Tang Ya: Do You Want the Tang Sect Leader or Not?

"Tang San..."

Jiang Yi sat up in the tree, leaning against the trunk and gazing into the dark forest, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

According to Tian Meng, six years ago, when she was still imprisoned by Di Tian, the God Realm had already undergone a change.

As things stood, the God Realm was likely out of contact, and it wouldn't be restored anytime soon.

Otherwise, Di Tian and the others wouldn't be concocting some revival plan.

Jiang Yi could guess with his toes that Di Tian wanted to revive the Dragon Clan, but the God Realm didn't allow soul beasts to become gods.

He wasn't sure if Di Tian could sense the specific situation in the God Realm, but Chief Gu should have no problem.

If that were the case... without God King Tang watching from above, wouldn't he take off in Douluo?

One-Punch Man, activate!!!

"Can't pop the champagne... I should go to Shrek and see first."

Jiang Yi sorted out his thoughts, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

These were just the movements of the soul beasts. It was also possible that astonishing wisdom was at play, orchestrating something big.

If the God Realm disappeared, Tang Wutong would definitely show abnormalities. Perhaps she hadn't even descended.

When he reached Shrek, everything would become clear.

He glanced again at Xiao Lan, who was on alert on the treetop, then peacefully closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.

A white tiger with a stern brow roared at the sky, and then, in the sky above the forest, a blue flying shadow weaved back and forth.

The white tiger's tail whipped around like a steel whip, lashing at its surroundings, but it could never catch the blue shadow.

Finally, after circling for a long time, the blue shadow slowed down.

"Roar!"

The white tiger's eyes lit up with joy. Seizing the opportunity, it opened its mouth wide.

Countless golden light dots converged from all directions, condensing into a dazzling ball of light in its mouth--

White Tiger Intense Light Wave!!!

The golden beam of light shot out, piercing the jungle. Countless fallen leaves rustled down, torn into pieces by the air current in mid-air.

However, just as the light wave was about to hit, the blue flying bird suddenly turned.

Wind and thunder exploded--

A sharp thunderclap tore through the sky. The blue and gold arcs of electricity on the Gale Thunder Falcon suddenly erupted, and the entire bird transformed into a pulsating mass of lightning.

Thunder Flash.

Its figure vanished the instant the light beam was about to touch it. The next second, it had already appeared to the side of the light beam.

The white tiger's pupils contracted sharply.

One, two, three--light waves were fired in succession, weaving into a dense golden net in the air.

But the Gale Thunder Falcon seemed to have X-ray vision, dodging left and right, each time grazing the edge of the light wave.

Caw--!!!

A long cry tore through the sky.

A black shadow swooped down, its wings tucked in, transforming into a blue meteor.

The white tiger wanted to dodge, but it was too late.

The Gale Thunder Falcon's sharp claws fiercely pierced the white tiger's shoulders, and golden lightning surged in, spreading throughout its body along the meridians.

The white tiger's body stiffened, its muscles convulsed violently, and then it crashed to the ground with a thud, kicking up dust.

The battle was over.

At the same time, on a towering tree nearby, the ice-blue mark between Jiang Yi's eyebrows slowly faded.

[Congratulations to the host, your Gale Thunder Falcon has learned a new skill: Thunder Flash!]

Jiang Yi's mind moved, and he closed the system panel. Then, he leaped, falling from the treetop dozens of meters high.

The wind whistled on both sides as his body plummeted rapidly. But just as he was about to land, a blue flying shadow streaked past and caught him steadily.

The man and the bird landed beside the panting white tiger.

Jiang Yi executed a stylish flip and dismounted from the Gale Thunder Falcon's back.

"Holy crap! That was so cool."

Tang Ya had somehow appeared nearby, her eyes shining, wishing she could devour Jiang Yi.

Compared to close-quarters combat, Jiang Yi's strategic and calculated fighting style was more appealing to the young girl.

"..."

Jiang Yi glanced at her, ignoring her entirely.

He had discovered that this Tang Sect leader was, at her core, quite the goofball.

"Are you certain you want this one?"

He looked back at Huo Yutong and asked.

Since he had already taken Tian Meng for himself, he didn't mind doing this original protagonist a small favor, provided it remained within reasonable limits.

