Ning Fengzhi asked curiously, "Oh? What kind of weakness is that?"
Huo Qiqiang said, "Bring the map over."
At once, two disciples of the Body Sect carried a map forward for everyone to see. It was a full continental map.
Standing before the map, Huo Qiqiang addressed everyone:
"Right now, the soul beasts of the continent are divided into several major gathering grounds — the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sunset Forest, the Extreme North, and the ocean!"
Everyone's eyes focused on the map. Huo Qiqiang continued:
"But these places are far apart from one another. Between any two lie vast stretches of human territory. This natural geographic distance forces the top soul beasts to each guard their own turf, like fingers of a spread-open hand — they cannot concentrate their strength. Whereas we, gathered together, can focus on one area. If we attack one region, the soul beasts from the others cannot reinforce in time. And even if they wished to, they would have to cross through human domains to do so. Therefore, in a war with soul beasts, we can gain a localized advantage."
"That makes sense. The soul beasts may be powerful, but they're spread thin across those four great regions. If we just occupy one of them, the other three might not even send reinforcements. Even if they do, they'd have to cross human territory — and surely the Spirit Hall wouldn't just sit by and watch that happen," Dai Tianfeng remarked.
Yu Yuanzhen asked, "Then, Sect Master Huo, which of the four should we attack?"
Huo Qiqiang replied:
"First, we rule out the ocean. The sea is not our battlefield, and sea soul beasts are far larger and more terrifying than those on land. Going there would be nothing but suicide. Next, the Extreme North — it's the domain of ice-attribute soul beasts. Considering the complicated composition of our alliance's soul masters, we need a place where all kinds of soul masters can obtain rings, meaning a mixed population of beasts. That leaves only the Star Dou Great Forest and the Sunset Forest."
"Between those two, I recommend the Star Dou Great Forest," Huo Qiqiang declared.
"Oh? Sect Master Huo, what's your reasoning?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"The Star Dou Great Forest is vaster than the Sunset Forest, with a greater variety of soul beasts. Since we're going to fight anyway, why not directly seize the largest soul beast domain? Once we have it, our alliance's younger generation will have the freedom to obtain soul rings. Moreover, the rulers there — the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape — are not that powerful compared to us. Yes, recently many hundred-thousand-year beasts have emerged, even one or two over two-hundred-thousand years old, but they're still within our capacity to handle."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Very well. Then, as Sect Master Huo suggests, we'll strike the Star Dou Great Forest."
Thus, while Yu Xiaogang remained unaware, the factions began to mobilize. Before long, all combat power above Soul Sage from every faction was assembled at the alliance headquarters.
Ning Fengzhi then informed Yu Xiaogang of their preparations to set out for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, put down the half-eaten ten-thousand-year ginseng in his hand, let out a foul fart, rubbed his flat crew cut, and said:
"Since the situation has reached this point, then so be it. From here, this alliance master shall personally lead everyone into the Star Dou Great Forest, to win back humanity's right to freely hunt soul rings!"
Hearing this, everyone present exchanged looks — What? When did we ever say we wanted this pig to lead us?!
Ning Fengzhi hurried to interject:
"Alliance Master Xiaogang, in my opinion, the conquest of the Star Dou Great Forest is but a minor matter. It hardly requires the deployment of your unmatched wisdom. I believe you should remain here at headquarters, stabilizing the continental situation."
At ordinary times, Ning Fengzhi might have let this pig mess around, but now — with the fate of all factions at stake — Yu Xiaogang's presence on the battlefield would be nothing but a liability.
But flattery was lost on Yu Xiaogang.
Having only just crawled out from the shadow of failure at the Battle of Lihun Plains, the hypersensitive Yu Xiaogang desperately longed for a victorious campaign to restore his prestige.
This upcoming expedition against the Star Dou Great Forest looked like his chance.
After all, few knew the forest's true depth. Conveniently, Yu Xiaogang held a rare secret: the true overlord of the forest was not the Titan Ape, but the Sky Blue Bull Python. That beast, though strong, was nothing before the god-ranked cultivators of the Alliance.
