Di Tian?

"So strong!"

"This pressure! It far surpasses a Super Douluo!" Luo Shang's face turned grim.

"Human!"

A deep voice came from the depths of the lake. It wasn't loud, but every word felt like a hammer striking their hearts.

"Who gave you the nerve to trespass here?"

"For a hundred thousand years, no human has dared set foot in this place."

"And today, you've actually brought a child here to die!"

Roars rang out one after another from every direction.

Each voice came with terrifying pressure. Layered together, they pressed down so hard Luo Shang's knees creaked.

Luo Shang's pupils contracted.

There was more than one powerful Soul Beast here!

There were many!

The pressure radiating from each one was no weaker than his own.

Just as the legends said, the depths of the Core Circle were a gathering place for Ferocious Beasts.

Every one of these Soul Beasts, which had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, possessed strength at least equal to a level ninety-five Titled Douluo—and some were even stronger.

He could just barely handle one.

Against two, he could only run.

But against so many...

He wouldn't even get the chance to run.

Luo Shang took a deep breath and forced himself to straighten his back. He turned to look at Luo Yun, who was sprawled on the ground, unable to move, and spoke in a hoarse but resolute voice. "When you get the chance, run straight away."

Luo Yun wanted to speak, but he couldn't open his mouth. His jaw was clenched so tightly that even his lips wouldn't move.

Just then, a man dressed in black walked over from the direction of the lake.

He wasn't walking quickly, but every step landed on some invisible rhythm.

Long black hair fell over his shoulders. His features were cold and exquisite, and his eyes were a deep gold, like two burning suns.

A pair of enormous black dragon wings spread behind him, stretching several zhang across. Each scale glimmered with a cold, dark sheen.

His gaze swept over Luo Shang, then fell on Luo Yun. His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

"Interesting." The man in black spoke in a quiet voice, but every word carried an unquestionable authority. "Who, exactly, gave you the courage to set foot here?"

"Even that hundred-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape wouldn't dare enter this place, yet you had the nerve to come in. Now that's interesting."

He stopped three steps in front of Luo Shang and looked down at him.

"State your purpose." Di Tian's tone was casual, as if he were discussing something trivial. "I may consider letting you die quickly."

Luo Shang swallowed.

He had seen many powerful people.

Titled Douluo, Super Douluo, even Limit Douluo.

But the man in black before him felt completely different.

Even so, he spoke.

"I am Luo Shang." His voice held reverence, but no fear. "We offended you, my lords, by trespassing here. But for my son to survive, we had no choice but to enter."

Di Tian's brow twitched slightly. "With your strength, it wouldn't have been difficult to protect your son from that Titan Giant Ape. That means there's another reason?"

Luo Shang fell silent.

What could he say?

That his son had inherited a god's legacy, and that the God Trial required him to enter the depths of the Core Circle—or he would be erased?

Would a group of Ferocious Beasts believe that?

And even if they did, so what?

A human becoming a god would bring them nothing but harm.

They would probably be all too eager to kill Xiao Yun on the spot.

The interest in Di Tian's eyes slowly faded.

He waited several breaths, and when Luo Shang still said nothing, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

There was no smile in that curve, only coldness.

"If you won't tell me, then there's no reason to let you live."

As he spoke, Di Tian raised his right hand and slightly curled his fingers. His sharp claws glinted coldly in the moonlight.

Luo Shang's eyes instantly reddened.

"You think this king is afraid of you?"

"Luo Yun! Get ready to run!"

The Frost Cold Sword suddenly blazed with dazzling blue light.

The scarlet Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring flashed, and a terrifying torrent of cold erupted from the sword.

The air within a hundred meters froze in an instant. Thick layers of ice began to spread across the ground, and even the water by the lake turned to ice crystals.

"Ninth Soul Skill! Frost Cold Storm!"

A blue-white storm hundreds of meters in diameter formed. Countless ice blades spun and cut through it, shrieking sharply.

The storm spread outward from Luo Shang, and wherever it passed, even the air cracked with frost.

This was Luo Shang's strongest killing move.

He didn't expect it to hurt his opponent.

He only hoped it could buy some time for Xiao Yun to get away and find somewhere to hide.

That would be enough.

But in the next instant—

A gigantic black dragon claw reached out of the void, spread its five fingers, and gave a gentle squeeze.

The raging blue-white storm froze completely in an instant.

The dragon claw slowly closed. The storm was crushed into an ice ball the size of a fist, then vanished into the void, leaving not even a trace behind.

Luo Shang stared in stunned silence.

His strongest attack had been crushed just like that?

Di Tian withdrew his dragon claw. Not a flicker of emotion showed in his golden eyes. He stepped forward, and with each step, the pressure around him grew heavier.

One step. Luo Shang's knees buckled.

Two steps. Luo Shang's elbows hit the ground.

Three steps. Luo Shang dropped to one knee, his Frost Cold Sword planted in the earth as he struggled to keep himself upright.

Di Tian stopped before him and looked down at the half-kneeling human.

"Level ninety-five, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and a top-tier ice-attribute weapon Martial Soul."

"Human, you do have some talent and strength."

He paused, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"But before me, you're still nothing."

Blood seeped from the corner of Luo Shang's mouth.

"Xiao Yun, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough... I couldn't protect you."

"But as a man, I won't die like a coward!"

With that, Luo Shang slowly straightened his body.

The Frost Cold Sword trembled wildly, and the Soul Power within him began to run rampant.

It was clear that Luo Shang was preparing to self-destruct!

For the first time, Di Tian's expression changed. His brow furrowed slightly.

If this man self-destructed, he would surely disturb the Lord.

At the thought, the killing intent in Di Tian's eyes deepened. He raised his hand, ready to crush Luo Shang before he could explode!

Luo Yun seemed to realize what was happening. He forced his head up and looked toward his father.

An emotion he had never felt before surged up from the depths of Luo Yun's heart.

"No! Don't!"

Rage filled Luo Yun's eyes, burning through his reason.

He struggled with all his might to break free of the pressure.

In his Sea of Consciousness, the Sun Corona Sword and Moon Eclipse Sword trembled violently at the same time.

Just then, two low, clear chimes echoed through Luo Yun's mind.

One voice was low and cold; the other was gentle and clear.

Destruction Nine Trials, Second Trial complete.

Reward: Use of the Law of Destruction.

Life Nine Trials, Second Trial complete.

Reward: Use of the Law of Life.

The moment the voices faded—

Purple-black light burst from his body.

Luo Yun abruptly raised his head.

Di Tian's pressure was still there, but the force that had left Luo Yun gasping for breath could no longer suppress him.