However, before Tang San could prepare to search for his ninth soul ring, a loud roar erupted from the core area of the Great Star Dou Forest, as if a spirit beast was engaged in battle.
Accompanying the roar was an explosive surge of soul power, akin to a clash between top-tier experts. The intensity of the collision even surpassed that of Title Douluo-level combat.
Xiao Wu immediately grew extremely worried: "Brother San, that sounds like Er Ming's voice. Could there be a powerful expert trying to hunt down Da Ming and Er Ming?"
Before Tang San could respond, another thunderous roar echoed from the core of the Great Star Dou Forest. This time, it came from a bull-like creature, filled with both anger and pain, as if a powerful spirit beast had been struck hard.
Xiao Wu's face turned pale: "How is this possible? Even Da Ming has been attacked. Who in this world could pose a threat to both Da Ming and Er Ming at the same time?"
Tang San's expression shifted dramatically: "Great-Grandfather, Xiao Wu, do you think it might be Bibi Dong leading the Spirit Empire's elites to hunt Da Ming and Er Ming? Bibi Dong herself needs many soul rings now."
Tang Chen nodded: "It must be Bibi Dong and her group. I sense an extremely evil aura, along with multiple presences of Title Douluo-level experts. Aside from the Spirit Empire, no other faction has so many high-level fighters."
Xiao Wu quickly spoke up: "Brother San, Da Ming and Er Ming are my younger brothers. I must go save them!"
Tang San replied firmly: "Xiao Wu, I swear on my life that I will protect you. Da Ming and Er Ming are your family, which makes them my family too. I will definitely protect them."
Seeing Tang San and Xiao Wu's determination, Tang Chen wasted no words. He used his soul power to grab both of them and swiftly flew toward the core area of the Great Star Dou Forest.
…
After leaving the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Xiong decided to head directly to the Great Star Dou Forest.
Currently, Yang Xiong was unable to break through the barrier beneath the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. That barrier was likely created by the dying Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King—it was a true god-level barrier, completely beyond his ability to penetrate.
To enter the true core of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, perhaps only a god or someone from the dragon clan could break through such a seal.
After careful consideration, Yang Xiong realized that the only being on the Douluo Continent capable of entering the core of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well might be Di Tian, the Black Dragon Emperor of the Great Star Dou Forest.
After weighing various factors, Yang Xiong ultimately decided to visit the Great Star Dou Forest.
Technically speaking, there was a blood feud between the Asura God and the dragon clan. It was the Asura God who once split the Dragon God with a single sword, causing the dragon clan's downfall.
But now, the Asura God had assigned this trial to Yang Xiong. Evidently, the Asura God knew that ordinary soul bones couldn't be absorbed by Yang Xiong's arms—he could only absorb the two soul bones hidden beneath the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Especially after the Asura God's words to Yang Xiong—that the next trials weren't primarily about increasing strength but about making choices.
Based on this statement, and considering the Asura God's immense power, it seemed likely that the Asura God already knew Di Tian was hiding on the Douluo Continent—and perhaps even knew about the Silver Dragon King's presence. However, the Asura God had chosen not to act against them.
In the original storyline, the choice of Tang San as the new Asura God was likely part of the Asura God's calculations. On one hand, Tang San possessed the bloodline of the spirit beasts. On the other hand, because of Xiao Wu, Tang San had formed deeper ties with the spirit beasts.
According to the original plot, Tang San didn't truly inherit the Asura God's divine seat alone. Instead, Tang San and Xiao Wu jointly inherited it. The fact that the Asura God passed the divine seat to the spirit beast race suggested that there might be more to the Dragon God War than met the eye—even the Asura God's stance could be questionable.
The Asura God was originally just a subordinate of the Dragon God. After the great war, the dragon clan hadn't gone extinct but had instead thrived over tens of thousands of years. Even after ten thousand years, more hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts appeared, suggesting that everything had changed.
Although Yang Xiong now wielded the Asura Demon Sword, he couldn't yet absorb it into his body. Thus, he wrapped it in the meteoric copper sheath and carried it with him as he entered the Great Star Dou Forest.
With Yang Xiong's current strength, navigating the Great Star Dou Forest was as easy as walking on flat ground.
…
Tang Chen brought Tang San and Xiao Wu swiftly to the Lake of Life, but the sight before them left all three utterly shocked.
Bibi Dong was leading six Title Douluo in a full-scale assault on the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python.
At this moment, the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were riddled with wounds from the relentless attacks of seven Title Douluo.
Black energy seeped from their wounds, as if they had been poisoned. The black energy clung to them like a parasite, and despite their immense strength, even these hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts couldn't expel it.
This was the poison of Bibi Dong's martial soul—one of the strongest toxins in existence, even surpassing the venom of Dugu Bo's Emerald Phosphorus Snake Emperor.
