Just spread the word that a Million-Year Ferocious Beast named Di Tian had appeared in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest, guarding a supreme treasure of the Dragon Clan that could grant godhood!
If those lunatics from Spirit Hall and the old monsters of the Seven Great Sects heard news like that, they would absolutely lose all reason!
"Di Tian, let's see whether you can kill every Titled Douluo on the continent!"
With those words, Tang Hao clung to his last breath and staggered away into the night.
Just half a month later.
A piece of news capable of shaking the entire Soul Master World spread like it had grown wings, sweeping wildly through every corner of the Douluo Continent.
A Million-Year Ferocious Beast had appeared in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest!
Its name was Di Tian!
Rumor had it that this ferocious beast held the supreme secret that could let mortals break through Level 100 and become gods on the spot.
Even Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, who had been missing for years, had been gravely wounded while fighting for this supreme treasure and had nearly lost his life!
For a time, the entire continent boiled over.
The Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Inside the main hall.
Sect Master Ning Fengzhi studied the secret letter in his hand, his brows tightly knitted.
Beside him, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong also had doubt and uncertainty in their eyes.
"A Million-Year Soul Beast? A supreme treasure that grants godhood?"
Bone Douluo sneered.
"Fengzhi, could this be false information Spirit Hall released to deliberately lure us onto their hook?"
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
"No."
"This news first emerged from the Underground Black Market. Moreover, someone saw with their own eyes that Tang Hao was indeed gravely wounded and on the verge of death, with his cultivation greatly diminished."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi rose and looked out the window toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Besides, haven't you two uncles noticed?"
"Over the past half month, all the high-level soul beasts on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest have mysteriously vanished."
"The entire forest is terrifyingly quiet, as though... it's welcoming a true emperor."
At these words, Sword Douluo Chen Xin abruptly opened his eyes, sharp sword qi radiating from his body.
"Fengzhi, you mean..."
Ning Fengzhi drew a deep breath, his gaze turning exceedingly grave.
"Whether the news is true or false, Spirit Hall certainly won't sit back and do nothing."
"Anyone who misses this chance to become a god will be left behind by the times."
"Pass down my orders!"
"Gather all the sect's elites and prepare to head for the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Meanwhile.
Spirit City, the Pope's Palace.
The main hall was dimly lit, its atmosphere oppressive.
Ever since the Angel God had fallen a few days earlier and Qian Daoliu had been gravely wounded and fallen unconscious, a shadow had hung over all of Spirit Hall's senior ranks.
Bibi Dong sat on the papal throne, rubbing her throbbing brow.
"Report!"
Just then, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei turned into a black shadow and rushed into the hall, dropping to one knee.
"Your Holiness, something major has happened!"
"These past few days, news has been spreading wildly across the entire continent that a Million-Year Ferocious Beast named Di Tian has appeared in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest!"
"And... and they're also saying that this ferocious beast guards an ancient supreme treasure that can grant godhood. Even Tang Hao was gravely wounded there!"
At this news.
Bibi Dong's hand abruptly froze against her brow.
The next second.
Bang!
Bibi Dong slammed her hand onto the armrest and rose straight from the papal throne, her eyes instantly becoming bloodshot.
"What did you say?!"
"A Million-Year Ferocious Beast? A supreme treasure that grants godhood?!"
Ghost Douluo jumped at Bibi Dong's frenzied reaction, thinking the Pope had taken an interest in this "supreme treasure."
"Y-yes, Your Holiness."
Ghost Douluo swallowed and hurriedly added, "Soul masters across the entire continent have gone mad."
"The Seven Great Sects and those old monsters living in seclusion are all rushing toward the Star Dou Great Forest without any regard for their lives, hoping to get a share."
"Bullshit! It's all bullshit!"
Others might not know what lay hidden beneath the Star Dou Great Forest, but how could she not know?!
A Million-Year Ferocious Beast? A supreme treasure that granted godhood?
Hearing those ridiculous words, Bibi Dong practically wanted to dig up eighteen generations of Tang Hao's ancestors and flog their corpses!
"That brain-dead idiot Tang Hao! Is he trying to drag the whole continent into the grave with him just because he wants to die?!"
Bibi Dong trembled with rage as she paced back and forth across the hall.
She knew all too well.
Di Tian? A Million-Year Ferocious Beast?
He was nothing but the watchdog of that true being beneath the earth!
Even the lofty Angel God had been instantly blasted into nothingness by a single drop of blood from that being.
And these human ants, utterly ignorant of death, actually dreamed of stealing that being's possessions?
"Those stupid pigs have no idea what they're about to face!"
"If too many people go, blasting soul skills everywhere, and wake that ancestor underground from his afternoon nap..."
