Just as Ye Yu spotted the Dark Devilgod Tiger—
That enormous beast, cloaked in its own Domain of Darkness, was speeding through the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest in retreat. But at that very moment, it seemed to sense him as well—more specifically, it sensed Xiao Wu, the hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form at his side.
The tiger's vicious, domineering head whipped around, its blood-red eyes locking onto Ye Yu with pure bloodlust and greed.
Whether it devoured Ye Yu or Xiao Wu, either would grant it a tremendous power boost.
If it succeeded… then even the combined might of that damned Titan Giant Ape and Sky Blue Bull Python would no longer be a threat!
With its peerless bloodline—among the most elite of all spirit beasts—the Dark Devilgod Tiger was already terrifyingly strong. Even though its cultivation was just over sixty thousand years, in a one-on-one fight, neither the Titan Giant Ape nor the Sky Azure Bull Python was a match for it.
However, until it broke through the hundred-thousand-year threshold, it still couldn't defeat the two beast kings working together.
Because of its unique ability to devour other spirit beasts to enhance its cultivation, the resource-rich Star Dou Great Forest—filled with myriad species and countless ten-thousand-year spirit beasts—was the most ideal place for its growth.
Unfortunately, each time it entered the forest to hunt and cultivate, it was discovered by the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, and together they would force it out.
This time, it had been cautiously probing the outskirts of the forest when it sensed the Titan Giant Ape's aura—only to realize the ape had ventured into the outskirts itself.
That meant the forest's core region was unguarded, with only the Sky Azure Bull Python left behind.
Seizing the opportunity, the Dark Devilgod Tiger rushed toward the core with the intent to kill the Sky Azure Bull Python first, then double back and eliminate the Titan Giant Ape.
But just as it was about to succeed, the Titan Giant Ape returned.
Left with no choice, it began retreating at full speed.
Yet just as it was fleeing—fate delivered a surprising twist.
A human Spirit Master with boundless, pure Spirit Power and life force, and beside him, a ten-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form.
Whichever of the two it killed and devoured, its power would leap forward.
From that point on, it could dominate the Star Dou Great Forest without opposition!
Roaring in ecstasy, the Dark Devilgod Tiger spread its wings, its massive jaws opening wide with excitement as it surged through the sky—charging straight toward Ye Yu!
"Not good!"
Ye Yu's expression darkened. He hadn't expected the beast to detect him from such a distance and launch an immediate assault.
While Ye Yu himself didn't fear the Dark Devilgod Tiger...
He couldn't say the same for Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, or Ning Rongrong—they couldn't possibly endure even the aftershocks of the tiger's Spirit Abilities!
With no room to hold back, Ye Yu immediately activated the second and third sets of meridian systems in his body, formed by the Demon Willow Fluff external Spirit Bones.
He triggered Thunderflash Step and Magnetic Thunder Body, opening up two overlapping electromagnetic fields.
At the same time, he pushed his Spirit Core Field and the first ability of his Right Leg Bone of the Blue Silver Emperor—Flight—to their absolute limit.
In the blink of an eye, he became a streak of lightning, tearing through the sky and rapidly pulling away from the pursuing beast.
Behind him, the Dark Devilgod Tiger let out furious, earth-shaking howls, flapping its wings so fiercely that smoke nearly rose from them.
Though it was falling behind, it refused to give up the chase.
Still, encountering the Dark Devilgod Tiger awakened something in Ye Yu—a desire to hunt it.
As he flew, he spoke in a low voice to the girls on his back and at his side.
"This tiger's locked onto us. I'm going to drop you off—find a place to hide and stay safe."
"I'll go deal with it myself."
Then he glanced at Xiao Wu, giving her a hard stare.
"Xiao Wu. You're a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form. I know you have ways to avoid detection by other beasts."
"I'll put you three down. You must protect Rongrong and Zhuqing."
"If anything happens to them—anything at all—don't blame me if I go back and tear Tang San into eight pieces!"
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip, her delicate face twisted with indignation and sorrow—but she nodded nonetheless.
"…I… I understand."
Ye Yu quickly descended and set the girls down.
They were still in the outer regions of the forest—only hundred- and thousand-year spirit beasts roamed here. With their current strength, both Rongrong and Zhuqing could manage on their own, so long as he kept the Dark Devilgod Tiger away.
Once they were hidden safely—
Ye Yu once again became a bolt of lightning, rocketing through the sky straight toward his opponent.
In moments, the giant beast came into view.
It was still roaring furiously, enveloped in its Domain of Darkness, flapping its wings so wildly they seemed to spark at the edges.
The instant Ye Yu spotted it, he raised his right hand and summoned his Martial Soul—Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree, activating his Blue Silver Domain.
Ever since his Martial Soul had evolved from Blue Silver Spirit Jade Vine to Blue Silver Spirit Jade Tree, the domain not only maintained its camouflage function—
It also now enhanced the strength of his Martial Soul and all of his Spirit Abilities.
Six Spirit Rings rose around him—two purple, four black.
Second Spirit Ability: Starlight Absorption
Third Spirit Ability: Tribulation Ascension
Fifth Spirit Ability: Undying Body
Sixth Spirit Ability: Parasitic Devour
In rapid succession, Ye Yu activated four major abilities. The Blue Silver Spiritjade Tree in his hand absorbed sunlight, rapidly growing and multiplying.
In the sky, tree after tree, like azure vines, wove together into giant Blue Silver Wood Dragons—each over five meters thick, formed from translucent blue crystal, shimmering like starlight.
They radiated violet-blue light, speckled with stars and crescent moons.
These dragons roared and twisted as they surged toward the Dark Devilgod Tiger in waves.
"ROAR!"
With a deafening roar, the Dark Devilgod Tiger flared with thick black light, unleashing dozens of dark blades, each over ten feet long, like serrated scythes slicing through the air.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
The dark blades—infused with the power of darkness and wind—were razor-sharp and highly corrosive.
In seconds, they shredded the incoming Blue Silver Wood Dragons into glittering fragments.
Countless shards of the Blue Silver Spiritjade Trees fell like crystalline rain.
But Ye Yu wasn't finished.
He activated:
First Spirit Ability: Undying Root
Fourth Spirit Ability: Earth Pulse Connection
Suddenly, every falling shard of Blue Silver Spiritjade Tree grew roots that burrowed into the earth, drawing upon the power of the land itself.
With the synergy of all his Spirit Abilities, massive Blue Silver Spirit Jade Trees erupted from the soil in rapid succession, unfolding lush canopies and thick branches—
In the blink of an eye, the entire surrounding forest had transformed.
The battlefield was now a Blue Silver Forest.