"Venerable Master"

"Venerable Master"

The entire space was filled with nothing but the silent roar of the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Phantom and the nearly tangible Supreme Dragon Might emanating from Ling Han!

Ling Han's icy gaze slowly swept over the ferocious beasts before him, all of whom had lowered their heads. His eyes were like Myriad Year Profound Ice, devoid of the slightest warmth, yet carrying the majesty to determine life and death.

He took a step forward. His footsteps echoed clearly through the deathly silent space, as though they were stepping upon the hearts of every ferocious beast.

He was no longer the youth enduring their pressure. He was an unrivaled Dragon Emperor who had truly emerged from an ice hell!

His ice-blue vertical pupils swept over the six ferocious beast kings, who beneath his dragon might were either submitting, horrified, or struggling. His voice was cold and imposing, like a divine proclamation, branding itself clearly into the depths of every soul:

"It seems that although your master bestowed upon me the position of 'Venerable Master,' you still... harbor doubts in your hearts?"

His gaze was like two frigid beams from an ice hell, focusing particularly on Xiong Jun, Zi Ji, and Scarlet King. Wherever his eyes fell, the pressure the three felt multiplied, nearly suffocating them!

"I know what you are thinking!" Ling Han's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sharpness that saw through all things and an unquestionable dominance. "Cultivation? Age? Before my bloodline, they are all meaningless!"

The Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Phantom behind him released a roar that shook souls, and its dragon might surged once more!

"This is the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor! The pinnacle of Dragon Bloodline! The sovereign of all dragons!"

"My existence is the continuation of the dragon clan's will! It is the guide to your future!"

He abruptly spread his arms, and the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Phantom raised its head and roared toward the heavens, as though it would freeze and tear apart this entire space beneath the lake!

"Since the master sleeps and has entrusted this great responsibility to me!"

"Now that I am your Venerable Master, I am no longer that ignorant youth!"

"From this moment onward, the Star Dou Will shall be in my hands!"

"The dragon clan's honor and disgrace rest upon my shoulders!"

His voice rolled like thunder, carrying the bold dominance of staking everything and swallowing the universe:

"You need only remember one thing!"

"Follow me! Trust me!"

"I, Ling Han, swear here!"

"I will certainly lead you all—"

"To shatter the God Realm Barrier! To burn down the Heavenly Thrones!"

"To use God Blood as sacrifice! To recast our dragon clan's—supreme glory!!!"

"Storm the God Realm! Recast the Dragon Glory!" Those eight words were like a spark that ignited the hottest flames buried deep within every ferocious beast's soul!

Di Tian was the first to react. His molten-gold vertical pupils erupted with unprecedented fervor as he heavily dropped to one knee upon the lakebed and bowed his head deeply, his voice excited and resounding:

"Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast the Dragon Glory!"

"Bi Ji! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast the Dragon Glory!"

Bi Ji bowed elegantly yet firmly, the Life Green Light around her filled with resolve.

The shock and doubt in Zi Ji's eyes were completely replaced by blazing battle intent. She dropped to one knee, her long purple hair falling around her:

"Hell Demon Dragon King Zi Ji! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast the Dragon Glory!"

Xiong Jun's enormous body crashed to its knees, all his former ferocity transformed into fanaticism. "Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, Xiong Jun! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast Soul Beast Glory!" His voice rumbled like muffled thunder.

All the demonic eyes upon Wan Yao Wang's trunk opened, gleaming with strange light. His spiritual fluctuations carried submission. "Wan Yao Wang! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast Soul Beast Glory!"

Scarlet King lowered all three heads at once and let out a heaven-shaking roar. "Scarlet King! I swear to follow the Venerable Master unto death! Shatter the God Realm! Recast Soul Beast Glory!"

Six voices, each with a different tone, converged into a torrent that shook heaven and earth!

The greatest powers of the Star Dou Great Forest had, at this moment, completely submitted to the unmatched majesty of the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor and the domineering oath of their new Venerable Master!

Ling Han stood amid the bowed beasts and soaring battle intent. The Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Phantom behind him looked proudly upon the heavens as it accepted their worship.

At the edge of Lake of Life in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Surrounded—or rather, respectfully followed—by Di Tian and the other six great ferocious beasts, Ling Han left that deep, oppressive space beneath the lake.

