Within the Arena of Life and Death, the rules of time and space seemed distorted. When the cold, majestic voice declared, "The duel has ended. Victor: Marco," the entire chaotic space appeared to freeze momentarily.
Immediately after, an indescribably vast energy rose from the small, lifeless corpse of the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger on the ground. This energy was neither Soul Power nor any known elemental force—it manifested as a pure, flawless milky-white radiance, warm and boundless, brimming with the most primitive and vigorous life force! Like countless streams converging into a river, it ultimately transformed into a warm torrent that gently yet irresistibly enveloped Marco's entire body.
"This is... the purest Source of Life?!" Marco was inwardly shaken, utterly astonished. He had been on high alert, prepared to counter the sinister and domineering energy backlash from the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger, never expecting such a gentle and refined life force to flood into him! This Source of Life contained no impurities, attributes, or residual will—it was like the most nourishing dew, instantly saturating his meridians and cells, which had been parched from the intense battle and physical transformation.
The moment the energy entered his body, Marco felt an all-encompassing comfort, as if bathing in the warm spring sun after a harsh winter. The fatigue and internal injuries from forcibly compressing his Domain and the fierce combat rapidly healed and vanished under the nourishment of this Source of Life. His shrunken body, like drought-stricken seedlings encountering sweet rain, greedily absorbed the pure life energy. His bones emitted faint yet joyous cracks, his muscle fibers grew denser, and his blood and qi surged like a mighty river, roaring with a thunderous rumble!
There was no conflict, no refinement—only a perfect, seamless fusion. This external Source of Life, sharing the same roots as the vibrant and lively innate power of his Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit, quickly merged with it, becoming the most solid foundation and fuel for his own life force. Driven by this immense energy, his Soul Power level not only stabilized completely but also quietly advanced to a higher tier. More importantly, he sensed his life essence undergoing a profound and mysterious transformation, unlocking a deeper potential.
The process was unbelievably smooth. Marco closed his eyes, fully immersing himself in the wondrous sensation of life's sublimation. He guided the vast life force to circulate throughout his body, cleansing every minute meridian and nourishing every corner of his soul. In this state of ultimate life-affirming joy, his Mental Power also became exceptionally refined and acute.
After an unknowable length of time, the moment the last trace of the external Source of Life was fully absorbed and integrated, Marco's eyes snapped open! They shone with a piercing light, tangible and sharp! He felt as if his body had been reborn, brimming with boundless vitality and strength, all the discomfort and weaknesses from his physical shrinkage now completely eradicated.
The feeling of weakness vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented sense of solidity and surging vitality! The foundation of this six-year-old child's body was far more robust than his true six-year-old self, even several times stronger than before entering the Arena of Life and Death!
Yet, the greatest surprise was still to come!
The moment his Source of Life completed its transformation and reached an entirely new level, the Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit deep within his bloodline seemed infused with the most potent vitality, resonating with joyous excitement! A profound evolution occurred naturally, and a brand-new ability, deeply connected to his soul, imprinted itself clearly in the depths of his consciousness like a seed breaking through the soil!
"A Domain... This is my Domain! The Phoenix Domain!" Marco felt an indescribable surge of ecstasy and excitement! He carefully "read" the information of this newborn Domain: it was a Domain entirely derived from the Sacred Flame of Life of the Azure Flame Phoenix, the ultimate sublimation of life and flame power. Once activated, all his attributes—strength, speed, defense, Soul Power intensity, Mental Power, and more—would receive a comprehensive and significant boost within the Domain's range! His Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit would unleash far greater power than usual in the Domain, especially the flames within it, whose temperature would permanently increase by thirty percent, and the accompanying holy purification effect would be greatly enhanced! Simultaneously, the Domain's power would form a powerful suppression field against any intruding enemies, not only weakening their strength but also severely disrupting the normal flow of their Soul Power, reducing their effectiveness to less than seventy percent of their full capacity!
"Excellent!" Marco clenched his small fists in excitement. The emergence of this Domain marked a qualitative leap in his overall strength! He named it the "Phoenix Domain," both as a tribute to his Martial Soul and a symbol of the immense vitality and combat prowess it bestowed upon him.
Just as he fully absorbed the Source of Life and successfully awakened the Domain, the chaotic, void-like space of the Arena of Life and Death began to fluctuate violently. The central light sphere, the embodiment of the rules, erupted with a blinding radiance, illuminating the entire space. A powerful repulsive force materialized out of nowhere, acting upon Marco.
