"Lord, what do you mean by this?" The eight people, led by the Golden Crocodile Douluo, looked grim.
As the strongest person present, Golden Crocodile Douluo had to face his fear and take up the task of negotiation.
Even with his composure, he couldn't help but wonder to himself, in this critical moment, why were Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong unreachable?
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Emperor Di Tian raised an eyebrow, looking at Golden Crocodile Douluo with confusion. "If I'm not mistaken, the Star Dou Forest is supposed to be the domain of our soul beast tribe, isn't it?"
"That's true," Golden Crocodile Douluo replied, instinctively attempting to counter, but then he realized the situation.
The terrifying Emperor Di Tian, a half-god-level existence, was not someone he could contend with.
"Hm?" Emperor Di Tian narrowed his eyes, releasing a terrifying pressure.
The eight from the Hall of Spirits immediately paled, their bodies forced to the ground by the overwhelming pressure.
However, Emperor Di Tian clearly didn't want to waste too much energy here, lest it interfere with the important ritual. So, he only applied pressure without directly killing anyone.
"Even so..." Golden Crocodile Douluo's face darkened, but he was forced to yield. "The Star Dou Forest is indeed the domain of the soul beasts, but can Lord Emperor Di Tian explain why it suddenly expanded so much? Even the overall strength of your tribe has leaped forward?"
He paused for a moment. "I see that you are performing a ritual right now, which must be of great importance. If you tell us, we might consider withdrawing. Otherwise, if we eight burn our strength and self-destruct, we could cause a great deal of trouble for you!"
With these words, Golden Crocodile Douluo boldly displayed all of his strength, subtly implying the possibility of self-destruction.
This was a serious threat—using his own life, and the lives of the other seven, to force Emperor Di Tian to act.
At the 98th rank, threatening a half-god was an incredible feat.
If word of this got out, Golden Crocodile Douluo would undoubtedly gain great fame.
But this was clearly not the best time. After Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke, Emperor Di Tian's expression changed abruptly.
His voice turned cold. "Are you threatening me?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression shifted slightly, but he still stood tall and said, "I dare not. I just want to know the truth!"
"Heh, dare not?" Emperor Di Tian smiled coldly, then stopped smiling. "However, you did guess correctly. Right now, I indeed don't want to waste time with the likes of you!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression softened slightly, and just as he was about to speak again, Emperor Di Tian's tone changed abruptly. "So, Wan Yao, Bear Lord, Scarlet King, Zi Ji, kill them."
"Yes!" The beasts responded in unison, and their massive bodies emerged.
Bear Lord moved his neck, his eyes filled with ferocity. "Humans, I've been tolerating you for too long! Today, you will understand the might of the Dark-Gold Terror Claw Bear Clan!"
With that, his huge body flashed, and two giant bear claws slammed down, releasing terrifying hunting blades that tore through the air and slightly ripped the space apart, leaving deep, jagged gashes in its wake!
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face changed drastically, and he immediately summoned his Martial Spirit true form, revealing his massive Golden Crocodile form. After Emperor Di Tian released his pressure, the Golden Crocodile Douluo exuded immense power, ready to face Bear Lord head-on.
The Azure Luan Douluo transformed into a divine bird to face the Hell Dragon Queen, Zi Ji.
The Xiong Mighty Lion Douluo transformed into a golden lion to face the Three-Headed Red Magic Mastiff King, Scarlet King.
The remaining Guang Ling Douluo, Jiang Mo Douluo, Qian Jun Douluo, along with Juhua Guan and Gui Mei, worked together to face the onslaught of ancient trees from all directions, like a massive army.
Meanwhile, they also sought opportunities to support others, and a chaotic battle broke out in the Star Dou Forest.
In Heaven Dou City, East Palace.
Dugu Bo had been staying here since Li Yu departure. Besides guiding Dugu Yan cultivation, he spent most of his time trying to comprehend the power of the Poisonous Soul Serpent Dragon, seeking a breakthrough and trying to grasp a chance for his Martial Spirit to evolve once again.
But today, after the Poisonous Soul Serpent Dragon let out a dragon's roar, it disappeared without a trace.
Dugu Bo was initially confused, but then he sprang to his feet, his aura erupting and causing a stir in Heaven Dou City.
"Could something have happened to Li Yu?" Dugu Bo paced, feeling uneasy.
