His mouth instantly dropped open, and his eyes bulged as if they were trying to pop out of their sockets. His body trembled violently.
Qian Daoliu asked in a flustered tone, "Jie'er, what's wrong? What happened?"
Qian Xunji's consciousness slowly sank into his mind. He didn't know where he was or what he was supposed to do. He wandered aimlessly, as if he would never reach the end of his path.
A deep roar echoed, and Qian Xunji suddenly froze, staring intently ahead. A colossal black tiger appeared—a pure black beast, not a single mark marring its fur. Its red eyes glowed with a sinister aura. Over eight meters long, its muscles bulged, and it likely weighed more than three thousand pounds. A "King" mark adorned its forehead, black yet shadowed and misty, unlike the solid black of its coat. Its tail was the strangest feature: far longer than ordinary tiger-type Spirit Beasts, rigid, segmented endlessly, ending in a large thorn that shimmered with cold light.
The tiger opened its massive jaws, large enough to swallow Qian Xunji whole, and slowly spat out a glossy black spirit ring, which rolled gently toward Qian Xunji's feet. He bent down, picked up the ring, and exclaimed in shock, "Isn't this the same ring that brought me here?"
"That's correct, human. This is my core, containing nearly ninety percent of my essence," said the Dark Demonic God Tiger.
Trembling, Qian Xunji pointed at the tiger, the demonic and dark god, and asked, "My god… you can talk?"
"Of course. I am a god-level Spirit Beast, capable of competing with a 100,000-year-old Spirit Beast at just 60,000 years. Surely, I have the right to speak."
Qian Xunji exhaled in relief, holding the black ring, and asked, "So… you brought me here. What is your purpose?"
The Dark Demonic God Tiger studied the small human before him. After the initial shock, this man had quickly regained composure, showing a commendable temperament. The tiger continued, "I was dead. I was hunting in the Great Star Forest when I encountered you, Qian Xunji, searching for spirit rings. Two titled Douluo were after you. Desperate, I activated my divine skill, 'Domain of Life and Death,' intending to kill them. Suddenly, Qian Daoliu appeared. Knowing I was outmatched, I connected a fragment of my soul to my core, tore through countless dimensions, and ended up near the White Tiger's bloodline within you. I came to check you and saw you were on the verge of death, so I brought your soul into this world."
Qian Xunji silently studied the enormous black tiger, judging the truth of its words. Seeing the tiger's sincerity, he couldn't help but partially believe them.
"I owe you thanks, then. If it weren't for you, I might be dead by now," Qian Xunji said.
The Dark Demonic God Tiger, eyes locked on Qian Xunji, replied, "No need. I will only help you on one condition: you must help me recover my soul, which will dissipate in three years. And when you become a god, you must bring me back to life."
Qian Xunji grinned mischievously. "Alright, I promise. But aren't you afraid I'll become a god in the future?"
He smiled slyly, the curve of his thick eyebrows complementing the crescent-like curve of his grin. His pale skin, pink lips, and flawless features stood out even more. A hint of mischief at the corner of his mouth added a rebellious air to his beauty.
"We Spirit Beasts cannot become gods. I can only place all my hope in you. I will do everything I can to help you become a god," said the Dark Demonic God Tiger, its face radiating seriousness.
Qian Xunji's expression turned firm. "I'm not joking. I will become a god. I refuse to experience death again. I want to live forever. And I will bring you back to life. That is my vow, Dark Demonic God Tiger."
For the first time, the Black Demon Tiger's massive eyes softened with a hint of kindness. It thought: If he never dies, he will surely become the supreme ruler of the Douluo Continent. Yet his power is still weak. He is far from my expectations.
The tiger said harshly, "Kid, dreaming is fine, but don't just fantasize—otherwise, your vows will only make me laugh."
"I'll prove this isn't empty talk," Qian Xunji replied calmly.
"My core will remain in the Sea of Consciousness to suppress this place for you. Very well, you may go. I've prepared a surprise. Next time you return, I hope you won't be as weak as you are now." The Dark Demonic God Tiger slowly retreated into the depths of darkness.
Qian Xunji emerged from the Sea of Consciousness and saw Qian Daoliu watching him anxiously. "Why did you suddenly faint? What happened?"
Qian Xunji calmly recounted what had occurred in his Sea of Consciousness—though he never revealed his true identity. That remained his greatest secret: he was Qian Xunji, and Qian Xunji was him.
Qian Daoliu nodded slowly. "I didn't expect the Dark Demonic God Tiger to not have fully disappeared, but to live in your Sea of Consciousness as a spirit. Truly worthy of its reputation as a legendary Spirit Beast. Strange indeed. But what is this surprise it mentioned? Jie'er, let's see it quickly."
At the same time, Qian Xunji spread his arms, pushed out his chest, and felt his bones crack as his muscles swelled, straining against his clothes. His muscles bulged violently, radiating an aura of fury and commotion.
He shouted, "Dark Devil, Evil God Tiger, possess me!" His golden hair instantly blackened, a few strands standing upright. Four faint lines appeared on his forehead—three horizontal, one vertical—forming the character "王" (King).
His hands underwent the most dramatic change, more than doubling in size. Black fur covered his palms, and every movement of his fingers caused short dagger-like claws to extend and retract. Each claw was eight inches long, gleaming with a cold, sinister light.
Qian Xunji leaned forward, his eyes glowing red—exuding both malevolence and dominance, a presence that could rival heaven and earth.
Feeling the transformation coursing through his body, he shone with excitement. He was now the Dark Demonic God Tiger incarnate! The first human in Douluo Continent history to wield this Spirit Beast! He roared, a soundwave of pride and might, shaking the very world.
The roar tossed objects around the palace, and the worshippers in the hall felt its power. The second worshipper, the Golden Eagle Douluo, was the first to arrive. Slowly regaining composure, Qian Xunji glanced at the elderly man before him.
The man, white-haired and bearded, appeared over eighty, dressed in a long golden robe patterned with a wild crocodile. He silently observed Qian Xunji. Qian Xunji recalled the man's identity: the Golden Crocodile Douluo, second elder of the Spirit Hall, Spirit Beast: Golden Crocodile King, comparable to the #1 Spirit Beast, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Yet, due to reproductive issues, no one had inherited his Spirit Beast. Most had become golden crocodiles.
Looking at the elder, Qian Xunji recalled the tragic fate from the Douluo Continent. In the original story, Jin Douluo, under Qian Daoliu's command, led six elders to aid the Jialing Pass. At a critical moment, he rescued Qian Jun and Jiangmo Douluo, heavily wounded from fighting Tang San, then battled Tang Hao. Although Jin Douluo was stronger in Spirit power, Tang Hao's ultimate skill, the Great Third Hammer, put him temporarily at a disadvantage. In the end, he drew even with Tang Hao but ultimately lost in momentum and resolve.
Golden Crocodile Douluo had devoted his life to the Spirit Hall, ultimately sacrificing himself to save Qian Renxu, who had fallen due to Tang San's "Union of Body and Spear, Shifting Stars."
The elder watched Qian Xunji's movements, sometimes sighing, sometimes admiring, sometimes shaking his head, completely baffled. Finally, unable to hold back, he raised his fist—like a sack of sand—and struck Qian Xunji's head.
"小 Jie'er, missing a beating, huh? What do you mean by staring at me without moving?"
Qian Xunji rubbed his aching head and, teeth clenched, muttered, "Uncle Jin… that hit hard… my head really hurts."