Two yellow, three purple, and four black—this was not what one would conventionally call the best soul ring configuration.
Before the soul rings disappeared, the revealed spirit was a bloated, round belly covered in sharp spikes, along with blood-red skin. Glancing at the heavily injured, slightly plump elder lying on the ground in a bloody mess…
This guy wasn't a pufferfish…
Oh no—it was Title Douluo Ci Xue! Why was he here?
Never mind, it was better to leave quickly!
Ning Rongrong placed a pill in her mouth and chewed it lightly.
"Rongrong, what are you eating?" Dugu Yan asked, startled.
"An antidote for the Bone-Devouring Serpent Emperor's poison. Sister Yan, you should take one too, or we'll be in trouble soon."
Hearing Ning Rongrong's grave tone, Dugu Yan also flipped an antidote pill into her mouth.
Dugu Bo watched his granddaughter and Ning Rongrong take the same precaution but said nothing.
Because he, too, sensed an overwhelming malice rapidly approaching.
That heart-palpitating sensation forced Dugu Bo to remain vigilant.
"Senior Dugu, if we follow my plan, we might still have a chance to escape," Ning Rongrong said quickly.
"That's a Dark Devilgod Tiger over 50,000 years old—rumored to be connected to the Evil God."
"In terms of strength, it has escaped from the hands of the 100,000-year Sky Azure Bull Python and the 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape."
"What…?" Dugu Bo's eyes widened in shock.
He had never even seen a 100,000-year soul beast before, but a 10,000-year Titan Giant Ape was already terrifying enough—let alone a 100,000-year one.
Yet, the Dark Devilgod Tiger could still escape from them. Just how fearsome was it?
"Rongrong, what's your plan?"
Having spent so much time together, Dugu Bo knew Ning Rongrong wouldn't joke about something like this. If she said they could escape, she must have some confidence.
"The Dark Devilgod Tiger is injured. There are traces of multiple energies lingering on its body, and it's also poisoned. If we exploit that, we might be able to get away."
"My plan is…"
After listening to Ning Rongrong's explanation, Dugu Bo fell silent.
"It's not that I don't believe you, but… is this method really feasible?" Dugu Bo hesitated internally.
"We have no choice. Bringing that Title Douluo along might be useful."
"Him…" Ning Rongrong paused for a moment before saying, "He's probably from Spirit Hall."
The Dark Devilgod Tiger charging toward them had remnants of a holy aura, along with another type of energy—completely different from the severely wounded, unconscious Title Douluo.
Ning Rongrong had already pieced together some clues.
"Though it's a bit troublesome, bringing him along might give us reinforcements."
Dugu Bo was already carrying two burdens—what was one more?
"Fine."
Using his soul power, Dugu Bo lifted Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, swiftly approaching the unconscious Title Douluo.
He then took out a medicinal ginseng from his Hundred Treasure Pouch and stuffed it into the man's mouth to keep him alive.
After that, he once again used his soul power to carry all three and rapidly dashed toward the outskirts of the forest.
"ROAR—!"
A furious roar echoed as the Dark Devilgod Tiger arrived—just as Ning Rongrong had predicted.
The beast's entire body was pitch-black, its fur sleek without a single blemish.
Its powerful limbs thudded heavily with each step, exuding an extremely cold and dark aura.
Its ruby-like eyes burned with bloodthirsty killing intent—just a glance was enough to instill inexplicable fear.
"Nine Treasures turn, emerge—Glazed Tile! Second Boost: Speed!"
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda enhanced Dugu Bo's speed. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong took out another ginseng from her bracelet and took a bite to replenish her energy.
With the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's buff, Dugu Bo's speed instantly increased by a significant margin.
Dugu Bo was surprised—he could clearly feel his speed had risen by 50% compared to before.
What terrifying support abilities…
"Rongrong, you look terrible…"
Dugu Yan's sudden remark drew Dugu Bo's attention.
As he sprinted at full speed, he noticed Ning Rongrong—holding the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—looking as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.
"I'm fine." Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Assisting a Title Douluo is still a bit strenuous, but if it's just one enhancement, I can manage!"
Crunch, crunch—
After finishing the ginseng, some color returned to Ning Rongrong's pale face.
"ROAR—!"
Another roar resounded.
With the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's boost, Dugu Bo quickly widened the distance between them and the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
The already-injured beast gradually fell behind, letting out furious snarls.
While fleeing, Dugu Bo continuously released mixed poisons behind him, further aggravating the Dark Devilgod Tiger's condition.
Since it wasn't a 100,000-year soul beast, Dugu Bo's poison—though ineffective against Title Douluos—was still potent against it!
Having been wounded by Title Douluo Ci Xue's poison and attacked by two others (one of whom wielded light-attribute power), the Dark Devilgod Tiger was in extreme discomfort.
Dugu Bo didn't move in a straight line—instead, he weaved in a serpentine pattern.
Unable to predict his movements, the Dark Devilgod Tiger attempted spatial jumps with its "Charge" skill.
However, it only crashed through rows of trees, failing to close the gap.
Possessing intelligence no weaker than a human's, the beast soon realized its prey was deliberately evading it.
So, it switched to long-range attacks.
It unleashed countless corrosive light blades, aiming to slice its targets into pieces.
Dugu Bo noticed this but, recalling Ning Rongrong's earlier words, didn't pay it much mind.
"Senior Dugu, move three meters to the left."
"Got it." Without hesitation, Dugu Bo used his soul power to shift everyone three meters left.
The light blades whizzed past them—not a single one struck.
The attack shredded the dense forest ahead, instantly corroding a large swath of trees.
"What a terrifying creature." Dugu Bo's pupils contracted.
This seemed even more fearsome than his own toxins.
"Senior Dugu, jump five meters up."
"Understood." Dugu Bo leaped into the air, dodging yet another attack.
He continued sprinting through the Great Star Dou Forest, heading toward the outskirts while using the terrain's complexity to evade the Dark Devilgod Tiger's assaults.
"ROAR—!"
The beast roared repeatedly, venting its fury—then suddenly accelerated.
Multiple energy orbs of different attributes materialized around its body.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and stuffed another ginseng into her mouth.
"Kyōka Suigetsu."
Using the forest's reflections under the sunlight, she manipulated the moisture in the air to create a light-refraction effect, just like before.
The orbs shot toward Dugu Bo at blinding speed—
Yet, they passed harmlessly by his sides, missing completely.
With its high intelligence, the Dark Devilgod Tiger soon realized something was wrong after multiple failed attacks.
Its target seemed like nothing more than an illusion, devoid of substance.
Though it didn't fully grasp the mechanics, it quickly devised a countermeasure.
"Trouble… It's figured it out." Ning Rongrong frowned.
By exploiting the refraction of light on water, she had tricked the enemy into attacking a false target. However, repeated assaults would eventually expose the trick.
"What should we do now?"