However, given the robust physiques of the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, the poison wasn't fatal. If they could find a safe place to rest, detoxification wouldn't be too difficult. Unfortunately, they were currently under attack by seven Title Douluo.
At this moment, a massive hammer descended from the sky, smashing directly toward Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong had been using her mental power to suppress the two spirit beasts. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, she was startled.
The hammer's power was immense. If she didn't focus entirely on blocking it, she wouldn't be able to withstand the blow and might even sustain serious injuries.
Ultimately, Bibi Dong reluctantly withdrew her mental power. Her colossal Death Spider Empress clawed at the hammer with all its might, barely managing to block the attack. However, Bibi Dong herself was sent flying several meters.
In that instant, the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts broke free from their shackles. With a series of roars, they fled from the encirclement.
When Bibi Dong and her six companions turned to examine the newcomers, their faces were filled with astonishment.
The arrivals were none other than Tang Chen, Tang San, and Xiao Wu. Especially Tang Chen, who was known as the "Invincible on Land." Even though they were all Title Douluo, they gazed at Tang Chen with deep reverence.
Meanwhile, Tang San and Xiao Wu quickly rushed to the sides of the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python, using their soul power to heal the wounded spirit beasts.
Though the Titan Giant Ape was heavily injured, he still managed to muster his strength: "Sister Xiao Wu, it's great that you've come."
Xiao Wu quickly responded: "Da Ming, Er Ming, focus on healing your wounds. With Brother San and me here, no one will harm you."
Bibi Dong glared at Tang Chen, her gaze icy cold.
"Tang Chen, you're the leader of the Hao Tian Sect, one of the two pillars of the soul master world. Yet you dare to break your promise with the Great Elder and attack us. Are you trying to tear up the agreement?"
Tang Chen's gaze turned frosty: "I did make an agreement with Qian Daoliu, but these two spirit beasts have an extraordinary relationship with my great-grandson. They are practically members of the Hao Tian Sect. How can I allow you to kill them so easily?"
During their recent meeting, Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had agreed that neither would interfere with the younger generation of the other side. They had even signed a ceasefire agreement.
However, Tang Chen hadn't anticipated that Bibi Dong would lead a large force to hunt the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python—creatures who were family to his great-granddaughter-in-law.
With Bibi Dong's current strength, she was already very close to Level 99. If she absorbed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings, the Spirit Empire might produce another Limit Douluo. With two Limit Douluo, the balance of power would completely tip out of control.
Bibi Dong sneered: "I never expected the mighty Hao Tian Douluo to break his word. The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python are nothing but beasts. Are you saying the Hao Tian Sect is colluding with spirit beasts to harm humanity?"
Tang Chen roared in anger: "You may be the emperor of the Spirit Empire, but you're only at Level 98. The gap between Level 98 and Level 99 is like an insurmountable chasm. Do I need to teach you a lesson?"
Bibi Dong was determined to claim the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. She wouldn't give up just because of Tang Chen's words, especially since she had prepared thoroughly. Both spirit beasts were already gravely injured, and retreating now would mean all her efforts were in vain.
"Tang Chen, you're old. Since you dare to interfere with my hunt for soul rings, let me see the strength of this so-called 'Invincible on Land.'"
With that, Bibi Dong's martial soul transformed. Her Death Spider Empress instantly shifted into the Soul Devouring Spider Empress, and her soul rings changed to five black and two red.
Tang Chen's expression shifted slightly. He was wary of Bibi Dong's soul rings, knowing that she had fully mastered her twin martial souls. Her second martial soul possessed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
But Tang Chen gripped his Hao Tian Hammer and swiftly launched an attack toward Bibi Dong.
The colossal Soul Devouring Spider Empress extended two massive pincers, grabbing at the hammer with all its might.
The Hao Tian Hammer collided with the Soul Devouring Spider Empress. Bibi Dong was forced back dozens of meters, while Tang Chen stood firm, unmoving.
The difference in strength between Level 98 and Level 99 was indeed immense. With just one strike, Tang Chen could overwhelm Bibi Dong.
But at this moment, two enormous Coiled Dragon Staffs smashed toward Tang Chen.
A hint of disdain flashed in Tang Chen's eyes: "Such trivial tricks. How dare you act recklessly in front of me?"
With a powerful swing of his Hao Tian Hammer, Tang Chen clashed with the two Staffs. Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo felt a tremendous shockwave reverberate through their weapons, their hands trembling as they struggled to hold on.
This was the "Shock" technique of Tang Chen's Hao Tian Nine Absolutes. Even an ordinary self-created soul skill could crush two Title Douluo.
Bibi Dong's face was filled with frustration. Despite facing the powerful Tang Chen, she attacked with all her might.
Instantly, Bibi Dong, Qian Jun Douluo, and Jiang Mo Douluo surrounded Tang Chen. Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo coordinated seamlessly, their Coiled Dragon Staffs brimming with power. Even Tang Chen couldn't achieve a quick victory.
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