On a mountain path, six figures sped ahead at incredible speed—fast enough to shame even agility-type Soul Douluo.
They were Bibi Dong's party. Worried Tianlin might succeed, Bibi Dong chose to travel at full speed.
Six Titled Douluo reached the Star Dou Great Forest from Spirit Hall in less than a day.
"Yue Guan, you lead the way. Help us find the two forest kings," Bibi Dong commanded.
"Yes, Your Holiness!" Yue Guan had secretly betrayed Bibi Dong, but not in this matter. If she found out, he'd die horribly. Besides, Old Ghost had died at Tianlin and the forest kings' hands, so Yue Guan was eager to help.
Led by Yue Guan, the six entered the Star Dou Great Forest. Yue Guan had visited the Lake of Life before, so he was familiar with the way.
They progressed smoothly—even in the depths, no soul beast dared interrupt.
Six Titled Douluo: unless a beast had a death wish, who would provoke them?
…
Meanwhile, in the Lake of Life, the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had no idea danger was approaching. To help Xiao Wu regain her cultivation, they had spared no effort.
They had collected nearly all the rare herbs in the forest—except for those in the Lake of Life itself.
Er Ming sat by the lake, gently watching Xiao Wu eat a spirit herb. "Big Brother, look—Xiao Wu's progressing so fast. In this short time, she's almost recovered a hundred years' cultivation. At this rate, she'll regain her spirit in less than two hundred years."
A huge bull head surfaced. "It's all thanks to the herbs you picked, Er Ming. Good work. Unfortunately, there are no immortal-grade herbs left here. If we had a ten-thousand-year Ginseng King or a five-thousand-year Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, Xiao Wu would recover her mind instantly."
"It's fine, Big Brother. I can wait a few hundred years. From now on, I'll never let Xiao Wu get hurt again," Er Ming vowed.
"Heh, is that so?" Suddenly, a charming voice rang out, and countless chrysanthemum petals fell from the sky. "Fifth soul skill: Cold Yin Gathering!"
The petals became sharp blades, flying toward the two soul beasts.
"Xiao Wu, look out!" The Titan Giant Ape protected Xiao Wu with its body.
Its body was incredibly tough—even a Titled Douluo's attack couldn't break its defense in one blow, though it did leave red gashes on its skin.
"This soul skill—is it that Titled Douluo who escaped last time?" Da Ming roared in anger. "Bastard! I spared you before, but you dare come again? Fine! Heavenly Azure Annihilating Thunder!"
The Azure Bull Python summoned thunder toward the source of the petals.
In the forest, a giant sea turtle and a white-armored earth dragon appeared, blocking the thunder but still shaking from the blow. Even these two defensive spirits couldn't easily withstand the Azure Bull Python's attack.
"Haha, what strong bodies, what powerful thunder! As expected of the forest kings!" Bibi Dong stepped out with her group, her eyes greedy as she looked at the two beasts.
Aside from Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue, the other four had already activated their martial souls: two yellow, two purple, five black rings.
Seeing six people, the Azure Bull Python's pupils contracted.
Six Titled Douluo!
The other two hadn't revealed their martial souls, but they felt even stronger.
"Azure Bull Python, Titan Giant Ape, where's Jun Tianlin?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked fiercely.
"Jun Tianlin? That young human from last time?" The Azure Bull Python would never forget the one who tricked everyone. "He hasn't been here. Humans, if you're looking for him, you can leave."
If possible, it didn't want to fight six Titled Douluo. Even if it and Er Ming were strong, they couldn't beat so many.
"He hasn't been here?" Bibi Dong thought, then said to Qian Renxue, "Xue'er, don't join the fight later. Keep an eye out—I'm afraid he might ambush us."
Bibi Dong wasn't about to retreat. She was determined to get those two soul rings.
"Yue Guan, attack!"
"Yes, Your Holiness!" Yue Guan's third soul ring lit up. "Third soul skill: Aura Barrier!"
Chrysanthemum petals formed a large circle, surrounding the two beasts. This was a control skill—the pollen could paralyze opponents and slow even strong enemies.
It was like a weaker version of the Polar Domain.
"I said, Jun Tianlin isn't here. Don't push your luck, humans," the Azure Bull Python growled.
"Heh, who cares about Jun Tianlin? Our real target is you. Eighth soul skill: Blood Boil!" Spirit Kite Douluo flew up, sending fireballs into the Lake of Life, making the whole surface boil.
Even the Azure Bull Python's tough body couldn't stand boiling water like this. A Titled Douluo's fire was no joke.
In the shadows, Tianlin watched and smiled. "They're really asking for it. I was worried their fight wouldn't be fierce enough to draw out Di Tian—was even planning to lure him with Bear King's soul ring aura. But now, you're attacking the Lake of Life—it saves me the trouble."
Tianlin was pleased with Spirit Kite Douluo's move, but there was one problem: why did Qian Renxue come too? If Di Tian went berserk, even Bibi Dong might not be able to stop him. Qian Renxue was definitely not his match!
Tianlin decided to play it by ear. If necessary, he'd intervene. In any case, he would not stop his plan—the Five Spirit Pearls were too important.
…
At the lake's center, Zi Ji suddenly surfaced and said to Di Tian, "Di Tian, the surface temperature has suddenly risen. Someone is attacking the Lake of Life."
Di Tian opened his golden eyes, gazing into the distance. His vision was so sharp he could see the battle from far away.
"Six Titled Douluo come to hunt the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape brothers? Excellent! Humans, your bullying of soul beasts has gone too far!"
Di Tian's voice was icy cold. After the Tang Hao incident, he was already angry. Now six more had come—did they really think the forest had no king?