At the thought of Qian Daoliu's description-that Douluo Star was merely a ball of dirt lodged between that being's scales.
Bibi Dong felt a chill shoot straight to the crown of her head, almost stopping her breath.
"Issue my highest papal decree!"
Bibi Dong abruptly turned around.
"Immediately mobilize every available Titled Douluo from the Worship Hall and the Elder Hall!"
"Seal every entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest tight!"
"From this moment onward, anyone who dares come within fifty li of the forest's outskirts is to be killed on the spot, without warning!"
Ghost Douluo was stunned at her words.
"Your Holiness, if we don't let them in, then wouldn't this Million-Year Soul Ring and the supreme treasure that grants godhood..."
"Shut up!"
Bibi Dong backhanded him with a resounding slap, sending Ghost Douluo flying without even touching him.
"Supreme treasure, my ass!"
"I'm saving your lives! I'm saving the entire Douluo Continent!"
"Get the hell out and pass on my orders! If even a single fly gets in and disturbs the one inside, I'll skin you alive!"
Scared out of his wits, Ghost Douluo scrambled and crawled out of the hall.
A few days later.
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, a once-remote market town was now packed with a dense throng of soul masters.
The Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Knight Corps, the elites of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and even the usually secluded Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had dispatched large contingents to establish themselves here.
Yet every faction was now being blocked fifty li outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
Because directly ahead of them.
A full six Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall, leading over ten thousand elite Spirit Hall knights, had formed a long defensive line of death!
Inside the largest military tent in the center of the town.
Ning Fengzhi sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression somewhat dark.
Yu Yuanzhen, the sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, sat beside him, his face filled with irritation.
"Fengzhi, what exactly are those rabid dogs from Spirit Hall trying to do?"
Yu Yuanzhen slammed the table and demanded furiously.
"Six Titled Douluo blocking the entrance!"
"I just sent dozens of disciples to try to circle in from the side, and they killed every last one!"
"Does that madwoman Bibi Dong intend to wage war against the entire continent with Spirit Hall alone?!"
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi sneered as well.
"Sect Master Yu, isn't it obvious?"
Ning Fengzhi rose, a gleam of wisdom flashing in his eyes.
He believed he had already seen through Spirit Hall's scheme.
"The news Tang Hao spread is absolutely true!"
"There must be a Million-Year Ferocious Beast called Di Tian inside, perhaps even that so-called Dragon Ancestor of the legendary Dragon Clan!"
"Spirit Hall is sealing off the forest at any cost, disregarding even human lives, precisely because they're afraid we'll go in and compete with them!"
At this, Sword Douluo Chen Xin nodded beside him.
"Exactly."
"Bibi Dong is wildly ambitious. She must want to keep that Million-Year Soul Ring and the supreme treasure that grants godhood all to herself!"
"Once she succeeds, there will no longer be any place for our Seven Great Sects on this Douluo Continent."
Inside this military tent.
These mighty figures, who represented humanity's greatest fighting strength, had fallen perfectly into the information gap Tang Hao had set up.
They thought Spirit Hall had sealed off the forest out of greed.
They thought the fellow called Di Tian was the ultimate boss of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Some even took it for granted that the so-called "Dragon Ancestor" was merely an imposing nickname that Di Tian, the Million-Year Ferocious Beast, had given himself.
"We absolutely cannot let Spirit Hall get its way!"
Yu Yuanzhen rose, lightning coiling around his entire body.
"If Spirit Hall wants to swallow it all, they'll have to ask whether the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in my hands agrees!"
"Fengzhi, let's join forces and fight our way straight in!"
"Even if this Di Tian really is a Million Years Dragon Ancestor, facing this many Titled Douluo, he'll have to obediently turn into a soul ring today!"
Just as the great sects rubbed their fists and flexed their palms, preparing to tear away all pretense with Spirit Hall and forcibly attack the Star Dou Great Forest.
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.
Inside the folded space of the Lake of Life.
Di Tian stood respectfully behind Gu Yuena.
"My lord."
Di Tian glanced toward the forest's outskirts, a trace of disdain flashing through his Dark Gold slit pupils.
"Many humans have gathered outside. They seem to be coming for us."
"Spirit Hall's people are there too, but they appear to be stopping those sects from entering."
Gu Yuena sat cross-legged on the ground, sensing the intoxicating wisps of golden true dragon qi and blood beneath the earth.
At his words, she did not even open her eyes.
"Ignorant insects."
A mocking smile appeared on Gu Yuena's breathtakingly beautiful face.
"That woman from Spirit Hall probably glimpsed the tip of the Dragon Ancestor's iceberg, so she was scared out of her wits and wants to stop these idiots from coming to their deaths."
