Chapter 12: Sudden Turn
Tian E and Walter stared grimly toward the core region of Star Dou Great Forest.
"Old Croc, what's going on? These beasts haven't left the core zone in centuries. What's gotten into them today?"
Walter stepped beside Tian E and murmured lowly.
"How should I know? Let's just hope they're not after us."
Tian E replied in an equally hushed tone, his mind racing. Ever since entering the forest, everything had seemed normal. Could they really just be acting on a whim?
No—wait. They very well might be after them. Had he grown so dull from years cooped up in the Hall of Offerings that he'd forgotten the obvious? The life energy radiating from Xiao Shuang's martial soul had startled even him. How could these ancient beasts—facing their own mortality—possibly ignore it?
Realization struck like lightning. Tian E whirled toward Pulman and the three young girls.
"Pulman! Get them out of here—now! Run as fast as you can!"
At Tian E's sharp command, Pulman didn't bother with his usual deference. Instead, he instantly activated his martial soul.
Two massive wings erupted from his back. As the first line of defense against beast tides, Platinum Archbishops stationed outside Star Dou Great Forest were always speed-oriented assault-type Spirit Masters—and Pulman was no exception.
"My apologies, Miss."
He scooped Tian Yue and Qian Ningshuang into his arms. Qian Ren Xue quickly climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. In a life-or-death chase, a mere Spirit King had no time for modesty.
Watching the four vanish into the distance, Walter exhaled in relief.
"Old Croc, what now?"
"Did you leave your brain at home today? Why so many questions? What do you think we do? We hold them off—as long as we can. Our old bones don't matter. Snow and Frost are the future of Spirit Hall."
Tian E snapped, irritation lacing his voice.
"I haven't fought in ages. Nerves got the better of me. Just trying to lighten the mood."
Walter smiled as he adjusted his gloves—but the warmth was gone. Only cold resolve remained.
"From here on… kill every enemy in sight!"
Ten threads of unknown material sprouted from Walter's fingertips. His魂 rings flared—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—revealing his full strength as a 94th-level Titled Douluo.
Beside him, golden scales spread across Tian E's face. His魂 rings shimmered, crowned by a brilliant red one far more regal than Walter's blacks. The aura of a 98th-level Limit Douluo exploded outward.
"Black Dragon," Tian E said coolly, facing the colossal figure before him. "To what do we owe the honor?"
"Hand over the girl who just absorbed a魂 ring," Di Tian growled. "Don't force my hand!"
During his approach, Di Tian had sensed everything. He now knew exactly who carried that immense, pure life energy—and how vital she was to his master. Today, he would not leave empty-handed.
"When did魂 beasts start talking instead of charging? Oh—wait. You're injured. Scared, are you?"
Tian E sneered, eyeing the massive, charred wound across Di Tian's body.
"You insolent human! You seek death!"
A black dragon claw slammed down. Just mentioning that wound ignited Di Tian's fury—the cursed gods of the God Realm!
"Martial Soul True Body!"
A golden crocodile, nearly as vast as the dragon itself, materialized on the spot and rammed straight into the descending claw. From its maw boomed Tian E's voice:
"Old Walt! That bear's yours!"
"I am the Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear!"
"Same difference!"
A storm of threads engulfed Xiong Jun as he charged toward Tian E.
While Tian E and Walter clashed with the凶 beasts, Qian Ningshuang and the others had not, as Tian E hoped, escaped unscathed.
After all, three凶 beasts had come—but only two had appeared.
Di Tian wasn't foolish. If all three showed up at once, Tian E and Walter would fight to the death to delay them. Even if briefly, it would cost precious time.
Better to reveal only two—let them tie up the elders—while the third intercepted the fugitives.
Far away, mid-flight, the four were suddenly struck from below and crashed to the forest floor.
Birds scattered in panic as the impact shook the trees.
Qian Ningshuang rose from Qian Ren Xue's arms and assessed their condition. Archbishop Pulman had taken the brunt of the blow—blood streamed from his head, one arm hung limp and clearly broken, and multiple gashes wept crimson.
Qian Ren Xue's golden hair spilled loose, her body scraped and bruised.
Qian Ningshuang and Tian Yue, however, were unharmed—shielded during the fall by Qian Ren Xue and Pulman.
Fortunately, their attacker had held back—likely wary of something. Had they struck with full force, only pulp would remain.
Before they could recover, a three-headed crimson demon hound emerged from the trees. Clearly, it was the one who'd downed them.
"Miss, take the young ladies and go. I'll hold it off."
Pulman stood, cradling his broken arm, placing himself between the beast and the girls. If he feared death, he'd never have guarded Star Dou Great Forest.
"A mere Spirit Douluo? Don't make me laugh."
A massive paw descended with crushing force.
"Stop!"
The paw froze midair.
Chi Wang stared down at the small dagger pressed against its heart—held by Qian Ningshuang.
As a 300,000-year-old凶 beast, it had sensed her earlier魂 skill test. It understood perfectly how crucial she was to its master. If she died, it wouldn't just be a feast of dog meat in the core zone—canine魂 beasts might vanish from Star Dou entirely.
And though her life energy came from her martial soul, not her body, Chi Wang dared not gamble on whether she'd truly kill herself.
Seeing the beast hesitate, Qian Ningshuang breathed easier. She wasn't naive. Combining her knowledge of the original story with Hei Yuan Bai Hua's nature, she'd pieced together why they'd come.
"You've figured it out," Chi Wang finally spoke after a long silence. "You're the reason we're here. What do you want? So long as you don't demand freedom, Star Dou Great Forest will move heaven and earth to grant it."
"Get them out of Star Dou Great Forest," Qian Ningshuang said firmly. "I'll go with you. But my two grandfathers come too. Harm either of them, and I die on the spot."
She kept her eyes locked on the red three-headed hound. She wasn't some selfish transmigrator. These were family and friends she'd known for six years—now in danger because of her. Trading her safety for theirs wasn't even a choice.
Besides, if her guess was right, she wouldn't die—just lose the chance to return to Spirit Hall.
"Agreed. I'll call off Di Tian. But you stay right here. If you run… you know the consequences."
Chi Wang gave her one last, searching look—then turned and raced toward the battlefield where Tian E and Di Tian clashed.