"Is it time to leave..." Marco sensed it intuitively and did not resist the force. His vision was filled with a vast, white light, his body feeling weightless as if traversing a tunnel of light, and his sense of time and space blurred once again.
Outside, in the Star Dou Great Forest, the clearing that had been ravaged by fierce battle.
Li Zhaoyan remained kneeling like a stone statue where the black vortex had vanished, his hands deeply buried in the ground mixed with blood and mud, oblivious to his torn fingernails. His eyes were bloodshot and crimson, staring vacantly at the empty space as if his soul had been ripped away, leaving only boundless regret and despair gnawing at his heart. His son, who had sacrificed himself to save him, had been swallowed by that eerie vortex, his fate unknown—a torment a thousand times worse than death itself!
Yang Wudi stood guard with his lance at the ready, his expression grave as deep water. His hawk-like eyes continuously scanned the surroundings, yet the corner of his gaze remained fixed on Li Zhaoyan's condition, his heart heavy with worry. Ye Lingling, Osler, and Qiu Yao huddled together. Ye Lingling and Qiu Yao's eyes were swollen from crying, their soft sobs piercing the silence of the forest with startling clarity. Osler clenched his fists tightly, his face pale and his jaw set.
The atmosphere was thick with oppression and sorrow, almost suffocating.
Suddenly—
Above the clearing where the vortex had vanished, space rippled without warning, like water disturbed by a stone! Then, a tiny black dot abruptly appeared and rapidly expanded before their eyes, once again forming that heart-stopping black vortex!
"Look! The vortex is back!" Osler was the first to notice, crying out in horror, his voice cracking.
His shout struck like thunder, jolting everyone from their despair! Li Zhaoyan's head snapped up, his crimson eyes locking onto the swirling black vortex, his heart pounding so fiercely it felt ready to burst from his chest! Yang Wudi instantly tightened his grip on the Soul Piercing Lance, his Soul Power surging silently. Ye Lingling and Qiu Yao stopped their weeping, their tense gazes turning toward the vortex.
Under the group's intensely anxious watch, a figure was gently "spit out" by the vortex, landing softly on the ground—it was Marco! His clothes still hung loosely on him, but his entire aura had undergone a earth-shattering transformation! Though his Soul Power fluctuations seemed restrained due to his diminished size, the vast, ocean-like life force hidden within him and his sharp, profound Double Pupils, which seemed capable of piercing through reality itself, unmistakably signaled the extraordinary metamorphosis he had undergone!
"Son! My son!!" Li Zhaoyan cried out as if a drowning man had seized his only lifeline, his voice tearing through the air. He rushed forward like a cannonball, sweeping his son into a tight, desperate embrace, the force of it nearly suffocating Marco. This powerful Soul Douluo trembled violently, hot tears mingling with the blood on his face as he repeated incoherently, "You're safe… you're back… thank goodness… Father failed you…"
"Father, I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you," Marco murmured, his heart swelling with warmth and a mix of sorrow and gratitude at his father's embrace and near-crushing strength. Gently patting his father's back, he offered quiet reassurance.
Yang Wudi let out a long, relieved sigh, the Soul Piercing Lance in his grip finally lowering slightly as a trace of relieved contentment broke through his stern expression. Ye Lingling and the others wept for joy, crowding around with a flurry of concerned and fearful exclamations.
Yet, even as Marco comforted his father, his gaze sharpened instantly, locking over his father's shoulder onto the massive, lifeless, and rigid corpse of the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger not far away! A powerful sense of foreboding surged within him!
"Father! Be careful of the Dark Demonic Evil God Tiger's corpse!" he urgently warned, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
The group froze at his words, their eyes instinctively turning toward the carcass.
In the very instant Marco's warning faded, a sudden anomaly erupted!
The massive tiger corpse abruptly trembled violently without warning, as if something inside was about to break free! Immediately after, a profound, light-devouring black radiance shot out from the chest wound pierced through by "Pierce Through," soaring into the sky! The black light rapidly condensed in the air,
transforming into a dragon-eye-sized bead, pitch-black as ink, its surface covered with countless blood-red patterns that writhed and intertwined like living creatures!
As soon as this bead appeared, the temperature in the forest seemed to drop sharply! An indescribably evil, icy, and deathly aura spread, causing souls to tremble! It hovered mid-air, vibrating slightly, emitting a sharp, soul-piercing hum!
The next moment, as if possessing intelligence and sensing danger, the bead transformed into a lightning-fast black streak, attempting to flee deep into the forest!