After hearing Tang San's words, the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts fell silent.
Since being attacked by Bibi Dong, their strength had greatly diminished, and they had been recuperating from their injuries, unable to protect Xiao Wu.
As a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast, Xiao Wu was not only coveted by human soul masters for her hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones but also targeted by numerous soul beasts in the forest. For human soul masters, Xiao Wu was an exceedingly rare treasure. For top-tier soul beasts, she was akin to a cultivation holy grail—just like the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger or the Soul Devouring Spider Empress. If one could devour a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, unimaginable gains would surely follow.
Tang San continued: "Have you considered this? To ensure Xiao Wu's safety, absolute strength is required, as well as unwavering devotion to her. In this world, I am the only one who can do that."
The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes revealed a trace of desolation: "Tang San, you despicable wretch. If Xiao Wu knew what you've done, how heartbroken she would be."
Tang San sighed: "If it weren't for our current predicament, I wouldn't have resorted to attacking you. After all, if you had helped me, I could have found other hundred-thousand-year soul beasts and completed my final trial as the inheritor of the Rakshasa God. Once I ascend to godhood, no one in this world would be able to harm Xiao Wu."
"Unfortunately, your so-called solidarity among hundred-thousand-year soul beasts has kept you from aiding me. I have no choice but to take action against you. I have no time left, and neither does this world."
"And if you truly care about Xiao Wu's feelings, you won't tell her what happened today. If she learns the truth, the only result will be her sorrow—and perhaps even danger."
Though the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python were hundred-thousand-year soul beasts who had lived through countless ages, their lives in the forest had been relatively simple. They possessed the intelligence of adults but lacked exposure to the complexities of the human world, its intricate schemes, or the methods adults used to navigate problems.
Now, after Tang San's explanation, they were genuinely unsure of what to do. If they told Xiao Wu about today's events, as Tang San had said, it might lead to Xiao Wu severing ties with him—and that would place her in grave danger.
Moreover, Xiao Wu had lived safely in the Great Star Dou Forest for so long largely because of the protection provided by the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. To the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, Xiao Wu was family. They even harbored deep affection for her, though they had never expressed it.
Now, at this juncture, it seemed there was no escape from death for the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Their only hope was for Xiao Wu to live safely and grow up happily.
Whether for Xiao Wu's safety or her future, it appeared there was no turning back.
The Sky Azure Bull Python clenched his teeth: "Tang San, you're ruthless. You dare to use Xiao Wu to manipulate us. I agree not to tell Xiao Wu about today's events, but you must spare Er Ming."
The Titan Giant Ape quickly interjected: "Big Brother, don't do this! You've protected me all these years. Without you, I would have died long ago. If anyone should die, let it be me!"
"Tang San, kill me instead. You can claim my soul ring and soul bone. I swear I won't tell Xiao Wu about today's events—I only ask that you spare my Big Brother."
The Sky Azure Bull Python hastily replied: "Second Brother, this is all my fault. Let me take responsibility. If I hadn't insisted on the principle of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts not killing each other, we wouldn't be in this situation today."
…
Tang San watched the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts prepare to argue and couldn't help but shake his head.
"Elder Da Ming, Elder Er Ming, things have reached this point today, and I apologize. But unfortunately, I have no other options."
"Today, I need two hundred-thousand-year soul rings and two hundred-thousand-year soul bones. Both of you are indispensable to my plans."
"However, I promise you this—I will never let Xiao Wu know about today's events. From now on, I will do everything in my power to protect her until she ascends to godhood alongside me."
"I've heard that if a soul master ascends to godhood, they can resurrect a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who has been sacrificed. I swear to you that once I become a god, I will revive both of you and reunite you with Xiao Wu."
The Sky Azure Bull Python responded: "Tang San, you're too despicable. How can we trust you? I don't want Xiao Wu's future to be ruined because of you."
A trace of resolve flickered in Tang San's eyes: "At any moment, I will do everything in my power to protect Xiao Wu. If it weren't for protecting her, how could we have ended up in this situation?"
"Even now, I'll repeat myself—no one can harm Xiao Wu unless they step over my corpse. Not even a god."
The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape exchanged glances, then simultaneously revealed a look of determination.