Even if the forest spawned several more hundred-thousand-year beasts, as long as none surpassed the Bull Python, the Alliance was assured victory.
And since it was a sure-win battle, how could Yu Xiaogang possibly miss the chance to make a name for himself? Only under his brilliant command could the Alliance triumph over the "evil" soul beasts, reclaim humanity's right to hunt soul rings, and demonstrate his towering wisdom!
With a grand wave of his hand, Yu Xiaogang declared with righteous fervor:
"Ah, Sect Master Ning, you are mistaken. Now, evil soul beasts rampage, blocking mankind's path to soul rings. Spirit Hall, who ought to shoulder responsibility for humanity, has instead colluded with soul beasts. At this perilous moment, it falls upon this Alliance Master to lead us out of the blockade, to win back humanity's rights! This is my inescapable duty. I must devote myself to military leadership."
Ning Fengzhi nearly choked at the sight of this shameless display. He opened his mouth to try again, but Huo Qiqiang spoke first:
"Alliance Master, if you are willing to lead us against the Star Dou Great Forest, then with your wisdom, we are certain to achieve victory!" Huo Qiqiang said.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up, gazing at Huo Qiqiang — a kindred spirit!
Ning Fengzhi's face darkened with exasperation. He secretly transmitted to Huo Qiqiang:
"Sect Master Huo, how could you agree to let this pig join our expedition? He ruins more than he helps! What if he drags us down at the crucial moment?"
Huo Qiqiang calmly replied via sound transmission:
"Ah, Sect Master Ning, it's fine. He's only a sixteenth-level soul master. How much harm could he possibly do to this campaign? Don't worry."
Ning Fengzhi could only sigh helplessly. In his eyes, Huo Qiqiang was far too overconfident, underestimating this pig's ability to cause trouble. But at this point, there was little more to be said.
"Since it's decided, then as Alliance Master, I now give the order — march out!" Yu Xiaogang proclaimed.
And so, the Divine Order Alliance mobilized nearly all of its high-level combat strength and marched toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Alliance advanced deep into the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Body Sect's soul masters marched in the vanguard, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect protected the flanks. The Star Luo Empire's soul masters guarded the rear, and Yu Xiaogang sat at the center, directing the entire army.
Beneath a lavish parasol, carried by eighteen Soul Emperors, Yu Xiaogang gave orders while chewing on rare treasures—and releasing foul-smelling farts.
The Divine Sequence Alliance's forces entered the forest in grand procession. Yet surprisingly, they did not encounter any formidable resistance from soul beasts. The strongest opposition they met were mere ten-thousand-year beasts, which were swiftly slaughtered.
Standing beside Yu Xiaogang's parasol, Ning Fengzhi frowned and said:
"This is strange. Normally, soul beasts would try to block our entry."
Yu Xiaogang replied mysteriously:
"Sect Master Ning, you do not know. The true overlords of this forest are far beyond what the world imagines!"
Hearing his tone, Ning Fengzhi became curious and asked:
"Oh? Then tell me, Alliance Leader Xiaogang, what exactly lurks deeper in this forest?"
Yu Xiaogang smirked, as if flaunting his superior knowledge:
"The real overlord here is not the Titan Giant Ape, but the Azure Bull Python."
Ning Fengzhi's face twitched. This is common knowledge to all high-level soul masters… and yet I expected something more from this swine. Outwardly, he still forced a compliment:
"Indeed, Alliance Leader's insight is unmatched."
Yu Xiaogang continued:
"Still, even the Azure Bull Python is just a hundred-thousand-year beast. We have an Ultimate Douluo with us, a dozen Super Douluo, and even more Titled Douluo. Most likely, the beasts saw our formation and were too frightened to appear."
After exchanging a few words with Xiaogang, Ning Fengzhi quickly lost all interest. Talking to him was an insult to his intelligence.
The army pushed forward to the very heart of the Star Dou Great Forest—arriving at the edge of the Lake of Life.
"The overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, come out and face us!" Yu Xiaogang shouted ahead of everyone.
