeared ahead. I can feel the surging power of its blood and qi."

Ao Yumou led the group toward the soul beast.

Before long, a soul beast appeared in everyone's sight.

Its entire body was dark gold, and it was over five meters tall. Its arms were unusually long, reaching down to its knees and exceeding three meters in length. They were incredibly thick, with sharp claws at the front, each a meter long.

"Huh, it's actually a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. Judging from its energy fluctuations, it should have just entered the level of a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast. Aotian, you absorbed the right arm bone of the Golden Behemoth, and the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear itself has the bloodline of the Behemoth, making it a perfect match for your third soul ring."

Upon seeing the spirit beast, everyone immediately recognized it as the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, given its high profile and distinctive features.

The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, having reached a cultivation level of ten thousand years, is almost abnormally terrifying; even a Title Douluo would find it difficult to withstand.

"Yuanba, Yumou, protect Aotian and Nana. I will take action myself."

Before he could finish speaking, Poison Must Die had already leaped away.

With a flash, Poison Must Die appeared in front of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear reacted extremely quickly and made a move immediately.

A layer of dark golden light emanated from its fur. This light was not emitted outwards, but rather contained within its fur. One could see that each of the dark golden hairs stood up instantly, like steel needles.