Star Dou Great Forest, the continent's largest gathering place for soul beasts, was also shrouded in an atmosphere of unease. Though it had not suffered pollution as severe as the Extreme North, small-scale Evil God Aura corruption and soul beast mutations had likewise appeared along the forest's edges. The soul beasts within the forest had become exceptionally irritable and vigilant.
Ling Yun went straight to Lake of Life at the forest's very core. The lake water remained crystal clear and brimmed with immense life energy, yet a faint, almost imperceptible tension hung over its surface.
"Your Excellency Ling Yun, you have come." A steady voice rang out. Er Ming, the forest emperor, Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, rose from the lake. His enormous eyes were filled with gravity and a trace of exhaustion. He bore several wounds, evidently having just gone through a battle.
"Da Ming, Er Ming. How is the forest?" Ling Yun asked directly.
"It is far from optimistic." The Sky Azure Bull Python's voice was low. "Many soul beasts corrupted by Evil God Aura, as well as a kind of monster from the stars, have appeared in the border regions. Though we have organized several extermination campaigns, they seem impossible to kill off completely. More troubling still, the spatial fluctuations in several ancient forbidden zones deep within the forest have recently become abnormal. It seems that something is about to emerge."
Ling Yun frowned. "Ancient forbidden zones? Are they related to the dragon race?" The clues to the Dragon Tomb were always on his mind.
The Sky Azure Bull Python and Er Ming exchanged a glance, hesitation flashing through their eyes.
Just then, a cool, slightly weak voice came from the palace beneath the lake. "Let him come in."
It was the voice of