Chapter 224: The Main Quest Begins
As Ye Wen approached the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest, he was greeted by a scene of utter devastation. Broken walls, scattered corpses, and the pungent scent of blood permeated the air even from afar. Surveying the grim landscape, Ye Wen furrowed his brows in dismay.
"What senseless destruction," he murmured.
Ye Wen had been cautious and deliberate in his strategy, carefully expanding his influence without stirring unnecessary conflict. His goal had always been to minimize casualties. Yet here, the butterfly effect or perhaps "the transmigrator's effect" was in full force. A grand beast tide like the one from Douluo Dalu II had manifested early, unleashing havoc on the continent.
"What could have happened?" Ye Wen wondered aloud.
Based on what he knew of the Azure Bull Python, or Da Ming, a creature normally averse to unnecessary conflict, something was definitely amiss. Given that Di Tian was responsible for the beast tide in Douluo Dalu II, Ye Wen immediately suspected him as the instigator.
Why interfere in mortal affairs, some might ask? After all, Tang San himself once claimed that the gods couldn't meddle in mortal matters. But the logic was clear. If Tang San and the Spirit Hall's conflict could go unchecked, surely it was acceptable for a new god to safeguard peace for a hundred years. Besides, gods often needed to solidify their followers on the mortal plane, as Ye Wen recalled from Douluo Dalu II, where the legends of the Shrek Seven Devils spread far and wide.
While lower level spirit beasts posed no challenge, Ye Wen's disciples, equipped with modified spirit ring simulators, were already stationed across the forest, dispersing or containing the creatures as needed. Since lower level beasts were unlikely to grasp the bigger picture, they could be driven off by simulating the aura of a more powerful beast. Ye Wen wanted to avoid needless slaughter; killing too many would only risk exhausting future spirit ring sources.
But Ye Wen himself was headed to the battle site where Da Ming clashed with Sword Douluo and his allies. Time controlling spirit beasts were exceptionally rare, and Ye Wen had long considered making the Azure Bull Python one of his divine officers. With his own divine powers limited, he hadn't yet been able to act on that plan. His current mission, then, was to ensure Da Ming wasn't fatally wounded in the ongoing skirmish.
Yet upon his arrival, Ye Wen saw his worry was misplaced.
Without his armor, Sword Douluo was finding it difficult to penetrate Da Ming's Slow Domain, a powerful field that forced all within it to decelerate, granting Da Ming time to evade attacks with ease. As Ye Wen had often said, an attack that can't hit is worthless. It was clear that Da Ming had honed his domain's power to its limit.
Finally arriving at the battlefield, Ye Wen saw Da Ming in all his massive glory. Up close, the Azure Bull Python was even more impressive than he had imagined, his body towering like a living fortress. Just his horns alone were half the size of Titan Giant Ape, while his full body stretched over a hundred meters, far larger than even the strongest beasts. His physique alone would make him a fearsome foe even among powerful beasts.
And yet, combat was more than mere strength. Without the right tactics or defenses, even a titan like Da Ming could fall, as evidenced in the original story where Bibi Dong's poison eventually claimed his life. Ye Wen couldn't help but reflect on the complicated love triangle between Da Ming, the Titan Giant Ape, and Xiao Wu the eldest and second tier lovestruck fools all pining for a rabbit. Truly a chaotic situation, he mused.
The fighting had already left the area in shambles, the land around flattened, and the bodies of high level spirit beasts littered the battlefield. Even the formidable trio of Sky Piercing Ant Emperors could be seen at the scene, though their smaller stature of about three meters made them seem almost insignificant in such a massive clash.
With the ant emperors present, it was clear the battle wasn't as simple as it appeared. According to the original story, the three brothers were often driven out of core territory, having previously tried to encroach on Da Ming's home at the Lake of Life. For them to be working together now suggested a more significant scheme at play.
Ye Wen had no intention of intervening just yet. To him, beings below the divine realm were merely insignificant players. Hovering above the battlefield, he unleashed his divine aura, instantly halting the fighters below.
Sword Douluo and his allies stopped in their tracks, while Da Ming's Slow Domain faltered, the python staring up in shock.
"Stop this, all of you," Ye Wen commanded calmly.
His unparalleled power left not only Da Ming but also the surrounding spirit beasts too terrified to act. Recognizing Ye Wen, Sword Douluo and his team withdrew their weapons, bowing in midair out of respect. With such a figure present, there was no need to keep fighting they all valued their lives far too much to provoke him.
With a slight gesture, Ye Wen acknowledged them and then turned to Da Ming.
"Azure Bull Python or shall I just call you Da Ming? You're not exactly a stranger to us. Xiao Wu and Ah Rou are safe and happy at my place," Ye Wen said.
Da Ming's expression changed, first brightening with joy and then softening with relief. He felt reassured, knowing that the powerful human before him wasn't there to take sides, and he was relieved to hear that his family was doing well. Unlike Er Ming, who had been adopted by Ah Rou, Da Ming owed his life to Xiao Wu, who had saved him as a child. Over time, he had come to regard them as his own kin.
"Tell me," Ye Wen continued, "this beast tide wasn't your idea, was it? Who was behind it?"
Da Ming hesitated, his knowledge limited. Sensing his reluctance, Ye Wen added, "There's no need to worry. Right now, I am the most powerful being on this continent."
To prove it, Ye Wen released a stronger wave of divine energy, pressing those nearby into submission. This reassurance seemed to break Da Ming's last shred of hesitation, and he finally spoke.
"I don't know much… The one who gave the order came from deep within the Lake of Life, appearing in a human form, much like Ah Rou. But one thing stood out his eyes were golden," Da Ming reported, bowing respectfully.
(Chapter End)
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