"The other half of the Auspicious Beast's fortune is on him."
At last, Di Tian turned his gaze to Ji Ye.
Those golden eyes settled on Ji Ye, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
About twelve years old, yet already a Five-Ring Soul King. His talent was indeed impressive.
But Di Tian's attention wasn't on Ji Ye's Soul Power. It was fixed on the glimmer of gold deep within his pupils.
The power of fate—the fortune of the Star Dou Forest—had already merged with this human.
Di Tian took a step forward.
His pressure descended once more, heavier and more crushing than before.
The ground beneath Ji Ye's feet instantly split with several fine cracks. His knees buckled, and the immense pressure forced him toward the ground.
Di Tian's voice came from above, devoid of emotion.
"Human, I don't care what means you used to make the Auspicious Beast willingly share half her fortune with you. But don't think I wouldn't dare kill you."
Ji Ye gritted his teeth, his body bent to its limit.
The breath of death swept over him, more suffocating than when Ghost Douluo had pursued him.
There was only one thought in his mind.
I can't die here.
His Third Soul Ring suddenly blazed.
"Third Soul Skill, Void: Absolute Domain."
A distorted spherical space abruptly expanded around him. At the edge of the domain, Di Tian's pressure was forcibly twisted aside.
Taking advantage of that momentary reprieve, Ji Ye's Second Soul Ring lit up.
"Second Soul Skill, Void: Inch-Distance."
His figure flickered within the domain and escaped the area covered by the pressure, reappearing beside an ancient tree three zhang away. He gasped for breath.
The Absolute Domain lasted only a single breath before shattering.
Di Tian raised a finger and lightly tapped. The distorted domain burst like a bubble.
But the look he gave Ji Ye had changed from indifference to a hint of curiosity.
"A spatial Martial Soul," Di Tian said slowly.
"To think you could break free of my pressure. Interesting."
Ji Ye leaned against the tree, his chest heaving. Sweat dripped from his forehead, running down his jaw.
Looking into Di Tian's golden eyes, he felt a lingering fear.
As expected of Di Tian, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King with eight hundred and eighty thousand years of cultivation!
"Senior... I didn't use any means to force the Auspicious Beast. This was all a misunderstanding."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion ran over from the side.
"Uncle Di Tian, I saw his memories. He's different from the other humans."
She paused, her voice growing quieter.
"And... even if you kill him, the fortune won't come back."
"Three-Eyed Golden Lion." Di Tian glanced at the Auspicious Beast.
"I'll settle the matter of the fortune with you later. You can leave now."
"Scarlet King, take the Auspicious Beast back."
Di Tian's voice was cold.
Scarlet King recovered from his earlier fear and immediately took the Three-Eyed Golden Lion away.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion gave Ji Ye one last, reluctant look.
Ji Ye waved at her to show he was fine.
The corner of Di Tian's mouth lifted slightly.
"Human, I didn't expect you to still have this composure at a time like this."
"Anyone else would probably already be on their knees before me."
Ji Ye straightened up without cowering.
"Senior Di Tian, you wouldn't actually dare kill me. Killing me would bring you and the entire Star Dou Forest nothing but harm."
Di Tian couldn't deny that Ji Ye was right.
But so what?
Ji Ye continued.
"Rather than that, why don't we make a wager?"
"Oh? What are we betting on?" Di Tian asked with interest.
"Whether I can become a god!"
At those words, Di Tian, Xiong Jun, Bi Ji, and the Ten Thousand Demon King all froze.
Become a god?
Was this human dreaming too big?
Di Tian didn't laugh. He regarded Ji Ye with interest.
"Human, are you saying you're certain you can become a god?"
"If I remember correctly, more than twenty thousand years have passed since the last human became a god."
"The Sea God and the Angel God. Since their time, no one has managed to take that final step."
"What makes you think you can do it?"
Ji Ye stood beneath the ancient tree, his back against its rough trunk.
"Because I've already found my own path."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable conviction.
"The Sea God relied on faith, and the Angel God relied on an artifact. As for me—I'll rely on myself."
As he spoke, he raised his hand. A layer of translucent light shimmered at his fingertips, and the space around him warped slightly.
"My Martial Soul is space and time themselves. As long as I keep cultivating, one day I'll completely master these two great laws. When that day comes, becoming a god will be as natural as water flowing downstream."
Di Tian studied his eyes.
There was ambition in them, determination, and an indefinable confidence—as if he were speaking of something already certain, not gambling on the future.
"You're very confident," Di Tian said slowly. "But between confidence and strength lie time and hard-fought experience."
"I'll prove it with time," Ji Ye replied.
Di Tian watched him in silence for a long while.
The Ten Thousand Demon King and Xiong Jun remained disdainful, clearly unconvinced by the human's words.
Bi Ji also felt that godhood was far beyond reach, but this human gave her a different impression.
The air fell silent for a few seconds.
At last, Di Tian spoke.
"Your spatial Martial Soul is indeed unique, but a Martial Soul alone won't be enough to become a god."
"You still have a great deal to experience: comprehending the laws, Soul Rings and Soul Bones, the power of faith, and even the blessing of heaven and earth's fortune."
He glanced at Ji Ye.
"You possess half the fortune of the Star Dou Forest. That gives you a head start."
Ji Ye listened without rushing to argue, then nodded slightly.
"Senior is right. But I believe I'll reach that point."
Di Tian watched him, silent for several breaths.
"What's your name?"
"Ji Ye."
Di Tian nodded.
"Ji Ye, I'll give you a chance."
As he spoke, he took out a dragon scale that radiated the aura of an eight-hundred-and-eighty-thousand-year Ferocious Beast.
Di Tian handed the Reverse Scale to Ji Ye.
"This is my Reverse Scale. It won't affect your cultivation or restrict your movements."
Di Tian's voice was calm.
"But through it, I can sense your location. If you ever find yourself in danger, you can crush it. I'll step in and deal with the threat."
Ji Ye lowered his eyes to the Reverse Scale and sensed a faint trace of Di Tian's aura within it.
"Thank you, Senior."
Di Tian turned toward the Lake of Life.
"You may leave. Half the Auspicious Beast's fortune is in your hands. Consider it an investment from the Star Dou Forest. If you truly reach that point, it will benefit the Star Dou Forest as well."
"If you're only making empty boasts, I won't hesitate to take that fortune back."
The final words from Di Tian were unmistakably murderous.
Ji Ye bowed slightly to Di Tian.
"Thank you, Senior."
Before you continue