He couldn't imagine what kind of existence could force Li Yu to summon the Poisonous Soul Serpent Dragon.
Logically, the Poisonous Soul Serpent Dragon shouldn't have increased Li Yu strength by much, yet Li Yu had still summoned it!
This meant that Li Yu was likely in an extremely dangerous situation, one so severe that he had to mobilize every force available to him!
Li Yu was in danger!
This was certain.
However, Dugu Bo was still unsure. What would it matter if he confirmed it?
Not to mention, he didn't even know where Li Yu was.
Even if he did, with his own strength, he couldn't do much to help. In fact, if he went, he might only make things worse and make Li Yu situation even more difficult.
"Senior Dugu!" At that moment, an urgent cry came from the door.
Dugu Bo looked up to see Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, rushing in with anxious expressions.
He was about to speak when Xue Beng arrived.
Xue Beng, now the regent of Heaven Dou, had cultivated an aura of high status.
However, upon seeing Dugu Bo, he immediately concealed his aura and respectfully saluted him before nervously saying, "Your Majesty, has something happened to the Empress?"
Dugu Bo eyes narrowed, and his aura became somewhat dangerous.
Xue Beng trembled, but he still faced Dugu Bo eyes calmly and said, "I've figured things out these past few days."
He paused. "For an emperor, aside from the heart of the emperor, one must also have the strength to match the imperial position. Naturally, the Emperor is well-suited, and the Empress has unmatched strength. Xue Beng humbly admits inferiority, and I do not dare to have any malicious thoughts."
He paused again, then said sincerely, "I am asking because I am truly concerned about the Empress!"
"The power the Empress left on me has disappeared."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu expressions became even more solemn and anxious.
They too had felt the power Li Yu had left on them, and just like Xue Beng said, it had completely vanished.
As they felt Dugu Bo aura, they sensed that they were not exceptions and quickly rushed over. But deep down, they still held a glimmer of hope.
However, now that hope was completely shattered!
But both were equally confused—what kind of existence could threaten Li Yu to the point of requiring him to recall all those powers?
Dugu Bo closed his eyes, pondering how to handle the situation to minimize the impact.
The more he thought, the more troubled and unsettled he became.
"Grandfather," at that moment, Dugu Yan voice rang out, making Dugu Bo snap back to his senses. He looked toward Dugu Yan, who had sensed the aura and walked out.
Dugu Yan looked extremely worried and said, "Is... is Yuyu in trouble?"
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, then said, "I don't know the details, but with Li Yu strength, no matter what danger he faces, he will be able to handle it. We must trust him."
After a pause, he looked at Xue Beng. "This..."
"This matter will not be passed on to the Sixth Ear." Xue Beng spoke first.
Then, his eyes narrowed. Five soul rings rose from his feet, and his figure moved, quickly eliminating the guard on duty.
Afterward, he said, "Please rest assured, Senior Dugu, Xue Beng has no ulterior motives."
With that, he walked away, his back carrying a somewhat lonely air.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu exchanged glances, both surprised by Xue Beng actions.
Dugu Bo was also taken aback. Aside from Xue Beng fierceness, he was impressed by his cultivation.
Having been stuck at the four-ring Spirit Emperor level for many years, Xue Beng cultivation had finally break through to the five-ring Spirit Ancestor after his heart was unburdened and he no longer had to hide his strength.
Moreover, his soul rings were a perfect combination of two yellow, two purple, and one black.
"Just like that..." Dugu Bo shook his head, about to tell Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu to return, but the next moment, his face changed dramatically. He immediately turned his gaze toward the Star Dou Forest.
At the same time, the auras of two Title Douluos appeared in Heaven Dou City, also gazing toward the Star Dou Forest before flying off toward it at high speed.
It was the Stingray Douluo and She Long Douluo under Qian Renxue.
After Qian Renxue left for her assessment, they hadn't left but stayed in Heaven Dou City to guard it.
Now, sensing the disturbance in the Star Dou Forest, they immediately decided to rush there.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. He knew that the Stingray Douluo and She Long Douluo were in Heaven Dou City.
Moreover, after Qian Renxue revealed her identity and left, Stingray Douluo and She Long Douluo were even under his command.
But now, they had effectively left their post.
However, after thinking for a moment, Dugu Bo didn't intervene.
