Chapter 23: The Growing Debt
"?!"
Xiong Jun's scalp tingled as he stared at Di Tian in confusion.
Stretch his muscles?
More like you're going to tear me apart!
For three whole hours, he'd endured a brutal beating—utterly inhumane…no, utterly unbeastly! Di Tian had practically treated him like a ball, kicking him around mercilessly. After his initial attack, he spent the entire fight getting pummeled.
After this battle, Xiong Jun clearly realized that the old fox, Di Tian, had never fought him seriously before, always hiding his real strength.
Damn it! He schemed against me!
Just you wait—once I grow stronger, we'll fight again!
"You're strong enough. Let's go, I'll take you to find my clansman." Xiong Jun grumbled unhappily and turned toward the depths of the forest.
Di Tian returned to human form, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise before following.
Hearing "you're strong enough" from Xiong Jun wasn't easy—it meant Xiong Jun had admitted defeat to Di Tian.
Just as Bi Ji predicted, Xiong Jun would likely behave himself for quite some time.
Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears were solitary soul beasts, usually preferring to live alone. Only during mating periods would they pair up briefly.
Even their cubs would be driven away by their parents upon becoming decade-old soul beasts, forced to live independently thereafter.
Thus, finding Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears in Star Dou Great Forest—already scarce and dispersed—was nearly impossible. Unless one was exceptionally lucky, the only option was to have Xiong Jun lead the way.
Not long after, Xiong Jun stopped in front of a huge ancient tree with an enormous hollow and released a low growl from his throat.
A similar growl came from within the tree hollow in response. Then, an eight- or nine-meter-tall Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear slowly crawled out.
Looking at the bear in front of him, Xiong Jun's eyes revealed complicated emotions. He growled twice, communicating in their unique language.
Hearing Xiong Jun's growls, the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear trembled slightly, eyes briefly filled with fear and dread. However, it quickly overcame its negative emotions and responded with a low growl.
Di Tian quietly appeared, floating in midair beside Xiong Jun, and said in surprise, "This is your son? Xiong Jun, you're actually willing to let your own son become the lord's soul ring?"
Bright light enveloped Xiong Jun's enormous body, and after shrinking, he turned into a rugged, three-meter-tall man wearing animal-skin clothes.
"The lives of other clansmen are precious, and so is my son's life. As my son, he enjoyed respect and glory among the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears, so he must also make sacrifices for our clan." Xiong Jun spoke plainly, yet the faint reluctance in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't send his son to certain death. But as the clan leader, he had no alternative.
Di Tian sighed and patted Xiong Jun's shoulder. "Don't worry. As the lord's soul ring, he won't truly die. You know that soul rings contain the soul beast's soul—when the lord reaches his peak again, your son can be revived."
Initially, Di Tian hadn't intended to reveal this, as he wasn't certain Lin Yun would expend energy reviving his soul rings.
But now that Di Tian had spoken, he would definitely mention this matter to Lin Yun in the future, requesting the revival of these soul beasts.
"Really?" Xiong Jun's brows furrowed deeply, shock flashing in his eyes.
He was a native Douluo soul beast and naturally didn't understand divine powers—otherwise, he wouldn't have recklessly fought Di Tian.
"It's true. The lord can absolutely do it," Di Tian nodded reassuringly.
"Good then. Take him and leave. This Jun won't accompany you," Xiong Jun said with visible relief, turning away without another glance.
Di Tian watched Xiong Jun's departing figure in silence.
This bear might just be overly arrogant—and had picked the wrong target—but in reality, he was genuinely strong. With Gu Yuena inactive at the lake, Xiong Jun was likely the strongest in Star Dou after Di Tian himself. Even the Ten Thousand Demon King was no match for him.
Setting aside the flaw of his muscles-for-brains mentality, Xiong Jun was actually not bad—just prone to offending others.
"Woo…" The bear cub lying nearby whimpered twice, as if bidding a final farewell to Xiong Jun.
Xiong Jun paused briefly, slowly clenching his right fist. In the end, all that escaped him was a long sigh, dissipating quietly into the air.
"Let's go," Di Tian waved his hand. An irresistible spatial force enveloped the young bear, quietly causing him to vanish from the spot.
Lake of Life.
Lin Yun and Bi Ji had long since returned and were now waiting quietly by the lakeside.
At the moment the battle concluded, Lin Yun knew this soul ring was secured. All that remained was for Di Tian to return, bringing the third soul ring with him.
Di Tian didn't keep Lin Yun waiting long. Shortly after Lin Yun arrived at the Lake of Life, Di Tian emerged from space, accompanied by a Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
Although Lin Yun had previously seen Xiong Jun's true form from afar, it was only at this close distance that he could fully sense the explosive power emanating from the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
It certainly deserved its reputation—a creature capable of battling dragons.
"Lord, the soul ring you requested has been brought back," Di Tian bowed slightly.
"You've worked hard, Di Tian," Lin Yun replied with a smile, nodding slightly. "But judging by your expression, it seems something interesting happened between you and Xiong Jun after I left."
"Why don't you tell me about it?"
The complexity on Di Tian's face was simply too apparent. Given his normally expressionless face, seeing such a conflicted look was even rarer than his obedient subordinate days.
After a brief hesitation, Di Tian explained everything that had transpired, including the identity of the bear standing before them.
"Therefore, this subordinate hopes that once my lord returns to your peak, you might revive it," Di Tian respectfully lowered his gaze and bowed.
"So, it's Xiong Jun's son…" Lin Yun stepped toward the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, gently stroking its seemingly tough yet surprisingly soft, dark-golden fur.
As Xiong Jun's offspring, its talent was undoubtedly exceptional, even among the already formidable Dark Gold Terror Claw Bears.
Lin Yun realized…
The debts of gratitude he owed Star Dou Great Forest were steadily increasing.
(End of Chapter)
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