The Loyal Golden Light Eagle

Seeing the soul beast emerge from the rift, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan paused, then let out a scoff of incredulous laughter.

He curled his pinky finger, gesturing toward the Golden Light Eagle, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt and absurdity: "I thought it was something formidable, but after all that, it's just a ten-thousand-year Golden Light Eagle?"

Ghost Douluo shook his head as well, a wry expression on his face, not even bothering to raise his interest in making a move.

"You dare come to save someone? Do you have any idea how many Title Douluo are standing here? A mere ten-thousand-year soul beast like you, you think you're worthy of saving anyone here?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were brimming with confidence.

Even if this Golden Light Eagle was just a vanguard, and even if there were Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast behind it.

It would just be another dish on the menu!

Xiao Wu shook her head desperately, tears swirling in her eyes, and screamed toward the sky: "Golden Light Eagle! Run! Don't come over here!"

She recognized this Golden Light Eagle.

Deep within the Star Dou Forest, while the Golden Light Eagle clan and the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit lineage weren't exactly close allies, they both belonged to the soul beast kin and were no strangers to each other.

Even if they weren't friends, and might even have clashed in the past, she didn't want to see the Golden Light Eagle throw its life away for nothing.

Moreover, this Golden Light Eagle might actually be here to save her.

Things had already reached this point.

With the seven Title Douluo of Martial Soul Hall gathered, even Tang Hao might not be able to retreat unscathed.

Let alone a Golden Light Eagle; even if Da Ming and Er Ming came, it would just be delivering two more Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast soul rings and soul bones.

She didn't want to implicate anyone else.

But the Golden Light Eagle seemed not to hear her.

The three-zhang-wide dark gold wings snapped shut the moment it landed. It shielded Xiao Wu firmly behind it, raised its head, and scanned the dense crowd of Title Douluo and Hall Guard Knights surrounding them.

Then, it swept its gaze over the members of Martial Soul Hall with an incredibly bizarre look.

That gaze carried a hint of condescending pity and smugness, filled with utter disdain.

Kill me!

Hurry up and kill me!

I'm protecting the daughter of that person right now; if you kill me, I'm going to take off!

Tang San's gaze passed over Xiao Wu's shoulder, staring fixedly at the Golden Light Eagle blocking her path, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

He couldn't understand it.

Don't soul beasts prey upon one another?

The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest—these were the ironclad rules of the Star Dou Forest.

This Golden Light Eagle only had ten-thousand-year cultivation; logically, in its eyes, Xiao Wu should be nothing more than a walking piece of fat.

Yet, it was protecting Xiao Wu.

Why?

Tang San's mind raced, one guess after another flashing through his thoughts only to be discarded.

He didn't know what variable had occurred, but he knew one thing.

He had to stop this Golden Light Eagle.

The speed of the Golden Light Eagle clan was among the best of all soul beasts. Once its three-zhang wingspan was fully deployed, even an ordinary Title Douluo might not be able to catch it.

If this Golden Light Eagle really managed to take Xiao Wu into the sky and break through the encirclement of Martial Soul Hall, then all his plans, all his calculations, and the path he had painstakingly paved step by step would all fall apart at this very moment.

He would not allow it.

He would not allow any variables to exist!

Tang San turned abruptly, yanked Xiao Wu behind him, and positioned his body between her and the Golden Light Eagle, his expression instantly shifting to one of vigilance and fury.

"Xiao Wu! Stay away from it!"

His voice was resolute, carrying an unquestionable certainty.

"This Golden Light Eagle is definitely here to kill you! Think about it, why would a ten-thousand-year soul beast come to save a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form for no reason? It's just eyeing your current weakness, wanting to take the opportunity to Devour your soul ring and soul bone!"

Xiao Wu stumbled from his pull, looking up at Tang San in a daze, then back at the Golden Light Eagle shielding her, unsure of whom to believe.

And in this brief moment of chaos, the four Title Douluo saw their chance.

They didn't care about the relationship between Tang San and the Golden Light Eagle; they only saw that the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast had lost its protection.

Without a word of exchange, the four of them erupted with soul power at the Title Douluo level, transforming into four streaks of light in different colors, lunging forward from four directions.

At the same time, a cold glint flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, and she struck simultaneously with Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.

The aura of the three Title Douluo wove into an airtight net, firmly blocking Tang Hao's path.

Bibi Dong's golden martial soul shone brilliantly, and her ten-thousand-year red soul ring emitted a piercing hum, actually blocking Tang Hao's aura in an instant.

Tang Hao roared, his Clear Sky Hammer swelling against the wind, red patterns exploding with countless thunder-like rays of light, yet they were held back by the combined force of the three Title Douluo.

Blood erupted simultaneously from the old wounds on his left arm and right leg, dragging him to a halt and forcing him to watch helplessly as the four Title Douluo lunged toward Xiao Wu.

Tang San sneered inwardly at the sight, though his face was a mask of frantic anxiety. He feigned a retreat to protect Xiao Wu, yet his footsteps shifted with subtle precision.

Not a hair off, he had placed Xiao Wu exactly within the attack range of the four Title Douluo.

Then, he leaped into the air, actively throwing himself toward the Golden Light Eagle.

"Beast! Don't you dare touch Xiao Wu!"

Tang San roared in fury, his palms flying as he slammed his Mysterious Jade Hand, embedded with the remaining shards of his Eight Spider Lances, directly at the Golden Light Eagle.

The Golden Light Eagle was so incensed its beak nearly twisted.

This human brat was absolutely shameless!

The Golden Light Eagle saw it clearly: while he claimed to be protecting Xiao Wu, his feet were actually maneuvering her right into the blades of the Title Douluo.

And now he was attacking it in return? A thief crying "stop thief"?

Lord Eagle had lived for ten thousand years and had never seen a human so devoid of shame.

The Golden Light Eagle let out an angry shriek, its wings snapping open as its dark golden feathers stood on end, meeting Tang San's attack without a shred of fear.

Man and eagle became instantly entangled in combat. Every move Tang San made looked vicious, yet every single one was a performance; at the moment of each strike, he would cough up a mouthful of blood at just the right time, looking so wretched he seemed on the verge of death.

Meanwhile, the attacks of the four Title Douluo were already upon them.

Four soul skills at the Title Douluo level slammed in from four directions simultaneously, the violent soul power surging like a burst dam, completely swallowing Xiao Wu's slender figure.

But at that very instant.

"SCREE--!"

The Golden Light Eagle let out a piercing cry that shattered the clouds.

Its entire body suddenly expanded, and a nearly transparent barrier manifested over its dark golden wings, tightly enveloping Xiao Wu within.

Absolute Defense!

The innate soul skill of the Golden Light Eagle clan, capable of increasing defensive power several times over within seconds, enough to withstand attacks far exceeding its own cultivation level head-on.

The four Title Douluo soul skills struck the light barrier simultaneously.

The barrier trembled violently, spiderweb-like cracks spreading from the point of impact in every direction, while the shockwaves of the exploding soul power tore up a massive section of the hall's bluestone floor.

The Golden Light Eagle's body shuddered violently, large patches of its dark golden feathers shedding from its body as blood seeped from the quills, instantly dyeing it into a blood-soaked eagle.

Yet, it did not budge an inch.

In those golden eyes, there was not a trace of fear, only a burning, solitary pride!