The pink figure stepped out of the natural barrier of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Behind her, a lush forest stretched out, its vegetation exuding a rich life force—her gentle homeland that had sheltered her for a hundred thousand years.
Before him stretched a vast, desolate wilderness. The west wind swept across the ancient road, carrying fine yellow sand. A faint, chilling aura surged from a thousand miles to the west, pressing heavily between heaven and earth.
Xiao Wu slowed her pace and gently touched her chest.
There was a warm, primordial mark there, a contingency plan left for her by the Da Ming before their parting.
As long as she has a thought and crushes the mark, the two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast far away in the Xingdou will rush to her aid across thousands of miles without hesitation.
With this support, her life was not in danger.
But from the moment she stepped out of the Xingdou, she never thought of calling out to them again.
The journey westward was long and arduous.
The soil beneath my feet gradually lost its warm green color, becoming dry and hard. The roadside weeds also grew crookedly, their leaves turning a withered gray-black.
The further west you go, the denser the chilling, deathly aura in the air becomes. It's the result of years of being steeped in the Rakshasa Divine Power and shrouded in the malevolent energy of the Spirit Hall. Even from dozens of miles away, it makes your chest feel heavy.
I traveled alone for several days, with no one to accompany me, only the sound of the wind for company.
Xiao Wu's thoughts remained clear, without a trace of loneliness or fear from being alone.
The scene of being surrounded and hunted at the Lake of Life that day is still vividly etched in my mind.
The oppressive aura of the title locked their bodies, the Bipolar Stillness Domain imprisoned the two guardians, and the chains of the elite squad were within reach.
That extreme sense of powerlessness made her completely sever the last vestige of her desire to escape.
Chen Jieqi's words, "First learn to be fearless," are now etched into his very being.
She is no longer that little rabbit who hides under someone's wings and panics at the slightest thing.
The security gained through dependence is ultimately illusory; only by facing the storms head-on can one truly grasp one's own destiny.
She thought of Tang San, the boy who had once wholeheartedly protected her, but was now being constantly eroded by the dark power of the Asura God, sinking deeper and deeper into depravity.
I also thought of Bibi Dong, the Pope who stood at the pinnacle of power on the continent, seemingly in control of everything, but in reality, she was just a pawn manipulated by the gods.
Everyone is trapped in the game of fate, but she refuses to be a pawn to be manipulated any longer.
In a quiet courtyard in the capital city of Heaven Dou, a thousand miles away, Tang San sat cross-legged, his body surrounded by faint, dark red patterns.
The pink hair tie on her wrist continued to burn, and the flutter in her heart grew stronger with each passing moment.
He clearly sensed that Xiao Wu was getting closer and closer to Spirit City, closer and closer to that dark place he instinctively resisted.
The will of the Asura God whispered a seductive whisper deep within his consciousness, urging him to set off for Spirit City.
But his remaining sense of self was pulling him in the wrong direction, making him hesitate.
The two forces intertwined and tore at each other, causing his Soul Power to fluctuate erratically, and his brows were filled with struggle.
Inside the Holy Light Chapel at the East Foothills of Tiantou City, the radiant mark between Chen Jieqi's brows flickered slightly.
He caught sight of the solitary pink figure traveling westward through the flowing energy between heaven and earth, and also sensed the surging evil power in the direction of Spirit City.
He gently raised his eyes, looked westward, and murmured to himself, "In the end, I've taken the first step. This game is finally about to begin."
He did not intervene, but simply observed quietly.
Everyone has their own path to walk and their own grievances to settle.
After another day of travel, the outline of an incredibly magnificent city finally appeared on the horizon ahead.
The city walls soared into the clouds, constructed entirely of dark-colored boulders, stretching for countless miles like a lurking beast across the heart of the continent.
Banners stood tall atop the city walls, all embroidered with Six-Winged Angel patterns, fluttering in the cold wind. An aura of domineering power, as if ruling the world, swept over people from miles away.
This is the Spirit City, which is both the most revered and the most feared by all the Soul Master on the continent.
The few Soul Master who were traveling along the way all concealed their auras and hurried their steps when they reached this place, with obvious fear in their eyes.
Some people were talking in hushed tones, their words filled with apprehension about the city's strict rules and the many powerful figures within.
Despite the perilous place that others would avoid at all costs, Xiao Wu did not stop and walked straight toward the city gate.
