Forest Phantom, Shadow Priest, and the Warning of the Divine Sense
The mist in Sunset Forest was thicker than last time, carrying a faint trace of blood.
Tang San and his companions hid in the shadows of the ancient trees. The Ice Plains Ancient Dragon scale gave off a soft blue glow, completely concealing their Soul Power fluctuations. Its tip pointed toward a valley deep in the forest, where dark energy churned like boiling black water, even warping the space around it.
"That's the place," Tang San said quietly. Blue Silver Grass spread along the tree trunks, silently probing toward the valley. "There are at least three presences at the Titled Douluo level inside, and another one... it's very strange. It feels like an energy entity, but it's more dangerous than an ordinary Titled Douluo."
Lin Ye unleashed Golden Crow Perception to its fullest, his brows drawn tight. "There are nine dark whirlwinds circling that energy entity. Each one has the soul of a different Soul Beast sealed inside it. It looks a lot like a priest of the Shadow Pavilion. The ancient records say Shadow Priests can gain power by sacrificing souls. Their strength is unfathomable."
"Sacrificing souls?" Xiao Wu's voice was filled with anger. "How can they be so cruel?!"
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, the Hell Spirit Cat's claws glinting coldly. "I don't care what they are. If they dare hurt Soul Beasts, I'll tear them apart!"
After they escaped from Gengxin City, the old shopkeeper's words had confirmed Tang San's suspicions-the Shadow Pavilion really was looking for the key to opening the Shadow Gate, and the key consisted of three parts: the Angel God's bone fragment, her divine sense, and the last item, the Core of Life, hidden in Sunset Forest. The Core of Life was said to have formed from the roots left behind after the Chaos Azure Lotus withered. It could stabilize the energy of the dark plane and was crucial to opening the gate.
"According to the scale, the Core of Life is in the altar at the center of the valley." Tang San pointed ahead. "The Shadow Priest should be conducting a sacrificial ritual. We have to destroy the altar before it's complete."
He looked at the others, his eyes grave. "Our opponents are strong this time, especially that Shadow Priest. Lin Ye, you and I will lead the attack and keep his attention on us. Dai Mubai, Tai Long, you'll deal with the three Titled Douluo. Xiao Wu, use your Teleportation to relay messages. Notify us immediately if you spot danger. Oscar, have all your sausages ready, especially the defensive and purification types."
"Understood!"
With the plan settled, they slipped into the mist like cheetahs. Sunset Forest's ancient trees blotted out the sky, their vines intertwined, providing perfect cover. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass cleared the way ahead, removing every vine and poisonous flower that might trigger a trap, while Lin Ye's Lotus Flame danced at his fingertips, ready to deal with any sudden development.
The closer they got to the valley, the stronger the smell of blood became. Mutilated Soul Beast corpses began to appear on the ground, ranging from ten-year to thousand-year Soul Beasts. Their souls seemed to have been forcibly torn out, leaving only shriveled husks. The sight was too dreadful to bear.
"These Soul Beasts..." Xiao Wu's eyes reddened. She could feel their anguished cries lingering in the air. "This is too much!"
Tang San patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down. "We'll avenge them soon."
When they entered the valley, the sight before them made everyone draw a sharp breath-
A black altar stood in the center of the valley, built from an unknown black stone and covered in twisted runes. Dark red liquid flowed between the runes, giving off a nauseating stench. Dozens of powerful Soul Beasts were bound around the altar, from a ten-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape to thousand-year Jade Phosphorous Serpents. Their eyes were full of fear, but dark energy held their bodies fast, leaving them unable to move.
A priest in dark red robes stood atop the altar. His face was hidden beneath his hood, leaving only a pair of red-glowing eyes visible. Nine black whirlwinds circled behind him, and the indistinct, struggling forms of Soul Beasts could be seen within them. He was the Shadow Priest Lin Ye had spoken of.
Three black-robed figures stood below the altar, all with presences at the Titled Douluo level. They were evidently its guards. They kept tossing dark crystals onto the altar, making the runes shine ever brighter.
"It's started!" Tang San called in a low voice. "Move!"
Lin Ye's Lotus Flame struck first, turning into a golden meteor that shot straight at the Shadow Priest. The attack held eighty percent of his Soul Power, and the Lotus Flame carried the purifying power of the Chaos Azure Lotus-enough to severely injure an ordinary Titled Douluo.
"Hmm?" The Shadow Priest seemed to have expected it. A soft grunt came from beneath his hood as one of the whirlwinds behind him suddenly flew out, transforming into a huge dark tiger soul that opened its bloody maw and met the Lotus Flame head-on.
