Chapter 299: The Hunt Begins
Following Flender's somber words, the group fell silent, realizing that with the Spirit Empire's unstoppable momentum, ruling all of Douluo Continent was only a matter of time. A single city like Hanhai couldn't hope to withstand the Empire's military might.
At this point, the only forces capable of resisting the Spirit Empire were Tianxing Academy and Sea God Island. But Sea God Island lay across the ocean, beyond the Empire's reach, and Tianxing Academy remained neutral. Even with Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan now integrated into the academy, the clan itself had ceased to exist.
For anyone to join Tianxing Academy, they now had to commit to complete non-involvement in any conflicts within the spirit master world, severing ties with all other sects. New members even swore an unbreakable vow that betrayal would shatter their spirits.
Ultimately, the two forces maintained their independence due to their powerful Level 99 Douluo protectors, both famed for their ruthless defense against enemies—and harsh discipline for their own ranks.
After some discussion, the group decided to head to Hanhai City for now, planning to flee overseas if the Empire's army arrived.
Meanwhile, Yang Potian had laid down strict rules within Tianxing Academy: the academy would not harbor or ally with any forces opposing the Spirit Empire, especially not remnants of the Clear Sky Clan. He warned that any violation of this rule could drag the academy into conflict with the Empire, and he wouldn't step in to prevent it.
Yang Potian's tone left no room for negotiation, not even with his own grandfathers, Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang, or Niu Gao, who all exchanged grim looks as they encountered this resolute side of him for the first time.
Time flew by, and within a month, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo arrived at Tianxing Academy to finalize the plan to enter the Star Dou Forest with Yang Potian. Originally, Yang Potian had considered letting Dugu Yan and Niu Meng join, as they were on the verge of breaking through to Titled Douluo, but he decided against it—this hunt would likely be perilous, and he wasn't prepared to protect others if the soul beasts retaliated.
Yang Potian set out with Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Qian Renxue, and, as four Titled Douluo, they traveled swiftly. In just two days, they reached the edge of the Star Dou Forest, where they rendezvoused with the rest of the Empire's team.
The Spirit Empire had prepared meticulously for this hunt in the forest's core. Alongside Bibi Dong, they deployed Golden Crocodile Douluo, Third Consecrated Qingluan Douluo, and Sixth and Seventh Consecrated Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Vanquisher Douluo. Additionally, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Flame Hawk Douluo, and Shadow Leopard Douluo, as well as the Golden Generation trio, Hu Liena and her companions, joined them, along with ten Soul Sages.
The Empire had clearly invested heavily in this mission. Apart from Golden Crocodile Douluo, most of the selected spirit masters specialized in agility or flight, with strong cooperative skills. Key pairs, such as Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, as well as Thousand Jun and Demon Vanquisher Douluo, were set to amplify each other's strengths.
After regrouping, the team proceeded through the forest. Ghost Douluo took the lead, with Shadow Leopard Douluo covering the rear to enhance mobility. During the journey, Golden Crocodile Douluo stayed close to Yang Potian, perhaps as a precaution.
Yang Potian mused to himself: normally, Bibi Dong and the Worship Hall maintain distance. Sending four Titled Douluo along shows they're braced for surprises, particularly in safeguarding their "little princess," Qian Renxue.
Their journey through the forest was unexpectedly smooth, encountering only a few soul beasts, which Ghost Douluo quickly dispatched. After two days of travel, they finally reached the forest's core area.
Moving with caution, the group remained vigilant as they approached the Lake of Life, staying hidden to avoid detection.
After two days of searching, they spotted their target: the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python.
The Titan Giant Ape was near the lake, casually feasting on a beast carcass, while the Azure Bull Python remained hidden beneath the water. Though its form wasn't visible, faint shadows indicated its massive size.
Bibi Dong had long been determined to acquire these two powerful beasts. The Azure Bull Python, revered as the "Forest Emperor," was known as one of the strongest of its kind, though most didn't know about even stronger beasts lurking in the forest. The Azure Bull Python's rare dragon bloodline and lightning attribute made it highly coveted. As for the Titan Giant Ape, despite numerous attempts to hunt it, it continued to thrive in the forest. Its formidable earth and strength attributes, combined with its agility and defense, made it a near-perfect beast.
In the records, few spirit masters had managed to defeat a Titan Giant Ape or obtain its spirit ring. Even a ten-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape possessed power comparable to some hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts.
According to their agreement, Yang Potian would not attack the two beasts directly. His role was to deter any unforeseen interference from even stronger beasts; he would only step in if they appeared.
The team concealed their aura as they edged closer to the Titan Giant Ape, preparing to strike at any moment. Despite its playfulness by the lake, the beast's power was formidable, and they knew it wouldn't go down easily. The Azure Bull Python, they estimated, possessed the strength of a level ninety-seven Titled Douluo, while the Titan Giant Ape was only slightly weaker. Both beasts' physical prowess far exceeded ordinary soul beasts.
Near the lake, the Titan Giant Ape seemed oblivious to the danger lurking around it. Instead, it looked toward the lake, speaking to the hidden Azure Bull Python. "Big Brother, I feel like going out to explore a bit. That senior warned of danger, but really—what threat could there be in the core of Star Dou Forest?"
A deep voice rumbled from beneath the lake, "Second Brother, you've become too lax, too arrogant. You know many spirit masters would love nothing more than to hunt you down."
"Have you forgotten? Big Sister Xiao Wu's mother was killed by humans."
The Titan Giant Ape snorted with disdain. "If Big Brother and I had been there, we'd have shown those nasty humans a thing or two. There's no way they would've succeeded!"
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