The Lake of Life rippled gently as ever, its pale blue waters reflecting the massive body of the Azure Bull Python.
Its azure scales shimmered with a warm glow in the dim light, yet could not conceal the solemnity that came from a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast.
Standing on the broad shoulders of the Titan Giant Ape, Lin Chen looked at the two Star Dou Overlords before him and slowly revealed his plans.
"Tang San, Tang Hao's son, is about to break through to level 30. According to the conventions of Soul Masters, he will definitely come to the Star Dou Great Forest to find his third Soul Ring. Even if he changes his mind at the last minute, as long as you two sense Xiao Wu's aura, bring her back to the core area immediately, no matter when or where."
He paused, a knowing glint in his eyes, and continued, "I've investigated before. Tang Hao is currently traveling all over the continent, deliberately creating disturbances to attract the attention of all forces, all to cover for Tang San so that he can train in peace. In other words, Tang San is not currently being protected by this Title Douluo."
At this point, Lin Chen frowned slightly, his tone tinged with helplessness: "The only thing that gives me a headache is Xiao Wu's personality. Even if we forcibly bring her back to the Star Dou Great Forest, given her feelings for Tang San, she will probably try every means to sneak back."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Titan Ape Erming beside him clenched its fists tightly, its dark golden fur trembling slightly, its golden vertical pupils filled with determination. It lowered its head and let out a deep, solemn roar at Lin Chen, each word conveying an undeniable resolve:
"Don't worry! No matter what, we will never let Sister Xiaowu be in danger again! Anyone who dares to hurt her, I will tear them to pieces!"
The Azure Bull Python, Daming, slowly nodded its massive head, causing ripples to spread across the lake. Its ancient and majestic voice echoed between heaven and earth, carrying the promise of a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast:
"Sister Xiaowu is the most precious person to us in this world. Even if she doesn't understand for a while, we will stay by her side and never let her repeat Ah Yin's mistakes, nor will we let Tang Hao's conspiracy succeed."
Hearing the resounding assurances from the two soul beasts, Lin Chen's tense nerves relaxed slightly. He knew that with the protection of these two Star Dou overlords, Da Ming and Er Ming, Xiao Wu's safety was guaranteed.
Lin Chen let out a soft sigh, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Lake of Life, his tone softening slightly: "Forget it, forcing her won't work. Let's bring Xiao Wu back to the Star Dou Great Forest safely, then sit down and listen to her thoughts. Whatever choice she makes, we'll protect her first."
Pale blue mist slowly swirled around, the gentle and peaceful aura of life gradually soothing the previous solemnity and gravity.
A conspiracy concerning the lives of 100,000-year-old soul beasts was quietly hatched beside the source of life in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Deep within the distant forest, several faint auras still lingered, but dared not approach this forbidden land belonging to the two great kings. Lin Chen knew that the real contest had only just begun.
Upon hearing Lin Chen say that he would wait for Xiao Wu to make her own decision, the Titan Giant Ape Erming was immediately displeased. He slammed his thick arm heavily on his chest, making a dull thud, and his golden vertical pupils widened in dissatisfaction.
"Human, are you underestimating our strength and determination?" Erming roared in a deep voice. "As long as Sister Xiaowu returns to the Star Dou Great Forest, we will protect her even if it costs us our lives, and we will never let her be schemed against by humans again!"
The Azure Bull Python, Daming, also slightly raised its massive head, its azure scales gleaming with a resolute luster. Its voice was steady yet carried an undeniable certainty: "Erming is right. Sister Xiaowu is our Achilles' heel, and no one can take her away from us again. You can rest assured."
Looking at the two incredibly powerful 100,000-year-old soul beasts in front of him, who were completely helpless against Xiao Wu, Lin Chen couldn't help but chuckle, his tone carrying a hint of understanding: "It's not that I don't believe in your strength, it's that I know you too well."
He paused, then mercilessly exposed the truth: "When Xiao Wu comes back, she'll fawn over you and plead with you in a soft voice. If you two soften your hearts, you'll not only stop watching her, but you'll probably agree to whatever she says immediately. Then, without Tang Hao lifting a finger, she'll be able to run back to the human world on her own."
Upon hearing this, Da Ming and Er Ming, who had just been full of momentum, froze instantly.
Titan Ape Erming scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment showing on his massive face. His golden eyes darted around, and he stammered, unable to utter a rebuttal. Azure Bull Python Daming also fell silent, the water on the lake rippling slightly, clearly having had its secret exposed—giant Xiaowu's talent for whining and pleading since childhood, they really couldn't resist.
Seeing the two 100,000-year-old soul beasts speechless after their secrets were exposed, Lin Chen stopped teasing them and changed the subject to another matter.
"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to mention beforehand." Lin Chen looked into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest. "I need a Human-Faced Demon Spider that's around two thousand years old. I'll catch it myself, so I won't trouble you to help."
Da Ming paused slightly, his golden eyes showing doubt: "What do you need the Human-Faced Demon Spider for? If you need it, just say the word, and a soul beast will bring it to you."
"No need." Lin Chen shook his head gently. "I can hunt them myself. You don't need to interfere. After all, you are the kings of the Star Dou Great Forest. If you personally go to great lengths for me, it will inevitably cause other soul beasts to misunderstand, or even regard you as traitors, causing trouble for nothing."
He knew very well that the spirit beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest were hostile to humans, and that Da Ming and Er Ming were only helping him because of Xiao Wu. If they were to openly search for spirit rings for him, it would inevitably provoke the dissatisfaction of other ferocious beasts, which would be counterproductive.
The Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
They had thought Lin Chen was just a human who would only use them, but they never expected him to be so considerate of them.
Da Ming nodded slowly, his voice softening slightly: "Since you already have a plan, then we will not interfere. The Rotting Wood Forest on the west side of the Star Dou Great Forest is mostly inhabited by human-faced demon spiders, and quite a few of them have two thousand years of cultivation. You can go there on your own."
Lin Chen shook his head. "What I want is not an ordinary human-faced demon spider, but you don't need to worry about this. I will handle it myself."
With the arrangements made, Lin Chen's gaze fell on the two 100,000-year-old soul beasts, his expression growing increasingly serious: "Now, you must immediately and carefully observe the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest to confirm whether Xiao Wu has returned. Remember, once you discover her appearance, do not disturb her. Be sure to wait until she has ventured a further distance into the core before proceeding according to plan."
He turned to look at the Titan Ape, his tone resolute: "Erming, you will stay at the edge of the core area and wait for orders. I will go and retrieve the Human-Faced Demon Spider, and once I have it, I will rush to the core area to meet you."
"As for my appearance..." Lin Chen raised his hand and gently stroked his cheek, his fingertips tracing the subtle changes. "I am completely different from when we first met. Even if Xiao Wu were to run into me by chance, she would never recognize me. You can proceed with the plan without worry."
Da Ming and Er Ming nodded in unison, a look of understanding flashing in their golden and emerald vertical pupils. Then, their massive bodies moved simultaneously. The Azure Bull Python transformed into a stream of emerald light and disappeared into the lake, while the Titan Giant Ape stepped off the ground and left behind only a few tremors. They quietly set up their own traps and sealed off all the aura channels on the outer edge of the star.
After making the arrangements, Lin Chen found a sheltered, rocky high ground and sat down cross-legged. He took a deep breath, and the remaining purple-gold lightning around his body slowly subsided. Instead, he circulated the life energy of the Blue Silver Grass, combined with the domineering spiritual power of the Thunder God's bloodline, and began to absorb the life essence power permeating the area around the Star Lake with all his might, focusing his mind on cultivation.
At this moment, although his soul power had recovered somewhat, it was still not at its peak. The fierce battle just now had been extremely taxing, and he had used divine and soul skills one after another. Now was the crucial time to repair his meridians and stabilize his realm. He held his breath and concentrated, isolating himself from the noise and wind of the outside world. His mental world was highly focused, allowing the pale blue life energy and purple-gold lightning to flow slowly within his body, nourishing every inch of his bones and muscles.
But beneath this lake of life, which he thought was absolutely safe, turbulent undercurrents were already surging.
Deep within the Lake of Life, in the Dragon Palace built from millennia-old jade and pearl shells, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, floats silently amidst the dark waters.
His long black robe fluttered without wind, and his jet-black dragon aura swallowed up all the surrounding light. His signature golden vertical pupils were now clearly reflecting Lin Chen's every move on the lake surface through the layers of water—from his wariness when he first entered Star Lake, to his composure when negotiating with Da Ming and Er Ming, to his current state of sitting cross-legged in meditation with his aura contained, and even the intermittent fluctuations of the Thunder God bloodline within him were all captured by Di Tian without missing a single detail.
From the moment Lin Chen stepped into the Lake of Life, he had been watching him in secret.
Seeing Lin Chen finally sink into cultivation, Di Tian's sharp golden eyes narrowed slightly. He withdrew his dragon aura and transformed into an invisible black shadow, silently penetrating the barrier of the lake water and heading straight into the depths of the dragon palace at the bottom of the lake.
Inside the Dragon Palace, the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena, still lay serenely on her jade bed. A long, plain white dress accentuated her snow-white skin, and her long, ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Her eyes held a languid and noble air of someone still half-asleep. Her aura was gentle yet vast, as if enveloping the entire soul of the Lake of Life.
Di Tian slowly landed before the bed, bowing slightly. His posture was respectful yet retained the majesty of the chief of ferocious beasts. A hint of solemnity flashed in his golden vertical pupils as he spoke in a deep voice, his tone as low as muffled thunder, echoing in the empty Dragon Palace:
"My lord, I have important matters to report."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena's long eyelashes trembled slightly. She slowly opened her eyes, which held the galaxy within them, and her gaze fell lightly on Di Tian. Her tone was calm and even: "Speak."
"Yes." Di Tian nodded, turning his gaze to the direction of the lake, and said clearly, word by word, "That successor of the Thunder God has already entered the area of the Lake of Life. From the moment he arrived at the core of the Star Dou Great Forest, to his negotiations with the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, and now to his cross-legged cultivation, I have clearly observed all his aura fluctuations and actions."
He paused, then continued, his tone tinged with inquiry and wariness: "This person not only possesses the bloodline of the Thunder God and the Thunder God's ring, but also has intricate connections with Xiao Wu and the 100,000-year-old Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin. At this moment, he is joining forces with two 100,000-year-old soul beasts, seemingly plotting something, with Xiao Wu as his target."
"His intentions are still unclear, but the power of Thor on his body is no accident."
After Di Tian finished his report, he stood aside with his head bowed, awaiting the Silver Dragon King's decision.
The Dragon Palace at the bottom of the lake was serene, with only the soft sound of the water gently lapping against the seashells. Gu Yuena's gaze slowly turned to the lake surface, landing on the tiny figure sitting cross-legged in meditation. A deep, unfathomable light flashed in her golden eyes, and she remained silent for a long time.
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