"But since the humans want to die, we'll grant their wish."
As she spoke, Gu Yuena slowly rose.
"Di Tian, go."
"Have Da Ming, Er Ming, and all the ferocious beasts form ranks along the edge of the core area."
"Let those self-important Titled Douluo in."
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The atmosphere was taut, swords drawn and bows bent.
Looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo blocking his way, Yu Yuanzhen's temper instantly reached its breaking point.
"Yue Guan, Gui Mei! You two alone think you can stop me?"
As his words fell, lightning blazed around Yu Yuanzhen, and nine soul rings erupted into view.
The phantom of a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon threw back its head and roared at the sky behind him, its savage lightning making even the surrounding air crack and boom.
"I'm entering the Star Dou Great Forest today! Whoever stands in my way dies!"
Facing the enraged Yu Yuanzhen, along with Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, and the others watching like hungry tigers behind him.
Chrysanthemum Douluo swallowed, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
But he dared not retreat.
Pope Bibi Dong had issued an absolute order: taking a single step back meant being skinned and having his tendons torn out, and even all of Spirit Hall might be buried alongside him.
"Sect Master Yu, Sect Master Ning!" Chrysanthemum Douluo braced himself and shouted until his voice was hoarse.
"Don't let that madman Tang Hao deceive you!"
"There's no treasure of godhood in there at all!"
"What's in there is an ancient taboo that can instantly kill even a God!"
"If you go in, you'll only bring disaster upon the entire Douluo Continent!"
Upon hearing this.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help laughing aloud.
"Elder Yue Guan, even if you're going to make up an excuse, at least find a plausible one."
"Instantly kill even a God?"
Beside him, Bone Douluo's face was also full of mockery as he sneered in agreement. "What? Could the Creation God who created the universe be buried beneath this Star Dou Great Forest?"
"Your Spirit Hall wants to monopolize this opportunity involving a million-year soul beast. You're making an ugly spectacle of your greed!"
In their eyes, the more desperately Spirit Hall tried to stop them, and the more exaggerated and terrifying its descriptions of what lay inside became, the more it proved that the "treasure" was beyond measure!
"Why waste words on these running dogs of Spirit Hall!"
Yu Yuanzhen shouted, "Attack! Fight our way in!"
The Titled Douluos of the Seven Great Sects were about to join forces in an all-out assault, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling completely out of control.
Just then.
Rumble!
A low rumbling suddenly came from the deepest reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The next second, a sight none of them had expected appeared.
The dark green poisonous miasma and mist that shrouded the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest year-round, where even Titled Douluos dared not venture lightly, actually churned violently and receded to either side!
Soon, a broad, level road appeared before them just like that, without any warning.
At that moment, the entire crowd erupted.
"The miasma has dispersed?!"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up, and an uncontainable fervor surged across his face, which had always maintained its refined composure.
"An extraordinary phenomenon has appeared! This is a sign that a supreme treasure is emerging!"
"Tang Hao really didn't lie to us!"
Even Sword Douluo Chen Xin tightened his grip on the Seven Kill Sword. Feeling a trace of ancient aura blowing from the depths of the passage, a sharp glint of sword energy flashed in his eyes.
"What terrifying pressure from its blood and vital energy. An existence beyond a hundred thousand years is definitely emerging."
Everyone cheered and exulted, as though they could already see the stairway to godhood laid beneath their feet.
Only Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who stood blocking the way ahead, were so frightened at the sight of that road leading straight into the depths that their legs gave out, and they collapsed onto the ground.
"It's over..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's face was as pale as paper as he muttered to himself.
"Those beasts have willingly cleared the way."
"That venerable ancestor is probably about to be woken up..."
Yet the human powerhouses, caught in their greedy frenzy, paid no heed to Spirit Hall's reaction.
"Charge!"
Yu Yuanzhen took the lead, transforming into a streak of lightning as he charged straight into the passage.
Ning Fengzhi and the others did not hesitate either, leading a great host of elites in a sweeping charge toward the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Along the way.
It was unusually quiet.
There was not even the slightest sound of wind.
Not a single ten-thousand-year soul beast, normally a common sight everywhere, could be seen now, as though the entire forest had become an empty shell.
To Ning Fengzhi and the others, however, this only further confirmed their conjecture that a million-year ferocious beast was about to emerge.
Only an absolute king of that level could make all beasts retreat, not daring to contend with it!
Soon, these powerhouses, who represented the pinnacle of human combat strength, charged into the clearing on the outskirts of the Lake of Life.
"Look over there!"
Someone shouted excitedly.
Everyone's gaze instantly locked onto the edge of the enormous fissure ahead.
There, two colossal beasts as massive as mountains lay prostrate on the ground.
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