"Mm-hmm!"

Huo Yutong nodded obediently, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you, Brother Jiang Yi!"

Clutching the White Tiger Dagger to her chest, she looked at the dying White Tiger before her, her heart racing with intense excitement.

She was finally going to obtain her first soul ring, and a century-level one at that; she truly owed it all to Brother Jiang Yi.

"Then do it."

Jiang Yi nodded, stepping aside to leave the White Tiger to her.

Although he didn't know why Huo Yutong insisted on this particular White Tiger, he assumed she had her own reasons.

The little girl looked soft and fragile, but after spending this time together, Jiang Yi had discovered that she actually had a very strong sense of purpose.

Huo Yutong took the White Tiger Dagger and approached the beast.

The White Tiger let out a low growl, its eyes glistening with tears. That gaze seemed to be pleading, yet also wailing in despair.

Huo Yutong's hand trembled slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes, but remembering her mother, she hardened her heart.

For her mother's sake, she had to become strong.

"I'm sorry."

She raised the White Tiger Dagger, aimed it at the White Tiger's throat, and thrust it down with all her might.

Squelch—

Blood splattered.

Huo Yutong couldn't dodge in time, and she was drenched in the scalding blood.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Huo Yutong stood frozen in place, her pristine white dress stained crimson, the only sound in the air being her own ragged breathing.

"Yutong, it's alright."

Tang Ya stepped forward, gently patting her shoulder and offering soft words of comfort.

"Soul beasts hunt humans, and we hunt soul beasts; it is simply the law of nature. Don't overthink it."

Unlike mindless wild beasts, soul beasts possessed a degree of spirituality, so it was inevitable to feel some discomfort during one's first kill.

"Hurry and absorb the soul ring!"

Tang Ya said with a smile.

Above the White Tiger's corpse, a yellow soul ring was already slowly drifting upward.

"I understand, Sister Xiao Ya."

Huo Yutong nodded, her voice tight.

But no one saw that beneath her lowered eyelids, a strange, dark glint flashed in her eyes.

She wasn't frightened.

She was suppressing the excitement surging within her heart.

The moment the blood splashed onto her, she didn't feel the pity of a life fading away; instead, she felt a rush of pleasure—a twisted desire to revel in the slaughter.

It felt as if something deep within her soul was awakening, greedily lapping up the scent of blood.

Huo Yutong took a deep breath, forcefully crushing that restless urge.

She gently wiped the blood from the White Tiger Dagger, sheathed it, and then sat cross-legged on the ground, beginning to draw the yellow soul ring into her body.

ROAR!

Within her mind, two beastly eyes suddenly ignited in the darkness, and deep within her soul, a low tiger's roar echoed.

The moment the White Tiger soul ring entered her body, it was swallowed by a profound darkness.

Along with it, the figure behind those beastly eyes seemed to become a fraction clearer.

"Divine bloodline..."

In the sea of consciousness, a gray seed trembled, emitting a murmur filled with keen interest.

"Heaven truly has not forsaken this old man!"

Immediately after, the voice fell silent once more, as if it had never existed at all.

Meanwhile, in the outside world.

Seeing that Huo Yutong had already begun absorbing the spirit ring, Tang Ya hunched her body and crept over to Jiang Yi's side.

"Come with me for a moment."

She lowered her voice, tugging on Jiang Yi's sleeve with a mysterious air before heading toward a small grove of trees nearby.

Not far away, Bei Bei, who had been keeping watch, shifted his gaze toward them, observing their every move.

However, with the leaves obscuring his view, he could not see them very clearly.

"Sigh..."

Bei Bei rubbed his forehead, watching the two of them acting so sneakily, a hint of resentment appearing in his eyes.

Ever since Junior Jiang arrived, Xiao Ya seemed to have been neglecting him a little.

On the other side, inside the small grove.

Tang Ya pulled Jiang Yi behind a large tree and only turned around once she confirmed that Bei Bei could no longer see them.

"Hey, Jiang Yi~"

She leaned in close and nudged Jiang Yi with her elbow.

"Do you want the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record?"

"As long as you are willing to say the word, I will bring it to you immediately~"