Under the night sky, the Star Dou Great Forest was even more mysterious and profound than it was by day.
The branches and leaves of Towering Ancient Trees crisscrossed overhead, weaving an impenetrable net that sliced the bright moonlight into scattered flecks, which fell sparsely upon the ground covered in thick humus. The forest was filled with the damp scent of grass and trees, mingled with the earthy sweetness of soil. Occasional glimmers of fluorescence marked the trails left behind by nocturnal Soul Beasts, or the natural glow of certain plants.
Most Soul Beasts had long since sunk into slumber. Low-level Soul Beasts curled up inside tree hollows or grass thickets, breathing steadily; high-level Soul Beasts occupied the depths of their territories, releasing faint pressure to warn their kind not to approach. The entire forest was so quiet that only the mournful wind slipping through the leaves and the occasional distant beastly roar remained, making the world feel all the more vast.
Yet this tranquility did not last long.
"Buzz—"
Several incomparably powerful auras tore through the air from afar like thunderbolts, carrying the immense Soul Power Fluctuations unique to Title Douluo. They ripped apart the night sky and made the entire forest tremble faintly. Fallen leaves were swept into the air by invisible shockwaves, while the air among the trees seemed to ignite in an instant, scorching and oppressive.
"Roar—!"
The sleeping Soul Beasts were startled awake by the sudden sense of oppression. Low-level Soul Beasts trembled in fear and huddled where they were, not daring to move; high-level Soul Beasts poked their heads out from their nests, their eyes flashing with vigilance and anger as they let out deep roars toward the sky. They could sense that this aura came from humans, and that it carried intense hostility as it rapidly approached the depths of the forest.
Several black figures streaked across the night sky like meteors, moving so fast that only afterimages remained. Shrek City was not far from the Star Dou Great Forest to begin with, and Mu En's group were all peak experts at the Title Douluo level. Traveling at full speed, they reached the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest in no more than the time it took to burn a stick of incense.
"This is the place." Mu En stopped, his hoarse voice drifting through the night wind. His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly into the pitch-black depths of the dense forest ahead. That was the direction of the Core Area of the Star Dou Great Forest, where the Lake of Life lay.
The others stopped behind him, Soul Power still surging around them like volcanoes on the verge of eruption. Their gazes were as sharp as eagles as they swept over the surrounding trees and shadows. Not even the slightest disturbance could escape their senses.
Just as they passed through layers of Ancient Wood and came within several miles of the Lake of Life, a gentle voice, like a spring breeze brushing over a lake, suddenly rang out through the forest. It was clear and pleasant, yet possessed an undeniable penetrating force.
"Why have you all come to visit the Star Dou Great Forest in the dead of night and caused such a commotion?"
As the voice fell, a graceful emerald-green figure appeared out of thin air and stood quietly in the clearing ahead.
The newcomer was Bi Ji, ranked fourth among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
She was undoubtedly peerless. Her thick green long hair flowed behind her like a waterfall of the purest jade, reaching all the way to her waist. The tips curled slightly with a natural curve. Moonlight fell upon her hair, reflecting a soft, lustrous glow, as though every strand contained the breath of life.
Her exquisite face appeared especially delicate and beautiful in the night. Her brows resembled distant mountains, her eyes autumn waters, and her gaze carried an innate gentleness and compassion, as though it could embrace all things in the world.
She wore a pale green long skirt embroidered with intricate vine patterns along its hem. It swayed lightly with her breathing, like a water lily blooming in the darkness. Her tall, well-proportioned figure was outlined perfectly by the dress, neither frail nor the least bit bloated. Rich Life Energy surrounded her, making the nearby grass and trees seem even greener and more vibrant.
At that moment, Bi Ji tilted her head slightly as she looked at Mu En's group, her eyes filled with pure confusion. She seemed completely unable to understand why these human Strong Persons had entered the forest with such heavy hostility. She was the kindest of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts and never took the initiative in conflict. Usually, she only guarded the life force within the forest. Facing the murderous crowd now, her face held only bewilderment, without the slightest trace of fear.
"We have come to demand an explanation from the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Yan Shaozhe stepped forward, staring at Bi Ji with blazing eyes as he questioned her in an ice-cold tone, "Was it your Ferocious Beasts who killed a youth who entered the forest not long ago?"
Bi Ji froze for a moment, confusion flashing through her gentle eyes. "A youth? What youth?"
She thought carefully for a moment before slowly speaking, her voice still soft. "Not long ago, a maiden did indeed perish at the edge of the forest. I do not know who she was exactly. I only know that her soul was shattered, and that she died very suddenly. But the youth you mentioned... I have never seen him."
"A maiden?" Mu En's heart suddenly tightened. His hoarse voice trembled almost imperceptibly. "Then where is the youth who was with her? Where is he?"
He was almost certain that the maiden Bi Ji spoke of was Tang Ya. If so, Beibei had to be nearby!
Bi Ji shook her head, her emerald hair swaying lightly. "I do not know. When I discovered that girl's corpse, there was no one else beside her, nor did I sense the presence of any other humans."
She spoke frankly, without the slightest evasiveness in her eyes. As the clan leader of the Jade Swan Clan, with cultivation approaching six hundred thousand years, she was extremely sensitive to changes in the forest's auras. If a youth had truly been nearby at the time, there was no way she would have failed to notice him.
She simply could not understand it. This youth was clearly extremely important to these humans, so why did she have no impression of him at all?
"Hmph, who knows whether you are telling the truth!"
One of the Elders stepped forward, Soul Power billowing around him as he said in a blade-like ice-cold voice, "Bi Ji, you are one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts. You must be able to contact Di Tian and the others. In my opinion, we should capture you first and make them obediently hand the person over. Otherwise..."
He did not finish the rest of his sentence, but the threat was self-evident.
A vicious glint flashed through Mu En's eyes, and he nodded. The pain of losing a loved one had already clouded his mind. He only wanted to find Beibei as quickly as possible. Even if there was only the faintest hope, he was willing to pay any price.
"Do it!"
At Mu En's low command, several Elders immediately circulated their Soul Power and prepared to surround Bi Ji.
However, before they could take more than half a step, a voice filled with endless ice-coldness and overwhelming killing intent exploded through the forest like thunder from nine heavens. It contained only two words, yet carried a pressure powerful enough to change the color of heaven and earth.
"Impudent! Dare touch Bi Ji, and I will leave every one of you here, then slaughter everyone in Shrek City!"
The voice was not loud, yet it seemed to carry the chill of ten thousand years of ice, instantly freezing the flow of Soul Power in the air.
Every Title Douluo apart from Mu En felt as though a massive boulder had smashed violently into their chests. Their Blood and Qi churned, and their feet were nailed to the ground so firmly that they could not move.
The anger and killing intent on their faces instantly froze, replaced by deep shock.
This aura... belonged to Di Tian!
The true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, leader of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian!
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