Is this the Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago?

In the dark waters at the bottom of the Lake of Life, Gu Yuena slowly withdrew her gaze after the auras of Tang San and the God of Destruction completely vanished. A trace of solemnity still lingered in her purple eyes. She gently swished her long tail, creating small whirlpools of water.

"Di Tian."

A clear, cold voice echoed in the water. It wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable majesty, instantly piercing through layers of lake water and reaching the surface.

Di Tian, who was deep in thought in the center of the Lake of Life, was startled awake. His massive dragon body trembled slightly. This voice... it was the Master!

He could hardly believe his ears. The last time he heard the Master's summons was during the Three Gods War ten thousand years ago. After that battle, the Master fell into a deep slumber and had not sent any news for ten thousand years. Now, to suddenly awaken, could it be...

Di Tian didn't have time to think further. He quickly collected his thoughts, his colossal dragon body sinking, and he shot into the lake like an arrow released from a bowstring. The deeper he went, the dimmer the light became, and the water pressure grew heavier. Yet, he dared not slacken his pace, diving towards the deepest part of the lake.

Before a stretch of water so dark that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face, Di Tian stopped. There was an invisible spatial barrier here, the very place where the Master had been sleeping. He respectfully lowered his dragon head, his voice filled with suppressed excitement and reverence: "Master, what are your orders?"

Inside the barrier, Gu Yuena's voice sounded again: "What has happened in the Star Dou Great Forest these past few days?"

Di Tian was taken aback, his heart filled with confusion. The Master had slept for ten thousand years, and upon waking, why would she suddenly inquire about such trivial matters? But he dared not hesitate. He immediately reported everything that had happened recently, point by point—from Shrek Academy's Mu En and others intruding into the core area, accusing the Star Dou soul beasts of abducting a youth with the Holy Dragon of Light Martial Soul, to the ensuing battle where Elder Lin, Elder Song, and Xian Lin'er perished, then how they investigated the clues of the youth's disappearance, and finally their recent decision to release the news of Shrek Academy's heavy losses...

He recounted everything in detail, while secretly trying to fathom the Master's intentions. But even after finishing, he couldn't understand why these events would stir the Master from her ten-thousand-year slumber.

Silence fell within the barrier.

Di Tian could feel that the Master's aura seemed to fluctuate slightly, clearly deep in thought. He held his breath, waiting quietly, his confusion growing.

A moment later, Gu Yuena's voice sounded again, with a hint of imperceptible solemnity: "That youth with the Holy Dragon of Light Martial Soul, and the people who disappeared with him, have you truly found no trace of them?"

"No."

Di Tian quickly replied, "Your subordinate has already had Bi Ji use her life aura to scan the entire forest, and even questioned soul beasts above fifty thousand years old one by one. There are indeed no clues. It's as if... as if they vanished into thin air."

Gu Yuena's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of confusion in her purple eyes. The Holy Dragon of Light Martial Soul... disappearance... and the urgent search by those two God Kings just now... Could there be a connection between these three?

She had a feeling that some crucial information was being overlooked. The descent of God Kings was by no means a trivial matter, and could the object they were searching for be related to that missing youth?

But the question was, what connection could this youth have with those two God Kings? It couldn't be that, like the Sea God Tang San ten thousand years ago, he had also gained the favor of two Deities.

This was simply too absurd.

"Master?" Seeing that Gu Yuena remained silent for a long time, Di Tian cautiously called out.

"It's nothing."

Gu Yuena collected her thoughts and said lightly, "You may withdraw."

She paused, then added, "During this period, tell all the soul beasts in Star Dou to behave themselves. Do not provoke external forces, especially Shrek Academy."

Di Tian's heart tightened. He quickly asked, "Master, did something happen?"

"Just now, two God Kings descended."

Gu Yuena's voice was calm and unwavering, yet it struck Di Tian like lightning. He replied, "They seem to be searching for something. Their specific objective is unknown."

"God... God King?!" Di Tian's voice began to tremble, and his massive dragon body couldn't help but shake. Although he was only one step away from becoming a Deity, in front of a true Deity, he was no different from an ant.

Let alone the King of the God Realm.

Although he didn't know why the other party had descended to the mortal realm, one thing was certain: the descent of the God King was an earth-shattering event for the Douluo Continent and the Star Dou Great Forest!

Just then, Di Tian seemed to recall something. He suppressed the shock and fear in his heart and asked cautiously, "Master, your whereabouts... haven't been exposed, have they?"

This was his greatest concern. If his master's identity were known to the God Realm, the consequences would be unimaginable. After all, the Soul Beast Clan was currently relying entirely on Gu Yuena to hold things together. If even she were to have an accident, the Soul Beast Clan would be completely finished, forever unable to rise, and would only serve as stepping stones for humans to become stronger for eternity, because the God Realm had restrictions preventing Soul Beasts from ascending to godhood.

"No," Gu Yuena's tone remained calm. "Their target doesn't seem to be me, and my aura is well hidden. They haven't detected me."

Only then did Di Tian breathe a sigh of relief. The fine beads of sweat that had appeared on his dragon head were instantly washed away by the lake water. He quickly responded respectfully, "This subordinate understands! I will definitely restrain all Soul Beasts and never bring trouble to the Star Dou!"

"Mm," Gu Yuena responded softly and then fell silent again, clearly having fallen into a dormant state once more.

Di Tian dared not say more. He respectfully bowed towards the spatial barrier, slowly turned, and cautiously swam towards the lake's surface. Along the way, his heart remained turbulent. The God King had descended, his master had awakened, and beneath the seemingly calm surface of the Star Dou Great Forest, undercurrents seemed to be surging.

Meanwhile, on the Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago.

Two elaborately decorated carriages slowly entered the gates of the Martial Soul Hall. The carriages were pulled by pure white Unicorns, and the carriage walls were inlaid with tiny gems that sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, indicating that individuals of noble status were traveling within.

Inside one of the carriages, Wang Dong'er was leaning against the soft cushions, bored. (She) reached out and lifted a corner of the curtain, curiously observing the scenery outside.

What met (her) eyes was the magnificent and grand architecture of the Martial Soul Hall. The white marble floor was as reflective as a mirror, towering spires pierced the clouds, and exquisite patterns were carved between the palaces, exuding solemnity, grandeur, and luxury everywhere. The Martial Soul Hall's stewards and disciples who came and went wore uniform attire, their expressions respectful, and their steps hurried.

"This is the Martial Soul Hall from ten thousand years ago..." Wang Dong'er murmured to herself, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity and emotion.