"Tang San, remember your words today. If you dare harm Xiao Wu, even in hell, we brothers will not let you off easy."
After speaking, the Sky Azure Bull Python began emanating a crimson glow that seemed to freeze time and space.
The Titan Giant Ape roared furiously: "Big Brother, we are brothers. Today, we face death together."
Following this, the Titan Giant Ape also emitted a crimson light that enveloped the heavens and earth.
Compared to the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, Tang San's expression suddenly changed. His face split into two halves—one eye blood-red, the other a dark, ordinary black.
Tang San seemed to be conflicted: "Why did I harm Xiao Wu's brothers? Why did I attack them?"
Immediately, the other eye also radiated a crimson glow: "I am the inheritor of the Rakshasa God. By absorbing two more hundred-thousand-year soul rings, I can reach Level 99. At that point, I will rule the entire world."
But before Tang San could dwell on his inner conflict, the entire space was engulfed in a blood-red glow. Two terrifying streams of energy rapidly merged into Tang San's body.
This was the sacrifice of the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—a process that could not be stopped by anyone. It was a unique rule of this world, one that even the most powerful beings could not interfere with.
…
Deep within the Great Star Dou Forest, Di Tian stared intently at the scene outside, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
Ultimately, he sighed: "Was my decision to protect Tang San right or wrong? Master, is this the future you foresaw?"
"But I still can't understand—after investing so much in Tang San, will it truly benefit the development of our soul beast race?"
…
In a town outside the Great Star Dou Forest, a silver-haired little girl wandered aimlessly. She appeared pure and untouchable, like a divine being.
This was none other than the Silver Dragon King. After leaving the Great Star Dou Forest, she had not headed to her destination but instead chose to explore the world, having hidden in the forest for hundreds of thousands of years.
At this moment, the Silver Dragon King seemed to sense the events unfolding in the Great Star Dou Forest, and her expression began to shift slightly.
"The ways of the world are unpredictable. Even if the future I foresaw has changed, some things remain unavoidable. That little snake and monkey have ultimately walked this path, becoming human soul rings and soul bones. Perhaps greater upheaval lies ahead."
"My time is running out, and so is the time left for this world. For the survival of our soul beast race, perhaps it's time I met the strongest beings of this world."
"Strangely, no matter how many times I calculate, I cannot sense Yang Xiong's presence or predict his future. Could this Yang Xiong truly be the variable in the Douluo world?"
…
In Spirit City, Qian Renxue, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly opened her eyes.
"How interesting. I didn't sense Yang Xiong's presence, but I felt something intriguing instead. It seems the Rakshasa God has chosen Tang San. To think he could break through his limits so quickly and gain the Rakshasa God's favor—this world is becoming increasingly fascinating."
"I wonder how that woman will react. She has strived her entire life, only to end up with nothing. The Spirit Empire has slipped from her control, and even the Rakshasa God has abandoned her."
…
Compared to Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong had descended into madness. Her face twisted grotesquely, and her spirit power spiraled out of control.
"Why? Why? I am the true inheritor of the Rakshasa God! Why have you chosen my enemy? Why have you abandoned me? I refuse to accept this!"
"Do you think abandoning me leaves me without hope? Even if I destroy this world, even if I fall into the abyss, I will drag the Angel clan down with me to avenge the humiliation I suffered!"
Ever since leaving Jialing Pass, Bibi Dong had been unable to enter the Rakshasa Secret Realm, and the Rakshasa God's power within her had begun to dissipate.
Before her now hung a massive painting—it depicted either a grand formation or a demonic figure.
Bibi Dong's bloodshot eyes stared at the painting, her gaze filled with fury.
"If you refuse to give it to me, I will take it myself. Without you, I can still ascend to godhood."
Bibi Dong transformed into her colossal Death Spider Empress form, emitting endless black energy. Her body brimmed with terrifying power, drawn from the countless corpses and souls she had devoured in Jialing Pass.
Back in the Rakshasa Secret Realm, Bibi Dong had not only obtained the inheritance of the Rakshasa God but also this god-ascending formation.
However, the formation was excessively bloody, brutal, and dangerous, which was why she had refrained from using it until now.
But the countless souls she had devoured in Jialing Pass were precisely the key ingredients needed to complete the formation.
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