Chapter 303: The Soul Beast Skirmish
With Di Tian's sudden arrival, tremors rippled through the ground, and a massive Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear leapt from the depths of the Lake of Life's core— Sr. Xiong, who took the form of a towering man and stood beside Di Tian.
Bibi Dong, her face livid with anger, glared at them. "You again, Di Tian and Sr. Xiong? How dare you obstruct my plans—you court death!"
Di Tian roared back, "Impudent humans! You dare invade the core of the Star Dou Forest to hunt down my kin?"
Bibi Dong scoffed. "You're just past failures! If you hadn't fled so quickly back in Heaven Dou City, you'd be dead already."
Di Tian's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't overestimate yourself, human. You may be strong, but you're still far from matching me."
As Bibi Dong and Di Tian exchanged barbs, the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python used the brief respite to begin healing. With their resilient bodies and noble bloodlines, the earlier attacks, while intense, hadn't been lethal; even Bibi Dong's poison would take time to have a lasting effect.
Both sides appeared to be wary, unwilling to make the first move. Yang Potian observed Di Tian and Sr. Xiong with curiosity. Given the strength of the Spirit Empire's lineup, he mused, Di Tian and Sr. Xiong alone might struggle. But if all five savage beasts of the Star Dou Forest's core joined in, the Spirit Empire's forces would suffer major losses.
As tensions escalated, the entire Star Dou Forest seemed to grow restless. From all around, spirit beasts gathered, as if to encircle the Spirit Empire's forces. The ground trembled as three enormous Hercules Ants emerged, each over three meters long with wings on their backs—the Three Kings of the Hercules Ants.
A piercing cry sounded overhead as a massive Swallowing Skybird swooped down, spanning over sixty meters, with a wingspan exceeding a hundred meters. Judging by its aura, it was a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.
Shadows among the trees shifted as an enormous Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, boasting an ominous, dark aura, crawled from the foliage. With each passing moment, more powerful spirit beasts arrived to bolster the defense, each at least fifty-thousand years old and visibly ferocious.
The Spirit Empire's Titled Douluo, recognizing the mounting threat, wore dark expressions; they hadn't anticipated such a fierce response from the beasts, and a grueling battle now seemed inevitable.
In the shadows, Yang Potian exchanged glances with Qian Renxue and Golden Crocodile Douluo, understanding that the time had come to reveal their full strength.
A trio of figures—Yang Potian, Qian Renxue, and Golden Crocodile Douluo—suddenly appeared beside Bibi Dong. A voice echoed by Bibi Dong's ear, urging, "Make a quick decision. If you hesitate, you'll miss the opportunity."
But before Bibi Dong could respond, Qian Renxue stepped forward, drawing her Angelic Sacred Sword. The radiant light from her sword illuminated the entire area. "We angels have always stood for the eradication of evil. You beasts have gone too far!"
Di Tian's eyes grew cold as he retorted, "So, even the Angel God's inheritor is here? You invade the Star Dou Forest to kill my kin, and somehow we're the ones who've crossed the line?"
Di Tian then fixed his gaze on Yang Potian, or more specifically, on the demonic aura of the Shura Demon Sword behind him. "I see you're here as well. From what I know, your Heavenly Path Academy should be an enemy of the Spirit Empire. And yet, here you are, aiding them."
Yang Potian laughed. "You misunderstand. I'm merely passing through; I have no intention of getting involved in conflicts between the Spirit Empire and the soul beasts. But Bibi Dong is the Spirit Empire's Empress and the sole human leader of our kind. If you intend to kill her, I cannot stand by."
"I am, first and foremost, human, and I won't watch as beasts wreak havoc upon our people."
Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but feel a bit dubious. When did Yang Potian start showing such respect for Bibi Dong? they thought. Was he trying to throw everyone off balance?
Before anyone could act, Yang Potian continued, "Di Tian, I don't care about your disputes with humans. However, back at Heavenly Path Academy, you interfered by forcibly rescuing Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
With his words, Yang Potian summoned his immense Break Soul Spear, and five black and four red spirit rings appeared beneath him, exerting a tremendous pressure upon everyone nearby.
Seeing Yang Potian's spirit rings, Sr. Xiong's face twisted in anger. "You wretched human! After killing so many of our one-hundred-thousand-year beasts, do you not fear our vengeance?"
Yang Potian ignored Sr. Xiong and turned to Bibi Dong, eyes gleaming with meaning. "Bibi Dong, these two beasts are the spirit rings you need—do you still want them?"
Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold as she responded, "Attack! Anyone who stands in our way will be killed!"
Transforming into the massive Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, Bibi Dong lunged at Di Tian, whom she had faced once before and knew well. Meanwhile, Golden Crocodile Douluo shifted into his Golden Crocodile King form, charging at Sr. Xiong.
Qian Renxue, wielding her Angelic Sacred Sword, also swung her blade toward Sr. Xiong, signaling the Spirit Empire's vested interest in subduing him.
The other Titled Douluo each selected their own opponents, with a particular focus on the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python.
Yang Potian brandished his Break Soul Spear, positioning himself in front of the Three Kings of the Hercules Ants. With a single sweep of his spear, he sent the trio sprawling back.
If not for the fact that he already had specific goals for his spirit rings, the Hercules Ants would have made an excellent addition, especially if he could absorb all three rings together. However, Yang Potian no longer had enough slots for additional rings.
The Three Kings of the Hercules Ants recognized Yang Potian as the one who had once ambushed them and taken over their territory. They screeched in rage, prepared to fight him to the bitter end.
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