The closer one gets to the city walls, the colder and more oppressive the air becomes. Heavy guards stand at the city gate, and all passersby are subject to strict checks.
The Soul Master on duty all possessed a deep and imposing aura, with the lowest being the Soul King realm. The two generals leading the team were even Soul Saint, their eyes sharp as eagles as they scanned everyone entering the city.
Seeing a lone girl walking straight towards them, two guards at the city gate stepped forward and blocked her way.
"Halt! You must state your identity and purpose to enter the city and undergo inspection." The guard's voice was harsh, carrying the unique arrogance of the Spirit Hall.
Xiao Wu stopped, her pink eyes calm, her tone composed yet firm. "I wish to see your Pope, Bibi Dong."
As soon as he finished speaking, the two guards were taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle. Passersby also turned to look, their faces showing surprise.
Anyone who dares to openly request an audience with the Pope at the gates of Spirit City is either a top-tier figure or an arrogant madman who doesn't know his own limitations.
"Have you lost your mind, young lady? His Holiness the Pope is not someone you can just see whenever you want," the guard on the left raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with mockery.
"Leave this place immediately. If you continue to spout nonsense here, don't blame us for being impolite."
"I'm not talking nonsense." Xiao Wu's expression remained unchanged; she wasn't angered by the other party's disdain.
"Please inform them that the Soft Bone Rabbit requests an audience with Bibi Dong."
The moment the words " Soft Bone Rabbit " were uttered, the playful expressions on the faces of the two guards froze, and their pupils contracted sharply.
The Spirit Hall's long-time target, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit from the Star Dou Great Forest, has actually arrived alone at the gates of Spirit City?
The two instinctively took a half step back, their Soul Ring instantly lighting up as they warily surrounded Xiao Wu.
The other guards at the city gate also gathered upon hearing the commotion, dozens of eyes fixed on the girl, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
The commander guarding the city gate noticed the commotion and quickly approached. This middle-aged Soul Saint's gaze was deep and thoughtful.
Looking Xiao Wu up and down, he sensed the faint, ancient primordial energy fluctuations within her body, originating from Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and his expression became completely solemn.
"Do you really dare to come to Spirit City alone?" the commander asked in a deep voice, his hand already gripping the weapon at his waist.
"Since I dared to come, I have nothing to fear," Xiao Wu replied calmly.
The commander knew the matter was of great importance. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that was being closely watched by the Pope's Palace had taken the initiative to come to his door. This was no small matter, and he, a mere city gate guard, had no authority to deal with it.
Without saying another word, he immediately took out a rhombus-shaped soul-guided communicator, infused it with Soul Power, and transmitted the message upwards layer by layer.
The message traveled through the outer and inner cities, past numerous deacons and elders, and finally reached the Pope's Palace located at the very heart of Spirit City.
Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat on the highest throne, her purple eyes slightly closed.
When the message reached her ears, she slowly opened her eyes, a complex glint flashing across her narrow pupils before settling into a calm indifference.
The elder serving beside him whispered his instructions, "Your Majesty, the Soft Bone Rabbit has walked right into our trap. Should we immediately send someone to capture it and throw it into the dungeon?"
Bibi Dong shook her head slightly, her fingertips casually tracing the armrest of the throne, a faint smile curving her lips, "No need."
"She dared to leave the Xingdou and come to my Spirit City alone, so she was obviously prepared."
"Send the order: let her into the city and lead her directly to the Pope Palace."
The elder looked puzzled but dared not disobey. He bowed and accepted the order, immediately relaying the Pope's command back to the city gate.
The city gate commander received the order, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty, but he could only sheathe his weapon and gesture "please" to Xiao Wu:
" His Holiness the Pope has decreed that you are permitted to enter the city. Please follow me."
Xiao Wu nodded slightly, and without the slightest hesitation, stepped into this magnificent city that everyone feared.
Beyond the city gate, the streets were wide and orderly, with palaces stretching endlessly. Disciples and stewards of the Spirit Hall could be seen everywhere, and the chilling aura in the air grew even stronger.
She subconsciously glanced back at the east, towards the Star Dou Great Forest, her warm homeland of ten thousand years.
A moment later, she looked away, the last trace of lingering affection in her eyes fading away.
The road ahead has been laid out; grudges, destiny, and the game of chess—all of these will be confronted in that highest hall.
The girl walked with firm steps toward the Pope's Palace, the deepest part of Spirit City.
A confrontation that will determine the fate of the entire continent is imminent.