The surface of the lake rippled violently. A colossal black dragon claw emerged, followed by immense wings tearing apart the waters. The massive creature soared into the sky, hundreds of meters long, its shadow blotting out the sun.
Seeing the terrifying black dragon, Yu Xiaogang gulped nervously.
Wait… this isn't right. Weren't we supposed to be summoning a bull-headed snake? Why is it a black dragon? Could this dragon be that snake's subordinate?
But while Yu Xiaogang was ignorant, others were not. The oppressive aura of this dragon was immeasurable. When the Titled Douluo probed, they found his depth unfathomable.
"This dragon… is very strong," said Huo Qiqiang grimly.
The black dragon transformed into a golden-eyed, black-haired man. He declared:
"I am Di Tian, Beast God, co-lord of the Star Dou Great Forest. You dare trespass upon my territory—are you ready to remain here forever?"
"Di Tian, huh? Then let me test you myself." Huo Qiqiang released his martial spirit. Above him appeared the Eye of Destiny, surrounded by nine spirit rings—yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red.
"Very well! To challenge me, Beast God Di Tian, requires courage. Come!"
The two clashed in the sky, their soul power colliding in a cataclysmic burst. The pressure alone made the human army below tremble.
The heavens split into two halves—one blazing red with Huo Qiqiang's power, the other black with Di Tian's might.
Even Yu Xiaogang realized something was wrong.
"This… this dragon is at the Ultimate level! Then what about the Azure Bull Python…" He recalled his earlier boast to Ning Fengzhi, and his pig-like face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
If it were only Di Tian, Huo Qiqiang might hold him off. But then, the Titled Douluo felt it—around the Lake of Life, countless slumbering ferocious beasts awakened, releasing terrifying auras.
From all directions, they surged forth—Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, Three-Headed Demon Wolf, Emerald Swan—all at ferocious beast level. Behind them came legions of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
Among them, Yu Xiaogang spotted the Azure Bull Python, once believed to be the true overlord of the forest.
"Humans, this place is not yours to tread. Since you dare intrude, then stay here forever!" The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear roared and lunged forward, claws flashing.
"You think you can keep us here? You're not enough!" Zhao Quan unleashed his Body Martial Spirit and engaged the Bear King in fierce combat.
The Body Sect's Titled Douluo intercepted the ferocious beasts and hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, clashing violently. Yu Xiaomen, one of the strongest Titled Douluo aside from the Body Sect, engaged the Scarlet King in battle.
With the Body Sect holding the frontline, the other sects and forces finally had a moment to think about what was happening.
"I never imagined… so many ferocious beasts, and so many hundred-thousand-year soul beasts hiding here," muttered Dai Tianfeng, swallowing hard.
Ning Fengzhi said:
"No wonder we faced little resistance on the way here. It was a trap—the soul beasts' strategy to lure us in. We've been caught! Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle—between Huo Qiqiang and that black dragon, who is stronger?"
Chen Xin shook his head.
"Sect Master, I cannot say. The gap between me and an Ultimate Douluo is too vast to measure. But if two Ultimate Douluo fight, it could last three days and three nights without end."
"With the scale of the Star Dou Forest's forces, even if we win this battle, we'll suffer devastating losses. Yet now that we've come this far, there's no retreat…" Ning Fengzhi prepared to activate his support, while Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo readied to join the fray.
Suddenly, space cracked open behind Huo Qiqiang. Two enormous dragons burst forth—one of blazing fire, the other of glacial ice. Their bodies were even larger than Di Tian's, their auras equally overwhelming.
"Two… two more dragons!?" Ning Fengzhi broke out in a cold sweat.
"Huo Qiqiang, you've walked right into my trap. These are the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King. Together with me, Di Tian, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, we are the Three Kings of the Dragon Clan. Today, your grave will be here!" Di Tian's voice thundered across the battlefield.
His words sent shock through every human soul master. And in that instant of their distraction, the ferocious beasts redoubled their assault.
The entire forest trembled. From every direction, waves of soul beasts surged forth.
The Beast Tide had begun.