The aura coming from the Star Dou Forest was incredibly terrifying—he had only felt such a presence from Li Yu.
He knew it was dangerous.
He also thought this was likely related to some kind of upheaval in the Hall of Spirits, and Qian Renxue was currently at the Hall of Spirits.
So, considering this, Stingray Douluo and She Long Douluo could be seen as being eager to protect their master, and thus, there was no need to fault them.
"This really is a time of turmoil!" After thinking for a while, Dugu Bo still did not leave.
If he left, there would be no one left to guard Heaven Dou City. If something went wrong, he wouldn't be able to explain it to Li Yu.
Qibao Liuli Sect
"Uncle Jian, what's going on?" Ning Fengzhi looked gravely at the direction of Star Dou Forest.
Although he was only at the peak of the seven-ring Spirit Saint level, his spiritual power was exceptional—stronger than that of most Title Douluos—so he clearly felt the terrifying aura coming from the direction of the Star Dou Forest.
Jian Douluo Chen Xin squinted his eyes, feeling the aura from the direction of the Star Dou Forest. His sword even trembled in his hands.
This wasn't excitement from facing an opponent but rather fear of an unknown terrifying presence.
After a long pause, he said, "I don't know. We're no match for it. We shouldn't get involved!"
He used three "no"s to emphasize the danger, warning Ning Fengzhi not to entertain any ideas.
"I feel that the aura, even stronger than Li Yu, is incredibly terrifying and unfathomable!" Bone Douluo Gu Rong spoke from the side.
"Really is a time of turmoil," Ning Fengzhi sighed, then fell silent for a moment before suddenly speaking, "Now that Xue Beng is the regent, and both Xue Qinghe and Li Yu have disappeared, Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu Rong, what do you think about this situation?"
Chen Xin pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "Li Yu strength is unfathomable. From what I observe, he often appears small and unremarkable. His disappearance must be to pursue that realm!"
"That realm..." Ning Fengzhi eyes flickered. "You mean... godhood?"
Chen Xin nodded and said no more.
Gu Rong, however, was quite emotional. "A god! It was once unimaginable, but now, it seems there are several signs of such beings. Truly a time of turmoil!"
Ning Fengzhi eyes flickered. He suddenly spoke, "Do you think, if the gods show mercy, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could break through its shackles and allow the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve, no longer being limited to the seven rings?"
"Seven rings! If our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could cultivate to the level of Title Douluo, our sect would be respected and feared by all!"
After Ning Fengzhi finished speaking, both Chen Xin and Gu Rong were startled.
Gu Rong said, "The stronger the Martial Spirit, the greater the constraints and the price paid for cultivation. The restrictions on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda only prove its strength. You don't need to be fixated on this."
"Heh..." Ning Fengzhi chuckled ambiguously, then said, "But compared to the stronger Martial Spirits, ours is not the only one that's restricted. Why haven't they faced such constraints?"
"Six-Winged Angel, Clear Sky Hammer, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Nine-Hearted Begonia..."
"Even Li Yu, who controls so many elements, which of them isn't incredibly powerful!"
"But why haven't they faced the same restrictions? Why, only us, only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, facing such constraints?"
"What kind of fairness is this, and what kind of heaven's will is this? It's unjust!"
Ning Fengzhi expressed his feelings, with even resentment brewing in his eyes, as if an evil seed was sprouting.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged glances, both frowning slightly.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family
Yu YuanZhen gaze was heavy as he looked at the direction of the Star Dou Forest.
Once again, he felt the disturbance in his Martial Spirit!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the Martial Spirit and bloodline he prided himself on, was actually being threatened by something. This was hard to imagine and accept.
He looked toward Star Dou Forest, knowing that it was the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Emperor Di Tian, who was releasing his power!
Half-god-level!
It was a level he could only look up to, and if he could obtain its blood, he believed it would bring him significant gains.
But how could he ever obtain the blood of such a terrifying existence?
"Really... I want to fight bloodily, even if it means death, just to feel exhilarated, but..."
Yu YuanZhen gaze swept across the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family beneath him. In the end, he shook his head.
He softly muttered, "The family needs me. How can I selfishly decide my own life and death?"
With that, his figure vanished, as if he had never existed.
No one realized that the changes in the Star Dou Forest were bound to impact the development of both the human and soul beast realms!