In the Surface World, within the Star Dou Forest.
The stench of blood from the recent beast tide had yet to fade from the woods.
Ancient trees lay broken across the muddy ground, their trunks scarred by the impact of charging Soul Beasts.
Gu Yuena had fled deep into the Inner World, but the disaster she had caused remained etched into the forest.
The Star Dou Forest had long since lost its old, rigid order.
To save herself, Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena had abandoned every Soul Beast under her command and escaped alone through the Realm Gate in Star Luo City into the Inner World.
Meanwhile, Xiong Jun, the Myriad Demon King, Bi Ji, Zi JI, and the other Ferocious Beasts beneath the Lake of Life had followed Huang Tian's wishes and moved to Spirit City to hold it secure.
The powers at the top had vanished. The mountain bearing down on every Soul Beast had been lifted away.
Ordinary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts that had once been confined to their territories, along with some Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts of powerful bloodlines, could now roam the forest unchecked.
The beast tide had also killed countless Soul Beasts, leaving territories, food, and other resources without owners.
As they fought to claim them, dull impacts and savage roars rang through the forest. With no one to lead them, its inhabitants were restless and chaotic.
Qian Xunji led Qian San and Xiao Qing through the ravaged outskirts, heading straight for the heart of the forest.
Qian San followed half a step behind and to his left, scanning the unfamiliar ancient trees around them. He couldn't help wondering why his father had brought only him and Sister Qing into these woods. They had just returned through the Realm Gate from the Inner World, and even