Both the black-robed man and the woman called Bi Ji were suspected to be from the Star Dou Great Forest.
Xiao Wu was also a Soul Beast from the Star Dou Great Forest it was unlikely she knew nothing at all.
Though the black-robed man's name wasn't mentioned, he had referred to the green-haired woman as "Bi Ji," which was at least somewhat identifiable!
Xiao Wu was also a 100,000-year Soul Beast. No matter how vast the Star Dou Great Forest was, it was normal for 100,000-year Soul Beasts to know of each other. It was like high-society circles they were just that small.
No matter how fiercely those below fought or how much they spat at each other, the higher-ups still communicated, even engaging in friendly trade. Such things were common.
"I've heard the name Bi Ji before, but I have no impression of the black-robed man you described," Xiao Wu answered timidly after hearing Tang Xiao's explanation.
"Oh? Who is Bi Ji? What is her true form? What's her Soul Power level?"
"I…" Xiao Wu was startled by Yu Yuanzhen's voice.
"Don't rush. It's fine if you can't remember," Tang San reassured her. "This is just an inquiry, not an interrogation. Xiao Wu, don't worry. I'll always be with you."
"Mm." Xiao Wu nodded, her timid expression easing slightly. "Bi Ji her full name is Emerald Swan Bi Ji. She's said to be the most talented Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Most talented?"
"Yes. Rumor has it she hasn't even lived for 100,000 years, yet her cultivation far surpasses that of a 100,000-year Soul Beast."
"From the information revealed by the Soul Beasts she's healed, Bi Ji's cultivation has reached 570,000 years."
"Hisss "
Everyone present sucked in a cold breath.
A 570,000-year Soul Beast? There were levels beyond 100,000 years?
Tang Hao, however, frowned. "I thought 100,000-year Soul Beasts could only live for another 1,000 years?"
"That's not the case," Xiao Wu shook her head.
She didn't know where Tang San's father had heard such unreliable information.
"Those like me after reaching 100,000 years choose to take human form because we believe we can't survive the heavenly tribulation after another 1,000 years. That's why we cultivate in human form."
"But in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, all the Soul Beasts have survived at least one heavenly tribulation…"
Xiao Wu explained the situation regarding Soul Beast tribulations, emphasizing that 100,000-year Soul Beasts who couldn't survive even one tribulation had no chance of becoming companions with those in the core region.
"Hisss "
Even Tang Hao found it unbelievable. The terrifying Sky Blue Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape were merely gatekeepers for the Star Dou Great Forest.
A 100,000-year Soul Beast was usually comparable to a 95th-rank Titled Douluo, yet that wasn't even enough to be acknowledged by the core region.
From Xiao Wu's words, he also learned that out of ten 100,000-year Soul Beasts facing the tribulation after 1,000 years, fewer than one would survive.
"So that's how it is…" Tang Hao recalled his wife mentioning the post-100,000-year tribulation. "She said it was a calamity she absolutely couldn't overcome, which was why she chose to take human form."
It wasn't that 100,000-year Soul Beasts could only live for another 1,000 years it was that Ah Yin had no confidence in surviving the tribulation, so she chose human form.
Soul Beasts that survived one tribulation could freely assume human form. Though they remained Soul Beasts at their core, their strength wouldn't diminish.
"Hisss "
The 570,000-year Emerald Swan Bi Ji had lived for less than 100,000 years yet had survived five tribulations.
No wonder her strength was so overwhelming. According to Xiao Wu, Bi Ji was also a healing-type Soul Beast.
"How strong is a 570,000-year Soul Beast?" Yu Yuanzhen asked after a long silence.
"I'm not entirely sure. Most of what I know comes from my mother."
Xiao Wu sighed. At this point, she was practically betraying the Soul Beasts, wasn't she?
If the core-region beings found out, she'd likely be torn to shreds. But what choice did she have?
"Rumors say Soul Beasts over 500,000 years are equivalent to human 99th-rank Titled Douluo."
"And the strongest Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest is called Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian."
"You mentioned him earlier. It's said he's an 800,000-year Soul Beast. Beyond that, I don't know much."
Unlike Bi Ji, who was kind and healed other Soul Beasts, making her widely known, Di Tian was practically a forbidden name in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Xiao Wu's words left everyone stunned once more.
If a 500,000-year Soul Beast was equivalent to a 99th-rank, what about an 800,000-year one?
Instantly, everyone's scalps tingled.
Especially Tang Hao and the others they had only escaped Di Tian's grasp thanks to the Bone Douluo's Bone Transformation Divine Dragon.
Once again, they marveled at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's status as the wealthiest on the continent.
Even gathering intelligence was effortless for them. They knew details about Di Tian that even most Soul Beasts weren't aware of. Truly, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's influence was vast.
"Could that black-robed man be Di Tian?" Yu Yuanzhen proposed.
Casually catching Yang Wudi's full-power strike even Yu Yuanzhen doubted he could do that without activating his Martial Soul True Body, let alone with such ease.
All eyes turned to Xiao Wu again.
Xiao Wu remained silent for a long time before speaking:
"If it really was him… then you were lucky."
Two 99th-rank Titled Douluo, yet none of you died. If that wasn't the blessing of the God of Luck, what was?
Neither Yu Yuanzhen nor Tang Xiao refuted her words.
"Perhaps they came to Heaven Dou City for a purpose, which is why they didn't attack humans outright," Tang Xiao suggested.
"That's the only explanation," Yu Yuanzhen sighed.
Though the black-robed man didn't resemble the Di Tian they'd encountered, who knew if Soul Beasts could disguise themselves? If they could take human form, changing their appearance wasn't far-fetched.
A long silence followed.
Even the Shrek Six Devils including Dai Mubai, who was accustomed to major factions felt like they were listening to a myth. 100,000-year Soul Beasts? Several hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts?
The Star Dou Great Forest was that dangerous?
They'd visited it multiple times and returned alive. They must have had their ancestors' blessings!
"Elder Brother, should we inform Grandfather about this?" Tang Hao asked.
"What's the point?" Tang Xiao sighed. "Two 99th-ranks. Unless Grandfather and Qian Daoliu join forces, there's no hope."
Not long ago, Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had fought, leaving both severely injured. Bringing them here now would be delivering them to their deaths.
As for cooperating with Qian Daoliu yes, Grandfather and Qian Daoliu had a decent relationship. But after just besieging his doorstep, expecting cooperation was impossible.
"After all, they're 99th-ranks. If they truly act recklessly, we might…"
Tang Hao didn't finish, but everyone understood.
"Then inform him. Let Grandfather decide. If necessary, we'll just leave the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Right now, it's the Royal Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan who should be anxious, not us."
Tang Xiao adopted a "better you than me" attitude, shifting the burden entirely.