The heart of Star Dou Forest grew still—unnaturally so.
In the valley of molten echoes, Tang Yan narrowed his gaze, while across a thunder-veined glade, Tang San exhaled softly. Both felt it. Pressure. Not killing intent… but something deeper. Ancient. Desperate.
And then, the silence shattered.
1. Tang Yan vs. the Infernal Vajra Behemoth
With a quake, the obsidian crust split open and the Infernal Vajra Behemoth rose, lava veins glowing violently along its titanic form. Its roar cracked the air—a sound of anguish and rage.
Tang Yan's body ignited in golden-red light. His Blue Gold Warlord Trident gleamed, while his Mutated Clear Sky Hammer pulsed with destructive might.
He charged in. The air shook as hammer met molten claw, Trident spun through flame.
At first—it seemed even. A dance of gods.
Tianmeng Bug:"Oh this is gonna be good—wait… wait a second…"
Then—everything turned.
The Behemoth's next strike shattered Tang Yan's hammer rhythm. A follow-up tail whip launched him into a molten boulder. He crashed through it, bones screaming in protest.
Before he could recover, the Behemoth stomped down, and Tang Yan barely rolled aside—barely.
System:"Host Status: Emergency—Stamina breach approaching critical."
2. Tang San vs. Thunder Vein Spearthorn Drake
In the mist-veiled canopy, Tang San stood against the lightning-cloaked monstrosity—Thunder Vein Spearthorn Drake, its electric thorns humming with destructive charge.
His vines danced. His Blue Gold Warlord Spear whirled, each move mathematical in execution.
And yet—precision wasn't enough.
The Drake vanished into the mist and struck from four angles simultaneously.
Tang San cried out as electric thorns tore through his defenses. His back hit a tree, his arms went numb, spear slipping from his grasp.
Each attack was a blitz of control and speed—the very things he prided himself on.
"This… is no ordinary soul beast…"
3. One-Sided Desperation
Within minutes, both twins were down—bloodied, panting, soul power in disarray.
The Behemoth loomed over Tang Yan, while the Drake prepared to unleash a final, paralyzing bolt at Tang San.
From afar, Gu Yuena clenched her fan.
"Di Tian."
He had already vanished.
4. Di Tian Intervenes
In a streak of black and gold, Di Tian appeared in front of the Behemoth, palm outstretched.
A roar—ancient and divine—erupted from him, striking the Behemoth with pure dragon might.
BOOM!
The earth cratered as the Behemoth was hurled back, slamming into a cliffside.
Simultaneously, a golden claw tore through the mist above Tang San, catching the Drake mid-charge.
With a growl, Di Tian slammed it into the ground, neck-first, driving it inches from Tang San's head.
"Enough."
His voice echoed through the forest like thunder.
5. Revelation of the Kings
The beasts no longer resisted.
Tang Yan coughed and sat up, clutching his ribs. Tang San staggered to his feet, leaning heavily on a tree.
Then—it happened.
Their soul seas rippled.
A voice spoke in unison, from both beasts:
"You are not our enemies."
"We attacked to test your worth… to know if the forest would be safe… when we are gone."
Tang Yan's eyes widened. "You knew?"
The Behemoth's massive head lowered. "We… are breaking."
"The corruption spreads. We led others… away from it. But it eats at us now."
The Drake hissed, softer now. "Our evolution became a curse. If we cross 100,000… we lose ourselves."
Gu Yuena stepped forward, lips tight. "You're… resisting divine regression."
Bi Ji gasped. "They're not corrupted. They're restraining it."
6. End Scene — A King's Last Request
The Behemoth's eyes locked with Tang Yan's.
"Let us fall by your hands… so others may rise."
The Drake turned to Tang San.
"We will not die monsters."
As their bodies began to glow with soul ring light, a soft hum filled the forest.
System:"Initiate ring preparation protocols?"
Tang Yan didn't move. Not yet.
End of Chapter 80