Breathing in the forest air once more, fragrant with grass and trees, his tightly wound nerves relaxed slightly. The air was still filled with the aura of powerful soul beasts, but it was far more welcoming.

The bloodline of the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor circulated faintly within his body, and a trace of Extreme Ice quietly spread outward, instantly coating the nearby vegetation in a thin layer of frost.

Ding! Detected that the host has left the special space: Lake of Life Core.

Ding! Mission: Trial of the Forest King (defeat/subdue the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape), completed!

Mission reward settlement:
1. Based on battle contribution (bloodline suppression played a critical role), Summoning Points awarded: 30,000!

2. First Soul Ring age increased to ten thousand years! (Martial Soul adapted: Ice Hell Dragon Emperor)

Current total Summoning Points: 35,000!

Ding! Detected that the First Soul Ring (Ice Hell Dragon Emperor) has been upgraded to ten thousand years. The power and enhancement effects of the soul skill 'Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Body' have been significantly strengthened! The enhancement to Extreme Power has increased!

With a thought from Ling Han, the first purple soul ring beneath his feet was instantly replaced by a profound, heavy black ring that radiated biting cold!

An even stronger, colder chill filled his entire body, brimming with the power of Absolute Zero and destruction! Thirty thousand points, plus a soul ring upgrade! This was truly a double blessing!

He had long coveted that Summoning Card (80–99 Soul Power), but he had lacked the points. Now, this massive sum was just enough!

"Di Tian, Bi Ji, return to the core region first and stabilize the situation."

Ling Han stopped and turned to give instructions to the ferocious beasts standing respectfully behind him. His tone carried unquestionable authority, and the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor's aura made the air seem to solidify.

"I have important matters to attend to."

"As you command, Venerable Master!" Di Tian and Bi Ji immediately bowed and accepted the order without the slightest hesitation.

Having witnessed Ling Han's tyrannical Dragon Emperor's Might and declaration, they now obeyed every command from this new Venerable Master without question.

Di Tian's molten-gold vertical pupils swept over the profound black soul ring beneath Ling Han's feet. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes, but he did not ask. Together with Bi Ji, he transformed into streaks of light and swiftly vanished into the depths of the forest.

Zi Ji, Xiong Jun, Wan Yao Wang, and Scarlet King also saluted and took their leave, each returning to their own territory.

Though they still instinctively harbored doubts about Ling Han's strength, the reverence originating from their bloodlines, along with Di Tian and Bi Ji's attitude, left them not daring to show even the slightest defiance.

Very soon, only Ling Han, Xue Qinglan, and Long Chen remained by the lakeside.

"Young Master Ling Han, what is this?"

A trace of inquiry filled Xue Qinglan's Ice Flame golden eyes. As someone with the Extreme Ice attribute as well, she could keenly sense the changes brought by Ling Han's soul ring advancement.

Long Chen also cast him a curious look, his blazing flame aura faintly opposing Ling Han's icy chill.

A mysterious, expectant smile appeared on Ling Han's face. Rather than answering directly, he communicated with the system:

"System, use the Summoning Card (80–99 Soul Power)! Consume all points and conduct a random summon!"

Ding! Confirmed use of Summoning Card (80–99 Soul Power)! Summoning Points consumed: 35,000!

Current remaining Summoning Points: 0!

Beginning random summon. Target level range: 80–99 Soul Power.

Random selection in progress.

Selection complete!

Summoning target: Ying Yue!

Martial Soul: Azure Shadow Wolf Emperor!

Soul Power Level: Level 96 Super Douluo!

Traits: Extreme Speed, Deadly Assassination, Wolf Emperor's Might!

Establishing summoning channel...

Buzz—!

On the open ground not far in front of Ling Han, space suddenly twisted violently without warning!

A sharp, swift aura carrying wild solitude and cold killing intent swept outward like an invisible storm!

The surrounding air seemed to be sliced apart by countless unseen blades, producing faint hissing sounds! Even the light within that warped area dimmed, as if it were being devoured.

Xue Qinglan's gaze sharpened, and the chill of the Eternal Frost Domain instinctively began to circulate.

Crimson-gold flames rose around Long Chen, carrying a trace of vigilance. Both of them sensed the strength of this newly emerged aura—and its pure danger!

The next moment, the twisted space shattered like a mirror! A tall, agile figure stepped out from the broken space like a gale tearing through the shadows!