"Taken away again?" In the Blue Silver Grass Forest, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo watched the arena footage displayed on the screen.
Ning Rongrong was actually suppressing the Dark Devilgod Tiger inside the Life-and-Death Arena. For some unknown reason, the tiger's body had shrunk significantly, and its strength had weakened.
Yet it still possessed strength equivalent to a Soul King. Despite this, it was at a disadvantage against Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong only used that attribute-less melee soul tool specially crafted by Lou Gao, not employing her spirit soul or any other abilities.
"Just as Rongrong said her martial soul limits her." Ning Fengzhi recalled something Ning Rongrong had mentioned casually.
"Perhaps it's due to her different cultivation method. Her path doesn't follow the Soul Master system." Bone Douluo also sighed.
As they spoke, the screen flickered slightly.
The image reappeared.
"Rongrong shrank too?" Seeing the appearances of both the Dark Devilgod Tiger and Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo's voices carried surprise.
"The Dark Devilgod Tiger's ability is time-related." Bone Douluo pondered briefly before explaining his understanding. "Earlier, the tiger adjusted time to match Rongrong's age. Now it's regressing further."
"I see." Ning Fengzhi suddenly understood. "No wonder Rongrong said it's nearly impossible for anyone to defeat the Dark Devilgod Tiger."
The tiger's method was like using special rules to drag its opponent's capabilities down to its own level, then defeating them with superior experience.
Wait... that didn't sound quite right!
Regardless, the general idea held.
"Rongrong looks like she's at the age when she awakened her martial soul. I hope nothing goes wrong!" Bone Douluo expressed some concern.
Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing thoughtfully at the opposing figures on screen.
"I don't think there's any issue. Uncle Bone, don't forget what Rongrong told us about her strength before and after awakening her martial soul."
"Soul Elder?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Judging by the earlier battle, it seems external rules don't affect the arena. She might truly reach Soul Elder level."
"Fengzhi, that makes sense." Bone Douluo considered this, also curious about Ning Rongrong's combat style.
When Lou Gao was absorbing spirit rings, Ning Rongrong had forcibly stripped away most of the Evil Spirit Orca King's will from the 100,000-year spirit ring before killing it.
Even a fraction of a 100,000-year soul beast's will and soul power shouldn't be manageable by a Soul King or Soul Emperor. Yet Ning Rongrong handled it effortlessly.
That combat method powerful without relying on martial souls or spirit rings somewhat resembled the Clear Sky Sect's Clear Sky Nine Absolute Techniques. Even without spirit rings, her strength remained formidable.
The two silently watched the screen, concerned for Ning Rongrong's safety but also eager to observe her battle with the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
...
Inside the Life-and-Death Arena, Ning Rongrong found herself pulled in for the second time.
She assessed her internal condition.
"Houtian stage."
"As expected, the Dark Devilgod Tiger can shield against Douluo Continent's natural laws."
No wonder it found the Blue Silver Emperor faster than Bone Douluo. It had probably been lying in wait from the start, biding its time until the Blue Silver Emperor completed its tribulation.
Perhaps the Dark Devilgod Tiger could even use its abilities to conceal itself from the tribulation lightning's detection, moving freely within its range.
Legends said the Dark Devilgod Tiger was born from the fusion of a fallen evil god's power with a Bright Saint Tiger.
This might not be mere rumor it could very well be true!
Ning Rongrong studied the tiger opposite her, now even smaller and cuter.
"Dark Devilgod Pearl... an artifact of the Evil God..."
"I must obtain this item!"
In the original storyline, after the Dark Devilgod Tiger was killed by Tang San, the pearl escaped by accident, crossing into the Heavenly Jewel Change world to become the protagonist's lifebound jewel.
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath.
Dark Devilgod Tiger, was it?
You came seeking revenge, even threatening to strip me naked and sell me as a slave at auction.
Fine!
Little brainy tiger, you've brought death upon yourself.
From her wrist-mounted storage soul tool, she retrieved a ranged ice-attribute soul tool one of the fifth-tier items she and Dugu Yan had "acquired" from Lou Gao months ago.
However, it was slightly inferior to the earlier attribute-less prototype melee weapon.
What's wrong with a support-type Soul Master having melee ambitions?
Haven't you seen games where clerics plant their crosses in the ground and fight with their fists?
That's what real men do.
Right now... well, that's not important.
"Brat! Scared now, aren't you?" The Dark Devilgod Tiger's voice rang out.
"I'm different from you Soul Masters and ordinary soul beasts. My strength at every stage surpasses yours."
"With my time-manipulating Life-and-Death Arena, I'm already invincible."
"No soul beast or Soul Master can defeat me at the same age."
"And if they could, I'd just rewind time further."
"Oh?" Ning Rongrong noted the tiger's curled lips. "Dark Devilgod Tiger, you think you've got me cornered?"
"Hmph, little human girl." The Dark Devilgod Tiger opened its maw, exhaling a wisp of black mist. "In the Life-and-Death Arena, we can both use all our skills. But... my soul power and physique surpass yours. You cannot win."
"Here, I, the Dark Devilgod Tiger, am the true god."
This was the absolute truth distilled from countless arena battles.
No one could defeat him here especially after his breakthrough to 100,000 years and greater mastery of his powers.
"Say, can I ask two final questions?"
When creatures are most complacent, their guard drops lowest making them prone to revealing information. Soul beasts are no exception.
"Very well." The Dark Devilgod Tiger nodded after brief consideration.
"Speak. By human customs, these would be last words. I, the magnanimous Dark Devilgod Tiger, shall answer whatever you wish."
"Wonderful! Then I can die without regrets."
Ning Rongrong feigned excitement.
"First question: Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan rushed here at top speed after the tribulation began. How did you devour the Blue Silver Emperor and advance to 100,000 years so quickly?"
"So that's what puzzles you!" The Dark Devilgod Tiger let out a long cry, baring its teeth.
"I noticed you three months ago, overhearing your plans with the Blue Silver Emperor my target. I knew it would be weakened after its first tribulation. I waited precisely for that moment."
"As for outpacing you and reaching 100,000 years..."
The tiger emitted a hissing laugh.
"This mighty tiger can shield myself from the tribulation's detection. I'd been lurking near the Blue Silver Emperor the entire time, awaiting my opportunity."
"So that's how it works."
Ning Rongrong inwardly confirmed her suspicions.
As she'd guessed, the Dark Devilgod Tiger could evade the tribulation's senses explaining its swift actions.
"With your last words spoken, it's time for the finale!"
The tiger's face twisted into a snarling "roaring" grin.