Chrysanthemum Douluo's sharp voice cut through the air. Though high-pitched, it carried unmistakable killing intent, cold and suffocating.
For a moment, it seemed he might still choose to fight.
Then Jiang Mo stepped forward.
"Elder Chrysanthemum," he said evenly, "I also don't want to let them go. But you should look at the Holy Maiden's condition."
His gaze shifted toward Hu Liena.
A brief silence followed. Jiang Mo continued, his tone steady but firm.
"I will take responsibility."
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately raised a hand, stopping him. His expression hardened, pride evident even in this moment.
"I have not fallen so low… as to let a junior take responsibility for my decisions."
His eyes flicked once more toward Hu Liena, and the killing intent in them gradually receded.
After a pause, he turned his gaze toward Tang San in the distance and gave a small, reluctant nod.
"Fine. We both take a step back."
Tang San returned the nod, his expression unreadable. The tension that had stretched to its breaking point finally eased.
Slowly, both sides began to withdraw, each step taken with caution, neither turning their backs fully until sufficient distance had been created. The forest, which had moments ago trembled under overwhelming power, fell back into an uneasy quiet.
Step… step…
Not long after both groups had vanished from the battlefield—another presence arrived.
Qian Renxue appeared where the clash had taken place.
In her hand was a quill. At first glance, it seemed ordinary. Yet upon closer inspection, its nib emerged from the mouth of a coiled dragon, and a faint, almost imperceptible dragon's pressure lingered around it.
She glanced in the direction both groups had departed, her face became slightly serious.
"Too many coincidences… becomes cliche," she murmured softly, "now the story needs to be modified accordingly."
Her voice was light.
A lone butterfly drifted through the clearing, untouched by the remnants of battle. Sensing no danger, it fluttered down and rested briefly upon her golden hair.
For a fleeting moment, the scene seemed peaceful.
Then—Without warning— Qian Renxue's figure shattered into countless iridescent, dreamlike bubbles. They scattered into the air like fragments of a fading illusion before dissolving completely into nothingness.
The butterfly startled, its wings fluttering rapidly as it took to the air once more.
It circled once, confused— Before disappearing into the forest, leaving behind no trace of what had just occurred.
-------
A while later, the surface of the Lake of Life stirred.
The still water parted silently as a massive black dragon head slowly emerged. Scales like polished obsidian reflected faint light, and a pair of golden eyes swept across the surroundings with extreme vigilance.
Di Tian remained motionless for several breaths.
His gaze combed through every inch of the forest, every ripple of energy, every lingering trace left behind by the earlier battle.
Only after confirming absence of a certain someone this did he finally exhale, the tension in his massive form easing slightly.
From behind him, the water suddenly churned again.
A hulking figure burst forth—thick fur, terrifying claws, and a domineering presence that seemed to crush the air itself.
Xiong Jun, the Bear Lord, the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear of nearly 4,70,000 years.
"Di Tian," he rumbled, his voice like grinding stone, "did you find anything?"
The sudden appearance behind him made Di Tian's nerves snap.
ROAR—!
His furious roar shook the lake, sending waves crashing outward.
Xiong Jun's expression darkened instantly. Never one to back down, he answered in kind.
ROAR—!
The clash of their roars reverberated through the forest. Countless soul beasts in the surrounding region trembled, scattering in fear at the collision of two apex existences.
For a moment, the two stood facing each other in silence, their auras pressing against one another.
Then Di Tian snorted coldly.
"Don't sneak up behind me like that."
Xiong Jun burst into laughter, his massive frame shaking.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Look at you. Still won't admit you were scared out of your wits just now?"
Di Tian's eyes flashed with irritation.
"Do you even know what I came here to confirm?"
The laughter faded. Xiong Jun's expression gradually turned serious. His earlier bravado disappeared, replaced by something far more cautious.
"…You felt it too, didn't you?"
His voice dropped.
"Her presence this time… was Unfathomable. She felt much more powerful than the last time she came"
He paused, as if searching for the right words, his claws unconsciously digging into the ground.
"And deep in our blood… it felt like…"
Di Tian's pupils narrowed. He finished the sentence in a low, solemn tone.
"…It felt like our Lord was here."
Silence followed.
-----
After separating from the Spirit Hall group, Tang San and his companions moved deeper into the Star Dou Forest until they reached a secluded valley.
The dense canopy blocked out most of the light, and the air was thick with the presence of powerful soul beasts. It was a place where even ordinary Titled Douluos would tread carefully.
It was only because of the presence of two overlords of Star Dou Forest they were not attacked by other powerful soul beasts.
Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python, coiled his massive body protectively, while Er Ming, the Titan Giant Ape, stood like an unmoving mountain beside him. Both of them kept their gazes locked on Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, their vigilance undisguised.
Although they had just fought on the same side, trust between soul beasts and humans did not come so easily.
Breaking the tense atmosphere, Xiao Wu stepped forward with a bright smile.
"See? I told you Tang San would come to find me."
----
(AN: Qian Renxue is at the moment like a walking pollution so she does not face any of her friend and relative. Lu Ping saw her and had some problems he became a fanatic. While Lu Ping was devoted he was not a complete fanatic until the incident of Crania town. Followed by Ning Fengzhi who was driven crazy just by looking at her hidden form.)
( Hint : Presence of other hidden being behind the scenes who want to manipulate.)