Chapter 65
The tall blue silver grass brushed against their knees, whispering softly with every step they took. Fortunately, a stone path soon came into view, making their journey a little easier.
"This grass is going to be a problem if a fight breaks out," Dai Mubai remarked, flipping through a book in his hand. It was a habit of his — reading always helped him settle his mind. After long days of training, it was the one thing that eased the lingering tension in his heart. Noticing the growing heaviness in the air, he decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Yu Xiaogang finally sighed. "Alright. Let's give this a try. With Flender around, at least your lives won't be in danger. But Tang San, if you truly intend to absorb a spirit ring beyond your current rank, you must be prepared to risk everything."
Tang San nodded, his expression grave.
Lin Bai watched in silence, tempted to tell them the truth. Yet he knew better — Yu Xiaogang's mind was trapped within the cage of his so-called theories. He wouldn't believe a word of it. Still, ignorance was sometimes safer than chasing answers you weren't ready for.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the world around them grew unnervingly quiet. No birdsong, no rustling insects — only an eerie silence that clung to them like a shroud. It felt as though invisible eyes were tracking their every move from the darkness.
"We've covered more than two kilometers," Zhao Wuji muttered, his brow furrowed. "But we haven't seen a single hundred-year spirit beast."
He thought back to the recent reports Flender had brought — rumors that the spirit beasts of Star Dou Forest were growing unusually intelligent.
"Are they hiding from us?"
Lin Bai crouched, studying the ground. There were fresh tracks everywhere — trampled grass, broken branches, traces of recent battles — but not a single beast in sight.
Zhao Wuji's face darkened. If this was true, if the spirit beasts were consciously avoiding them, it was far from normal. Typically, spirit beasts driven by primal instinct would attack humans on sight. Only those ancient monsters who'd lived for ten thousand years or more could suppress that savage impulse.
"What could have caused such a sharp rise in intelligence across the entire forest?"
Lin Bai reached out with his telekinesis, probing the surroundings for any lurking beasts.
Even Flender felt the growing oppression. His martial spirit flared to life as he took to the skies, wings slicing through the thick mist. "I'll scout ahead. No matter how clever these beasts get, they can't outsmart us. Let's keep moving."
His silhouette vanished into the dense canopy. Beside Lin Bai, Ying Tian shifted impatiently, eager to follow, but Lin Bai grabbed his wrist.
"Don't be reckless," Lin Bai warned, his tone low. "The Star Dou Forest isn't just dangerous for humans. Weak spirit beasts with strong bloodlines — like you — are prime prey for higher predators."
While the group scoured the outskirts for spirit beasts, far deeper in the heart of the forest — within the misty Lake of Life — two colossal figures knelt before a radiant figure.
The Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape bowed low, their massive frames trembling beneath the gentle, multicolored glow that radiated from the figure before them. Where her light touched, the very air shimmered with ancient wisdom and power.
"Lord," the Azure Bull Python rumbled, his voice deep and somber. "We've sensed Sister Xiao Wu's aura. She has returned to the forest. With your unmatched strength and wisdom, she no longer needs to wander the human world. Shall we bring her back?"
The question lingered in the hushed air.
The mist-cloaked figure remained silent. Instead, a young man in black robes embroidered with gold turned toward them, his voice calm yet commanding.
"No need," Di Tian answered. "She chose to become human — a betrayal of our clan. From now on, she is forbidden from setting foot here again. My Lord's mercy allows you two to remain under her light, but don't test it."
The pressure in the air intensified. Even through the soft mist, it felt as though a mountain pressed down on their chests.
Not far away, five figures sat in quiet meditation. Their auras were vast, but as the exchange unfolded, irritation flickered in their eyes. They lacked Di Tian's standing and dared not voice their discontent, though the favoritism shown to the ancient beasts gnawed at them.
These five had been resurrected for one purpose — to serve their Lord. And yet, in mere centuries, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had earned favor that they hadn't, despite their loyalty.
A rumbling voice finally shattered the uneasy silence.
"Di Tian, don't be too harsh," the mist-cloaked figure spoke at last. Her voice was soft, yet each word carried unfathomable weight. "Those who take human form are still watched by the gods. No one can escape the ancient laws of the Dragon God."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Once I finish stabilizing your rapidly rising cultivation, I'll split my consciousness — one part will descend into the human world to cultivate while my true form sleeps and refines this Godhead of Wisdom."
Her gaze pierced through the mist, reaching far beyond the borders of the Star Dou Forest.
"As for the Soft-Bone Rabbit… she holds no chance at godhood. Her time as a human will pass in the blink of an eye. But in what little time she has left, she might still serve a purpose. If she helps spirit beasts take their first steps beyond these woods, it will be a fitting end."
A shiver ran through the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape. The outcome was clear. Xiao Wu would age and die in mere centuries — a fleeting moment for beings like them. Worse, knowing her temperament, she wouldn't pursue cultivation seriously. She might not even survive that long.
"My Lord is wise," a deep voice rumbled.
A massive figure cloaked in battle scars gave a respectful nod. This was Mr. Xiong, a terrifying five-million-year-old beast, second only to Di Tian in power. The King of Ten Thousand Demons sighed inwardly. Once, Mr. Xiong had been untamed and proud. But after witnessing their Lord's true form, he'd submitted completely.
Di Tian remained impassive.
In his former life, he had led the Black Dragon Clan in the God Realm. If not for Douluo Star's suppression, he would have already reclaimed his divine status. If not for Mr. Xiong's rare talent, he would have crushed him the moment he challenged his authority.
"My Lord," Di Tian spoke again, his voice carefully measured. "Humans are deceitful by nature, no different from gods. The Soft-Bone Rabbit has only just become human. She is vulnerable. It might be prudent to send Zi Ji to accompany your incarnation."
A slender woman stepped forward. Zi Ji, a Hell Demon Dragon of rare talent, possessed 200,000 years of cultivation — easily comparable to a Rank 97 or 98 Titled Douluo. Confident in her strength, she bowed.
"I am willing to serve, My Lord."
But the Silver Dragon King shook her head.
"No need."
Her gaze turned beyond the forest's edge.
"The dungeon's origins aren't ordinary," she murmured. "It's a relic born from a shattered universe, a battlefield where gods once fell, leaving their Godheads behind."
The others stiffened as her words sank in.
"Your mission remains unchanged. Search the dungeon. Retrieve any divine remnants you find. A Godhead could let you bypass the planet's restrictions and ascend."
Her voice dropped to a dangerous softness.
"As for the humans of Douluo Star… The Dragon God himself once hailed from this land. There's no need to exterminate them — for now."
A heavy silence followed. Every spirit beast present felt a surge of ambition. Di Tian clenched his fists, remembering how he had fought his way to claim the Godhead of Wisdom from a powerful demon lord. The might of those alien gods had shaken even the God King Shura.
And now, one desire united them all — to seize a Godhead and break free of Douluo Star's chains.
*****
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