Bang!
The Lotus Flame collided with the dark tiger soul, erupting in dazzling light. The dark tiger soul let out a piercing scream and melted away in the Lotus Flame, but most of the flame's power was also canceled out. Only a wisp remained, flying past the hem of the Shadow Priest's robes.
"Interesting." The Shadow Priest's voice was hoarse and cold. "The presence of the Chaos Azure Lotus... and the Core Flame of the Three-Legged Golden Crow... so you're the little bugs who ruined my plans."
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and Tai Long had already charged the three black-robed Titled Douluo. Dai Mubai pushed the Hell Spirit Cat's speed to its limit, his claws whistling through the air as they went straight for the throat of the black-robed figure on the left. Tai Long transformed into a Great Strength Gorilla, his fists like heavy hammers as he smashed them at the figure on the right, taking some of the pressure off Dai Mubai.
Xiao Wu flashed around the valley with Teleportation, continually delivering Oscar's sausages to the others while using Charm to distract the black-robed figures.
Taking advantage of the moment Lin Ye held the Shadow Priest's attention, Tang San sent Blue Silver Grass surging out like a tide. It coiled around the Soul Beasts surrounding the altar, trying to free them. The power of the Chaos Azure Lotus flowed into the vines, coating the Blue Silver Grass in a seven-colored glow. Whenever it touched the dark energy, it sizzled, steadily purifying the restraints.
"How dare you!" the Shadow Priest roared. The eight whirlwinds behind him flew out at once, transforming into various dark Soul Beasts that pounced on Tang San and Lin Ye. He formed a seal with both hands, and the runes on the altar blazed. The dark red liquid began to boil, and the bound Soul Beasts wailed in pain as their souls were forcibly drawn out. They turned into streaks of white light and poured into a black crystal at the center of the altar-where the Core of Life was!
"We can't let him succeed!" Lin Ye roared. Lotus Flame erupted once more, its golden-red fire forming a barrier that blocked the dark Soul Beasts' attacks. "Tang San, go stop him!"
Tang San nodded. The Blue Silver Grass tightened sharply, breaking the restraints on the last few Soul Beasts. He then turned and charged to the top of the altar. The power of the Chaos Azure Lotus spun wildly inside him, seven-colored light gathering in his palm as he prepared to strike the Shadow Priest a fatal blow.
"Stop him!" the Shadow Priest shouted to the black-robed figures below.
One of the guards immediately broke off his fight with Dai Mubai and swung his bone staff, firing a black ray at Tang San. Seeing this, Dai Mubai roared and chased after him, using his body to block the ray. Black poison spread instantly across his arm, drawing a muffled groan from him.
"Dai Mubai!" Tang San's eyes nearly split with rage.
"Don't worry about me... go!" Enduring the searing pain, Dai Mubai charged the black-robed figure again, buying Tang San time.
Tang San gritted his teeth, forcing down his anger as he sped up again. He finally reached the top of the altar and struck the Shadow Priest's back with his palm.
The Shadow Priest seemed not to have expected him so soon. The blow landed squarely, and he grunted and spat out a mouthful of black blood. The light of the altar's runes dimmed instantly, and the sacrifice of souls slowed noticeably.
"You're courting death!" The Shadow Priest turned around, his hood slipping off to reveal a face covered in runes. His eyes had turned completely red, filled with a frenzied desire to kill. "I'll make your souls into nourishment for the Core of Life!"
He slammed both hands onto the altar, and the nine dark whirlwinds merged into the runes at once. The altar shook violently. The black crystal erupted in blinding red light, and the Core of Life's presence fused perfectly with the dark energy. A terrifying pressure radiated from the crystal, and space throughout the valley began to warp.
"This is bad! He's going to forcibly fuse with the Core of Life!" Tang San's expression changed drastically. "Lin Ye, use Lotus Fire Burns the Heavens!"
"Got it!" Lin Ye gathered all his Soul Power. The phantom of the Golden Crow spread out behind him and let out a cry that rang through the valley. "Golden Crow: Lotus Fire Burns the Heavens!"
The enormous pillar of fire appeared again, thicker than before. With the force to burn everything to ashes, it crashed toward the black crystal at the center of the altar.
The Shadow Priest spread his arms and stood in front of the crystal. His body merged with the runes on the altar, and he let out a long cry. "Shadow Descent!"
A black energy shield spread out from the altar, blocking the pillar of Lotus Flame. Fire and shield collided with a deafening roar. The entire valley trembled, and the mist was blasted away, revealing a distorted sky.
Tang San seized the chance to channel the Chaos Azure Lotus's power into his Blue Silver Grass. The vines coiled toward the black crystal like agile snakes, trying to snatch it away. But the crystal's surface was coated in thick dark energy, and the Blue Silver Grass corroded as soon as it touched it, making a sizzling sound.
"It's useless!" the Shadow Priest laughed wildly. "I've already corrupted the Core of Life. Soon, the Shadow Gate will open, and the entire continent will become a paradise of darkness!"
Just then, the black crystal in Tang San's robes-the one containing the Angel God's sealed divine sense-suddenly grew hot. A beam of golden light shot out of it and entered the Chaos Azure Lotus. Countless pieces of information flooded Tang San's mind-fragments of the Angel God's remaining memories, recording the Shadow Pavilion's origins and the truth of the Shadow Gate.
The Shadow Pavilion's founder had once been a follower of the Angel God. Dissatisfied with her doctrine of light, he had turned to studying dark power, attempting to open the Shadow Gate and release the sealed Dark Supreme God. The Core of Life, the angel's bone fragment, and the divine sense were the keys he had stolen from the Angel God back then!
"So that's how you corrupted the Core of Life..." A glimmer of understanding flashed in Tang San's eyes. "You inherited that traitor's power! But you forgot that light and darkness have always given rise to and subdued each other. The Angel God's divine sense is your bane!"
He channeled the power of the angel's divine sense into the Chaos Azure Lotus. A trace of sacred gold appeared amid the seven-colored light, and he struck the black crystal again.
"No-!" The Shadow Priest let out a desperate roar. The golden light ate into his dark energy like a deadly poison, and cracks instantly spread across the shield.
Lin Ye seized the opportunity. The pillar of Lotus Flame erupted, completely shattering the shield and striking the black crystal.
Crack!
A fissure opened in the black crystal, and the Core of Life inside revealed its original emerald-green light, purifying the dark energy around it. As the crystal broke, the Shadow Priest's body rapidly dissolved. He let out an unwilling scream. "The Shadow Pavilion won't let you get away with this... the master will avenge me..."
As he dissipated, the three black-robed Titled Douluo instantly lost their power as well, and Dai Mubai and Tai Long took the chance to defeat them.
The dark energy in the valley gradually dissipated. The rescued Soul Beasts roared in gratitude and lowered their heads to Tang San and the others.
Tang San walked to the center of the altar, picked up the cracked black crystal, and carefully removed the Core of Life. The Core of Life was emerald green throughout, radiating pure life force and resonating strongly with the Chaos Azure Lotus.
"Finally... we have the last key." Tang San breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Ye walked over to him and looked at the Core of Life, a grave look flashing in his eyes. "But the Shadow Priest mentioned a 'master.' It seems the Shadow Pavilion's true leader hasn't appeared yet. I'm afraid his strength..."
"Is greater than the Shadow Priest's," Tang San finished, tightening his grip on the Core of Life. "And he knows we have the three keys. He'll stop at nothing to take them."
Dai Mubai finished bandaging the wound on his arm and came over. "Whoever he is, if one comes, we'll fight one. If a whole pack comes, we'll fight the whole pack!"
Xiao Wu, Oscar, and Tai Long nodded as well, their eyes full of determination.
Just then, the Ice Plains Ancient Dragon scale suddenly flashed urgently, pointing in the direction of Heaven Dou City. Its light carried a powerful sense of danger.
"Something's happened in Heaven Dou City!" Tang San's expression changed drastically. "The Shadow Pavilion used a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain! Their target was never the keys-they wanted to use the opportunity to launch a sneak attack on the alliance headquarters!"
Everyone's faces went deathly pale. Their attention had all been drawn to the Shadow Priest, and they had forgotten that Heaven Dou City was the foundation of the alliance!
"Get back, now!" Tang San made the decision at once, putting the Core of Life into his storage bag. "Sect Master Ning and the others won't be able to hold out for long!"
Without further hesitation, the group raced toward Heaven Dou City at full speed. Mist once again spread through Sunset Forest, as though nothing had happened. Only the bloodstains and shattered crystal left on the altar bore witness to the harrowing battle that had taken place there.
Deep in the shadows of the valley, a figure in a black cloak slowly emerged. In his hand was a rune fragment that had fallen from the Shadow Priest, and a strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "The plan is going smoothly... now it's time to draw in the net."
Beneath the cloak, a pair of golden eyes gleamed with anticipation, exactly like those of the figure in Gengxin City. The crisis in Heaven Dou City had only just begun.